In This Issue
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July 6, 2017

 

  
Ecumenical Worship Service     

WORSHIP IN THE PARK 
As part of La Grange's Endless Summer Celebration, the La Grange Churches will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 6 at Gordon Park. Fantastic music, a combined choir, and a lot of energy will buzz together for worship. Join us in the park!
School Supplies Needed!  

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
The LeaderShop is busy preparing to help ensure that all local children get off to a good start in the coming school year. Please bring new school supplies for their annual drive. They particularly need three ring binders (1" or 1-1/2"), pens, pencils, folders, and dry erase markers. Place them in the boxes at the entry of the First Congregational Church of La Grange sanctuary and chapel. The supplies go to students in our community whose families cannot afford them. Thanks for your support!
Service Opportunities

SENDING CARDS AND SHOWING LOVE
Anyone interested in participating in pastoral care through card showers or reaching out to members of the congregation, please email or call  Carly or the  main office.
 
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS  is  a non-profit organization that works together with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individ uals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 85 volunteers provide escorted transportation to medical appointments, therapies, and life-enhancing errands such as the grocery store, bank, and church. We also take our clients with disabilities to their places of employment. There is no cost to our clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, fundraisers, and church support for funding.
 
And we need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, visit us on the web  and like us on Facebook. Can you spare an hour a week? We will work around your busy life. 
 
BACK BAY MISSION
Join us for the Back Bay Mission trip October 15-22, 2017 in Biloxi, MS. Pastor Carly and five others plan to go.
Mission trips at Back Bay are divided between work, learning, and time for play. Most volunteers will work with the housing rehabilitation ministry. There are also some opportunities to work in the Micah Day Center (a drop-in center supporting the homeless) and the food pantry. There's also plenty of time to enjoy the Mississippi Gulf Coast, eat southern grub and seafood, and fellowship with our group! We may plan an afternoon outing to explore the Coast or take a trip to New Orleans.
There's a $175 per person materials and lodging fee, and we share the cost of groceries and car expenses.
If you have questions, please call Bobbie Nunez at 708-354-3816. The final headcount is due August 10th.


HELP OUT WITH FLOWER DELIVERY
Dear Friends,
We believe in the power of flowers to heal the spirit and nourish the soul.  We are seeking volunteers to deliver the donated altar flowers on Sunday.  Home-bound members of our church family are encouraged to know that we are thinking of them.  Please consider taking a Sunday and sign up on the 'Flower Delivery' board in the Founder's Room.  Call Kathy Donaldson @ (708) 341-0794 with any questions.



Please sign up for the following opportunities during Fellowship Hour in the Founders' Room. You can also call the church office at 708-352-0800. We'd be happy to sign you up!
Fellowship Hour 
- Bring in treats of your choice and serve beverages and snacks after worship 
Liturgists
- Proclaim the scripture to the congregation during Sunday service
Flower Delivery
- Deliver the donated altar flowers to home-bound church members after worship
Ushers 
- Arrive at 9:30 am, pass out programs, collect the offering
Greeters
-Arrive at 9:45 am, wear your name tag, smile!
Laundry Superheros 
- Pick up the Saturday Meals Program laundry outside the kitchen after worship and return it clean before next Saturday
Nursery Attendants 
- Attend the Nursery during worship on Sunday
Audio Visual Technicians -- training available! 
- Run the cameras as we transmit our services to Plymouth Place and then upload them to the web
 
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SATURDAY MEALS
The Saturday Meals Program is a ministry of our congregation that serves anyone who would like to share a hot meal.

There are two shifts of volunteer service available each Saturday:

Breakfast set up and serving is from 8 to 10 a.m. Breakfast volunteers cut and plate pastries, serve hot food to guests in a buffet line, run the dishwasher, make sandwiches and pack brown bag suppers for distribution after lunch.

Lunch set up and serving is from 10:45 to 1 p.m. Lunch volunteers plate desserts, serve hot foods to guests in a buffet line, run the dishwasher, and wipe down tables and chairs following the meal.

Email Volunteer Coordinator JoAnne Konkle for information.

