View the February Newsletter Here | |
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Valentine's Tea
Friday, February 9
6:00-7:30 p.m. in Stewart Hall
You're invited to join us for a sweet Family Valentine’s Tea. We will have activities that everyone in your family will adore! Activities include:
• Light refreshments, iced tea and lemonade • Crafts
• Create your own signature candy mix • Dance floor • Heart-filled photo booth
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Women's Ministry Bake Sale | |
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Women’s Ministry Annual Bake Sale
Sunday, February 11
Between services in the Rotunda
Women’s Ministry will be hosting their annual bake sale on Super Bowl Sunday. Please stop by to stock up on treats for the game, sweets for Valentine’s Day, and to support Women’s Ministry! If you have baked goods to contribute to the sale, please drop them off in the kitchen before 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 10.
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Sunday's Worship Services | | |
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BLESS: Daily Invitational Practices
Sermon Series Concludes This Week
Sunday, February 11
“Share the Story”
1 John 1:1-4
God’s way of reaching and restoring the world has always been through blessing. During the new BLESS sermon series, Pastor Kellen will share five invitational practices that comprise the acronym BLESS and are a way to participate in the strategy God gave Abraham to reach the world. “And I will bless you… and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). As we engage these practices daily, we partner with the Holy Spirit to bless those who are far from God, wrestling with faith, or curious about Christ. Each week we’ll explore a new practice — Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve in love, and Share the story — providing a pathway to equip everyone to make more disciples, become more like Jesus, and engage more in his mission every day.
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This Sunday at the end of the 10:30 service – Join us for a very special musical benediction on February 11, as the joint choirs of First Pres Wheaton and Gary UMC conclude our 10:30 a.m. service by presenting "There's A Stirrin' in the Water": a celebration of the African American Spirituals. This special collaboration will feature soloist Dr. Alonza Lawrence from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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In case you missed
last week's worship,
you can watch here.
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Valentine’s Dinner
Wednesday, February 14
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Join your church family for a themed Valentine’s Day Dinner. We will enjoy uplifting fellowship, a delicious meal, and a blessed atmosphere. Invite your friends and family to join us for this special meal. The dinner will precede our Ash Wednesday service at 6:30. All ages are welcome to participate and attend the service that follows. RSVP here by Sunday, February 11.
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Ash Wednesday Service
February 14 at 6:30 p.m.
(following the Valentine's Dinner from 5:30-6:30)
On Ash Wednesday our church family will gather to mark the beginning of the sacred season of Lent. During worship, we will receive the imposition of ashes and remember our need for reconciliation with God as we journey toward the cross and empty tomb. Childcare is available.
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Copies of this year's Lenten Devotional "Gathered into One" are now available in the Rotunda, Narthex and office.
"Gathered into One" provides daily devotions for each day from Ash Wednesday to the Resurrection of Our Lord/Vigil of Easter (traditionally known as Holy Saturday). Devotions begin with an evocative image and a brief passage from First Corinthians. The writers then bring their diverse voices and pastoral wisdom to the texts with quotations to ponder, reflections, and prayers.
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The Call to Christian Unity
Sundays through February 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Stewart Hall
Led by Dr. John Armstrong
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one" (John 17:21). For most Christians these words of Jesus seem like an unreachable ideal. How should we understand this prayer offered for all who follow Jesus? What if Jesus really intended for the world to “believe” the gospel on the basis of looking at Christians who live in deep unity in a shared relationship with him? Based on his book, Tear Down These Walls, Dr. John Armstrong will share a way of understanding what Jesus desired so that we can begin anew to tear down the many walls of division that keep the world from seeing God’s love in us.
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Refugee Journey Simulation | |
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Sunday, March 3
12:00-1:30 p.m. in Stewart Hall
We hear stories in the news about refugees fleeing their homes because of war or unsafe conditions. But what is that really like? Join us for a simulation experience hosted by Exodus World Service, one of our local mission partners. In this interactive experience for all generations, you will learn about who refugees are and gain a better understanding of a refugee’s complex journey. This is an excellent way to learn about an organization First Pres supports with volunteers and financial giving. Refreshments are provided. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, February 28.
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Women's Ministry Cooking Event | |
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Wednesday, March 6
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
First Pres Women’s Ministry invites you to Marcel’s in Glen Ellyn for a Culinary Experience on Wednesday, March 6, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. We will be learning to make a delicious menu: Italian Antipasti Salad, Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Risotto with Mascarpone and Prosciutto, Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Lemon Ricotta Cake with Almonds. Spaces are limited, so register early! Registration deadline is Monday, February 26. Cost of the event is $85, which includes the cooking class, delicious meal, and additional perks.
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WF Guatemala Mission Trip Fundraiser | |
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Sunday, February 25
Before, between, and after services
Enjoy some great coffee, while supporting the the June WF Mission Trip to Guatemala! Coffee from "I Have a Bean" will be served (complimentary) and sold by the bag or K-Cups in the Rotunda.
I Have a Bean produces award-winning coffees, and also employs post-prison people. Their passion is providing coffee drinkers with the highest quality, organically grown, fairly-traded coffee in a sustainable supply chain from crop to cup.
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Sunday School at 10:30 – Sunday School is available to children who are 3 years old through 5th grade. For more information, contact Stacey Chvatal.
VBS Volunteers Needed! VBS will be taking place June 10-14 and we are currently accepting volunteers for all roles. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Stacey Chvatal with your availability.
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Genesis Middle School Ministry: Sundays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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WF High School Ministry: Sundays from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
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Blessing Our Church Family Fundraiser
In support of the WF Summer Mission Trip to Guatemala, an ongoing fundraiser is starting for the people who call this church home. Services that students will be offering include, but are not limited to: outdoor services (raking or snow blowing), picking up and dropping off groceries, weekly baked goods deliveries, babysitting, and more. If you have any needs that you would like the WF students to meet for you, please contact Hannah Curry. Hannah will coordinate with the students to assign someone to your task. Donations are anticipated, with no minimum requirement. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support of our WF Mission Trip.
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Office Volunteer Opportunity | |
We are in need of an Office Volunteer to lend a hand in the church office on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Volunteers work in four hour shifts with only one (1) shift per week. Responsibilities include: answering phones, updating church calendar, proofreading materials, greeting visitors, responding to office emails, etc. It is a rewarding way to get involved with the church! If you are interested, please email Debbie Veal or call the church office at 630-668-5147. | |
Per Capita & Giving Statements | |
All churches are invited to support the mission of the PC(USA), our larger church family. You can help First Pres to fulfill this Per Capita commitment by making a contribution of $36.50 for each church member in your family in addition to your regular giving. Last year's fully funded per capita commitment to the Chicago Presbytery was $35,770. That amount will increase this year to $36,646. You’re welcome to make your check out to First Presbyterian Church and note “Per Capita” in the memo line, or contribute online and select the Per Capita fund from the drop down menu. Thank you for your support of the greater church. | |
Giving Statements for 2023 were emailed on January 21. If you do not see your statement in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If your email address is not on file with the church, your statement will be mailed this week. Please contact the church office if you would like to provide your email address for future mailings. Contact Beth Spiegel with questions. | |
Calendar and Office Hours | |
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Check the First Pres calendar regularly for updates.
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Regular Office Hours
Monday through Thursday – 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday – 8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
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