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September 12, 2007
The SPIRIT of Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Click here to see the September calendar.
WEAVE is off to a great start!
Our new midweek program, Wednesday Evening AVEnues, got off to a roaring start with a wonderful dinner, lots of children in choirs, Adult Education, and Adult Choir all meeting over the course of the evening. There’s lots going on here at RCLPC each Wednesday, so come on over for dinner and fellowship, for a chance to learn together, and for some good old fashioned fun. The schedule is:
5:30 - Little Lambs Choir
6-7:30 - Dinner for everyone! (cost: $5 adults/$3 kids 12-and-under)
6:30 - Sounds of Joy Choir
7:00 - Adult Education in the Sanctuary
7:00 - “The Story” Youth Bible Study in the corner
7:00 - Kids storytime/quiet time in the nursery
7:45-9:15 - Adult Choir
We are entering a new series in our Adult Education hour, talking about the book Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass. This book explores what it means to be a Christian in the “mainline” churches—not the megachurches whose pastors and members are quoted in the media as the representatives of “Christian” but rather those “brand name” (Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, etc) churches. What does it mean to be a faithful Christian, a faithful and vibrant church community, a group of people constantly growing in our spirituality and our faith, when we no longer hold the cultural dominance we once did? Join Richard and Teri as we explore this topic together. Copies of the book can often be found at major bookstores or through amazon.com for $24.
Time to hear our stories!
Come to the fellowship hall at noon on Sunday, September 16 for a spaghetti luncheon where you can hear the stories and see the pictures from our amazing group of Senior High Youth who traveled to New Orleans this summer. They’ll serve you lunch, they’ll talk about their experiences, and they’ll do their best to convey what it was like to be in New Orleans for a week with PassPort Inc.’s “Youth Camping With A Mission.” Cost for lunch will be $5/adults and $2/kids under 12.
Youth Groups are underway!
We had lots of fun at our kick-off meeting, and we welcomed some new people to our youth groups. If you did not receive a calendar or the 5 forms that need to be filled out, please contact Teri! Regular youth events begin Sunday the 23rd with a Middle School mini-golf and pizza outing from 1-3pm! Senior Highs begin on the 30th with an International Day meeting, including a trip to Chowpatti International Restaurant in Arlington Heights.
Creation Sunday
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
On September 23 we will celebrate Creation Sunday, giving thanks for God’s good, green earth and reminding ourselves of our calling to be faithful stewards of everything God has given us.
In celebration of Creation Sunday, we will attempt to worship outside. We know this can be a challenge. First, the weather must cooperate. Second, bugs can be a problem, but we are taking steps to make sure our bloodsucking and stinging friends don’t spoil the fun. If either the weather or the bugs simply will not cooperate, we will move the service to the fellowship hall (where we can at least see creation through the windows).
But, assuming we can overcome the challenges, we will worship in the meadow on September 23. (The meadow is the open patch of grass beside the overflow parking lot.) We will have our three services as normal (8:30, 9:30, and 11:00), as well as our other Sunday morning activities. We will have chairs available, but we invite you to bring chairs, blankets, etc., for you and your family. Please dress however you are comfortable!
We hope you will join us in this opportunity to celebrate the goodness of creation in worship.
David LaMotte to play at RCLPC
Mark your calendars! David LaMotte, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist will play a concert here at RCLPC on Sunday October 21st. He’ll lead a workshop for our youth at 4pm, then we’ll have an old-fashioned potluck dinner at 6pm, and David will play his concert in the sanctuary at 7pm. Concert tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth/children.
David has recorded 10 albums, performed in 45 states and 11 countries, and won numerous awards. 2007-08 will be his last year touring before he begins graduate work in Peace Studies. BBC radio described David’s performances as filled with “charm, stories, humour, insightful songs, sweet voice and dazzling guitar ability.”
For the potluck, please check the list below for what to bring. Drinks will be provided. Thanks!
| If your last name begins with: | please bring: |
| A-E | salad or fruit |
| F-L | dessert |
| M-R | main dish |
| S-Z | side |
Please join us as we welcome David and enjoy fellowship and music together!