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS FOR JULY
Maybe summer days make you think of picnic baskets. Consider contributing food pantry baskets, too! There have been very few donations for the past several weeks, but the need is as great as ever. Any nonperishable food items will be greatly appreciated! If you shop for sale items, you can make a significant donation for less than five dollars. A few suggestions: breakfast cereal, canned tuna, canned vegetables, peanut butter. Thank you!   
Community Events and News 


AGING CARE CONNECTIONS
Farmers' Market Coupon Books Available for Older Adults. You must be a Senior 60+ with a household income under 185% of the Federal Poverty level (for one person, under $1,860 per month). Seniors must live in Cook County. Click here for further information!

INSIDE OUT - Celebrating Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Click here for more information and to register online!

INTERFAITH CAREER NETWORK 
Seven Obstacles To A Successful Job Search
Please join us on Thursday, July 20 from 7 -9 pm. O ur speaker, Jim Fitzgerald, is an accomplished Car e e r Transition Specialist and Executive Coach. This promises to  be a very positive and helpful program for    those looking to make a career transition. There are many reasons job seekers are unsuccessful in their search efforts. But in all these reasons, certain commonalities surface. Jim's directness and candor has helped many job seekers to land meaningful employment. If you are interested in learning how to overcome some of the obstacles to your job search, be sure to join us at St. John of the Cross Parish Center, 5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Springs. This meeting is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend. 

Plus get to know your fellow participants by networking after the presentation. Did you know most jobs are generated through networking, meeting others and exchangi ng useful tips and information? 
Messy Church

Messy Church will be Sunday, August 6th at 4:30 pm. Our theme this month will be Who is God? Come and have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. See you there! Click here for the flyer!
            
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories  
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration  
5:30-6:00: Dinner  
Music News  

SUMMER MUSICIANS of all ages are invited to play, sing or ring starting in June. The choir is off for the Summer, so we need you! Not a soloist, but want to lend your talents? That's ok too. Ryan will work to find an ensemble for you. Please contact to Ryan Cox to sign-up.
FCCLG Church Calendar 

HOOKS AND NEEDLES
The knitting and crocheting ministry meets in homes this summer at 7pm on the 2nd and 4th Mondays, June through August. Our next gathering will be July 10th at Linda Lauterbach's home.
 
Summer schedule
July 10: Linda Lauterbach
July 24: Mary Forester
August 14: Debbie Llewellyn
August 28: Claudia Byrne
 

FCCLG WOMEN'S RETREAT
The Annu al Women's Retreat will be August 12th and 13th at Diamond Lake in Michigan. The Theme is Resistance, Insi stence, and Joy: In Remembrance of Her. The woman anointed Jesus with costly ointment and broke through the porcelain jars of her culture. We'll look at what bottles us up, what breaks us open, and how we can bring God's scented plans to a world in need of anointing. Plan for a meaningful and insightful weekend of Fun, Fellowship, and Mimosas! Sign up in the Founders' Room. Click here for a PDF with more event details!   
 

EVENING BOOK CLUB 
Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, August 24th to discuss Profiles in Courage by President John F. Kennedy. These essays describe Americans who at crucial times in our history risked their personal and public lives to do the right thing. Join us at 7:30 for snacks and discussion.
 
 
FCCLG Fundraising 
 
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Consider making your purchases through Amazon and they will intern donate 0.5% of your purchase back to FCCLG. Thank you for supporting us!

If you're a Prime member, Prime Day returns July 10 at 8pm and goes through July 11th. Get deals through this Amazon event!

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Text Giving
Text FCCLG100 to 73256 to give using your text messaging. Click the link and complete your gift. Standard text messaging rates may apply.
 
Touch List 

Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
 
Ojo Adedji, seeking asylum in the U.S., whose court hearing has been postponed to August 2nd.

Emil and Maria Balz.

Renee Bryant's friend Melissa, diagnosed with breast cancer.

Prayers for the family of Sophia Harris. She died on June 24, 2017 after her struggle with brain cancer.
 
Angie Crees, Olivia Hein's sister.

Joyce Hagen-McIntosh's nephew who is going through a challenging time.

Petra Palmer's granddaughter's friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.

Sherri Ries' brother John, for continued recovery and patience.
 
Nancy Coleman's friend Sharon Veltre, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.
   

   
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