September 3, 2020 www.presbyws.org

Weekly Connection

Hello Friends,  Thanks to the time and energy of a number of community members (shout out to Mary Jo and Ron Blough, Mindy and Davis McMahon, Karen Kennedy, Theresa Dixon and Walt Kovalick) the grounds of the church are spruced up and looking absolutely wonderful! Amidst the emotional ups and downs of this season, I would encourage you to come visit the labyrinth area. Sometimes a change of scenery for prayer, mediation, or reflection can be incredibly fruitful.  While you’re here, feel free to tap on the office window! We have a “welcome home” poster for Erik that you could sign and Summer Mission bins aplenty.  I would also like to highlight some resources that our denomination has released. Last week was the PC(USA) Week of Action against racism and white supremacy. If you are interested in learning more, please visit https://www.pcusa.org/weekofaction/. You’ll find many videos, webinars, bible studies, and articles to accompany themes from our churchwide Come Grow book study.  As a reminder, Erik will be back for worship this Sunday. We look forward to “seeing” you then! With love,

Lottie

Watch our Worship Services Live Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Sermons Available Online

No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS!

Click here to view previous Sunday worship videos and bulletins.

As ones who seek to do Christ’s work of love and reconciliation in the world, Pastor Erik invites all of us to join him in learning and growing. To do this, he is asking everyone to commit to reading at least one of the books on this list. The titles were chosen deliberately with the intent that you would engage with them and with others while you seek to grow. He encourages all of us to gather with family, or a small group of people, to read and discuss. Click on the graphic to learn more about this summer challenge.

Summer Mission Project Book Drive Ends Saturday! As of last Saturday, we've collected 7,233 Books - beating our third goal of 5,000 books by August 31!   Please bring your books to the bins outside the doors from the parking lot entrance. Want to learn more about our book drive, visit our website! If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact Janet Andersen.

Please Pray For:

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 Paul, cousin of Elizabeth Slezak Family and friends of Wayne Filar, Candice Mares’ cousin Gary Mirlenbrink, uncle of Lori Carsten  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 Kathleen Kircher  Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock Laurie Merrifield 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   Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares

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.

Celebrating Birthdays:

9/3       Bob Cushman 9/6       Jeff Adams 9/7       Kinley Baise 9/9      Avery Mezan 9/10    Clark Wood 9/10    Grace Hughes 9/10    Lauren De Vries 9/11    Maddie Mosher 9/11    Max Strohl 9/12    Scott Banovic 9/13    Craig Harris

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, while Pastor Erik is on vacation, please email Lottie or leave a message for her on her church extension which she checks regularly, or call her cell - ‭(708) 505-9829‬‬. Staff is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).

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.

Donate Online

Monday, September 7

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.

Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.  Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.

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