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Chatham Presbyterian 

News, Events and More! 
  
   
  
March 2015 Newsletter
 
Issue 36
 
HOPE!  We use that word all the time.
  • "I hope I get a good grade on this test." 
  • "We hope to settle on the home in a few weeks." 
  • "I hope the results come back clear." 
We hope for so much in our lives: for our kids to be okay as they head out on their own, for our church to thrive and grow, for winter to end and summer to come.  Here is the technical definition:
To wish for a particular event that one considers possible; to have confidence, trust.
But what if you knew the outcome before it happened? Not just a possibility or a probability, but a definite?  What if you could look down the road and know the answer in advance? Life would be wonderful. We would trust our decisions because we would always know they were the right ones.

As I think about the season of Lent, it is a time to reflect on our lives, to be honest with who we are and how our faith is playing out each and every day.  And we worry that we are doing the right things, wondering if it will all be okay.  

Friends, here is the thing. We celebrate Lent knowing how the story ends. Lent leads to Good Friday. Good Friday leads to Easter. And Easter is the promise that in Jesus, it will all be okay.  We have hope in the love offered in Jesus, and we already know that it is true. Yet sometimes, we think the answer has yet to be given, that maybe it won't be okay. We want to trust and hope, but can we?  So I want to give you the answer in advance so your Hope will stand firm, and you will have confidence in God's gift to you: 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39. No matter what is going on in your life, you can have hope knowing that we are always and eternally in God's loving arms.
Christian Education Volunteer Appreciation Reception

On Sunday, March 1, we will recognize all Christian Education volunteers from our nursery to our adult classes. A special fellowship time will be held in their honor after the service. There will also be an additional appreciation and training held from 11 a.m. to noon in Olsen Hall. All are welcome to attend. 

 
Focus on Mission: At CPC, Did You Know That ...
  • This Sunday we will celebrate Christian Education Volunteers both in the Worship and with a gathering after the service.  There are more than 40 or more people who help out in various areas.
  • This summer, we have 23 people going on the Youth Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast.
  • CPC gave $3,000.00 in mission funds to the Chatham Ministerial Alliance to help people in crisis. 
  • The Youth Director search committee is beginning its work.  Members include: Mary Byers, Jake Richardson, Ashley Loving, George Kennedy, Scott Kaiser, Pat Essig, Patrick Hansen and Jim Reitz.
  • Session discussed and is excited about a possible Food Pantry Garden. Part of this will be an Eagle Scout Award project and will give fresh vegetables to the food pantry.   There will be benches to sit, meditate and enjoy God's creation. Watch for more details.
  • In late January, 10 people from CPC headed to Habitat for Humanity to help build ramps.
  • Every week we send people to various ministries including Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach and St. Johns Breadline to help do God's work.
 
March Clubhouse: The Art of Prayer
Jesus wants to hear from each of us on a daily basis. Kids, come join the discussion this month about prayer and why it is important.
  • 3-1  Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray (Matthew 6:5-13). We pray as Jesus prayed.
  • 3-8  David Prays (Psalms 5:1-3; 34:4-7).We expect God to answer our prayers.
  • 3-15  Jonah Prays (Jonah 2). We know God hears us when we pray.  
As we head toward Easter, we will begin the  Friendship Ride.
  • 3-22  Jesus Eats with His Friends (Matthew 26:20-29). We are loyal friends.
  • 3-29  Jesus Prays with His Friends (Mark 14:32-40). We support our friends.
 
yellow-tulip-field.jpg
EASTER IS COMING!

 

 3-28: Easter Eggstravaganza at 9:30 a.m. Join us for a special family event before the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Families of children through fifth grade will travel to different stations throughout the church and through art, science experiments, games and hands-on activities, will learn more about the Easter story and the great sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. Following this event, everyone will head outside for the Easter Egg Hunt, which will start at 11 a.m.

 
SAVE THE DATE! Vacation Bible School June 22 - 26, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
 

The VBS planning team needs your help to collect and make items for decorating a spectacular VBS this year. We are asking each family to make five paper snowflakes so we can "white out" the church. Also needed are clean and dry one-gallon plastic milk cartons. Look for donation boxes

outside the sanctuary.

 

Want to help? Contact Sara Metzger or Hope Petrie for more information.  
 

Kids w/Karts This Sunday, March. 1   

The Food Pantry is currently in need of canned chili and jelly. Monetary donations always welcome! 

