Dear Friends,
Several years ago, a friend brought me a suggestion for a way to pray through Lent. We shared it with our congregation and committed ourselves to using it as our Lenten Prayer Guide. I have appreciated it enough to have used it nearly every year since then. I would like to share it with you as a Holy Week prayer discipline.
We are to select four persons to pray for daily for at least ten minutes. The four persons are:
1. Someone who needs healing
2. A leader
3. A stranger
4. Your nemesis
There are several things I appreciate about it. Mainly, it stretches me to pray for people I might normally not think to pray for, which is important. While it is natural to pray consistently for persons who are close to us, there is also value in widening our vision to include praying for others.
It challenges me to pray in a way that alters my perspective and broadens my vision of people. Praying for persons who need healing is something that most of us do with great regularity and I hope we'll continue. But there is much more.
The Bible teaches us to pray for those in leadership, but I confess that I often forget to do so. We are also challenged to welcome strangers into our midst, and yet I also often avoid doing this.
The most radical challenge, I believe, is to pray for those we feel estranged from, or whom we look upon from afar with anger, hate or even distaste. Jesus is direct about this: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45)
I have joined you mid-Lent, so this is a late suggestion. But I invite you to join me during Holy Week in adding to our prayers those four types of persons. And as we pray for these persons, may we respond to God's leading in our actions as well as in our prayers.
Alleluia!
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 25 March 18 March 11 March 4 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.
Easter Lily Memorial | Final Opportunity
 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. This Sunday, April 1, is the final opportunity to purchase a memorial.
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.
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
If you would like to share a Holy Week event card with a friend, family member or neighbor, they are available at Connection Point.
April 1 - Palm Sunday worship services at 8:15, 9 and 11:11am, Little Children of the Philippines presentation at 10am in F100A, 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 4 - No Kids OK or Powerhouse
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, Community Good Friday service at Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington at 12:10pm; 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. Walk with Jesus in the Tenebrae service as He endures through the betrayal, abandonment and the agony of His suffering. Experience His deepening sense of darkness as extinguished candles recreate the shadows of His Passion.
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; collection of the Give it up for LCP! offering; no Christian Education hour.
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 Second Pres will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, April 18, from 2-7pm. Sign up to donate blood or to volunteer in the visitor center at Connection Point this morning or contact Barb McGaughan, 2PC Blood Drive Coordinator. 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 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. Second Pres Preschool | Board Members NeededThe Preschool Board is the governing body for the 2PC Preschool. It is comprised of volunteer Second Pres members. Meetings are held once per month over the noon hour and the commitment will last for at least one year. Contact Marijane Galvan if interested.
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
 April 4 | 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, April 1 | High School Fellowship
April 4 | 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
The Gospel of Mark led by Dr. David Webb in Marquis Chapel.
All other Adult Christian Education classes will resume Sunday, April 15. Children and Youth Preschool | Martin Hall
Elementary | Martin Hall 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, April 1
8:15am | Worship | Marquis Chapel
9am | Worship | Sanctuary
10:10am | Christian Education Hour
10:10am | Little Children of the Philippines Presentation | F100A
11am | Community Outreach Pig Roast | Fellowship Hall
11:11am | Worship | Sanctuary
12:15pm | High School Sunday School
5pm | Restoration Church | F100A
6pm | High School Fellowship | Grace Hall
Monday, April 2
No Activities Scheduled
Tuesday, April 3
6:45am | Men's Bible Study | F100C
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
7pm | Deacon Leadership Committee | Serendipity Room
Wednesday, April 4
2pm | Alcoholics Anonymous| Grace Hall
5pm | Chorale Rehearsal | Chapel
5pm | Prayer Group | F203
5pm | Contemporary Band Rehearsal | Sanctuary
6:15pm | Chapel Choir | Marquis Chapel
6:30pm | Bible Study | F204
6:30pm | TESL class | M201
7pm | Men's Bible Study | F203
7:30pm | Chancel Choir | Choir Rooms
Thursday, April 5 Noon | Scrapbooking Small Group | F100C
5:30pm | Maundy Thursday Meal and Service | F100B
6pm | Mixed Boomers Small Group | Library
7pm | Merge Women's Small Group | Parlor
Friday, April 6 6:30am | Men's Bible Study | Kep's Restaurant
12:10pm | Community Good Friday Service at Wesley United
Methodist Church | Bloomington
5pm | What's So Good About Good Friday? Art Show | 2PC south
entry
7:30pm | Tenebrae Service | Sanctuary
Pastor Dave Bianchin
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