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Hop on CROP
The CROP Walk is coming,
that annual event.
I’m asking for help,
that’s why I was sent
By joining together
and showing we care,
Great things can be done,
if only we dare.
When you Hop on CROP,
and just join the team,
Feeding the hungry
becomes more than a dream.
But I hear you thinking,
the problem’s too great!
Is that the reason you hesitate?
There are many who hunger
and many thirst too,
To say, “I can do nothing”
is simply not true!
By digging deep wells
and providing new tools,
Helping with medical needs,
and building schools.
By giving safe shelter
to people displaced,
Don’t you see,
you’re showing God’s grace!
CROP Walk,
Sunday, October 14th
Please be a walker,
please volunteer
25% of the funds raised are shared between PADS and the Crystal Lake FOOD PANTRY
Call MJ Towne for your packet.
Save the Date !!!
September 22nd
5:00 pm
Family Meet-N-Eat
at Pirro’s in Woodstock
Please contact Laurie Pohl or Cindy Borre.
Prime Timers - Stories from the Heart
When was the last time you heard a really good story? We have a great one to share with you. Rick Johnson, retired elementary educator, has more than 25 years experience telling tales to young and old throughout Illinois. His program of stories is titled, Stories from the Heart, for Rick says he can't put a story to tell in his head unless it first touches him in his heart. He adds, "The oral tradition of telling stories gets down to the heart of human experience."
Please join us in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, September 20th at 10 am to hear Rick’s story. Bring your bag lunch as we will be exchanging our own stories over the noon hour. All are welcome and encouraged to join us.
Nursery Team Meeting
| Who: | Nursery Committee, Nursery Staff, and
Anyone Interested in Helping with Nursery |
| What: | Nursery Committee and Staff Team Meeting |
| Where: | RCLPC Nursery |
| When: | Sunday, September 30, 10:30-11:00am |
| Why: | To review, to talk, to ask and answer questions, to begin a new school year together! |
Thank You RCLPCers
All that great food from the reverse offering came at just the right time and was much appreciated at the Food Pantry. Thank you all so much. ~ Nancy Vazzano
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Global Warming/Climate Change
What are the facts? What can you do?
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 ~ 7 - 9 pm
McHenry County College Conference Center ~ Free
Bill Sweitzer, a Crystal Lake resident who has participated in a training program led by former Vice President Al Gore, will be showing a 60 minute presentation featuring highlights from An Inconvenient Truth and the most recent updates on Global Warming/Climate. In addition Bill will be offering concrete suggestions on how individuals can help reduce global climate change. Bill will be joined by Pat Dieckhoff, Waste Reduction Specialist for the Lou Marchi Total Recycling at McHenry county College. There is no charge for the program. For more information visit www.mchenry.edu/recycling or call 815 479-7817.
Building & Grounds Corner
What happened to the coat closet by the old entry doors?
It is still there; we just moved the entrance around the corner and added a door to make our entry look more inviting. Dan Gilman did all the work to make this happen between being part of the alternative service music every week, a full time student at NIU and continuing his regular job in construction. Thank you Dan for taking the time to make this happen for us. Oh by the way, we will no longer be putting coats in this closet. Please use the coat racks in the Connecting Link by Fellowship Hall.
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation Says “Thank You”
The children who attended Vacation Bible School this past summer put together goody bags as their mission project for the “Share the Bear” program. You can see the complete letter on the Missions board in the Connecting Link. The following is a partial letter sent from Kathleen Casey, President and Founder of Bear Necessities, and Caroline Shields, Director of Programs & Services:
“On behalf of Bear necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the children waging their courageous battles against pediatric cancer, we would like to thank you for donating goody bags for the Share the Bear program. Through your generosity and support, we are able to continue in our mission to eliminate pediatric cancer and to provide hope and support to those who are touched by it.
Bear Necessities is a unique organization in several ways. Our initiatives focus on immediate assistance for the children, their families and hospitals throughout the year, and also fund national research projects on an annual basis. During the foundation’s history, over 80% of the revenue has been allocated in support of the mission...
Thank you for helping us to eliminate this devastating disease and providing the hope for these brave children to have “many more tomorrows”.
