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March 28, 2007
The SPIRIT of Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
Click here to see the April calendar.
Times of Transition (Ugh.)
Do you ever get tired of being in a “time of transition”? I expect people here at RCLPC have been hearing that expression for almost six years. The last year of Doug Loving’s pastorate, the two years of interim pastors, and then the first two-and-a-half years of my pastorate all could be considered “transition times.” Wouldn’t it be nice to stop transitioning and just be for a while?
I can certainly sympathize with that. We can all get burned out on change. We’d like for things to just settle down and stay put for a while. A little “Sabbath rest” for us as a congregation would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Unfortunately, we worship a God who won’t quite leave us alone. If you look at the Bible, you find people are usually on a journey, on the way, on the road to somewhere, following God. It’s when people settle down and stay put that they usually get into trouble.
Whether we want it or not, we are still in a “time of transition.” Session is looking at our Sunday morning schedule to try and make room for all our priorities. The alternative service has been on sabbatical for the past eight weeks. We are engaged in a visioning process to try and help us gain clarity about who we are called to be and what we are called to do. Transition, transition, transition. Ugh.
So what can we do to ease the stress and strain during these interminable “times of transition”?
First, we need to trust God. We’re not alone. We have to ask constantly for God to open a path for us, and trust that God will walk with us every step of the way.
Second, we need to trust each other. We’re all in this together. If we can trust each other, if we can be compassionate and forgiving toward each other, if we can communicate with each other, if we can work together, there’s no limit to what we might accomplish.
Third, we need to have patience. Change takes time. There are always bumps along the road. Things will fall through the cracks. People won’t know exactly what’s going on. We need to have patience (and faith) that, in time, the “new thing” will take shape and everyone will find their place.
Finally, we need to have passion. We have so much to share. There are so many people in our community who need what we have to offer. If we are truly passionate about sharing our life with others and making a difference in our community and our world, we won’t let anything stand in our way.
We may dislike “times of transition”, but let’s not forget that Lent is a time of transition, too. And on the other side of Lent is Easter Sunday—new life and joy and celebration and peace. Maybe these things await us on the other side of our transition, too. Happy Easter.
-Richard
Holy Week and Easter Worship
Sunday, April 1st, Palm Sunday--9:00 and 11:00. Holy Week begins as we celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with crowds waving palm branches and crying out “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Special music by Little Lambs, Sounds of Joy, Jubilation, and adult choir. Communion will be served. Nursery care provided.
Thursday, April 5th, Maundy Thursday--6:30pm in fellowship hall. This is the night we commemorate Jesus’ last meal with his friends. We will share a Middle Eastern meal as part of the worship experience. Special music by Ken Stewart. Communion will be served. Nursery care provided.
Friday, April 6th, Good Friday--7:00pm in the sanctuary. We commemorate the death of Jesus with a service of tenebrae. Tenebrae means “shadows” and refers to the practice of extinguishing candles throughout the service. We will meditate on the “seven last words” of Jesus. Special music by soloists and the adult choir. Nursery care provided.
April 8th, Easter Sunday--four services: 8:00, 9:00 (alternative), 10:15,
and 11:15. We celebrate the astounding good news: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Special music by the adult choir, including our customary singing of the Hallelujah Chorus to conclude worship (10:15 and 11:15). Communion will be served. Nursery care provided.
Opportunities to Study and Create
* Lectionary Study group (LSG--Get High on the Bible!). The LSG meets every Tuesday at noon. We invite everyone to bring a brownbag lunch and an open mind. We will study the lectionary texts (the scripture readings) two months ahead of when they will be used in worship. Not only will this be an opportunity for scripture study and spiritual growth, but it will also help to shape the theme for our worship.
* Worship Planning Group (WPG). The WPG meets every Thursday at 6:30 pm. This group will take the theme for a given Sunday and help develop creative ways to worship for both our more traditional and our alternative services. If you have an interest in helping to plan our worship, please come on Thursday at 6:30 pm.
* RCLPC Worship Blog. Have an idea for worship but can’t make the WPG meeting? The RCLPC Worship Blog will be updated every week with scripture and themes for upcoming worship services. You are invited to read the text and the theme and then share whatever comments, suggestions, or ideas you have. We will do our best to incorporate these into the planning process. The Worship Blog is at rclpcworship.blogspot.com. It is also linked on our main website from the worship page (www.rclpc.org).
