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In This Issue
First Church News
Grow in Faith Opportunities
Serve the Church and Community
Build Community
Pledge Now
Sunday, November 19
What's Coming Up?
Bundled Blessings Invitation to Bottoms Up! Fundraiser
First Things First Accessible 24/7
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General Conference 2024- What's the Big Deal?
Next year's General Conference will be very important to the future of the United Methodist denomination, and this Sunday you'll have an opportunity to learn why. On Nov. 19 at 9:15am, the Reconciling Task Force and the Pastor’s Advisory Team will co-sponsor an adult education class (high schoolers and young adults welcome) to update interested congregation members about what to expect at the UMC 2024 General Conference next spring. Please attend in person or online. Learn more...
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Visitors Invited to First Church Ministry Tour
Visitors new to First Church as well as those who have been worshipping here for months are invited to further explore this faith community. The First Church Ministry Tour, offered on Sunday, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 9:15-10:15am, is an opportunity for church visitors to explore who we are as a congregation and what we do. Details and RSVP
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Questions?
Email Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@faithatfirst.com
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The Star Tree is coming!
The Star Tree provides an annual opportunity to give Christmas gifts to Evanston youth from low-income families. This year marks the 25th anniversary of First Church's Star Tree partnership with Evanston’s Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.). On Nov. 26 & Dec. 3, you are invited to select a star ornament from the tree in Fountain Foyer. Each star represents a child or youth identified by Y.O.U. and includes gift ideas. All gifts are due on Dec 10.
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What are you doing Friday evening ? | |
This Friday the Festival Choir and Orchestra of First United Methodist Church of Evanston presents a concert of cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach and Healey Willan. Healey Willan is considered the dean of Canadian composers. His cantata, The Mystery of Bethlehem, was written in 1923 and sets ancient responsories for Advent and Christmas in English. One of the best-known works of Bach is Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring which is from Cantata No. 147. The choir will present the complete cantata which received its premiere 300 years ago in 1723 during the first year of Bach’s tenure in Leipzig. The concert is free and open to the public. | |
Drop Off Styrofoam on Nov. 18
On the third Saturday of each month, 10am to noon, the Earth Care Committee is ready to collect your No. 6 plastic foam at the Church Street entrance. Acceptable items include disposable coffee cups; take out containers... More
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Opportunities to Grow in Faith | |
First Steps to Faith
Sunday, Nov. 19, 9:30-10am
Children ages 0-3 and their parents or caregivers gather one Sunday a month in the nursery for seasonal stories, songs, and activities for young families.
Questions about this event or the nursery? Reach out to Rachel Nkonge, Nursery Coordinator, at nursery@faithatfirst.com .
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Bringing Light Into Advent Darkness
Mondays, Nov. 27, Dec. 4 & 11, 7-8pm (online)
Using the four Advent candle themes--hope, love, joy, and peace—this online three-week, small group experience offers four different prayer practices.
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This group invites participants to explore breath prayer, examen, praying scripture, and intercessory prayer. The goal is to encourage one another to pray intentionally during a season so frequently filled with anxiety, stress, and grief. The hope is that our renewed prayer practices may lead us into a new year that continues Advent themes. No experience necessary.
Details and sign up
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Journey to the Common Good: Fostering Connection and Relational Discipleship During an Epidemic of Loneliness
Sunday, Dec. 3, 10, 17, at 9:15am in person or online via Owl technology
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Despite the proliferation of opportunities to be connected by social media in 2023, people feel less connected than ever. If one of the ministries of the church is to foster community and encourage individuals to thrive in community, how can and how does the church address the lack of connection in today’s society? The three class sessions will focus on the increasing lack of connections in society and the ways that the church can respond to this situation by cultivating relationships and interconnectedness in the face of this “epidemic of loneliness.” Adults of all ages are encouraged to attend each session. More...
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Progressive Christianity Reading Group Begins Discussion of Jon Meachem's The Soul of America on Nov. 30
Meets Thursdays, 1-2 pm (online).
More...
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Winter Covenant Group Forming
Thursdays 10-11am, Jan. 4, 11, 18 & 25, in person
When have you been aware of God’s presence/absence? How do you live your faith?Where do you best hear God's still, small voice? In the new year a small covenant group will gather weekly to reflect on questions like these. An open and freewheeling discussion of faith is envisioned, going wherever God leads!
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Opportunities to Serve this Holiday Season | |
Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
Food donations - sign up
Still needed: ham and stuffing. Can you help?
The schedule for kitchen and dining room volunteers on Thanksgiving is now full! Thank you!
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Thursday Soup Kitchen
As the weather gets colder we see more folks coming for a hot mail and lunch for the next day. Can you help?
Cooking Teams and Dining Room Hosts
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Sack Lunch Ministry
Every Sunday, our congregation delivers 60 sack lunches to a homeless shelter just north of the Howard el stop. Can you help purchase ingredients (anytime during the week) or deliver the lunches (after Sunday worship)?
Learn more and sign up to help.
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Overnight Shelter Hosts
First Church again will host the Interfaith Action of Evanston Overnight Shelter for three weeks during the holidays, December 24- January 14.
Interfaith Action provides two paid staff members plus volunteers each night. Our congregation provides volunteers to serve in a host role each morning (6-7:30am) and evening (8:00-9:00pm) during our three weeks. The volunteer role is minimal, given the paid staff positions. Please consider giving some time for this important effort.
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MYF (for grades 7-12)
Lunch, games, and conversation for middle school and high schoolers!
More details...
Young Adults Potluck
Join your peers for dinner and community!
More details...
At right: First Church young adults at Trivia Night!
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9:00am Nursery opens for ages 0-3
9:15am Classes for preschoolers through adults. Check the calendar listing.
9:30am First Steps to Faith, Chancel Choir rehearsal
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11:30am Community Hour
Stop by Great Hall after worship for coffee or a cold drink and snacks.. Connect with old friends and make some new ones. Can you host one Sunday? Sign up here.
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What's else is coming up? | |
From the Stewardship Committee
It's not too late to pledge your financial support for First Church in 2024. By sharing your intentions of financial giving, you enable the church to make better decisions on how to support our ministries and staff.
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First Things First Accessible 24/7 | |
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The First Things First webpage is updated as needed each week. This page lists current prayer requests and reminds us to care for each other and welcome new persons in our midst.
This webpage is only accessible via the link in the weekly E-News or by using the search bar on the website.
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First United Methodist Church
516 Church St.
847-864-6181
www.faithatfirst.org
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First United Methodist Church is a community
of Christians inviting all people to grow in their relationship with God
and to live their faith in
the world.
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