Seize the Day
I just finished reading Comes the Morning, Dr. Roane Deckert's historical novel, about his family's journey from Germany to Russia and then to the United States. I found myself transfixed as I read of their stomach-churning voyage across the Atlantic, their clackety railroad trip from New York to Newton, Kansas and their harrowing steamship trip up the Missouri River to Yankton, South Dakota. Each day brought a fresh set of challenges and questions. Why did we leave Russia? How will we survive this rugged land? As I read of their courage in facing everything from blizzards to rattlesnakes, I recalled a line from Paula D'Arcy, "God comes disguised as our life." Indeed, God came to them in a series of hardships and triumphs as they wrested a life from the Dakota wilderness. They survived and triumphed because they understood the importance of the present that God called them to face today without too much worry about the future. There was always a field to plow or harvest, a barn to build or a cow to milk. They had to face the present challenges in order to create their future. It strikes me that we have our own present to face as well. While our headlines seem to be about the coming of an interim pastor and the eventual calling of a new pastor, we have our own present challenges to face as well. Indeed, God is coming to us disguised as our life at Second Pres right now. For individuals, it may mean the birth of a baby or a life-threatening illness. It may present itself in the form of a financial crisis or the loss of a job. It may be the engagement of a daughter or the death of a parent. Whatever the event or the moment, God is in the middle of it. Likewise as a church, God comes to us in many ways. We have opportunities and challenges now. On February 12, 19 new members joined 2PC. The all-church study, The Unexpected Adventure, begins today. We also begin the season of Lent as we recognize our Priority Partner, the Little Children of the Philippines. I believe that God is in the midst of these challenges and opportunities. The early Christians had a saying, Carpe Diem-Seize the Day. Let us resolve to Seize the Day, to meet God in the present with the sure faith that he will lead us to a great future. It is not a time to wait and see. It is time to Seize the Day!
In Christ, Dr. Don CrittendenPastor/Acting Head of Staff
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 2PC News
Sermons on YouTube
You can click on the dates below to watch that morning's sermon. February 19 February 5 January 22 January 15 Encouragement Notes and CaringBridge | Dr. Deckert
To share a note of encouragement with Dr. Deckert, there is a collection box at Connection Point. These cards will be gathered weekly and shared with Dr. Deckert. To follow the Deckerts' entries on CaringBridge, an online medical journal, you may connect by going here. Dr. Deckert's book is available to order. Visit this site and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information.
Exciting News! | Pioneer Woman
 Advocate BroMenn Medical Center has agreed to permanently display Dr. Roane Deckert's powerful limestone sculpture, Pioneer Woman, at the juncture of the atrium and the new Mother/Baby Unit. Friends who love Roane and Ardelle can pull together to raise the artist's asking price of $39,000 through a tax-deductible donation.
Please click here to donate by credit card or click here to donate by check, or pick up these forms and a self-addressed stamped envelope at Connection Point Sunday to mail your contribution. Once the funds are raised, the Foundation will purchase Pioneer Woman from the Deckerts.
God has provided us with a beautiful, tangible way to honor Roane's artistic gift in a place of community and healing and to thank them for their generous gifts to 2PC of the Burning Bush and Baptismal font. Thank you for your love and support of Roane and Ardelle.
Friends of Pioneer Woman
Serving on Saturday (SOS) | February 25
The 2PC Missions Team is offering the first 2012 SOS opportunity Saturday, February 25 from 8:30am-noon at Immanuel Health Center (IHC) in Bloomington. The center is scheduled to open Monday, February 27. IHC will provide health care and spiritual support for children/adults on Medicaid.
The SOS team will assist with a final clinic cleaning. A total reconstruction of the space in the old St. Joseph's Hospital building by volunteer labor is nearly complete and a deep clean is vital to the opening. Plan to bring cleaning supplies. Sign-up at Connection Point Sunday to assist. The IHC has been a labor of love and its opening is just short of a miracle. Help bring this spiritually-supported and much needed medical facility to realization! Contact Gretchen Cetin at 662-5441 with questions.
Connecting Hearts with the Forgotten | February 25
East White Oak Bible Church will host this free one-day conference which will include sessions and resources on adoption, foster care, post-adoption and orphan care. For more information and to register, go here. Lenten All-Church Study | Begins Sunday
 The all-church study, The Unexpected Adventure, begins Sunday at 10:10am in Grace Hall. Walk-ins are welcome and should check in with Ann Crittenden for a table assignment. Sunday is the final day books will be available. Contact Sue Taulbee or Barby Pratt-Mecherle with questions.
2PC.YM Pizza Fundraiser | Final Sunday Watch for the table in the south entry this Sunday for a youth ministry homemade pizza fundraiser to support camp and retreat expenses. The cost for cheese, sausage or pepperoni pizzas will be 1 for $10 or 5 for $45. Delivery is scheduled for Sunday, March 4. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Josh Erickson.
Easter Lily Memorial
 To purchase an Easter lily in memory, honor or celebration of a loved one, please visit Connection Point to complete a card and make the $15 donation. These lilies will be displayed in the sanctuary Easter morning and will then be given to 2PC shut-ins. Please contact Kim Pare at 828-6297 with any questions.
Give it up for LCP! | Through Easter
Each year, the children connected to Little Children of the Philippines (LCP) receive one gift. During Lent, 2PC kids - and adults, too - can purchase a gift as part of a Lenten sacrifice. The $2.50 gifts are a doll or a ball/jax set. Beginning March 4, these toys will be available in the south entry. 2PC members and kids may trade in their saved money for a toy and place the toy in the hut outside the sanctuary.
