Weekly News from FCCW
September 9, 2018
In This Edition
Word from the Pastor
Worship Service
Sunday Servers
Kids Club
Contemplative Prayer
Rally Day!
Mary Supper
Men's Group
Interfaith Programs
Upcoming Music
Sandwich-Making
Connections Requests
Stock the Shelves
Book Group
Upcoming Author Talk
Book Discussion Group
Food Pantry Requests
Joys & Prayers
Weekly Calendar
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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,

It is time for our Rally Day fall Reunion! I hope to see all of you in worship on Sunday, and hope you'll enjoy lunch catered by our mission partners at Curt's Café. There will be karaoke, games for children, and a reunion with all your FCCW friends. Stay for a sandwich, and make a sandwich for those served by our partners at Connections for the Homeless. Throughout the summer, we gathered two Sundays a month to make bag lunches for the Connections daily drop-in center. This Sunday, we'll be taking up a special Rally Day Offering to support the continuation of this project throughout the program year!
 
As you know, we will also be recognizing Daniel Smith on Sunday and thanking him for his three years of service as our Church Administrator. Please be on hand to wish Daniel well as he begins his new staff position at the Styberg Library at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston. The Personnel Committee of the Board of Trustees has joined Jason Okrzynski and me in conducting interviews for a new Administrator, and we should have more news to share this coming week!
 
See you Sunday,
 
This Sunday
Worship Service with Holy Communion
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Rally Day!
September 9, 2018
10:00 a.m.

Preacher:
Dr. Stephanie VanSlyke

Presider:
Dr. Jason Okrzynski

Scriptures:
For the bulletin, click  here .
Sunday Servers

Sunday, September 9
Ushers: John Flanagin (HU); Dave Chapman
Greeter(s): Andrew Stewart
Coffee Hour Servers:  Jan & Don Klingberg; Melanie Mallin & Bill Loumpouridis
Communion Table Decorator(s): FCCW Staff
Communion Bread: Mary Fulton
Counter: Bill Ieuter

Sunday, September 16
Ushers: Neil Ferrari (HU); Dave Chapman
Greeter(s):  Gretchen Alexander
Coffee Hour Servers: Mary Smoley; Suzanne & Keith Ross
Communion Table Decorator(s): Jan Klingberg
Counter: Dave Chapman
Children's & Youth Announcements
Weekly Calendar

Sunday, September 9
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)
9:45-11:15 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)

Wednesday, September 12
4:30-5:30 p.m. - Kids Club (Creation Room)
6:00-7:00 p.m. - Confirmation (Upper Room)
Kids Club
 
Led by Jason Okrzynski and Stephanie VanSlyke,  Kids Club is a simple program for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade ; it is all about being together and having fun. Wednesday afternoons, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., all elementary age students are invited and encouraged to come to FCCW to engage God and each other through singing, games, crafts, and snacks. Fun will be had.
Adult Spiritual Formation
Contemplative Prayer

Each week Stephanie VanSlyke and Jason Okrzynski lead a time of contemplative prayer, an ancient Christian practice of centering and silence, focused upon one of the scripture readings for the week. If you would like to experience this time of quiet meditation, or go deeper into your own practice, please join us  on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m.
General Announcements
Rally Day!

We will celebrate the beginning of another year with our annual Rally Day celebration this  Sunday, September 9, at 10 a.m. This is always a joyous and festive time when we reunite together after the summer. We will celebrate our work with Connections for the Homeless and Curt's Café. The Nursery and Church School will resume their regular schedules, and the Chancel Choir will return as well. After worship, we will gather for a luncheon from Curt's Café, with children's games on the lawn.
Mary Supper

The Mary Supper is a monthly women's gathering led by Pastor Stephanie VanSlyke. The hostess assigns participants to bring a soup, salad, bread, dessert, or beverage. Over a shared meal, we also share spiritual conversation, prayers, and wisdom. The Mary Supper takes its name from the sisters Mary and Martha of Bethany in the Gospel of John, women who opened their home to Jesus and shared spiritual conversation with him.
 
The first gathering with be on Tuesday, September 11, at 6:30 p.m. Susan Hodges and Kirsten Haake will host. They live at 118 Lockerbie Lane in Wilmette. RSVP to hodgeswrites@gmail.com or 312-351-2373.

The next gathering with be on  Tuesday, October 9, at 6:30 p.m.  Paula Delehanty will host. She lives at 726 Carriage Hill Drive in Glenview. RSVP to pauladelehanty@gmail.com or 847-927-0987.
 
