ePulse from Second Presbyterian Church

March 15, 2012

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all of you who have so warmly welcomed me this past week! I feel privileged to come alongside you during this interim season, to get to know you and to see what the Lord will do in our midst in the days ahead. The first and most important task for all of us to lean upon

Jesus Christ and recommit ourselves to serving Him faithfully, and then to watch how God does great things in our midst.

People sometimes wonder about what it means to be an Interim Pastor, and what it means for 2PC to have an Interim Pastor. The conversations include a variety of questions or issues, such as how long I expect to be here and what I hope to accomplish.

I am here for two primary purposes, probably in this order:

1. To serve as pastor in this interim time, being sure that the Gospel is preached, the leadership is supported and the people are cared for, in partnership with our very fine pastors and staff.

2. To help the congregation work through issues stemming from the past and to help the church point to the future by identifying a fresh vision and mission focus. At Interim Training this was defined for us by the following developmental tasks:

Coming to terms with history;
Discovering a new congregational identity;
Facilitating shifts in lay leadership and changes in congregational power structures;
Rethinking and renewing denominational linkages;
Preparing for new pastoral leadership and new future.

In short, this all means that I am here to help prepare 2PC for the new pastor, and for Second Pres to be successful in its next chapter of life and ministry. The staff and I will do our best to keep communication flowing freely. I am confident that God has great things in store for our future as we build upon a faithful past.

I want to invite you, please, to pray:

For our faithfulness, together, to Christ's work
For strength for saying goodbye in a healthy way, with
gratitude, to the previous chapter of our church's life
For trust that the Lord is with us as we move into the future

Thanks for your partnership in the Gospel! Alleluia!

Dave Bianchin

2PC News

Sermons on YouTube

You can click on the dates below to watch that morning's sermon.

Encouragement Notes and CaringBridge

To share a note of encouragement with Mark Brown, there is a collection box at Connection Point. These cards will be gathered weekly and shared. To follow the Browns' entries on CaringBridge, go here. To view Mark's testimony video recently shared at Sunday morning worship, click here.

Dr. Roane Deckert's Funeral Service
If you would like to purchase a copy of Roane's funeral service, please contact Terry Fitts, 2PC Media Coordinator.

Lenten All-Church Study | Sunday

The all-church study, The Unexpected Adventure, continues Sunday and concludes Sunday, March 25. Discussion is focused on taking everyday risks to talk to people about Jesus and our faith in Him. Come and join these last two sessions in Grace Hall from 10-11am.
Contact Sue Taulbee or Barby Pratt-Mecherle with questions.

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.

Treats for the Troops

Collection of "We Care" package items for those serving in the military with 2PC connections is underway. The list of needed items, along with a red collection box, is at Connection Point. You may also see the list here.

If you don't know if a serviceperson with a 2PC connection is on the list to receive a box, please contact Jeanie Wendt at 828-3506 or by email. Prayers and encouragement will accompany each shipment!

Chapel Memories | by Phyllis Gehrt

Phyllis Gehrt, the current 8:15am Chapel service pianist, recently recorded a CD of piano hymn arrangements. The sale of this $10 CD will benefit the Chapel Choir Robe Fund. To purchase a CD, please go to Connection Point.

2PC Summer Internships

Do you desire to serve at 2PC in a unique way? Two Children's Ministry internship opportunities are available from June 4-August 3. Click here for more information and click here for the application. The submission deadline is April 6. Please contact Rev. Josh Erickson with any questions.

PW Circle Meetings | March

Ruth Circle | March 15, 7pm | Teri Parker's home - TODAY

Alice and Grace Circle | March 18, 10am | Westminster Village

Lydia Circle | March 2o, 9am | 2PC

Sarah Circle | March 21, 9:30am | Barbara McGaughan's home

Welcome Reception for Dr. Bianchin | March 18

Dr. Bianchin will share his first message at 2PC on Sunday, March 18. There will be a welcome reception for him at 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. You are encouraged to attend, introduce yourself and make him feel welcome.

