ePulse from Second Presbyterian Church

September 13, 2012

Dear Friends,

This week I want to pick up where I left off asking you to pray for the next steps of constituting the Pastor Nominating Committee
and starting the pastor search.

Jesus taught explicitly that we need to rely upon God. He criticized the Pharisees for their self-reliance, he encouraged the down-and-out to trust God and he taught his disciples that they must pray. Probably the biggest surprise to the early church was when the power of God came upon them and amazing things happened: conversions, healings, generosity and caring. They were surprised because their skill or effort had nothing to do with the miraculous acts and that things happened exactly as Jesus had told them they would.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."

It's the model for prayer: ask, seek and knock. It's valid for our
personal lives and also for our congregational life. But note
something very important - none of these actions are casual in
nature. It takes intentionality to ask, it takes stamina to seek and
it takes courage to knock.

Our church is at a very critical juncture in our history. Specifically, we are at a very critical juncture in terms of our future. Do we care enough about it to come to the throne of grace with intentionality, stamina and courage? Or will we treat this great opportunity
casually?

I think God is ready to do a mighty and wonderful work among us here at Second Pres. I believe it will be as a result of God's power rather than our skill, and I welcome the opportunity to see God work it out.

I have made the personal commitment to pray for our church for 30 minutes each day. This is neither part of my personal devotions nor my sermon preparation. It is prayer for revival, renewal and the future of Second Pres. I think that it is critically important that we pray. I invite you to join me.

Alleluia!

Dave Bianchin

2PC News

Sermons on YouTube

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

September 9

September 2
August 26

August 12

Home Sweet Home Tours | September 14, 21, 28

Second Pres members are encouraged to tour the facilities of our fall Priority Partner, Home Sweet Home Ministries, in September. Meet in the HSH lobby (303 E Oakland Avenue, Bloomington) for a noon tour and then enjoy lunch with the clients. To secure a spot, sign up at Connection Point or contact Kim Pare during the week.

JOY Fellowship | September 14

Alex and Linda Crowe will discuss their trip to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu at the Friday, 10:30am fellowship. All are welcome to attend. You may also stay for the Friday Prayer lunch ($6). Call Kim Pare to make a lunch reservation.

Baptism | September 16

At the 9am service on Sunday, September 16, William David Edmondson, son of Joe and Elizabeth Edmondson, will be baptized. Elizabeth is the daughter of Chuck and Donna Witte. Future baptism names and dates will be shared so 2PC members can join in the celebration.

Small Group and All-Church Bible Study Sign-up | September 16 and 23

The south entry is the place to be September 16 and 23! Come to find your perfect small group -- there is a group for YOU! You can also sign up for the fall all-church study that begins October 21 - John Ortberg's Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them. Please contact Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder, Sue Taulbee or Barby Pratt-Mecherle

with any questions.

PW Circle Meetings | September 18 and 19

For more information on Presbyterian Women, contact Sandy Groves at 452-4956.

Fall Gathering of 2PC Women | September 18

All 2PC women are invited to attend this event to kick-off the fall study,

Dispatches to God's Household: The General Epistles. The evening will begin at 6pm and include dinner, fellowship and a lesson from the new study by Dr. Bianchin. This meeting will also be the Ruth Circle meeting for the month. The cost is $9 at the door. Please RSVP to Kim Pare

or contact Sandy Groves, 452-4956, with any questions.

JOY Trip | September 21 Registration Deadline

Join the JOY group on a daytrip to Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, IL to see the musical Xanadu on Thursday, October 25. Coach fare, tickets and lunch are $38. Contact Dave Haake at 828-3591 with questions or to reserve your spot.

Serving on Saturday (SOS) | September 22

On Saturday, September 22, 2PC volunteers will meet at 8:30am at the church to go to Home Sweet Home (HSH), 2PC's fall Priority Partner. Four client sleeping rooms/bathrooms will be painted and cleaned. At least six volunteers are needed per room. Additional volunteers will be able to sort items in the HSH warehouse.

HSH conducts background checks on all volunteers. Volunteer application forms are at the HSH display table near Connection Point. The form can also be downloaded here. The completed application should be returned to Connection Point by September 16. Please contact Rev. Dean Kladder with any questions.

