Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

Pastor / Head of Staff

 

 

Last weekend was a really exciting time in the life of Second Pres! I am so encouraged by the way I see God at work here, and am so thankful that I get to experience it with all of you.

One of the most exciting events of last weekend was the prayer vigil, last Friday and Saturday. In just one 24-hour period, 150 hours worth of prayer were lifted up! That means on average, 6 people were praying for God’s work through this congregation—even in the middle of the night! Many thanks to Regina Foehr and Don Crittenden for their leadership of this event. I know you join me in giving thanks for a God who wants to hear from us, and then answers our requests in ways that bring Christ glory and are good for us.

At the annual meeting last Sunday, the Youth Director/Pastor Search Committee announced the exciting news that Josh Erickson will be doing ministry in this position beginning on June 3! Josh is a senior at Princeton Theological Seminary and has focused there on youth ministry, both in local churches as well as in his own research/studies. As a recent Presbyterian, Josh cannot be ordained until late 2009, so he will serve immediately as a youth director, although it is likely that he will become Associate Pastor for Youth in January of 2010. Josh hails from Chicago and will be married to his fiancée Laura in early August. Many thanks to Sara Palmgren and the Youth Director/Pastor Search Committee for all their hard work.

Finally, at the annual meeting, elder Terry Nichols presented the financial results from 2007 and the budget for 2008. Thanks to your generosity, 2PC ended 2007 almost $90,000 in the black! The results of the stewardship campaign (also evidence of your generosity in giving back to God from what God has giving to you) have been very favorable compared to last year, so the 2008 budget will be significantly larger than it was in 2007. It will be terrific to see how God uses this financial support to bring about new and renewed ministries in 2008. You can find a copy of Terry’s report, as well as the entire annual report, online in the “quick links” section of the website — www.secondpres.info — or at the Welcome Desk. I would like to thank Diane Cushing, Terry Nichols and Rex Schaeffer for their work on the 2008 budget.

Thanks be to God for these and all the other exciting things that Christ is doing here!

 

Chip

American Red Cross - Blood Drive January 30th, 2:00 - 7:00 P.M.

 

For an appointment, please call the church office at 828-6297 or schedule a time at the Blood Drive table outside the sanctuary.

ASH WEDNESDAY DINNER & SERVICE February 6th

Dinner - 5:30 pm - $4 per person at the door.
Rev. Dean Kladder Giving the Message - Worship Service - 6:30 pm
Childcare provided for ages 5 and under during the service.

“CROSSBOUND”

Lent Sermon Series to Begin Sunday, February 10th.

We’ll think about how we are “Crossbound”—how we are bound for the cross with Jesus as we move toward his crucifixion, and how we are bound to the cross with Jesus as we ask forgiveness for our sin (which is, of course, what led him to the cross in the first place).

Join a Lenten Bible Study

Your response to the Pastors’ Bible Studies has been wonderful. These studies will follow the sermon series, “Crossbound,” based on the Gospel of Luke’s account of Jesus’ last week before his death. Because of your great response, we are changing the time of the Thursday 6:30 am meeting to Sunday at 12:15 pm. Several spaces remain open, but hurry and
sign up today in the Fellowship. Hall.

Questions? Call Don Crittenden at 828-6297.

The ALPHA Course

The spring session of the ALPHA Course will begin with a “Come and See” Supper at 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 10. The course continues for 10 weeks with no class on Easter Sunday and a retreat at Timber Pointe the weekend of April 4-5. Childcare is provided. You may sign up at the Welcome Center.

Questions? Call David Kaeb at 963-4234

Acolyte Program

If your 4th or 5th grade child is interested in participating in the Acolyte program, please e-mail tammy@secondpres.info today. Acolyte training is Wednesday, 30th at 4:20 pm. We ask that you and your child attend one of these training sessions.

Questions? Contact Tammy at 828-6297 x 208.

“Souper Bowl” Sunday is February 3

The youth of 2PC invite you to join this time of giving on February 3 by bringing a donation for the “Souper Bowl” and helping this international undertaking meet its 2008 goal of $10 million toward the fight against hunger. 2PC youth will be stationed at the doors as you exit the sanctuary on February 3. Please give generously.

Super Bowl Parties

Sr. High Fellowship - Sunday, February 3rd, 4:30pm - Are you ready for some football? Or a movie, or some Wii, or food? We will have it all at the Sr. High Super Bowl Party. So invite your friends and join the Senior High Youth Group for a great time of food and fellowship. No Chancel Choir Rehearsal that evening!

Questions or directions, contact Rosie Hollingsworth at 828-6190 or rosieholl@yahoo.com.

Pathways (20s & 30s) - Join the new 20s & 30s ministry of 2PC to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3 @ 5 pm. Email Andrea for more information.

