Sunday Sign-Ups:

• Ushering
• Offering counting
• Crucifer (Cross-bearer)
• Scripture Reader/Liturgist (We need two for each Sunday)
• Acolyte (typically a child or youth)

Star Tree Children's Holiday Gift Program: November 18th-December 6th at 10am

Fountain Foyer

Help Bring Christmas Joy to 150 Evanston Children!

For 30 years, First United Methodist Church has partnered with Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) to help ensure children in Evanston have a special gift to open on Christmas morning.

Y.O.U.’s program has grown, and this year we have 150 children to celebrate! We need more Star Tree Heroes than ever to help make their Christmas wishes come true.

Consider sponsoring a child in honor of a family member or friend. What a wonderful way to give a gift that brings joy to someone else!

How It Works

1. Sign Up or Pick a Star: Sign up online to sponsor one or more children or pick a star from the tree in the church foyer beginning November 18. Please be a Star Tree Hero and take a Star (or more) so every child receives a gift!

2. Shop with Heart: The suggested gift amount is $50 per child. Purchase new gifts, wrap them, and include gift receipts when possible. Place all gifts for each child in one bag or box, clearly labeled with the child’s unique star code.

3. Bring Your Gifts to Church: Drop off gifts on any Sunday after receiving your star, or at the church office during office hours.

**Final deadline: Sunday, December 6, at 10 AM.**

150 Children. 150 Reasons to Share the Joy!

Whether you sponsor one child, several children, or give in honor of someone special, you’re helping make Christmas morning brighter for an Evanston family.

Sign Up to Be a Star Tree Hero!

Questions? Linda MacCracken

linda.maccracken@comcast.net

Thank you for sharing the love and joy of Christmas!

Lead Beyond Our Walls:

Learn About the New Roles on the First Church Staff

Learn about the new roles on the First Church staff

The roles of Church Business Administrator, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Community Foundation and part-time Communications Manager represent more than a redistribution of responsibilities. They are an investment in the future of First Church.  

By strengthening our administrative foundation, deepening our pastoral and discipleship ministries and prioritizing strong communication, we are creating a structure that better supports First Church’s mission, congregation and future.

Learn more about the new roles here.

Seeking Monthly Volunteers for Thursday Soup Kitchen

Join Us at the Table!

The First Church Soup Kitchen welcomes nearly 70 neighbors every Thursday, and volunteers are essential to creating a warm, dignified experience for every guest. We’re in need of monthly, year-round volunteers to prepare and serve meals, set up the dining room, welcome guests, play music, run the dishwasher, compost and more.

Youth and adults are welcome, and no prior connection to First Church is needed. Give one Thursday a month and help nourish our community through food, hospitality and connection.

Interested? Contact Jessica Hager at jessica.e.hager@gmail.com.

Housing/Zoning: What's Happening, Why We Care, What We Can Do: Sunday, November 8

12:00-1:30pm | Dining Hall

Please join us for lunch and a conversation on Housing and Zoning: What is Happening, Why We Care, and What We Can Do, after church from noon-1:30 on November 8 in the dining room.

Speakers include 4th Ward Council Member and longtime FUMC member, Jonathan Nieuwsma; Patrick Keenan-Devlin, Executive Director/Staff Attorney of The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy; and others.

Questions? Contact Melissa Appelt: mmappelt@gmail.com  

Nursery Coordinator Job Posting

First Church Children's Ministry is looking for a new Nursery Coordinator! Review the job description and apply to make an impact in the lives and faith formation of our youngest disciples for years to come. Send any questions or requests for more information to Colin McDonald, Director of Children's Ministry, at colin@faithatfirst.com.

Review Job Description Here.

Bottoms Up: A Fundraiser for the Bundled Blessings Diaper Pantry: Sunday, November 15th

See this link for the full flyer.

Buy tickets here.

Nurture Within Our Church Community:

Offering Counters Needed

We’re looking for volunteers to help count Sunday offerings at First Church! We could use a few more regular counters and, especially, backup counters who can step in when someone is unavailable.

Interested in helping? Email Kim Bobo at kimberleyabobo@gmail.com to learn more or sign up. Thank you for supporting our church!

Children's Ministry Volunteer Education Session: Sunday, November 1st

12:00-1:00pm | Room 34

First Church’s Children’s Ministry program is enriched and made possible by a dedicated network of lay volunteer leaders. Signing up for one hour, one Sunday a month is all it takes to make an enduring impact in the spiritual lives of our children and church. But how can we equip ourselves as adults, not only to teach or assist, but to grow in faith beside children? 

