Maker, Vine, & Branch: Abiding Connections
Worship for the 5th Sunday of Easter • May 2, 2021
All are welcome to this Eastertide service with message by the Rev. David Aslesen, our pastor. Scriptures used for worship include I John 4:7-21 and the Gospel of John 15:1-8 which tells us about abiding in Christ the Vine. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be shared in both online and in-person worship.
Online Worship
Pre-recorded worship services are posted by 8 am on YouTube each Sunday at First UMC Park Ridge. Go to the church’s Facebook page to interact with other worshipers in a live version of our service: 9:30 am Sundays.
As the congregation continues in its mitigation efforts of the coronavirus, all current safety practices will continue through the end of March 2021 (or later). These practices include online worship only, limited in-person meetings, use of Zoom and other platforms for the majority of church meetings and activities including Sunday school and youth group. Pray for an early spring. Pray for the vaccine distribution efforts. Pray for the willingness of our US citizens near and far to be vaccinated. Pray for our staff and leaders as they continue to lead our congregation.
Online Learning for Children & Youth
Virtual Sunday school is now underway for preschool to 2nd grade students, using the Cokesbury “Celebrate Wonder” curriculum. Each participating child receives a Wonder Box that contains a Celebrate Wonder Family Resource Book, an age-appropriate Celebrate Wonder activity pack, a Worship Kit, and fun crafts (no extra supplies needed).
Virtual Sunday school is now underway for 3rd to 5th graders via ZOOM at 9:30 am. We watch the Celebrate Wonder video and then discuss the lesson, have some fun and enjoy “free” chat time.
For additional learning member families can visit the church’s Family + Faith + Fun Facebook Group.
Online Learning for Adults
Sunday morning ZOOM, weekly online classes, and monthly online seminars on a variety of topics for adults continue into the late summer and fall. A new Disciple FAST TRACK twelve week study has morning and evening sessions on Mondays. Contact the church office or our pastor for more information.
Ongoing activities
Opportunities open to all members and friends include meals to healthcare workers, cleanup of Axehead Lake, support of local food pantries, creation of face coverings for anyone in need, prayer squares for first responders, care for the clients of Avenues to Independence and outreach to the most vulnerable neighbors: the homeless, refugees, and the unemployed.
Office Hours, Staffing and Pastoral Care
The church office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Staff can be reached by their cellphones and email addresses. As always, Pastor David Aslesen can be reached for any member and for church needs at 708.441.5179 (call or text) and pastordavid@parkridgeumc.org.
Our primary calling as church in this time is to keep our congregation safe and connected to God, to one another and to the people & communities we serve. There is great love to be made known in this time – for friend and neighbor alike. My prayer is this difficult sheltering-in-place decision may reveal our church’s desire to be proactive and caring as we listen to and follow the lead of the international and local medical community on helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus in our area. It is critical that we care for each other, listen for God’s wisdom, and support the work of the church.
Rev. David Aslesen, Pastor
First UMC Park Ridge • 418 West Touhy Avenue • Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-3144 • office@parkridgeumc.org