Dear friends,
I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge a reality that I’ve been experiencing recently, but especially the past few days. As you are all well-aware, we’re all about 6 months into our new reality and for so many of us it has grown beyond weary. I read this week that from a psychological perspective, 6 months into such a significant change can bring about new sets of challenges. I wonder if you’ve felt that way? Earlier this week I had a bit of a frustrating start to the day. I finally decided that I needed to pause for a moment. So I cleaned my desk! It sounds ridiculous, but I needed to do something to change my current situation. Sometimes a deliberate change in our environment can help us to make shifts in our attitude or how we are embracing our present reality. (I’m just hoping the motivation to do my laundry will come next!) But seriously, give yourself (and those around you) some patience and grace. We’re entering the next chapter of this long journey, and it makes sense if you’re struggling with it.
On Sunday I shared about a book called It’s Not Fair. Here’s a link to a fun video with some children reading the book. I thought it was so interesting because it is absolutely virtuous for us to seek fairness ... and we teach our kids to be fair. I also shared about a TED Talk with primatologist (fun word!) Frans de Waal, including some video of monkeys responding to a test where the monkeys received different rewards for the same tasks. Here’s a link to the TED Talk which I think you might enjoy. It was amazing to me to learn about how much we are wired to seek fairness. This made it even more difficult to read our gospel lesson which seems to turn that upside down! But our lesson wasn’t one about fairness, it was really one about God’s amazing love for each one of us that lavishes us all with grace. As I said on Sunday … thank God it is God who covers us in grace and not me (or you!) who decides who receives God’s love.
Friends, I hope you’ll join us for worship on Sunday. We have something very special taking place as Katherine and Luke Gacek will present their daughter Gwenyth Jolene for the Sacrament of Baptism! You’ll want to be sure to tune in using the links below. After worship we’ll also be having a time of Zoom Fellowship where we’ll connect with one another and have a chance to hear about some upcoming ways to connect with others. (If you read below, there are some of the exciting ways!!)
Finally, you’ll notice that the Deacons are preparing care packages for our college students a little early this year (shh! don’t tell them!). Please take a look at the graphic above for ideas of items you can drop by. But, I would also like to encourage hand-written notes to our young people. You could provide one note that we can copy, or you can write cards, etc. This is such a wonderful way for us to remind our college students that they are loved by their church family. Reach out to the Deacons with any questions!
Peace,
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P.S. Last Sunday was our first day of Sunday School for pre-school through middle school! It was great! Thank you to our teachers and those who helped them and to Pastor Lottie, Kim Fronk, and Mindy McMahon for coordinating this fall launch! |
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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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Fellowship Hour This Sunday
Joins us this Sunday after worship over Zoom for fellowship. Click this link to join on your laptop, phone or iPad:
Meeting ID: 813 0427 8703
Passcode: 531296
Or join by telephone: 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.
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PCWS Book Group
Tuesday, September 29, 4:00 p.m.
The PCWS Book Group begins another season of interesting book discussions. This month, the group will meet outside PCWS in the Labyrinth to discuss The Night Watchman by Louise Erdich.
Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.
Please mark your calendars for future gatherins on the 4th Monday of the month, at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom! Everyone is invited to join the group for the year, or any part of the year, as your time and interest permits. Our discussions are always informal and often lively!
For a complete list of meeting times, and the reading list for this season, visit our webpage!
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This fall, PCWS offers a monthly gathering for women. On the last Tuesday of each month, all women are invited to connect for one hour focused discussion followed by Fellowship.
This month, join Loretta Gratias-Bremer and Donna Marie Kanak via Zoom as they facilitate the discussion of meditation, mindfulness, and prayer practices that they have found to be beneficial. Bring a beverage of your choice for virtual fellowship afterwards.
September's discussion: Tuesday, September 29, 7 pm, via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 846 3546 8603
Passcode: 403677
Or join by telephone: 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.
Mark your calendars and plan to join other women for a wonderful discussion!
These discussions are open to everyone, feel free to to invite your friends/family to join other women and share experiences for this month or every month.
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COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
College is a little different for most students right now but we want our college students to know that our love for them is still the same.
The Deacons are collecting items to be included in care packages that will be sent to our PCWS college students. These care packages have been appreciated by many youth of our church in the past and help these students feel connected to our congregation. The following items are suggestions of things that have been popular to receive but if you have other ideas please feel free to include:
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candy
gum
cocoa mix
ramen noodles
granola bars
kleenex packets
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post it notes
popcorn
mints
pen/pencils
chip bags
individual cookie packets
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hand sanitizer
toothbrush
floss
chap stick
words of encouragement
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There is a black container outside of the church side entrance where any donations can be left. All donations should be left by October 6th.
Thank you for helping us share our PCWS love and care!
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Let's Fill the Can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
What started as a Lenten Project, continued through summer and now fall. We wanted to increase our support and the response has been overwhelming! Please come by and do a “drive by” drop-off of non-perishable food items. Presently they are low on boxed cereal and canned corn or green beans. Looking forward to seeing what we can do next!
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Peace & Global Witness Offering 2020
We can all be Peacemakers.
The annual Peace & Global Witness Offering, collected now through World Communion Sunday, October 4, joins Presbyterians together as active peacemakers; gathering funding to help empower congregations and individuals to become peacemakers themselves, sharing Christ’s peace beyond our doors, beyond our community and across boundaries.
PCUSA guidelines for this particular special offering allow for 25% to remain with our congregation to support peacemaking and reconciliation in our own community – and our mission committee has selected the My Block My Hood My City Small Business Relief Fund to be the recipient of our discretionary amount. Here’s a link to their website: . . . . .
25% of what we collect will go to the Presbytery, to support peacemaking work in our region; and the remaining 50% will go to PCUSA to support efforts like the International Peacemakers program, which last year brought 12 Peacemakers representing 12 different countries to the United States for a month of visits to congregations and Presbyteries across the country. Izett Samá Hernandez, our friend from Cuba who visited with us last January, was one of those Peacemakers.
Please consider giving generously to this year’s Peace & Global Witness special offering (visit our Donation Website under Special Offering Category) and, at the same time, consider ways in which you, too, can be a Peacemaker.
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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
Elaine Wood
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
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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 Kae Headland
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, or videoconference), please reach out to Joyce Rodos, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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9/24 Kim Fronk
9/24 Nick Bonner
9/25 Katherine Gacek
9/26 Kami Booth
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9/26 Lottie MacAulay Friedman
9/28 Abby Gertsmeier
9/28 Elaine Wood
10/4 Danielle Bozek
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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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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 today's world we have all become accustomed to shopping online. Remember to shop at Amazon through our smile.amazon.com link.
In that way you are not only purchasing items from the comfort and convenience of your chair, but also giving a gift to PCWS because we benefit from any purchase made using our link to Amazon--anytime throughout the year.
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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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.
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