1. Art and Diseño

Palos Plans
February 2015
Volume 60, Number 6
In This Issue

Ash Wednesday

Calendar

Carlton’s Corner

Chancel Flowers

Children’s Ministry

Church Officers

From Pastor John

From the Clerk

Golden Oaks

Music Notes

Session Leadership Teams

Small Groups

VBS 2015

World Service

Youth Ministry
Mark Your Calendars!
March 4
8
11
20
29
Golden Oaks Resumes
Daylight Saving Time Begins
Book Club Changes Days
First Day of Spring
Palm Sunday
From Pastor John...
One of the great scriptures is found in the book of Romans. In Romans 15:5-6 we find these
words, “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with
one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus so that you may with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
That “one voice” is not easy to achieve, and yet the PPPCC church family, is undoubtedly on a
journey where the harmony you have established through the years can be strengthened and
the unity garnished through worshiping together. I am personally looking forward to the unified
worship service on February 1st, and I just got here. I am hearing that lots of you have been
looking forward to this for some time.
Now, I am not musical, but this great scripture alludes to music, so here I go: I think there is
always some dissonance in change and dissonance is about “sound” that at first sounds like it
doesn’t fit in. But great musicians can turn dissonance into harmony. I think that is what many
composers of great music do…but…I am getting beyond my music knowledge! Nonetheless,
the scriptures are clear: God loves harmony and can change dissonance, and when his people
come together to worship we give glory to God.
Let’s enjoy this journey. There may be some discordance, dissonance, or noise along the way,
but what a great thing it is when God brings his people together to praise, to learn and to
share, with “one voice”. I look forward to worship on February 1, when the congregation
worships together, and I just got here.
Well, someone said, ‘Tell us something about you’. That is tough to do. I am not long-winded,
but I am not that young either. I guess the short answer is that I like people and ideas. I have
been involved in most aspects of ministry through the years. I was even an organizing pastor of
a new church development many years ago. That was a tough one. I had to give up a lot of my
expectations fast. But the sense of adventure keeps me going in the ministry, because God
has surprises around every turn. Just when you think you have it managed, it gets rearranged,
and that rearrangement is a great blessing to everyone.
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and although I went to the University of Wisconsin, most of the
members of my family went to Ohio State University. My wife, Barbara grew up in Kalamazoo,
Michigan, but she is careful never to root for the University of Michigan and she dutifully cheers
for Wisconsin. I enjoy Big Ten sports, and I even ‘root’ for Illinois sometimes.
I have a lot of hobbies including gardening ( not so much now ) painting, swimming, training/
boxing and travel. I like psychology and I make a special effort not to mix up psychology and
theology. They don’t mix easily and usually they don’t mix well. I really enjoy spending time
with my grand-daughter Maggie Anderson (she is 8 months old ) and I am looking forward to
my second daughter’s return from Bachrain where she has been teaching English literature in
a private school there. Addie should be home by the middle of February.
I look forward to this interim journey with you. I am praying that God is bringing together “one
voice” for his glory.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
Interim Pastor
What a blessing it is to have our new Interim Pastor aboard. I hope you get a chance to spend some
time with John Curphey He is a wonderful pastor and will be a great help for our church as we go
through this period of transition.
This month is a time of significant transition as we both welcome a new pastor and change our worship
services. I have heard some wonderful feedback from many about the positive elements of moving to a
unified service of worship at 9:30 followed by education at 10:45. However, I am concerned that this
change will negatively impact some of the elderly in our congregation. I ask that you would please help
me to seek out those older members of our church and see if you can assist them in any way to make it
possible for them to worship with us in this new format.
Speaking of the new format, this change allows us to make alterations to the ways in which we
welcome both members and visitors into our space on Sunday mornings. Jerry Niewiadomski has
volunteered to coordinate a new format for greeters and ushers that I am very excited about. Under the
new format, there will be six Welcome Teams that will rotate on Sunday mornings. Each team will have
Co-Captains that will assign its members to various roles including outside greeter and ushers in
various stations. The Welcome Team will also intentionally reach out to visitors both before and after
worship, encouraging further connection with our family of faith. If you would like to be part of a
Welcome Team, please let me or Jerry Niewiadomski know. We would be delighted to have you on
board!
Lent begins next month on February 18. I hope you will consider joining a small group during this
season of journey to the cross. Sign-ups will begin in the coming weeks.
I want to thank the session for the privilege of serving as acting Head of Staff during the time between
Jim Tony's retirement and the arrival of Rev. Curphey. It has been an honor to minister in that capacity
with you, and I look forward to the ministry we have together in this year to come.
In Christ,
Pastor Carlton

