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Volunteers are still needed to help teach Summer Sunday School
No experience needed! Curriculum is provided for you. Preschool through 5th grades are combined during the Summer, and meet during the usual Sunday school time from 9:30 to 10:30am. If interested, please contact Karen Nelson or Patti Hill to see which dates are still available. Thank you.
Save the Date for VBS:
June 22 – 26, 2009
Anyone who would like to help can contact Denise Sokoloski or Jodi Iddings. Volunteer Form
Youth News
Happy Spring Break! When you get back...
High School Youth make PADwiches on Sunday, March 29 at 5pm!
Middle and High School Youth help Sunday School kids make Easter baskets on April 5th!
Calling all 5th graders
Are you in 5th grade? Is someone you know in 5th grade? Please contact Teri so we can be sure to include you in the youth group plans for next year!
Confirmation Class!
Are you currently in 7th grade or above and haven’t participated in Confirmation Class yet? Please let Teri know so we can be sure to include you in the plans for next year. Mark your calendars now for the informational meeting on May 17th at noon. This meeting will be required for those who wish to participate in next year’s class, but attending the meeting does not obligate you to be in the class—come and check it out!
The Bible Bowl is Coming!
It’s a little later than your average bowl game, but just as fun! Our Sunday School students will be practicing up for the Bible Bowl, a friendly competition between students and between classes. With categories like “places in the Bible” and “sayings of Jesus” our Sunday School youth will be learning about Scripture and earning prizes—as well as earning some bragging rights! They’ll practice each week and then the Big Event—Bible Bowl I—will take place in Fellowship Hall at 10:30am on May 31. Hope to see you there!
Pastries in Fellowship Hall on April 19
Please stop by Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 19 for a delicious pastry and some conversation from 9:15am to 1215pm. All donations will be given to the family (Brigette and young children Fallon and Bryn) of Spc. Norman Cain III of the Woodstock National Guard who was killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb on March 15.
Thanks for stuffing Easter eggs for the troops!
Thanks to everyone who donated the generous supply of plastic Easter eggs and candy for the troops. Nancy Vazzano was our fabulous Candy Czar, and we got all of the eggs stuffed with candy before the 11:00 AM service! Andy Fowles, Nathaniel Lieb, Amy McCall, Ryan Schack, and Matt Trummel should get their boxes of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies by March 31, and hopefully they will be a much needed morale booster. - Ed Bennett and Mary Moltmann
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March 25, 2009
The Spirit
of Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday (April 5): - 8:30, 9:30, & 11:00am; “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...
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) - 6:45-7:45pm —at the Crossing
We will explore Holy Week and its place in our spiritual lives, using Session five of “Chocolate for Lent.”
Maundy Thursday Seder (April 9) - 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall
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
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, 11:15am
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.
RCPLC Men can Cook!
Easter Breakfast is coming back
after popular demand.
Baffled about what to serve the family on a hectic Easter Morning? Never fear--The Chefs of RCLPC to the rescue! Turn those ravenous appetites over to the Men’s Group for their annual Easter Breakfast fundraiser. Now really, who can resist such handsome men serving up their mouthwatering temptations of pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit all in an atmosphere of church fellowship? No one! Not only will we feature Gilman’s Own Tasty Pancake Toppings, but also, a scrumptious surprise addition to this year’s menu. So, Mom and Dad... On Easter Morning, pack up the kids, the Grandy’s, and any of those shirttail relations, and head for Fellowship Hall between the hours of 8:00 and 11:15am. Truly, a culinary experience you won’t want to miss. And remember, your donations support the RCLPC Emergency Fund providing necessary financial assistance to families in need.
Lent: Newness and Covenant
During Lent we are focusing on newness and covenant. God keeps promises including the promise to do a new thing. We are exploring 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 reflect on what the New Covenant established by Jesus means to us today. “Behold,” God says, “I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? Even now it springs forth.” That’s a promise we can count on.
Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 29):
“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)
WEAVE
Chocolate For Lent continues for the next two weeks, April 1 and 8, in the Fellowship Hall at 6.45pm. Then on April 15 we will learn more about issues of hunger in the world and what we can do about it, and on April 22 we have a special Earth Day WEAVE! Join us for dinner, for choir rehearsals, for education, for fellowship—choose just one avenue or travel them all! See you on Wednesdays!
Maundy Thursday Seder
This year we will celebrate Maundy Thursday just as Jesus must have, with a Seder. The Seder is the traditional Passover celebration including stories from scripture, prayer, ceremonial foods, silly songs, and a feast! Maundy Thursday is on the second night of Passover this year, so we will celebrate at the same time as our Jewish brothers and sisters. We hope you’ll join us for this family-friendly (children are required, actually, to ask the questions that move the story along!) service of scripture, song, and sumptuous feast! All are welcome—April 9, 6.30pm, in the Fellowship Hall. If you get a chance, please sign up in the Connecting Link so we can plan our feast!
