David Edelfelt in Concert

Friday, November 6 at 7 PM in the First Pres Chapel

In this one-man performance, David shares his most personal show to date, offering songs about love, life and laughter - through the lens of joy, gratitude and inspiration. Come for the fun and bring a friend! Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Coffee at Karina's Bakery on Saturday, November 7 at 10 AM

First Pres folks will be hanging out at Karina's Bakery in Mundelein on Saturday, November 7 from 10:00-11:00 AM. It's part of our monthly First Pres Coffee Tour to support local Black- and Brown-owned businesses. No program, no agenda, just a chance to grab a drink and hang out with First Pres folks for as much or as little of the hour as you’d like. Bring a friend!

Coming up at First Pres

Worship at 10 AM on November 8 in the Sanctuary & Chapel

Rev. Nanette Sawyer is preaching in the Sanctuary and Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley is preaching in the Chapel. The services will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Digital bulletins are on our website for those worshiping online.

Flower Dedication

The flowers in the Sanctuary are placed to the glory of God by Dean Starr in remembrance of a dear friend, Tom Bartlett-Svehla.

Special Congregational Meeting

The Session has called a special meeting of the congregation for this Sunday to elect an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) and at-large members of the Congregational Nominating Committee. Please join us in the Sanctuary immediately following worship. Childcare will be provided.

Click here to access our online giving.

Sunday School & Childcare on Sunday

Childcare | Birth–PreK

Childcare is available in our Nursery (birth–2) and Pre-K room (ages 3–4).

Sunday School | ages 3–7th grade

Come learn, play, create, and discover! Kids explore Bible stories through games, crafts, activities, and conversation. Families begin together in worship, then children head to their classrooms at 10:15 AM.

Wiggly Worship Tables in Sanctuary & Chapel

Little hands are welcome here! Kids in 3rd grade and younger can join us at our Wiggly Worship tables, where hands-on activities help them participate, explore, and engage with worship. Sit nearby and worship together!

Stewardship Update: Thank You!

Pastor Brian’s Autumn 2026 letter reminds us that “Our Vision Plan 2026 is launching a powerful new spiritual chapter in our life together and in our community.” The plan invites us to consider the opportunities before us and discern where God is calling us.

We are grateful to everyone who has already joined in this shared ministry through their 2027 pledge. To date, your 2027 pledges total $1,040,116. Your generosity provides the foundation for our ministries and helps turn our shared vision into reality. Your commitment enables First Presbyterian Church to follow God’s leading as we strive to become all we are called to be.

There is still important work ahead. Every pledge matters. Together, our commitments support worship, discipleship, and community, ensuring that First Presbyterian Church can faithfully pursue the goals outlined in the Vision Plan.

If you have not yet pledged, we invite you to do so today using the online link below, by mailing your form to the church office, or by picking up a Giving Estimate form during the week.

Current Events, Eternal Questions (CEEQ)

Sunday, November 15 at 11:10 AM in the Conference Room

Alex Barnes is leading a CEEQ discussion about El Niño on Sunday, November 15 after worship. All are welcome! No homework, no expertise, and no right answers required—just come ready for a flexible, discussion-based conversation. Look for a new topic on the third Sunday of each month!

Help Us Cook Dinner for PADS

Dinner makes a difference! Our church is joining other faith communities to help ensure families staying at the new Pathways Family Shelter in Waukegan have a nourishing meal and feel cared for as they work toward stable housing. Together, we can offer a little extra support during an important time in their lives.

We've committed to providing dinner for up to 100 people on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Our trial run last month was a great success! Volunteers planned the menu, purchased groceries, prepared dinner in our Fellowship Hall kitchen, and then delivered and served the meal at Pathways.

Want to help make this possible? Click here to learn more and sign up to volunteer!

Advent Wreath Workshop & All Church Lunch

Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 11 AM

Join us in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, November 22 for lunch and a hands-on Advent wreath-making activity using fresh-cut greenery.*

Also, if you’ve been creating handmade crèche pieces each year, your next piece will be waiting for you. If you’re new to the tradition, come pick up your first piece and begin building your own nativity set. All are welcome!

*If you have garden gloves and snippers, please bring them along. A few pairs will be available to share.

Click here to RSVP, so we have enough food and wreath materials for everyone!

First Light Service: Love Finds Us Here

Sunday, November 22 at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary

Sometimes life takes us down roads we never expected to travel. Whether we are grieving a loved one, facing an uncertain future, or carrying losses we can't easily name, the holiday season can make the journey feel especially lonely.

At First Light, we gather to remember that we do not have to know the way forward to be accompanied by love. Through scripture, prayer, music, and reflection, we will make space for our sorrow and find comfort in the promise that God's love meets us wherever we are.

Advent Candle Lighting Opportunities during Advent

Anyone who would like to be part of lighting the Advent candles - families, individuals, friends, or any combination - are invited to help lead our Advent liturgy. Sign up here to tell us your availability!

Advent Book Study Begins Monday, November 23

"Advent Can Still Change the World:

Bringing Christmas Past into Christmas Present"

By Josh Scott

Christmas is a global celebration wrapped in nostalgia and tradition. The movies we return to each year, the carols we know by heart, and the rituals we repeat connect us to Christmases past and to one another. Yet beneath these familiar layers lies a story rooted in real life, unfolding in a specific time and place.

To experience the enduring power of the Christmas story today, we must first understand what it meant then before we can discern what this sacred story offers our own moment.

This four-week Advent study invites you into the historical and cultural world of the nativity narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Explore how the birth of Jesus fulfills Old Testament hopes, revealing God entering human history as the Word made flesh. Guided by author Josh Scott, you’ll discover how reading these texts in their original context opens fresh meaning for contemporary faith, illuminating the gifts and challenges of Christmas for our lives today.



Register Today!

Holiday Meal Boxes for Mobile Food Pantry

This holiday season, the church will provide Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas hams to local families in need. A gift of $23 covers the cost of a complete turkey or ham dinner—enough to feed up to eight people.

You may donate online by clicking here or by writing a check with “Holiday Meal Box” in the memo line.



Thank you for helping share the joy of the holidays with our neighbors!

Sign up your kids to be part of the Christmas Pageant

There's a place for every child and youth in this year's Christmas Pageant!

Whether your child loves being in the spotlight or prefers a non-speaking role, we'd love for them to participate! Click here to learn more and sign up!

Flower Dedications

Honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion with a beautiful floral arrangement in our worship spaces on Sunday mornings. The cost is $45. Click here to make a dedication or call the church at 847-362-2174.

Libertyville Senior Center Update

Click here for the November newsletter.

Phishing Texts & Email Scams

Scams like spoofed emails and texts are becoming more common and can be very convincing. In some cases, scammers may pose as pastors, staff, or fellow members and ask for gift cards, money, personal information, or a quick response to a link.

Our pastors and staff will never ask for gift cards, money, or sensitive information by email or text. If something seems off, please call the church office at 847-362-2174 before taking any action.