Dates for 2018-2019:  September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, & May 14
The Men's Group

The Men's group is led by Rev. Dr. David Hogue, and meets select Mondays at Hackney's Restaurant, 1514 E. Lake Avenue in Glenview, for dinner and conversation. The first meeting of the year will be Monday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m.
 
Dates for 2018-2019: September 17, October 15, November 12, January 14, February 11, March 18, April 15, & May 20
Interfaith Book Study & Lecture

Join us as we explore the teachings of Bruce Feiler on Thursdays, October 4 and 11, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at FCCW. Reverend VanSlyke and Rabbi Gordon will lead two class sessions in anticipation of the visit and lecture of Bruce Feiler.  Bruce Feiler is the author of Walking the Bible, Abraham, Where God Was Born, and many other books and articles.  As our guest scholar on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. at Sukkat Shalom, Feiler will speak on  KEEPING THE BIBLE ALIVE: What Two Decades Walking the Bible Taught Me About Life, Land, Love, and Camels. We hope that you will join us for the study and the lecture. For more information, contact Pastor Stephanie.
Upcoming Musical Events

Here are two upcoming musical events for you to put on your calendar(s):

 

Sunday, September 30, 4:00 p.m. The Agape Ringers, Chicago's premier handbell ensemble, will be giving a concert practically in your backyard at St. John UCC in Arlington Heights. This is one of the last concerts with David Weck directing us (he is retiring after our Sounds of the Season concert in December). For complete details, please visit our website: AgapeRingers.org .

Sunday, October 14, 4:00 p.m. - To celebrate the completion of 20 years of service at FCCW, Kurt is giving an organ recital. It will be a mixture of standard organ literature, as well as hymn arrangements and other surprises, encompassing pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras. You will not want to miss it!

Service Opportunity: Connections  Lunches

Our friends at Connections for the Homeless have re-opened their daytime drop in center five days a week and need bag lunches for those served.  FCCW has committed to making bag lunches twice a month. Please join us after worship in the church kitchen on the Second and Fourth Sundays of the month. We will provide the materials; you will provide the helping hands to make thirty sandwiches and bag thirty lunches! The next opportunity will be this Sunday, September 9!
Connections Requests
Our friends at Connections for the Homeless are in need of men's/women's shoes, belts, and toiletriesIf you can donate these gently used/laundered or new items, we will gladly accept them in the Church Atrium. Thank You!

Check out the Connections Amazon wishlist 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, September 20, at 3 p.m. , FCCW's book group will meet. They will be discussing  Principles of Navigation  by Lynn Sloan . This is an informal group, and all are welcome! No RSVP is needed. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Kelleher at jen.kelleher2@gmail.com or 847-864-0763.
Upcoming Author Talk

On Thursday, September 20, at 3 p.m., Lynn Sloan, author of Principles of Navigation, will be at the church to discuss her book. She is a local Evanston resident, and she has agreed to meet with our book group and church members. All are welcome to attend, even if you have not attended book group in the past. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Kelleher at jen.kelleher2@gmail.com or 847-864-0763.
Book Discussion Group

On  Thursday, September 20, at 3 p.m. , FCCW's book group will meet in the Library. They will be discussing  Principles of Navigation by Lynn Sloan . This is an informal group, and all are welcome! No RSVP is needed. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Kelleher at jen.kelleher2@gmail.com or 847-864-0763.
 
Upcoming Dates/Books:
September 20: Principles of Navigation by Lynn Sloan
October 18: Paul: A Biography by N. T. Wright
Wilmette Food Pantry 
 
For September, the pantry is requesting these items:

1.) Oatmeal (Any Size Container)
2.) Canned Chicken, Salmon, or Tuna (Any Size)

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  

To contribute a prayer request, please e-mail the
Church Office .
Calendar
Sunday, September 9 - Rally Day
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)
9:45-11:15 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)
10:00 a.m. - Worship Service with Holy Communion (Sanctuary)
11:15 a.m. - Luncheon (Dining Room or Church Lawn)
11:30 a.m. - Sandwich Making for Connections (Downstairs Kitchen)

Tuesday, September 11
6:30 p.m. - Mary Supper (Home of Kirsten Haake & Susan Hodges)
 
Wednesday, September 12
4:30 p.m. - Kids Club (Creation Room)
6:00 p.m. - Confirmation (Upper Room)
7:30 p.m. - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
 
Thursday, September 13
10:00 a.m. - Contemplative Prayer (Stephanie's Office)
7:30 p.m. - Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
 
Sunday, September 16
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)
9:45-11:15 a.m. - Kairos Class (Upper Room)
10:00 a.m. - Worship Service (Sanctuary)
11:15 a.m. - Coffee Hour (Pilgrim Hall)