ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

Pastor / Head of Staff

Since beginning this sermon series “Crossbound”, I have been wrestling with ways that Second Pres can deny ourselves and follow Christ to the cross—how we can serve others rather than seeking to be served ourselves. In my sermon on 2/17 (available online at www.secondpres.info/sermons or at the welcome desk), I invited you to let me know your suggestions about how we as a church can join Christ in moving crossbound.

You came up with some great suggestions! In fact, there were so many wonderful ideas that I’m only listing the first half here, and will finish the list of suggestions next week.

Some of you thought about activities foundational to our faith, recognizing that if our own faith in Christ is not nourished, then we are unlikely to be able to sustain the movement crossbound, and/or we will be moving crossbound for the wrong reasons. To help orient ourselves toward Christ, you suggested that we

• Increase biblical literacy
• Triple attendance at Sunday School for all ages, including adults
• Help members know what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ
• Tithe as a means of deepening our faith
• Focus more and more on Christ, and less and less on ourselves
• Sponsor a church-wide “Time Out” day for sustained corporate prayer and listening to Christ

Others of you thought more specifically about ways we can serve and/or deny ourselves as Christians who are sustained in the ways just mentioned. Here are some of the ones that I have received so far (in no particular order):

• Support the Presbyterian Church in Brazil even more than we already do
• Hold a youth carwash for Jesus House or another local mission
• Work to end homelessness in Bloomington-Normal through organizations like the one profiled at www.commonground.org.
• Help decrease infant mortality rate in Bloomington-Normal (10 per 1000 live births, or 1%–52 babies from 2003 to 2005), at least to the state average of 7.4 per 100 live births
• Be much more active (with our time, not just our money) in local mission projects, such as the Compassion Center, Western Avenue Community Center, and Safe Harbor (so that all of the church members are familiar with their services and all of their clients are familiar with us)

As I said, it’s a great list, and there’s more to come next Sunday! I hope that you will pray about which of these ways is best for 2PC, and how you might be involved in helping us to go crossbound! (And if you haven’t had a chance to send me your idea yet, please send it to chip@secondpres.info or leave me a message at 828-6297.Thanks!)

I am glad to be walking toward the cross together with such big dreamers!

Mexico Mission Trip, June 15-22

Las Manos de Cristos: it means The Hands of Christ and that is the goal when Second Presbyterian Church sends a mission team to Chiapas, Mexico, June 15-22. Las Manos de Cristos is also the name of a medical clinic currently under construction that we will help build during the mornings.
In the evenings we will host a VBS like event for children and families.If you would like to be part of this adventure or would like more information, please attend a meeting at Sunday, March 2 at 12:15 pm in F205.
Questions? Don Crittenden at 828-6297 or don@secondpres.info

Sr. High Fellowship Game Night

March 2 5:00-6:30pm, Grace Hall
Invite your friends to a night of card & board games or charades. Dinner will be provided and fun will be had by all.
Questions, contact Rosie at Rosieholl@yahoo.com

Lenten Concert Series

Our Lenten Concert Series features gifted musicians sharing music written to express the Passion of our Lord. This Friday, March 7, Tenors, Basses, and Sopranos will sing anthems portraying the Passion of Christ. Come to the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 pm for appetizers, then move to the sanctuary for the concert from 5:30 – 6:00 or so.
The final concert on March 14 will feature Harold Meers and Saundra DeAthos, IWU faculty members, singing sacred anthems pertaining to Lent and Holy Week.
Questions? doris@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Lenten Sermon Series

3/9 Luke 23:32-43: The Two Thieves
3/16 Palm Sunday Luke 19:28-40 & 23:44-49: “Into thy hands I commit my Spirit”
3/20 Maundy Thursday Rev. Andrea Kladder, preaching Luke 22:24-27: Greatness and Servanthood
3/21 Good Friday Selected Texts: Tenebrae Service
3/23 Easter Luke 24:1-12: The Empty Tomb.

