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Chatham Presbyterian 

News, Events and More! 
  
   
  

February 1, 2014 Newsletter

 
Issue 23

 

Dear Ones,
It's been pure joy to be with you this last year and a half.  Our goal has been to grow CPC's readiness to welcome a new full-time pastor, and I'm delighted that Jim Reitz has accepted the opportunity to lead you in your next chapter with Christ. 

I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to know and love the people of CPC! I've been humbled and honored to be a guide and supportive presence as you've dealt with life's challenges. We have been through a lot together, and I have been thrilled to see God working within this congregation as you set your path for the future. Little did I know that my time with you would also include climbing trees, wearing Duck Dynasty costumes, making sno-cones and hanging Christmas lights with a bucket truck! We've had a wonderful time together as God prepared the way for the future.

I'm happy to be with you through March, and for now we're continuing our message series on "The Teachings of Jesus." 2014 is certain to be an exciting one at CPC,  so plan to join us Sunday to pray and rejoice for the goodness of God in our lives!  

I love being your Pastor for Now.
Ken Macken
SOUPER BOWL COOK-OFF AND GAME, FEBRUARY 2ND 
Whip up your favorite soup or chili and bring it to CPC to share while we enjoy the big game. Taste-testing judges will be on hand! No time to cook? No worries! Bring in some munchies, chips and snacks to complement the soup.  Invite a friend or three for some great fellowship!  Questions? Call Amy at the office: 483-4204.

silver-keyboard.jpg CATCH UP! CPC WEBSITE   
One of the exciting and relatively new developments of 2013 was the creation of an attractive new website at www.chathampresbyterian.com, which was designed to educate our regular attenders and attract visitors to CPC. Best part? If you miss a service, we've got you covered! The message is online, thanks to James Carder's handiwork. Did you miss Pastor Jim's sermon "Responding to God's Grace" on January 19? You can click here to listen. Or did you miss a Sunday of Ken's sermon series? Go to our Sermon Archive and catch up. Do you have something you'd like to see added to the website? Email Debbie Biel or Julie Kaiser with your suggestions.
SCARF PAINTING CLASSES FEBRUARY 7TH and 8TH
There are two upcoming classes to learn how to paint silk scarves at CPC on Friday, February 7th at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $20, and all scarves/supplies are provided. The classes are four hours long, and a potluck lunch is provided both days. Contact Carolyn Brown at 414-0078 to sign up. Space is limited.  
 
THE CLUBHOUSE: FRIENDS, FAMILY, FUN!

Get Ready - Be Prepared - We're About to Enter Cornerstone Construction Zone where we'll build on basic Christian Beliefs.

  • February 2: The Transfiguration, Luke 9:28-36 - We believe in God the Father
  • February 9: Prophets Predict the Messiah, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Luke 1:26-38 - We believe that Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit
  • February 16: Jesus Comes Back to Life, Mark 15:42-16:7 - We believe that Jesus died and came back to life
  • February 24: The Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids, Matthew 25:1-13 - We believe that Jesus will return

March Sneak Peek - Epic Adventures 

 

Proud Clubhouse kids gathered around their new Friendship Tree.They wrote their friends' names on leaves and then decorated the tree with the leaves and flowers. 

 

Children's Ministry News: Increasing attendance in our nursery and preschool area brings expanded volunteer opportunities beginning in February. Looking for something new to do in 2014?  We have openings in a variety of jobs and with several age groups.  The work is rewarding, and the pay is great - all the hugs and smiles you could want. If we call on you, please say yes.  Even better, call us first and volunteer. Contact Laura VanProyen at 494-0503 or [email protected].

  • Mandatory training for all children's and youth ministry volunteers set for February 9 - Mark your calendar now.The Human Resources Team in accordance with the church's Policy and Procedure on Sexual Misconduct, will hold training on Sunday, February 9 from 11:00 to noon. This training is mandatory for all volunteers in our Nursery, Children's  Ministry and Youth programs - adult and youth volunteers. Light refreshments will be served and child care may be arranged if needed. If you cannot attend, you will need to contact Pam Bruzan, Patrick Hansen or Laura VanProyen to arrange for an individual session.

 

 February 2nd is "Souper Bowl" Sunday
Doors open at 5 p.m., and we'll watch the game together on the 20 X 20 screen in the sanctuary. It's also the day for the annual soup/chili cook-off, so feel free to bring your specialty. If not, please bring munchies to share. This is a perfect time to bring friends, so we hope to see everyone there!

On Feb. 23, we'll attend the Big Daddy Weave concert at Calvary Temple Christian Center in Springfield. We need to order tickets NOW to get great seats, so contact Thornton ASAP at [email protected] or 725-5646, if you plan to join us!

 

Plans for the summer mission trip to Kentucky are well underway, and it is sure to be a life-changing experience! Stay tuned for further information on social events and fundraisers as we chart our path to a meaningful mission experience. It's not too late to get involved, so please let us know if you have friends who are interested in joining us on this adventure. Contact Amy Bifano at [email protected] with questions.   

As usual, we'll see you all Sunday evenings, Feb. 9 & Feb. 16 at Olsen's Caf�, and then for worship and fun!

 rose-bouquet.jpg JOYS!
  • Jim and JoAnn Reitz and God's provision to bring them to Chatham Presbyterian Church.  Unanimous Vote!

