Dear friends,
I hope that you are able to find something to do this weekend to make it special. Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, but in large part because I’ve enjoyed the gatherings of people and community celebrations like parades and, of course, fireworks displays. As we mark another “lost moment” among so many others, I’m finding that rather than getting mired in the lost-ness, I’m starting to see the world (and my calendar!) with slightly different eyes. While I still feel a nagging sense of loss much of the time, I’m also finding that life has new patterns that, somehow, bring some peace a sense of new-ness.
I wonder if you’ve found new patterns, practices, or experiences that you didn’t have before? And in those new things, how are you finding some sense of peace or satisfaction? Let me know!
This Sunday I’ll conclude the sermon series from Genesis on our Creative God with a look at the courtship of Isaac and Rebekah. It is an often-times humorous love story that has some great theological truths about God. I look forward to spending time with you on Sunday morning or whenever you choose to worship with us. As a reminder, this is a communion Sunday, so please bring some form of bread and fruit of the vine to your worship space.
Please plan on joining Lottie and me on Wednesday evening at 7 for our second evening of Discussion in Community over Zoom. Lottie will be teaching about the Confession of Belhar and we’ll be discussing the confession and how it applies to our lives today. You can read more about the session and how to connect by clicking
here
.
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
P.S. Scroll down for more! Read about our
Step-by-Step wellness challenge
and about our summer
PCWS apparel
order taking place NOW!
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Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
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No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS!
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Early Risers Book Group
New Group begins TOMORROW! 7 a.m. Why not Join us! If you can't make it this week, you are welcome to join us next week.
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What a fun welcome you gave Jack and I on Sunday! Thank you! It was a delight to see your faces off-Zoom and in person.
Jack and I left the parade with overflowing hearts and overflowing arms— you all are a talented group of bakers, flower arrangers, car decorators and poster makers! It was a truly memorable parade of “welcome wagons” and we are so, so grateful.
This is an unusual time to be starting out at a new church, but in so many ways your warmth has transcended distance. Jack and I feel incredibly blessed to be here and we look forward to getting to know you more. (Click the image to see a short video of the parade!)
Lottie MacAulay Friedman
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Wear the PCWS logo in style!
Our Summer Style Shop is Now Open! We are excited to announce we have selected summer apparel with our logo screen-printed in a variety of styles for men and women.
Visit
our store
to see the styles available (2 styles of Trucker hats, 2 styles of t-shirts and polo shirts for men and women.) There are links that will take you to the form. When you place your order, you will be asked to pay for your items, and you will have the option to have your order (except for hats) shipped to your home for an additional fee. Place your order before the
store closes on July 17 - orders will arrive by the end of July.
Have an idea for items you'd like to have with the new logo? Contact
Michelle Hennessy
, Welcoming Elder with your suggestion.
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Summer Mission Project Book Drive!
PCWS is collecting new and gently used children’s books (birth through 6
th
grade reading level) during our summer book drive.
Please bring your books to the bins
outside the doors from the parking lot entrance. To learn more about our book drive,
visit our website
!
As of last night, we've collected
2,828
Books!
If you would like to make a monetary donation please use the
PCWS online donation
site to make an electronic donation selecting the Book Drive option or make a donation by check (note “Book Drive” on the memo line) and drop off or mail to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558. You may contact our
Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers
, with any questions on making an electronic donation.
If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba
Our men & women serving our country in the Armed Services
The people of Syria,
and especially the relatives of PCWS’ Interfaith Women’s Book Group
First responders, nurses, doctors, and others
providing care to others
Betty Anderson
Betty Toft
Billye Dvorak
Brent Young,
son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Cheryl Donchez,
friend of Theresa & Condy Dixon
Dorcas Dvorak,
friend of the Merrifield family
Family and friends of Paul,
cousin of Elizabeth Slezak
Family and friends of Wayne Filar,
Candice Mares’ cousin
Gary Mirlenbrink,
uncle of Lori Carsten
Holly Oliver,
daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez,
friend of the Merrifield family
Jan Fortina
John Bliss,
friend of Mindy McMahon
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
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Kathleen Kircher
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Margaret and Don Swaar,
aunt and uncle of Kay Kelly and Jill Dold
Mary Kate Miller,
step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary,
dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Liccar and family,
friends of Kay Kelly
Nate & Joann Dardick,
friends of Laurie Merrifield
Nathan,
friend of McMahon Family
Norb Mirlenbrink,
Uncle of Lori Carsten
Pat McTiernan,
friend of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Pat White,
friend of Becky Glasscock
Paulette Erickson,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Peggy Mirlenbrink,
aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke,
niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Steve,
friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner,
aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore,
friend of Mike Pelton
Theresa Ybanez,
great niece of Laura Fruit
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
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Stephen Ministers Are Available
We are a congregation that prays with one another and for one another. You are encouraged to pray for the concerns on this prayer list even though you may not know the details. Our Stephen Ministers are praying as well. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister pray for you or with you (over the telephone, or videoconference), please reach out to
Joyce Rodos
, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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7/02 Sue Cushman
7/04 Diane Wood
7/06 Clete Davis
7/06 John Kregg
7/08 Jorie Pesce
7/09 John Cole
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7/09 Julie Garino
7/09 Mike Lobash
7/09 Samuel Mintah
7/10 Donna Strunk
7/11 Otto Sherrick
7/11 Tricia Koning
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What are You Celebrating?
We know there are many milestones happening in our community - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. How have you been celebrating milestones during our time of social distancing and stay-at-home? Send photos to
mhennessy@presbyws.org
for inclusion in the Weekly Connection!
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PCWS Office Closed
The PCWS office remains closed for the immediate future. Our office staff are still working remotely and on a limited basis. If you need immediate assistance, please email
Pastor Erik
or leave a message for him on his church extension which he checks regularly, or call his cell - (708) 505-5409
.
Pastor Erik is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is also now a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
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Online Giving
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS by dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558 or
by donating online.
Have you ever considered using online tools as a way to manage your contributions to PCWS? You can use our giving site to set-up recurring or one-time payments (there's no fee when you use your checking or savings account.) Since we’re not gathering in-person each week, this would be a good time to get yourself set-up with electronic payments. Please contact our
Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers
, with any questions or instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time.
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Amazon Shopping?
In this unusual time, with so many of us ordering on Amazon, please remember to use
smile.amazon.com
and designate Presbyterian Church of Western Springs as your charitable organization. This does not change your cost, but enables Amazon to contribute a small portion of the sale to the church, above and beyond your regular giving.
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The Pentecost offering
received through May 31st supports the larger church’s efforts to encourage, develop and support its young people, while also addressing the needs of at-risk children. This year our congregation's contributions were over $1,200! As we celebrated Pentecost, often called the birthday of the church, we recognized the gift of the Holy Spirit coming to the first Christians. Like those early believers, these financial gifts support our denomination, PCUSA, offering opportunities for broadening and enriching our community of faith through our young people. Thank you for your support!
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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