ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
Pastor / Head of Staff

Second Pres Bethlehem-Bound this Advent

As hard as it is to believe, today is the fi rst Sunday of Advent! If you’re still feeling the effects of too much turkey, it might seem strange to be jumping into a whole new church season just a couple of days after Thanksgiving. However, in some ways it makes sense; during Thanksgiving we give thanks to God for all his blessings, and in Advent, we give thanks to God for breaking into our reality as Christ Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the suffering servant of the cross and the reigning, resurrected Lord.

You may remember that earlier this year in Lent, we walked “Crossbound” with Christ as we moved through Luke’s version of Holy Week. Now, in Advent, we’re “Bethlehem-Bound” as we go through Luke’s passages leading up to Jesus’ birth and the arrival of the shepherds. As we accompany Christ toward Bethlehem and toward the cross, we are bound together with him in his ministry. Christ came both to bless us, and to send us out as blessings for the world!

Today Dean is preaching on Luke 1:26-38, the story of how the angel came to Mary and told her that she would give birth to Jesus, even though she was a virgin. Next Sunday, (12/7) I’ll explore Luke 1:39-45 which tells of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, who pronounces that she and her baby are both blessed. December 14 will be our Bethlehem-Bound in Scripture and Song services during the 9:00 and 11:00 am services (no 8:15 service that day). December 21 I’ll preach on Luke 2:57-66, which tells of the birth of John the Baptist. On Christmas Eve, we’ll focus on Luke 2:1-20: the story of Jesus’ birth and the adoration of the shepherds. I hope you’ll be here each week for these sermons, and that you’ll invite a friend to come too! Don’t forget to read elsewhere in the Pulse about upcoming Advent events, like the Advent Dinner and concert (this Wednesday 12/3) and
the Pastors’ Open House (next Sunday 12/7).

Also, please be in prayer for the Session as we set the 2009 operating budget at a meeting this Tuesday evening. Many thanks to all of you who have responded generously so that the church can reap generously in 2009. If 2PC is your church home and you haven’t pledged yet, you can fi nd a pledge card in the pew rack in front of you and drop the completed card into the offering plate.

My prayer is that God will show up in amazing, life-changing ways for all of us this Advent!
Chip

Advent Dinner and the Advent Extravaganza

Advent season is one of the most important times in the life of the church, and thus
it is not surprising that 2PC holds one of its largest events at the beginning of Advent season.

The Advent Extravaganza is aptly titled as it includes not one, not two, but three events all rolled into one. On December 3, just six days after our Thanksgiving Dinner, we will host our Advent Extravaganza that includes dinner (tickets are $8 for adults and available at the Welcome Center and front desk) beginning at 4:45pm and is followed by a 6pm congregational meeting. The evening will come to an exciting conclusion with a highly anticipated performance from the world-renowned, Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass. Community members are encouraged to attend this free concert.

We hope to see you at this fun-filled event and that the Advent season finds you in good spirits!

Holiday Decorating (11/30)

2PC will be putting up holiday decorations Sunday, November 30 starting at 1pm. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to attend; we will meet in Fellowship Hall.

Advent Dinner, Congregational Meeting and the King’s Brass (12/3)

December 3 will be a 2PC Advent extravaganza beginning with a delicious dinner made by our very own Chef Paul at 4:45pm, congregational meeting at 6pm and a performance from Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass at 7pm. Please see the Emphasis On… for more information.

Parents’ Morning Out (12/6)

Have a child between the ages of six months and fifth grade? Schedule a coffee date or enjoy a morning of Christmas shopping from 9am to noon while your child has fun at church. Sign up or email Ashley Whittington at ashley@secondpres.info. Cost is $10/child with a $25/family maximum.

Performance of Handel’s Messiah (12/6)

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with our own Chapel choir and Illinois Wesleyan’s Collegiate choir to perform several movements from Handel’s Messiah. The performance will be at 7pm in the Sanctuary.

Upcoming Mission Trips Informational Meeting (12/7)

Interested in providing basic medical care for rural villages in Mexico? If so, please plan to attend this meeting. We will gather on Sunday, December 7 at 10:10am in Marquis Chapel. We will also hear a report from those who went on the medical mission trip to Chiapas, Mexico and how the experience has changed lives.

Pastors’ Open House (12/7)

Enjoy a meet and greet and get to know the pastors and other 2PC churchgoers in an informal setting. We will also be recognizing Roane Deckert’s upcoming retirement. Don Crittenden will be hosting this year’s open house at 19492 Valley Trail Rd. in Bloomington from 2-5pm.

Directions to 19492 Valley Trail Rd., Bloomington:

Go East on Highway 150 to Towanda-Barnes Rd. (traffic light at Freedom Gas Station)

Turn Right at the light 4/10mile

Turn Left onto Valley Trail  Rd. and go 3/10 of a mile ending at 19492 Valley Trail Rd. (there is a green mailbox on a tan post)

Presbyterian Women Christmas Tea (12/10)

Women of the congregation and their guests are invited to attend this event taking place at Westminster Village (2025 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington) from 1- 3pm. Entertainment will be provided by several of our own choir members.

High School Christmas Party (12/14)

High school students and their leaders are invited to December’s BIG event, our annual Christmas party. The party will be from 5-7pm on December 14 in Grace Hall. Invite your friends for a night of food and fun at 2PC and come celebrate the birth of Christ.

Bethlehem-Bound in Scripture and Song Services (12/14)

Hear the Christmas story told through music and scripture in our Lessons and Carols worship services. Entitled, Bethlehem-Bound in Scripture and Song, it will be presented at the 9 and 11am services. No 8:15am service.

2PC PACK (Puppets Ministry) Performance (12/14)

Come see the 2PC PACK Christmas performance, Good Evening Jerusalem, during the Sunday school hour in Grace Hall. There will be no Sunday school classes, so both parent and child are encouraged to attend together.

College Reconnect (12/22)

Current college students who grew up at 2PC and are in town for the holidays are invited to come together to eat, reminisce and catch up on how school and college life is going. Also, we would love to stay in touch with our students that go away to college, so if contact information has changed, please email new information to Arcadia at arcadia@secondpres.

Christmas Memorial Poinsettias

It’s time again to place an order for Christmas poinsettias. If you would like to honor someone’s memory with a poinsettia, order cards are located at the Welcome Center and front desk. The order deadline is Friday, December 12 and the suggested donation is $20. Please contact Kim at 828.6297 or kim@secondpres.info with questions.

Thank You

Thank you for the recent “Pac a Sac” food donations to the Western Avenue Community Center. Many hungry families in the community were fed because of the generous donations.

Honor Doris Hill with a Gift to the Endowment Fund

Doris Hill has served at 2PC for 37 years and there is much to celebrate in all that God has done through her! To recognize her dedication, the Session has established the Doris Simpson Hill Endowment Fund. 80% of all donations given to this endowment fund will be applied to the cost of the new organ, which Doris helped design, with the remaining 20% to be retained by the 2PC Foundation to be used for organ maintenance. Should you feel moved to honor Doris’ retirement with a donation, please make checks payable to Second Presbyterian Church Foundation with the notation, Doris Hill Endowment Fund. Checks may be dropped in the offering plate or mailed to the finance office. Please contact Tom Bargerat 728.2142 with any questions.