(Christ is Risen-cont. from pg. 1) WORSHIP SERVICES CHRIST IS RISEN AND WE WILL RISE Registration will be taken by either Each Sunday’s worship service that Volume 38, Issue 2 calling the church office (309) 786-6466 continues to be made available through MARCH 2021 We have entered the homestretch of Lent, again. At this time last and leaving a message that Donna will video online will be found on the South Park year, we were just getting started and enjoying a meal together at our follow up on or emailing Donna at: Church page by connecting to this link: monthly community outreach. I do not remember the menu, but I [email protected]. We will honor https://www.youtube.com/channel/ remember the joy of sharing table fellowship with friends and family returning to your preferred seat as best UCBCdIDL7TNQTS9b-Rlshsew of faith. I also remember a conversation with one of our members we can on the day of the service, but who was planning a trip to Florida and asking if I thought it was safe. There is also a Virtual Fellowship Hour at please know that social distancing and Having just returned from Florida myself, I said “Absolutely. Just be 11:00am each Sunday, via Zoom. safety takes precedence over every other Instructions to connect to Zoom will continue smart, wash your hands and be careful. I think this will pass without consideration for the foreseeable future. to be emailed to our South Park Church much difficulty.” I have never been so wrong in my entire life. A I held out hope last year, before the email recipients list each week that we meet week later, we met in the sanctuary for the last time. unbelievable severity of the pandemic through this online media. Much has been made about whether we closed the church or the became clear, that we could return to building or any of the other questions surrounding what it means to be church for Easter. That shifted to the As was stated in this issue’s front page the Church in this time when worship is happening online instead of idea that we would just celebrate the article by Pastor Blake, LiveStreaming of the the sanctuary we love so dearly. I am not writing to you in this Easter Service on April 4 will take place for resurrection whenever we returned. those not able to be a part of the 40 persons moment to rehash those questions. I write today to celebrate with Now, here we are, coming back to in pre-registered to physically attend the you. On Easter Sunday, our sanctuary will be open again. person worship, resurrecting the body of service in the Sanctuary. That means that The Session has decided that the way has been made clear through Christ as we have known and loved it, you will be able to connect into the service deep drops in COVID activity in our community and the reality of and the highest and most important day online as it is actually happening in the much of our congregation being on the road to full vaccination. We Sanctuary. The service will take place at of the Christian year. Christ is risen and 10:00am on April 4, so you will need to will still be enforcing masking and distancing and we will still limit on April 4, 2021, we will rise. connect by the following link at that time singing in the congregational setting, but we will worship in our Pastor Blake (which is the same link as above that is used beloved home on Easter morning. for all worship service videos): We will have a cap of 40 persons in the building and spots will https://www.youtube.com/channel/ need to be reserved. We are limiting the number to 40 to allow for Your Session is seeing a glimmer of light UCBCdIDL7TNQTS9b-Rlshsew South Park Presbyterian Church

Touchpoints any visitors who may wish to join us. If you have been comfortable at the end of the tunnel - a fact we've all accessing the worship content online, especially the Sundays that we been praying for since a year ago. Please Also, if you prefer to listen to the live broadcast of the Easter Service while sitting did the LiveStreams, please hold off on registering for an in person remember, we are always working in your car in the parking lot, be here by spot to allow those who have more technological difficulties to have toward settling in on a New Normal that 10am and tune in to our FM transmitter, an opportunity. We are preferencing those folks out of the knowledge Inside this Issue God has planned for us. Keep praying 89.7FM. After the service, there will be a that this year has been far more difficult for them in regards to staying for your Elders & Pastor Blake. time of fellowship for all in the parking lot. Pastor Blake 1 connected with the life of the church and as such they should be Sherrill Mixer, Clerk of Session Pastor Blake March Bible Plan 2 granted first opportunity to return to their faith home. We will also OGHS 3 have the FM transmitter operating that day for those who wish to Pastor Blake Severson’s Emergency Contact No: (608)792-8175 Pastor Blake’s Email address: [email protected] Egg Hunt 5 attend in the parking lot. Following the service, we will have a time of fellowship and great joy outside of the church, no matter what the Administrative Assistant Email: [email protected] Easter Worship 8 Church Office: 786-6466 Fax: 786-6470 Website: www.spchurchqc.org weather calls for that day. Birthdays Insert Touchpoints is published monthly by South Park Presbyterian Church (cont. pg. 8—Christ is Risen) 1501 30th Street, Rock Island, Il 61201-3797 No Subscription Charge to members and friends 8

(this page and page 7) MARCH READING PLAN

2 7 This One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) information is again being made available for you to read before we reach the ending date of this special offering (additional OGHS article on backside of Birthdays and Anniversaries page). If you would like to donate, make your check out to South Park Church and mail to 1501 30th St., Rock Island, Il 61201, by March 29, 2021.

6 3 EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 3 1:00 p.m.

South Park Presbyterian Church is hosting an outside Easter Egg Hunt on Sat., Apr. 3. Children, ages 1-12 years, will be divided into 3 age groups and go at 3 different times. We will be trying to social distance when possible and requesting all participants and spectators over 2 years old to wear masks (extra disposable masks will be on hand). Upon conclusion of the egg hunt, a drawing will be held for basket give-a-ways. The congregation can participate in a number of ways:  Bring your kids/grandkids, invite neighbors/friends or come just to watch  Help out at the event  Donate items for the baskets  Donate money to be used for candy or basket items.  Donate prewrapped candy (small enough to fit in Easter eggs) that can be dropped off at the church (call office 309- 786-6466 and leave message to arrange a time for drop off) or contact Amy Strandberg to come and pick it up from you.

4 5 MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

1 ANNIVERSARIES Dick Yates 16 2 Jack & Joyce May Amy Strandberg 48 years 19 3 Chris & Angel Hong Megan Severson 28 years

4 29 Joan Heriford Mark & Becky Montgomery Colton Shoemaker 18 years

6 SPRING FORWARD ON SUNDAY, MARCH 14 Christopher Husar (Set clocks ahead one hour) 7 Erick Danielson Judy Yates FREE TAKE & MAKE MEAL Sunday, March 14, 4-5pm 8 Anastasia Kask South Park Presbyterian Church Free food to make a meal distributed to those 9 Jack Carmona-Castillo stopping by the South Park Church parking lot on Sun., Mar. 14, from 4-5pm. 17 We would like to include an extra bonus of Atticus Garrison macaroni & cheese boxes in our give-a-way packages; if you would like to contribute, please 20 Hailey Wilburn put the boxes in a bag and drop off outside the church entrance doors next to the parking lot on 22 Fri., Mar. 12 or Sat., Mar. 13, by 3:30pm either day. Mavick Sunken Someone from the church will drop by to put them inside. Thank you! 27 Sue Foster

29 Deepest Sympathies... Cecilia Gordon ...to the Sutton family and friends upon the 31 recent passing of Helen Sutton on January 15, 2021. Regina Whitcomb ...to the Swisher family and friends upon the recent

death of Bernice Swisher on March 1, 2021.