ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
Pastor / Head of Staff

New Year’s Resolutions

Are you someone that makes New Year’s resolutions? I certainly have been known to make a few in my day. The most infamous was when I went for a whole year without eating any dessert.

However, this year, I am trying something new. I don’t usually think about using resolutions as a chance to grow in my faith. The no-desserts pledge was much more motivated by economics than Christianity; I didn’t want to have to buy new pants! However, this year I am making a resolution that will enhance my walk with Christ rather than avoiding the dessert table for monetary reasons.

I am resolving to return to a practice that has been extremely helpful to me in the past: keeping a prayer jour nal. The times I have done this, I have felt God’s presence in a very real way. However, the activity takes discipline and I need to have the discipline to continue my journaling even when things are going smoothly. Will you please pray with
me that I develop this discipline?

I hope that you will join me in selecting a resolution that will enrich your life in God. Know that these resolutions are not always easy, but bring an incredible sense of satisfaction when you accomplish them. I have provided some ideas for consideration:

•Read the entire Bible. (I have a Bible that is organized day by day by day to help keep me on a schedule.)
•Develop more friendships with Christians for support and encouragement.
•Develop more friendships with non-Christians so that we don’t live our lives in a holy huddle.
•Consistently serve the communities of Bloomington-Normal through activities like Serving on Saturdays or volunteering at one of 2PC’s urban ministry partners like the Compassion Center, the Home Sweet Home mission, or the Western Avenue Community Center.
•Join a small group so that we can learn together, grow together, and serve together.
•Come to church for worship on a weekly basis.
•Find a ministry at the church to invest in, and become part of the team that organizes it.
•Give back to God more generously through your time, talent and treasure.

Let’s pray that God will strengthen us to make, and then keep, these resolutions for 2009!

Chip

Year-End Giving

•When is the last day I can make a 2008 contribution?

All contributions made in person must be received in the church office by 4:30 pm on December 31. Contributions that are mailed must be postmarked by midnight of December 31 and received by January 8, 2009.

•Can I give stock to the church to satisfy my pledge?

Yes. Stock can be transferred from your broker to our brokerage account very easily, but must be in the church’s account by December 31. For instructions on stock gifts, please contact Diane Cushing in the finance office by calling 828.6297 or by email at diane@secondpres.info.

•Can I split an amount on a check to different funds?

Yes. However, we would prefer for you to write separate checks because the Operating Fund and Building Fund are two separate checking accounts.

If you need to write one check, please note on the front of the offering envelope, or in the memo field on the check, how much you want to go to into each account.

Unless specifically noted otherwise, all contributions will go to the Operating Fund.

•When will 2008 Contribution Statements be mailed?

No later than February 2, 2009.

•Will the contribution statement include non-cash gifts such as stock?

Yes, we include non-cash contributions such as stock and in-kind information on your contribution statement. However, IRS regulations preclude the Church from assigning a value to a non-cash gift. It is up to the donor to determine the value of their non-cash gift.

•If you have more questions please contact Diane Cushing, finance
director at 828.6297 or diane@secondpres.info.

New Year’s Eve Mobile Mania (12/31-1/1)

Junior high and high school students are invited to 2PC’s New Year’s Eve party. At this “mobile” party, students will visit Pepsi Ice Center, Pheasant Lanes, Bloomington Evangelical Free Church, Grace Church in Normal and Calvary Baptist. Hear a great comedian, worship with other students and celebrate the New Year with your friends. To join the fun, meet at 2PC on Dec. 31 at 8:30pm and return to the home of John and Laura Dirks on Jan. 1 at 8am for pick-up. Space is limited to the first 28 students that sign-up. The cost is $37 and is all-inclusive (skate rentals, broomball, pizza, shoe rental, comedian, mini-golf and snacks.) More information and a full schedule is available on the church website. To register, complete the permission slip available online and return with the registration fee.

2008 New Members Celebration Dinner (1/7)

If you became a 2PC member in 2008, you are invited to a special dinner on January 7 at 6pm. Childcare will be provided for children pre-kindergarten and younger, and children who are kindergarten age and up, are welcome to eat with their families. Please RSVP to Arcadia by January 1 by calling 828.6297 or emailing arcadia@secondpres.info.

24-Hour Prayer Vigil (1/9-10)

Members and friends of 2PC are invited to attend a 24-hour prayer vigil to pray for the church and the upcoming year. The vigil will begin Friday morning at 9am and end Saturday morning at 9am. Sign up for this event begins December 28. Contact Don Crittenden with any questions at don@secondpres.info.

Message of Hope…Blessed to be a Blessing in Prison (1/9)

Nancy Harvey, volunteer coordinator, will speak on prison ministry at the JOY Fellowship meeting on Friday, January 9. Mrs. Harvey, along with 2PC member Ruth Chin, have been working with prisoners at the Logan County Correctional Center for the last two years. The pair meets with 35 prisoners once a week for Bible study and singing. The presentation will begin at 11am and be preceded by punch and fellowship at 10:30am.

Serving on Saturdays (1/10)

This month’s project includes serving at the Compassion Center and the Home Sweet Home Mission Mart. We will meet at 8am at 2PC and finish at 11:30am. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! Please contact Dean at dean@secondpres.info with questions.

For Better or Worse: Making Marriages Stronger (1/11)

Beginning January 11, the Dot.com group will host John Florell for a repeat of his class, For Better or Worse: Making Marriages Stronger. John Florell has worked to strengthen marriages through his counseling practice at BroMenn Health Systems. Class will be held from 10-11am in the parlor. Please plan on joining Dot.com for this important topic.

Merge Christmas Leftovers Party (1/16)

Bowling and good times will be had from 7-10pm at Pheasant Lanes on January 16. Christmas sweaters and festive attire are optional, but prizes will be awarded for exceptional outfits.

Volunteer Readers Needed

Do you love to read? Share your passion with those that can no longer read themselves by being a volunteer reader for Heritage Manor Nursing Home (700 E. Walnut, Bloomington.) Reading times are flexible and will be designed to work around your schedule. Reading materials can be provided if desired. For more information, please contact Rita Anderson, Heritage Manor volunteer coordinator, at 827.8004.

Director of Music Search Update

The search committee for the director of music ministry has received application material from 13 candidates who expressed interest in the position. Numerous phone interviews have been conducted and the roster of candidates has been narrowed. On-site interviews with the remaining candidates will take place in the next few weeks. The search committee hopes to make a recommendation to the personnel committee early in 2009. Until this position is filled, the team is grateful for Gretchen Church’s service as interim organist, and Jeannie Wendt’s volunteer leadership to coordinate musicians.

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 Barger at 728.2142 with any questions.