Cantata Sunday
2nd Sunday of Lent
March 17, 2019
Services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am
Music:
Combined Choir, Breda Barry, soloist and Orchestra
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This Week at FCCGE
(Click the blue links to be taken to the article!)
3/14 - 5:30 pm Joyful Noise Rehearsal
3/14-
NO Celebration Choir Rehearsal
3/14 - 7 pm Church Council
3/15 - 6 pm Jr and Sr Youth Islamic Center of Wheaton
3/16 - 9-11 am Cantata Rehearsal
3/16 - 7 pm Euchre Night for Those That Registered (Off-site)
3/17 - Pick Up Your New Church Directory
3/17 - 4-5:30 pm Sr Hi Rock Climbing
3/17 -
NO Choir Rehearsals
3/19 -
9 am Parent/Child Playdate
3/19 - 6 pm DuPage United
3/19 - 7 pm Plenary and Committees
3/19 - 7:15 pm Bells Rehearsal
3/19 - 7:30 pm Worship Ministry
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All Our Journeys Annual Fund: Fiscal Year 2019-20
Thank you to those who have submitted their promised annual gifts! If you have not yet pledged for the 2019-20 Fiscal Year (which begins July 1, 2019), please consider doing so to help us reach our goal. If you need a pledge form, please find forms and envelopes on the table in back of the Sanctuary, or in the church office.
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FCCGE Financial Update
Capital Campaign and Annual Fund
As members and friends of FCC, understanding our financial picture is important. Maintaining our programs and historic building are all a critical component of sharing Christ's word, goodness and support, both locally and world-wide.
Take a moment to see our progress.
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Re-Lenting: A Lenten Sermon Series
A lot of people choose to give up - to relent something - for Lent. Beginning next Sunday, March 24, you're invited to join us for Sunday worship and to consider the ways in which we can yield or relent something during this holy season; not just chocolate or red wine, but rather our guilt and our judgement, our time - maybe even our dreams - until the storm relents on Easter morning and hope is born anew.
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Do you often wish you could hear the choir from Christmas Eve again? Want a video record of your little Googoo's baptism? We offer DVDs of the whole service and CDs of all or part of the services. Request forms are available at the tech desk in the sanctuary and we suggest an extra $5 donation in the offering plate to offset costs.
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DuPage United Making an Impact in the County
The DuPage United Assembly met on March 10th to
continue
their work on initiatives to help keep people needing mental health services out of the criminal justice system, creating more
affordable
housing in DuPage
County and gun
control.
The Daily Herald covered the a
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The Gift of Language
Literacy DuPage, a part of
DuPage United, seeks volunteers to tutor adults in English. More than 100,000 DuPage County residents need help improving their English skills.Empowering an adult with language will change that person's life-and yours, too. No foreign language or teaching experience needed. Just time and heart.
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Do You Like Pizza?
Do You Like to Talk?
Mon. March 18th, 7 pm
If you answer yes to either one of these questions you're in luck. On Monday 3/18/19 the Social Justice Ministry Group is hosting (in the All Purpose Room) a local inter-racial group of people who call themselves "Pizza and Social Justice ". The format is simple. You come at 7 pm, have some pizza and watch a short video about racism. Then break up into small groups to discuss the issues presented in the video. This is a wonderful chance for anyone who has gone through the white privilege class to continue their learning. If you haven't gone through the white privilege class, it's an even better chance for learning.The tag line is "come for the pizza, stay for the conversation".
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PADS Help Needed
Super Simple Task!
Northwestern Medicine has changed the way PADS laundry is being cleaned. Right now, we are not able to have towels and washcloths washed weekly. This is about 3 loads of laundry. Can you help? It would require picking it up at church Monday and then returning it before Sunday? This is a commitment for about 6 months.
Please contact Linda Davenport, or Tom Pulver.
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Does Slavery Still Cast it's Shadow over Our Country?
March 20th and 24th
The answer is yes. FCCGE and
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
are co-sponsoring a screening of the movie The Long Shadow. In this powerful documentary, the filmmakers, both daughters of the South, who were haunted by their families slave owning pasts, passionately seek the hidden truth and the untold stories of how America - guided by the South's powerful political influence - steadily deliberately and at times secretly, established white privilege in our institutions, laws, culture, and economy. This is a great opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge of white privilege and find out more about how racism shapes our country today.
