Weekly News from FCCW

Weekly News from FCCW

April 1, 2018

In This Edition

Intergenerational Night

Links

Realm

Server Guides

Usher & Greeter Duties

Communion Table Instructions

Communion Bread Instructions

Contact Us

Stephanie VanSlyke

Senior Pastor

Jason Okrzynski

Director of CEd

Kurt Mockenhaupt

Director of Music

Daniel Smith

Church Administrator

David Hogue

Men's Ministry Fasc.

FCCW Church Office

1125 Wilmette Ave.

Wilmette, IL 60091

(847) 251-6660

(847) 251-6130 (fax)

Office Hours:

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Our Mission

The First Congregational Church of Wilmette

welcomes

all to Christ's table;

nurtures people's minds & souls on their spiritual journeys;

learns across faiths & generations;

serves God's vision of peace & well-being for all creation; and

practices compassion & service as a way of life.

A Word from the Pastor

Dear Friends,

I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection on Easter morning! Our Chancel and Handbell Choirs are preparing; we are decorating the sanctuary on Saturday. All will be in order for a beautiful worship service. Following worship, children will gather for an Easter Egg Hunt on the church lawn (or downstairs in case of inclement weather). See you then!

With Joy,

This Sunday

Worship Service with Holy Communion

Easter Sunday

April 1, 2018

10:00 a.m.

Preaching:

Dr. Stephanie VanSlyke

Presiding:

Dr. Jason Okrzynski

Scripture Readers:

Susan Hodges, Will Smith, & Todd VanSlyke

Scriptures:

For the bulletin, click here .

Sunday Servers

Sunday, April 1

Ushers: Janet & Bruce Seitzer (HUs); Peg Kocian

Greeter(s): Keith Ross

Coffee Hour Servers: Joellen & Mike Earl; Karen Miller; Cady & Phil Liederbach

Communion Table Decorator(s): FCCW Staff

Communion Bread: Janet Seitzer

Counter: Al Miller

Sunday, April 8

Ushers: Maggie & Gary Benz (HUs); Melissa Riemer, Todd VanSlyke

Greeter(s): Gretchen Alexander

Coffee Hour Servers: Mary Fulton; Laura Bokhof & Paul Rios

Communion Table Decorator(s): FCCW Staff

Counter: Mike Hoover

Children's & Youth Announcements

Weekly Calendar

Sunday, April 1:

9:45-11:20 a.m. - Nursery Care (Nursery)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play I Class (Good Shepherd Room)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play II Class (Creation Room)

9:45 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)

Wednesday, April 4:

6:00 p.m. - Intergenerational Night with Meal (Lower Level)

Children's Easter Egg Hunt

The Kairos Class would like to invite all children to this year's Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday (April 1). After worship, please gather in the Good Shepherd Room for a story. Afterwards, the hunt will commence. All children are invited to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Jason or Maren Okrzynski.

Vacation Bible School 2018

On June 25 to 28 from 4:15 to 6:00 p.m., FCCW will partner with First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette to offer Vacation Bible School, Road Trip: Journey with Jesus. Children ages three to fifth grade are welcome! There will be an optional family meal afterwards each night. For more information, contact Jason.

Nursery Volunteers Wanted

We are looking for FCCW members who are willing to volunteer to serve in the nursery this year. The nursery at FCCW is open to infants and toddlers, up to age 3. The nursery attendant will arrive at the nursery by 9:45 and provide a safe and caring environment for littlest ones so that their parents can take an hour for worship. On Sunday when no little ones are dropped off, the nursery attendant can then head to the sanctuary. Scheduling will occur on an elective basis via online sign up. Any who don't have access to online sign up will work with Daniel Smith and Jason Okrzynski to schedule their times. We are eager to offer this service to parents, and excited for the connections that will arise between our young families and the nursery volunteers. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact Jason.

Adult Spiritual Formation

Women's Retreat

Many of you have asked for it, and it is now a reality: the return of an FCCW Women's Retreat! All women of FCCW are invited to The Grand Beach Inn in New Buffalo, Michigan. The retreat will take place from Friday, April 13, to Sunday, April 15. The cost will be approximately $300 if 20 women register (inclusive of food, beverage, and lodging); if less or more people register, the cost will increase or decrease respectively. A maximum of 30 women will be able to attend, so reserve your spot early! Carpools will be arranged later.

Please email Pastor Stephanie if you are interested. Registration have been sent. Forms are available here or in Pilgrim Hall.

