Palos Plans March 2015 Volume 60, Number 7 In This Issue Calendar Carlton’s Corner Children’s Ministry Easter Lilies From Pastor John From The Clerk Golden Oaks Music Ministry Time Change Vacation Bible School 2015 World Service Youth Ministry March 29, 2015 10:45 a.m. Hosted by WF Mark Your Calendars! April 2 3 5 6 18 19 Maundy Thursday Service Good Friday Easter Church Office Closed for Easter Session Retreat Congregational Meeting From Pastor John... We are now in the season of Lent. This season of the church calendar invites us to take a personal journey as we move toward for Holy Week and Easter. We are invited to slow down a little, to find spaces in our schedules for more prayer, study and reflection, and to join with others in faith-filled conversations. We take the journey together and we take it as individuals. Many of you have joined small groups in which you are delving into the “I Am” passages from the Gospel of John. In each of these Biblical passages Jesus elucidates aspects of his identity and mission. He came to awaken hearts, to nurture souls, to guide the lost, and to redeem lives. He came as “living water”, as “reflection of the Father”, as “bread for the broken”, as “light for the blind”, as a “shepherd for the lost”, as “a living connection” and as the “resurrection and the life”. The words and the images of the Gospel are explicated in life situations. Each story “puts flesh” on each of the affirmations of Jesus. Each story offers clues as to the way that Jesus works in the world. He takes broken situations and he brings healing; he takes desperate situations and he brings hope; he brings life back, when life is lost. During these weeks of Lent I would invite you to read parts of John’s Gospel...particularly those parts that we are discussing and making use of in the small groups and the sermon series for Sunday morning. Those passages of scripture are: John 5, John 6, John 9, John 10, John 15, and John 11. (we already studied John 4) The key verses include: John 5:7b “My Father is still working and I am also working” John 6:35a “I am the bread of life. whoever comes to me will never be hungry” John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd, the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 15:5a “I am the vine, you are the branches” John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life” In these passages we see how God is at work in the world through Jesus. Not only is Jesus on par with God, he reveals how the divine operates among humanity. God is in a sense “always working” (John 5) to draw us into saving relationship and to heal us of all that deadens our spirits. God is, in a sense, always nurturing us so that the places of emptiness in our lives are filled with new life...life which only God can give. We are on a journey together! Let’s take the journey with intention! Let’s arrive at the place of God’s design and grace. John Curphey Interim Pastor This month’s article will be a “dictionary” of Presbyterian-related vocabulary. If we are to have credibility when we meet with the Listening Team appointed by Presbytery, we need to know the “lingo.” Many of the committee names and functions have been shortened to their initials, so they seem like alphabet soup, but it will be helpful if we know what they represent. Here goes… The denomination PC(USA) – Presbyterian Church (USA) – is governed by councils of presbyters (those who can vote) elected by the people. From the bottom up, the councils are called the session, the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly. Each council is subject to review by the next higher council. At the congregational level, we have little direct contact with the synod or General Assembly; our connection is through the Presbytery of Chicago, or POC. The Presbytery of Chicago is made up of teaching elders (those who have been ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament) and ruling elders (lay persons who have been ordained as elders). Some teaching elders are pastors of churches, but could also be college and seminary professors, hospital chaplains, counselors, or engaged in another “validated ministry.” They all are voting members of the presbytery. Congregations are entitled to representation based on their membership; PPPCC may send five commissioners (lay people) plus the pastors to vote at the assembly (the meeting of POC held generally every other month). PPPCC hosted the November 2014 assembly. There are 100 churches in the Chicago Presbytery. We are one of 34 churches in the southern region of the presbytery. The work of the Presbytery (as of PPPCC) is done through committees and commissions. The one we will have the most contact with is the Commission on Ministry, which deals with pastor changes caused by retirement or other reasons. The subcommittee moderator (our liaison with COM), is Debbie Dennis, whom you met last April in connection with Pastor Tony’s retirement, and now will work with our Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Presbytery is led by the Executive Presbyter, at present Rev. Robert Reynolds. He just announced