ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

Pastor / Head of Staff

Josh Erickson Starts June 1st as Youth Director!

June 1st is a day that Second Pres has been praying for since the spring of 2007! Josh Erickson begins his ministry here at the church as the new youth director. He will be focusing on bringing middle and high school youth closer to Christ and on sending them out into the world to serve, and it will be thrilling to see the youth ministry continue to develop through his leadership.

Josh grew up in the Chicago suburbs before heading to Augustana College, from which he graduated in 2005. There he was active in Young Life, and through that ministry he met his fiancée Laura (who will move to Bloomington after their wedding on August 2). As he discerned a call to ministry, Josh enrolled at Princeton Seminary, where he studied until graduation a few weeks ago.

While at Princeton, Josh learned all he could from the campus youth ministry guru and worked with youth for both of his field education experiences. The latter of these two was at a new church development where I also served. I was quickly impressed by Josh’s passion for Christ and his wisdom for ministry.

Interestingly, though, Josh did not find out about the youth position here through me (or Andrea or Dean or any of the other Princeton connections haunting the halls of 2PC). He was searching a youth ministry website for positions in the Midwest, found a link to 2PC’s position, and became enthusiastic about the position. Then only after digging into it more deeply did he find out that he actually knew people on staff!

Since Josh is a recent Presbyterian, he cannot be ordained until January 2010. Until that time he will serve as youth director and his ministry will focus almost exclusively on youth, although he will help lead worship as well. It is likely that after his ordination he will be called to be the Associate Pastor for Youth, at which point he will assume a broader set of responsibilities within the life of the church.

Due to prior commitments, this summer Josh will be working approximately three-quarters time; after his honeymoon he’ll be full-time. I hope that you’ll seek him out, whether or not you are a student or have children who are. You’ll be impressed by his friendliness, sense of humor, and faithfulness–not to mention his height! Contrary to popular opinion, we are not purposefully creating a staff basketball team.

Help welcome Josh before you leave on Sunday!
Chip

JUNE 1ST IS JOINING SUNDAY

On Sunday, June 1st  at the 11:00 am service Second Pres. will joyfully and warmly welcome new members who are joining the 2PC church family and committing to the ministry of this particular congregation. Joining Sunday is a time when the church vows to guide and nurture both new members and one another in faith as we serve Christ together. The congregation commits to encourage and pray for new members as the whole church re-commits to being Christ’s faithful witnesses in the world.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES!

Today we will be honoring 2008 Graduates. Please stop by Fellowship Hall at the close of the 11:00 am service to say congratulations.

CAMP REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 1ST

THIS IS THE FINAL DATE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you have not registered your child(ren) for  2PC Summer Camps yet, you must do so BY JUNE 1ST.
Available slots will be returned to the camps if not filled by June 1st. We will not be able to regain these slots once they are given up.
Camp forms are available online at
www.secondpres.info/ministries/summer_camps.html
For more information contact tammy@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sunday School Attendance Assistants Needed

2PC is looking for few faithful volunteers to help record Sunday School attendance for a few hours on Sunday mornings. Details may be worked out with the team leader, minimal training is required and will be provided.
If interested please contact Nancy Harvey at nancyh@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Become a PATH Hotline Volunteer

PATH classes begin June 12 and continue for eight weeks on Thursdays from 6:00-9:00 pm. PATH provides each volunteer with 24 hour support from staff, flexible scheduling, and on-going education and training.
For more information go to www.pathcrisis.org. To sign up for training call 827-4005.

Western Avenue Community Center Volunteer

A number of opportunities exist to serve at Western Avenue, including a children’s day camp June 24-July 31. This camp is for junior high kids who need to know that they matter to God and us. If you want to know more, please call Don Crittenden or email him at don@secondpres.info  More details are on the way, so stay tuned for ways that you can nurture the life of a child.

Sisters Bible Study & Fellowship

Sisters is a gathering of women, sharing and exploring the journey of following Christ through God’s Word, friendship and service.

