Coming up at First Pres

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

April 3 at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Led by Rev. Amy Heinrich, the Tenebrae service offers a moving meditation on Christ’s suffering through scripture, music, and the growing silence and darkness of the day.The service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel

Easter Sunday Worship — 9 & 11 AM

Join us this Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ with joyful worship. Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson will proclaim the Easter message in the sanctuary, with music led by the Chancel Choir and the First Pres Orchestra.

The 9:00 AM service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel, and a digital bulletin is available for those worshiping online.

Children will remain in worship with their families. Worship kits will be available as you enter, and Wiggly Worship tables will be open for young children.

Indoor Easter Egg Hunt (Ages 2–5th Grade)

Grab a basket and come ready for fun! Children ages 2 through 5th grade are invited to hunt for eggs together. We’ll gather in the Dougherty Room at 10:15 AM, or about five minutes after the 9:00 AM worship service ends. All candy is allergy-aware so more kids can safely join in the fun!

Easter Offering

On Easter Sunday, gifts that are not otherwise designated will be received as part of our Easter Offering in support of the Session Contingency (Local Church) Fund. This fund helps care for unexpected needs and strengthens the ongoing ministry of our church. To give directly, click here

PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing

The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering supports ministries addressing disaster, hunger, poverty, and displacement, bringing relief, stability, and hope to communities in need.

Through the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering, our gifts support ministries that respond to disaster, hunger, poverty, and displacement—bringing relief, stability, and hope to communities in need. Click here to give to One Great Hour of Sharing.

Help Us Collect 1,500 Food Items This April

Our Deacons invite you to “Help Feed the Need” during our Spring Harvest Food Drive. Our goal is to collect 1,500 items throughout the month of April to support local families in need.

There are several easy ways to give:

• Click here to order items from Amazon for direct delivery to the church
• Make a monetary donation by check, cash or online
• Bring non-perishable food items to the Spring Harvest table in the narthex on April 5, 12, 19 or 26.

All donations will benefit the Libertyville and St. Joseph’s food pantries. This drive is our primary food collection of the year, replacing our former Meal-a-Month program.

Please consider giving generously this April. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community!

Women's Spring Retreat

Saturday, May 2

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie

Led by Rev. Amy M. Heinrich

Join us for our Women’s Spring Retreat, Temporary: Loosening Our Grip; Opening Our Hearts. This retreat, led by Rev. Amy M. Heinrich, invites us to reflect on a sacred truth. Much of life is temporary. Seasons, roles, relationships, and even beloved traditions change over time.

In Christian faith, holy detachment does not mean indifference or forgetting. It means holding all things with open hands, grateful for them but not grasping.

Together, we will give thanks for what has been, gently release it, and trust that God is already preparing what comes next.

As part of our time together, we will create a shared work of ephemeral art. You are invited to bring a small item from nature such as a leaf, branch, stone, or flower. This simple practice reflects the beauty of each season and the invitation to hold all things lightly.

A catered lunch is included in the $20 registration fee. Click here to sign up.

Interested in Becoming a Member of First Pres Libertyville?

If you’ve been worshiping with us and are considering making First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville your spiritual home, we warmly invite you to attend our Inquirers Class—a welcoming opportunity to learn more about our church community and how we are united by God’s love.

Here’s what the New Member process looks like:

Sunday, April 19

2:00–4:00 PM – Inquirers Class (Dougherty Room - 2nd floor)

Monday, April 20

6:00 PM – New Member Dinner with Shepherds (Social Hall)

7:00 PM – Meet with Session to officially join the church (Chapel)

Sunday, May 3

10:00 AM – New Member Recognition during worship (Sanctuary & Chapel)

Click here to learn more and sign up!

Vision Plan Discussion on Sunday, April 12

Join us as we reflect on the role First Pres has played, and continues to play, both in our local community and beyond. We hope you’ll come share your thoughts; your voice is an important part of this process.

A few reminders:

• Worship will be shortened to 30 minutes
• The discussion will run from 10:45 AM–12:45 PM in Fellowship Hall
• The Rev. Ellen Baxter of Pneumatrix / The Center for Healthy Churches will once again lead our time together
• Lunch and childcare will be provided

Click here to RSVP!

Jazz Concert for Cuba

An evening of fantastic jazz. A mission that matters.

Join us Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel for the premiere of The Flat Five — a professional jazz quintet featuring Dan Brame, Jared Brame, Kirk Townander, Andy Danckers and Ed Koehler. This special concert benefits our partner church in Cuba and supports our ongoing mission partnership.

No admission charge. Donations encouraged.

Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Can’t attend? You can still support the Cuba mission online here.

Biblical Hospitality: Changing the World Without Burning it Down

Tuesdays: April 14, 21, 28 and May 5

7:00 PM Conference Room or Zoom

Led by Jodi Craiglow

We're living in a time when disagreement easily turns into division, and division quickly turns into hostility. The Bible offers another way. From Abraham’s tent to the table of Jesus, God forms communities through the practice of hospitality -- welcoming the stranger, restoring what's broken, dwelling together in grace, and being sent into the world as people of reconciliation. In this four-week class, we'll explore how biblical hospitality can help us engage a changing culture without fear, without anger, and without losing the heart of the gospel. Each week will include conversation, reflection, and concrete practices for everyday life.

Click here to sign up!

Adult Ed Class: Have You Ever Wondered About?

Wednesday, April 8, 22 and May 6

7:00 PM Fellowship Hall

Led by Alex Barnes and Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley

As Pride Sunday approaches, the First Pres LGBTQ+ Workgroup invites you to a three-part learning series exploring Scripture, theology, and inclusion. Join us on April 8, April 22, and May 6 as we learn together, grow in understanding, and celebrate the diversity of God’s beloved people—especially our LGBTQ+ siblings—on the journey toward Pride Sunday, June 28. Click here to 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.

Podcasts

Check out our podcasts! You can find Sunday Sermons and Anywhere Anytime Bible on the listening platform of your choice, including Spotify and Apple. 

Contact a Pastor or Staff Member

To reach the church office, please call 847-362-2174 or email office@boxp.net.

Office hours are Monday–Friday, 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. Please leave a message, and a pastor will return your call as soon as possible.



Visit our website: www.firstpreslibertyville.org

Phishing Texts & Email Scams

Scams like spoofed emails and texts are becoming more common and can be very convincing—even appearing to come from someone you know.

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.

A few simple reminders:

• Be cautious of unexpected or urgent messages, even if they look legitimate
• Don’t click links or respond right away—pause and verify first
• When in doubt, contact the person directly using a phone number you trust

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.