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February 11, 2009
The Spirit
of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Lent 2009 - Covenant
Our overarching theme for our Lenten focus is Covenant. That means God keeps promises. Sometimes we don’t. We’ll explore that theme in worship through such stories as Noah, Abraham, the Ten Commandments, and the prophets lifting up voices of hope in the midst of despair. And of course, we’ll reflect on what the New Covenant established by Jesus means to us today. This idea of a kept agreement is one that turns fearful people into giants.
Ash Wednesday 7pm - Isaiah 58
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. (TCP)
First Sunday in Lent (March 1): “New Creation” - Genesis 9.8-17
On this first Sunday in Lent, we hear again the story of God’s covenant, God’s promise to us, and we celebrate being part of God’s new creation, ever changing and growing. (TCP)
Second Sunday in Lent (March 8): “New Names” - Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25
Trust - an image of God’s grace. Abraham and Sarah’s faith in God’s promise opens the future to the blessings of grace. (JK)
Third Sunday in Lent (March 15): “New Community” - Exodus 20:1-17; I Corinthians 1:18-25
Holy Foolishness - an image of God’s grace. Moses receives the community-forming words of the Lord. In Corinth, the church has gone into a meltdown. We think about what it means to be a community transformed by knowing God. (JK)
Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 22): “New Chances” - Numbers 21.4-9
This Sunday we hear a strange story, not part of our usual church experience, and contemplate together what it means to have a second (or third or fourth or hundredth) chance at life together with God and with the community of God’s people. (TCP)
Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 28): “New Heart” - Jeremiah 31: 31-34; John 12: 20-33
God’s amazing desire for us – an image of God’s grace. “The days are surely coming…” Jeremiah announces. “The hour has come...” announces John. (JK)
Palm Sunday (April 5): “New King” - Mark 11.1-11
“Jesus enters Jerusalem as a King... but what kind of king is this, who rides not a warhorse but a donkey’s colt? What kind of king is surrounded not by an army but by singing children? This is not your usual parade, not your usual power, not your usual king… (TCP)
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Building Committee Update
The Building Committee, with pastors Jan and Teri, has been busy interviewing architects to develop formal plans to expand our church facilities. These plans will be based on the preliminary design approved in principle by the congregation last fall. We anticipate reaching a decision on the architect soon. The architect will help guide the committee through the formal design process, which will involve seeking extensive input from the congregation. We expect that the design process will take several months to complete. Once formal plans have been created, and a capital campaign has been conducted to determine the level of financial support, another congregational meeting will be called to seek approval to proceed to the construction phase.
If you have questions or suggestions about the design process, please speak with a Building Committee member.
Thank you.
– The Building Committee: Chairperson Wayne Prindiville, David Dees, Al Esche, Kristi Geggie, Stan Sumner
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Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed on a weekly basis to do the church cleaning while our custodian, Cindee Robinson, is on a leave to care for her daughter. On Sunday or Monday certain areas of the church need a light touch-up for the week; Saturday morning a crew of 3-4 is needed to prepare for Sunday. Cindee has the supplies ready for you and has a check list of what is to be done. Someone will be there to get you started. All that is required is a willing heart and a pair of hands. This is a time we can all pull together as a church family.
Save the Date for VBS
June 22 – 26, 2009
Anyone who would like to help can contact Denise Sokoloski or Jodi Iddings.
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A RCLPC-record breaking year in the Souper Bowl of Caring!
Here at RCLPC we broke our previous records and raised $1,512.06 for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry on Souper Bowl Sunday (February 1). We also collected 151 of the Food Pantry’s most needed items. Thank you for showing your support, for helping those in need, and for walking alongside our youth as they show compassion and love for others.
Youth News!
We still have some spots for acts in the Talent-Optional show—what are you doing?
High School Youth:
Valentine Bake Sale—Sunday, Feb. 15 all morning in Fellowship Hall
Labyrinth Night! (among other things, of course)—we’ll be exploring walking prayer, body prayer, and the labyrinth on February 15 from 5-7. Hope you’ll be here!
Middle School Youth:
Game Day! Join us on February 22 from 1-3pm for lunch and a day of games—team and individual, physical and mental, it’s games games games!
Thank You!
Thank you for the prayers, cards and phone calls that I have received. I am so fortunate that friends still take care of me after all this time. Hugs and thanks, Barb Turley
Coffee Cart
The ongoing sale of bags of fair trade coffee has had a steady stream of buyers. Be sure to check for your favorite coffee, tea, or chocolate! Purchases support small farmers and their families around the world.
Native American Connection
Luncheon Program
Mission Outreach Ministry will be hosting a light Native American meal and program on March 15th following the 11am service. The event will last about 1 1/2 hours. Please sign up in the Connecting Link. For more information about this or the anticipated trip to Rosebud Reservation on June 22-26th, call Joy Martin.
Faith in Action of McHenry County
presents
"An Evening in Italy"
Date: Saturday, February 21st
Time: 5:30 appetizers and 6:30 dinner
Place: St. Thomas Church at
451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake
Entrée: Chicken Cacciatore
Live Entertainment and Silent Auction -
items shown on www.fiamchenrycounty.org
Tickets are available through Joy Martin or Faith in Action at 815-455-3120.