his intention to retire in September, so there will be a search for a new EP. There is an Assistant Executive Presbyter, a stated clerk, and other officials. The office is at 815 West Van Buren Street in Chicago. We are part of the Synod of Lincoln Trails, made up of eight presbyteries. The headquarters is in Indianapolis. The national headquarters of the PC(USA) is in Louisville. General Assembly is the national meeting held every other year in a different city. This is where changes to the Constitution can be voted. It is a two-part Constitution – the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. In another article we’ll see how and why changes in the Book of Order occur. As reported at the February congregational meeting, progress is being made in our denominational transition. In April there will be a “town hall” type session for the congregation to prepare for a meeting with the “Listening” team from POC in late May. I expect this meeting to go smoothly, as previous ones have done as we move slowly and deliberately through this process. Nancy Rode, Clerk As I am writing this article, I'm looking out at a snow covered lawn in front of the church, snow banks on the edges of our parking lots, everywhere I look outside...lots and lots of snow. But even through the cold and the dark and the snow, there is something good that I know...spring is coming, and with it those lovely changes from cold to warmth, from white to color, from a world that seems dead to one that is alive. I can't wait for that change to come. It's almost as if as a church we've hit spring a couple months early. You don't have to look far to see the changes that have been blooming all around us. Our worship is filled with new things. From the new time, to a new worship order. New ushers and greeters welcoming us into worship...the church has stepped out of its old pattern and into something different, something new. And as is always the case, some people like it and others don't. But the overall goal that has motivated these changes has been accomplished. After years apart, we are now united in a way that this congregation hasn't been for more than a decade. We are together in one service worshipping our Lord in diverse ways, but doing it together. This change is good for us. It is good for us to be together as a congregation. How many faces have you seen in the past few weeks that you hadn't seen, perhaps, in years?! As we go through the transitional time ahead, facing changes in denomination as well as in the pastorate, we will need to be together as the congregation. The unity that we will forge will strengthen us and help us to have the same mind, as the apostle calls for us to do. Change is also good for us as we re-evaluate who we are as a congregation. What does our church want to be when she grows up? We have some foundational questions to answer in the months that are ahead. Are we a small, family oriented church? The kind of place where everybody knows your name and wonders where you are if you aren't in worship? Is this the church that we want to be? Are we an inward focused congregation or are we looking outward? Are we seeking to make a difference in the communities around us, and do we dare to seek such a thing outside of SON Weekend, once a year? Kevin Ford, a church advisor who worked with our church over ten years ago asks a question of the congregations that he meets with. If your church suddenly vanished...would anyone in the surrounding community know? Or would they care? These changes that we are going through together as the family of faith at PPPCC will be foundational changes. They will end up shaping the church into who she will become in the years ahead. I know that many of you dread the changes that have already begun to bloom in your beloved little church. But I hope that you can sense a little of the excitement that comes when new life, new hope, new joy and new energy begin to infiltrate our house of worship and all the ministries that we take part in. I hope that the newness of transition and change can serve as an invigorating wind to wake us up and help us look beyond today and into the tomorrows that our good Lord will bring to us. Thank you for experiencing these changes with me. I look forward to the new adventures we will have together. May God bless you and keep you in the snowy months ahead and into the joys of the new life spring brings both for the world...and for our church. In December, I had the blessing of attending a lecture at Wheaton College presented by Keith Getty. Keith Getty is a modern hymn writer from Ireland. Some of his more familiar hymns are "In Christ Alone," "The Perfect Wisdom of Our God," "By Faith," and "Come People of the Risen King." The lecture included many topics but the one that strongly resonated with me was the reminder of how important it is that a congregation lift up it's own voice. As a choir director, I find joy in facilitating the opportunity for voices to sing to the Lord together -- not as a performance, but as an act of worship which is designed for all believers to engage with. The act of congregational