ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
Pastor/Head of Staff

Blessing Others and Being Blessed

Some miscellaneous thoughts about the ways that 2PC is living into its call to be Blessed to Be a Blessing in 2009…

1. What a day last Sunday was! After powerful worship at all three morning services, the afternoon and evening held events dedicated to blessing the family of Emilio Gravez, the four-year-old from Bloomington-Normal who recently died of brain cancer. The music was splendid at the afternoon organ concert by Stephen Buzard, and the offering raised almost $750 to defray the medical costs of the Gravez family. Later that evening, more than 500 people poured in the doors for the benefit dinner and silent auction. It was so uplifting to see a family who is not part of the church being served by so many 2PCers—especially Keith and Ironette Marshall, who spearheaded the event, and Nancy Harvey, who handled the coordination for the staff. Chef Paul worked his usual magic with the meal. The events that day raised around $22,000, and the Gravez family was absolutely overwhelmed that 2PC would rally around a family they had never met before.

2. This coming Saturday, please plan to attend the Spiritual Practices Workshop—you can read more about it elsewhere in the Pulse. It promises to be a great day of blessing for you as you continue to learn more about the ways that spiritual disciplines can help you to connect with Christ and experience the rich life that he has for you. The speaker, Dan Haase, comes very highly recommended and I hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity for God to bless you.

3. Next Sunday (on Palm Sunday), we will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing offering along with the regular offering. This offering will help provide clean water and improved agricultural techniques for impoverished people around the globe. If you use envelopes from the church for your offering, there is one dedicated to this cause. Bring a check and bless others the world over!

4. You can both experience God’s blessing by participating in the various worship services planned for Holy Week (detailed elsewhere in the Pulse) as well as bless others by inviting them to come with you on Easter morning. Easter is a time when many who do not regularly come to church are interested in doing so—so please encourage them to come experience Christ’s resurrection here at 8:15, 9:00, and 11:00!

All of these opportunities and experiences make me so thankful to worship and serve Christ alongside you here at Second Pres! To God be the Glory!

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

 Gathering of Men Lunch Series

The theme of this spring’s Gathering of Men lunch series is Overflowing Lives. The messages for the series will focus on how the life of Jesus flows into us and out of us into the lives of others. Jesus said: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures have said, ‘streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Augustine pictured three fountains with water flowing from the top to the bottom. In the same way, our lives can be refreshed so that we can give living water to those around us. The speakers will address different ways in which we can be used by God to bless others. The schedule of speakers is as follows:

April 2: Dr. Don Crittenden
April 9: Dr. Randy Perry
April 16: Rev. John Rayford
April 23: Rev. Dan McNerney
April 30: Fr. Ric Schneider

The lunches will begin at 11:30am each Thursday and conclude promptly at 12:30pm. The meals are $8 each. These lunches offer a great time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet men from the Bloomington-Normal area. Come and bring a friend. For additional information, contact Don Crittenden at 828-6297 or don.crittenden@secondpres.info.

Spiritual Practices Workshop: Expanding Our Spiritual Horizons (4/4)

Join 2PC members and friends for a morning of spiritual renewal. Professor Dan Haase from Wheaton College will guide the group through a time of experiencing spiritual practices with our heads, hearts and hands. The workshop will be held Saturday, April 4, from 8:30am-1pm. Continental breakfast, snacks and childcare are provided, and the cost is $10. Sign up at the Welcome Center or during the Lenten study in Grace Hall.

One Great Hour of Sharing (4/5)

Of the 7 billion people on our planet, 1 billion suffer from poverty, extreme food shortages, unsafe water and natural and human disasters. On Palm Sunday (April 5), 2PC will be collecting financial gifts for One Great Hour of Sharing. Your gifts will help these people get clean water, learn improved agricultural techniques and other life skills that allow them to become self-sufficient. Plan now to give generously as we join Christians around the world in making human life better for those in great need. To learn more, visit www.onegreathourofsharing.org.

Community Outreach Dinner (4/5)

Formerly Sunday Dinner, Community Outreach Dinner is a new monthly tradition at 2PC. Purchase tickets for your family, and if you know someone looking for a church home, we encourage you to invite them as well. Tickets are $6 and $2 of the money is used to fund tickets for 2PC’s community partners. There is a $22 maximum cost for families. DIinner is served from 11am-1:15pm.

Youth Holy Week Lock-In (4/9)

Learn about the death and resurrection of Christ while having a blast with your friends at the 2PC jr. high and high school lock-in. There will be time for bonding with your leaders, having a great time with your friends and gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of Jesus’ resurrection. The lock-in begins Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm and ends Friday, April 10 at 9:30am. Please visit the youth section of our website for more information and a permission form.

Tenebrae Service (4/10)

Come to 2PC’s Good Friday Tenebrae service. Starting at 7pm in the Sanctuary, the lights are gradually dimmed until total darkness falls. Suitable for children in third grade and up.

Easter Sunday Events (4/12)

2PC will offer its regular service times (8:15, 9 and 11am) on Easter Sunday. Please invite all your friends and relatives who might be looking for a church home. There will also be breakfast served from 7-10am in Grace Hall. Tickets are $4 and will be available at the door.

City of Bloomington Annual Community Clean-Up (4/19)

The city of Bloomington is sponsoring its second annual Community Clean-Up Week on Sunday, April 19, from 2-4pm. Join other residents, businesses, property owners organizations in serving our community by keeping our downtown neighborhood beautiful and clean. Meet at the Downtown Bloomington Association Office (106 W. Monroe) where you will be given cleaning supplies.

New Member Exploration Course (4/23-26)

Anyone interested in becoming a member of 2PC is invited to the New Member Exploration Course. This begins Thursday, April 26 with a Welcome Dinner (6-8pm), continues with class on Saturday, April 25 (9am-2pm) and concludes with Joining Sunday on April 26 (9am.) To sign up, contact Dean at dean.kladder@secondpres.info, or fill out an Enrollment Card (available in the pews) and drop it off in the collection plate or Welcome Center. The last day to register is April 21.

Easter Lily Memorials

It’s time to place your order for the Easter Lily Memorials. Order cards are located at the Welcome Center. The deadline to place your order is Friday, April 3. Suggested donation is $15. Lilies will be given to shut-ins after the Easter services.

Summer Internships Available

The Children’s Ministry is looking for summer interns to support Vacation Bible School, summer camp and summer Sunday programming. Contact Tammy at tammy.haggard@secondpres.info for further details and an application. Application deadline is April 15.

Housing for Interns

2PC will be welcoming a seminary intern this summer and a Children’s Ministry intern this fall, and housing with a 2PC family is part of the compensation. If you have extra room and are interested in housing an intern either this summer (mid-May to mid-August 2009) or next year (August 2009 to July 2010) please contact Andrea Kladder at andrea.kladder@secondpres.info.

Tech Volunteers Needed

2PC is looking for several volunteers to help the Technical Arts Team on Sunday mornings. Duties include running slides that accompany both 9am and 11am services. Volunteers interested in the position must be available from 7am-12pm on their assigned Sundays. Please contact Pete if you are interested at pete.davitt@secondpres.info or 828.6297.