Dear Friends,
I hope that you are having a wonderful week. This past Saturday morning we had a great crowd come to help spread mulch. It was wonderful to work together and get the job done quickly, but I’ll be honest, the work really was secondary. If we didn’t have mulch to spread, or we had to pay someone to spread the mulch, it wouldn’t have been a major issue. The value for those of us who participated was the chance to see one another, behind our masks, and have fellowship with people we love.
We’re all thirsty for human contact and especially contact with people we love.
We’re continually looking for ways to help you stay in touch with others from PCWS. You’ve heard and read me sharing out some of these, including our Tuesday & Thursday Midday Prayer gatherings and Story Time on Thursday nights. The past few weeks we’ve also introduced our Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening walking sessions with our Deacons. I know that several of you are having Zoom discussions about race using one of the books from our Come Grow With Us campaign. It may take a little extra effort, but there are ways to remain connected - even now.
I also want to take a moment and say a hearty
THANK YOU
for all of the support you have provided to both our
Let’s Fill the Can
campaign (non-perishables for the Second Baptist Church of La Grange food pantry) and our
Summer Mission Project
benefitting
Bernie’s Book Bank
.
The response has been wonderful.
If you haven’t had a chance to support our Summer Mission Project, I encourage you to bring some books by. You can pre-order children’s books from most of our local bookstores or pick them up when you’re out shopping. We’ve received lots of great used books, but
it would be great if we could bring in some more
new
books
. This Sunday I’ll announce a couple of special “challenges” to get us excited about our collection. Also, you can always make a monetary contribution to the Summer Mission Project and Bernie’s will use the funds to purchase books.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning for worship. We’ll be live on Facebook at 9:30 and you can catch the service later on YouTube in case you miss us in the morning.
After the postlude, I hope you’ll join us for a time of Fellowship utilizing Zoom!
Click here
for the instructions and Zoom link. This will be an informal time to see familiar (and new!) faces and greet one another. Bring your own goodies and coffee!
Peace,
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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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Coffee Fellowship via Zoom!
This Sunday!
Click this link to join on your laptop, phone or iPad:
Meeting ID: 820 5174 1624
Or by telephone: 312 626 6799 and enter Meeting ID when prompted.
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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.
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Summer Mission Project Book Drive!
We have already delivered our original goal of 2,184 books to Bernie's Book Bank (
gently used children’s books - birth through 6
th
grade reading level)
.
As of last Saturday, we've collected
3,795
Books!
We are now aiming for 4,368 books
. And we would love to beat this goal, too!!!
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
.
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Despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Deacons of PCWS are hosting a Summer Wellness Challenge! While the stay-at-home orders and group restrictions prevent us from gathering in large groups, the Deacons are encouraging everyone to get out and walk! Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings, all are welcome to gather in front of the church and start walking – maintaining social distance of course.
In addition, we’re going to ask participants to send your step count and let’s see how far we can “Virtually Walk!” Everyone is welcome to join our Virtual Walk – everyone’s miles will be combined and plotted on a map. How far can we all walk this summer?
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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
Family & friends of Cheryl Donchez
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
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
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 Sellm
an
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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7/23 Jamie Smith
7/23 Katie Pendleton
7/24 David Slezak
7/25 Diane Bonner
7/26 Adam Hanson
7/26 Kathleen Kircher
7/27 Aileen Pendleton
7/28 Ande Andersen
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7/28 Jill Tester
7/28 Lacey Allen
7/28 Spencer Wilson
7/29 Charles Wennerstrum
7/30 Debbie Tice
7/30 Rob Adams
7/30 Roxie Kozma
7/31 Andrew Carlisle
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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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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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