January 2015 - Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church

Palos Plans
January 2015
Volume 60, Number 5
In This Issue

Calendar

Children’s Ministry

Christian Education Hour

Church Night

From the Clerk

Golden Oaks

Mitten Tree Update

Music Ministry

PC’s Perspective

Promise Renewal Sunday

Spiritual Growth Weekend

World Service

Youth Ministry
Mark Your Calendars!
February
1
8
13-16
14
16
New Worship Schedule Begins!
Congregational Meeting
WF Winter Retreat
Valentine’s Day
Presidents’ Day
PC’s PERSPECTIVE
The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to...well, you get the picture. As we enter a new year, PPPCC is in the midst of a time of
change. In August Pastor Tony said his farewell and we have gone through a busy fall and
wonderful Christmas season. Now we turn our attention to the new things that God will be
doing in 2015.
The first new thing that God is doing at PPPCC is the calling of Rev. John Curphey to be our
interim pastor. Pastor Curphey will be joining our church staff on Monday, January 12. His first
sermon at PPPCC will be the following Sunday, January 18. Pastor Curphey has already
begun to engage with staff and took part in the December 16 Session meeting where plans for
2015 were discussed. I know that God has called Pastor Curphey to be with us during this
period of congregational change. He is well suited for the task ahead.
Our next significant change will be on February 1 when we change our worship format from
the current three services (7:30 - Devotional; 8:30 Contemporary; 11:00 Traditional) to one
unified service of worship at 9:30 AM. We have heard many of you ask for this change to
happen and Session voted unanimously to make this change for the sake of the unity of the
congregation. Education Hour will run from 10:45 to 11:45 after the worship service and will
include Children's, Confirmation, Youth, Adult Education classes and small groups. Session is
excited about having our entire congregation worshipping together once again and looks
forward to the energy and enthusiasm we will have as we grow closer together during this
interim time.
The third change is one that we continue to be in process with. In early 2015, Session will be
meeting with members of the Chicago Presbytery's "Listening Team" as the church continues
through the Gracious Separation process from the PC(USA). The next step after meeting with
Session will involve two congregational meetings on a date and time to be determined. Please
keep your Session in prayer as they continue on this journey.
We also need to keep our new Pastor Nominating Committee in prayer as they take their first
steps in searching for the next called pastor at PPPCC. Please hold these faithful servants of
God in your prayers. They are: Shirley Agrimonti, Steve Brumbaugh, Laura Dolan, Jim
Klockow, Abbie Niewiadomski, Tim O'Connell, Cathy Robieson, Randy Ytterberg and Wes
Zuro.
In addition to all these new developments at PPPCC, we have a number of more regular
events that are fast approaching as we enter 2015. Please be sure to mark these on your
calendars.
January 4 ...... Promise Renewal Sunday (ONE SERVICE at 11:00 with Communion)
January 25 ................................................. Officer Ordination and Installation Sunday
January 30-February 1....................................................... Spiritual Growth Weekend
February 8 ..........................................................Annual Meeting of the Congregation
February 18 ...................................................................................... Ash Wednesday
PC’s PERSPECTIVE (CONTINUED)
Here are some of the Scripture passages we will be exploring this month.
DATE SPECIAL DAY
Jan 4
Promise Renewal
ONE Service
Jan 11
WEEK’S ADVANCE
READING
TOPIC SUGGESTIONS
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
The New Creation in Christ Jesus
Deuteronomy 4
Preparations for coming into the Land
Jan 18
Pastor Curphey's First Sunday
Joshua
Jan 25
Ordination Sunday
Joshua
Feb 1
Spiritual Growth Weekend
TBD
Guest Preacher Geoff Carroll
Look for the Small Group ministry to begin sign-ups for sermon-based small groups in the
weeks ahead. This is an excellent opportunity to dive into Scripture in the context of a
supportive community of believers. I hope you will plan to be a part of one of these groups.
We have many new and exciting things to look forward as a congregation in 2015. I look
forward to serving with you as we experience God through these changes and continue to seek
His purpose for us here in Palos Park. I hope you have had a blessed Christmas season and I
will see you in the New Year!
JOSHUA in our MUSIC MINISTRY
Our Interim Pastor will be leading us thru the book of Joshua. If you have ideas to share related
to the story of Joshua and how we enhance our music & worship, please consider joining our
CREATIVE ARTS WORSHIP team. The first meeting for this team in 2015 will be held on
Saturday, January 10th at 9:00 a.m. Please let Megan Marshall in the church office know if you
plan on attending this meeting.
REHEARSAL START-UPS in 2015
Chancel Choir (in the sanctuary) .......................................... Wednesday, January 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Children's Handchime Choir (2nd-5th grade) ...................... Wednesday, January 7th at 5:45 p.m.
Children's Choirs (PreK-5th grade)....................................... Wednesday, January 7th at 6:15 p.m.
Praise Band (full team).............................................................. Thursday, January 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Handbell Choir (in the choir room)........................................... Sunday, January 11th at 12:15 p.m.
As this is written, we are in the midst of
Christmas and the anticipation and excitement
that surround it. Hats and mittens have been
delivered to the Jones Center in Chicago
Heights by Jane Jahn.
Deacons have delivered Christmas gifts to
families in difficult circumstances, thanks to
PPPCC members who “Serve Our Neighbors.”
And we enjoyed the beautiful expression of the
meaning of Christmas in the intergenerational
musical “Darkness Into Light,” complete with
