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The Tale of Three Trees
--a musical
The children’s choirs of RCLPC will present The Tale of the Three Trees as the message in worship on February 14 at 9.30 and 11! (There will be no 8.30 service that day.) Please come support our children as they lead worship, and hear the wonderful message of this story, showing how each of our callings, though different and seemingly small, is important! Remember Jeremiah 29.11? “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for your harm, to give you a future with hope.”
Hello Teachers
We have decided that we will cancel Sunday School on Sunday, February 14th, because of the children's musical that will be performed during the 9:30 service. This will be for preschool through 5th grade. Middle school and high school will meet as usual. This will give a chance for the teachers who have children performing in the musical to be able to attend the 9:30 service. Thanks for all you do. Karen & Patti
Souper Bowl Sunday success!
Thank you for your generosity in the Souper Bowl of Caring—we raised $1,005 and 204 food items for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. We appreciate your compassion and your willingness to help our youth learn compassion and generosity as well!
Bible Bowl II—we have a winner!
Congratulations to the 2nd-3rd grade class for winning the Bible Bowl this year! The competition was great, our kids learned a lot, and the trophy lives for the next year in the 2nd-3rd grade classroom!
Youth News:
It’s Rock Climbing time again! Sunday, February 21st, we’re headed to Northwall from 12.30-4pm for an afternoon of indoor rock-climbing! Cost will be $15. Waiver forms can be downloaded from www.climbnorthwall.com. RSVP by Wednesday the 17th so we’re sure to have enough drivers and belayers!
PADS Lunch Program
A new signup sheet is in the Connecting Link for this period through April 23. Needed NOW are 2 or 3 assemblers for Friday, February 26 at 9:30 AM. We are currently making 45 lunches on Fridays. This mission takes so little of your time and is so much appreciated by those who are without a permanent home and any resources.
Food Pantry Needs Your Help
Volunteers are needed, so please see the signup sheet in the Connecting Link. Give us whatever time you can spare. We serve once a month from 10am to 2pm. Please note that all Wednesday hours have been extended to 10am - 2pm due to the growing number of families in need. Each month we set a new record for the number of people being served. The growth rate is slowing, but the numbers still expand. We appreciate any help. Thank you. Call me if you have any questions. Nancy Vazzano.
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February 10, 2010
The Spirit
of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Lent Worship and Study Opportunities
During worship this Lent we will be exploring the theme of Reconciliation. We will be placing ourselves in the story of the Prodigal (Luke 15.11b-32) as various characters as we explore this theme.
February 17 (Ash Wednesday): We gather before God to remember our brokenness as human beings, the ways we fall short of God’s vision for us, and that we are finite beings dependent on God’s grace. This service will include a brief meditation and the imposition of ashes. Felicia Moller, a Presbyterian pastor working with immigrants in the McHenry County jail, will preach. Sounds of Joy, Ken Stewart, and Cecily Weber will provide special music.
1st Sunday in Lent, February 21: Teri preaches, placing us in the position of the extravagantly loving father.
2nd Sunday in Lent, February 28: Blackhawk Presbytery General Presbyter John Rickard preaches, placing us in the position of the younger son who leaves and comes home again.
3rd Sunday in Lent, March 7: Victoria Wilcox, assistant director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will place us in the position of the jealous older son who has to overcome his resentment in order to be reconciled with his family.
4th Sunday in Lent, March 14: Jac Kelewae preaches on 2 Corinthians 5.16-21—“in Christ, God was reconciling the world to God’s self and entrusting us with the ministry of reconciliation.”
5th Sunday in Lent, March 21: The adult and jubilation choirs present the Caribbean Mass as a Lenten Cantata at 9.30 and 11 (no 8.30 service).
Steadfast Hope is Coming to RCLPC!
A new adult education series will begin February 24 at WEAVE on Wednesday nights. For five weeks during Lent we will explore common myths about the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, view the situation on the ground, and be inspired by how Muslim, Christian and Jewish peacemakers are working together for justice and reconciliation.