singing is one that allows everyone to participate in, and this holy act provides opportunity to sing deeply about our Faith. As the first month has gone by of a unified worship service at PPPCC, it has been a joy to hear more voices singing together. I could not agree more with Getty when, during his lecture, he said "Every singer, instrumentalist, and choir member should share in facilitating the high calling of congregational singing." Those involved with all of our music "up front" at PPPCC continues to keep this priority front and center. Throughout Scripture, the command to sing is given to God's people more than 400 times. Ephesians 5:19 instructs believers to address one another in "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Week after week, we are spiritually renewed, realigned, and sanctified by singing to the Lord and singing to each other as the body of Christ. Prayerfully consider your invitation (all are invited!) to participate in Choir and/or Handbell Choir during Lent as we prepare for Holy Week worship services. Please contact Megan Marshall in the church office if you have questions or are interested. Rehearsals schedule is as follows: CHOIR: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Wednesdays: March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1 HANDBELL CHOIR: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sundays: March 8, 15, 22 and 29 7:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays: March 25 and April 1 We’re back after a cold winter! DATE: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 WHERE: Palos Park Presbyterian Church 12312 S. 88th Avenue TIME: COST: Lunch is served at NOON, but do come early!! Corned Beef & Cabbage $5.00 for lunch and good entertainment by The Convertibles. We would appreciate your early response. Please phone the church office at (708) 448-5220 by February 27th if you’re planning on joining us. Let us know if you are bringing a cake. All ladies are welcome to join our World Service group. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month in Fellowship Hall. The next meeting will be on March 10, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. to noon. Come early, if you can, to help set up the sewing machines and work stations. You don’t need to know how to sew to participate. There is something for everyone to do. Projects include little girl’s dresses, lap throws for nursing homes, cutting and sorting soup labels and other items for donation. WANTED: sample size shampoos and conditioners, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bars of soap, Campbell’s soup labels, box tops for education. Place your donations in the Campbell’s Soup container in the church office. Working together in fellowship is a fine way to start our day! Please join us. Bring your lunch…a sandwich, salad or yogurt. Beverages and dessert will be provided by the hostess. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS Upcoming Dates for Children March 8 Children’s Hand Chime Choir rings in worship March 13 Dinner and a Movie Night March 14 Musical Rehearsal, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. March 29 Kids Sing during Worship, No Education Hour, Palm Sunday April 2 Maundy Thursday Pajama Party, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. April 5 Easter Sunday, No Education Hour April 26 Children’s Musical, “100% Chance of Rain” June 22 - 26 VBS First Wednesday Book Club moves to Dinner and a Movie Night Second Wednesday in March March 13, 2015 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. The Book Club will meet Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 6:45 - 8:00pm in the Church Library. Tarzan Gilead is the book this month. In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son, a kind of last testament to his remarkable forebears. It spans three generations of the Ames family. This is a quiet story with a lot of insight into life. Read this Pulitzer Prize willing novel and come and join the discussion. All are welcome. Dinner will be mostaccioli and meatballs, salad, veggies, dessert. Cost is $2.00/person for dinner. Friends are Welcome! Children may wear pajamas and bring a sleeping bag and pillow use during the movie. RSVP to Maggie @pppcc.org by March 12 if you will be attending. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS Education Hour Sundays, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Education Hour is a time for people of all ages to study God’s Word and learn how to apply it to their daily lives. All are invited to participate in the following classes for children, youth and adults. Nursery care is available. 