Click here to see the March calendar.Click here to see the Worship Teams Schedule.
 We are in the middle of the season of Lent, but I wanted to make you aware of the upcoming worship opportunities for Holy Week and Easter. Palm Sunday (March 20th 8:15, 9:30, 11:00): This is the day we celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, with crowds crying out "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" It marks the transition into Holy Week and the beginning of the journey to the cross. Maundy Thursday (March 24th 6:30 pm, Fellowship Fall): "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum novum, meaning "new commandment." This refers to Jesus' new commandment to love one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). We will begin the evening with a simple meal together and then worship and share communion in commemoration of Jesus' last meal with his disciples. Please RSVP both for the meal and for childcare so we know how much food to provide. There will be a sign up sheet in the Connecting Link. Good Friday (March 25th 7 pm): This will be a tenebrae service. Tenebrae means "shadows" and refers to the practice of extinguishing candles one by one as the passion narratives are read. The service ends in silence and darkness, commemorating the death of Jesus. Easter Sunday (March 27th 8:00, 9:00 (NewWay), 10:15, 11:15): The shadows of Good Friday are chased away by the rising sun on Easter Sunday. We will sing and shout and share communion in celebration of the resurrection. Childcare will be available for all services. I hope you will make every effort to participate in each of our Holy Week services as we journey together toward Easter. - Richard GOOD FRIDAY USHERS NEEDED: Sign up in the Connecting Link or call Pierre Berubé if you are able to serve as an usher for the Good Friday Service on Friday March 25th at 7:00 pm. Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve. NOTE FROM PIERRE: Many times I call on you all from my office phone at home. All my equipment, to be accessable, is in my home office, connected to my computer that talks to the church database I have. It dials the phone and calls you. However, your caller ID will Show "Advance Cartridge". Please do not ignore the phone call. Pick it up ... it could be an important church phone tree call, or a social call, or a call asking to check your calendar to work ushering some Sunday in the future... Caller ID is great, but remember it is Me, the tall blind guy with the big white dog... Do you think that God has caller ID when he answers a prayer? ... Peace and Love in Music, Pierre EASTER MISSION PROJECT As part of the Kingdom Club activities for the month of March, the kids will be making Easter Baskets for Home of the Sparrow children. This is our 7th year doing this project and this year we need to fill 45 baskets. Items needed are candy, fruit snacks, little games, small storybooks, small stuffed animals and large plastic eggs. Donation bins are in Fellowship Hall. Please bring items by March 13th. Contact Julia Baser or Lynda Mauro if you have any questions. |
OFFICE NOTESHelp save us money! Please use the copy paper (located across from the copy machine) when making copies. DO NOT use the bulletin paper (located across from the RISO machine). Also if you replace the toner in the machine please leave a note so we can replenish our supply.Please return items borrowed from the church office. The next Spirit will be sent out on March 9th. Articles will be due by Noon on Friday March 4th. Please let the office know of any meetings so they can be put on the calendar and in the bulletin. This will help with communication and scheduling rooms. We are working on the new phone directory and hope to have copies out next month. Please contact the church office with any updated information you may have. Email the information to office@rclpc.org or call the office at 815-459-1132. NEW PRAYER CHAIN INFORMATIONPrayer is one of the most important things we can do as Christians. It is the foundation of our faith and the way we communicate with God. We have a group of folks at RCLPC who belong to the Prayer Chain Ministry. They receive prayer requests and faithfully pray for those requests each day. These dedicated folks have been a part of this quiet ministry for years and will continue to serve us. However, we would like to expand our prayer ministry and invite the rest of our congregation to join in prayer. To do this, we are going to add a few new elements to our Prayer Ministry:* All prayer requests will now be handled from the office. If you have a prayer request, please either phone the office (815-459-1132) or email your request to office@rclpc.org. * Please specify whether your request is confidential or whether it can be shared with the congregation. Confidential prayer requests will only be forwarded to the Prayer Chain prayers. * Prayer requests that are not confidential will be printed in our weekly Order of Worship on Sunday morning. They will be listed with the Prayers of the People and we would invite everyone to pray for these concerns. We hope that you will all join us in this ministry of prayer. It's what God wants us to do. |
A STEPHEN MINISTRY MESSAGE
Continuing education is an important part of our Stephen Ministry meetings. We are currently listening to the audiotape "I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better" by Gary and Joy Lundberg. This tape presents a simple yet very profound communication tool: Validation. Validation is listening to, and understanding other people without judgment, correction, or advice. It is letting them explore their own feelings while supporting them. We "fixers" need to be reminded to shed our misplaced responsibility and guilt. We don't have to make things all better; we just have to walk with those needing help.If you would like information on the Stephen Ministry program at RCLPC, please contact either Pastor Richard or Dale Prindiville.