Steadfast Hope: the Palestinian Quest for a Just Peace, an excellent resource produced by the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the PC(USA), will guide us through the history, perspectives, and the struggle for peace.
How appropriate that during this time of Lent we engage ourselves in this timely and crucial quest which involves not only the peoples of the land where Jesus walked, but the entire world. Sign up in the connecting link to reserve your copy of the magnificently illustrated 48-page book and DVD for only $5. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about our church’s peacemaking Mission in the Holy Land.
Valentine’s Day Bake Sale!
Need some goodies for yourself or your sweetheart? The High School Youth can help! Look for the Valentine Bake Sale on Sunday, February 14th. This is always a great selection of home-baked yumminess, from cookies to muffins to cupcakes to pies. Indulge your sweet tooth and help the youth get to Louisiana this summer!
Valentine’s Day Sweets
Valentine’s Day will soon be here, and the fair trade cart is well-stocked with chocolate. See if the bars tied up with red or pink ribbon would be just right for someone you know. Gift tea boxes and bags of coffee are also available.
Read with the pastor book group!
In February we’ll be reading a new book, Everyday Justice. Don’t worry, don’t be overwhelemed...the first words of the book are: don’t panic! We’ll meet in “the living room” area of Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, February 23 (please note the week change...) at 7pm to talk about this book that helps us take a look at how our everyday choices help us participate in justice or injustice. The book is available from any of the online booksellers (amazon.com, borders.com, etc), or if you’d like us to order one for you, please let us know in the office.
Talent-Optional Show—Sunday, February 28th!!
Come to RCLPC from 5-7pm for an evening of performance fun! Have an act you want to do? Email or leave Teri a note about your act and how long it is (so we don’t have duplicate acts and so we don’t end up with 8 hours of fun—it’s a school night after all!). Our youth will be displaying their talents, their non-talents, and their senses of humor—will you display yours too? Skits, music, stand-up comedy, and many other acts welcome! Come one, come all—talent optional! Tickets to the show will be by donation to the summer high school mission trip to Houma, Louisiana.
Long-Term Recovery for Haiti
The need is still great in Haiti, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is accepting funds to enable a significant response for relief and recovery efforts related to the earthquake that has devastated the country. Funds received will supplement the initial Great Hour of Sharing disbursement to provide for immediate assistance and the long-term recovery. Please visit the Presbyterian Disaster (PDA) Web site (www.pcusa.org/pda/response/latinamerica/haiti-index.htm) to donate as well as for updates and information on the response, or contact Pamela Burdine at (888) 728-7228 x5839. ~ Mission Outreach Ministry
2009 was an Unusual Year for the
"Spare Change for a Big Change" program....
Near the finish line of 2009, the program had collected $275.94 (down from the $346 collected in 2008). Yet, the 2009 amount was an excellent one given the fact that the recession hit with full force last year.
Then, just as the Salvation Army has some Krugerrands (gold coins) thrown in their buckets around Christmastime, we had the equivalent. An anonymous donor dropped off a large cardboard box with several, clear plastic bags filled with change. The amount was $386!
Therefore, the grand total is $661.94!!
A very big thank you goes out to....the Krugerrand-like giver and to all church members and friends who donated their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters! Stay tuned to an upcoming article to discover who benefits from the funds.
Fairhaven School Student Sponsorship
In April of 2008 members and friends of our congregation began providing generous financial support for three students at Fairhaven School, the special school in Alexandria, Egypt, for handicapped children that we have been associated with for several years. Just recently the director of the school informed us that the three girls, Randa, Safaa and Sara, are all doing well and thanked us for our ongoing support of the school’s program.
The Mission Outreach Ministry wishes to continue the student sponsorship relationship with Fairhaven School so that Sara, Randa, and Safaa, along with over 200 other young people, can continue to learn and grow with the compassion and support of the Fairhaven School teachers and staff.
We are coming to the congregation to ask that you prayerfully consider helping in sponsoring these children. Monthly tuition costs are $140 per month for the eleven-month school year. One-time donations, as well as monthly or quarterly contributions in whatever amount you can afford, are needed and appreciated. Thank you for helping us reach out in love to Fairhaven School.
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