orchestra. All that is left is the celebration of the
birth of the Savior, Emmanuel, God With Us.
(And why do we sing about Emmanuel only in
Advent when He is with us all the time)?
I anticipate eagerly the arrival of our Interim
Senior Pastor, John Curphey, on January 12.
He is a much-needed addition to our staff, wellqualified and personable.
Please set aside the last weekend of January
(January 30-February 1) for Spiritual Growth
Weekend. Geoff Carroll will show us the land of
the Bible on Friday evening and Saturday till
1:00 p.m. It’s been a long time since we have
done a weekend like this, and it will be inspiring.
To get a little taste of what we are likely to see
and hear, go to his website
www.travelthetext.com.
Many people have commented on the decrease
in attendance at Sunday morning services over
the past few months. Be assured the subject is
being addressed by Session. And thanks to Bob
Van Baren for reminding us of Paul’s message
to the church at Philippi to be united by humbly
“being one in spirit.”
There is much to celebrate. God is good!
Nancy Rode
Clerk of Session
Introducing….
Our New Interim Pastor:
Reverend
John R. Curphey!
The Session, in acting upon the recommendation from the
Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC) at Palos Park
Presbyterian Community Church unanimously voted to call
Pastor John R. Curphey to be our Interim Senior Pastor.
Pastor Curphey is a Teaching Elder and member of the Chicago Presbytery. He has a
Bachelor of Arts from The University of Wisconsin, a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from The Adler
School of Professional Psychology. He is currently serving a church in the City of Chicago as
their Interim Pastor.
John has served as a solo pastor, head of staff, associate pastor and pastor interim. He has a
particular interest in helping churches in the midst of transition. He believes there is much
spiritual opportunity in these times as congregations gather the wisdom of the past, and launch
into the future with new energy and a sense of God's unique calling.
John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
(Massachusetts) and the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. John has served
several churches in the Midwest and one church in New England. He served as the associate
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn for seventeen years. He is presently
serving as the interim pastor of Church of Christ, Presbyterian in the northwest part of the city
of Chicago.
John's wife, Barbara, teaches first grade in Wheaton, Illinois. His oldest daughter, Ruth
(married to Adam Anderson). lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is a new mother. Baby
Maggie Anderson is just six and a half months old! Adelyn (daughter #2) is teaching English
literature in a private school in Bachrain, a tiny country near Saudi Arabia. She will complete
her work in June of 2015.
John and Barbara are looking forward to getting to know the members of PPPCC and they
come with a sense of expectancy about what God is "up to" during this interim season.
We look forward to Pastor Curphey’s ministry beginning with us on January 12, 2015. Please
keep them both in your prayers as they transition into ministry with us in this new year.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Youth Club and Junior Youth Club
SNOW Party!
January 7
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
As we begin 2015, we will have a “snow” party.
We will make snowflakes, drink hot chocolate, have a “snowball” fight, play
“Pin the nose on the snowman”, and if there’s real snow on the ground,
we will take a flashlight walk through the snow.
Wear your gloves/mittens, hat, scarf, boots and your winter coat.
Hope to see you there!
Mitten Tree Update
First Wednesday Book Club
from the Mission Team
will not meet in January...
Happy New Year!
Thank you for your support
of the Mitten Tree! Your
contributions, as always,
were very generous. All donations were
delivered to Jones Center, along with the food
we collected in the narthex, by Jane and Loren
Jahn. The items were distributed to the children
attending the Jones Center Christmas Party on
December 13. These were the items that you
donated:
20
69
79
8
18
20
3
Mittens
Gloves
Hats
Hat/Scarfs Sets
Hat/Mitten Sets
Scarves
Headbands
The next meeting will be on
February 4, at 6:30 p.m.
in the Church Library.
February’s book selection is:
The Great Divorce
By C.S. Lewis
This extraordinary book is an
allegory about a bus trip to heaven
and hell. Topics discussed include
good and evil, and grace and
judgment. Please read the book
and bring your reflections to the
February meeting and discuss
them with others.
Spiritual Growth Weekend for Kids
January 30 - February 1, 2015
All children in PreK-5th grade are invited to join us as we
“Journey to Israel”
to learn about Jesus and where he lived and worked on earth.
$10.00/child
Cost includes Dinner on Friday, Breakfast, snacks and lunch on
Saturday; crafts, and all activities.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Education Hour Winter Term
Sundays, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
January 11 - February 15
As we study the Bible together we form relationships with one another and
define and strengthen our relationship with God. Join us each Sunday,
between the two worship services as we study, fellowship, and
grow together as Jesus’ disciples in the world.
Children and Youth Classes
Nursery Care
2 & 3 year olds
PreK - 2nd Grade
3rd - 5th grade
2nd Year Confirmation
WF Bible Study
Church Nursery, led by Donna White
Sonrise Room, taught by Mona Tapia
Stage in Primary Hall, taught by Lori Goral and Michelle Miller
Primary Hall, taught by Maggie Downs
Friendship Room, taught by David Carlton and Bob Van Baren
WF Room, taught by Paul Grivakis
Adult Electives
The Wired Word, led by Sean Scanlon..............................................................................Fellowship Hall
Acts, Part 2, led by Tim Gibbons..............................................................................................Map Room
Nursery Care is available for children who are young than 2 years of age on September 1, 2014
Benefits of Studying Your Bible With Others