Cleaning Help Needed

Good with a mop, vacuum cleaner or dust rag? Consider a gift of time and labor. Contact Tadd Moorehead at 801-0053 to help.   

Quick CPC Links

Staff 

2014 Session 

Life Groups 

Need Help? 

Sermons on YouTube 
Adult Mission Trip Interest Meeting

Are you interested in being part of an adult mission trip? Not sure? Want more details? Then join us in the Parlor on Sunday, March 1, right after the worship celebration. If there is enough interest, we will talk about possibilities: when, where, how long, etc. If you cannot attend, but have an interest, please email Jim at jareitz@comcast.net.

 

red-tulip-sm.jpg March 8 Daylight Savings Time Change
Don't forget to set your clocks an hour ahead next Saturday night at 2 a.m. We want to make sure you aren't late for church!

 Also, on March 8, Easter Lillies and Tulips are available for purchase for $9 to help beautify the church on Easter morning.

 

Interested in Membership at CPC?

We will welcome new members to the church in the near future. If you have been visiting with us for a while and are interested in membership, please contact Amy Bifano in the church office, 483-4204. We look forward to getting to know you better, answer any questions, and officially welcome you to CPC.


 

Trivia Night Fundraiser for Mission Trip March 14: 6 - 9 p.m. Join us for a night of fun and fellowship to benefit our youth group's mission trip this summer to Mobile,  AL. Cost is $10 per person with tables of 6 - 8. Drink and snacks will be available for purchase, as we will have 50/50 raffle tickets and a silent auction as well. Still accepting any and all silent auction donations!
Upcoming Dates  
  • 3-22: Mission Trip Parent Meeting after church with a Student Mission Trip Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
  • Regular youth group every Sunday with Olsen Café at 5:45 followed by youth program at 6:30.
Olsen Cafe: Pick a Sunday and provide dinner for our CPC Youth. It can be casual, fun and an opportunity to spend some time with our awesome kids. Contact Amy to sign up: 483-4204. 
 
Coming Soon! Beth Moore Study   
Women in the Word meet for study and fellowship on Tuesdays throughout March, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the adult education room. Coming soon, they will begin a new Beth Moore study entitled: Children of the Day,  1 & 2 Thessalonians.
  Email Laura Van Proyen for more info.  
 
prayer requests

Joys
 Baptism of Faye Harper Johnson,
proud parents are Carrie & Ben Johnson and grandparents are Bob & Jill Speicher

Karla Kunzeman's father, Guy Johnson, gained weight and doing well

Steve Loving, back in the U.S. after 

Afghanistan tour

  

 

 
 Concerns

Jill and Bob Speicher's family, celebrating the life of Jill's mother and grieving her loss as well 

Arie VanProyen, at home, recovering  

Linda Nixon, hospitalized for pregnancy complications

Laurie Eby's stepmother, cancer diagnosis 
Devin Edmison, infection concerns, surgery postponed

 Jim Nimke,at home recovering from open heart surgery 

Carroll Sutton, continued procedures for AFIB

Steve Sabo, second chemo treatment started this week for leukemia, hospitalized

Kraig Lounsberry, recovering at home after outpatient kidney stone procedure 

Ken Doetsch, continued recovery  
Laura Black's mother, Sue Brimm, health   
Don Byram's father, Glen Byram, health
Ken Doetsch's brother, Ron Doetsch, health 
Steve Bifano's sister, Kim Steinart, health 
Laura Black, treatment for brain tumor
 
  Our Shut-ins: Betty Creasey, Twila Juraska; Maxine McCoy, Lewis Memorial. Our Boosters Who Need Extra Prayer: Jay Sampias, The Dahl Family, The Baird Family, The Van Pelt Family, Dwight Elliott, Wendy Ford, Harold & Helen Kaiser, Mary Jane Elliott,  Irma Gobleman, Chuck Hendricks, Lois Siemer, Paul Spindler, Bill & Carolyn Templeton, Cynthia Wilson.
Our Military Members: Eric Anderson, Brody Correll, Drew Correll, Aled Fain, Gary Kirchner, Clay Kuetemeyer, Nicholas Michael , Margaret Siemer, Josh Yakle, Joe Sadaj.
  
CPC is a congregation of people who strive to pray for one another - in the good times and the challenging times. If you have a prayer request, click here for information on how to be included on our Prayer Chain.
 
 

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