PPPCC Takes Care of Their Own
Much is made of our intentional outreach to the community at SON Weekend and SON Christmas. But
did you know that we also work hard to care for our own members when they are in need? Four years
ago a group called MANNA (Members And Neighbors Needing Assistance) was formed to make sure
that those inside our congregation who were hurting could be cared for.
This year, the MANNA team met and were able to provide assistance to a number of families within the
church. We helped with utility bills, car repair bills and sometimes just a little extra cash to help make
ends meet. In 2014, the total amount that MANNA provided for assistance came to $1,247.12.
It is a blessing that we are able to care for one another in this way. Your gifts help us to be able to
continue this ministry of mercy. Thank you again for all the ways you support our congregation and the
mission that Christ has given us here at PPPCC.
Session Leadership Teams
Invite YOU
PPPCC is called by God to
Know God’s Word, Grow in Christ’s love, Go in the Spirit of Service
Session has simplified its structure and cut back on the number of meetings. Leadership Teams focus
on the purpose of our ministries. They keep the Session connected to the various ministries in our body.
They do less paperwork and more prayer. They seek to empower our ministry rather than regulate it.
Shared ownership is one of PPPCC’s core value which engages everyone possible in decision-making.
Come on—we need YOU.
 Administration is responsible for our staff, their care, their direction and their remuneration.
Planning for Session and the church is part of their charge.
 Buildings & Grounds asks how our facilities facilitate our ministry and actually to conform the
physical space to the needs of spiritual ministry.
 Christian Education must envision how best our congregation develops its mature understanding
of God. What should be taught and are we effective in making Christ known at all levels of inquiry?
Those with a heart for seeing the whole congregation grow in knowledge are needed.
 Finance must lead in the development of resources to carry out the vision. Can we do this in such a
way that we acknowledge Jesus Christ in our financial lives and hold ourselves accountable?
 Worship connects us with God. Worship does not just set up the sanctuary, provide ushers,
manage the worship order, provide communion, etc. Its mission is to engage our congregation in
making the connection with God that really matters.
 Missions enables our congregation to be world Christians—to participate with God’s people on
every continent to share the Good News—and to engage us in participatory missions here and
elsewhere. Those with motivation are sought to care for the world to engage our congregation in
Christ’s universal commission.
 Hospitality is the combination of Fellowship and Outreach in recognition that we need to be
receptive in many different ways to each other and to our visitors. The vision behind this Leadership
Team is to provide a welcome to newcomers and to make sure that our congregation is making
connections one with another.
 The GO Team has emerged as a work in development. Teammates in the vision process will lead
to a genuine extension of the Gospel to those who are not members of the Kingdom (or of another
church) already.
 Publicity - Help develop this needed service for our whole congregation by informing our
community of our services and ministries.

I will support our Session members by showing up at the meetings and engaging my gifts for ministry in
the team(s) selected above. I understand I will be contacted after the
Session Organizational Meeting.
Name _______________________________________ Phone _______________________

