Dr. David Bianchin Named Interim Pastor
Dr. David Bianchin has been named as the Interim Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church! Dr. Bianchin will begin this role on Monday, March 12, and preach on Sunday, March 18. Dr. Bianchin brings a wealth of experience in ministry, having served churches of varying sizes with diverse responsibilities. Currently he is finishing his tenure as the Interim Pastor of the First Presbyterian of Glen Ellyn, IL, a suburban church similar in size to 2PC. Previously he served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Downers Grove, IL. He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PCUSA in 1981, with degrees from Albertson College of Idaho, Dubuque Theological Seminary and McCormick Theological Seminary.Dr. Bianchin was raised on an avocado ranch in California where his mother still lives today. He is married to Julie who teaches reading. They have three grown children, Johnnie, Sarah and Ben. During his free time, Dr. Bianchin is an avid reader, enjoys not only playing guitars but making them by hand and spending time with his family. His wife Julie started the unusual hobby of beekeeping several years ago after being inspired by reading The Secret Life of Bees. Dr. Bianchin started his ministry career as a Youth Director and Associate Pastor for Youth in Washington and California. He still enjoys spending time with the youth at the various churches he has served in. He was Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian in Downer's Grove for 15 years when he felt called to bring the talents that God had given him to the Interim Pastor Ministry. His resume reflects his commitment to life-long learning and working with people. In his own words: I would like to serve a church that offers me the opportunity to exercise my leadership gifts and share my love for Jesus Christ. I also look for the opportunity to support and express my love for people, no matter where they are in their journey of faith. I look for a church which is open to trying new things in order to deepen our relationship with God in Christ. I would value ministering in a body that has a commitment to loving one another, but is also interested in reaching out to others in Christ's name.
I have an excellent mix of energy and experience. My most fruitful years of ministry are just beginning. Preaching is my strongest spiritual gift. I also offer a genuine love for people. Pastoral ministry is woven into my personality. I bring a strong commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord as well as Savior, and a desire that people continue to grow in faith, grace and knowledge. I am very grateful for the work of the Interim Pastoral Nominating Committee led by Hank Guenther. This committee included Dave Odette, Reid Young, Denny Steele, Ron Hill, Marilyn Freedlund, Jill Smith and Jan Harrell. Hank spoke very highly of their choice, saying, "Pastor Dave's deep love of people, passion for his calling and depth of his spiritual gifts embraced the entire search team right from the beginning."
If you would like to send him a note of encouragement when he arrives, you may email him here. Plan to join in worship on March 18 to welcome Dr. Bianchin! In Christ, Dr. Don CrittendenPastor/Acting Head of Staff
|
 2PC News
Sermons on YouTube
You can click on the dates below to watch that morning's sermon. February 26 February 19 February 5 January 22 Encouragement Notes and CaringBridge
To share a note of encouragement with Dr. Deckert or Mark Brown, there are collection boxes at Connection Point. These cards will be gathered weekly and shared. To follow the Deckerts' entries on CaringBridge, an online medical journal, you may connect by going here. To follow the Browns' entries on CaringBridge, go 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
Lenten All-Church Study | Sunday
 The all-church study, The Unexpected Adventure, is Sunday at 10:10am in Grace Hall. Walk-ins are welcome and should check in with Ann Crittenden for a table assignment. Contact Sue Taulbee or Barby Pratt-Mecherle with questions.
Community Outreach Dinner | Sunday The Community Outreach Dinner (COD) is a monthly 2PC tradition designed to bring the entire 2PC family together and to invite new people to 2PC. Dinner is from 11am-1pm Sunday in Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $6; $2 of that cost is used to fund tickets for 2PC community partners.There is a $22 maximum family cost.
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 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 Fellowship | March 9 Sarah's Garden at the David Davis Mansion will be shared by the McLean County Master Gardeners at the Friday, 10:30am fellowship. All are encouraged to attend. You may also stay for the Friday Prayer lunch ($6 donation). Contact Kim Pare to make your lunch reservation. 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.
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. Also, at 7pm on March 22, an Evening of Laughter with Taylor Mason will be at the Bloomington High School auditorium. For more information, call Immanuel Bible Foundation office at 452-6710 or click 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 5-8pm, 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 April. Mark your calendars for April 12, 19 and 26 to hear an inspirational message over a Chef Paul lunch in Grace Hall. Correction - the February 26 Pulse incorrectly stated this series would be in May. Lenten Reflections from Dan McNerney To read Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship missionary, Dan McNerney's, perspective on Lent, click here.
A Note From Nancy Harvey After much thought and prayer and with a mix of emotions, I resigned from 2PC March 1 as the Volunteer Coordinator. As you might know, with the hope of bringing Neil home from the nursing facility, my season of service will be changing significantly. I have enjoyed and spiritually grown during this blessed opportunity offered to me five years ago. I want to thank those of you who served with me on staff and the Volunteer Ministry Team. I also want to thank the entire congregation for your loving support with the ministry and with Neil's road to recovery. I have especially enjoyed being able to meet with many of you to help you find a good fit and passion in service to honor God and spread His love to others.
Thanks for the past five years and I look forward to serving alongside you in the future as a "regular church volunteer" at 2PC.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord."
Men's Softball League
 Please contact Rev. Josh Erickson if you want to play in a Normal Parks and Rec church softball league. If enough women are interested, he can also form a Co-ed team.
|
Kids and Youth
 March 7 | 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.
 March 7| 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)
|
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
|
|
|
Calendar
Sunday, March 4
8:15am | Worship | Marquis Chapel
9am | Worship | Sanctuary
10am | Christian Education Hour
10:10am | All-church Study | Grace Hall
11:11am | Worship | Sanctuary
12:15pm | High School Sunday School
5pm | Restoration Church | F100A
6pm | High School Fellowship
Monday, March 5
No Activities Scheduled
Tuesday, March 6
6:45am | Men's Bible Study | Parlor
12:30pm | Prayer Quilt Committee | M201
1pm | JOY Committee | F100C
1:30pm | Heritage Committee Work Session | M201
5:30pm | Global Leadership Committee | F205
6pm | Trustees | F203
6pm | Children's Ministry Team | F204
7pm | Restoration Church Prayer Group | M201
7pm | Boy Scout Meeting | Scout Room
Wednesday, March 7
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
6:15pm | 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 8 9:30am | Heritage Committee | M2054:30pm | Contemporary Band Rehearsal | Sanctuary
6pm | Mixed Boomers Small Group | Library
6pm | Second Half Ministry | F100C
Friday, March 9 6:30am | Men's Bible Study | Kep's Restaurant
9:30am | Neighborhood Bible Study | F100C
10am | JOY Program | Marquis Chapel
Noon | Prayer Lunch | F100B 
Dr. David Bianchin |
|
|
|
