Thanksgiving & First Sunday in Advent

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer for the Thanksgiving Table

By Shea Watts (Published in The Presbyterian Outlook)

The Lord be with you.

And with me.

And everywhere in between us.

Let us lift our hearts to God

in praise for the gift of this meal and this moment.

Loving God,

in Jesus, you bless, break, and pour out your love, sharing it with us.

Draw us into your presence, making us keenly aware of your love for us.

May we find nourishment in the food,

giving thanks for the farmers who grew it and the hands that prepared it.

May we also find love in the conversation around this table,

remembering your sacrifice for us in our words and actions.

By your Spirit, make us one with you and with each other.

We ask these things in the name of the one who taught us to pray, saying:

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgives us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the glory, and the power forever. Amen.

Advent Vespers Service on Dec. 1

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary for The Seven Joys of Christmas by Kirke Mechem, presented by our Advent Vespers Choir. This beautiful choral piece reflects the joys of the Christmas season through lovely harmonies and thoughtful lyrics.

First Pres Giving Tree

Use the QR code or use the link https://bit.ly/3Z320v5 to choose a gift. Gifts given through the Giving Tree program provide hope and love to those in need through several partner organizations. Return with labels attached to the Sanctuary Narthex by noon on Sunday, December 15.

The Week Ahead:

Sunday, December 1

First Sunday in Advent

10:00 AM Communion Worship (Sanctuary)

10:15 AM Sunday School Pre-K-8th Grade

11:00 AM Social Hour (Social Hall)

11:15 AM Alpha Chimers

11:15 AM Trinity Choir (Choir Room)

5:30 PM Youth Bells

6:30 PM Advent Vespers Service (Sanctuary)

Sunday, December 2

2:00 PM Advent Book Study (Dougherty Room)

6:00 PM Advent Book Study (Zoom)

6:30 PM Vesper Bells (Bell Room)

7:00 PM Rebecca Circle (Parlor)

7:00 PM Scout Troop 71 (Fellowship Hall)

Tuesday, December 3

7:00 AM Men's Bible Study (Zoom)

Wednesday, December 4

7:30 AM Morning Book Study (Zoom)

4:00 PM PADS Food Donation Drop-off (Sanctuary Narthex)

Thursday, December 5

9:00 AM Bel Canto Ringers

4:20 PM Faith Choir (Sanctuary)

4:30 PM Cherub Choir (Chapel)

6:00 PM Chapel Music Team (Chapel)

6:30 PM Motet Choir (Sanctuary)

7:30 PM Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)

Sunday, December 8

Second Sunday in Advent

10:00 AM Worship & Chancel Choir Major Work (Sanctuary)

10:15 AM Sunday School Pre-K-8th Grade

11:00 AM Social Hour (Social Hall)

11:15 AM Alpha Chimers

11:15 AM Trinity Choir (Choir Room)

11:45 AM Confirmation (Youth Ed. Room)

1:30 PM Green Oaks Senior Living Worship Service (Offsite)

5:30 PM Youth Bells

6:00 PM JHF/SHF Christmas Caroling 

Upcoming Events

Advent Vespers Service (Dec. 1)

Chancel Choir & Orchestra Major Work (Dec. 8)

JHF/SHF Christmas Caroling (Dec. 8)

Ecumenical Advent Service (Dec. 11)

Christmas Pageant (Dec. 15)

Christmas Eve Services (Dec. 24)

David Edelfelt Concert (Jan. 3)

All Church Game Night & Chili Cook-Off (Jan. 5)

Sunday Night Coffeehouse (Jan. 26)

SHF Stronghold (Jan. 29-31)

Worship with us at 10 AM on Sunday

Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson is preaching in the sanctuary. The service will also be available on our YouTube channel.

Sunday School for PreK-8th grade is at 10:15 AM. Caregiving is provided for kids ages birth through age 2 in the nursery and for ages 3-4 in the PreK-K caregiving room (105/106).

Flower Dedications: The flowers on Sunday are placed to the glory of God by the Roland family with love and in celebration of the 98th birthday of Marty Powell (Mom, Grandma, GG)

Thanksgiving Collection

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to give thanks by supporting the Deacons' Operating Fund, which directly supports the vital ministries of our Deacons.

To make a donation, simply click here: Give Now. Thank you for your continued generosity and support! 

Stewardship Update

We are grateful to everyone who has already pledged to support the ministry and mission of our church through this year’s Stewardship Campaign.

As of Tuesday, we have received $1,098,459 in total pledges, with our goal set at $1,170,093 (matching last year’s total). Your generosity enables us to continue the vital work that transforms lives and spreads God’s love, both within our community and beyond.

If you have not yet made your pledge, there’s still time to contribute! Every pledge, no matter the size, plays an essential role in helping us reach our goal and strengthens our ability to serve in the year ahead.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and commitment to First Presbyterian Church. Together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant community of faith.

If you have any questions or need assistance with pledging, please feel free to contact Linda Westman at 847-362-2174.

Job Opening: Chapel Music Director

We are currently seeking a Chapel Music Director to join our program staff. This 20-hour per week position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the Chapel music program.

The Chapel Music Director reports to the Department Head of Music and has on-site responsibilities on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons/evenings. If you are passionate about music and ministry, we'd love to hear from you! Click here for the full job description.

Job Opening: Office Manager & Executive Assistant to the Pastor

You or someone you know may be the person God is seeking to help lead our church office staff. This is a part-time, in-person position (20-25 hours per week). If you are passionate about supporting a vibrant ministry and have experience in office management or administrative support, we invite you to apply! Click here for the full job description.