IWU Collegiate Choir Concert | March 20

The IWU Collegiate Choir will present its 2012 Tour Home Concert Tuesday, March 20 at 8pm in the 2PC sanctuary. The free program will include sacred and secular a cappella choral music spanning six centuries in a variety of styles and languages.

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 14, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $24. Please contact Dave Haake at 828-3591 with questions or to reserve your spot.

Parents' Morning Out | March 24

Children from six months-5th grade are invited to a Parents' Morning Out event from 9am-noon on Saturday, March 24. The cost is $10 per child with a $25 family maximum. The morning will include games, crafts and Easter stories. Sign-up by email or in Martin Hall by Sunday, March 18. Contact Ashley Barnish for more information or to register.

Spring Break with FriendsFirst | March 27

All families are invited to play games, make crafts and eat snacks with members of FriendsFirst on Tuesday, March 27, from 9:30-11:30am in the 2PC south entry. There will be an optional lunch provided at 11:30am for $5 per person. Please RSVP to Jessica O'Malley, Children's Ministry Intern.

Helping Hands Service Morning | March 31

If you need assistance with light maintenance or lawn tasks OR you would like to assist a team completing these projects on Saturday, March 31, please contact Kim Pare or Gene Gant at 963-4361. The team will meet at 2PC at 8:30am for a devotion and donuts before moving out to service sites.

Holy Week | April 1-8

April 1 - Palm Sunday worship services at 8:15, 9 and 11:11am, Little Children of the Philippines presentation in worship, Community Outreach Pig Roast Dinner.

April 5 - A new worship experience this year, Maundy Thursday: The Night He Was Betrayed, will focus on Jesus' disciples during the final week of His life. The dinner service will include setting the tables and a hand-washing experience. Each table will share specific discussion questions. After communion, attendees will move to the sanctuary for prayer related to the disciple's experiences. Scripture readings will support each part of the evening. This 5:30pm service will be family-friendly with a suggested donation of $6 per person/$22 family maximum. RSVP to Kim Pare by email or 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.

What's So Good About Good Friday? | April 6

Calling all artists! 2PC is once again hosting a Good Friday art show. The theme is What's So Good About Good Friday? For more information about submitting a piece of art on this theme, please contact Rev. Dean Kladder.

Gathering of Men Lunch Series | Begins April 12

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.

American Red Cross Blood Drive | April 18

The American Red Cross will host a
Blood Drive at 2PC on Wednesday,
April 18, from 2-7pm. Please contact Barb McGaughan, 2PC Blood Drive Coordinator, to volunteer or donate.

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.

50th Anniversary Celebration | May 6

If you and your spouse will celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary (married in 1962 or before) sometime in 2012 and haven't previously attended the 2PC celebration brunch, please contact Terri Thede.

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.

Kids and Youth

March 21 | 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 is available here.

March 18 | Movie Night at High School Fellowship, special time of 6-8pm

March 21 | Powerhouse

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) Registration information is available here.
July 9-14 | Jr. High Camp, Green Lake WI ($375)
Registration information is available here.

Christian Education Information

10:10 - 11am

Adult Christian Education

All-Church Bible Study - The Unexpected Adventure - Grace Hall

Children 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 18

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 | M201

12:15pm | Dr. Bianchin's Reception | Fellowship Hall

5pm | Restoration Church | F100A

6pm | High School Fellowship

Monday, March 19

Wednesday, March 21

9am | Sisters | Java Post

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 22

4:30pm | Contemporary Band Rehearsal | Sanctuary
6pm | Mixed Boomers Small Group | Library

Friday, March 23

Marquis Chapel - this image is the art for the cover of Phyllis Gehrt's CD, Chapel Memories.

Proceeds from the sale of this $10 CD will benefit the Chapel Choir Robe fund. Copies are available at Connection Point Sunday morning.

Quick Links

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2PC.YM website

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Kids and Youth

Christian Education