Week of January 12, 2025

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Join us for worship at 10 AM on Sunday, January 12. Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson is preaching in the sanctuary. The service will also be available on our YouTube channel.

Sunday School

There were be Sunday School starting at 10:15 AM for PreK-5th Grade. 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) for those kids who don't feel quite ready to participate in a Sunday School setting or sit through worship.

Flower Dedication: The flowers on Sunday are placed to the glory of God by Mary Russert in great appreciation for all those who contributed to the December online Advent devotions.

Fellowship & Coffee

There will be sweets, lemonade and coffee in Social Hall immediately following worship. Hope to see you there!

Meal-A-Month Bags Available

Please grab a grocery bag from a Deacon or in the Narthex after worship on Sunday, Fill it with the items listed or other non-perishable food items you wish to donate OR scan the QR code.  Your donations benefit the Libertyville Township and St. Joseph Food Pantries. Please return your filled bag or have online ordered items be delivered by the end of worship on Sunday, January 19.

January 2025 Meal-A-Month Menu

Canned Corned Beef Hash & Beef Stew

Items Always Needed:

Canned Baked or Refried Beans

Powdered or Canned Milk

Canned Vegetables (any)

Peanut Butter (plastic jar please)

Canned Fruit

Boxed Cereal

Inquirers Class on Saturday, Jan. 18

Are you interested in joining the church as a New Member? Join us on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9:00 - 11:30 AM in the Dougherty Room. Please RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 14 by filling out the Interest Form below or give us a call at 847-362-2174.

New Book Study begins Jan. 20: "The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully" is a reflective and empowering book that explores the joys, challenges, and spiritual dimensions of aging. With wisdom and warmth, author Joan Chittister reframes aging as a rich and rewarding stage of life, full of opportunities for growth, purpose, and reflection. The book is ideal for older adults seeking to embrace aging with positivity and for those who want to better understand the experiences of their aging loved ones. The book study will be led by Rosemary Monahan. The group will meet on Zoom from 1:30-2:45 PM for seven weeks (Monday, March 20 – Monday, March 3). Click here to sign up!

Open Mic Coffee House on Jan. 26 from 4:00-5:30 PM

Come for fellowship, fun, and to share your talents with our youth group and congregation! We will be taking a free-will offering that will go towards SHF's summer retreat to Montreat and JHF's summer retreat to Quest. Sign up here to help with this fundraiser and/or perform at the Open Mic

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.

The Week Ahead:

Sunday, Jan. 12

10:00 AM 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 Junior & Senior High (Choir Room)

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

5:30 PM Youth Bells

7:00 PM Senior High Fellowship (Youth Lounge)

Monday, Jan. 13

9:00 AM Habitat Quilting (Social Hall)

6:30 PM Vesper Bells

7:00 PM Business Affairs (Conference Room)

7:00 PM Deacons Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

7:00 PM Scout Troop 71 Meeting (Room 207)

Tuesday, Jan. 14

7:00 Men’s Bible Study (Zoom)

7:00 PM Buildings & Grounds (Parlor)

7:30 PM Long Range Planning (Conference Rom)

Wednesday, Jan. 15

7:30 AM Morning Bible Study (Zoom) 

4:00 PM PADS Donation Drop Off 

7:00 PM Christian Ed Committee (Zoom)

7:00 PM Stewardship Committee (Zoom)

Thursday, Jan. 16

9:00 AM Bel Canto Ringers

9:00 AM Women’s Disciple Bible Study (Conference Room)

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)

Saturday, Jan. 18

8:00 AM Mobile Food Pantry

9:00 AM Inquirers Class (Dougherty/Conference Room)

Sunday, Jan. 19

10:00 AM Worship (Sanctuary)

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

11:00 AM Social Hour (Social Hall)

11:15 AM Third Grade Bible Luncheon (Fellowship Hall)

11:15 AM Fourth & Fifth Grade Fellowship (Youth Lounge)

11:15 AM Alpha Chimers

11:15 AM Trinity Choir Junior & Senior High (Choir Room)

1:30 PM Sedgebrook Senior Living Worship Service (Offsite)

5:30 PM Youth Bells

6:00 PM Junior & Senior High Fellowship Combined (Youth Lounge)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Inquirers Class (Jan. 18)

Third Grade Bible Presentation & Luncheon (Jan. 19)

Fourth & Fifth Grade Fellowship (Jan. 19)

“The Gift of Years” Book Study (Begins Jan. 20)

Open Mic Coffeehouse Fundraiser (Jan. 26)

SHF Stronghold Retreat (Jan. 31 – Feb. 2) 

Session's December Report to the Congregation

On Sunday, Dec. 21, Elder Liz White presented the December Session Update to the congregation. For those who were not in worship that day, you may read the update here.

Third Grade Bibles on Jan. 19

Do you have a third grader in your household? If so, this is the year they will receive a special Bible from the church. We'll gift them with their Bibles in the sanctuary worship on Sunday, January 19 (and walk over to the chapel as well). Afterward, we'll host your student and your family at a How-to-Read-Your-Bible luncheon where we'll go over some basics, as well as provide some fun ways to engage with this new Bible. Please RSVP by completing this form

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.

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

Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, NC

Saturday, June 7-14, 2025

Open to entering 9th graders through graduated 12th graders

Register through this link (and make your non-refundable $200 deposit) by Feb. 9.

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.

Libertyville Senior Center News

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

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. 

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 - 4 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.

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.