Exploring Membership at 2PC | September 27, 29, 30

Explore what it means to serve Christ at 2PC by attending the New Member Exploration Course. Meet others interested in membership and the 2PC pastors. Meals and childcare are included. A dinner on Thursday, September 27, at 6pm will kick-off this process. The class will also meet Saturday, September 29, from 9-noon. New members will join in worship on September 30. Register by calling or emailing Rev. Dean Kladder.

2PC Congregational Meeting | September 30

A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, September 30, at

10:10am in Fellowship Hall to receive the Mission Study Team report and to vote on the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee. All members should be in attendance, and all visitors are welcome.

On that day, Junior High Sunday School will meet in Java Post at 10am for breakfast and class. Children's classes will meet as usual. Confirmed High School students are encouraged to attend the congregational meeting.

The Family in Later Life | September 30

If you are sandwiched between meeting the needs of older and younger family members, plan to attend The Family in Later Life at 2pm Sunday, September 30, in F100A. This 1.5 hour presentation will be led by Dr. David Eaton, founder and former Director of Gerontology at ISU. More information is available at Connection Point. Questions? Please contact Rev. Michael McGaughan.

Gathering of Men Lunch Series | Save the Dates

Men, mark your calendars for October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 for a great inspirational speaker and meal at 11:30am. Please note the change from Thursdays to Wednesdays for this event. You are encouraged to bring a friend or co-worker. Contact Rev. Josh Erickson

with any questions.

2PC Fellowship Golf Outing | October 7

The annual 2PC golf outing has been rescheduled for Sunday,
October 7. Tee times begin at noon and the entry fee is $42 which includes green fees, cart, a light lunch and the chance to win great prizes. Contact Jason Smith at 830-3572 with questions. Registration forms are in the south entry and should be returned to Jason Smith or Terri Thede.

American Red Cross Blood Drive | October 11

Second Pres will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, October 11, from 2-7pm. If you last donated before August 16, you are eligible to donate whole blood at this drive. Sixteen year-old students are eligible to donate with a signed parental consent form. Sign up to volunteer in the visitor center or donate blood at Connection Point Sunday morning or contact Barb McGaughan at 830-3434.

Helping Hands Fall Assistance | October 13

The 2PC Helping Hands Ministry will help with simple fall household projects like raking leaves, trimming hedges or landscape clean-up on Saturday, October 13, from 8am-noon. If you or a 2PC member needs assistance, contact Kim Pare. Also, if you are able to assist with tasks that day, please contact Gene Gant at 963-4361 or Kim Pare.

Kids and Youth
Kids epulse logo

September 19 | KOK and Children's Choir

September 16 | High School Fellowship

September 19 | Powerhouse

September 19 | Chancel Choir Student/Parent Meeting, 7:30pm with rehearsal at 8pm - The 2PC Youth Committee has created a Chancel Choir Handbook to answer questions about choir participation and tour requirements. All high school students who intend to go on tour in 2013 should attend this meeting with their parents.

September 28 | Junior High Lock-in, 9pm-8am

Christian Education Information

10:10 - 11am

Adults

The Gospel of Mark led by Dr. David Webb | F100A

Personal Mission Statement Workshop led by Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder | F100C

Is it Rational to Believe in God? led by Dr. David Anderson | Marquis Chapel

Real Christianity by William Wilberforce led by Cindy Johnson & Marjorie Hauge | Parlor

Children and Youth

Preschool | Martin Hall lower level
Elementary | Martin Hall main floor

Junior High and High School students | Breakfast in Java Post at 10am

Junior High Sunday School | Java Post at 10:15am

Chancel Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room at 10:15am

Calendar

Sunday, September 16

8:15am | Worship | Marquis Chapel

9am | Worship | Sanctuary

10:10am | Christian Education Hour

Monday, September 17

7pm | Boy Scouts

Wednesday, September 19

4:30pm | Foundation | F201

5pm | KOK, Covenant and Cherub Choir
5pm | Powerhouse

7:30pm | Chancel Choir Parent/Student Meeting and
Rehearsal | F100B

Thursday, September 20

Quick Links

2PC website

2PC.YM website

YouTube - 2PC

In This Issue

Pastor's Page

Kids and Youth

Christian Education