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Grow closer to God
Gain nourishment for your soul
Learn who God is
Learn how to live the Christian life
Grow closer together with your brothers and sisters in Christ
Better able to discern right and wrong
Have an opportunity to discuss what your are reading and how it applies to your life
Learn how to read your Bible and what it means
Gain purpose for your life
Be able to stand firm in your faith
Dinner and a Movie Night
January 16 - 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Movie: Pinocchio
Dinner: Italian Feast / Cost: $2.00/person
Children may wear their pajamas and bring a
sleeping bag/blanket and pillow to use during the movie.
RSVP to [email protected] by January 15,
if you will be attending.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
hurch
ight
Wednesdays, January 7 - April 8
An additional opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship for children and adults.
Children’s Handchime Choir............................................ 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.
for children in 2nd - 5th grade ..........................................Choir Room
Led by Megan Marshall
Children’s Choirs .............................................................. 6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Sonshine Singers for children in PreK - 1st grade ........ Primary Hall
Led by Maggie Downs
Young Musicians for 2nd - 5th grade .............................Choir Room
Led by Sara DeBoer
Junior Youth Club ............................................................. 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
for 2 years old through Kindergarten ......................... Sonrise Room
Led by Reilly Scanlon and Maggie Downs
Youth Club ......................................................................... 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
for children in 1st - 5th grades ....................................Fellowship Hall
Led by Laurie Zuro and Toni Pronger
Adult Electives
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Bible Focus Group, led by Matt Zatkalik.................................................................................Map Room
Chancel Choir, led by Megan Marshall ..................................................................................... Sanctuary
Helping
Students
Write Their Stories
2015
WF CALENDAR
All meetings 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
January
4
11
18
25
February
1
8
13-15
Saturday Night Lives
WF Resumes!
What’s Your Story
Walking the Talk
Is Heaven for Rule-Keepers?
January 10th
Dinner and a Movie
March 14th
Ice Skating Night
NO WF-Super Bowl
Life by the Spirit
WF Retreat-Meet at 1:00 p.m. to board vans on February 13th
WF Retreat
Final Deadline to Sign-up is January 4th
MISSION TRIP-JUNE 7-13-St. MILFORD, IOWA
LOL CALENDAR
All meetings 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
January
4
11
18
25
February
1
8
15
22
LOL Resumes!
What’s Your Story
Walking the Talk
Is Heaven for Rule-Keepers?
(Springhill Canceled)
NO LOL-Super Bowl
Life by the Spirit
WF Retreat-NO LOL
No More Kiddie Prayers
Our Sympathy To…
...Jim and Pat Tony and their family on the death of
Pat’s mother, Jan Barry, on December 6.
...Tim and Cathy Robieson and their famiy on the
death of Tim’s father, Clarence Robieson, on
December 14.
Deacons’
Organizational Meeting
Saturday
January 24 - 9:00 a.m.
Please keep these friends in your heart at their time of sorrow.
Bulletins Far & Near…
 Covenant Church
West Lafayette, IN ♦ The Les Hansen Family
 First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, NY ♦ The Klockow Family
Session
Examinational Meeting
Tuesday
January 20 - 7:00 p.m.
Installation of New Officers
