Week of March 8

Where is God leading us next?

Come be part of the conversation.

This Sunday, March 8, we're gathering as a congregation to begin shaping our new Vision Plan together.

A faithful vision isn’t written by a small group. It is shaped by the prayers, stories, hopes, and wisdom of our whole church family.

This cannot happen without YOU.

Not just leadership.

Not just committees.

Not just longtime members.

All of us. Together.

The future of First Pres should reflect all our voices, stories, and hopes for where God is leading us next.

Our worship services this Sunday will be shortened and we'll gather at 10:30 AM in Fellowship Hall for guided conversation around tables. There will be plenty of snacks, thoughtful discussion, and space for every voice. We’ll finish by 12:45 PM.

No RSVP is required, but we’d love to know you’re coming. Childcare will be provided!

Come ready to share, listen, and imagine what God might do next through us.

Worship with us on Sunday, March 8 at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary or Chapel

Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson is preaching in the chapel and Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley is preaching in the sanctuary. The services will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. For our livestream attendees, you'll find the bulletins for both spaces on our church website

Sermon Series: Flip the Script - The Beatitudes

Our Lenten Sermon Series “Flip the Script” listens to Jesus’ world-changing teaching of the Beatitudes. In God’s world, the least of these are the greatest among us.

Week 1: Blessed are the poor in spirit

Week 2: Blessed are those who mourn

Week 3: Blessed are the meek

Flower Dedications: The flowers today in both the Sanctuary and the Chapel are placed to the glory of God by Sally, Connie and K.C. Kowal in loving memory of Lauren Kowal on her birthday, and in the Sanctuary by Cathy Dummer with love, in honor of Barb Peter on her birthday.

Podcasts: Sunday Sermons and our Anywhere Anytime Bible podcasts are available on the listening platform of your choice, including Spotify and Apple. 

Sunday, March 8

10:00 AM Worship (Sanctuary & Chapel)

10:30 AM Congregational Gathering (Fellowship Hall)

4:00 PM Youth Group (Youth Lounge)

Monday, March 9

2:00 PM Lent Book Study (Dougherty Room)

6:00 PM Lent Book Study (Zoom)

Wednesday, March 11

4:00 PM PADS Food Donation Drop-Off (Sanctuary Entrance)

Sunday, March 15

10:00 AM Worship (Sanctuary & Chapel)

10:15 AM Sunday School PreK-8th grade

11:00 AM Pi Day Pie Sale & Social Hour (Social Hall)

12:00 PM College Care Packages (207)

4:00 PM Youth Group (Youth Lounge)

UPCOMING EVENTS

March

Congregational Gathering #1 (March 8)

Pi Day Pie Sale (March 15)

College Care Packages (March 15)

Mobile Food Pantry Volunteering (March 21)

Holy Week & Easter

Palm Sunday – March 29 at 10:00 AM

Maundy Thursday – April 2 at 5:30 PM

Good Friday – April 3 at 7:30 PM

Easter Sunday – April 5 at 9:00 & 11:00 AM

April

Congregational Gathering #2 (April 12)

Mobile Food Pantry Volunteering (April 18)

Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers (April 19)

Inquirers Class for Prospective New Members (April 19)

Jazz for Cuba Concert (April 19)

Earth Care Sunday & Frog Lady Eco-Fair (April 26)

May

Women’s Spring Retreat (May 2)

“This I Believe” Confirmation Service & Celebration (May 9)

Mobile Food Pantry Volunteering (May 16)

Chancel Choir Major Work (May 17)

Congregational Gathering #3 (May 17)

Confirmation & Baccalaureate Sunday (May 31)

Easter Plant Dedications

Celebrate the joy of Easter by dedicating a plant in memory or in honor of a loved one. Dedications will be printed in our Easter Sunday bulletin. The cost is $13 per plant. Please submit your order by March 23. Plants may be picked up following the 11:00 AM Easter service on April 5. If you would like to donate your plant to our Senior Ministry, simply note that on your order form. Click here to make your dedication.

Confirmation Class Fundraiser: Supporting One Tree Planted

This year, our Confirmation Class has chosen to focus their mission on reforestation as a faithful response to climate change. They are partnering with One Tree Planted, a global nonprofit dedicated to restoring forests and rebuilding ecosystems around the world.

The impact is simple and powerful: every $1 donated plants one tree. Even a small gift makes a real difference.

To make it fun (and visible!), they’ve created giving levels inspired by the life of a forest:

• $5 — Ladybug
• $10 — Acorn
• $20 — Oak Leaf
• $50 — Bird
• $100 — Squirrel

When you donate, your name will be placed on that symbol and added to the Confirmation Class’s oak tree display in the Social Hall — so you can literally watch the tree grow as generosity grows.

Their goal is $2,500, and they would love to completely fill the tree.

Donate online, or donate in person on March 8 and April 12. The class will announce the final total on Earth Care Sunday.

Thank you for helping our students grow something good!

Pi Day Pie Sale Fundraiser on March 15

The youth will be selling pies and pie slices after worship on March 15. Click here to let us know if you can help by bringing a pie that day!

College Care Package Building: Sunday, March 15 12:00-1:00 PM

Families of our college kids are invited to bring a package of pre-wrapped treats to share with others, and a box up to shoebox-size, for a time of care package-building. First Pres will take care of the mailing if you give us the address! We’ll have note cards, markers, stickers, packing tape, and mailing labels ready for you in Room 207.Y

Lent Devotions

Our theme, Hymns of Lent and Easter, reflects on the prayers we sing, songs of lament, hope, repentance, and resurrection that have carried faith through generations. If you would like to start receiving devotions or be removed from the list, please email Megan. Please do not use the “unsubscribe” button, as it will remove you from all church emails.

Libertyville Senior Center News

Click here to read the March update from our friends at the Libertyville Senior Center. Elder Rich Monahan is our church representative on the Senior Center Council.

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. To make a dedication, fill out the form below or call the church at 847-362-2174.

Phishing Texts & Emails

To avoid falling victim to scams, please verify the sender's phone number and/or 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, church directories, or any kind of assistance through email or text. If you have any doubts, please call the church office at 847-362-2174 to verify before taking any action.

How to contact a pastor or staff member

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

Church Office Hours: M-F 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

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.