 

Concerns and Prayer Requests   

Let Us Pray For You 

  • Tadd Moorehead, readmitted to hospital with chest pain after treatment for blood clots in lungs
  • Devin Edmison, facing surgery for scoliosis and spinal cord issues.
  • Lenore Forbes, health concerns.
  • Carrie Bearup, continued health challenges.
  • Natalie Armstrong: Her grandfather is ill with bone/liver cancer.
  • Severs Family: Health and family concerns.
  • Laura Black: Continued prayers for her and her family as she continues treatment for a brain tumor.  
  • Dougherty family needing wisdom and clarity.
  • Jan Day: Her sister Melissa diagnosed with ALS and sister Phyllis who is her caregiver.
  • Prayers for April Woerner's father, Frank Alves, who is fighting throat cancer. 
  • Lisa Edmison: Brother-in-law fighting kidney cancer.
  • Dwight Knollenberg:TJ's and Emily's grandpa, age 85, fighting cancer. 
  • Margaret Carroll, Marsha Marvel's mother, under hospice care in Peoria.
Military Members 
Aled Fain, Eric Anderson, Brody Correll, Drew Correll, Margaret Siemer, Brad Miller, Seth Baker, Gary Kirchner, Clay Kuetemeyer, Josh Yakle.
Shut-Ins 
Twila Juraska
Maxine McCoy,  Lewis Memorial 
Boosters: For those in need of extra prayer Clifford, Dave, Corrina &  Isaac Dahl; The Baird Family, Irma Gobleman, Dwight Elliott, Mary Jane Elliott, Lois Siemer, Paul Spindler, Bill and Carolyn Templeton, Cynthia Wilson, Chuck Hendricks. 
Please email us your praises and prayer requests.
 

 

Note of Appreciation and Anticipation from

Pastor Jim  

WOW! Thank you so much for your amazing hospitality. JoAnn and I have been blown away by your kindness, compassion and concern for us. Cookies, wine, Lincoln Logs, great popcorn. . . what more could we ask for as we arrived at the hotel? And that doesn't even begin to mention the wonderful conversations with staff, session and the congregation. But wait, you then welcome us with such open arms into your worshiping congregation.  

Finally, UNANIMOUS vote? Really. (I still question the ballot counters!) Both JoAnn and I look forward to many wonderful years of ministry with you as God's exciting Spirit leads us in fun ministry and mission to each other, to the community and far beyond.

As it stands now, Sunday, April 6th will be my first Sunday in Worship Celebration at CPC. What a way to start in the midst of Palm Sunday and Easter! As you can imagine, we have so much to do. Right now, our focus is on saying "Goodbye" to an amazing congregation at St. James. I wish I could join both congregations together into one super Community of Faith. I know God has great things in their future. Pray for us as we exit this place and make our way to be with you.

The good news is we have signed contracts on both our house here in PA and a new place in Chatham. Believe it or not, our new home is on the same street as Ken's house. JoAnn wanted to be sure we got to know our neighbors right away! Our goal is to arrive by March 25, settle on the 26th, and then clean, paint, rip up floors. . . all the fun stuff of settling into a new place. If things fall into place, we might arrive a week earlier.

Until that time, please be praying. Keep us in prayer. Keep yourselves in prayer. Pray for CPC and for St. James congregations. Pray for leadership. Offer prayers of support and guidance, prayers of praise and thanks. For God has truly done more than we could have ever asked or imagine throughout this process, and He will continue to do so in our future.

One last thing. Thornton mentioned there was a conversation with a couple of you about asking the congregation (since my first Sunday is around April Fool's) to join in the opening of worship, only to stand and walk out before the message. I told him the April Fool's joke would be on all of you as I would run to the coffee first and surprise you all by being there waiting for you! I can see we are going to have some real fun together.

Our thanks to so many folks: The entire PNC and Eileen Hansen for her leadership; to Thornton for making me feel welcome so fast; to Julie for her hospitality to us and untiring dedication to CPC; to Ken (whom I suspect will move from Pastor for Now to Friend Forever); and to each and every one of you.  

God's peace and blessings be with us all.

Jim and JoAnn

 

Lifegroups logo
 Regular Meeting Times    
Firm FoundationsAdult Sunday School Class
Sundays, 8:30 a.m.
Julie Kaiser, 483-5909  
  
Mondays, 6:00 p.m.
Lisa Rigoni, 553-6781 
   
Tuesdays, Fridays, 9:15  
Olsen Hall, CPC  
Grow Monday    Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Sara Metzger, 430-7374
Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:30  
Thornton Woerner,
725-5646
  
Thursdays 6:30 p.m.
Laura Van Proyen,
494-0503.  
 
The Session welcomes your questions, comments or concerns. 
Pam Bruzan:  
Dave Dahl:  
Dorothy Doetsch:
[email protected]
Cindy Gamble: [email protected]
Patrick Hansen
:
[email protected]
Denise Koester
[email protected]
Todd Marvel:  
Cheryl Niemeyer:  
Barbara Olson: [email protected] 
Bob Speicher:
[email protected]
Bernie Stoddard:
[email protected]   

Per Capita Is Now Due

The Session would like to remind members that the annual per capita of $28 per member is now due. Please indicate in your check memo line "per capita." We greatly appreciate your cooperation with this fee.   
Newsletter Editor:
Debbie Biel
Proofer
Julie Kaiser
Photographer
Lisa Rigoni


1835 East Walnut, Chatham, IL 62629
Phone: 217-483-4204