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Maundy Thursday
Service & Supper - April 5
As we prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday, please join us on Maundy Thursday, April 5th at 6:30 p.m. for a service and light Middle Eastern supper in fellowship hall. It will be a wonderful evening of worship, communion and fellowship time together. Child care will be provided. Please sign up in the Connecting Link. Any questions, please call Karen Nelson or Kathy Rabe. Thank you.
Save the Date:
Saturday April 7, 11am
Easter-Egg Hunt for children here at the church! cost: $5. Proceeds go to the Senior High Mission Trip To New Orleans.
Easter Breakfast -
Sunday, April 8
This Easter Sunday the Fellowship Committee is sponsoring an all- church potluck breakfast from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
| If your last name begins with... | Please bring this item... |
| A - M | Breakfast Casserole |
| N - S | Fruit |
| T - Z | Sweets or Breads |
Please bring your food to church between 8 am and 10:30 am and stay for a varied and scrumptious breakfast. For more information call Cindy Borre or Cheryl Brincks.
Men’s Breakfast
The popular men’s breakfast group will have their next meeting, Saturday morning, April 7th, at 8am. If you haven’t joined us yet, please do, we’d love to have you. We meet the first Saturday of every month in the private dining room of Colonial Café on Hwy 14, just east of Main Street in Crystal Lake.
Youth Schedules...
Middle School Youth
Friday, April 13: 6 PM
Youth-Sunday
rehearsal
April 15: YOUTH-LED
WORSHIP,
all services
April 22: Earth Day Project
Senior High Youth
*April 1:
$50 mission trip payment due!
Wednesday, April 4:
Senior High Study Break
Saturday, April 7:
11:00 am Easter egg hunt
fundraiser
Wednesday, April 11:
Senior High Study Break
Friday, April 13: 6 PM
Youth-Sunday
rehearsal
April 15: YOUTH-LED
WORSHIP,
all services
Friday-Saturday,
April 27/28
30-hour famine
Sunday, April 29:
1 - 3 pm meeting
Confirmation Class
Sunday, April 1:
6 pm - 8 pm class
Tuesday, April 3:
5:15 - 9:15 pm Field trip to
Seder dinner at the Synagogue
Sunday, April 8:
No class. Happy Easter!
Sunday, April 15:
6 pm - 8 pm class
Sunday, April 22:
6 pm - 8 pm class
Sunday, April 29:
6 pm - 8 pm class
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Adult education classes are being planned for April 15, 22, and 29 to provide opportunities for learning more about the Christians in the Middle East, culminated by a special worship emphasis on May 6, at which time everyone will be encouraged to pray with the Christians in the Middle East the following week. Check out the Connecting Link to learn more. Here is what has been planned so far:
April 15: Salt of the Earth DVDs... These videos document the lives of nine Palestinian
Christians living in the northern West Bank. This film grew out of a desire among their Palestinian neighbors to share their stories, and a desire among Christians in the West to hear them.
April 21/22: Sam Rizk to visit... Sam is presently working on his PhD in Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. He and his wife, May, who is Lebanese, have been living in Lebanon prior to coming to Washington last year. Kim and Ken Stewart will host an informal gathering in their home on Saturday evening where everyone is welcome to stop by and welcome Sam back to Crystal Lake. Sam will share his and May’s stories of Christians living in Lebanon during the adult education class on Sunday morning and will speak briefly at each of the services. The Mission Team will host a potluck luncheon on Sunday following the last service to share a meal and have more time to fellowship with Sam.
April 22: Craft Fair... Crafts from Bethlehem made by Palestinian Christians will be available for sale in Fellowship Hall.
April 29: Awad Sifri to visit... Awad is a Palestinian American who lives in Naperville and attends the Knox Presbyterian Church. Awad will give an historical background and current perspective of the Christians living in the Middle East.
  Prime Timers Raze the Ceiling
Things are looking up in the Connecting Link. Our Prime Timers have removed the old discolored uneven mismatched ceiling and replaced it with a new suspended ceiling that matches the surrounding hallways. Our thanks to the Prime Timers for their loving care. The Prime Timers meet the 3rd Thursday of every month at 10am.
