Dear friends,
Pastor Lottie and I have an invitation for you to join us in November as we take a month to give thanks. Gratitude is an important spiritual discipline— especially during challenging times. It reminds us to slow down and notice the blessings in our lives.
Daily prompts will be posted to Facebook and Instagram to inspire your journaling, prayer, meditation, doodling or photography. If you don’t use social media, you can also view the prompts on the PCWS website.
There is no right or wrong way to participate. You should feel free to consider each day’s prompt in whatever way you’d like. If you’re looking for inspiration, though, consider the following:
- A journal where each entry opens with, “today I am grateful for…” and closes in a prayer of gratitude;
- A post on Instagram or Facebook with an image of what you’re grateful for and the hashtag #PCWSgivesthanks;
- A sketch or doodle of your response to the prompt;
- A moment of quiet, grateful prayer each morning while you drink your coffee or tea;
- A scrapbook of collected images or artifacts related to the prompt;
- A family discussion of the daily prompt around the dinner table and prayer of gratitude after eating.
If you have other ideas or any questions at all, please reach out to Lottie or me.
30 days of Giving Thanks can take many forms. We’re excited to go on this journey with you and multiply our thanksgivings along the way. Will you join us?
I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday when we’ll be gathering for worship including the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We’ll also be observing All Saints’ Day during worship. This is an opportunity for us to pray as a community for those in our lives who have died whether recently or not. I hope you’ll join us.
Peace,
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Erik
P.S. Earlier this week PCWS members should have received a letter from Elder Mike Lobash along with a pledge card for 2021. If you are not a member and would like a pledge card, please contact the church office. If you can submit your pledge by Sunday, November 8, it will be helpful to the Session. You can complete your pledge online here or by confidentially emailing Mike at stewardship@presbyws.org.
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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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Pre-School through 5th grade Sunday School meets this Sunday at 10:30!
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Mid Day Prayers
All are welcome to attend, Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, when it fits your schedule! These sessions take place over Zoom and you can click here for all the details.
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Fall Back!
Don't forget to turn you clocks back 1 hours Saturday night! Don't forget to turn you clocks back 1 hour Saturday night!
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Surviving the Holidays
We’d like to let you know about a two-hour GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays seminar. We hope you’ll consider joining us or pass on the information to someone who may benefit by coming.
The seminar features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts, and other people who have experienced the holidays after their loved one’s death. Topics to be discussed include dealing with hard-hitting emotions, what to do about traditions, how to survive social events, and where to find comfort and strength.
GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays will be held via Zoom and hosted by members of PCWS:
Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 pm or
Tuesday, December 8, 2:00 pm
Those who attend will receive a Survival Guide filled with practical tips, encouraging words, journaling ideas, and exercises for daily help through the holiday season.
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Let's Fill the Can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
Thanks to all who have accepted the challenge and have helped to fill the baskets for the food pantry at 2nd Baptist Church in LaGrange! Our regular Monday morning delivery has helped to make a greater impact on the community that 2nd Baptist serves. Please continue to remember our neighbors who struggle with hunger and, as you are doing your grocery shopping, consider adding a couple extra items for the pantry. Food items can be dropped off Sunday mornings or any time during the week in the can near the entrance from the parking lot.
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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
Ann, friend of Joyce & Herb Smyers
Betty Anderson
Betty Toft
Billye Dvorak
Bob LeMay, friend of Kay Kelly
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Family and friends of Wayne Filar, Candice Mares’ cousin
George Bruser, uncle of Donna Kanak & Diane Bonner
Holly Oliver, daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez, friend of the Merrifield family
Jan Fortina
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Kathleen Kircher
Laura Gertsmeier
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Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Laurie Merrifield
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
Margaret and Don Swaar, aunt and uncle of Kay Kelly and Jill Dold
Mary Jo Long
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
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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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, FaceTime or ZOOM), please reach out to Joyce Rodos, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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10/29 Matt Haeske
10/30 Bruce Geary
11/1 Matt Kovalick
11/1 Olivia Mezan
11/2 Lindsey Allen
11/3 Barbara Van Cura
11/3 Debbie Randa
11/3 James Van Camp
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11/4 Griffen Wilson
11/4 Tiffany Sellman
11/5 Suzanne Mosher
11/7 Herb Habermann
11/8 Braden Slezak
11/8 Jackey Scheibelhut
11/9 Drew Hughes
11/9 Mary Jo Sindelar
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Thistle Farms Items On Sale!
We are offering all In-Stock Thistle Farms items for a discount - see the chart below for quantities. With all the hand washing we're doing, why not pick up some hand lotion?
8 oz Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Body Wash: Regular $12.00
Now $10.00
2 oz Body Wash: Regular $6.50 Now $5.00
Please email Terri in the office (terri@presbyws.org) to order and make arrangements to pick up your items. You may pay by check or online by choosing Ministry Support - Other. It's never too early to think gift-giving!
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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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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. Staff is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.
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