 Thank you to everyone that participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring. We raised $262.18 along with 75 canned goods. | ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARINGOGHS is an offering begun in 1949 by nine denominations to provide an opportunity for us to share God's love with a world in need. Its roots were in the radio broadcasts introduced immediately after World War II to secure funds to assist in the rebuilding of Europe.Since December 26, 2004 when the tsunami struck south and southeast Asia, $320,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has already been sent to provide emergency relief - food, potable water, temporary shelter, blankets, and medicine. These are our gifts being sent to help the survivors of this disaster. In the days, weeks and months to come more will be needed. Much rebuilding will be necessary. One Great Hour of Sharing responds to people's immediate and long-term needs. The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance receives 36 percent of the undesignated portion of One Great Hour of Sharing, and Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program each receive 32 percent. Our gifts make a difference. Our gifts help others. Please give lovingly. It's remarkable what your gift will do. |
FELLOWSHIP
VALENTINE DANCEA big thank you to Joyce Berube and Cheryl Dutkiewicz for the wonderful job they did organizing the Valentine Dance. Also, many thanks to Rick Thompson for providing the music and disco ball. We'd also like to thank everyone who helped with set up, clean up and other duties. It was a very fun and enjoyable evening.
Tina Stipati & Karen Leuchtmann
The Caring Ministry Team
DATE CHANGE - Men's Breakfast
Join together with other men in the church and enjoy a breakfast together while you study the following Sunday's scripture. We will meet in Fellowship Hall on Saturday March 12 at 9 am. Join us! For more information contact Karl Dencker.
ALL CHURCH EASTER BREAKFAST
Following each Easter worship service breakfast including pancakes, sausages, and fruit salad will be served in Fellowship Hall. Plan to bring the family and join us. For further information contact Karl Dencker. |
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INQUIRER'S CLASS scheduled for MARCH 5TH We have scheduled an inquirer's class for Saturday, March 5th, from 9am until 12pm. The class will be held at the church, and both a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. During the class we will explore three things:
Please RSVP to the church office (815-459-1132) so that we can know how much food to prepare. Childcare will be made available upon request. |
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT CLASS A new, twelve week Sunday morning Adult Education class started on February 20th. We will be reading the "Trinity" by Philip W. Butin. The book "traces the development of the Trinity doctrine beginning with the earliest church" up through the "challenges and issues of today." The author "shows how the doctrine of the Trinity is not an abstract concept just for theologians but how it has crucial importance for how all Christians live their faith every day." The class time is 9:15 every Sunday morning in the Office Conference Room. Books (which include a workbook and textbook) are available in a box on the desk in the Office Conference Room and cost $12. If you pick up a book, please drop a check in an envelope in the INBOX on Tricia's desk. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Bauman. |
IN THE COMMUNITY
FOUNTAINS OF CRYSTAL LAKE will be hosting Life Line Screening on Tuesday, March 29th, for the community. The location is 965 N Brighton Circle.Life Line screens the carotid arteries in the neck to determine if you are at risk for stroke. Up to 75 % of all strokes are linked to carotid artery blockage. Screenings of the arteries of the legs are offered to check for peripheral artery disease, which is linked to heart disease. A third test is performed for aneurysms in the aortic vessel of the abdomen. Life Line also offers a bone density screening to test for early detection of osteoporosis.
This is a preventative program. Persons 40 years and over are encouraged to participate. The program is open to the public. Problems can be detected early and taken care of before they become a bigger problem. Your results are sent back to you and you are referred back to your own doctor if further evaluation is necessary. These non-invasive, completely painless, ultrasound screenings take about 10 minutes each. Each of the 3 vascular tests are offered for $45.00 each, Osteoporosis for $35.00. Complete vascular screening (3 tests) for $109 or all 4 tests for $129. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please call 1-800-407-4557 for your appointment or for more information.
MUSICAL MATINEE AND DINNER:
Prairie Ridge High School hosts a FREE musical matinee and dinner for senior citizens on Thursday March 10th at 1:30 pm. This year's musical is Seussical. Dinner and theater reservations are necessary, as seating is limited. The ticket hotline opened February 3rd so feel free to call any time up until two days before the performance. The Hotline number is 815-479-0404 ext. 404.
A shuttle bus will be running from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (located on Walk-up, across from Veteran's Acres Park) to the High School starting at 12:30 pm until show time. The bus will then make return trips to the church immediately following the show and continuing throughout the dinner until everyone is accommodated.
NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION
Special Opportunities for RCLPC!