Who is that brave person on the ladder?...
Parenting On Prayers (POP) is back!
Whether you are just starting on your parenting journey or have been at it for a long time you are welcome to our new class starting up after Easter. I'm excited to bring this very successful class back with the support of many of you who are interested! We will be starting with the book "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. This book has been a wonderful resource to my family and is also used in District 47 by all of the teachers. If you have problems, questions, advice, experience, stories or just need to know you aren't the only one who feels like you do, this class is for you! We will be meeting during the Education Hour on Sundays so you don't have to worry about childcare. Yippee! This is a great opportunity for you to spend some time with other parents and grow together spiritually for ourselves and our children. There will be a sign up sheet in the connecting link so I can get an idea of how many books we need to order. Please check it out… I know you won't regret it. Questions? Please call Melanie Wesa.
 Starve Hunger! Sponsor a youth in the 30 Hour Famine!
What is the 30 Hour Famine?
30 Hour Famine is a program in which youth groups from 21 countries gather sponsors and donations, then fast from solid food for a day, and send the donations to help feed hungry people around the world. 29,000 children around the world die every day from hunger and hunger-related preventable diseases. Last year, students participating in the 30 Hour Famine raised enough money to feed 29,000 children for a year. On April 27 and 28, the RCLPC Senior High Youth Group will fast together, learning about hunger in a powerful and personal way and standing in solidarity with the millions of hungry people around the world. During the 30 hours, they will participate in a service project together, pray together, and learn together…plus maybe having a little fun too! But before then, they need YOUR help. The Youth Group members are seeking sponsors to help them help others. It takes $360 to feed a child for a year. Our goal is to feed one person for each of us in the youth group. Please help us as we learn about hunger and feed hungry people! Thanks—the Senior High Youth.
For More Information on 30 Hour Famine, please visit www.30hourfamine.org
National Day of Climate Change
Step It Up 2007
MCC on Sat., April 14, 10 – 11 a.m.
Climate change is in the news every day. With an award-winning documentary, the recent scientific reports on the accelerating pace of change, and the daily media exposure, Americans are paying attention to what may be the most urgent issue facing the world today. Increasingly, people of faith are recognizing the importance of their participation in solving this global problem.
On Saturday, April 14 – at nearly 1000 events in 50 states, Step It Up 2007 seeks to mobilize people for climate action. Step It Up rallies across the country will be calling on the U.S. Congress to take strong action to reduce our country’s contribution to global warming. Each rally will ask for an 80% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
In the cover story for the February 20, 2007, issue of Christian Century, Step It Up organizer Bill McKibben makes a strong moral case for why churches need to be actively involved in addressing climate change. He cites social justice concerns, with the potential for hundreds of millions of new refugees. He reminds us that if we care about God’s creation, we need to act quickly to preserve the biodiversity of species and ecosystems. He points out the ramifications of our action or inaction for future generations. He recognizes the growing religious environmental movement—efforts like Interfaith Power and Light and the Evangelical Environmental Network, and strong allies in Judaism, in Islam, in Buddhism and in many other traditions.
Join our own McHenry County rally at McHenry County College’s cafeteria patio on Saturday, April 14, from 10 – 11 a.m. Sen. Pamela Althoff, Rep. Mike Tryon, and Rep. Jack Franks’ chief of staff will be present, as well as Bill Sweitzer, “Climate Project Partner” from Crystal Lake. Families are welcome. This event is sponsored by McHenry County Defenders and the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC.
The Presbyterian Washington Office, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterians for Restoring Creation, and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program urge us to be involved in the Step It Up events, and to join in this movement to bring healing to God's creation. Visit Step It Up 2007 at www.stepitup2007.org/ to find out more from the national organization.
Bill McKibben ends his article this way: “Faith in a living God allows us hope. Not hope that everything will come out OK, that God will simply override our reckless greed and keep the temperature down. That's not hope; that's wishing. But hope that if we make a real effort, the best effort we're capable of, it will matter.”
For the complete article, see Witness in Washington Weekly, The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), March 12, 2007.