Notes from Our Troops...
"Thanks again for the great package. The valentines candy was a big hit. I should have saved it for the 14th, but I think they smelled it. I love the magazines, too, and read them first then shared… You are all so generous and kind, and I am able to share that with everyone here. Stay warm! Thanks again!" from a solider
RCLPC Sends St. Patrick’s Day
Greetings to the Troops
On Sunday, February 9, church members and friends made a banner wishing our troops a happy St. Patrick's Day. A copy of the photo will be included with the St. Patrick's Day care packages that we send to them.
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Bake Sale!
Want some post-valentine goodies
for your sweetheart?
Want some for yourself?!?
The High School Youth can help!
Look for the Valentine Bake Sale on Sunday, Feb. 15th! 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 Montreat this summer!
Get Your Act Together!
The RCLPC Talent-Optional Show is coming!
Sunday, March 1st, from 5-7pm, come to RCLPC 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 for the summer high school youth trip to the Montreat Youth Conference!
WEAVE—
Wednesday Evening Avenues
Join us each Wednesday evening to journey down different avenues—we have fellowship and food, we have education, we have music—choose one or many avenues and walk with us!
During Lent we will begin a new class in the fellowship hall, one with a Lent theme. Come join us to find out how we’ll be exploring Lent this year! 7-8pm in the Fellowship Hall. As a reminder, the schedule (and remember, you can come for one or many things as your schedule permits!):
5:30: Little Lambs children’s choir rehearsal
(preK & K)
6:00: Dinner in Fellowship Hall
6:30: Sounds of Joy children’s choir rehearsal
(grades 1-5)
6:30: Faith and Family book study in the Lounge
7:00: The Crossing—
Adult Education in the Fellowship Hall
7:45: Adult Choir rehearsal
Inquirer’s Class Begins this Sunday
Interested in exploring membership here at RCLPC? An Inquirer’s class has been scheduled to begin on Sunday, February 15, from noon-1:30pm and will run for three consecutive weeks (Feb. 15, Feb. 22 & March 1). This class will meet in the Lounge. We will explore what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be a Presbyterian, and what it means to be a member of RCLPC. Light refreshments will be served and childcare will be provided upon request. Please RSVP to the church office (815-459-1132 or email at office@rclpc.org) or sign up in the Connecting Link. Questions?? Please see Teri Peterson.
Drink a Cup of Brew and Donate a Dollar or Two
Whether you are enjoying a pastry from the 2nd Sunday Cookie Lift bakers, or spending time between services visiting with new or long-term church friends, a cup of coffee or tea may be just the thing. You’ll notice our donation basket has returned in order to help us keep church expenses trimmed. By all means, share a cup of coffee or tea, whether or not you have coins for the basket. Donations go toward the purchase of Fair Trade coffee for our church events. You may also spot a cart for coffee cups. If you’d like to bring a spare cup from home, just label it with your name. Rinse and return it to the cart for your reuse next time. It’s win-win -- we can save money on disposables and produce less waste at the same time.
Community Response is Overwhelming
The community response to our request for children’s shoes has been overwhelming, and we have shipped 14 boxes of shoes and socks. These initial boxes need to get distributed, and then we will know if we need more shoes. Thank you so much for helping our National Guard soldiers help the children in Afghanistan.
~ The Cookie Lift Project
"Happy St. Patrick's Day from RCLPC"
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Holy Week Schedule
Tuesday Taizé (April 7) - 7:30pm in the Sanctuary
Join us as we pray for peace in word, song, and silence, during this Holy Week.
Wednesday WEAVE (April 8)—at the Crossing (7-8pm in the fellowship hall)
We will explore Holy Week and its place in our spiritual lives.
Maundy Thursday Seder (April 9) - 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall - Exodus 12; Luke 22
We will celebrate the Festival of Passover, and remember that it was this festival party that was Jesus’ last meal with his friends before his death.
Good Friday (April 10) - 7pm in the Sanctuary: “New Hope” - Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25
On the darkest of nights – an image of grace. What is good about this day? On Good Friday, a night of silence and great despair, we wait long hours, confident of God’s saving grace.
Easter Sunday (April 12) services: 8, 9 (alt), 10:15, 11:15 - “New Life!!!” - John 20:1-18
From death, life – an image of grace. Alleluia, shouts of joy - Resurrection! We laugh and sing and celebrate. Easter breakfast served all morning in fellowship hall.
Mission Statement
We gather in grace, connected by a sense of place and purpose with generations of faithful servant-leaders who journeyed before us. We seek to open our hearts as we open our doors – with room for everyone – and to open all our senses to God’s life-affirming, life-changing presence through creative and diverse worship.
We grow in grace, not because we know all the answers – or even all the questions – but because we are drawn to God’s word and Christ’s example. We seek to be Christ’s family here and now – to embrace each other as we are, to nurture who we might become, to celebrate with one another in good times and encourage one another in hard times, to listen and learn and lead.
We go in grace, challenged and strengthened by the Spirit to do God’s work and show God’s love in the world. We seek to look beyond our walls and beyond ourselves – to see God’s image in every face, and to serve God’s people in every place life leads us.
The journey continues in an ever-widening circle of grace.
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