2 yr olds - PreK ..............................Sonrise Room K - 2nd grade .......................... Stage in Priary Hall 3rd - 5th grade ..................................... Primary Hall Confirmation .............................. Friendship Room WF Bible Study .................................... WF Room Acts.............................................................Library “I Am” Small Groups ........... Original Sanctuary & Map Room Children’s Spring Musical “100% Chance of Rain” Any child in PreK - 5th grade may participate in this year’s Spring Musical, which will be performed on April 26. This fun and exciting musical tells the story of Noah and the flood. There are speaking parts and solos available for the children, or they the children may just be a part of the chorus. Try-Outs for solos and speaking parts will be held on March 4, 6:30 p.m. and March 8, 11:45 a.m. In addition, there are 2 Saturday rehearsals, March 14 and April 25. Children will also be rehearsing the songs and lines during Children’s Worship and Children’s Choirs. Please let Maggie Downs (Maggie@pppcc.org, 708-4485220) know if your child wants to participate. Listening CDs of the musical are available for $5.00/each. VBS 2015 June 22 - 26, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Registration begins March 29, 2015 Mark your calendar now so you can join us at Son Spark Labs where children (4 years old - 5th grade completed) will explore God’s life-changing plan for them as they find out the answers to life’s most important questions. Children will discover that God loves them and that through Jesus they can be members of God’s family and personally experience God’s plan for each of us — God’s Plan 4 U = Jesus! Help is needed for VBS Helpers are needed during the week of VBS. See Maggie Downs, Suzy Alfini or Anita Stock for a full list of helpers needed. In addition, help is needed before VBS in the following areas: painting, set builders, craft preparers, decorators, publicity, mission project preparation, slide design, and Imagineering. See Maggie Downs for more specific ways you can help in these areas. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS Items Needed for VBS If you can donate or loan any of the following items for use during VBS, please see Maggie Downs. Lab Coats Beakers Microscopes Telescopes Black Lights Stars and Planets Lava Lamps Plasma Lamps LED Lights Science Posters Skeletons Chemistry Sets Safety Glasses Rockets Test Tubes Model Planes Model Cars Science Models Kinetic Sculptures Kaleidoscopes Oscilloscopes/Decibel Meters Old Computers Electronic Tablets PVC Gutters PVC Pipes (assorted sizes) PVC couplings Old Gears Dryer Vent Tubing 20” Square Filters Science and Math Textbooks Light Ropes Sound Boards Clear and Red Christmas Tree Lights Old/Dead Car Batteries 30 Gallon Trash Cans See Saws Toddler Slides Toddler Picnic Tables Rukik’s Cubes Simon Games Hoberman Spheres Kinetic Sculptures Slinky Vertical Vortex Etch a Sketch See and Say Dominoes Hula Hoops Nerf Balls Tinker Toys Erector Sets Giggle Sticks Exercise Balls Pool Noodles Marble Run Games Marbles Matchbox Cars and Trucks Preschool Science Lab Kits 4” - 6” Styrofoam Balls Neon Colored Duct Tape Round, Colored, Balloons Silver Plastic Tablecloths Neon and Metallic Duct Tape Clear Plastic Lids (4” - 8” in diameter) Push Up Tops from Water Bottles/Dish Soap Used/Old CDs and DVDs 16 oz. Empty Plastic Bottles Funnels Aluminum Baking Pans Hydrogen Peroxide Food Coloring Clip Boards Gold and Silver Mylar Wrapping Paper Neon and Metallic Pipe Cleaners Large Clear Glass and Plastic Containers Bath Beads and Salts Plastic Hammers/Saws/Screw Drivers Youth Ministry News Helping Students Write their Stories WF (Senior High) March Meetings (Sundays at 6:30-8:30) 1st ................................ Grace that Works 8th .................... Filled Up with Something 15th ............... Living as Students of Light 22nd ...................... Make Your Life Count 29th ........... Palm Sunday Brunch-NO WF Special Dates Mission Trip Sign-Up Deadline ...........................March 1st Ice Skating ...................................................... March 14th Palm Sunday Setup and Brunch............... March 28th-29th Easter Sunrise Practice and Service ............... April 4th-5th Live Out Loud (Junior High) Great Escape Camp July 13-18 Sign-ups have begun! What happens at Great Escape? Engaging speakers, great worship bands, crazy/fun games, fellowship, tons of food, swimming, archery, chess, spelling bees, bicycling, hiking, banana-tubing and much much more…… Really what happens is life change in the hearts of junior high kids. March Meetings (Sundays at 6:30-8:30) 1st ................................ Grace that Works 8th .....................Filled Up with Something 15th ................ Living as Students of Light 22nd ....................... Make Your Life Count 29th .......... Palm Sunday Brunch-NO LOL The Rev. & Mrs. James R. Tony 2436 Country Pointe Lane Wentzville, MO 63385 636-856-8220/jrtony@pppcc.org February, 2015 Dear friends at PPPCC, Christmas has come and gone; now, January has come and gone, and we are well into the first year in a long time when we have not been at Palos Church. We have fond and heartfelt memories that flood back with every change of season. I thought with nostalgia about how we did Christmas Eve for all those years. It was okay here, but not even close to the same. (Of course, I was a whole lot more relaxed!) And now comes Ash Wednesday and Lent. Time flies. Our thoughts and prayers certainly remain with you. However, it has only been recently that I have had the time and energy for a little reflection. We have been through the most tumultuous time of our lives, I think. We are most grateful for the many expressions of care and sympathy which have come our way at the passing of Pat’s mom, Janice Barry. Our years in Palos and at PPPCC were a great blessing. Even when we faced difficulties, our church was a genuine bulwark in support which enabled us to carry on. We are still getting used to this idea of retirement. It is only now occurring to us that we have some freedom to travel and explore new interests. We’re planning to see Karis baptized in Mississippi at the end of February. Maybe we’ll take a few more days to seek some sunshine in the bleak midwinter. I’ve begun discussions regarding my hope of creating a new adult Bible teaching tool for churches to use. It will incorporate some of the Bethel principles, but be something entirely new. It’s my dream to assemble a team that will add creativity and learning methods for the 21st century. More than ever our culture, as well as the church, needs an anchor as both seem to be slipping ever further from our historic faith and sane boundaries. PPPCC, I’m sure, has its challenges in the days ahead. Be assured of our love and prayers as we continually thank God for you all. Yours in Christ’s love, The Tonys Our Sympathy To… ...John and Jill Ludwig on the death of Jill’s mother, Nancy Garbarz, on February 3. ...Robert Flori on the death of his wife, Patricia Van Sipma, on February 7. Please keep these friends in your heart at their time of sorrow. ******* Bulletins Far and Near... Trinity Wellsprings Church Satellite Beach, FL Clyde & Nancy Rode Congratulations To... ...Joyce Franklin on the birth of her 8th great grandchild, Lacy Alyn Franklin, on February 9. Her proud parents are Joyce’s grandson Matt and his wife Heather Franklin. MARCH 8 SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 7! Easter Lilies are available to order through the church office to be in “Memory Of” or in “Honor Of” a loved one. Cost is $20.00 per lily. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Congregational Meeting Sunday, April 19 10:45 a.m. Call the church office to order your lily today! Dates to order are March 15, March 22 and March 29 PALOS PLANS is published monthly by Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church [exception: combined summer issue] Susan M. Schmidt, Editor Submit news items to: 12312 S. 88th Avenue Palos Park, Illinois 60464 708.448.5220 Fax 708.448.5331 e-mail: susan@pppcc.org NEXT DEADLINE: March 15 Pal o s Park Pres by terian C om m un ity Ch urch Sunday 9:30am Worship 10:45am Education Hour 11:45am Handbells Monday 1 Tuesday 2 6:30pm LOL & WF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS Wednesday 3 9 9:30am 4 10 Friday 5 Saturday 6 7:00pm B & G 7:00pm Stephen Ministry 5:45pm Church Night 7:00pm C.E. 8 12:00pm Golden Oaks Thursday 11 8:00am Men’s Breakfast 7 P.M. - SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR!! 12 13 14 9:30am Worship 10:45am Education Hour 11:45am Handbells 7:00pm Worship 6:30pm LOL & WF 9:30am Worship 10:45am Education Hour 11:45am Handbells 15 16 17 6:00pm Session & Deacons 6:30pm LOL & WF 9:30am Worship 10:45am Education Hour 11:45am Handbells 5:45pm Church Night 7:00pm Finance 22 23 19 20 21 26 27 28 7:00pm Stephen Ministry 5:45pm Church Night 25 5:45pm Church Night 6:30pm LOL & WF PALM SUNDAY 29 9:30am Worship 10:45am Palm Sunday Brunch 11:45am Handbells 18 24 30 WF Ice Skating 7:00pm Administration 7:00pm Missions 31 Church Night Includes: 5:45 pm 6:15 pm 6:30 pm 7:00 pm Hand Chime Choir Children’s Choirs Chancel Choir Adult Electives Youth Club CHURCH STAFF Ext. John Curphey ..................................Interim Pastor (11) jcurphey@pppcc.org David Carlton.............................. Associate Pastor (12) dcarlton@pppcc.org Maggie Downs ...... Director of Children’s Ministry (13) maggie@pppcc.org Bob Van Baren ............ Director of Youth Ministry youth@pppcc.org Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church Non-Profit Organization 12312 South 88th Avenue Palos Park, IL 60464 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO.1 (15) Megan Marshall............ Director of Music Ministry (16) megan@pppcc.org Susan Schmidt ...................... Executive Assistant (10) susan@pppcc.org Dorothy Wertzbaugher........... Assistant Secretary (14) dorothy@pppcc.org Linda Kuhn ........ Youth Ministry Admin. Assistant (22) walkuhn44@gmail.com Donna Parker ......................................Comptroller donna_j_parker@hotmail.com Ralph A. Pugh .......................................... Organist pugh@iit.edu SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Education Hour OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CHURCH PHONE & WEBSITE 708-448-5220 FAX: 708-448-5331 www.pppcc.org We Are A STEPHEN MINISTRY Congregation March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday April 2, 2015 Maundy Thursday April 3, 2015 Good Friday April 5, 2015 Easter
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz
