Click here to see the October calendar.Click here to see the Worship Teams Schedule.
Here's a Riddle For You:It has come a long way and is no longer new. What is it? RCLPC’s NewWay worship experience.As the ministry enters its sixth year, it might be a good time for all of us to look back and see where we have been, where we are, and look forward to the future. | |
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August, 2000 the congregation is busily gearing up for a fall start up with an exciting twist – a different style of worship added to our already exciting worship life together. Aug 27 marked the anniversary of the first NewWay worship experience. It seems like yesterday. The planning team was scrambling to fine tune and implement their plan, the musicians were learning and practicing all new music. It was a scary time, a time of unanswered questions, a time of prayer and continued discernment of God’s call. | “Hallelujah! Praise God in God’s holy house of worship, Praise God under the open skies; Praise God for God’s acts of power, Praise God for God’s magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, Praise by strumming soft strings; Praise God with castanets and dance, Praise God with banjo and flute; Praise God with cymbals and a big bass drum, Praise God with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise GOD! Hallelujah!” Psalm 150 The Message (adapted) |
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Fast forward to the present and most of that is still the same. Prayer and discernment are still a huge part of the ministry. The planning team still scrambles to implement plans. The musicians practice weekly only today not all the music is new! Since things aren’t so new perhaps we need to change the name! As we look toward the future may we continue to embrace each other with love, lift up and celebrate our diverse expressions of worship and love God with all our heart, all our mind and all our soul. We are called, by God, to gather together for a time to praise God in community. How that praise is expressed may be as different as each person sitting in the pew. The most important thing is that we, as family, come together to rejoice, be thankful, ask for forgiveness, pray, gather around the table, and love one another and God – together. While we may not be able to all fit in the sanctuary at one time or choose to use different music, the fact that we come on Sundays to the same place connects us to each other. May we continue to strive to grow together with patience and love, and grace and forgiveness. We are family! Sheila Mohler, NewWay Director | |
TAIZÉ PRAYER SERVICES
Thursday October 6th @ 7:00 pm
when you need REFUGE
when you need PEACE
when you need time to BREATH
when you need QUIET
when you need HOPE
no creeds to say
no standing up and down
no sermon
no saying what you believe before you're sure you believe it
simply pray BEAUTIFUL CHANTS
simply enjoy the silence MEDITATION
simply come CONNECT
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS (SEPTEMBER)
Sustained (approved) the examination of nine of our deacon candidates. The other three candidates will be examined on Oct. 2. The ordination and installation of deacons will take place on Oct. 2 (at each service). For those of you who are not aware, this is how the process is defined by our Book of Order: the congregation elects a nominating committee (done); the nominating committee puts together a slate of candidates (done); the congregation then approves the slate of candidates (done); the candidates are then given instruction (done); the candidates are then examined by the session (done); and finally the candidates are ordained and installed (to be done Oct. 2). (See G-14.0200 for more information.)Discussed the congregation’s commitment to being a fully inclusive church, welcoming all people God calls into membership and leadership in the church. Also discussed the need to make our commitment to being fully inclusive more broadly known, in the congregation and the community.
Recorded the baptism of Riley Brooke Jason on Sep. 18.
Agreed to study together the book “If God Is Love” by Gulley and Mulholland. The book invites us to think seriously about what a grace-centered life and a grace-centered church might look like.
Agreed to solicit leadership for the Cookie Walk.
Discussed the ongoing challenges revolving around worship times and styles. The session is organizing a special meeting with worship leadership from both NewWay and traditional services to listen to their perspective and concerns and work together on a solution. We are also talking about some “open forums” on worship where everyone is welcome to come and share their perspective and concerns. Once “Being Presbyterian” is complete, Richard will lead a discussion of the book “Beyond the Worship Wars” by Thomas Long during the 10:15 education hour.
NEW BOOK CLUB
The Tuesdays @ Borders book study group has been enjoyed by so many, but there are some who cannot attend on Tuesday mornings. NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! There is a sign up sheet in the Connecting Link for all of those who are interested in an evening Borders book study group. Please indicate your interest and join a very interesting and lively group.TUESDAYS AT BORDERS
Great discussion, delicious coffee and good friends—all can be found at “Tuesdays at Borders”. Come join us on Tuesday mornings in the Borders Café in Crystal Lake from 10:00 to 11:30 am for a lively soul-filling discussion.Share your story over a great cup of coffee or tea. See you next Tuesday! Questions? Contact Sheila Mohler or Kim Stewart.
