First Presbyterian Church, Sterling, Illinois Sponsors
Free Worship Workshop led by Keri Sutter, Surgite Sacred Dance
What: Learn about creative movement in worship: singing, clapping, even (really!) dancing.
Why: We are called to live fully in our bodies, praising God with raised hands, joyful movement,
and dance. Learn new songs and new approaches to worship!
Who: This workshop is designed for all God's people! - non-dancers and trained dancers - and for all ages.
If you can sing, walk, clap, or just move from one place to another, this workshop is for you!
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
For more information about the event and to see advertisement click here.
This program is made possible through a Worship Renewal Grant
from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
A CALL TO PRAYER Carol McDonald – Synod Executive
As you are aware, parts of our Synod have been hit with devastating damage in recent days. About 10 days ago, tornado damage ravaged Harrisburg, Illinois, in the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. And then just last Friday, several tornados swept ferociously through southern Indiana, in the Presbytery of Ohio Valley, almost flattening the town of Henryville. You have probably seen pictures of the devastation; Lester Holt of NBC news has been broadcasting from Henryville since Saturday. Ohio Valley’s Executive Presbyter, Susan McGhee, continues to provide regular updates; she and personnel from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance worshipped with the Henryville and Mt. Lebanon saints Sunday morning. Today they are working together to coordinate response to the disaster.
I remember vividly the tornadoes of 1974 that destroyed the church my father-in-law served at the time (Monticello, IN); those same tornadoes did massive damage to the towns of Hanover and Rochester, IN. I remember feeling completely helpless and wanting to do something. And that’s how I have felt since Friday evening – helpless and wanting to do something.
There are some things I believe all of us can do:
1. Pray for the victims of these storms – those who have lost loved ones, and property, and possessions.
2. Pray for those who survived unscathed – those who now feel a natural sense of guilt in the face of their neighbors’ situations.
3. Pray for the Presbyterian churches in the affected communities – their pastors and church leaders – as they reach out to their communities, as they receive the help and encouragement of others.
4. Pray for the leadership of the Presbyteries of Ohio Valley and Southeastern Illinois – as they stand with communities devastated by loss – in order to share the on-going and constant hope of the Gospel.
5. Pray for the personnel of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance – many of whom are volunteers – as they bring unique gifts and skills to this difficult situation.
6. Make an extra-large contribution this year to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering – for a portion of that offering supports P.D.A. To give ... click here.
7. Make an extra gift to P.D.A. – I intend to write my check this very night! To give directly ... click here.
And remember….again and again and again…remember that we are never alone!
God is with us and has surrounded us with the community that is the church of Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God.
 Commissioned Ruling Elder Continuing Education Offered by the Synod of Lincoln Trails for 2012
The Synod of Lincoln Trails is offering continued education to commissioned ruling elders. The Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Highland, Ind. will lead participants through the sacred seasons of the luturgical year. Dr. Reason is a eight-time teacher of preaching and worship leadership to Synod of Lincoln Trails ruling elders.
CRE Continuing Education Dates:
Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, 2012 - N-Fog Interpretation and Pentecost I - Year B
Saturday, August 18, 2012 - Preaching and Worship, Pentecost II - Year B
Friday and Saturday, November 2-3, 2012 - "What I Want to Know Is..." and Preaching & Worship, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany - Year C
SYNOD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Carol McDonald - Synod Executive
The Synod of Lincoln Trails met for the first time in 2012 on Friday, January 27th, at First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, IL.
Highlights of the meeting include:
• Unanimous endorsement of The Rev. Susan Davis Krummel, General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, as a candidate for Moderator of the 220th General Assembly;
• Installation of The Rev. Cheryl Montgomery, Presbytery of Whitewater Valley, as Moderator of the Synod for 2012;
• A fine sermon based on Joshua 24 - preached by out-going Synod Moderator The Rev. Christina Berry of Blackhawk Presbytery;
• Conclusion of a year-long exploration of Journey in the Wilderness by Gil Rendle;
• Laughter and humor as commissioners and others 'oriented' themselves to the history, geography, work, and institutions of the synod;
• Reports from Standing Committees, from the Synod Executive, and from the Stated Clerk; and,
• In the annual meeting of the Corporation, election of the following officers: Marylynn Boatright, President; James Mann, Vice President; Carol McDonald, Secretary/Treasurer.
The next Stated Meeting of the Synod of Lincoln Trails will be July 21, 2012, at the Philo Presbyterian Church, Philo, IL.
Interested on how you can serve the larger Church? The Synod is composed of an equal number of ruling elders and teaching elders called "Commissioners". Commissioners are elected by their presbytery to serve a three-year term, beginning with the convening of the first Synod meeting in the calendar year after they are elected. Commissioners are eligible for re-election for one additional three-year term. Contact your Presbytery office and let the Nominating Committee know of your desire to be considered as a commissioner to Synod.
For questions contact Judy Lucas via email or telephone at (800) 566-5996
FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN NEWS SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS - Jerry L. Van Marter
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Mid Council Commission (formerly Middle Governing Body Commission) has voted unanimously (at their meeting on October 7th in Indianapolis, Indiana) to eliminate synods and vest their ecclesiastical functions in five regional administrative commissions of the General Assembly.
But by a vote of 11-8, the commission rejected a proposal from its constitutional issues group, led by commission chair Tod Bolsinger of Los Ranchos Presbytery, that it recommend “the organization of non-geographic presbyteries and other covenant communities of congregations for missional purposes.”
The issue will almost certainly be revisited when the commission gathers in Dallas in February to prepare its final report to the 220th General Assembly next summer in Pittsburgh.
Under the synod proposal to the Assembly ― including a number of constitutional amendments which will have to be ratified by presbyteries ― the PC(USA) will move to a three-tiered governance system of sessions, presbyteries and the General Assembly. More
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Presbyterian Foundation Offers Innovative Gift Program
