Dear Friends,
Thanks for the great welcome last week. It will take me a few weeks to learn your names, so please keep reminding me!
Last Sunday I asked you to bring your Bibles to church. You might ask why, since we have Bibles in the pew racks and we also project or print our Scripture readings. I would like to develop this a bit further.
We worship Jesus Christ, who is the living Word of God. In the beginning of John's Gospel, Jesus is identified as the Word of God, alive as the second member of the Trinity, eternally and powerfully. Jesus later identified Himself as "the Way, the Truth and the Life." (John 14:6) In the call to follow Christ, we are also called to learn the living Word, both from Him and of Him.
God has provided us with the Bible, His written Word, which bears witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word, to instruct us and encourage us. We Christians are called "People of the Book," that book being the Bible. The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be
proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
One of the most practical values of Scripture comes to us when we can find the verses that either comfort or challenge us, in our time of need. And I believe that is learned week-by-week, chapter-by-chapter, as we become familiar with the Bible, generally, but also specifically, in the Bibles we own and use.
In addition to finding Biblical texts, marking verses that have been helpful to us reinforces the impact on the verse. I have several Bibles that have a number of highlighted passages. These remind me of how God has spoken to me through the Word at times in my life.
I have a real love for God's Word, and hope that you do too. As we teach and learn together, let's pray that God will open up for us the treasures of His Word.
Dave Bianchin
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2PC News
Sermons on YouTube
You can click on the dates below to watch that morning's sermon. March 18 March 11 March 4 February 26 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.
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  Donations for those serving in the military with 2PC connections is underway. The list of needed items, along with a collection box, is at Connection Point. You may also see the list here. Contact Jeanie Wendt at 828-3506 to be certain a serviceperson you know is on the list to receive a box. 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. 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.
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 with a menu that will include: Lechon, whole roasted pig; Longganisa, grilled chorizo-style sausage;
Sinangag, Filipino -style fried rice; Pinakbet, sauteed mixed vegetables; and Maja Blanca, Coconut and Corn Pudding. Enjoy the delicious local cuisine, visit with the guests from Little Children of the Phillippines and fellowship with local community guests. The cost is $6 per person with a $22 family maximum.
April 5 - A New Testament worship experience, Maundy Thursday: The Night He Was Betrayed, will bring attendees into the story of Jesus' disciples during the final week of His life. This 5:30pm family-friendly dinner service will include setting the tables, a hand-washing experience and the sharing of discussion questions. After communion, attendees will move to the sanctuary to conclude the service with a short time for prayer related to the disciples' experiences. At this time, younger children may go to the south entry for a separate activity. Scripture readings will support each part of this interactive evening. The meal cost is $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 6:30am Sunrise service-11am, cost is $6 per person with a $22 family maximum. 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 carry the theme, News Too Good To Keep. Mark your calendars for April 12, 19 and 26 to hear an inspirational message over a Chef Paul lunch in Grace Hall. The cost is $8. Speakers:April 12 | Mark Johnson, Director of the Champaign-Urbana YMCA and retired wrestling Coach, University of Illinois April 19 | Dan McNerney, Representative for Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship April 26 | Dr. Don Crittenden, Director of Mission and Discipleship, Second Presbyterian Church 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 Mission 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.
 New Opportunity to Assist: During the week preceding the Group Sale, dozens of volunteers set up, unload cars and sort/price merchandise to ensure a successful sale. Additional volunteers are needed to provide a meal, snacks or drinks for those workers. Suggestions include doughnuts, baked goods (homemade or store bought), salty snacks, fresh fruit, beverages and casseroles for 50 people. Please see Sue Hughes at the Group Sale tables in the south entry, email her or call 585-0729 to volunteer.
Chick-fil-A Leadercast | May 4 2PC will host this annual leadership event on Friday, May 4. Speaker information is here and registration information is here. Contact Dr. Don Crittenden with questions about this event. 
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
Dr. Roane Deckert's powerful limestone sculpture, Pioneer Woman, has been placed at the juncture of the atrium and the new Mother/Baby Unit at Advocate BroMenn. The Advocate BroMenn Foundation will purchase the statue after they receive donations totaling $39,000 (the artist's asking price).
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.
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Kids and Youth
 March 28 | No KOK 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.
Sunday | No High School Fellowship
March 28 | No Powerhouse March 31 | Winter Jam Concert, meet at 2PC at 3:30pm, $15
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.
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Christian Education Information10:10 - 11am Adult Christian Education
All-Church Bible Study - The Unexpected Adventure - Grace HallChildren and Youth Preschool and Elementary | Martin Hall lower level
This Sunday, all preschool and elementary school children will share in a fun, fellowship game day which will include games, movies and crafts. 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, March 25
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
Monday, March 26
1pm | Women's Bible Study | Parlor
Tuesday, March 27
6:45am | Men's Bible Study | F100C
9am | FriendsFirst Celebration | F100B
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, March 28
11am | Intersection Service Day | Fellowship Hall
2pm | Alcoholics Anonymous| Grace Hall
5pm | Chorale Rehearsal | Chapel
5pm | Prayer Group | F203
6:15pm | Chapel Choir | Sanctuary
6:30pm | Bible Study | F204
7pm | Men's Bible Study | F203
Thursday, March 29 4:30pm | Contemporary Band Rehearsal | Sanctuary
6pm | Mixed Boomers Small Group | Library
6pm | Restoration Church Bible Study | M201
Friday, March 30 6:30am | Men's Bible Study | Kep's Restaurant
9:30am | Neighborhood Bible Study | F100C
Noon | Prayer Lunch | F100B
Easter morning at 2PC - 2011
If you haven't had a chance to make an Easter Lily memorial donation, you can do that
Sunday, March 25, and Sunday, April 1 at Connection Point.
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