Dear friends,
Welcome to the season of Easter! Like so many of our church holidays, Easter is not just one Sunday, but rather the start of a season in the church. While the bunnies and eggs will be stowed away by now for most people, the church is just beginning the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. In worship during the coming weeks, this will be our focus as we seek to know more about the risen Christ.
It was so good to worship with you all on Easter Sunday, both at the sunrise service and our 9:30 a.m. service. Several folks joined us at 6:15 a.m. as the sun was still hiding below the horizon. Together we ushered in the new morning, lighting the Easter fire and then from the fire, the Christ candle, while ringing our bells and shouting “Alleluia!” The celebrations continued at our 9:30 a.m. service with beautiful brass, our choir which had gathered remotely, and so many of our musicians sharing their gifts to help us worship. Thank you to Stephanie Coates for coordinating our musicians, and to our musicians as well. I also want to thank Jim Koning who helped with technology at both services and Sue Kovalick for her work in decorating the Sanctuary - it was stunningly beautiful.
Sunday was also our first time using some new technology in the Sanctuary for our live stream. We were also able to use some of the new equipment for our sunrise service. Over the coming weeks we will be installing the setup more permanently as we work toward our eventual return. The good news for those of you who either live out of town for all or part of the year or who otherwise cannot make it to our building is that we’ll be ready to seamlessly continue our streaming services even after we're back in the Sanctuary. The plan at this time is to transition sometime in the coming weeks (likely mid-May) to broadcasting from the Sanctuary with just our musicians and worship leaders/tech team. The Session will make decisions about the next steps in the coming months but we do hope to return in-person in the coming months.
Speaking of next steps, as the weather continues to get more and more wonderful, we’re hoping to have some more safe outdoor activities at church. You might also consider having small outdoor gatherings or meetings at church. We’ll be acquiring some furniture for the labyrinth area closer to summer, but in the meantime, you can bring your own chairs and set up on the lawn, under a tree, in the labyrinth, or wherever you’d like.
Finally, as our first quarter comes to a close, Patrick Rivers, our Financial Secretary, will be preparing quarterly giving statements. Would you be willing to receive yours by email? If so, please send Patrick a note or call the church office and let us know. We can also provide a hard copy for you to pick-up at church. Thanks for considering this way to help us save a little on postage!
Peace,
|
|
Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
|
|
No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS! |
|
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.
|
|
Interfaith Community Partners
Did you know? ICP volunteers can drive older adults (60+) to get their Covid vaccines if they have no other way to get there. Please think about your older adult neighbors who may need help during this difficult time and share ICP's office phone number: (708) 354-9328
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide escorted transportation for people 60 and better to get to places like physician appointments and therapies. We do not charge our clients and ask for suggested donations, when able.
Interfaith Community Partners also offers Library Home Delivery Service.
We need volunteer drivers! We'll train you via Zoom. We'll work around your busy life. Background check required. Find out more about Interfaith Community Partners - visit their website!
|
|
Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba, especially this week we pray for Grecia, Maria Eugenia, Nilda, and Raul
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
Dan Lewis
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 Carstens
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
|
|
Jan Fortina
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
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
Ruth Kaduke, niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Shannon Cavanaugh, niece of Phyllis DiFrancesco
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
|
|
|
Please keep the family of The Rev. Larry De Vries in your prayers, especially his wife Heather. Larry and Heather are the parents of Mark De Vries and have worshiped with us at PCWS for the past several years. We extend our sympathy to Heather, Mark, and the De Vries family. |
|
Stephen Ministers Are Available
Does COVID-19 have you feeling some type of way? Depressed maybe? Have you suffered the loss of a job and just can't get back on your feet? Going or gone through a divorce? Grieving the loss of a loved one? Everyone hurts at some point in life and can benefit from a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are specially trained members of our very own congregation who provide one-to-one Christian Care to people who need someone to talk to. All caring relationships are completely confidential, free (meaning no charge), and provide emotional and spiritual support to those in need.
|
|
4/8 Win Murray
4/9 Eric Boeckmann
4/10 Mac Weber
4/11 Carolyn Bozek
4/11 Dom Garino
4/11 Jessie Fronk
4/12 Alena Cushman
|
|
4/16 Dick Martinaitis
4/16 Jack Rodos
4/16 Rick Remiker
4/17 Chris Lee
4/17 Piper Murray
4/20 Ruth Riordan
4/20 Zack Karstens
|
|
|
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:
-
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.
|
|
Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time.
|
|
Annual Report
P.S. Thank you to those of you who attended our Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, March 28, after worship. If you missed the annual report, you can click here.
|
|
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).
|
|
Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
