April 29, 2021 


Weekly Connection
Dear friends,

I’m looking forward to being with you all this Sunday for worship and then on Monday morning (May 3), I’ll be heading to California to visit my family. I’m quite excited as you might imagine. I know we’re all beginning to tiptoe toward a return to some of our normal practices. The latest word from the CDC especially gives some more reassurances to folks who have been fully vaccinated. I am excited to hear from more and more of you who have received your vaccines.

Gathering in churches (particularly with singing and unrestricted numbers) still presents some challenges, and your Session has been spending considerable time discerning the appropriate next steps for us. The great news is that we’re in the process of planning some new ways for us to gather outside in the coming summer months that will be both meaningful and fun. We’ll be sharing more about the plans in the next few weeks while we’re also working toward the installation of a quality tech system that will enable us to have a continued online worship presence once we’re meeting in person inside. Thank you for your patience and support as the leaders of your church guide us through this time of transition! Again, we’ll be reaching out soon with more information.

While I’m out of town from May 3-12, please reach out to Terri in the office (she currently works Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) with any concerns you may have. Lottie and our Deacons will be available for pastoral care needs and Lottie will be leading worship and preaching on May 9th.

See you on Sunday as we gather for worship. We'll be celebrating communion together, so you'll want to have some form of bread and juice prepared.

I hope you’re having a wonderful start to Spring and enjoying some time outside!

Peace,
Pastor Erik

P.S. Our Early Risers are starting a new book this week ...
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!
Connect
Elementary Age Sunday School meets this week! Click here for the links.
Serve
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.
Phishing Emails

We’ve received some reports of people receiving emails that look like they’re from Erik, but asking for things like gift cards and other favors.

Commonly called "Spear-Phishing emails," this is when a scammer sends you an email impersonating a person or company you know. Some emails want you to click on a button or link and ask you to fill in personal financial information. Others, like the recent ones directed at PCWS, want you to respond to them and send money, usually in the form of a gift card. Note: If you look closely at the email address, you might see that something is not right.

What do you do when you get one of these emails – they usually sound URGENT?

Don’t Panic!
Don’t click on anything.
Take your time and read the entire email.
Now, think!

Does this sound right?  Would this person do this? Does it look like it is really their email address?

Use your intuition. If in doubt, try reaching the person or company by phone (yeah, 20th-century style). Or call your favorite neighborhood tech guy, like me.

NEVER enter personal information, like account numbers, etc., into a website you reached from an email.

NEVER give money to anyone who contacts you via email – this includes providing gift card information.

Here is a link at AARP regarding spear phishing.  Also, on their Scams and Frauds page, AARP lists all the types of online scams and how to protect yourself from them.

Please remember that no one from church will EVER email you to ask for financial favors of any sort. ALWAYS feel free to call Erik or email him directly at erik@presbyws.org if you have any suspicions about an email or any questions.
Pray
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
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
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
Our former Office Administrator Elaine Hooven informed us that former PCWS Interim Pastor Kathy Keener will be undergoing delicate brain surgery on May 4 to address a benign tumor. Elaine has requested prayers for Kathy as she leaves her current interim position in the Seattle area and as she undergoes and recovers from surgery.
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.
Celebrating Birthdays:
4/29    Michael De Vries
4/30    Mercedes Williams
4/30    Phyllis DiFrancesco
5/1      Diane Ravanesi
5/1      Duncan Lewis
5/1      Sal Melilli
5/1      Scott Sindelar
5/2      Ben Bellamy
5/2      Davis McMahon
5/2      Nick Burt
5/3      Amy Malone
5/3      Dan Wennerstrum
5/3      Kevin McDermott
5/3      Lawson Farrar
5/3      Mollie Galloway
5/3      Rainey Farrar
5/4      Bennett Sellman
5/4      Ethan Sellman
5/4      Tyler Sellman
5/5      Tim Karstens
5/6      Carolyn Garbin
5/6      Jeffery Kohlsaat
5/6      Kim Yates
5/7      David Boxell
5/8      Jessi Bozek
5/8      Laura Barnes
5/8      Pierce Wilson
5/8      Zelda Kozma
Support
Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time. 
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).