Home of the Sparrow Easter Basket Donations
Spring is just around the corner…..or so we hope!! It is time for our church-wide mission project of collecting donations for Easter Baskets for families at Home of the Sparrow. The Sunday school classes will be helping to put the baskets together and fill eggs on Palm Sunday, so donations are needed by Sunday, March 29.
The following items will be needed for the baskets: plastic eggs, candy, snacks (no nuts please), small toys, books, small stuffed animals, card games, etc. There are presently 15 moms that we are asking $10.00 gift cards for or donations so that we may purchase additional cards. In addition to gift cards, the moms could use lotions, bath gels, etc. We do not need baskets or grass as there are enough from last year. There are 22 children and their ages are as follows: 3 children under 1 year (all girls); 4 children ages 1-3 (all girls), 8 children ages 5-10 (5 girls, 3 boys), 6 children ages 11-14 (5 boys, 1 girl). In addition, there is one 13 year old boy with severe disabilities who is the size of a 3 year old, so he could use socks, loungewear, size 3 or 4, stuffed animals or soft blankets.
Thank you so much for your consideration in helping with this very important mission project. Donations can be dropped off in the box across from the office. Any questions, please feel free to contact either of us. ~ Karen Nelson or Patti Hill.
Letter from the Troops...
Dear Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
The Delta Company 1/178th Infantry Family Readiness Group would like to thank you for your very generous donation to our organization and soldiers. It has been truly heartwarming to see how generous you have been to our group. Knowing that there are people in our community that care so much for us and our soldiers helps us all to get through these long months. The assistance for the holidays and the stockings were a wonderful blessing. A real touch of home. Please remember how much we appreciate your help and caring concern.
With much appreciation, Family Readiness Group
30 Hour Famine Food Drive—we need your help!
The 30 Hour Famine is nearly upon us—the time when our high school youth Starve For Food. They go without food for 30 hours to try to get a taste of what hunger is like, and they raise awareness and money to fight hunger worldwide. While worldwide last year’s statistics were slightly better than previous years, 26,000 children still die every day from hunger and hunger related disease. And here in our own area more and more people can’t afford food for their families.
Last year’s penny drive was quite a success, so this year we are dreaming big. So this year, instead of pennies, we are collecting food for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry. We hope to build a house of food, representing the security hungry people often lack.
Our goal is to collect enough food to feed a family for one week per participant in the Famine. So far we have 10 people participating in the famine, so our goal is to collect enough food for 10 weeks. (Learn more about how the American diet compares to the rest of the world at www.whattheworldeats.com.)
Please bring your donations to the Fellowship Hall’s northeast corner (near the double doors). Wondering what to donate? Here are the Food Pantry’s top 20 most needed items:
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| Beverages | Canned foods | Boxed Items | Other | Personal Care Items |
| Small tins of Coffee | Tomato products | Noodle Side Dish | Saltine Crackers | Diapers- larger sizes |
| Tea bags | Fruit- oranges, mix fruit pears, peaches | Beans | Flour 1 or 5 lbs | Shampoo |
| Can Juice | Tuna Fish | Mash Potatoes | Sugar 1or 5 lbs | Bar Soap |
| Juice Boxes | Chicken, Spam | Rice | Spaghetti | Laundry Soap |
| Drink Mixes | Hash | Rice Side Dish | Noodles | Toilet Paper |
| Evaporated milk | Pasta- Ravioli, Spaghetti-O’s | Breakfast Cereal | Vegetable Oil | Kleenex |
| Hot Chocolate | Vegetables- corn, peas | Hamburger Helpers | Jelly or Peanut Butter | Feminine Napkins |
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A Word From Your Interim Pastor...
We are on a journey of Lent – whether we are wanderers or sitters. This journey began in the halls of heaven when God left his house in search of us. Long before the world was created, God loved us and chose us. Throughout our Lenten journey, we have been reminded by the Old Testament covenants of what God has done to win our hearts.
Very soon we will step into the New Testament drama of Holy Week. We’ll enter through the gates of Jerusalem, waving our palms and shouting Hosanna in joyous celebration of the King who rides on a donkey. Then, in the quiet darkness of the Taize service on Tuesday, we’ll have the opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of the journey to Calvary and beyond. At Wednesday night WEAVE, Chocolate for Lent gives us a glimpse of the joy of God’s gracious hospitality and the color that brings to our lives. On Thursday our church family will gather for a Seder meal filled with laughter and singing in remembering the story of the Passover, a story of miracles, a story of redemption, a story of the mighty power of God to overcome evil. The traditional parsley, salt water, lamb bone, matzoh, and cup of Elijah serve as symbols of the Passover meal shared by Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room. Children have a special part of the Seder meal. Then we will hear the words of the New Covenant spoken by Jesus and share Communion in remembrance of the bread broken and the cup of grace poured.
Our journey turns to the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday. In the growing darkness we’ll take time to meditate on the meaning of the cross. What is promised in the tragedy? We wouldn’t have written the story of redemption this way. But then we weren’t asked to.
