TJ Williams-Hauger, Intern
All Ages Worship and Communion
January 13, 2019
Services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am



Scripture:   Esther 4:15-17
 

Music: 

  Andy Livingston (guitar/vocals)





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Week at FCCGE
(Click the blue links to be taken to the article!)


1/10  - Celebration Choir Rehearsal 
1/13 - 11:45 am Newcomer's Session in the Parlor
1/13 - 12 noon Jr Hi OWL Leaders Meeting
1/13 - 4 pm Joyful Noise Cast Party
1/13 - 6:30 OASIS Group
1/13 - 7 pm Sanctuary Singers Choir Rehearsal
1/15 - NO Handbell Rehearsal
1/15 - 7:30 Worship Ministry
1/16 - 7:15 pm Music Makers Meeting


                     
Visual Arts Ministry-Main Gallery 
Reception Sunday, January 13th, 12-3 pm
VAM

There will be a reception in celebration of the art exhibit in the Main Gallery, and our relationship with PBMR (Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation) on January 13th, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. You'll have a chance to meet some members of this amazing organization, learn a little bit more about them, and enjoy some light refreshments. The event is open to the public. Hope to see you there.
Build Community
StoryTelling
Saying Goodbye to Pastor Melissa

As we all know, our Associate Minister of Pastoral Care, Rev.
Melissa Douaire, has felt the call to spread her wings and move on. Pastor Melissa's final day with us will be Sunday, January 27. A representative from the United Church of Christ will join us to release her from her covenant with us, and to celebrate her time with us. There will be a reception and an opportunity to convey your well-wishes. In addition, there are blank cards in the coffee area for you to use to express your appreciation to Pastor Melissa for her service to our congregation. Please leave your completed card in the box provided. We will present this as a gift to Pastor Melissa after the services on January 27th.  If you are unable to use the cards at church, please email your note to Jodi Baltimore  and she will create a card for you.

Amen Bible Study Group
No Longer *Men's* Bible Study-All M embers  of the Community are Welcome!

The Amen Bible Study Group will read and discuss 
Immortal Diamond : The Search for Our Truth Self by Richard Rohr. Immortal Diamond (whose title is taken from a line in a Manley Hopkins poem) explores the deepest question of identity, spirituality and meaning. The Immortal Diamond is described as our True Self buried deep within us . We will explore What is it? How is it found? Why does it matter? What does it have to do with our spiritual journey? Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest and founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque.
We will meet on the following dates at 8:00 AM :
January 22nd,  February 12, and  February 26
The discussion is open to ALL members of the church. Please join us .Contact person is  Brian Hamilton.
The Power of Strategic Storytelling
Sunday, February 10th, 11: 45
Light Lunch

From our storytelling facilitator, Jenny Riddle.........Growing up, Saturday mornings at my house meant hot coffee, fried eggs, crisp bacon, and lots of stories from my dad, quite the raconteur. But there was a lesson in every one of those tales: never bet more than a coke, no daytime television, and never be afraid to do even the dirtiest job. 
Jenny Riddle is a keynote speaker, professional storyteller, and communications consultant. She has a lifetime of expertise in the best communication strategies and will show you how to STORYTELL your way to success-one story at a time.  Visit  here f or  Jenny's latest blogs on storytelling. Read more and sign up here.


JimAntal
Newcomers Information Session
 Sunday, January 13  

For those interested in learning more about joining FCCGE and the United Church of Christ, there will be an informal gathering for newcomers.   Sunday, January 13, 11:45 - 12:45 am in the Parlor.  Available joining dates following this session are January 27 and March 31. Childcare is available during the newcomers session. (10:30 am).   For further information, contact Rev. Seth Ethan Carey (630-469-3096 ext. 12).

EMT Presents Author Jim Antal 
Coming to FCCGE
Book Discussion 
Mon. Jan. 28th 7-9 pm
Speaking Feb. 6th at All Church Dinner

The Environmental Ministry Team (EMT) will be leading a book discussion on J im Antal's book 
Climate Church, Climate World  on Monday, January 28th, 2 019 from 7-9 pm here at church.  Then Jim himself will be speaking at 7 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 6th after our All Church Dinner.  This reading and discussion will be especially timely with the upcoming 3-Sunday Sermon Series:  Creation Care  in January and February. Curl up with Jim's book over the holidays and join us for this important conversation.
Flowers Needed throughout the Year for Our Altar
Can You Help?