Celebrate Earth Day! “Renew the Future”
When: Saturday, April 21, 2007
Where: Prairieview Education Center
2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake
Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Learn about alternative fuels, waste reduction, recycled products, local environmental groups by visiting our exhibit booths.
Keynote Speaker at 1 pm: Richard Whitney,
2006 candidate for IL Governor speaking on renewable energy
Don’t miss the Lou Marchi “Trash Transformed” Art contest display or the “Energy Bike”
For more information call 815/338-0393 or visit www.mcdef.org
Offering of Letters
What a wonderful response from the congregation to the Offering of Letters on March 25! Ninety letters were completed on Sunday morning, and several more people took materials home. Perhaps with their participation, we reached the 100-mark. But of far more significance is the commitment each one showed to place the concerns of hungry and vulnerable people before our elected leaders. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of God’s people in need.
Many Thanks...
Many thanks to Meals on Wheels volunteers Joan Black, Rick Johnson, Laurie Jensen, Dawn Condill, Karen Nelson, Cheryl Lilly, Amy Collins and Kathy Rabe for the week of March 12. The recipients really appreciate it, and so do I for making my job so easy. ~ Marina Hoffman
Letter from a Soldier in Iraq...
One of the reasons I am writing is because of your church. I have received 3 packages from them, and I feel bad for not thanking them yet. Tell them all of the boxes have been full of great things. They sure seem to know what we soldiers need over here. Just let them know that I am extremely grateful for everything they have sent to me, and also for how much they care about us over here. Let them know I am doing just fine, and am very thankful. Matt (Kathy Rabe’s nephew)
Exceptional Volunteer Opportunity
Have you been looking for that one great spot to make your own and do some good in the world? The food pantry needs a secretary. It requires one board meeting a month (1 hour) and a weekly executive committee meeting (1 hour). Then notes of the board meeting get emailed to all. Call me for further details. ~ Nancy Vazzano
“The Storyteller’s Bag”
The Children’s Group is a leading producer of classical music entertainment for children and has just released a CD, “The Storyteller’s Bag”. It is a collection of three stories based on native Ojibway legends with chamber music written for young audiences. The concept began when musician Peggy Hills heard, “How the Loon Got its Necklace” and, as a result of hearing, she researched and consulted with Elders in the Aboriginal community. Ms. Hills has created a number of curriculum-based cultural performance programs for schools and is on the faculty at York University. Sounds like a fun addition to my library and perhaps yours, as well.
The Phraselator P2
Currently used in Iraq combat zones to enable communication between American soldiers and Iraqis, the Phraselator will be used at Prairie Island Language Center to teach traditional Dakota language. It is a handheld tool that allows the user to instantly translate spoken English words and phrases into any Native language. After working on this application for over a year in order to get the contractor’s approval to use it to teach Native languages, more than 35 tribes are now learning how to use it. In the words of Tribal Council President Audrey Bennett in a recent edition of the Dakota/Lakota Journal, she says, “Traditionally, the Dakota Language was passed down from generation to generation but fewer tribal members know how to speak the language well enough to teach it to our young people. Now we have a way to preserve the language and teach it to our children, and future generations. Tribes are an important piece of Minnesota history. Hopefully, the use of the technology and work with the state government will help restore our language and reinvigorate our tribal culture”. The Native American Connection
Two Opportunities in April
Do you want to effectively lobby your Senators and Representative in Congress? Then come to a workshop at McHenry County College on Wednesday, April 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sanho Tree, a Fellow and Director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C., will present a workshop on grassroots advocacy—Innovative Strategies for Informing the Media and Legislators. This workshop will be held in rooms B 166/167 across from the cafeteria at MCC.
Are you concerned about drug usage in our communities? Are you interested in learning what effect the drug war has on the environment? At 7:00 p.m., following the workshop, Mr. Tree will discuss The War on Drugs: Success or Failure? This program will also be held in rooms B 166/167 at MCC. Mr. Tree was featured in the ABC/John Stossel documentary on the drug war which aired in July 2002 and has also appeared on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. Currently, he serves on the boards of Witness for Peace and the Andean Information Network.
Both programs are co-sponsored by the McHenry County Defenders Education Committee and the McHenry County Peace Group.
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