Youth Mission Trip March 22-29, 2008

Jr. & Sr. High Youth Mission Trip Southern Mexico State of Chiapas Saturday, March 22 thru Saturday March 29, 2008. We will be spending Easter Sunday in Mexico! We fly into Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico and stay at the Bible school there. We will be working with the native Indian (Tzeltal) Presbyterian churches on construction projects. The Mayan Synod is sponsoring the construction of a new medical clinic on the campus of Alpha and Omega Bible School in Ocosingo. We will work with the John Mills family who are there on a 2 year mission to assist the Synod and Pablo & Jan Feliciano, who have been hosting US groups for more than 20 years.

Questions? Contact DeAnn Worth at deannworth24@yahoo.com or 452-4055

Important Informational Meeting: Sunday, February 3rd following the 11am service. Please join us for a very important meeting in the Servery (outside the kitchen) if you are interested in joining is in Mexico during Spring Break.

Here Comes the Bride

Bridal Gowns Through the Century Style Show & Reception

February 10, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Second Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
Tickets: $5.00

Women from Second Presbyterian Church will walk down the aisle again in the Here Comes the Bride Style Show and Reception on Sunday, February 10, at 3:00 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary. Twenty brides, 5 flower girls, and a bridesmaid or two will show off their dresses through the decades, from 1899 to 2008. Appropriate wedding music, with soloists, will accompany the group. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Wedding cake, punch, mints, and nuts will be served. Reservations are requested.

Tickets are $5.00. Please call the church at 828-6297 or purchase tickets today at the Welcome Center.

JOIN A LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

Your pastors will be leading Bible studies in connection with the Lenten sermon series, entitled, “Crossbound,” based on the Gospel of Luke’s narration of the last week of Jesus’ life. The studies will begin the week of February 10 and conclude during Holy Week. The studies are offered
at different times to accommodate different schedules.

The times are as follows:
Sundays          12:15 pm
Mondays          5:00 pm
Tuesdays        11:30 am
Wednesdays     6:15 pm
Thursdays        6:30 am

Sign up today in Fellowship Hall. Call Don Crittenden with any questions at 828-6297.

THE ALPHA COURSE

The spring session of the ALPHA Course will begin with a “Come and See” Supper at 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 10. The course continues for 10 weeks with no class on Easter Sunday and a retreat at Timber Pointe the weekend of April 4-5. Childcare is provided.
You may sign up at the Welcome Center.

Questions? Call David Kaeb at 963-4234

 

Sr. High Fellowship & Choir Info

There will be NO Sr. High Fellowship TODAY but be sure to join us for choir practice at 6:30pm. We will also not have Fellowship on Sunday,
January 27th, but again will have choir rehearsal at 6:30pm. Questions? Contact Chris Hollingsworth at chollin@ilstu.edu .
 

Kids OK / PowerHouse Begin Second Semester

The holidays are over, the tree is put away and it’s time to come back for another great semester of Kids OK! Join us Wednesday, January 23rd at 5pm for a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship!

5:00pm Kids OK Activities and Dinner
6:30pm Movie Night!
7:30pm Rides home

Kids OK is open to all Kindergarten - 5th graders. We’d love to see you there! Questions, contact Miranda Frank.

PowerHouse

Is a wonderful opportunity for Jr. High students to fellowship and worship with classmates. January 23 will be the start of the spring semester. Questions? Contact Tammy.

Acolyte Program

If your 4th or 5th grade child is interested in participating in the Acolyte program, please contact Tammy today. Acolyte training is Wednesday, January 23rd and 30th at 4:20 pm.

We ask that you and your child attend one of these training sessions.

Chorale Rehearsals Resume

On Wednesday, January 23rd at 5:00 pm the Chorale will resume weekly rehearsals in the Chapel. Please come, bring a friend and join us
in singing a new song of praise to our Lord.

Installation Service for Dean & Andrea Kladder

Sunday, January 27

An exciting time in the life of 2PC. Associate Pastors, Dean & Andrea Kladder will be installed at the 11:00 am Contemporary Service.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, January 30 2:00 - 7:00 pm

Give blood, give life at the 2PC Red Cross Blood Drive. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or make an appointment by calling the church at 828-6297.

Super Bowl Sunday

Sr. High Students make plans now to join the Hollingsworth’s for a great Super Bowl Sunday on February 3rd. More details to come!
Join the new 20s & 30s ministry of 2PC to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 3 @ 5 pm. Contact Andrea for more information.

Here Comes the Bride

The Women of Second Presbyterian Church request the honor of your presence at the “Here Comes the Bride” Bridal Gowns Through the
Century Style Show and Reception on Sunday, the Tenth of February at three o’clock in the afternoon. Reception immediately following in
Fellowship Hall. $5.00 per person. Tickets available at the Welcome Center or by calling the church at 828-6297.

Please note this event is not exclusively for women. Men are most welcome to attend.