This Week

Find all your weekly announcements here.

THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP
We continue our Lent messages:
Stumbling Toward the Cross —on meeting people as Jesus does on his way to the cross.

Message: Stumbling Toward the Cross with the Palm Crow
with Pastor Gregg DeMey John 12:12-28

Questions For Discussion:
- Who were they?
- How did Jesus relate to them?
‣ How do we see ourselves in them?
‣ How did they stumble toward the cross?
‣ How does Jesus meet you in your stumbling?

It's Family Sunday - were we worship together intergenerationally. We'll have a Palm Pageant of Holy Week and a Palm Parade!

Children's Worship Pk-Kindergarten.
Worship is available in-person, ONLINE, or via FACEBOOK

TASTE OF ELMHURST CRC | Sun Apr 2 | 11:15 AM
Come for the Taste of Elmhurst. We’ll have lunch, a building tour, and an opportunity to meet the pastors and staff. Whether you’re new or have been attending for a while and want to get more connected, this is a great place to start! RSVP to Michelle DeJong, Hospitality Coordinator.

KIDS AND YOUTH AT EASTER | APRIL 9
We have two ways for your kindergarten and older children to be involved in the services on Easter Sunday, April 9 - we would love to have them join!
There are two services on Easter Sunday - 8:30 and 10:00. The kids will need to be at church early that morning to run through whichever way they participate (times TBD, roughly 8:00). Their parts are in the first 10 minutes of the 8:30 service. They will sit by you during the 8:30 service. I will have a snack for them between services. They will participate again in the first 10 minutes of the 10:00 service, and then they are free to go by 10:10. The kids and adults will sing Living Hope. using candles, flowers, and ribbons. Would your child like to be a part of this and sing or carry down flowers?! The choir will be practicing on Wednesday, April 5 from 3:20 until 4:00 in the worship center to learn the music and motions. It would be very helpful if you were able to play the song a number of times before in your home so that the children come to practice with the words already familiar to them. Contact Kara Hackert to participate.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH CAMP | JUNE 2023
Colorado Challenge will take place June 10-18 and is for students 9th-12th grade. It's an adventure-filled week of spiritual formation and literal mountaintop experiences. We will have the opportunity to worship and recreate together. Find out more at Colorado Challenge.

EXAM GOODIES BOXES
It’s time for spring goodie boxes! To send your college student or military family member a goodie box, email [email protected].

2023 CRC DENOMINATIONAL SURVEY
Our church is a part of the Christian Reformed denomination. Our congregation has a once-in-five-year opportunity to participate in the 2023 CRC denominational survey. This survey helps denominational leadership understand the concerns and needs of local congregations like ours. It is crucial that as many people from our congregation as possible participate. Visit survey link. The survey closes March 31.

CEP MEETINGS: CURRENT & PROSPECTIVE TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN PARENTS
Registration for ECRC’s Covenant Education Program with Timothy Christian Schools begins in April. The Covenant Plan is a ministry established to help any active members of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church family who is so led to send their child to an approved Christian day school. As a congregation, we are convinced of the value of Christian education in passing on our faith from generation to generation and in influencing our culture for Christ. All of our members contribute to the Covenant Plan through EMF providing parents of school-aged children with access to more affordable Christian Education.

Currently-enrolled families and prospective member families who wish to enroll their children for the first time should plan to attend one of four Parent Registration meetings to be held in the Upstairs Meeting Room of ECRC on Sunday, April 16, and Sunday April 23 at both 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM. Registration materials will be provided to you at this meeting and attendance by both parents is required for registration. If you have any questions about the program prior, please send an email to [email protected] or contact Gary Van Prooyen at (630) 779-2828. All registration applications must be submitted by May 1, 2023.

COMMUNITY DINNER | WED APRIL 12
Save the date for our next Community Dinner on April 12. It’s an opportunity for a warm meal as we gather around dinner tables. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6:30 PM - and then linger as long as you like! The menu includes: pulled pork, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, rolls, and desserts. All are welcome; the cost is by donation. RSVP to [email protected] by Sunday, April 9, or in the lobby after services.

