KIRK OF THE LAKES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH s w e n k r i The K March 2014 So Unlike the Advent Story This season of our faith from Ash Wednesday to Easter the season of reflection, of Lent so unlike the Advent Story No angels, no shepherds, no magi traveling under a star The story of our savior purposefully following his master's call walking the dusty road to the city of David his day of reckoning in Jerusalem Painful for the faithful these days leading to the cross aware, like the tax collector, of the depth of our sin Understanding the price he paid only in part, knowing only from our perspective what it meant to descend from heaven to go from a king to the man on the cross walking the earth as a mortal when he was the son of God Joy at the end of the story these days leading to his glory rising, defeating death and sin our lives forever blessed But drawing into prayer, fasting and studying mindful of the horrible price my savior paid for me Inside this issue: Season of Lent 2 One Great Hour 2 Special Event 3 Session Notes 3 Wee Kirk News 4 Per Capita. 4 Counter Hints 4 Our Deacons 7 Birthdays & Anniversary 6 On the Light Side 6 Daylight Saving starts March 9th By Raymond Frost PAGE 2 THE KIRK NEWS The Season of Lent Lent is marked by prayer and commemoration of Jesus' Passion and death. In that way it prepares us for real celebration of Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent. We refer to them as Sundays "in" Lent, as opposed to Advent, wherein we refer to the Sundays "of" Advent. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness facing the Temptation, preparing for his ministry and vocation of dying for the sin of the world. Christians use this period of time for especially rigorous introspection, self-examination, and repentance, although these disciplines should be a part of every Christian's life at all times and seasons. Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday, is the first day of the Season of Lent. This year it was March 5. Its name comes from the practice of placing ashes on worshippers’ foreheads as a reminder of their mortality, a sign of humility before God, and a symbol of mourning and sorrow that sin brings into the world. It prefigures the mourning the death of Jesus will bring. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christian. Adapted from “The Season of Lent” Dennis Bratcher One Great Hour of Sharing Lent is a great time for prayer and reflection. If you would like a daily devotion, pick up a copy of Our Daily Bread found in the lobby available year round. There are many devotionals on Biblegateway.com which are free also. One is 40 Day Journey with Die- trich Bonhoeffer. Take the time to rest and be quiet to walk in your heart that dusty road with our Lord. Once again the Kirk will participate in this annual offering, which many of us remember from our childhood. The children are receiving offering boxes and there are envelopes for adults. If you lose or do not receive an OGHS envelope, you may use one of the "Special Offering" envelopes in your box of envelopes and mark it and the Memo blank of your check: "One Great Hour of Sharing," or "OGHS." This offering goes to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and to the self-development of disadvantaged people and communities. PCUSA has published the list of self-development efforts in greater Chicago funded by OGHS. Please consider making this offering part of your Lenten devotion. We will dedicate the offering on Easter Day. PAGE 3 Special Event at the Kirk - Sunday, March 9, 3 pm We are thrilled to announce that Jon and Paddy Lynn will perform at the Kirk. We will hear their version of the Spoon River collection of short free-form poems. The poems tell us of the epitaphs of the residents of a fictional small town of Spoon River, named after the real Spoon river that ran near the author, Edward Lee Masters’ home town. The aim of the poems is to help us understand what the rural small town American life was like. Jon and Paddy will be accompanied by musician, Patti Ecker. Don’t miss this wonderful performance on Sunday, March 9 at 3pm right here at the Kirk. Bring a friend. Session Notes Session Our Session met on Saturday March 1, 2014, moderated by the Rev. Anne Fisher. Tina Cox - Adult, Children & Youth Christian Education A few brief notes: Lori Smith - Building & Grounds  Bill Anderson - Building & Schedule Administration  Seeking teachers for adult Ed. and High School Class. No Sunday School on Easter. Approved funds to repair rear gym exterior doors. Classroom repairs of ceiling/roof being looked into.  Thank you to Jacki & Jacob Hallendorff for paint and repairs in west restrooms.  Frans Dubois will be representative from Session to Wee Kirk Board.  Increased Lori Kaushagen’s hours to Tues.,Thurs, Fri., 10 am to 5 pm  Jan Edmiston succeeded in waiver of “vacancy dues” for 2-28-14 of $1,100.  Working on web site and social media  Forming a committee– so far Frans Dubois, Bill Anderson, Derek Hampson, Susan Zentz possibly one more will contact Jan Edmiston for interim and temporary candidates The next Stated Session Meeting is Saturday, April 5, 2014. Jacki Hallendorff—Church Growth & Outreach Jess Pruess - Finance George Griffith - Mission Frans Dubois - Personnel Judy Fitchett - Stewardship & Congregational Care Pauline Wagner - Worship & Prayer Derek Hampson - Elder at Large If you have questions, concerns or suggestions please talk with your Session members. PAGE 4 THE KIRK NEWS Wee Ki rk Presch ool Ne ws 2014 Per Capita $31.18 per each member Through per capita, Presbytery of Chicago churches:      Help congregations with pastoral transitions Train and support interim ministers Resolve congregational conflicts Care for ministers and Christian Educators and their families Help prepare people for service as ordained ministers The Kirk is responsible for paying for each member. Helpful Hints from our counters: 1. Please don’t use scotch tape on your envelopes 2. Please round off your dollar amount. 