Dear friends,
Greetings on this day before Christmas. Our advent journey of expectation has brought us to this day, when we’ll gather in the evening to usher in the presence of Christ in our lives. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the fact that while liturgically we celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas, I have a feeling that for many of us there won’t be an overnight change where suddenly, our circumstances have changed and we’re now expected to pack up our sense of waiting and expectation since the Christ has come.
Indeed, the waiting, longing, hoping … these will all continue. They will continue for the months ahead, but I also think the seasons of expectation will and do come throughout our lives. That first Christmas was no different. While angels brought the message to shepherds (we don’t know how many) and Mary & Joseph likely had family and friends around, how many people really heard that good news of the boy child born in a manger?
So many people expected the Messiah to be the kind they imagined — you know the one, riding on a horse, a strong hero ready to rescue God’s people from their circumstances. Instead, they received a baby, born humbly. A baby who would grow up to become a different kind of revolutionary. One leading a revolution of love - a revolution of standing up to the evil in the world and a revolution of looking out for those who were weak. A revolution that most people couldn’t comprehend.
What sort of expectations do you have this Christmas? I hope you’ll make time in your Christmas celebrations to join us this evening for worship. We’ll gather at 8 p.m. over Facebook Live. You’ll want to have a candle (any candle will do, but if you’d like one like we use in church, we still have them available outside the church office in the black bin!), and elements for communion (some form of bread and fruit of the vine). Other than that, bring yourselves. The music will be beautiful and inspiring, we’ll hear the Christmas story, and we’ll bring ourselves and our expectations before the Babe born in Bethlehem.
Gathering music will begin at 7:50 p.m. to give you time to make your way to the livestream. As a reminder, we’ve found the easiest way to find the service is to click here. And if that doesn’t work for you, we’ve setup an alternate stream on our website at presbyws.org/live. Also, if you’re unable to join us at 8, you can watch later anytime on our YouTube channel. You can click here for the bulletin for tonight’s service.
I also want to invite you to an informal time of worship on Christmas morning at 10 a.m. This will be held over Zoom and it will be a chance to see others and their smiling faces, and begin the Christmas Day with celebration of God’s love for humanity in Christ. You can click here to join the service.
Christmas blessings,
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Pastor Erik
P.S. - It is our tradition at PCWS to join with churches in our denomination of collecting the Christmas Joy Offering on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Joy Offering provides assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and funds for developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. You are welcome to drop a check by the church or contribute online at presbyws.org/donate.
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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 Fill the can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
Thanks to all who 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
Bob LeMay, friend of Kay Kelly
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Caryle Aitken Wilkie
Don Heizer, friend of the McMahons
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
Jessie DeFano, niece of Michelle Hennessy
John Kregg
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Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
Mary Jo Blough
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
Peggy Mirlenbrink, aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke, niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Shannon Cavanaugh, niece of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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Please keep in your prayers the family and friends of PCWS member Kathleen Kircher who passed away earlier this week. |
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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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12/24 Alyssa Lombardi
12/25 John Adelphia
12/26 Barb Farr
12/27 Mary Ellen Fencl
12/28 Erich Remiker
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12/28 Howie Habenicht
12/30 Jeanie Smyers
12/30 Sue Kovalick
12/31 Zeke Tester
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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:
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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.
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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 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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