The following dates are available to donate flowers for our lovely  historic altar . SO EASY!  Available dates: 1/13, 20, 2/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7
6/9, 7/28, 8/25, and 10/20.
Just contact Jennifer Darnall and tell her which date you'd like to donate and she'll do the rest! 

Help Others
DuPage United-Making a Difference
Recapping 2018

DuPage United , an impactful organization with whom we've had a relationship for a couple of years, has been working hard to make our world a better place. Read here to see what these good folks have been doing.
Bridge Family in Need of Car
Consider Donating

Our  Bridge  family is in need of a reliable car so we are asking if anyone would like to donate a used car to help these folks get back on their feet. If you'd like to or know someone who would, please contact
The Lord Laughs Too
 Music
FS
Fundamentally Sound Acappella Group to Perform at FCC Wednesday, January 16th at 7 PM
 
Fundamentally Sound  is an award-winning all-male collegiate acappella group made up of students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their repertoire consists of current hits and older tunes, alongside their personal favorite songs, in order to create a fun, musically diverse and entertaining atmosphere for their audience.Our own Ben Hecht, a senior at U of W-M, is a member of this energetic group so this is your last chance to see him perform. This event is free and open to the public and a free will offering will be available.
Join Joyful Noise Children's Choir


Join Joyful Noise! Our children's choir (grades 2-5) is open to new singers, including non-church members. Rehearsals on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm, starting January 17. Contact  Michele Hecht.

Don't forget to click the tiny little blue " View Entire Message" link at the bottom left of this newsletter to see all articles!
What's New for Families, Youth and Children?
Children and Youth Dates


Sunday, January 13 - NO Sr Hi Youth Fellowship 
Wednesday, January 16 - NO 345 Fellowship
Sunday, January 20 - combined Jr & Sr Hi Youth Fellowship - Pizza & movie "Freedom Writers"
Wednesday, January 23 - 345 Fellowship - Letters of Love
Friday, January 25 - Jr Hi Youth Fellowship interfaith visit to Congregation Etz Chaim, Lombard
Sunday, January 27 - Sr Hi Youth Fellowship - Work Camp Meeting
Our Whole Lives
Retreat Deadline Feb. 1st

February 1st is the deadline to sign-up 7th & 8th grade youth and Sr Hi youth for the annual Our Whole Lives human sexuality retreat February 28 - March 2.  Register here  for  7th and 8th grade , here for Senior Hi  or at fccge.org under "Youth".
Children's Offering
January and February


The elementary-age children will be bringing home a special bank and calendar for the children's offering for January & February to support the UCC Refugee Emergency Fund.  We learn that Jesus was a refugee too and that we are called to care for our neighbors no matter where they are.

 
Worship with Congregation Etz Chiam
We are cordially invited to worship on Friday, January 25th with a faith community that has several ties within our own congregation.  Please follow  this link for details and to sign-up.  Deadline to sign-up is Wednesday, January 23 at 5 pm.
Stay Informed
Social Justice Group
January  Meeting

The January gathering of the Social Justice Group has been cancelled. See you all in February.

Visual Arts (VAM)


 
 
 
 
 
 
Visual Arts Ministry-Main Gallery 
Reception Sunday, January 13th, 12-3 pm



There will be a reception in celebration of the art exhibit in the Main Gallery, and our relationship with PBMR (Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation) on January 13th, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. You'll have a chance to meet some members of this amazing organization, learn a little bit more about them, and enjoy some light refreshments. The event is open to the public. Hope to see you there.




Artists in Residence Gallery  

We are delighted to continue the exhibit in our Artists in Residence gallery, this one featuring the photography of Dr. Jeff Edwards. Jeff has been a photographer since 1955, when his parents gave him his first camera - a Kodak Brownie. He's been taking photos ever since. His work has won awards at shows at Cantigny and Danada, and has appeared in several books. Of particular interest to him are street photography, architecture, landscape, and portraits. Be sure to stop down to the gallery to see this wonderful show. (The Artists in Residence gallery is in the hallway adjacent to and around the corner from the Parlor. Access it via the elevator to "level G," or via the stairs down from the library).
Speaking of Finances
Unidentified Stock Donations to the Church  

If you have donated stock to the church, and do not see it listed on your contribution statement, please contact the church office ( sue@fccge.org or 630-469-3096 ext. 10).  For privacy reasons, the entity handling the stock transfer cannot include the donor name; consequently, the donated stock cannot be credited to the appropriate household until and unless we are notified by the donor.
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn | | info@fccge.org | http://www.fccge.org
535 Forest Avenue
Glen, IL 60137
630.469.3096