epulse: January 29, 2010

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Discover Your Spiritual Gifts: Lenten All-Church Study

The Apostle Paul talks about the subject of spiritual gifts given to Christians. Spiritual gifts and gifts-based ministry are the foundations for understanding how the church is meant to operate, and for understanding our individual roles within the church. 

For the six Sundays in Lent, beginning February 21, 2PC will offer an all-church study  during the Christian Education (CE) hour on the topic of spiritual gifts. This will help us put into action how we can learn the word and love the world. We will be using the book, Discover Your Gifts And Learn How to Use Them by Alvin J. Vander Griend. This study will be led by the small group ministry, the volunteer ministry and adult CE.

The  study will seek to answer the following questions: What are spiritual gifts? What does Scripture tell us about them? Who receives them and how? What are my spiritual gifts? Why am I given spiritual gifts and what am I supposed to do with them?

At the end of the course, we will explore what 2PC is doing to help members align their gifts with service opportunities in the church and the world.  Join us to learn about God's special gifts and how we can use them to advance God's kingdom.

Registration for this event starts January 31 and sign up forms will be available in the South entry. Please contact Sue or Barby at sue.taulbee@secondpres.info or barby.pratt-mecherle@secondpres.info with questions.

Haiti Relief Collection

Thank you to all who contributed to the Haiti relief effort. 2PC was able to give $20,008 in aid!

Everyone's Invited

2PC Annual Meeting (1/31)
There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 10:10am in Fellowship Hall to receive the annual report and vote on the pastors' terms of call. All members should be in attendance and all visitors are welcome.

Feed the Hungry Food Drive (Going on Now)
Nationally, the demand on food pantries is up 30% in the last two years, and the Western Avenue Community Center (WACC) pantry is struggling to keep stock on their shelves. The WACC feeds over 400 families a month, and many are single parent families with small children. To help meet this need, Second Pres is beginning another food drive, and our goal is to collect 3500 items! You can either bring in groceries, buy a bag of groceries at 2PC or make a monetary contribution. The WACC pantry is in need of dry and canned beans, macaroni, hot and cold cereals, canned fruit, all kinds of pastas, powdered milk products and rice. The Feed the Hungry Food Drive will end on Feb. 14 and the food will be delivered on Ash Wednesday (2/17).

The Souper Bowl of Caring (2/7)
Turn Super Bowl weekend into a way to love the world! 2PC.YM is hosting the Souper Bowl of Caring, a program designed to fight hunger and poverty in local communities. Visit www.souperbowl.org for more information. 2PC.YM will collect a small cash donation ($1 or $2 per person is the suggested donation) following the services on February 7. The collected donation will be given to Jesus Coffee House. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Adult Events

Parents' Night Out (2/12, Sign up deadline: 2/7)
Kids enjoy an evening of crafts, games and pizza while you enjoy some time to yourself! Parents' Night out is Friday, February 12, from 5:30-8:30pm and is for children 6-months-old through 5th grade. The cost is $10 per child with a maximum of $25 per family. Also, bring a canned food item for the Feed the Hungry Food Drive and get $2 off. If you have any questions, please email ashley.barnish@secondpres.info. The sign up deadline is Sunday, February 7. A minimum of 15 participants is needed.

Blood Drive (2/10)
50% of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than 5% actually donate. Why?  Because they've never been asked. Consider yourself invited to donate blood on Wednesday, February 10 at 2PC anytime between 2 -7pm. Sign up for a time at the Welcome Center between services today and look forward to the satisfaction of saving up to three lives with the blood you will donate. Chef Paul's homemade chicken noodle soup and biscuits will be available to donors.

JOY Program (2/12)
Come celebrate “Abe's” birthday! Both Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln will be in attendance and Gary and Carol Simpkins will present. Punch will be served at 10:30am and the program will begin at 11am. Those interested in staying for the 12pm Friday Prayer Lunch should RSVP to Kim Pare at 828.6297.

Membership Exploration Course (2/18-21)
Whether you've been visiting Second Pres for a while and want to make it your church home, or are wondering why anyone would join a church in the first place, you're invited to the upcoming Membership Exploration Course. The course is required to become a 2PC member, but more importantly, it's an opportunity to learn about church membership, to be introduced to 2PC's vision by the pastoral staff and to get to know other people that are interested in joining 2PC. There is a kickoff dinner on Thursday, Feb. 18, followed by a class on Saturday, Feb. 20. On Sunday, Feb. 21, new members are introduced to the congregation during services. Please email dean.kladder@secondpres.info to register for the class or with questions. You can also go online to www. secondpres.info/visitors-center/exploring-membership for more information.

Youth Events

Due to the Winter Retreat, High School Fellowship Will Not Meet Sunday, Jan. 31.

Super Bowl Party (2/7)
Are you ready to touchdown for football, food and fun? This February's BIG event is a Super Bowl party and all high school students and their friends are invited! The main meal will be provided and students with last names beginning with A-M are asked to bring a bag of chips, and students with last names beginning with N-Z are asked to bring a dessert. The party starts at 5pm on Super Bowl Sunday at the Secord house (5 London Ct., Bloomington 61704).

Kids' Events

Preschool Registration (Going on Now)
It's Preschool registration time at Second Presbyterian Church! Those interested in preschool for children between the ages of 15-months and 4-years-old should contact Marijane at 828.6297 or marijane.galvan@secondpres.info. Also, please visit the preschool page of our website (www.secondpres.info) to download an application.

Wanted

Have a Heart for Women's Ministry?
2PC is currently seeking women of all ages to join the newly forming women's ministry team. This team will discuss and help program women's ministry at 2PC. If you are interested in bringing your talents to the ministry or have questions, contact Tiffany at tiffany.ward@secondpres.info or 828.6297.