April 22, 2021 


Weekly Connection
Dear friends,

Happy Earth Day! I encourage you to take a moment and go outside today to connect with God's creation (and maybe even pick up some trash while you're outside!). Also, take a moment and scroll to the bottom of this email and pray the prayer for Earth Day from our denomination's Book of Common Worship.

This past Sunday, during worship, we continued looking at readings from First John. As I was preparing for worship this coming Sunday, I thought it might be helpful to encourage folks to read this very short book of the Bible. I know that we Presbyterians aren’t often known for reading our Bibles, but there’s great value in doing so. I’ve shared this before, but part of the mystery of our faith is that God is revealed to us in new and different ways when we read scripture and learn about it. If the only time we hear the Bible is when it is read aloud in church, we’re going to miss so much of the context and the message.

There are a variety of impediments to reading the Bible. For some folks, scripture readings can feel unapproachable or as though the language is too foreign. In those instances, I’d encourage you to read a modern interpretation, like The Message, which is more of a paraphrase, or a modern translation like the Common English Bible, which is a Bible translation written in a more familiar language. There are also very good study Bibles that provide some commentary and tips to help. I use the Harper Collins Study Bible for instance, but there are others. There are many resources out there, but the key is to give it a try! Like many aspects of our faith journey, there’s really no wrong way to do it.

Here are a few links to the book of First John:

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) — this is the version we use in church.



There are five chapters of the book, and on each of those sites, you just click through each chapter. This Sunday, our text will be 1 John 3:16-24, and then next week, we’ll wrap up with 1 John 4:7-21 (you can always join us on Zoom for Bible Study next Wednesday at 2 p.m. if you want to discuss that text with others!).

I also want to extend a special invitation to everyone to join us for the next Early Risers book, which is starting a week from today. We’ll be reading a new book called How Not to be Afraid — Seven Ways to Live When Everything Seems Terrifying by Gareth Higgins. Here’s a short video with Gareth Higgins talking about his book. Copies are available for $15 by contacting Terri or me at the office. Join us! (More details by clicking on the image below).

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday during worship! We’ll have fellowship after worship, and you can click here or on the graphic below for instructions to join.

Peace,
Pastor Erik
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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.
An Opportunity in our Community

Three community organizations, Lyonsville Congregational UCC, the LeaderShop and CommUNITY Diversity Group of LaGrange are sponsoring the upcoming workshop, Building An Anti-Racist Community Together: Action for All Ages. This dynamic event on Saturday April 24th offers an in-person (LaGrange site) or zoom event participation option. It provides activities for folks of all ages to engage together. Please take a moment to look at the conference link for descriptions of the activities being offered. You can choose how you, and your family, participate and from where (home or onsite) for this half-day learning opportunity about ways of making a difference for our community. 

With events for youth, adults and families this free and local presented event seems like a two thumbs up opportunity.
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 
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
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:
4/22  Henry Lobash
4/23  Becka McClintock
4/23  Brian Kohlsaat
4/24  Katherine Millis
4/25  Nick Boxell
4/26    Caroline Murray
4/27    Stacy Restani
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
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).