55th Annual Laymen’s Lenten Breakfast

Immanuel Bible Foundation is proud to present Jack North as the featured speaker at ther 55th Annual Laymen’s Lenten Breakfast, Wednesday, March 12 from 6:00 - 7:30 am at the Interstate Center. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at Immanuel Bible Foundation, 1301
S. Fell Avenue, Normal. To order tickets by mail send a check payable to Immanuel Bible Foundation with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 1301 S. Fell Avenue, Normal, IL 61761.
Questions? Call Immanuel Bible Foundation at 452-6710.

Parent’s Night Out

Children 6 months - 5th grade will enjoy a night of crafts, games, and stories about Easter. This Easter Eggstravaganza is Friday, March 14th from 5:00 - 8:30 pm. Dinner is included. Cost is $10 per child with a $25 family maximum. Sign up in Martin Hall or e-mail Ashley Whittington ashley@secondpres.info.
Questions? ashley@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Pathways (20s & 30s) Friday Night Out

Join the 20s and 30s ministry of Second Presbyterian for a Friday night in downtown Bloomington on March 14th. Meet at 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall for appetizers, attend the Lenten Concert at 5:30, and head to Flingers for pizza afterward. Bring $5 per person (cash) for dinner. RSVP to
andrea@secondpres.info. Childcare is available from 5-8:30 pm via Parent’s Night Out.
Questions? andrea@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Gathering of Men Luncheon Series

The men’s lunch series is set for Thursdays in March. Our theme is “Tame the Tigers.” Most men experience a feeling of being overwhelmed by the multiple demands of life. This series will speak to those issues. Come at 11:30 am on the 4 Thursdays in March and gain insight into ways to tame the tigers that seem so challenging. The speakers and their topics are as follows:

March 6 John Rayford The Life of Faith
March 13 Jeff and Gretchen Furler Home and Family
March 20 Don Crittenden Life in the Community
March 27 Jack North Work and Career

The cost is $8.00. Come and bring a friend.
Questions? don@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

JOSH ERICKSON
Soon to be 2PC Youth Director Will be Introduced Next Sunday

Plan now to be at 2PC next Sunday, March 9th, to meet Joshua Erickson. Josh will be introduced at all three morning services and will spend time with the youth during the 10:00 hour and attend Sr. High Fellowship in the evening. We are excited about Josh starting at 2PC this summer.

IMPORTANT SUMMER DATES FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

* Chancel Choir Tour: June 13-22
* Children’s Day Camp: June 16-18
* Children’s Overnight Camp: June 23-27
* Sr. High Camp: July 6-12
* Jr. High Camp: July 21-26
* VBS: July 28-August 1

Mission Trip to China

If you would like to see how the Church in China is growing, then please join me (Janice Lewis) and the Outreach Foundation (one mission arm of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.) for the “Presbyterian Heritage Tour” October 31-November 15, 2008. The trip will focus on parts of China where our Presbyterian forebears sent missionaries, primarily Jiangsu and Shandong Provinces in Eastern China (where Ruth Bell Graham,wife of Billy Graham,grew up). This trip includes sightseeing in the Shanghai area and may include Beijing. Cost - approximately $3000. DEADLINE: May 1, 2008.Contact Janice Lewis at 452-4228.

Youth Will Do “Odd Jobs” for Mission Trip

2PC Jr. & Sr. High Youth will do “Odd Jobs” around your home or office to raise money for their upcoming Mission Trip to Mexico. If you have jobs you would like to “hire” a 2PC youth to do please contact DeAnn Worth at 452-4055 or 824-6742. Checks for work payment or donation should be
made out to Second Presbyterian Church with Youth Mexico Trip on the memo line.

Summer Internships Available!

Children’s ministry is looking for two interns to help with our summer programming. Contact Tammy Haggard at tammy@secondpres.info for more information and applications. Application deadline: April 7.

Easter Lily Memorials

It’s time to place your order for the Easter Lily Memorials. Order cards are located at the Welcome Center. Deadline to place your memorial information (to be published in a special insert on Easter) is Friday, March 14th . Suggested donation is $15.

Easter Breakfast

From 7:30 - 11:00 am on Easter Sunday a breakfast will be served at 2PC. Cost is $3.50 per person. Tickets are available at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings and at the Receptionist’s Desk throughout the week.