Parish Life Newsletter

Learn more about Sunday morning faith formation at First Pres for kids, youth and adults here. Can you help by being one of our volunteer leaders? Sign up here!

Join us for worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary

This Sunday, worship will be led by our very own Junior High and Senior High Fellowship Groups, centered around the theme “Friendships & Faith.” Over the past few weeks, they have worked together to creatively explore how our faith can impact our friendships and vice versa. This service will feature music from our youth choir, handbells, & worship band, along with reflections from students, Riley Henderson and Arwen Townander. The worship service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Click here to go directly to Sunday's livestream.

Flower Dedications

The flowers this Sunday are placed to the glory of God by Fred, Myrna, Jonathan and Elizabeth Ulanday in memory of loving mother and grandmother, Ely Ulanday.

Kids' Church

Bring your kids to worship on Sunday. We're not having Kids' Church this week so that everyone can enjoy our special Youth Sunday worship service together!

Social Hour

Join us in Social Hall after worship for coffee, sweets and lemonade!

Evening Sabbath on Jan. 29

Join us next Sunday, Jan., 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel for Rev. Amy Heinrich's meditation on "Fruits of the Spirit." This contemplative candlelight service is set "in the round" in the Chapel. Music will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the meditation will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m.

Volunteer Appreciation Sunday on Feb. 5

We’re so grateful for our volunteers! Did you know that a combined worship service relies on as many as 50 volunteers including Deacons, Elders, musicians, liturgists, audio techs and more?

Please join us on Sunday, February 5 as we celebrate ALL of our volunteers - past and present - during a combined worship service in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall.

Join Youth Bells in January

JHF/SHF’ers: If you have some music reading experience and Youth Bells seems interesting to you - but you’re not sure you can commit - here’s your chance to come try it out! For three Sundays evenings (right after JHF) and one Sunday morning in January / February we will learn a piece with the SHF ringers and play it in worship.

If you are interested please contact Kirk Townander at 847-529-9102 or [email protected].

Stewardship Message

I am the vine, you are the branches. John 15:5

Our 2022-2023 Stewardship campaign focused on God’s call to be faithful stewards. Scripture characterizes faithful stewardship as intentional, regular, generous sharing of our first financial blessings, proportionate to those you have received from God, with a cheerful heart.

You, our Congregation, responded with an overwhelming “yes” to this call. The total amount pledged increased by 3.4% and individual pledge offerings increased 15.7% compared to 2021-2022.

These actions reflect your deep understanding that spiritual things cannot be comprehended until we ourselves give them away. It is in giving that we receive. Your continued heartfelt financial support enables the mission and ministry of First Pres to continue to flourish.

Thank you!

Your First Pres Stewardship Committee

Online Giving

Giving Estimate Form

Join us on Tuesday for Lunch Bunch

Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 12-1 p.m. for a "lunch and learn" featuring the executive director of Chicago Voyagers, a group that is changing lives by empowering youth through adventure therapy programs that foster healthy relationships and skills for life success. The cost for lunch is $12.

Click here to sign up. You may pay for lunch by cash or check at the door. Or, if you prefer, you may pay online by clicking here.

Feb. 26: Love Every Neighbor CARE Conversation about MLK

Join us on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for a Love Every Neighbor CARE Conversation on Dr. Martin Luther King's sermons and writings.

Love Every Neighbor is a unique opportunity for interested members to engage in loving conversation about racism and equity topics, and includes pizza/salad and fellowship as well as learning and conversation for participants of all ages. The events include children’s programing and childcare, and are open to drop-in participation with RSVP requested to help us buy the right amount of pizza. Click here to RSVP.

Beloved Community Newsletter for Feb/March 2023

Read CARE's Feb/March newsletter on our website by clicking here!

Register today for the 2023 Women’s Overnight Retreat on March 10-11 at The Ridge in Lake Geneva. The theme is “Finding Enough.” Our retreat leader, Holly Whitcomb, will lead participants on a journey of discovery as they explore the spiritual practice of finding as the antidote to chronic seeking.

The retreat will also feature art with Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley, music with Kim Mendoza, M.Div., centering prayer with Rev. Amy Heinrich, and fireside fellowship.

We've reserved a block of 26 rooms and must have our room reservation list to The Ridge by Feb. 10, so please register today by clicking the blue registration button below.

Do you need a roommate or are you looking to car pool with someone? The Women’s Ministry team will be happy to help!

*The retreat planning team has worked diligently to keep costs as low as possible, but catering costs have gone up significantly from our last retreat in 2020. Confidential scholarships are available.

Please contact Rev. Amy at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Retreat Registration

Broadway Baritones on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The music of Broadway comes to the Chapel on Friday evening, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.as David Edelfelt serenades us with showstoppers from theater's legendary composers and the leading men who sang their masterpieces! Critics have praised David's "simply gorgeous voice," calling his shows "superlative from start to finish, hilarious, deliciously engaging and simply brilliant." You'll smile and hum along with beloved favorites and a few newer gems sung by an artist the Chicago Tribune calls "one of Chicago's best!” No tickets or reservations necessary. The cost of admission is a free-will donation.

Volunteers needed on Wednesday/Thursday at PADS

On Wednesday nights, we host overnight guests in the Fellowship Hall as part of the PADS Lake County Emergency Overnight Shelter Program that ensures that everyone has a safe, warm place to sleep from October through April. Click the links below to discover ways that you can help!

Volunteer Shifts: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA8AF23A5FA7-pads10

Shopping & Food Prep: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA8AF23A5FA7-pads9

Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37MQQ0AFL43MJ?ref_=wl_share

Waukegan to College Fundraiser

Our mission partner, Waukegan to College, is hosting a Trivia Night Fundraiser at their newly remodeled Student Success Center in downtown Waukegan on Friday, February 3. Our congregation is a proud supporter of Waukegan to College and

we look forward to an even stronger partnership in 2023! Registration link: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTc0NDY4

Discover your Gifts

Offering time, talents, and spiritual gifts is an important way we live out Jesus' call to discipleship. Now, there is a new way to connect your particular gifts with the needs of the world, our community, and one another! The Discovery Tool is a survey that takes just 3 to 5 minutes, and you will see the results immediately. Click the link below to take the survey.

Discovery Tool

How to contact a pastor or staff member

Call 847-362-2174 or email [email protected].

Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

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.

Libertyville Senior Center

The Libertyville Senior Center offers a number of programs and services for seniors in our community. You may access their monthly newsletter by clicking the link below.

Senior Center Update

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