Palos Plans - November 2026

When we began the Greater Than campaign, we prayed for $750,000. You committed over $1,100,000. Let that sink in for a moment. That's not something we could have done on our own. That's God's faithfulness, and it's your generosity.

And now we get to do something we never expected. We get to dream again.

Over the past 6 months, our Remodel Team has been working diligently alongside our architect to revise our original plans. You might wonder why. If the plans were good, why change them? There are two big reasons.

• First, stewardship. Every dollar you pledged represents a sacrifice. Maybe your family adjusted its budget. Maybe you prayed long and hard about what to give. We don't take that lightly. So we're looking closely at every line item, asking hard questions, and finding ways to bring costs down without cutting corners.
  
• Second, abundance. When you give more than anyone thought possible, the original plan no longer fits. That's a wonderful problem to have. But it's still a challenge. More resources bring more responsibility to use them well.

Right now, the Remodel Team and the architect are in a season of narrowing in, prioritizing projects, and weighing needs. Looking for places where, because of your overwhelming generosity, we may be able to accomplish more than we ever expected.

This kind of work isn't flashy. It takes patience. It takes prayer. It takes a lot of conversations around a table covered in proposals and drawings. But it matters, because we want every decision to honor God and honor the trust you've placed in us.

So thank you. To everyone who has been faithfully fulfilling your pledge, thank you. Your consistency is building something that will serve this church and this community for years to come.

And if you're planning to make an end-of-year gift toward your pledge, now is the time to make those arrangements. December 31 will be here before we know it.

We serve a God who does more than we ask or imagine. We've already seen it. And I can't wait to see what He does next.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church." Ephesians 3:20-21

Blessings,
Pastor Steve

November is a month when we naturally begin thinking about gratitude. We count our blessings, gather around tables, and take time to thank God for His goodness. But I've been thinking lately about what it really means to be thankful, especially when life doesn't go the way we planned.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Paul doesn't tell us to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. There's a difference! Gratitude isn't pretending everything is wonderful when it isn't. It's choosing to recognize God's goodness even when life is difficult.

This fall has reminded me of that truth in a very personal way. Our family has experienced some unexpected challenges, but we've also experienced something incredibly beautiful: the love of our church family.

Through prayers, encouraging words, thoughtful gestures, and people simply checking in, we've been reminded that God often demonstrates His love through the people He places in our lives.

That has made me consider the gift we can be for someone when we show up. 

Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us to encourage one another and not give up meeting together. 

I think sometimes we underestimate just how important our presence can be.

When you show up for worship, you're not just coming to receive something. You're also bringing something. Your voice joins others in praise. Your smile may encourage someone who has had a difficult week. Your willingness to listen, pray, or simply sit beside someone may be exactly what they need.

And sometimes, you're the one who needs someone else to show up for you.

That's the beauty of being the church. We don't have to walk through life alone. God has given us one another.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to encourage you to look beyond the blessings we typically count. Think about the people God has placed in your life. Think about the ways you can be a blessing to someone else.

And don't underestimate the importance of simply showing up.

I'm so thankful to be part of a church family that continues to demonstrate what it means to live like Christ and love like Christ so others can know Christ.

Katie Sherrill
Interim Director of Worship & Productions

Happy November!

This month in PCC Kids, our theme is “Breaking News!” We’ll be learning about sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone around us and how we can spread His love to others!

A quick reminder that November 29th is a "Fifth Sunday, Family Sunday" so there will be no primary class activity, but the nursery will remain open. All kids are welcome and encouraged to stay with their parents for worship in the sanctuary.

As our PCC Kids ministry continues to grow, we are looking for more leaders to help us transition from one group into two. If you’re interested in volunteering for the first time or would be willing to serve twice a month, please let me know! Your time and support make such a difference in helping our children grow in their faith.

Blessings,
Tara Goral
Director of Children’s Ministry

Our current Stephen Ministry Training Class is in the home stretch! For the past 12 weeks (two more to go), they have been learning and practicing the skills that equip them to be a listening presence for those experiencing a challenging season of life. In addition to the five Stephen Ministers we already have, on Sunday, November 15th we will commission six new Stephen Ministers. This is such a blessing to this congregation and we thank God for this ministry.

But we have a role for all of you as well. We need your help by being a “look out”. Do you have a neighbor, family member or friend who would benefit from a deeper level of caring and listening? Stephen Ministers are ready to walk with others in need while pointing them to the love and healing of Jesus Christ. If you have questions or would like more information about what Stephen Ministry care is, please feel free to reach out to one of our Stephen Leaders: Tami DeAngelis, Cathy Robieson or Jill Long or any one of our Stephen Ministers.

This church has a long tradition of offering different layers of caring. In addition to Stephen Ministers, we have a group of Deacons who have been called to express care and compassion through the more practical aspects of ministry--by making hospital visits, through home visits to extend the sacrament of communion, providing meals and grocery shopping, providing presence and encouragement, and in celebrating joys of life and expressing caring in grief as well. Our deacons are Chris Botanga, Dawn Butler, Amber Chapman, Melissa Klockow, Lynn LaBine, Tamara Marsh, Bridget Ormins, Samantha Schramuk.

Never Betters, our senior adult ministry, will meet for Sunday Lunch on November 1st following our morning worship service. They will be providing chili and bread, so this month you do not need to bring your own lunch. Simply come ready to enjoy fellowship and catching up with one another. Sunday, December 6th will be our last lunch for the year. 

We will be working again this year with Chicagoland Prison Outreach on their "Angels of Hope" Christmas ministry to provide gifts, prayer and support for the children and family members of households with one or more incarcerated parents.

Beginning November 8th, look for the Angels of Hope tree in the entryway and grab a tag or two to purchase gifts and participate in this important and effective ministry. If you have questions about participating, or would like to get involved as a gift delivery driver, reach out to Lara Hecimovich at lcwarg@gmail.com.

If you read Tara's ministry message above, you know that we are working to separate our PCC Kids Primary Class (currently ages 3-11) into two age-appropriate classes; Pre-K (3-5 year olds) and Elementary (1st-5th Grade). This will ensure a more age-appropriate learning and play experience for all of the kids. In order for this to be successful longterm, we need more volunteers. There is no prior experience required, and you do not need to plan or create any curriculum - all materials and lesson plans are provided! Just show up ready to lead and have fun! Background checks are required. If you're ready to help, contact Tara Goral.

Our Administrative Leadership Team is seeking new volunteers! The Admin Team functions similarly to an HR Department for PCC; working with our ministry team and staff members, reviewing policies and procedures, and helping to ensure PCC stays compliant with applicable denominational, legal and ethical standards. If you're interested or would like to learn more, reach out to Tami DeAngelis at tamitwan@comcast.net.

November 1
Marcia Kupka

November 2
Amber Chapman
Lori Goral

November 8
Jerry Munk

November 9
Maggie Filec
Tim Medema

November 10
Graham Drenth
Sarah White

November 16
Mark Kobilca
Eliana Marshall
Thomas Stoit

November 17
Grace Eatmon

November 19
Richard Searls

November 20
Janet Schmaltz

November 21
James Hughes

November 24
Ralph McCurdy III

November 25
Angelina Juarez
Karyn Stevens
Lois Wiest

November 26
Taylor Scanlon

November 28
Patrick Kobilca
Katie Sherrill

November 30
Beau Bulthuis
Nancy Hughes