Calling all Chefs: Game Night & Chili Cook-Off

Join us on January 5 from 4:30-6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall for a game night for all ages and a chili competition dinner. Just getting in from your winter vacation? Enjoy an easy meal cooked for you and a little bit of fun before your return to the "real world." We'll have board games for all ages and you are invited to bring your favorite, too! Dinner will be served at 5:45. All chili chefs interested in entering the competition should contact Rev. Nicole at nchapman-farley@boxp.net by December 15.

Advent Candle Lighting Opportunities

Would you like to be part of lighting the candles on the Advent wreaths in worship this season? We have open spots on Christmas Eve at 4 & 7 PM, and on Sunday, Dec. 29. Sign up here to indicate when you are available!

If you received our Advent devotions last year, you’ll automatically receive them by email starting December 1. If you haven’t subscribed before, you can sign up here: Advent Devotion Sign-Up. Each day, devotion contributors will share a reading, a personal reflection, a prayer, and a short biography to help you get to know them better. We hope these daily moments of reflection draw you closer to God!

Holiday Major Work on Dec. 8

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 10 AM in the sanctuary as the Chancel Choir & Orchestra, under the direction of David Edelfelt, presents Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël (The Midnight Mass). This exquisite composition, inspired by beloved French Christmas carols, features the beautiful harmonies of our chorus, flutes, strings, and organ.  

20^th Anniversary of the Ecumenical Advent Service on Dec. 11

In The Journey to Joy in Three Songs, we'll reflect on the songs of Miriam, Hannah, and Mary—three powerful women of Scripture whose voices point us toward the hope and joy of Advent.

The service will be led by ten women in ministry from local churches, including our own Rev. Amy Heinrich, Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley, and Rev. Melanie Hammond Clark. Music will include our beautiful bell choirs.

The evening will begin at 6:45 PM in Social Hall with a warm, festive reception. At 7:30 PM, we’ll move to the Chapel for worship, where we’ll reflect, sing, and journey together toward the joy of the season. This service is open to all! Bring your friends.

Christmas Pageant on Dec. 15

Join us at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary for our Children & Youth Christmas Pageant! Our kids and teens will bring the Christmas story to life through song and scripture.

Christmas Eve Worship on Dec. 24

Our Family Service will be at 4:00 PM, followed by traditional Candlelight Services at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. 

David Edelfelt Concert on January 3

Looking for a fun, sophisticated and inspiring way to start the new year? Join David Edelfelt on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 PM in the chapel for an eclectic evening of music celebrating the joy of new starts!

Accompanied by the fabulous Chuck Larkin on piano, David will present songs and stories to entertain and amuse you, help you to reflect and inspire you to walk into the new year filled with joy, optimism and purpose!

Support Mobile Food Pantry

Help us underwrite the cost of the Holiday Meal Boxes that are distributed for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Your $23 donation will provide a whole turkey, lots of side dishes, dessert, and more for a family of eight. Give using the QR code or by clicking this link: https://onrealm.org/FirstPresbyteri4662/give/meals

PADS Food Collection

Drop off on Wednesdays between 4-6 PM in the Sanctuary Narthex. Please only bring items from the list below:

Breakfast: Bagels, cream cheese, instant oatmeal, store-bought muffins, granola or breakfast bars, meal replacement drinks

Lunch: Crackers, chips, ramen noodle cups or packages, protein bars, tuna or chicken salad packs, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, Jell-O cups, apple sauce pouches

Dinner: Non-perishable microwave dinners, canned baked beans, mac and cheese in boxes or cups, canned chili, microwave rice packs, sardines

Drinks: Apple or fruit juice packs, water bottles, hot chocolate packs, small containers of milk

Other: Can openers, plastic cutlery and plates, baby food

Join our Sunday Morning AV Team!

Audio

Are you interested in microphones and mixing boards? Help deliver the message throughout the Sanctuary and Chapel!

Video

Are you interested in camera controllers, video production, and YouTube?

Slides

Are you interested in keeping everyone in the Chapel on the same page?

We provide all training; no experience necessary! Use the QR code to access the interest form or email the office at office@boxp.net. 

Flower Calendar

If you'd like to honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by dedicating a floral arrangement to be used in our worship spaces on Sunday mornings, please fill out the form below or call the church office at 847-362-2174.

Libertyville Senior Center News

Click here to read the December newsletter from our friends at the Libertyville Senior Center.

How to contact a pastor or staff member

Call 847-362-2174 or email office@boxp.net.

The office is open M-F 9 AM - 5 PM.

Thanksgiving week office hours:

Thursday, Nov. 28: Closed

Friday, Nov. 29: Closed

Pastoral Emergencies

If you are a church member and need to reach a pastor in an emergency, please call 847-367-6460. Leave a message and a pastor will return your call as soon as they are able.

Sermon Podcasts

Podcasts of previous Sunday sermons are available on the listening platform of your choice, including Spotify, Apple, and YouTube Music. The links are also available on our website at www.firstpreslibertyville.org/podcasts. New podcasts are generally uploaded midweek.

Beware of Scams!

To avoid falling victim to scams, please verify the sender's email address before responding to any messages that appear to be from our pastors or staff. Our pastors only send email from boxp.net and will never make personal requests for money, gift cards, or any kind of assistance through email. If you have any doubts, please call the church office at 847-362-2174 to verify before taking any action.