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND NEWSLETTER
Would you benefit from having a bulletin or newsletter that was a little bit easier to read with a larger font? Ask an usher on Sunday morning for a large print bulletin. They are available for both services. If you would like to receive a large print newsletter please contact the church office and we will make sure to put you on the list.OIL: Understanding the Growing Energy Crisis
The McHenry County Peace Group is sponsoring Dr. Joseph O’Gallagher to speak at McHenry County College Conference Center on Thursday October 13th at 7:00 pm. Dr. O’Gallagher will speak about the history of oil, discuss peak oil, and oil depletion. He will also address how an energy constrained future will affect our lifestyle and what we can do individually and collectively to conserve energy. For more information contact McHenry County Peace Group at 815-455-3683.HURRICANE RELIEF UPDATE
Thus far we have been able to raise enough donated funds to cover the rent expense for one year. Thank you to all who have been so generous!We have yet to receive a specific family at this point; however we continue to work closely with the McHenry County Housing Authority. They are confident they will be able to find us a family soon. We also continue to make additional contacts via other avenues to possibly find a family.
At this point we are moving on to trying to line up other types of assistance such as items and manpower that will be needed once we have received a family. We are working on donations of furniture and other items through local retailers. We would also like to line up donated items from individuals in the congregation. While this is not complete, below is a starting list of things we know we will need:
People to help the family get acquainted with the area, specifically the city of McHenry. This would involve possibly a tour, showing them where key services and goods can be obtained, etc.
People that can help move furniture (including muscles and vehicles!).
Kitchen table and chairs
Two twin beds
Bedroom dressers
Bedding (sheets, comforters, pillows, blankets)
Towels and other bathroom supplies
Television and a TV stand
Two end tables
Possibly a sofa and a living room chair
If you are able to donate any of the above items or manpower needs, please contact Laura or Steve Middaugh either at church or at home.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CROP WALK 2005
 | The Crop Walk will be held on October 16th this year. Crop Walk funds will be used for disaster relief and self-help development around the world and right here in our local area by the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and PADS. Last year the city raised almost $13,000. It was also the biggest year for RCLPC with a contribution of $1367. We can do better this year and the need is greater. |
The fall food drives have not begun and in our storage area we only have canned fruit. If you can help, please bring canned tomatoes, pancake mix, crackers both saltines and graham, coffee, snacks and cooking oil to the collection box at the church. Any help would be appreciated.
As I am writing this article we are experiencing another “would be” hurricane in Texas, and some very foul weather in Southern McHenry County. I know I speak for you all when I say, “ENOUGH!”
A great big THANK YOU for doing such a fine job writing my article while I was off to Switzerland. It is such a blessing to have friends like I have in Dale. Thanks, Dale.
* And, about my trip. (I’ll keep it short.) I spent 10 wonderful days in Switzerland with another good friend, Caryl Thomas. We were in Zurich for 4 days, where time was spent with my son Dave and his new wife Michela. I know you will all be surprised when I tell you how beautiful and special she is. It was so much fun getting to know her and being with Dave again. We went on train and boat rides, shopped, ate, and did a lot of walking. Then we went by train to Arth Goldau and took the Rigi Kulm cable car to the top of the mountain and back down, a boat to Luzern, where we spent 2 delightful days, a train down to Lugano (where we needed to know Italian,) and then a 3 hour train ride back up to Zurich. We spent 2 more wonderful days visiting “the kids”, the city, museums, and getting to know Michela’s mother and brother. Ten days in all. It was a vacation of a lifetime for me!
* A very special note tells us that KYLE SOUNHEIN (son of ALAN and SALLY, brother of ZACH) is engaged to RACHEL MEJIA. They are both 2005 graduates of Drake University. Rachel is in her 1st year of med school at Des Moines University and Kyle is in his 1st year of law at Drake University Law School. A July 2006 wedding is planned. Our congratulations to all of you!
* All of the various activities around our church are very exciting. It is just awesome to be a part of the building, blending and growing that is happening in our church life. It is also comforting to know that we are doing our part in helping others, be they our own members, or those others with special needs. We have given to the hurricane victims and also to the Build a Dream Fund to help Claudia and her family in Mexico.
“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
Thank you for spending time with me.
I am, Barb Turley.