EASTER SERVE | SUN APR 9
Can your help? We've got an extra service Easter morning (8:30 am), and we could use you as a greeter, usher, and nursery help.
Nursery: We need two adults to assist on Easter Morning at the 8:30 am service. Serve in the nursery, then attend the 10 am with your family – all while helping young families attend too! Contact Krysta Kranenborg, Nursery Coordinator.
Greeter/Usher: Get your smile on and welcome at the Easter 8:30 am service. Contact Michellle DeJong Hospitality Coordinator.

JOURNEYMEN | THU APR 13 | 6:30 AM
Save the date for our next Journeymen with Bob Venhousen.

HANDBELL CHOIR PLAYERS
Handbell Choir is open to new members! If you can read music and would like to be part of a group that enjoys making music and serving in worship, please email Mary Reitsma or call/text 847-852-0983. We practice Sunday afternoons. We welcome newcomers as well as experienced handbell players.

SPRINGHILL CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED:
Come on out and be a Camp Counselor for SpringHill Day Camp at Elmhurst CRC. The camp is the week of June 26-30, and you’re eligible if you’re 16+ and love kids! This is a paid position ($150 for the week). Contact Kara Hackert for more details.

FAMILY ENEWSLETTER
Join our family newsletter to receive updates about our Family Ministry and programs. Email Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries

DIGITAL LIBRARY | CRC
The Christian Reformed Church of North America (our denominational HQ) offers free digital access to denominational resources for anyone who attends a Christian Reformed Church. You can access hundreds of Faith Alive titles in a more convenient way—anytime, from anywhere, on any device that's connected to the web. This includes free access to hundreds of books and ministry resources: curriculum, devotionals, Bible studies, resources for elders, deacons, youth groups, worship planning, small groups, and more. Sign up for access via EMAIL | Read the Digital Library FAQs| The Digital Library is powered by ministry share support—funding provided by all CRC churches in their ministry work together around the globe and here at home.

DIRECTORY ONLINE | MARCH 2023
Church Center & Online Directory. Church Center is the access point for our new database, which allows you to view the events happening at church, church information, calendar, and groups and manage your profile from the website or ChurchCenter App. We sent email invitations from ECRC to access your profile for the online directory, update your profile, and/or include a photo.. You can login here to access features and the online directory.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter of events and activities: elmhurstcrc.org/subscribe

ON-THE-GO DEVOS EXPERIENCE
Subscribe to Sunday's Coming! Devotional Experience and receive bite-sized, 4-minute weekday daily devotionals. These inspiring devotionals will be dropped to your phone each morning (Monday through Friday) around 7 a.m. — ideal preparation for Sunday’s worship service. Text "DEVOS" to 630.748.8172

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We're available online 24/7.

Timothy Christian YOUNG LIFE Youth Group Dirty Jobs!
Got a dirty job? Timothy Christian’s Young Life youth group is sending 15 juniors to British Columbia for Youth Camp this summer! These juniors include several ECRC students going to experience Jesus Christ and the wonders of his creation. To help offset costs, these strong, helpful kids are doing chores and dirty jobs for you: window and garage cleaning, moving furniture, outdoor work and more. Work days are April 8 and May 13. Contact Julie McMillian to schedule a Young Life helper (suggested donation is $15 hour).

Roseland Christian Ministries Spring Banquet, “We Are Grateful,” IS Thursday, April 20, at Georgios (8800 West 159th St. in Orland Park.) Doors open at 6:30, and dinner is served at 7 p.m. Reservations are required. Contact Kisha Pleasant @ 773/264-5665 for reservations or more details.

Join us to celebrate Belonging! at Chicago West Side Christian School's annual benefit to raise funds for scholarships and programs on Saturday, April 15 from 5:30 - 8:30. In addition to some down-home cooking, a silent auction and raffle and a program featuring the CWSCS choir, you will have an opportunity to see the school and the amazing work our students are doing! RSVP at https://CWSBelong.givesmart.com.

CaringNetwork Pregnancy Resource Center is hiring. Go to caringnetwork.com/careers – Digital Marketing & Comm Asst, Wooddale Center Director, Pregnancy Consultant, and lots more.