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Knox News April 2020
During this time please visitknoxpres.org or click on the above
graphic for updates on events.
Knox Stewardship and CashManagement Council Update
Click the graphic for more details
Ways To Help
Mission Update
A Note From Pastor PatJohn Hanning Speke is not an immediatelyrecognizable name for most of us. In 1858,Speke and his expedition co-partner,Richard Burton (not the actor of 20thCentury fame), set out to find the source ofthe Nile River. Speke was the first Europeanto see Lake Victoria which he took to be thesource. A year later, on another trek, heproved that to be true.
Among many noteworthy articles about lifein this Coronavirus chapter, one caught myattention last week. Researchers have beenable to identify the RNA sequence ofCOVID-19 back to its source in a 25-year-old man who had been in Wuhan Provincein China and returned to his home in thestate of Washington on January 15th. Fromthat source, scientists have tracked how thisparticular strain branched out in the US andother parts of the world.
This leads me, paradoxically, to noticeanother trajectory, one of a totally differentkind, one for which we can be immenselygrateful. It is the trajectory of love and carethat we feel toward one another and that weshow to one another within the Knoxcommunity and beyond. It’s the love thatdeepens our affection for everyone so welook for ways to shelter-in-place andpractice physical distancing for our ownwell-being and for that of others. It’s whatmoves us to seek out ways to make
As we adapt to our new normal, I want toassure our congregation that we are still onthe forefront alongside our Missionpartners. We are very grateful for the abilityto keep up our Mission commitments, whichare so important. We are finding creativeways to stay involved in vital ministryaround us. Someone recently sent me anemail stating: "The church building may beclosed but the people have been deployed!"
I stand in awe with a grateful heart for thecontinued support of Mission through on-going gifts to Knox. Thank you Knox team!Bless you all,Pastor Cindy
Loaves & Fishes NeedsSelect Virtual Food Drive
Donate online - on Knox website andselect fund Loaves & Fishes
Hesed House Updated NeedsView current needs or donate directly
Please Pray for everyone preparing anddelivering food, as well as for the guests
Donate online - on Knox website andselect fund Hesed House
Drive & Drop - Fill A Truck Sunday!Put your items in your trunk, drive to Knoxand drop them off without leaving your car.
Click the graphic for more details.
During this difficult time, many of ourneighbors are in great need. On behalf of
meaningful connections hour-by-hour andday-by-day.
The source of this love and care is, ofcourse, the heart of God who loves withoutlimit and without fail. May we all, even as wedeal with our own individual needs andcircumstances, remember we are carriers ofthe heartfelt connection we all need. I praythat Knox will live this out in ever-deepeningways that show up in the most extraordinaryplaces as the love of God spreads throughus to everyone.
Pat
Sermon Theme For May"The God Who is Near"
None of us likely could have imagined livingunder the restrictions that have been set forus over these past two months: no closerthan six feet from others, fewer than tenpeople in any gathering, essential travelonly. It has been bizarre. It has beennecessary under a strategy that is intendedto keep as many of us as healthy aspossible in the face of a worldwide viralthreat.
We were not made for isolation. Theopening pages of the Bible paint a picture ofhumans created to be in relationship withGod and with each other, a way of lifeaffirmed as both “good” and “very good.”Then a fracturing occurred as Adam andEve are depicted as mutineers, those whodid not stay to their appointed place. Theirmutiny breaks fellowship with God and leadsto their being thrust out of the life Godintended them to enjoy forever.
Right on the heals of this forced distance,God begins to show up over and over again.The insatiable, relentless love of God isconstantly on display as people are alertedto the existence of God and to the ways ofGod. Some people have typified God as faroff, uninvolved, uncaring and disinterestedin us humans and our world. That’s not whatthe Bible tells us at all.
Knox, the Mission Council has designatedadditional funds from its budget to help afew of our mission partners: Loaves &Fishes, Wayside Cross, and Hesed House.
These partners are serving those who areespecially hard hit during this time, and weare grateful that Knox can help supportthem.
Please contact Mission Council EldersRachel Koritala or Suzanne Harris withany questions.
Click on the Prayer Ministry Graphic to viewthe prayers for our Congregation. It isupdated every Friday.
Send prayer requests to:[email protected]
Stephen MinistersStephen Ministers are here to serve youduring this difficult time. They are lay peopletrained in Christian caregiving. They areavailable to any person experiencing a widerange of needs or crises. They offerencouragement and support through timesof both joy and concern. It's a one-on-onelistening and praying time. Please callPastor Cindy 630-369-9197 or [email protected]
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions withall kinds of prayers and requests. With thisin mind, be alert and always keep prayingfor all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18
Ways To Stay Connected
Over a period of about 1,000 years, songswere written by various people that affirm inalmost every line that God is, above all,intimately invested in us and in our world. Ina time when pandemic has kept us apart,we might think God is apart from us as well.Nothing could be further from the truth. Theancient Jewish songbook, what we know asthe book of Psalms, celebrates God isalways very, very near.
In times of need, people from all walks oflife seek out the comfort of this songbook.Between now and summer, we’re going todo a countdown of the five most-searched-out Psalms. As we look into the lyrics ofeach one, we will see God and ourselvesmore clearly. Each one will invite us tojoyously affirm God’s desire to be in closerelationship with us and all people.Separated from one another as we havebeen, now is a great time to remember “TheGod Who is Near.”
