Ethiopia Trip Update #2
Fourteen hours is a LONG time to be on an airplane. I found multiple ways to pass the time but unfortunately, none of those time passing activities was sleep.
January 14, 2024 Bulletin Announcements
Super Bowl Sliders: Mark your calendars. It’s that time again, Fusion (Jr. High) Youth Group will be selling Super Bowl Sliders! We will be making them on Friday, February 9. All Jr. High kids are encouraged to be there to help! Any parental help would also be appreciated. There is an order form on the Welcome Counter if you would like to order or talk to a Jr. High student. Pickup for the sliders will be on Friday, Feb 9 from 6:30-8pm or following the service on Sunday, February 11.
Presbytery: The first meeting of 2024 for Rivers and Lakes Presbytery is coming up on January 26 & 27. The meeting is being co-hosted by First Presbyterian in Waukegan, IL, and Hope Evangelical Presbyterian in Grayslake, IL. Please pray for safe travel for Pastor Mark, Loren Bleyenburg, and Jason Snyder as they travel and represent our congregation at the meeting.
Ethiopia Trip Update #1
The trip to teach in Ethiopia is underway. The flight to Chicago was uneventful, which is the best kind of flight. Sioux Falls was snowy and hazy. Chicago was sunny with significantly less snow.
January 7, 2024 Bulletin Announcements
Note: Pastor Mark will be leaving for Ethiopia on Thursday. In addition to teaching the seminarians, he will preach on the two Lord’s Days he is gone and present seminars with pastors in other cities on the topic of “Christ-Centered Preaching.” You can keep up with his updates during the trip on our church website under the “Updates” tab. You can also go directly to his posts by going to africa.markgroen.me in a web browser.
Final Preparations for Ethiopia
On Wednesday, January 3, I met with Samuel Getachew to ask some final questions and confirm my preparations for my "Preaching Christ from All of Scripture" course. Throughout making preparations and having the trip on my mind, some crucial questions came to mind, and I needed insight from Samuel.
Praying for Pastor Mark’s Trip Teaching in Ethiopia
Friday January 12
Pray for travel safety and sleep during travel.
Saturday January 13
Arrival in Addis Ababa
Pray for rest as Mark adjusts to the different sleep and eating schedule.
December 31, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Looking for donations of Auction Items: Edge Youth is having a live auction January 10th to help raise funds for their summer trip to RYM Colorado! We are looking for items to be auctioned off. Do you have any home-made goods, handmade items, special trades you're known for, or new items that we can auction off? Talk to Mark or Diane Brockberg by January 3rd.
EDGE Youth Supper/Auction: Come Support Edge Youth on January 10th for a Pulled Pork Meal (free will donation) served from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Live donation auction starting at 6:30 p.m. Join in for fellowship & fun while supporting Edge Youth. Funds raised go towards their summer trip to Reformed Youth Ministries in Colorado.
December 24, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Looking for donations of Auction Items: Edge Youth is having a live auction on January 10th to help raise funds for their summer trip to RYM Colorado! We are looking for items to be auctioned off. Do you have any home-made goods, handmade items, special trades you're known for, or new items that we can auction off? Talk to Mark or Diane Brockberg by January 3rd.
December 17, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Note: We are in need of some men to help set up the risers today following the morning service.
Looking for donations of Auction Items: Edge Youth is having a live auction on January 10th to help raise funds for their summer trip to RYM Colorado! We are looking for items to be auctioned off. Do you have any homemade goods, handmade items, special trades you're known for, or new items that we can auction off? Talk to Mark or Diane Brockberg by January 3rd.
2024 Presbytery and General Assembly Schedule
Presbytery Meetings:
January 26-27, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukegan, IL
April 26-27, 2024 at Aplington Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Aplington, IA
September 27-27 at Hogarty Community Church in Aniwa, WI
General Assembly:
June 18-20 at Hope Church in Cordova, TN
December 10, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Candlelight Service: We hope that you can join us for our Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 17 at 6:30 pm. Our Sunday School kids will also be performing their Christmas program during the service. They will be practicing for the program on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30-7:30 pm & on Sunday, Dec. 17, following the church service.
Angel Tree: Remember to bring in your items for the Angel Tree by Wednesday, December 13.
December 3, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Candlelight Service: We hope that you can join us for our Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 17, at 6:30 pm. Our Sunday School kids will also be performing their Christmas program during the service. They will be practicing for the program on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30-7:30 pm & on Sunday, Dec. 17, following the church service.
The EPC Blog
Our denomination has a great resource to keep congregations and members updated on what is happening in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
The EPConnection blog contains more than news. There are also resources to help you grow in faith and answer questions that you might have. You can find the blog at this link.
EPC Podcast “In All Things”
Do you listen to podcasts? Want to know more about our denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church?
The Stated Clerk of the EPC, Dean Weaver, hosts the podcast “In All Things.” At our most recent Presbytery meeting at Riverside Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Sartell, MN, Dean Weaver shared the vision the denomination has for outreach and evangelism for the future.
October 1, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
The RCW Fall Soup Supper will be this Wednesday, October 4, from 5-7 p.m. Please check the sign-up sheet by the welcome desk and see what’s still needed (please use new soup recipes)! Men, your help would be appreciated! If you’re bringing soup before noon Wednesday, please put it in the fridge. If after noon, please bring soup warm. Please have soups and desserts at church by 4 p.m. Thank you!
Prayer Chain: Introducing our updated Text Message Prayer Chain! Stay connected with our faith community through prayer requests and updates. Text EFRCPRAYER to 84576 to subscribe and be a part of this powerful network of prayer. If you have a prayer request to add to the Prayer Chain, you can text or call 507-369-6275. We suggest putting this number in your contacts so you have it when you need it! Prayer items will only be added to the Prayer Chain by request from the person themselves or a close family member. If you are unable to receive text messages, please let Caty Arp know, and we will put together a traditional prayer chain via phone calls with those who are unable to receive text messages.
September 17, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Join Us today at 6:30 pm. at the Softball Field for a slow-pitch softball game against Edge Youth! Concessions will be available (popcorn, pickles, drinks, and bars). Everyone is encouraged to come watch.
Presbytery: Please keep Pastor Mark and the Elders in your prayers as they attend the Rivers and Lakes Presbytery meeting of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church at Riverside Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Sartell, MN on Friday & Saturday. This is the final step of our congregation’s reception into the EPC.
April 23, 2023 Bulletin Announcements
Thank you to the RCWM for your generous donation from the Maundy Thursday Brunch to Emily’s Hope. Your support allows us to further our mission! We have helped more than 300 adults with treatment scholarships at the Avera Addiction Care Center, and we recently expanded our treatment scholarships to serve teenagers in the Adolescent Program at the Avera Addiction Care Center. In addition, Emily’s Hope has developed an elementary school prevention curriculum to help stop substance abuse before it starts. It gives kids the tools and knowledge they need to keep them safe. Thank you for helping us stop the stigma and save lives!