The next meeting of
Golden Oaks
will be on March 4, 2015
Golden Oaks will not be meeting in January
and February, in an effort to keep our Seniors
safe during these months when the weather
can be frightful!
World Service WILL be meeting in
January and February.
If the weather is too inclimate,
Norma Carson will contact you to
let you know that the meeting
has been cancelled.
Sunday
January 25 - 11:00 a.m.
Organizational Meeting
Tuesday
January 27
Annual
Congregational Meeting
Sunday - February 8
Following the
11:00 a.m. service
Because of the mail,
the finance office
will receive
2014 gifts
(must be
postmarked 2014)
up to January 4, 2015.
PALOS PLANS
is published monthly by
Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church
[exception: combined summer issue]
Susan M. Schmidt, Editor
Submit news items to:
12312 S. 88th Avenue
Palos Park, Illinois 60464
708.448.5220  Fax 708.448.5331
e-mail: [email protected]
NEXT DEADLINE: January 18
Pal o s Park Pres by terian C om m un ity Ch urch
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Church Night
Includes:
5:45 pm
6:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
PROMISE RENEWAL 4
SUNDAY
New Year’s
Day
Hand Chime Choir
Children’s Choirs
Chancel Choir
Adult Electives
Youth Club
Saturday
1
2
8
9
10:00am Bible Focus
7
ONE SERVICE
11:00am Worship
6:30pm LOL & WF
12
6:30pm LOL & WF
19
13
20
25
7:30am Devotional
8:30am Contemporary
9:45am CE Hour
11:00am Worship
12:45pm Handbells
26
27
21
10:00am Bible Focus
15
9:00am Officer
Training
10
6:30pm WF
Saturday
Night
7:00pm Administration
7:00pm Missions
14
10:00am Bible Focus
5:45pm Church
Night
7:00pm Finance
7:00pm Session
Examinational
Meeting
6:30pm LOL & WF
6:30pm LOL & WF
9:30am
7:00pm Worship
18
7:30am Devotional
8:30am Contemporary
9:45am CE Hour
11:00am Worship
12:45pm Handbells
INSTALLATION OF
OFFICERS
5:45pm Church
Night
Resumes
7:00pm Youth Club &
Junior Youth
Club Snow
Party
7:00pm CE
11
7:30am Devotional
8:30am Contemporary
9:45am CE Hour
Resumes
11:00am Worship
12:45pm Handbells
3
Church
Office
6
5
Friday
16
17
6:00pm Dinner and a
Movie Night
7:00pm Stephen
Ministry
22
23
24
9:00am Deacon
Organizational
Meeting
29
30
31
5:45pm Church
Night
28
10:00am Bible Focus
7:00pm Session
Organizational 5:45pm Church
Night
Meeting
Spiritual Growth Weekend
CHURCH STAFF
Ext.
John Curphey ................................. Interim Pastor (11)
[email protected]
David Carlton.............................. Associate Pastor (12)
[email protected]
Maggie Downs ...... Director of Children’s Ministry (13)
[email protected]
Bob Van Baren ............ Director of Youth Ministry
[email protected]
Palos Park Presbyterian
Community Church
Non-Profit Organization
12312 South 88th Avenue
Palos Park, IL 60464
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO.1
(15)
Megan Marshall........Director of Music & Worship (16)
[email protected]
Susan Schmidt ...................... Executive Assistant (10)
[email protected]
Dorothy Wertzbaugher........... Assistant Secretary (14)
[email protected]
Linda Kuhn ........ Youth Ministry Admin. Assistant (22)
[email protected]
Donna Parker ......................................Comptroller (22)
[email protected]
Ralph A. Pugh ......................................... Organist
[email protected]
SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Devotional Service  8:30 Contemporary Service and
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
9:45 a.m. Christian Education Hour (September - May)
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
CHURCH PHONE & WEBSITE
708-448-5220 FAX: 708-448-5331
www.pppcc.org
We Are A STEPHEN MINISTRY Congregation
hurch
ight
Resumes January 7, 2015
5:45 p.m.
Join us for classes or participate in
choirs...there’s something
for everyone!