The next trip to Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations under the guidance of Dr. Claude Marie Barbour will take place April 15-20th. A few of us who have gone previously are planning to drive to Mission, South Dakota on the 15th to renew our acquaintances. If you are interested in joining us, please let Joy Martin know ASAP. Space is limited and training is necessary so time is of the essence.The new Indian Art Gallery in Schaumburg at 190 S. Roselle Road should be open by the end of February. We are looking forward to meeting the Director and forming a bridge of friendship with those who will be studying there. Please let us know if you would like to join in this reverse mission, to learn and interact with Native Americans in Chicagoland.
Filmmaker Chris Eyre who directed such Indian movies as "Smoke Signals" and "Skins" has just released a new film, "A Thousand Roads". The movie is fictional but gives a live perspective of who Indian people are today. According to Eyre in an interview with the Lakota Journal, "It's a very beautiful, panoramic, wide screen, visceral experience". The movie will debut in Washington, D.C. at The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian on April 8th. It will be shown indefinitely at this site so if you are planning a trip to D.C. this year, be sure and include the new Indian Museum in your itinerary.
Chris Eyre is also directing Indian Country: Native Americans in the 20th Century, a four-part series to air on PBS television stations nationwide. It will chronicle the history of Native American nations over the past 114 years from the 1890 massacre of 300 Lakota at Wounded Knee to the present. A companion book and CD soundtrack are also planned as a teaching guide.
Joy Martin, Alice Haznedl, Ann Legg, Janet Pearce, Ginger Robinson, Rod Russell, MJ Towne and Gloria Thorsen.
THANK YOUS ...
Thank you to Mary Moltmann, Cheryl Dutkiewicz and Julia Baser for providing brownies at the Parent/Youth Communication and Sexuality workshop dinner.
THANK YOU received from Blake Curtis (nephew of Melanie and Phil Wesa):"Your package was a very pleasant surprise for me yesterday. The goodies were nice, but the cards and the construction paper writings really struck me. It made me realize how strong the American spirit really is. The fact that strangers regardless of how they feel about what we are doing, can pull together and support us is truly amazing. People like that are the reason we do what we do. Please tell everyone who wrote or contributed thank you very much. Also, I thought I would send a couple photos of myself if anyone wants to see them. Thank you again. God Bless, Blake"
Operation: Prayers and Cookies Lift!
IN AND AROUND RCLPC WITH BARB
I really am back now and I have so much news that I will have to save some of it until next time. Thank you. :-)* I'm excited to start off with this scoop: SCOTT IDDINGS (husband of JODI, father of EMMA, RYAN, and JOSHUA, son of CAROL and JIM) will be the principal at the new Conley Elementary School in Huntley. Scott , we are all so very proud of you!
* On Saturday, Feb. 12th, School Districts 47 (Crystal Lake) and 200 (Woodstock) had an instrumental music program. Students performed a solo or as part of an ensemble, and were judged. Three of our church family participated: PAUL DOLMON (son of BARB and LOU, brother of REBECCA) received a 1st place with a marimba solo and a 1st place as part of a percussion quartet; ANNA WOODRUFF (daughter of CARY and DAVID) received a 2nd place as part of a flute duet; and CARL WESA (son of MELANIE and PHIL) received a 1st in percussion ensemble and a 1st with a marimba solo. Isn't it great that we have these talented kids? If there were others, please let me know.
* And speaking of talented kids, ANN VORNSAND (daughter of DORY and STEVE, sister of ELIZABETH) performed in a Pops' Concert at Jacob's High School Sat., Feb. 19th.
* News of a little older talented "kid": JUSTIN STEFFEN (son of JULIE and GEORGE, sister of LAUREN) made the Dean's List at Washington University Law School. Justin is a first year law student. I don't know about you, but I still think of Justin as just a "little kid" (I'm really getting old - sorry Justin), and was surprised to learn that he had graduated from the U of I in 2004 summa cum L laude, with distinction from the History Dept. His dad is eagerly awaiting his name to appear on the BRONZE PLACQUE where top students get listed. I know we might not be as proud of you as your parents are Justin, but we are plenty proud!
* And now, here's the Scoop de la Scoop! SARAH METIVIER is getting married! She will be marrying LYLE McNAUGHTON in July. Lyle lives in Frederick, Maryland and is a Web Developer. We need everyone who is reading this to try and find a job here for Lyle, as we DO NOT want Sarah to leave us. What will the choir do without her? Sincere congratulations to you both, and to your families.
That is as much news as I can get in this week. Until next week - I've learned that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it. I pray I make the right choices. Thank you. I am Barb Turley.