At the “heart of our journey” is Easter. Is it possible? Yes! The unbelievable is real! Christ is alive! Come, shout Alleluia!, sing Jesus Christ is Risen Today. We’ll bring joy to the heart of God through our praise. Once again we’ll share Communion, this time as the feast of resurrection.
We’re all extremely busy people. We are so busy. We have so many urgent things to do! To live deeply is a special challenge for us. I invite you to walk through the events of Holy Week here at RCLPC; this is what life is about.
~ Grace and peace, Pastor Jan ~
2009 Presbytery-wide Mission Trip
The group will be working with Presbyterian Community Outreach (PCO) in Slidell, LA, currently working to rebuild the New Orleans area. PCO accepts and houses volunteer groups free of charge to do home repair to low income families, elderly persons and disabled individuals affected by hurricane Katrina. PCO provides housing, tools, materials, and instruction. We plan to leave on Saturday, April 25, and return Sunday, May 3, working in the New Orleans area Monday through Friday of that week. If you are interested and/or have questions about what to expect, ask MJ Towne or Dick and Cheryl Brinks or Pastor Jan. They have all experienced working at this location. Also check web site www.pcoslidell.org. for more information. Interest and questions – please see Bill Pittenger
News from the Deacon’s Welcoming Team
Our updated church directory was recently sent to you from the office. It is as up to date as possible except for one thing – it’s missing YOUR picture. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could match a person or family’s name with faces? Our last pictorial directory was done a few years ago and quite a few new members have joined since then.
The Welcoming Team of the Deacons thinks that it is time to re-do the pictorial directory. Kim has the information and the format that we need. All we have to do is get a picture of each member and their family and we can get the directory put together. Once pictures have been added, the directory will be re-sent for you to download to your computer and use to your heart’s content, or not, as you wish. It will not be part of the church’s website or linked to an off-site server so concerns about privacy should be alleviated. As new members are added, we will update the directory and the new version will be sent to you by e-mail.
In the next few weeks the Welcoming Team will be available to address questions you might have regarding the directory. We have discussed the idea of informal pictures being taken at church. We’d be interested in your feedback. Please feel free to call or e-mail any of the members of the Welcoming Team – Dave Steele, Dorothy Vick, Laurie Pohl, David Palmer or Jean Joslyn. And, of course, we can be found at church as well.
Native American
Reverse Mission Opportunity
If you are interested in finding out more about joining a group planning to make a trip to Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations on June 21-26th, please let Joy Martin know. Classes will take place on May 17, May 24, and in June at dates to be announced. There is also homework that needs to be completed prior to our departure. ~ Mission Outreach Ministry |
Coming to WTTW11 on Mondays:
April 13 through May 11; 9:00-10:30pm
"We Shall Remain", a 5-part American Experience production series shows how Native peoples valiantly resisted expulsion from their lands and fought the extinction of their culture - from the Wampanoags of New England in the 1600's to the bold new leaders of the 1970's. To see the video preview, access the website on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
~ Mission Outreach Ministry |
Offering of Letters
 Next month we will have an opportunity to write our members of Congress on behalf of hungry people worldwide. This year’s effort focuses on making foreign assistance more effective in order to reach more people.
The World Has Changed + We Can Effect Change = End Poverty and Hunger: Reform Foreign Aid!
The world has changed...
The Foreign Assistance Act was created in 1961 and has not seen significant change since. In 1961:
• 1st class stamps cost $.04.
• Gas was $.27 a gallon.
• The Cold War largely determined our foreign policy.
U.S. foreign aid is greatly weakened by inefficiencies and lack of direction. We could be doing more for hungry people with what we have already committed as a nation.
We can effect change...
Since 2000, the US has more than doubled foreign assistance.
150 million: The number of additional people worldwide who have been pushed into poverty because of both the food crisis and the economic downturn, according to the World Bank.
To learn more, visit http://www.bread.org/learn/background-papers/2009/jan-09-background-paper.pdf. End poverty and hunger—Reform Foreign Aid.
Let Your Light So Shine! Covenant Gathering 2009; June 28 - July 3
Join Christian friends from Synod of the Covenant and Synod of Lincoln Trails -- and beyond -- at lovely Michindoh Conference Center near the Ohio, Indiana and Michigan border in Hillsdale, MI.
You'll be able to learn about deepening spirituality through prayer, meditation, art and nature; using electronic media in the church, transforming congregations through the new evangelism, and preparing your congregation to respond to community crises. You'll also find a Bible study on the Gospel of John and a Christian Education Theory and Practice class approved for CE certification and CLP studies.
Children and youth will be exploring their place in the world God created in age-appropriate classes with experienced, seasoned teachers. Everyone can enjoy the trails, lake, water slide and water sports at Michindoh! It's an affordable, all-inclusive family vacation. (Less than $1000 total for a family of four of 2 adults and 2 kids ages 6-12.)
Go to www.covenantgathering.com for details on classes, costs and registration. Check out www.Michindoh.com for more information on our meeting place and accommodations. Or email covenantgathering@comcast.net with other questions.
In His service, Covenant Gathering 2009 Design Team
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