In This Issue

Sunday, Sept. 24

Fun Facts about Bible Sunday!

Bundled Blessings Celebrates Two Million Diapers

Email Troubles - Stay Tuned!

David D'Arcy Named First Church Vision Keeper

First Wednesday Potlucks Begin October 4

Adult Education and Faith Sharing Opportunities

News from Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Young Adult Ministry!

What's Coming Up?

First Things First Accessible 24/7

9:00am Nursery opens for ages 0-3.

9:15am Sunday School for preschoolers through 6th grade in Room 26

Confirmation Class for youth in grades 7 & 8 in Room M

Faith and Parenting in Room 24

Unrelenting Grace in Glenna Hall (with Abide group)

9:30am Chancel Choir rehearsal

10:50am Children's Chapel for grades preschool-3 in Room 37

Connect 456 for grades 4-6 in Room 32

Fun Facts About Bible Sunday

On September 24 at First Church:

• The longstanding tradition continues of gifting bibles to 3rd graders.
• A much newer practice (begun by Jim Hagedorn) of gifting study bibles to youth in the confirmation class is repeated.
• The 13 bible recipients this year include two sets of siblings and three second-generation First Church bible recipients!

Blast from the Past:

Bible Sunday October 2011

Help us celebrate the distribution of our two millionth diaper on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 12:45pm, coinciding with Diaper Need Awareness Week and our 10th year in service to our community. 

We will have a brief presentation/celebration as we distribute diapers to our partner agencies on their regular pick up day. We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without our church community!

Email Troubles - Stay Tuned!

Please note that our church's email server is experiencing some issues. Many of the emails sent by staff are bouncing back or not reaching the intended recipients. If you are concerned that you are not receiving our emails, please check your spam folder. Then please call us directly at the church (847-864-6181). We will share when the issues have been resolved by our IT support team. 

David D'Arcy to Be Honored as First Church Vision Keeper

Reserve tickets for the Vision Keeper Dinner by Sept. 22

Interfaith Action of Evanston’s annual Vision Keeper Dinner gives faith communities an opportunity to come together and celebrate common bonds of faith and service. At the event, each congregation honors one person or group as its Vision Keeper, someone who embodies values that positively impact both the faith community and the larger community. This year, First Church lifts up the commitment and contributions of David D'Arcy as our Vision Keeper.

Please join us in honoring David at the dinner on October 8 at 5:30pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Skokie. Dinner tickets are $80 per person. To reserve your seat, please email Alli Henry at alli.m.henry@gmail.com by September 22. Checks can be dropped off at the front office.

First Wednesday Potluck

Wednesday, October 4, 6:00-7:00pm in the church dining room

Bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food and fellowship this fall on the first Wednesday of every month! We'll gather in the church dining room after Children's Choir and before Chancel Choir rehearsal.

An optional $5 donation per group or individual (online or at the door) is appreciated to help offset costs. On the menu this month, a seasonal pasta with squash, ricotta and lemon! RSVP now

Adult Education and Faith-Sharing Opportunities

Check out this lineup for the fall!

Sunday Classes and Groups

Unrelenting Grace: A United Methodist Way of Life

Sept. 17 & 24 at 9:15am, in Glenna Hall and online. Details and registration

Faith and Parenting - Sundays at 9:15am in Room 24. Details.

Abide - Sundays at 9:15am, in person and online. Details.

Homelessness in Evanston - Oct. 1, 8, 15 & 22 at 9:15am, in person & online

Through monthly Join us on Sundays, Oct. 1, 8, 15 & 22, at 9:15 am for an interactive discussion of homelessness in Evanston to learn about current services for those experiencing housing and food insecurity and explore our response as a faith community. Details and registration.

Covenant Hike Group - Monthly on 1st Sunday at 2:00pm. Begins Oct. 1.

Through monthly hikes we share nature immersion while experiencing God’s presence. A simple format for the one-hour hike includes time for reflection, sharing of joys and concerns, silence, and fellowship. Details and signup.

Theology, Identity, and Me: An Affirming Study of Gender, Sex, and Human Sexuality    Oct. 29, Nov. 5, & 12 at 9:15am, in person and online

Details and registration.

Weekday Groups

Wednesday Bible Study - Wednesdays 10-11:30am (online) Details..

Progressive Christianity Reading Group - Thursdays 1:00-2:15pm (online) Details..

God’s Story, Our Stories Bible Study - Thursdays 7:00-8:30pm  Details.

Children's Ministry News

Register your child (infants through 6th grade) here

Children's Ministry Training and Information Session

October 8, 11:30-12:30pm

Youth Ministry News

Check out this year's first issue of the Young Adult Newsletter . Want to be added to the mailing list? Contact Sydney Harkrider at sydney@faithatfirst.com .

What's Coming Up?

Please submit event information via the new Communications and Calendar Request.

Sept. 23: Celebration of Life for Mary Jo Crihfield, 11:30am in the sanctuary

Sept. 24: Bible Sunday

Sept 27: Coffee, Conversation, and Friends

Sept. 30: Celebration of Life for Gayle Webber

Oct. 1: World Communion Sunday; Messy Church; MYF; Young Adults Potluck

Oct. 3: First Books discusses West with Giraffes

Oct. 5: Progressive Christianity Reading Group begins discussion of “The Elephant is Running: Process and Open and Relational Theologies and Religious Pluralism” with conversation led by the author, Bruce Epperly.

First Things First Accessible 24/7

The First Things First webpage is updated as needed each week. This page lists current prayer requests, shares worship attendance, 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.