Scripture: Romans 8:18-22:
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Dear Friends,
On Sunday we read a Psalm of great comfort, Psalm 36:5-10. During fellowship a member told me that he had trouble reading the Psalm given the earthquake in Haiti. Good thought. For me, when evil things happen, and the earthquake was a great evil, I remember that sin is bigger than our individual actions. The fall affected creation as well as humanity. The passage above from Romans talks about creation waiting for the revelation of the children of God. So when great evil happens, like so called “acts of God,” I don’t ask what God is doing. I ask what I am doing to help reveal the children of God. Our task when an evil strikes is to bring hope, to bring relief, to bring comfort.
One of the bright spots, if we can talk about bright spots during a tragedy, is the aid that is coming to this small country. Our globe, not just America, is experiencing an economic challenge. Many are struggling financially. Despite this, aid is coming to Haiti! Countries around the world, not just the United States, are helping. The children of God are bringing light and love to people in need.
Another quake hit Haiti this morning. I am not surprised; after shocks are common. Meanwhile search your heart and ask the Lord what you are called to do. Also, if you have a heart to donate but not the financial resources, you do have the resources to pray - not only now, but into the future, because this is going to be a long term project. Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TONIGHT: PRESBYTERIAN READERS! We will finally meet to discuss the book we had originally chosen for December: “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout. Join us at 7:30 p.m. in the parlor for a lively discussion.
HOCKEY FANS! Any last-minute takers for the Chicago Wolves “Faith and Fellowship” night on January 30? Contact Megan or Blair by this Friday morning, Jan. 22. Tickets are $10/each and will be ordered on Friday. This is a CE/Youth sponsored family event, so bring the whole clan. This is for everyone - you don’t have to be involved in CE or be a youth to attend this event!
The Session of Southminster Presbyterian Church has called the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION AND CORPORATION to be held this Sunday, January 24, immediately following the worship service. Annual reports packets will be available in the narthex. Please pick up one copy per family as you arrive for worship Sunday morning.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES: We are collecting donations for our annual college care packages! Any non-perishable food (granola bars, pretzels, and the like), small school supplies (like pens, highlighters, or erasers), or even travel packs of tissues would be appreciated. Just bring them to church and drop them by the CE office. We also need re-closable boxes (like those from Market Day). Instead of recycling these boxes, bring them in to church and drop them by the CE office. Also, if you have a son or daughter currently enrolled in college, please send their school addresses to Megan Bohi at smpcce@ameritech.net, call the church with the information, or even slip a note under the door of the Christian Education office as soon as possible. (It doesn’t hurt to give us the current address, even if you think we already have it.) Help remind our college students how much they are loved! Thanks!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: It’s time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School! Summer feels like a long time away, but it is not too soon to begin making preparations for this year’s VBS, which will be the last week in July (26-30) from 6:00-8:30 p.m. (Put it on your calendars!) We are looking for a spiritually-charged person who loves to see God’s light shine on the faces of all who take part in the event - young and old alike - no other experience needed. We also need people to run, and assist, in each station, so if you love crafts, snacks, playing games, or music, please contact someone in the Christian Ed ministry to learn more about it.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES: Christian education is not just for our children. Don’t forget about all of the wonderful adult programming. After the service on Sunday, think about staying for Adult Ed! Blair leads a great group following fellowship in the parlor. (See below for the scripture passages Blair’s class will discuss this week.) We hope to see you there!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
January 31 - Haley Jablonski
February 14 - Nalani Johnson
February 28 - Jack Hecker
March 14- Billy Petersen
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
January 24, 31 - Rotation units for K-middle school.
January 30 - Family Fellowship at Chicago Wolves
April 3 - Annual Easter Breakfast
July 26-30 - Vacation Bible School (6:00-8:30 p.m.)
ADULT EDUCATION: Join us at 11:00 a.m. Sunday for our continuing Bible study. The lectionary passages for this week are Nehemiah 8:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, and Luke 4:14-21. -Blair (With no E-Notes next week, here’s the list of passages for the following Sunday, January 31: Jeremiah 1:4-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30.)
YOUTH: Join us for SNL this Sunday, PYNGUINS at 6:00 pm and SPY at 7:00 pm.
Get ready for our “SOUPER BOWL,” Feb. 7 at 5:00 p.m. Cost of admission, one can of soup!! Get it, “Souper Bowl.” Note that there will be no SNL on Jan. 31.
CHURCH OFFICER RETREAT, PART 2. Elders and deacons, remember that we planned to continue the discussions we began during our retreat? That gathering will replace the deacon meeting this coming Tuesday, January 26. For anyone interested, we’ll have a baked potato supper at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to the church by January 25 if you will join us for dinner. The Retreat Part 2 meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST: Always the first Monday of the month, the next one comes up on February 1. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada.
“Souper Bowl” Sunday is coming!!! Please bring a can of soup for the People’s Resource Center Food Pantry on February 7 or 14. Drop it in the big “soup can” in the Narthex.
FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP EVENT: Save the date of Saturday February 13, starting at 6:00 p.m.! We’ll celebrate Mardi Gras, feast on a pancake buffet (with a variety of toppings), and play board games and Bingo. Mark your calendars now.
