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March 24, 2024

 

 

Welcome back, friends!  Thank you for joining us for Palm Sunday, the kick off to Holy Week.

Our songs today were “Jesus Messiah”, ”Hosanna”, “Holy Holy Holy”, “Love Is Here”, and “Nothing But the Blood”.  The message was delivered by Pastor Billy using text from John 12:12-13.  (You can watch this and past messages by going to the home page and clicking WATCH.)

Good Friday Service is Friday, March 29th at 7 pm. Invite adults to participate in this holy evening with us.  This is a powerful service, and not recommended for the very young as the crucifixion video can be too graphic for little eyes. It would be helpful to share the invite on your Face Book page so we can fill up the church.

Save the date for Passover Seder on Sunday, April 28th, 5 pm at the church.  Seating is very limited and is open for church members first.  When the last reservation is gone on the list there will be no more added, so sign up ASAP if you want to be included.  Only one partial table still remains open.  This is not a full meal.  This is the teaching of the symbolic items on your plate.

Pastor Billy’s Exodus Bible study is Tuesday at 6:30 pm on his Face Book page. We are in Chapter 14.  If you cannot access Face Book, go to Pastor Shred on You Tube live videos and watch from there.

Pastor Billy’s Worship Wednesday is at noon on FB and You Tube. Tune in to participate with live comments. This week’s topic was “Palm Sunday” and featured the songs Every Praise/Hezikiah Walker, and Hosanna Praise Is Rising/Paul Baloche.

Pastor Billy will be offering Sunday evening Seminary and Psychology classes beginning April 7th at 6:30 pm.  Sign up at the Connection Table.

Happy Birthday to Kristen Hippenhammer on the 27th and Mike Seklecki on the 29th! If you wish to have your birthday or anniversary listed here, give your information to the piano player a week in advance.

Bob Startz has spent almost two weeks in the hospital after complications following hernia surgery. Hopefully he will be released Sunday afternoon.  Connie Schuler has been in Silver Cross Hospital all week. Leslie Graniczny will be admitted to Silver Cross Monday for surgery later in the week. Brenda Hajek has neck surgery this week hoping to alleviate pain after a car accident that happened a good while ago.  Joe Meskin’s mom, Vivian, has major surgery Tuesday in TN.  Best wishes for quick healing for all!

What a happy surprise to see Charlie Printy come through the doors after many weeks of respiratory difficulty and weakness.  YAY, CHARLIE! We have missed you! JoAnn Preston was back after her broken elbow surgery sporting a cumbersome splint and a sling. We pray for speedy healing as it is tough to manage with one arm out of order.

Round of applause for Pastor Bob who retires from his insurance job this week.  He has worked for decades, and he richly deserves to rest and enjoy his golden years. Congratulations!

Happy 45th wedding anniversary to Bob and Ellen Startz today! Since he is in the hospital we hope they can get a raincheck and celebrate later.

Special thanks to Jessica Holub for blessing so many ladies at church today by minimizing her jewelry boxes and sharing freely to whoever wanted to take home some bling-bling! How generous!

If you need prayer, call or text Elder Larry DeSando 24/7 at 815-351-8378.

Thank you for reading, and we’ll see you back here Friday evening for Good Friday.  Please be on time as the sanctuary will be dimmed when the service starts:

Much appreciation for all your contributions and for volunteering in any way to help this ministry run smoothly.   You are loved.  See you Friday night.

 

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March 17, 2024

 

Welcome back, friends!  We are happy you joined us on this holiday Sunday! It was fun seeing so many show up dressed in green to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.

Our songs today were “I’ll Fly Away”, ”Today Is the Day”, “Our God”, “Mighty To Save”, and “River of Life”. The message, “The Matthew Principle” was delivered by Pastor Billy using text from Matthew 25:44-45.  (You can watch this and past messages by going to the home page and clicking WATCH.)

Stone Soup Sunday potluck was after service with tables of good food to share.  Thanks for help cooking, setting up, and cleaning afterwards. Autumn Hensle dressed all clownish and made custom balloon creations for the youngsters.

Make the walk back to the Graybars Project table and check out the tomb replica constructed by Judy Fash.  She has done a tremendous job and displays this each Easter season!

Folks, if you are not already serving here, we need YOU!  We are looking for helpers in the kid’s ministry, hospitality (coffee), and Fishes and Loaves (cooking) departments.  None of these require much of your time. If we all do a little nobody has to do a lot.  Please mark your connection card if you are willing to help.

Friday, March 22, the young adult group, “23”, meets at the Knott home for game night. This is open to everybody from late teen to mid-30s, and is free.

Good Friday Service is Friday, March 29th at 7 pm. Mark your calendars now and invite adults to participate in this holy evening.  This is a powerful service, and not recommended for the very young as the crucifixion video can be too graphic for little eyes.

Save the date for Passover Seder on Sunday, April 28th, 5 pm at the church.  Seating is very limited and is open for church members first.  When the last reservation is gone on the list there will be no more added, so sign up ASAP if you want to be included.  Only one full table and a partial table remain open as of today.

Pastor Billy’s Exodus Bible study is Tuesday at 6:30 pm on his Face Book page. We are in Chapter 13.  If you cannot access Face Book, go to Pastor Shred on You Tube live videos and watch from there.

Pastor Billy’s Worship Wednesday is at noon on FB and You Tube. Tune in to participate with live comments. This week’s topic was “Treasure” and featured the songs Celtic Worship/Come Thou Fount and Mark Lowry/House of Gold.

Pastor Billy will be offering Sunday evening Seminary and Psychology classes beginning April 7th at 6:30 pm.  Sign up at the Connection Table.

Happy Birthday to George Carroll on Saturday!  We fondly remember our sweet Mr. Bob Brown in Heaven who was born on St. Patrick’s Day. We still miss him and speak of him often.   If you wish to have your birthday or anniversary listed here, give your information to the piano player a week in avance.

Bob Startz is still in Palos after hospitalization for hernia surgery.  JoAnn Preston had broken elbow surgery Friday and is healing at home now. Deb Corbin is on the mend following surgery.  Charlie Printy and Connie Schuler are still feeling poorly.

If you need prayer, call or text Elder Larry DeSando 24/7 at 815-351-8378.

Thank you for reading, and we’ll see you back here next week at 10:00 a.m to celebrate Palm Sunday. We leave you with an Irish blessing: “May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”

 

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