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Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast
Sat. April 13th.
7:30-11:30 am
Come and enjoy an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast prepared and served by Boy Scout Troop 41 in Pilgrim Hall on Saturday, April 13, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Price is $5 for an individual ticket or $15 for the entire family; tickets may be purchased at the door. Hope to see you there!
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Film Discussion Group
On Tuesday, April 9, we'll view and discuss Rules of the Game. Upcoming dates/movies: May 14, Mirror; June 11, Singin' In The Rain. This group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm in the Starlight Cinema (upper level, room 219).
Any questions or suggestions, contact
Alan Bayert.
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Help Families Feel at Home
Refugees often flee their homes at a moment's notice. They arrive at a U.S. airport with few belongings, a difficult past and high hopes for the future. An important first step in making them feel welcome is to provide each family with a Welcome Kit. The Service and Justice Committee, in conjunction with World Relief, will be collecting household items for a Refugee Welcome Kit. This kit is given to refugee families when they arrive in DuPage County to help them settle into their new home. More information on items needed and the drop-off timeline will be coming soon!
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Enrich Your Lenten Experience
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A Time for Reflection and Prayer 
Upcoming Opportunities March 20-April 10
We are now in a season of reflection, deepening faith, and miracles. We are offering prayerful opportunities to come together just for these things. Wednesday March 27th come for quiet and soul-cleansing guided meditation and prayer in the Chapel from 7-8 pm. Weaved into our Wednesday night offerings, Cathy Christoff will be leading Wednesday Evening Yoga from 7-8 pm on March 20, April 3 and 10 in the All-Purpose Room (lower level). No need to sign up.
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Easter Flowers
Easter flowers available this year (all in 6" pots): Lily ($11.50), Tulip or Daffodil ($9), Mum ($12.50), Azalea ($18.50), Reiger Begonia ($17.50), Hydrangea ($22.50). Order forms may be found on the table in the Atrium. Orders must be received by Sunday, April 7 Make checks payable to FFCGE with "Easter Flowers" noted. You may pick up your flowers after the 10:30 am service, Easter Sunday, April 21. Jennifer Darnall needs assistance collecting orders and $$; please e-mail her to help.
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Lent 2019
Pick Up in the Atrium
Lent is upon us (beginning with Ash Wednesday) and this year we have a beautiful family-friendly Lenten devotional for you. Be sure to pick yours up in the atrium. You'll be making a paper chain with this packet, then each day of Lent, you'll "break" the chain and practice the devotional on that link. Visually and spiritually impactful. Watch for other Lenten practices coming too like evening Yoga, a church book discussion and a special Lenten sermon Series.
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Newcomer Session
March 17, 11:30
Want to know more about FCCGE? Come to our Newcomer's Session March 17th after the 10:30 service on our Parlor. Learn all about the UCC and our church. No need to sign up. The next joining date will be Sunday, March 31st at the 10:30 am service.
Childcare available in our nursery.
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Soul Sisters Women's Group
Meets Every 1st and 3rd Sunday
Whether you've attended before or this is your first time, all women of the church are welcome to join us the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We warmly invite you to come this Sunday, March 3rd and 17th (and beyond!) at 11:45 am in the Parlor.
Questions? Contact Amy or Becky.
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Brown Bag Lunch
Wednesday, March 20
All are invited to join us for the "Brown Bag" luncheon, where we will hear a presentation by the Executive Director of the People's Resource Center. This event is sponsored by the Prime Timers Ministry.
Wednesday, March 20, 12:00 noon in Pilgrim Hall. Bring your own "brown bag" lunch and beverage of choice; coffee, tea and cookies will be provided. No sign-ups required, and there is no charge for this event.
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Spring Cantata
Sunday March 17th
During Worship 9 and 10:30 am
Ring in the glory of Spring with John Rutter's "Requiem".This masterpiece that will be shared with you by our choir, soprano soloist Breda Barry and orchestra in worship on March 17th (in place of the sermon).
