Dear friends,
There’s lots happening in the next few days, so I hope you’ll take the opportunity to read this email and see how you might be involved!
First, tonight is our next Community Conversation. This great new initiative from our Mission Committee facilitates discussions between our mission partner organizations. This week we’ll be joined by representatives from Pillars Community Health and The LeaderShop to talk about services for youth in our neighborhood. Kevin McDermott will moderate a discussion and we’ll also hear from our own Candice Mares and Shannon Sullivan who have both been a part of The LeaderShop. Click here to learn more about tonight’s program at 7 on Zoom.
Second, Saturday is our church workday! We’ll be spreading mulch, doing a little bit of painting, weeding, and a few other fun projects! We will start at 8:30 a.m., so come on out and join us for some fellowship and work to beautify the campus! (If you have a wheelbarrow that you can bring, please do so as it will help with our mulch projects in particular!) Bring your gloves and your smile and we’ll see you Saturday morning.
Third, this Sunday during worship we’ll be joined by some of our high school graduating seniors so that we can hear about their plans and offer a blessing to them as they graduate and head toward the next steps in their lives. We’ll also be sharing and celebrating our other graduates in the community.
Last Sunday after worship the congregation acted on Lottie’s request to dissolve her call as our Associate Pastor. Obviously, this was done with sorrow and also with joyful support of Lottie and Jack in their next chapter. This Sunday will be Lottie’s last Sunday in worship and in Sunday School and we’ll offer a word of blessing for her.
This Sunday is also Pentecost. Traditionally in the church, the color red is associated with Pentecost as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on the early church. The wearing of red is the color of celebrations in the church year, so as we celebrate Lottie’s year with us, and as we celebrate the graduates, it is appropriate that we wear red!
As it is Pentecost, we’ll also be receiving the Pentecost Offering on Sunday and for the next week or so. You can contribute online by clicking here and selecting “Pentecost Offering” under Special Offerings or by sending a check with “Pentecost Offering” in the memo. Fitting with our Community Conversation focus, the Pentecost Offering is used to support at-risk youth both locally and through our denominational efforts. Click here to learn more about this offering.
Finally, at the congregational meeting, we shared exciting news about our summer outdoor worship and fellowship series — It’s Summertime and the Worship is Easy. We’ll gather for five Wednesday evenings for outdoor worship and fellowship! Click here for a flyer with more details (you can also share it with your friends and invite them to come!). Watch for ways to be involved and help out. These worship and fellowship gatherings will be a great chance for us to take advantage of the summer as we ease back toward regular in-person events.
I told you there was a lot, and this isn’t everything. Scroll down for more upcoming events and jump on in!
See you tonight, Saturday morning, and on Sunday!
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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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Let's Continue to Fill the can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
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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As part of our Lenten Challenge, we committed ourselves to be a part of keeping people informed about the availability of rental assistance through BEDS Plus and governmental agencies. This means helping to spread the word and inviting people we know to do the same. Recently, we learned from BEDS Plus that the state of Illinois has additional funds available for rental assistance. Here is the information we have received:
The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s 2021 Illinois Rental Payment Program is an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households in Illinois that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted starting on May 17.
Applicants are eligible for up to15 months of assistance. The grant can cover the past due rent from the previous 12 months and future rental assistance for the next three months, if deemed necessary. The maximum grant amount is $25,000. If approved, the grant will be paid to the housing provider in the form of a check.
Applicants do not need to be legally present to apply for help.
For program information, visit IHDA.org. Housing providers and tenants can submit a joint application starting May 17 at ILRPP.IHDA.org.
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Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba, especially this week we pray for Gladys, and Tirisay and her parents.
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
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Caryle Aitken Wilkie
Don Swaar, uncle to Jill Dold & Kay Kelly
Eva Kelly, mother of Tom Kelly
Family and friends of Antonina Glos, friend of Cheryl, Peter, Erik, & Alex Hanson
Gary Miller, Brother-in-law of Laura Hepburn
George Bruser, uncle of Donna Kanak & Diane Bonner
George Rodighiero, friend of Lori Carsten
H. Edward Jordan, father of Laura Fruit
Holly Oliver, daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez, friend of the Merrifield family
Jake Trego, friend of Tom & Kay Kelly
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Jan Fortina
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Kathy Keener, former Interim Pastor PCWS
Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
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
Nate & Joann Dardick, friends of Laurie Merrifield
Norb Mirlenbrink, Uncle of Lori Carsten
Pat McTiernan, friend of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Pat White, friend of Becky Glasscock
Paulette Erickson, friend of Carol Ulreich
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Rachel Johnson, friend of Laurie Merrifield
Ron Stone
Ruth Kaduke, niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Steve Coates, husband of Stephanie Coates
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
Will McLawhorn, nephew of Julie Kelly & Eric Boeckmann
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Thank you for your prayers for former PCWS interim pastor Kathy Keener who had surgery last week. Elaine Hooven informed us that she has heard that the operation went well and that Kathy is doing well, in high spirits, and smiling. |
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If you, or someone you know, would like to be added to the prayer list, please email Michelle Hennessy, and include the following: Name of person, prayer request, whether this is a private (Stephen Ministers are notified) or public (added to the list above) request, and include your name. Members of PCWS and our Stephen Ministers pray regularly for everyone on the public list and those who have requested private prayers.
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5/20 Abby Sindelar
5/20 Megan Sindelar
5/21 Phi Kasik
5/22 Cara Haeske
5/22 Jon Metcalf
5/22 Kalie Hoskins
5/23 Dorothy Andersen
5/23 Nana Mintah
5/24 Ann De Vries
5/24 Connor Cushman
5/25 Claire Carsten
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5/25 Matt Booth
5/26 Alison Glickman
5/26 Paige Dold
5/27 Katie Martin
5/28 Ben Sinele
5/28 Mark Dold
5/28 Scott Karstens
5/29 Marcia Buell
5/29 Sheryl Allen
5/30 Neil Pendleton
5/31 Ryan Maus
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Ministry Support
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS. There are 2 convenient ways:
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Dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558, or
- Donating online - click the button below.
Did you know 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, this would be a good time to set-up electronic payments. Please contact our Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers, with any questions or for instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
If you choose to use a credit card, we appreciate if you will include the amount of the fee charged by the credit card company.
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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 during the pandemic. Our office staff are 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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