Regards,
Kathleen A. Casey, President/Founder
Caroline P. Shields, Director of Programs & Services
A Special Mission Opportunity
On October 1st through the end of April, the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) program provides shelter and food to 40-50 homeless individuals every night. Seven churches open their doors each week to help those without a home. RCLPC has long wanted to show our special brand of hospitality for this endeavor but has not felt we had sufficient personnel or facilties to sustain it at our church.
We do feel that we can offer a component of the program – to supply lunches once a week at one of the church sites. Your Mission Outreach Committee is willing to start the effort off by gathering together and making lunches and delivering them to Bethany Lutheran church on Sunday evening for the Month of October, 2007, providing we have some “matching gifts of service” for the remaining six months for the 2007-2008 year.
WHAT ABOUT YOU! Individually or a as a group of at least 5 people! Funds for the necessary supplies will be provided from the SHARE THE BOUNTY fund. PADS personnel will help us with suggested Menu selections so we just need to shop and prepare the lunches on Saturday night and deliver them to our neighbors in Christ, Bethany Lutheran.
If there is a light sign up for this mission of mercy, perhaps we could do it one Saturday each month during the period of service. Think about it and then show your commitment by signing up in the Connecting Link.
THE MISSION OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Led by Deacons Rick Johnson, Ann Legg and Joy Martin
Faith in Action of McHenry County
7105 Virginia Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Faith in Action of McHenry County, a local not-for-profit that provides assistance at no cost to senior citizens living at home, is looking for new volunteers. There is a particular need for help in the cities of Huntley, McHenry and Cary due to an increase in service requests from those communities.
This organization has been serving the senior citizens of McHenry County for 10 years with volunteer services such as transportation, shopping, friendly visits, respite for caretakers, light housekeeping and light yard cleanup. Residents of McHenry County over 60 who live in their homes or with loved ones are eligible to request services from Faith in Action. The organization is funded in part by a McHenry County Senior Services Grant, and it relies on other grant resources and private donations to continue operating. The group relies entirely on volunteers to continue providing services to the senior citizens in need of assistance.
Faith in Action reports that transportation is consistently the most requested service, and that there is always a need for volunteers willing to drive seniors on errands such as grocery shopping and doctor appointments. Executive Director Rhonda Anderson also noted there is currently a large number of requests for Crystal Lake, and that they would be very grateful for volunteers willing to help out in that area or as volunteer office staff in the planning and scheduling center.
To volunteer for Faith in Action or to inquire about services for yourself or a family member, please call (815) 455-3120 or visit www.fiamchenrycounty.org.
Presbytery-wide Mission Trip Scheduled
The Mission Strategies & Resources Board of Blackhawk Presbytery has scheduled a mission trip to Gulfport, MS October 14-20. Mississippi Presbytery coordinates housing and onsite work. We are still working out details, but here's what we know--
- The work team will be doing construction/reconstruction work.
- Team members must be 18 or older.
- Experience with construction work like carpentry is an asset but not a requirement; team members must be physically able to do things like painting, nailing, shoveling.
- The cost per participant will be a minimum of $100 plus transportation expense. TBA. Transportation will be by van from Stronghold.
Housing and meals are provided, as well as all tools needed.
Contact Mary Ellen Shine at maryellenshine@comcast.net if you are interested in the trip. She is building a contact list so we can share details as we know more.
Native American Connection
Cherokee Legend
Compliments of Pierre Berube, we would like to share the legend of a Cherokee Indian youth’s rite of passage. His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone with the following instructions:
He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot tell the other boys of his experience, because each boy must come into manhood on his own. Naturally, the boy is terrified. He hears all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It is the only way he can become a man!! Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don’t know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on a stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. Thanks, Pierre.
The Native American Connection
Crystal Lake Food Pantry
Celebrates 25 Years
Sunday September 23, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Dinner – Auction – Entertainment
D’Andrea Banquet Center
4419 Northwest Highway
Crystal Lake, Illinois
$25 per person – Tickets can be purchased at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry, 257 King Street, Crystal Lake or through Nancy Vazzano. For information call (815) 455-0961.
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