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 View our videos on YouTube Find us on Facebook                                               November 15, 2012


Dear Friends,
 
We are several weeks into pledging stewardship offerings for 2013. Consistent with our theme for the year, we are seeking to Be the Church. While finances are not the only measure of discipleship, our financial decisions always have spiritual implications because each expenditure we make is an outward expression of what we value in our lives.
 
You will find an update in the Pulse reflecting the precise number of pledges and amount pledged. We are currently behind last year's numbers in both pledges and total amount pledged. Some good news for us is that the average pledge amount is higher than last year. We are grateful for this generosity.
 
Some have shared that they did not receive their stewardship mailing. We are puzzled as to why this happened. If you are one of those persons, please contact me and we'll get a mailing sent to you  immediately. In the meantime, there are additional pledge cards in the pew racks and at Connection Point for your use.
 
Pledging is valuable for the church because it offers us the opportunity to plan ahead. When the church has a good idea of its income, it helps us set the budget in such a way that we don't need to make frequent adjustments as the year goes on. Pledging is valuable for individuals and families because it affords us the opportunity to make a faith-commitment and to show our support.
 
We value your involvement and support of the church and appreciate receiving your pledge. Thanks for your partnership in this ministry.
 
Alleluia!
 
Dave Bianchin

2PC News

Sermons on YouTube

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

November 11    

October 28    

October 21  

October 14    

  
2PC Stewardship 
As 2PC continues to celebrate the ways that God uses our treasure to serve him, we hope you are able to return your pledge card soon. To assist those who can't regularly attend worship, reminder letters will be sent as the campaign progresses. Whether or not you are able to pledge, please return your pledge card so you can be removed from the follow-up list.

Holiday Cards Available | Connection Point
If you would like to send or share a large postcard with friends or family members detailing 2PC holiday events, you may pick those up at Connection Point. If you mail a card, it requires a 45 cent stamp. 

Adopt-A-Family   
This year 2PC worked with Western Avenue Community Center on the Adopt-A-Family project. To date, 16 of the 17 families offered to us have been provided for. A family of 7 (mother, father, 5 kids) is still available if your small group, class, PW Circle or family would like to work together to assist this family of limited means. Please contact Gretchen Cetin if you are interested.

Western Avenue Community Center

Rebuilt in the 1980's after a devastating fire, Western Avenue Community Center recently received a facelift! The building on the corner of West Locust and Western Avenue has been tuck-pointed, sealed and painted. New metal cladding has also been added to the decorative pilasters. A new sign has been installed and the 1926 cornerstone is now featured in the landscaping by the main entrance.  Drive by and take a look at 2PC's off-campus site that has been serving the community with hope and vitality for 86 years.

 

Mark Sprague, on behalf of 2PC Trustees 

    
PW Circle Meetings | November 15 & 20 
Ruth Circle | 7pm, Thursday, November 15 | Martha Everman's home
Alice and Lydia Circle | 10am, Tuesday, November 20 | Westminster Village

For more information on Presbyterian Women, contact  Sandy Groves.

All-Church Study | Continues Sunday 
Everybody's Normal Book
The 2PC fall all-church study concludes Sunday but it isn't too late to come and see an all-church study in action! Rev. David Bianchin and Dr. John Florell are the presenters and share on true friendship, authenticity, empathy, conflict and gratitude. You are encouraged to join in this time of learning and fellowship.



Food Drive | November 18 and 25
The Western Avenue Community Center food pantry has been open since 2000 and serves 500 families monthly. Continuing this Sunday, bags and boxes of food will be available in the sanctuary to purchase for donation to the pantry. Simply make your selection, bring it to the south entry and make your payment. You may also donate food you purchase or write a donation check in the south entry. Contact
Rev. Dean Kladder with questions.
 
Baptisms | November 18
At the 9am service Sunday, November 18, Kenzie Leigh North, daughter of Corey and Beth North; and Annabel Kate Slawski, daughter of Alex and Jamie Slawski, will be baptized. At the 11:11am service, Beau Dean Buhs, son of Brian and Jessica Buhs; and Elsey Day Green, daughter of John and Kyle Green, will be baptized.

Thanksgiving Worship and Dinner | November 22
All are welcome to gather for a Thanksgiving Day service at 10:30am in the sanctuary. Following the service, enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings at 11:30am. The cost is $7 per adult, $4 per child and maximum of $25 for immediate family members. Extended family and friends are welcome also. No advance ticket sales will be held this year.

College Ministry Event | November 24
Calling all 2PC college students! There is a new group just for you. Join a time of Christian fellowship on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at the Coffeehouse in Normal. Also, on Saturday, November 24, at 7pm plan to hang out and reconnectwith church friends at Jay and Cheryl Chrisman's home as we expand the 2PC college ministry. If you have any friends looking for a church connection, ask them to join us; all are welcome. Questions? Contact youth intern Derrick Rohl.

Boy Scout logo Eagle Scout Court of Honor | November 24
David Wylie's family would like to invite 2PC members to David's Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday, November 24, at 1pm at the church followed by a short reception. David is the 5th member of the Wylie family to earn Eagle Scout from 2PC's Troop 3 joining his brothers, father, uncle and late grandfather. David is the 152nd Eagle Scout from Troop 3.