Deacons invite your service on the Funeral Committee, which serves the family of deceased members
and friends by providing for receptions following funerals and memorial services.
This is a vital ministry that needs help from many people.
Name _______________________________________ Phone _______________________
CHANGE! Nobody likes it but a wet baby!
We seem to be surrounded by change. Since
January 1, David preached about it, Matt Z. prayed
about it, and even the producers of Downton Abbey,
my favorite TV show, said this season (set in 1924) is
about “an era of change.” Mr. Carson, the usually
unflappable butler, feels “the earth is shaking under
my feet” and stuffy Lord Grantham is dragged kicking
and screaming into the era of the newfangled
wireless (radio) protesting “it will never become
popular.”
will add energy and enthusiasm. Seeing each other
face-to-face will help keep us connected. It will test
our tolerance. Now is not the time to say, “If I have to
listen to drums/if I have to sing stodgy old hymns,
I’m…” All music praises God and surely for the good
of the family we can respect each other’s preferences
in music or style.
Weather extremes, politics in Illinois, frightening
events worldwide all rattle us. And the institution we
look to for stability in our lives – the church – seems
as subject to change as everything else. What are
we to do?
Having worship first and Christian Education after
allows those families who have other Sunday
obligations the opportunity to attend church first.
Choir members will not have to miss the last ten
minutes of a class in order to prepare for worship.
And having class time later allows for the possibility
of a longer discussion time and/or small group even
extending into lunch if they so choose. If we as a
church truly want to “know God’s word” and “grow
new life” we will have many opportunities.
First, we need to remember Matthew 6:25-34: “Do not
worry. The Lord knows your needs. … can you by
worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” And
what is not changing: “Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
By the time you read this the Session will have met
with the Presbytery Listening Team in our ongoing
process of transition. An update on where we are in
this process will be given at the congregation’s
Annual Meeting on February 8.
Change can be a good thing. It causes us to
consider what we value, and what needs to be
improved. The change to a single worship service on
Sunday is good and necessary. Being all together
My prayer continues to be “Lord, keep us strong,
keep us together, keep us faithful.”
Nancy Rode, Clerk
2015
CHURCH OFFICERS
ELDERS
CLASS OF 2015
Suzy Alfini
Lynn Lochow
Walter Schindler
Tyler Smith
CLASS OF 2016
Lisa Brumbaugh
Jerry Niewiadomski
Don Potter
Tim Robieson
Nancy Rode
CLASS OF 2017
John Dolan
Kristin Kruzich
Amy Murray
Mary O’Connor
Randy Ytterberg
DEACONS
CLASS OF 2015
Shirley Anderson
Lori Goral
Melissa Klockow
Debbie Muldowney
CLASS OF 2016
Sandy Butler
Amber Chapman
Graham Drenth
Audrey Piotrowski
Kathy Stanek
CLASS OF 2017
Michael Alioto
Judy Goral
Rosemary Harris
Penny MacDonald
Anita Stocks
Martha Zatkalik
If you are curious to know what type of music to expect at our 9:30 service, be prepared for a broad
range of instrumentation! In addition to our devoted organist Ralph Pugh, we have gifted
instrumentalists and singers in our congregation as well as from the surrounding community and we will
have the joy of employing those gifts as it best suits the expression of our faith and supports the
Message of the day. Here is a peek at some of the music to expect in at our new worship time during
the month of February:
Sunday, February 1:
Chancel Choir & Praise Band (both ensembles will participate on a fairly
regular basis)
Sunday, February 8:
Children's Handchime Choir & guest violinist Samantha May
Wednesday, February 18: (Ash Wednesday): Guest oboist Anna Velzo
Sunday, February 22:
Chancel Choir, Children's Choirs & Adult Handbell Choir
Peace and Grace,
Megan Marshall
NEW
SERVICE
TIMES!
This Lent we will have an all church
small group series based on
Jesus’ “I AM” statements.
Lent is Wednesday,
February 18th – Thursday, April 2nd
Stay tuned for dates, times and leaders
for the different groups.
“We seek to become a community
of vibrant believers…”
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Upcoming Dates for Children
February 1
February 8
February 18
February 20
February 22
March 13
April 26
June 22 - 26
Education Hour moves to 10:45 a.m.
Hand Chimes ring in Worship
Ash Wednesday program, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Dinner and a Movie night, “The Jungle Book”
Children sing in Worship
Dinner and a Movie Night
Children’s Musical, “100% Chance of Rain”
VBS
Dinner and a Movie Night
February 20
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Movie: Jungle Book
Dinner: Jungle drumsticks, broccoli trees, cheetah
Cheetos, ants on a log, bug juice, and a special safari
dessert. Cost: $2.00/person
Children may wear their pajamas and bring a sleeping
bag/blanket and pillow to use during the movie.
First Wednesday Book Club
Youth Club
Valentine’s Party
Wednesday, February 11
7:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Make plans to be attend the party
as we discuss the love of God,
play games, eat snacks,
and make a craft.
February 4, at 6:45 p.m.
in the Church Library
The book for February is,
The Great Divorce,
by C.S. Lewis
This extraordinary book is
an allegory about a bus
trip to heaven and hell.
Topics discussed include
good and evil, and grace
and judgment. Please
read the book and bring
your reflections to the
February meeting and
discuss them with others.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Education Hour is Moving…
Beginning February 1, 2015, Education Hour will be from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. each Sunday.
Same great program, same great teachers, same location, new time.
Join Us!
Classes for children, youth, and adults!