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Visit the Giving Tree in the Atrium
Support the Senior High Work Camp trip to Kentucky with Appalachia Service Project by donating at the Giving Tree! Your support funds scholarships so all youth can participate. You'll also receive a thank-you letter from a work camper while they're on the trip! Choose an envelope that matches your contribution: the person who chooses envelope #63 would make a $63 donation, #5 is $5, and so on... this will help us raise over $5,000! You can turn your donation in to the work camp mailbox in church office.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing, as part of Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), is one of the four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. Working in more than 138 countries, the offering provides hope to people 365 days each year. The UCC works with international partners, and together we provide support to health, education, refugee, agricultural, and emergency relief initiatives. Special offering envelopes are available at the back of the sanctuary. Make checks payable to First Congregational Church, with "One Great Hour of Sharing" on the memo line.
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Don't forget to click the tiny little blue "
View Entire Message"
link at the bottom left of this newsletter to see all articles!
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What's New for Families, Youth and Children?
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Children and Youth Dates
Friday, March 15
-
6 pm
- Jr Hi & Sr Hi Youth Fellowship -
Sunday, March 17 -
NO Jr Hi Youth Fellowship due the visit to the Islamic Center of Wheaton on the 15th
Sunday, March 17
- 4-5:30 pm - Sr Hi Youth Fellowship - Rock climbing -
Register here
Sunday, March 24 - NO Jr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Spring Break
Sunday, March 24 - NO Sr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Spring Break
Wednesday, March 27 - NO 345 Fellowship due to Spring Break
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Never Too Late to Register Youth for the Program Year!
Online registration for the 2018 - 2019 program year for all children and youth, infant - 12th grade is live online at our church website . We invite all families, members and guests, to register their children and youth annually. This information assists us as we welcome your family and provide a safe experience.
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Remember to Bring Your Banks Back!
Reminder
to the elementary-age children who brought home a special bank and calendar for the children's offering for January & February to support the UCC Refugee Emergency Fund. Bring in your banks with your offering to drop-off in the baskets in the Chapel or in the Atrium Sundays in March.
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Vacation Bible School 2019
*New Dates*
We are very excited by the upcoming renovations to Pilgrim Hall which will be coming this summer. Due to the timing during VBS, we are joyfully announcing our partnership in VBS with our sister faith communities of Grace Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches of Glen Ellyn. Our VBS program will be a joint program on NEW DATES and located on-site at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH of GLEN ELLYN from Monday, June 17 - Friday, 21 from 9:00 am to Noon. It may be a different location but we will have the SAME wonderful activities: crafts, games, and VBS bread!
Register online as a participant or volunteer here.
Our theme this year is Celebrating God's Creation! (We are limited to 100 participants so don't delay!)
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More Awesome Summer Stuff for Individuals and Families
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FCC Lenten Favorites on Spotify
We are in the season of Lent - visit our church Spotify account to see music from our Lenten worship services and music suggested by church staff by searching for "fccge535."
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Did You Lose a Bracelet?
Did you lose a bracelet 2 weeks ago at FCC? One of our members found it and would love to find it's owner. Please call (630.642.6421) or
email Marge
with a description.
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Visual Arts Ministry (VAM)
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Greg Schreck Jeremy Botts
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Sanctuary and Main Gallery
In the Sanctuary and Main Gallery, we welcome the return of a Lenten exhibit first appearing here in 2013, a moving depiction of the 14 stations of the cross, by fine art photographer
Greg Schreck and graphic designer
Jeremy Botts, both professors of art at
Wheaton College. While working at a rehabilitation center for torture survivors in Chicago in 2012, Greg was struck by the profound physical and emotional traumas these individuals had experienced. He thought of Christ, who suffers in solidarity with those who suffer. His exhibit tells the story of the via dolorosa ("way of sorrow") these survivors were traveling, by linking it to the Christian devotional practice of the 14 stations of the cross. In this way, the stations tell not just the story of Jesus' suffering, but the stories of all of those in our midst who are wounded by war, political upheaval, and unspoken violence. Jeremy's work is a collection of archival digital images ("abstract icons") created in response to Greg's work. To learn more about the exhibit, pick up a handout in the gallery.
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Artist in Residence
Don't miss Ashley Giampoli's beautiful and inspiring photographs, taken during travels to Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and Africa. (The gallery is located in the hallway adjacent to, and around the corner from, the Parlor, downstairs from the library, elevator Level G).
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535 Forest Avenue
Glen, IL 60137
630.469.3096
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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