3. Please indicate on your check where it is to go. Thank you for your consideration! Wee Kirk staff and students are ready for warmer temperatures and spring activities! During the month of March the classrooms will learn about community helpers, with visits from the fire and police departments. Each department talks to the children about safety, and the children enjoy having the opportunity to climb aboard the fire truck and have their picture taken. During March the children also learn about St. Patrick's Day, and we celebrate the 100th day of school. March is the birthday month of Dr. Seuss and we will be doing some special reading activities. Parents may sign up to read their favorite book to their child's class, and each child will bring home a reading log and are encouraged to record five books that they read with their parents. The month ends with spring break the week of March 24th, and we return to school on March 31st. Looking ahead to April, the children will have an Easter celebration, learn about Earth Day, space, the weather and Spring. Our classrooms will also teach the children about handicaps, and we will have a Hop-a-thon for Muscular Dystrophy. By participating in the program we hope that the door has been opened to an exciting and meaningful experience for the children in one of life's most important lessons - helping others. We are once again offering summer camps. With all of the cold and snowy weather, the districts in the area have extended the school year to make up the missed days. In response, we will be offering five camps this summer with three in June and two in July. The first camp will begin the week of June 2nd to offer our families a fun and safe activity while siblings are still in school. Registration is now open to our current Wee Kirk families and will open to the public in April. Registration for the 2014-2015 school year is ongoing. Please continue to spread the word about our wonderful program to any young families you know! Anyone interested in enrolling please see Jenny, or contact her at 847-949-8671 or at [email protected]. God's blessings! Becky Minehart Wee Kirk Treasurer PAGE 5 Our Deacons Looking ahead to Nelleke Dubois - Moderator & Visitation Jo Anderson - Secretary Judy Piontowski,- Treasurer & Food Pantry Katy Cali - Session Liaison & Correspondence Doug Cox - Report Deacon Activities to the Kirk Monthly Pamela Hegg - Prayer Chain Lori Kaushagen - Organizer of Special Needs with Jo Sarah Lynn - Correspondence & Assists Nelleke David Weitzel - Photographic History of the Kirk Even though all the Deacons have positions, they all work together where and when needed. This past month 2 $25 gas cards were given out; several people in need have stopped by to use the food Pantry; transportation has been given for doctor appointments, grocery shopping, errands, etc. You may have noticed the table in between the front doors. Drop off items on the table and if need be take any items. This is in addition to the Food Pantry just off the kitchen. The food pantry needs some replenishing. Any nonperishable items including toiletries. Especially canned fruit and spaghetti sauces are needed now. Passion/Palm Sunday Sunday, April 13 Good Friday Tennebrae Communion-Service 7pm March 18 Easter Resurrection of the Lord Breakfast 9:00 am Worship 10:15 am March 20 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Collected Easter lily Cross Help beautiful the sanctuary for Easter by providing an Easter lily for our traditional Easter Cross. The cost is $9.00 and you may take your lily home following the service. Fill out the form found in Sunday’s bulletin or call the church office—847-949-8670. PAGE 6 KIRK OF THE LAKES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1500 W. Hawley Street Mundelein Illinois 60060 Phone: 847-949-8670 Fax: 847-9498673 E-mail: [email protected] Andrea Aneth Villa ….. March 3 Wee Kirk Pre School Phone: 847-9498671 Nicollle Gerle ….. March 8 Jacob Hallendorff ….. March 1 STAFF . . . . . Pamela Hegg, Music Director Jenny Laird, Wee Kirk Director Lori Smith, Clerk of Session Charlene Churchill, Treasurer Bill Frye, Financial Secretary Lori Kaushagen, Administrative Assistant Jo Anderson, Marilyn Turner, David Weitzel, Office Volunteers Catherine Gilbert ….. March 22 Charlene Churchill ….. March 22 Sheila Carey ….. March 25 Shirley Frye ….. March 25 James Hallendorff …... March 27,1990 Anniversary Blessings! Robert and Carla Wakid March 2 Frederich and Odra Gerle March 21 Did you notice? Many of you may have received a flyer in the mail from the College of Lake County with a picture of the Gospel Choir on it. Our Music Director, Pamela Hegg, is on the far right. If you would like to enjoy the performance it is on March 16 at 4pm at the college. You will enjoy every minute. Please note: If any Birthdays or Anniversaries are incorrect or missing please call or email the church office to let us know. Thank you! On the light Side PUNS FOR EDUCATED MINDS  I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.  A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.  No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.  The fattest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size form too much pi.  Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.  Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: ”You stay here; I’ll go on a head.”