Study God’s Word
Grow in your faith
Make new friends
Pray together
Build a life together with
other Christians
VBS 2015
June 22 - 26
9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Mark your calendar now so you can join us at Son Spark Labs
where children will explore God’s life-changing plan for them
as they find out the answers to life’s most important questions.
They will discover that God loves them and that through Jesus they can be members of God’s
family and personally experience God’s plan for each of us - God’s Plan 4 U = Jesus!
Vision: Helping Students Write their Stories
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
WF (Senior High)
We meet on Friday, February 13th at 1:00 pm sharp!
Back Home on Monday, February 16th at 2:00 pm
Mission Trip
Parent and student informational meeting on
Sunday, February 8th at 5:00 pm
Dates of trip are June 7-13
Upcoming Events
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
NO WF
WF
NO WF - Retreat
WF
LOL (Junior High)
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
NO LOL (Super Bowl)
LOL
NO LOL (WF on Retreat)
LOL
Great Escape Summer Camp
July 13-18
Interested? Talk to Bob Van Baren
708-448-5220 (church)
708-601-1060 (cell) or
[email protected]
Our Sympathy to...
...Violetta Gentile on the death of her daughter,
Barbara Van Beek, right after Christmas.
Bulletins Far & Near...


John Knox Village Vespers
Orange City, FL  Tim & Cathy Robieson
His Place Church
Post Falls, ID  Tim & Cathy Robieson
Annual
Congregational Meeting
Sunday - February 8, 2015
Following the
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
The next meeting of Golden Oaks
will be on March 4, 2015.
Golden Oaks will not be meeting in
February in an effort to keep our Seniors
safe during these months when the
weather can be frightful!
All ladies are welcome to join our World
Service group. The group meets on the
second Tuesday of the month in Fellowship
Hall. The next meeting will be on February
10, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Come early, if you can, to help set up the
sewing machines and work stations. You
don’t need to know how to sew to participate.
There is something for everyone to do.
Projects include little girl’s dresses, lap
throws for nursing homes, cutting and sorting
soup labels and other items for donation.
WANTED: sample size shampoos and
conditioners, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bars
of soap, Campbell’s soup labels, box tops for
education. Place your donations in the
Campbell’s Soup container in the church
office.
Working together in fellowship is a fine way
to start our day! Please join us. Bring your
lunch…a sandwich, salad or yogurt.
Beverages and dessert will be provided by
the hostess.
PALOS PLANS
is published monthly by
Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church
[exception: combined summer issue]
Susan M. Schmidt, Editor
Submit news items to:
12312 S. 88th Avenue
Palos Park, Illinois 60464
708.448.5220  Fax 708.448.5331
e-mail: [email protected]
NEXT DEADLINE: February 15
hancel
lowers
Following is the flower calendar for 2015. There are several open dates throughout the year. Flowers
will be ordered from Sid’s Flowers and More, ranging from $30 to $55 for cut flowers or a flowering
plant. As always, the flowers may be taken home at the end of the second service. If you are
interested in reserving one of the open dates, or if you would like to make a change, please call Lynn
Lochow (708) 671-2112 or Anita Stocks (708) 496-0908.
JANUARY
4
11
18
25
-
22 -
-
29
OPEN DATE