The Easter morning Give it up for LCP offering will go towards the purchase of sausage-making equipment. This equipment will open up opportunities for increased revenue for those served by LCP. Lenten offering boxes are available at Connection Point. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Don Crittenden.JOY Trip | March 23 Registration Deadline Join the JOY group at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts to see Say Goodnight Gracie on Saturday, April 21, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $24. Please contact Dave Haake at 828-3591 with questions or to reserve your spot.
Nancy Harvey | Volunteer Coordinator  Effective March 1, Nancy Harvey is stepping down as the 2PC Volunteer Coordinator. In her 5+ years of service, Nancy has been instrumental in matching 2PC members with areas of service both inside and outside Second Pres. She organized volunteer appreciation events, the Volunteer Expo and regular opportunities for Spiritual Gifts assessments.As Nancy looks forward to the possibility of bring Neil home on a full-time basis, she will be greatly missed as a staff member. Her willingness to not only coordinate volunteers, but to serve alongside those she matched with opportunities, was a great example to 2PC members of her belief in this ministry.
59th Annual Laymen's Lenten Breakfast | March 22
Tickets are now available for the Laymen's Lenten Breakfast on Thursday, March 22, 6am, at the ISU Bone Student Center Ballroom. The morning includes great food, fellowship and a message from comedian Taylor Mason. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students through college seniors. For more information about the event and ticket information, call the Immanuel Bible Foundation office at 452-6710 or visit here.
Holy Week | April 1-8  April 1 - Palm Sunday, worship services at 8:15, 9 and 11:11am, Little Children of the Philippines in worship, Community Outreach Dinner (pig roast) April 5 - Maundy Thursday, Seder Meal in Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm, family-friendly event, suggested donation of $6 per person/$22 family maximum. RSVP to Kim at 828-6297. April 6 - Good Friday, What's So Good About Good Friday art show in the south entry from 5-7:30pm, Tenebrae service in the sanctuary at 7:30pm, childcare is available. April 8 - Easter, Sunrise service in the sanctuary at 6:30am, Brunch in the Fellowship Hall following the Sunrise service-11am, Worship services at 8:15, 9 and 11:11am; no Christian Education hour. 2PC Group Sale | April 21 Mark your calendars and start gathering your treasures for the annual 2PC Mission Group Sale on Saturday, April 21 at the Interstate Center. Bookmark 2PCgroupsale.com to stay current on ways to assist. If you have questions, contact Bret or Linda Reinthaler at 473-2396.Gathering of Men Lunch Series | Save the Date The Gathering of Men lunch series will be in May. Mark your calendars for those five Thursdays to share a great message over a Chef Paul lunch in Grace Hall.
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Kids and Youth
 February 29 | KOK Save the Date | Camp and VBS
June 18-22 | Kids' Overnight Camp, grades
3-5 2011-12 school year
June 19-21 | Kids' Day Camp, grades K-2 2011-12 school year
July 23-27 | VBS, age 3 by 9.1.12 through grade 5 2012-13 school year
Registration information will be available soon.
February 19 | Group Sale and Choir Tour meeting with High School Fellowship following
February 24-26 | Jr. High Winter Retreat at Camp Timberlee in East Troy, WI
February 29 | Powerhouse March 2 | High School Lock-in, 9pm-8am, $10, friends are invited March 18 | Movie Night at High School Fellowship, special time of 6-8pm March 31 | Winter Jam Concert, meet at 2PC at 3:30pm, $15
Save the Date | Summer Camp June 24-30 | High School Mission Camp, Grand Rapids, MI ($375) July 9-14 | Jr. High Camp, Green Lake WI ($375)
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Christian Education Information10:10 - 11am Adult Christian Education
All-Church Bible Study - The Unexpected Adventure - Grace HallChildren and Youth Preschool | Martin Hall lower level Elementary | Martin Hall main floor Junior high and High School students | Waffles in Java Post at 10am Junior High Sunday School | Java Post at 10:15am Chancel Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room at 10:15am High School Sunday School | 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from
12:12-1:30pm in Grace Hall and Java Post
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Calendar
Sunday, February 26
8:15am | Worship | Marquis Chapel
9am | Worship | Sanctuary
10am | Christian Education Hour
10:10am | All-church Study | Grace Hall
11:11am | Worship | Sanctuary
5pm | Restoration Church | F100A
6pm | High School Fellowship
Monday, February 27
1pm | Women's Bible Study
Tuesday, February 28
6:45am | Men's Bible Study | Parlor
1:30pm | Heritage Committee Work Session | M201
5pm | Membership Committee | Parlor
6:30pm | Session | F100A
7pm | Restoration Church Prayer Group | M201
7pm | Boy Scout Meeting | Scout Room
Wednesday, February 29
9am | Sisters | Java Post
2pm | Alcoholics Anonymous| Grace Hall
5pm | KOK, Carillon/Covenant/Cherub Choir
5pm | Powerhouse
5pm | Chorale Rehearsal | Chapel
5pm | Prayer Group | F203
5:30pm | Sisters Decaf | Parlor
6pm | Chapel Choir | Sanctuary
6:30pm | TESL Class | M201
6:30pm | Bible Study | F204
7pm | Men's Bible Study | F203
7:30pm | Chancel Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room
Thursday, March 1 Noon | Scrapbooking Small Group | F100C4:30pm | Contemporary Band Rehearsal | Sanctuary
5pm | Local Mission | F205
6pm | Restoration Church Bible Study | M201
6pm | Mixed Boomers Small Group | Library
7pm | Merge Women's Small Group | Parlor
Friday, March 2 6:30am | Men's Bible Study | Kep's Restaurant
9:30am | Neighborhood Bible Study | F100C
Noon | Prayer Lunch | F100B
5pm | High School Lock-in | Grace Hall
The nipa hut outside the 2PC sanctuary. The treasure chest will be filled with toys donated by 2PC children for the Little Children of the Philippines . |
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