Three times a month we meet to study and explore God’s word through a book study and scripture. Once a month we have a project day or a Mission workshop. Project day is an opportunity for you to work on a “to do list” while enjoying fellowship with ‘Sisters’. Workshop day we will either have a guest speaker discussing issues important to Christian women, or work on mission projects.

We have three mission projects that we do to serve our Church and community. We make casseroles to serve friends and their families in the congregation who may be in need. We also serve moms with new babies by taking them a casserole and a baby bag to welcome their little one into our church family. We also help The Center of Hope Food Pantry with donations.

During the school year the ‘Caffeinated’ group meets from 9-11 am in Java, and the ‘Decaf’ group meets from 5-7 pm
in the Parlor.

During the summer, we reconnect as one group and meet Wednesdays from 9-11 am in Java. Childcare is provided for all meeting times.

For more information, please contact either: Deanna Ford 261-0353, or Jodi Vedra 825-2999, ‘Sisters’ co-leaders

For one brings her heart, one her song, and one her star.
God created all of us with special gifts and abilities.
Come share yours with your Sisters in Christ.

Blessings, Deanna & Jodi

Can you mix politics and religion? Do your coworkers know you’re a Christian? Does God have a plan for your life? What do you think makes God mad? Let’s talk about the big questions—the ones your parents told you not to ask in polite company. Join us for this time of fellowship, wondering, and maybe a few answers. June 1, 7:00 - 9:00 pm (drop in when you can) at Dean and Andrea Kladder’s home 609 E. Monroe, Bloomington.
Questions? Contact andrea@secondpres.info

Summer Bible Study and Swim

2008-09 Senior High students are invited to share in the “Bible Study and Swim” at the home of Jay & Cheryl Chrisman (19815 Wesley St., Downs) this summer. Join us from 6:30-8:30 pm the following Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 25; July 16, 23; August 6, 13.
Questions? Contact Cheryl Chrisman at 378-4562.

2PC Habitat House Volunteers Needed

“What Would Jesus Do?” As a carpenter by trade, he’d sign-up for Habitat for Humanity, of course! And so should you, if you can use a hammer, have seen a hammer, or can just spell the word hammer. Persons of all skill levels are needed and welcome as we reach out to bring God’s message into our neighborhood (our Habitat house is just two blocks away at 402 E. Market). 2PC has four Saturdays: June 7, August 2,  September 6, October 4 from 8 am to 12 noon. Sign up for 1, 2, 3 or all 4 dates. And if you’re not up for manual labor, volunteers are also needed to provide snacks/refreshments for 2PC workers.
Please contact Kevin Engle 825-6842 or englekevin@hotmail.com for more information.

New Sermon Series to Begin Next Sunday June 8

Dr. Hardwick will be preaching out of the book of Genesis in “The First Family” sermon series beginning next Sunday, June 8. Come hear his four messages about God’s creation of Adam and calling him to tend the garden, the Fall, God’s interaction after Adam and Eve’s sin and  the story of Cain and Abel.

Come to Westminster Village at 6:00 pm on June 8 to hear the Chancel Choir before they leave on tour.
Questions? Contact Chris Hollingsworth at chollin@ilstu.edu.

Chancel Choir Pre-Tour/Welcome Party for Josh!

Sr. High students join us on Sunday, June 8 at approximately 7:15pm (following the concert at Westminster Village) at the Hollingsworth’s home to welcome Josh Erickson. It will be a great evening for fellowship and an opportunity to get to know your new youth director.
Questions, contact Chris Hollingsworth at 828-6190.

You don’t want a bad sermon; your preacher doesn’t want a bad sermon—so come to the Bible study and help the sermon to be as faithful and effective as it can be! The pastor preaching each week will lead the class in F201 from 6:15 - 7:30 pm each Wednesday night.
Questions? chip@secondpres.info or 828-6297.

Adult Mexico Mission Trip set for June 15-22

If you would like to be part of an adventure that will deepen your faith and bring new energy to your life, join the mission trip to Ocosingo, Chiapas Mexico during the week of June 15-22.
Don Crittenden has additional details. Call him at 828-6297.