Joyce Franklin
Jim& Melissa Klockow
OPEN DATE
- Carol Coners
Carl & Pat Marusarz
- Suzy & Juice Alfini
- Leah Imwalle
Tim & Leanne O’Connell
- OPEN DATE
- OPEN DATE
JUNE
-
OPEN DATE
Beatrice Mahaffay
Shirley Anderson
OPEN DATE
JULY
5
12
19
26
-
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
PALM SUNDAY
APRIL
5
12
19
26
6
7
OPEN DATE
Steve & Lisa Brumbaugh 14
21
Shirley Carlson
28
Joyce Franklin
Lois Wiest
MARCH
1
8
15
22
SEPTEMBER
3
OPEN DATE
Terry & Anita Stocks
Dan & Margaret Costello 10
17
Beatrice Mahaffay
Theresa McKanna
24
31
FEBRUARY
1 8 15 -
MAY
-
EASTER LILIES
Wayne & Linda Luhn
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
- Dolly Olsby
Terry & Anita Stocks
13 - OPEN DATE
20 - World Service Group
27 - OPEN DATE
OCTOBER
4
11
18
25
-
Terry & Anita Stocks
OPEN DATE
Ralph & Karen McCurdy
OPEN DATE
NOVEMBER
1 8 15 2229 -
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
Lou & Sue Zuanella
OPEN DATE
AUGUST
DECEMBER
2
9
16
23
30
6
13
20
27
-
Shirley O’Daniell
OPEN DATE
OPEN DATE
Audrey Klie
Barb Dahl
-
Nancy Hill
POINSETTIAS
POINSETTIAS
OPEN DATE
Pal o s Park Pres by terian C om m un ity Ch urch
Sunday
Monday
NEW SERVICE
TIMES!!
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
9:30am Worship
Geoff Carroll
Speaking
10:45am Education
Hour
9
5:00pm Parents &
Students
Mission Trip
Meeting
6:30pm LOL & WF
9:30am Worship
10:45am Education
Hour
15
22
\ 6:30pm LOL & WF
Church Night
Includes:
5:45 pm
6:15 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
10
16
Hand Chime Choir
Children’s Choirs
Chancel Choir
Adult Electives
Youth Club
17
23
18
24
5:45pm Church
Night
6
12
13
19
9:00am Hospitality
9:00am Creative
Arts
Worship
Team
7
14
WF Winter Retreat (returning Monday)
20
21
6:00pm Dinner and a
Movie Night
7:00pm Stephen
Ministry
25
Saturday
5
7:00pm Administration
7:00 pm Missions
5:45pm Dinner
7:00pm Service
7:00pm Session
Friday
7:00pm B & G
7:00pm Stephen
Ministry
11
5:45pm Church
Night
7:00pm Worship
WF Winter Retreat (returning Monday)
FIRST SUNDAY
IN LENT
9:30am Worship
10:45am Education
Hour
9:30am
4
5:45pm Church
Night
6:45pm First
Wednesday
Book Club
7:00pm C.E.
8
9:30am Worship
10:45am Congregational
Meeting
10:45am Education
Hour for Kids
Thursday
26
27
28
CHURCH STAFF
Ext.
John Curphey ..................................Interim Pastor (11)
[email protected]
David Carlton.............................. Associate Pastor (12)
[email protected]
Maggie Downs ...... Director of Children’s Ministry (13)
[email protected]
Bob Van Baren ............ Director of Youth Ministry
[email protected]
Palos Park Presbyterian
Community Church
Non-Profit Organization
12312 South 88th Avenue
Palos Park, IL 60464
(15)
Megan Marshall........Director of Music & Worship (16)
[email protected]
Susan Schmidt ...................... Executive Assistant (10)
[email protected]
Dorothy Wertzbaugher........... Assistant Secretary (14)
[email protected]
Linda Kuhn ........ Youth Ministry Admin. Assistant (22)
[email protected]
Donna Parker ......................................Comptroller (22)
[email protected]
Ralph A. Pugh .......................................... Organist
[email protected]
SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
10:45 a.m. Education Hour
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
CHURCH PHONE & WEBSITE
708-448-5220  FAX: 708-448-5331
www.pppcc.org
We Are A STEPHEN MINISTRY Congregation
February 18, 2015
Supper & Service
Join us for Supper
at 5:45 p.m.
and stay for the Ash Wednesday Service
at 7:00 p.m.
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO.1