Southminster E-Notes for February 10, 2010
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Dear Friends,
Think for a moment the difference between falling down when someone is beside you and falling down when you are alone. The two experiences are quite a bit different. If you fall when a friend is beside you they share concern, sometimes they help you up, and their care serves to settle your nerves. When you fall alone, sure you can get up, but something beyond your body and dignity are hurt. Your soul feels ragged from the fall.
When I first asked about our ministry with our sister church in Cuba I was told an important story that when the first Presbyterians returned after the revolution, the Cuban Presbyterians remarked, “We thought that you had forgotten us!” Ours is an important ministry of remembering who they and we are: sisters and brothers in Christ.
After our trip I have come to understand our relationship in a deeper way. Connectionalism is very important in Presbyterian circles and extremely difficult in Cuba. Ours is a ministry of presence, not presents! The material gifts we give are deeply needed and received graciously, but the people of our sister church want something more. They want us! It is difficult to express how very cut off they are from us. The Catholic Church has the force of the Vatican. Vatican City as you may recall is a political entity. Presbyterians have no such arrangement. Cuban Presbyterians are very much alone. When we remember them in prayers, send them letters, and visit they are reminded that they are not alone, but are very loved by their sisters and brothers in faith. Each visit we make smuggles in hope, love, and joy. Yes, they have Bibles, but we bring much needed fellowship. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” A gift of presence should not be undervalued. A threefold cord of us, them, and God is not quickly broken and is of lasting value. Take it from here,
Love, Wendy
P.S. It is good to be back.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SCHEDULE CHANGES:
MISSION MINISTRY will meet TONIGHT, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room.
PRESBYTERY was postponed until Saturday, Feb. 20, at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church. Pre-Presbytery business will begin at 9:00 a.m.; Assembly begins at 11:00 a.m.
YOUNG ADULTS GROUP meets tonight, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Wendy and Blair’s. Please call to let them know if you’re coming.
No experience required to join our QUILT MINISTRY! We meet the second Wednesday of each month (in February that’s tonight, the 10th) at 7:30 p.m. We’re moving downstairs to Fellowship Hall because there are more electrical outlets there.
And the Quilt Ministry has need of the following items: an ironing board, an iron, a sewing machine. If you have one of these that you’re not using, it can be put to good use! Let Sue Clary or Sue Knisely know.
FEBRUARY FELLOWSHIP EVENT: Mardi Gras Game Night is this 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. Fun for all, and a good time to invite friends to come with you. Mark your calendars now.
The JUNIOR HIGH CHIME CHOIR is playing in worship this Sunday, Feb. 14. Please be in the choir loft by 9:00 a.m. for rehearsal.
If you missed “SOUPER BOWL” Sunday, you may still bring a can of soup for the People’s Resource Center Food Pantry this coming Sunday. Drop it in the big “soup can” in the Narthex on your way to worship.
WOMEN’S SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY: We will begin our next Bible Study this Sunday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m. We will use the book “Breaking the Worry Habit Forever.” All women of the church are welcome. Please see Tricia Smith for a book.
Begin Lent with us on ASH WEDNESDAY, February 17. Come for a simple SOUP AND CHILI SUPPER at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will have a Taize WORSHIP SERVICE at 7:15 p.m. in the sanctuary including the imposition of ashes. (Choir rehearsal follows the service.)
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES: Thanks to those who have already donated! 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 off in the narthex. We also need re-closable boxes (like those from Market Day). Instead of recycling these boxes, bring them in to church. 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!
EASTER EGG GOODIES: The Annual Easter Breakfast is less than two months away, and it’s time to start collecting delicious candy to stuff in those eggs! Help make the Easter party as tasty as possible and donate small candies (No Valentine’s candy, please) for the Easter egg hunt. We will be collecting candy beginning this Sunday, until March 21.Yum!
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 also are looking people to run Music and Games, and for assistants in Music, Games, Crafts, and Story, and all-around helpers for each day; so if you love crafts, 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!
SECOND HELPINGS: On February 21 we will have Second Helpings. “Second Helpings” is an extra serving of Christian Education for the whole Church family, and ALL are welcome. On the third Sunday of the month 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. Remember, everyone is invited, so don’t miss out on the fun! We saw many of you there last month, and hope to see even more this time!
ACOLYTE Schedule:
February 14 - Nalani Johnson
February 28 - Jack Hecker
March 14- Billy Petersen
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
February 21- Second Helpings
Wednesdays in March- GIFT (6:30-7:30)
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 Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 (37-43). -Blair
YOUTH!
SNL: See you Sunday, PYNGUINS at 6:00 p.m. and SPY at 7:00 p.m., for SNL. Bring your Valentine!
YOUTH SKI TRIP: Feb. 26 and 27 at Cascade Mountain, WI. Contact Blair for details. “Wait! Feb. 26 &27? That is really soon!” “Yup.” “I’d better talk to Blair now!” “Yup.” Avoid the “yups,” talk to me soon.
From Youth, for EVERYONE:
March 14 is time for the TALENT SHOW! Come for a sumptuous Spaghetti Dinner and our terribly terrific Talent Show, featuring talent from every corner of Southminster!!! Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. Adults, $5, children $3, free if you’re under three! See the sign-up sheets in the narthex. Sign-up to perform and sign-up to attend. Proceeds support the Youth Mission Trip.
SYS: Save Your Stuff for our annual RUMMAGE SALE fundraiser: May 15 and 16. Your junk is our profit becomes youth mission for God’s glory. As the kids say, “It’s all good.”
WOMEN’S CIRCLE: All women of Southminster are invited to attend Women’s Circle on Friday, February 19, at 9:30 a.m. in the parlor. We’ve had a change in the program from what was previously announced; Chris Kozich has kindly agreed to speak on her profession as an attorney.
MARCH FELLOWSHIP EVENT: 76 Trombones are calling your name! There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for anyone who would like to attend the Lisle Sr. High School spring musical “Music Man.” We will attend the play on Friday, March 19, 8:00pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. You must order by March 7. Any questions please contact Karen Fitzgerald (cell phone: 630-738-8060).
The S.O.L.A.C.E. SINGLES group is planning to go to the FREE Global Flick (Happy-Go- Lucky) at the COD McAninch Art Center on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. We will meet for dinner at 5:00 p.m. at Giordano’s, 455 W. Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn. The sign up sheet is in the narthex.
A reminder to all: the FRONT DOOR OF THE CHURCH OFTEN DOES NOT CLOSE SECURELY unless you push/pull it shut. Please check behind you when you enter or leave the building to make sure the door has locked. It’s very worrisome for the first person to arrive for work in the morning or for a meeting or rehearsal in the evening and find the door not secure.