May 3 - “God Knows” - Psalm 139
May 10 - “God Helps” - Psalm 121
May 17 - “God Saves" - Psalm 27
May 24 - Memorial Day Sunday“God Protects” - Psalm 91
May 31 - Pentecost Sunday!“God Shepherds” - Psalm 23
Some Songs For Week One
Hello Love by Sanctus Real
He Knows by Jeremy Camp
Psalm 139 (You Are There) by MercyMe
Pray For Others
Upper Room DevotionalIf you would like an Upper Room theywill be inside the box outside the frontdoors at church. There are limitedcopies left for May - June issue.
Zoom Bible StudyContact [email protected]
Zoom Kids Bible StudyContact [email protected]
Zoom Young Adult Bible StudyContact [email protected]
VBSClick Here for updates.Stay tuned for a new summer plan.
G3 Virtual GatheringInterested in joining?Contact [email protected]
Scripture Readers For WorshipIf interested in reading scripture forWorship please [email protected]
Summer Sunday SchoolHelpersClick Here for more details orContact [email protected]
Other Resources For Kids
Knox Kids Group On Facebook
Children's Day Out OnFacebook
You are invitedWe would like to invite you to have a casualconversation with Pastor Pat. While it wouldbe nice to have it on a park bench or at acoffee shop, it will need to be throughFaceTime, Zoom or a phone call while wepractice “physical distancing.”
A topic of discussion could be oneof the following: * hear your story * catch up on life * consider what God is up to in your life * consider what God is up to at Knox * consider what God is up to in thecommunity * consider where God might want you to make a difference
When: Monday & Thursday mornings orTuesday & Wednesday afternoons
Schedule a time by contacting:Bev Mayer at [email protected] or630-202-5097 7
Click graphic to view Midweek Meditations
Need Assistance?Knox has a committed group of volunteersand staff that want to provide whateverassistance is needed. Please email
Agape LoveA box has been set up outside of the maindoors of Knox. Everyone is welcome to putnotes, pictures or little crafts in the box thatwill be given to various members in ourcongregation that may need more love rightnow and something to make them smile.
You can sign your name on them or leavethem anonymous.
Let's spread the love of Christ to each otherand be God's hands and feet during thistime!
Thank You Letter FromJana Minor of Companions JourneyingTogether:
She wrote to thank the members of Knox forour help with the annual Christmas Cardproject for prisoners. Because of ourwitness in this quiet way 2500 cards weremailed to those incarcerated and over11,000 signed cards were delivered to jails,juvenile facilities and others confined. Aspecial thank you to Mary Ellen (Mimi)Neumeister for her coordinating efforts.Thank you Knox for your visible reminderthat God's love does make a difference inso many lives!
Thank You & Blessings,Pastor Cindy
The church office is closed butif you need assistance please
call the church office630-615-4324 or email
Other places to view is Facebook orKnox Presbyterian Church Youtube
Channel
Contributions Can Still Be Mailed To KnoxContributions Can Still Be Mailed To KnoxWe are still collecting incoming mail at Knox, so if you normally send in your
contributions by mail please continue to do so.
Contribute Now
Each Week we will upload a new Bulletin, Prayer Card and Sunday School Activities toknoxpres.org and also send info through an email blast on Saturday.
Happenings at Knox
Procedures to pick up flowers at Knox.Please display your name in the dash ofyour car. Open your trunk and a volunteerwill put your order in the car.
If you would like your order to be deliveredto you please emailDee Dee Porter
There are limited extras available.
Congrats 2020 SeniorsAs you may have heard, Knox Presbyterianis keeping its facilities closed throughout themonth of May. This means theBaccalaureate Service, originally scheduledfor May 23rd, has been postponed.
Youth and Young Adult Council are busybrainstorming ways to celebrate our grads,and to that end we still would like a photoand a brief bio of your student.
Please send in a brief bio (150 words orless) & picture for your Senior to Joan
Covid-19 has not cancelled Women onWednesdays! We are continuing to meet onWednesday mornings via Zoom and aresharing in group emails.
It has been wonderful to see many faces aswe gather virtually to discuss the book ofActs using the study "Relying on the Powerof the Spirit". Paul is a great model for us atthis time as we read how he handled trialswith the power of the Holy Spirit.
WOW will finish the study in mid-May andthen take a break for the summer. We'repraying we'll gather together In person nextSeptember with a new study.
Questions? Contact Robin Kolar at orMargaret Lambka
Jim Clinton's Bible StudyAs soon as we can meet again we will usethe video series “Living the Questions.”Contemporary church leaders andtheologians discuss basic Christian beliefs.
Dear Hall of Famers’We are sorry that our April and MayLuncheons had to be cancelled due to thePandemic. We look forward to seeing younext fall. Stay safe until we meet again.
Tanck.
Bio & Picture due by May 11Thank you for your quickresponse!
Click the graphic to visit knoxblog.org forthe most up to date info for the youth andyoung adults.
It is with great sadness that we aresuspending the 2020 VBS trip to Sisseton,South Dakota.
The Board of directors had two meetingsover the last two months and reached aconsensus that the challenges to the healthand safety of the Native Americancommunity, and our volunteers was toogreat to risk keeping the trip on thecalendar.
We look forward to returning to Sisseton in2021, and we pray you will join us.
Ralph Lambka, President DakotaPartnership.
Evening Book Club- All AreWelcome!The Knox book club has put our meetingson hold, during the Covid 19 quarantineperiod. Once this period of isolation is over,we will continue to meet every secondWednesday (taking August off) in the Knoxparlor at 7:30 p.m. Our reading list for futuremonths can be found on the Knox website,under ‘Groups’. We will shift the current listforward, and add to it, when we are meetingregularly. If you are not currently on theemail list for book club reminders, and wouldlike to be added, please contact JaniceWiles, at 630.310.4197 (mobile)or [email protected].
knoxpres.org
