Mark 2: 1-12 Jesus Heals a Paralytic
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’
Dear Friends,
In the scripture above, friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. If it weren’t for the friends, the man would never have been able to get inside the door because of the crowd, much less see Jesus. There is a group of people in our congregation who have the same problem. No, they are not paralyzed, but the snow and the ice of winter are daunting given the hill on which our church is set. The hill is a problem for some even in good weather, but in the winter the hill might as well be Mt. Everest.
You can help!
We need licensed drivers to sign up to be Valets. Right now, January 10 is open, as are January 24, February 7, February 14 and February 21. The duties of the valet are simple: please be at church from 9:00 to 9:30 before worship, and be available after the service for 15 minutes. (Look below among the announcements for more information about duties.)
There are times when we all need a little extra help. With this gift of service you will give someone the gift of fellowship, grace, prayer, song, and worship. Please respond by email, call Barb in the office at 630 469-9149, or sign up yourself. The list is on the board on your left as you come in the front door. Give it some thought, and take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
YOUNG ADULTS are invited for dinner and fellowship tonight (Wednesday, January 6) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Blair and Wendy’s home. Please call and let us know you’re coming so we can set a place at the table for you.
PAINTING THE HALLWAY: The Property Ministry asks that members whose work is on display in the entry hall plan to remove it by this Sunday, January 10, in preparation for painting. Committee members will begin taping and painting the hallway next Tuesday, January 12, at 9:00 a.m. and expect to be finished on January 13. New artwork is scheduled to be hung January 18.
QUILT MINISTRY: Sue Clary and Sue Knisely invite anyone of any skill level to join them in starting a quilt ministry. First meeting is Wednesday, January 13, in the narthex. The projects will be very simple, and the quilts will be donated to places such as the Convalescent Center. Questions? Contact either Sue: Sue C. at 630-790-1109 or Sue K. at 630-462-7140.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
SECOND HELPINGS: Come join us after worship on Sunday, January 17, for “Second Helpings!” “Second Helpings” is an extra serving of Christian Education for the whole Church family offered on the third Sunday of the month, and ALL are welcome. Each week at 11:00 a.m., adults and children alike spend time learning about Christ, God, and themselves as they participate in either adult Bible study or children’s programming. This month we will explore baptism and will conclude with a light lunch and fellowship, beginning at 11:45. Remember, everyone is invited, so don’t miss out on the fun!
ROTATION UNIT: To supplement the curriculum, we will have a rotation format for grades K-middle school the weeks of January 17, 24, and 31. The purpose of having a rotation is to give the children an opportunity to experience the Word of God using various learning styles through media such as art, drama, music, etc. The Bible stories we will be using are from the New Testament times of Jesus. If you have any items that might visually aid our rotation such as rugs, pottery, wall hangings, etc. and do not mind them being used (but not handled), please contact someone in Christian Ed or one of the Sunday School teachers. Thank you.
FAMILY FELLOWHIP EVENT: Southminster’s CE and Youth ministries invite you out for a time of family fun at a CHICAGO WOLVES GAME. Saturday January 30th is the Wolves “Faith and Fellowship Night.” That includes a “Fun Fest,” pre-game fireworks, and a post-game fellowship time with goalie, Drew MacIntyre! And the hockey game, of course. The fun begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Skyline Room, (adjacent to the Allstate Arena Box Office) and will finish around 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each purchased through the church. Deadline for ordering tickets is Jan. 17th . Come on and have a night with the kids and our church family. The Wolves will be taking on the Hamilton Bulldogs.
ACOLYTE Schedule:
January 17 Dakota Dolister
January 31 Haley Jablonski
February 14 Nalani Johnson
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
January 17 - Second Helpings and all-church lunch. (Everyone’s invited- Come join us!)
January 17, 24, 31 - Rotation units for K-middle school.
January 30 - Family Fellowship at Chicago Wolves (All Families Welcome!)
ADULT EDUCATION: This week’s lectionary passages for our adult study are: Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. Join us for warm fellowship, study, and edifying conversation. -Blair
YOUTH: See you this Sunday (6:00 p.m. PYNGUINS & 7:00 p.m. SPY) for the first SNL of 2010!!!!!!!!!
Youth and families, we’ve got an outing planned to a Chicago Wolves hockey game on January 30. Look above in the Christian Ed. Notes for all the details.
The FLOWER CHART FOR 2010 is posted in the narthex. There are still dates available! Sunday arrangements will be $20 each. We ask that you pay for your arrangements in advance; please write “Flowers” on your check memo line.
Have you picked up your 2010 OFFERING ENVELOPES? They are available in the narthex. If you would like envelopes but there is no box prepared for you, please let the church office know or contact Ron Birchall, Co-Moderator of the Finance Ministry.
WOMEN’S CIRCLE: Join us on Friday, January 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. Our program will be Sarah Allen, APN, CNM, Certified Nurse Midwife. All women of the church are invited.
The annual SECRET PALS SALAD LUNCHEON will be Saturday, January l6, at 12:00 noon at the church. Bring a small gift for your Secret Pal and also a salad to pass. Any women of the church who are currently not part of our group but would like to learn more about us are welcome to come to the luncheon. We would love to have you! Look for the sign-up sheet posted in the narthex, or talk to Joan Koska (630-469-7935).
PRESBYTERIAN READERS will meet Wednesday, January 20, to (finally) discuss the book we had originally chosen for December. You still have time to find and read “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout. Then plan to join us on the 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the parlor for a lively discussion.
Session has called the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION to be held Sunday, January 24, 2010, following the worship service. Annual Reports packets will be available for distribution prior to the meeting.
We need volunteers for our VALET PARKING service. Each Sunday, we would like a “Valet” (or two) at the front door around 9:00 a.m. and then again for 15 minutes after the service to do any or all of these services: walk people to and from their cars, park cars (owners keep the keys during the service), and provide an extra arm at the front door. We need volunteers to make this possible, so please serve as a valet one Sunday. Sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board as you enter the church.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Barb is scheduled to have knee surgery on Friday, January 22, and will need to be out of the office for several days. If you would like to spend a few hours in the office answering the phone, greeting visitors, talking with the staff, running the copier, etc., please let us know.
FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP EVENT: Save the date of Saturday February 13, starting at 6:00 p.m.! We’ll celebrate Mardi Gras, feast on pancakes, and play board games and Bingo. Mark your calendars now.