Mary Supper

We learn of the sisters, Martha and Mary of Bethany (the namesake of our group), in Luke 10:38-42 and in John 11-12. Both gospels tell stories of Mary and Martha hosting Jesus in their home for a meal and conversation. At FCCW's Mary Supper, women of the church gather for a light meal and spiritual conversation led by Pastor Stephanie VanSlyke. Held in member's homes, all women are welcome and encouraged to come as often as they can. First-timers and friends are always welcome!

The next gathering with be Tuesday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. Beth Miller will host. She lives at 1740 Central Avenue in Wilmette. RSVP to

[email protected] or 847-251-8442 .

Remaining Dates for 2018: April 10 & May 8

The Men's Group

The Men's group is led by Rev. Dr. David Hogue, and meets select Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at Hackney's Restaurant, 1514 E. Lake Avenue in Glenview, for dinner and conversation. All men are welcome! The next meeting will be Monday, April 16.

Remaining Dates for 2018: April 16 & May 21

Pastors' Bible Study

An Invitation to Contemplative Prayer

Our Pastors' Bible Study is retaining the format of contemplative prayer, using the Psalm for the week as a lectio divina, or basis for meditation. If you have ever wanted to experience contemplative prayer, or if you want to begin a practice or go deeper into your own practice, please join us on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m.

General Announcements

Easter Flowers

If you ordered Easter flowers in remembrance and/or honor of someone, please feel free to take your flowers home after the service on Sunday. We were honored to share the names of those who are so important to you! Happy Easter!

Intergenerational Night

Join us on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:00 p.m. as we welcome Lisa Todd from Connections for the Homeless. Intergenerational Night is an intentional program to gather together across generational lines. On the first Wednesday, we share a meal, while we do service projects, explore our shared faith, learn about the world and its needs, and grow in our faith together through our relationships with another.

Coat Drive

Our friends at Connections for the Homeless are in need of men's and women's coats, warm shoes, and boots. If you can donate your gently used/laundered or new items, we will gladly accept them in the Church Atrium. Thank You!

Check out the other ways you can support Connections here.

Supporting Refugee Families

Thank you to all who have donated household and personal items to the Stock the Shelves ministry for refugee families. Our congregations aim for a monthly distribution on the last Wednesday of each month, so keep your donations coming! To read more about "Stock the Shelves," check out the link in the weekly newsletter.

We will gladly continue to receive these items: paper towels, toilet paper, diapers (all sizes), hand lotion, body soap, body wash, toothpaste, shampoo, dishwashing soap, baby formula, and Ventra/public transportation cards.

Book Discussion Group

On Thursday, April 19, at 3 p.m., FCCW's book group will meet in the Library. They will be discussing The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne . This is an informal group, and all are welcome! No RSVP is needed. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Kelleher at [email protected] or 847-864-0763.

Upcoming Dates/Books:

May 17 - Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan

June 21 - Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

Wilmette Food Pantry

For April, there is still great need for these items:

1.) Peanut Butter (Any Size Jar)

2.) Granola Bars (Any Kind, Size, or Box)

3.) Nuts (Any Size Jar or Bag)

Any and All non-perishable healthy food donations are welcome and greatly appreciated! Throughout the month, you may place your donations in the shopping cart under the stairwell in the Wilmette Avenue atrium entrance, across from the nursery and church office. Please feel free to contact Peg Kocian at 847-528-0632 for questions and/or concerns, or if you need assistance with your donations.

Joys & Prayers

Prayers of Condolence for Paul Specht and his children, Hannah and Peter, as they mourn the recent loss of Arlene Specht.

To contribute a prayer request, please e-mail the Church Office .

Calendar

Friday, March 30

Church Office Closed

Sunday, April 1 - Easter Sunday

8:30 a.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

9:15 a.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

9:45-11:20 a.m. - Nursery Care (Nursery)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play I Class (Good Shepherd Room)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play II Class (Creation Room)

9:45 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)

10:00 a.m. - Worship Service with Holy Communion (Sanctuary)

11:15 a.m. - Coffee Hour (Pilgrim Hall)

11:30 a.m. - Easter Egg Hunt (Whole Church)

Monday, April 2

Church Office Closed

Wednesday, April 4

6:00 p.m. - Intergenerational Night with Meal (Dining Room & Fellowship Hall)

7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)

Thursday, April 5

10:00 a.m. - Pastors' Bible Study (Stephanie's Office)

7:30 p.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)

Sunday, April 8

9:15 a.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

9:45-11:20 a.m. - Nursery Care (Nursery)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play I Class (Good Shepherd Room)

9:45-11:15 a.m. - Godly Play II Class (Creation Room)

9:45 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)

10:00 a.m. - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

11:15 a.m. - Coffee Hour (Pilgrim Hall)