Exploring Membership at 2PC | November 29,
    December 1, 2
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, November 29, at 5:30pm will kick-off this process. The class will also meet Saturday, December 1, from 9:30am-noon. New members will join in worship on December 2. Register by calling or emailing Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder.

Holiday Decorating at 2PC | November 30, December 1
Volunteers are needed to assist with decorating 2PC for the holidays. No experience is needed and you're invited to come Friday, November 30, at 9am and/or Saturday, December 1, at 9am. Questions? Contact Joan Guenther. 

The Music and Message of Handel's Messiah
   December 2, 9 and 16
A unique adult Christian Education class will be offered that explores Handel's Messiah. Taught by Ron and Doris Hill, the class will examine Handel's magisterial and beloved piece, the Scripture texts he used and how he composed the music to magnify the meaning of God's word. This class will meet in Marquis Chapel from 10:10-11am and no preregistration is necessary.

Community Outreach Dinner | December 4
The Community Outreach Dinner (COD) is a monthly 2PC tradition designed to bring the entire 2PC family together and to invite new people to 2PC. Dinner is from 11am-1pm in Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $6; $2 of that cost is used to fund tickets for 2PC community partners.There is a $22 maximum family cost.

Advent Dinner, Congregational Meeting and
  Concert | December 5
Celebrate the Advent season and enjoy a delicious meal at 2PC with your church family. Doors open at 4:45pm. Adult tickets are $7.50, children under 12 are $4 with a family maximum of $25. The meal will be followed by a congregational meeting at 6pm for the installation of new 2PC officers. Childcare is available for children up to 5-years old during the meeting and program. Following the meeting, there will be a program featuring the 2PC children's and youth choirs.

Parents' Morning Out  | December 8
This 9am-12:30pm Christmas event is for children 3 months through 5th grade.  We will make a craft, read the story of Christmas, play games and eat a pizza lunch!  Children participating in choir will be taken to rehearsal. Cost is $5 per child. Please RSVP to Dana Sholty or sign-up in Martin Hall by Sunday, December 4.



Priority Partner Christmas Party | December 13

You are invited to participate in the final official event for our Priority Partner, Home Sweet Home Ministries. Twelve volunteers are needed to help serve, clear tables and clean up after a special holiday meal. Please call Kim Pare or sign up near Connection Point as soon as possible. Volunteers must be at least age 12, and all who assist must complete a Volunteer Application Form if you have not done so this year. Contact Gretchen Cetin with questions.

Live Nativity | December 15
2PC will host a live nativity Saturday, December 15, from 5-7pm at the corner of East and Monroe Streets. Volunteers are needed to spread the joy by serving as carolers, working on the set crew and/or portraying Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and kings. We'd love to share this "heart of the community event" with all. Contact Katie Klein  or Dr. Judy Webb with any questions and to volunteer.

JOY Trip | December 18
Join the JOY group for a matinee showing at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts to see Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas on Tuesday, December 18 at 2pm. The ticket price is $24. Contact Dave Haake at 828-3591 with questions or to reserve your spot.

Christmas Poinsettias
To honor someone's memory with a poinsettia, cards to order  memorial flowers are at Connection Point and the front desk. The live memorial poinsettias are shared at the Advent Dinner and then with 2PC members who are shut in or managing health issues. The order deadline is Sunday, December 9, and the suggested donation is $12. Contact Rev. Michael McGaughan with any questions.

 

 

  

Kids and Youth
Kids epulse logo

 
November 21  | NO KOK and Choirs





2PC.YM

November 18 |
Super Wicked Awesome Nintendo Night (BIG event) at Fellowship
November 21 NO Powerhouse, Carillon and Chancel Choir

December 7 | High School Winter Lock-In

Christian Education Information


10:10 - 11am
     

 

Adults
All-Church Study | Final week - Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them | Grace Hall


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, November 18 

8:15am |  Worship | Marquis Chapel

9am | Worship | Sanctuary

10:10am | Christian Education Hour  

10:10am | All-Church Study | Grace Hall   

11:11am | Worship | Sanctuary
5pm | Restoration Church Service | F100A 
6pm | High School Fellowship | Grace Hall 

    

Monday, November 19 

6:30pm | Pastor Nominating Committee | Staff Lounge

Tuesday, November 20
6:45am | Men's Bible Study | F100C

10am | Lydia and Alice Circle | Westminster Village
5:30pm | TESL | M201
5:30pm | Hospitality Committee | F100C
6:15pm | Chapel Choir | Marquis Chapel

7pm | Boy Scouts
7pm | Restoration Church Prayer Group | M201

Wednesday, November 21 

2pm | Alcoholics Anonymous | Grace Hall 
5pm | 2PC Building Closed

Thursday, November 22 

10:30am | Thanksgiving Worship Service | Sanctuary
11:30am | Thanksgiving Lunch | Fellowship Hall

Friday, November 23 
2PC Building Closed

Saturday, November 24 
1pm | Eagle Scout Court of Honor for David Wylie | Fellowship Hall
7pm | College Ministry Event | Chrisman Home 


       Poinsettia

 

 

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