The Tidings
In This Issue
Quick Links

 

Call to the Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Members of First Congregational Church of La Grange, United Church of Christ, will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2015 in the Sanctuary. The agenda will include the election of Officers, Council and Ministry Members, the approval of a budget for 2015, and the celebration of the ministries of retiring leaders. Materials for the meeting, including the Annual Report and proposed budget, are available. If you need a paper copy, please contact the Office Administrators.

 
 

To the saints and sinners in La Grange and elsewhere: Grace to you and peace from Carly, called to be a servant of Christ among you.

Congregational: adjective: involving or done by the people who attend religious services : relating to a congregation

 

Congregational: relating to a group of Christian churches that believe that the people who attend each church should make their own decisions, rules, etc.

Rhymes with Congregational: invitational, recreational[1] 

 

   In 1639 when our predecessors were dubbed "Congregationalists," they had boldly left England and sought religious freedom first in the Netherlands and then in New England. They firmly believed that the work of the Church is to be done by the membership, that one's faith is between them and God, and that everyone is a minister. There were no "professional" clergy; everyone in the community had to work to pull their own weight as the very basis of their Christian vocation. For them, faith was not an auxiliary part of life; it was the foundation of their being from which all living and being found its meaning and purpose.

     So you know where this is going, I'll bet.

     It's time for the Annual Meeting. It is that time in our life together when we recall our Congregational roots and make our own decisions, rules, etc.

     Our Church Council has brought to us a budget that needs your participation in order to close the gap. Our Nominating team brings us a slate of leaders that, despite many hours of invitational work, has blank lines in important roles. Both are the result of members of the church taking their Congregational role to be recreational and not incarnational. Perhaps our faith life has become an auxiliary part of life and is no longer the foundation of our being from which all living and being finds its meaning and purpose. Whatever the seed change source, we have not stepped up to the plate to fund the expenses or take on the leadership roles necessary to do the work of Christ's church.

     As of this writing, we are over $22,000 short in pledges to meet our expenses for next year; this is the bulk of the cost of our Director of Children and Youth's salary.

     As of this morning, we still need a Vice Moderator, Treasurer, two members of the Worship Team, and a member for each the Stewardship and Nominations Teams, and a Volunteer Coordinator.

     It is my challenge to you, each of you, to pray about your gifts, abilities, passions, and joys. Ask yourself and God where these fit into the life of the community of faith we know as the First Congregational Church of La Grange. What does this congregation do that sets your heart on fire? What sets your heart on fire that the congregation should be doing and is not? How do you see your life in God's world springing forth from our church home?

     And on Sunday when we gather for worship and for our congregational meeting, respond to God's stirring within you to speak your heart and mind. And to act upon those stirrings.

 

Blessings,

Carly



[1] "Congregational." Merriam-Webster.com. Accessed January 15, 2015. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congregational.


Volunteer Opportunities
BEDS PLUS FUNDRAISER

BEDS plus is holding their 3rd Annual Soup and Bread Event on January 25th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn William Tell Banquets in Countryside. This family friendly event features live acoustic music, food from local establishments and craft beers. Tickets are $25 per person or $50 for a family of four. For more information or to order tickets, call 708-354-0858 x2 or wwwbeds-plus.org.

 

ST. BARBARA'S FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION

For January, we are asking again for canned foods. Fruits, vegetables, chili, Spam, soup, anything in a can. The flip-top cans are great, but we are grateful for everything.

 

2015 BACK BAY MISSION TRIP

Interested in being part of a team volunteering at Back Bay Mission? For the fourth year, we will be taking a group of adults to Biloxi on February 22nd to 28th. If you have questions or are ready to sign up, contact Marie Roche: marie.roche@leoburnett.com. We will hold an informational meeting after the first of the year.

 

HEARTLAND BLOOD DRIVE 

Missions is sponsoring a blood drive on Sunday March 1, 2015, and we are asking that blood donors "save" their blood. You have to wait 8 weeks between donations.

In Our Church

SKI TRIP!

The YZals and Zackleys (6th grade through 12th grade) are going on a ski trip! Parents welcome too! We will meet in the church parking lot January 31 at 7 am. Please let Sylvia know if you will be going and how many friends you will be bringing by tomorrow, January 16th, 2015. We will be meeting at the church and driving together to Grand Geneva. Volunteers to drive would be great!As long as our group is 15 or more the costs are as follows:

Area ticket $39

Area ticket & ski/snowboard rental $54

Group beginner ski or snowboard lesson $2

Helmets: $10

Please have money to Sylvia by January 25th. Make checks out to FCCLG.

Music

Singing and Ringing for All Ages:

 

All of the music ensembles are ready for new members. That's you!

Ensemble members do not have to be FCCLG members, so let your musical friends know about us.

Ring and Sing: Kindergarten-elementary, rehearses Sundays, 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.

Treble Choir: 3rd-8th grades, rehearses Sundays, 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Carillon Handbell Choir: High School on up, rehearses Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Chancel Choir: High School on up, rehearses Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

 

Special Services: Sometimes schedules do not allow for weekly rehearsals or Sunday singing.

 

Please talk to Ryan about singing on Maundy Thursday, Easter or the Choral Sermon (date and repertoire, TBA).

Get Involved with FCCLG!
- Bring in treats of your choice and serve beverages and snacks after worship.
Flower Delivery
- Deliver the donated altar flowers to home-bound church members after worship.
Ushers
- Arrive at church at 9:30 am, pass out programs, collect the offering.
Greeters
-Arrive at church at 9:45 am, wear your name tag, and smile!
Laundry Superheroes
- Pick up the Saturday Meals Program laundry outside the kitchen after worship and return it clean before next Saturday.
Nursery Attendants
-Watch children during worship service.
AV Technicians
-Run the sound system and cameras and monitor broadcast to Plymouth Place during worship on Sunday. Training available - see John Hoo.

You can also sign up in fellowship hour or by calling the church office at 708-352-0800.
Touch List
Your Cards and Prayers Will Comfort and Touch...

Ken Baumann, Mary Cooper's uncle, in the hospital in critical but stable condition.

Jim Clayton.

Our thoughts are with LuAnn Hall's niece Jessica.

Jim Happel, as he recovers from surgery.

Lois Hindman, who is house bound with a brain condition.

DeFord Schwall, Susan Schwall's father, who is in hospice care.

The family of William Steele, father of Jen Pigman, who passed away recently.

Mike Tobin, Char Tobin's son, who is undergoing chemotherapy.

David Kasnick's friend Gary Wheeler, who has a brain tumor.

Chet Won, Viola Clayton's son-in-law, who is awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

Olivia Hein's grandmother, Dorothy Wood, as she recovers from surgery.

 
First Congregational Church of La Grange | 708-352-0800 | mainoffice@fcclg.org | http://www.fcclg.org
100 S. 6th Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525