In this session, new and seasoned volunteers will gain resources for better managing classrooms and nurturing connections, while maintaining safe and welcoming spaces at church for children and families alike. 

Are you being called to serve (and play!) with First Church’s Children’s Ministry? Join the conversation, and learn to lead with confidence, curiosity, and heart. Send any questions or requests for more information to Colin McDonald, Director of Children's Ministry, at colin@faithatfirst.com.

First Wednesday Potluck: Wednesday, November 4th

6:00-7:00pm | Dining Hall

First Wednesday Potluck invites you to bring a side or dessert to share and join your church family for good food, fellowship, and seasonal activities for all ages. Kindly register at the link. 

Craft Day: Saturday, November 7th

10:00am-12:00pm | Dining Hall

Join us for a fun and creative time together. Bring any project you would like to work on, including quilting, crochet, knitting, sewing, beading, jewelry, painting and more. All projects are welcome.

We will meet in the dining room, so there will be plenty of space to spread out. Please bring your sewing machine.

Beginners are welcome. All ages and skill levels are invited to join.

Please email Courtney Zirkle or Glynis Doyle if you need a building access code or ride. 

Lake North Fall 2026 Lay Academy: Saturdays, November 7th & 14th

Class Options

Location: Euclid Avenue UMC, 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park

2026 Fall Ln Lay Academy Graphic

SATURDAYS, Nov. 7 and 14

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Euclid Avenue UMC

405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park 

All class times must be attended to receive course credit.

Online Registration

Cost: $40

Cost includes catered lunches, breakfast, and beverages.

Each student will need to purchase their own book.

Download the Flyer

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Sundays, November 8th-December 6th

During 10:30am Worship

Hark!

First Church's 105th annual Christmas pageant takes place during worship on Sunday, December 13th.

Weekly rehearsals for children ages 3 through 6th grade begin November 8th during 10:30 a.m. worship, following the Time with Young Disciples, and continue through December 6. All children must attend pageant dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 12 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. 

The Many Voices of Genesis: November 8th, 15th, & 22nd

9:15-10:15am | Conference Room

The Many Voices of Genesis: New Sunday Adult Class:

Join Jim Hagedorn for a 3-week class as we close out the Church Year and begin to look towards another beginning with the Book of Genesis

November 8th: Exploring how the two creation stories in Genesis point to Jesus

November 15th: Original Sin in Genesis and the second coming of Jesus

November 22nd: Abraham’s hospitality and Jesus’ radical hospitality

Class to be held in the Conference Room. Contact jehdvm@gmail.com with questions or for more information. 

Steward:

Stewardship 2027

The Stewardship Committee invites our congregation to come together across the four Sundays of October under a theme of “Practicing Hope” to share our faithful commitments that power the ministry and mission of First Church. This theme reminds us that even when we can’t see it, God and the spirit are at work among us.

As our First Church community enters a new chapter together we are called to strengthen the annual resources that maintain our building as a beacon of welcome to all, sustain our pastors and staff who teach us the ways of God’s love and honor our commitment to our United Methodist brothers and sisters with the apportionment funds that allow us to bring God’s light and love the places that need it most. This witness of our church and its people signals who we are and what we are called to do in this moment. You're invited to enter your 2027 estimate of giving online today.

Celebrate:

Ann's 85th Birthday Celebration: Sunday, November 1st

11:35am | Great Hall

We invite you to share refreshments AND cake after Worship Service on Sunday, November 1, 2026 to celebrate Ann Robbins' 85th birthday.

(Hosted by: Ann Robbins/Jan Chapin families).

Festival Choir Concert: Friday, November 20th

7:30-8:30pm | Sanctuary

On Friday, November 20th, our Festival Choir presents a concert titled “Sacred Choral Music in America” in observance of the 250th anniversary of our nation. The program includes Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” a work composed in 1965 which sets the texts of several psalms in Hebrew. The other works on the program present a variety of choral anthems by American composers including spirituals, works by composers with links to Evanston, and Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia.”

The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

Questions? Contact Brian Schoettler: brian@faithatfirst.com

Naming Our Saints on All Saints Sunday

As we prepare to observe All Saints Sunday, we invite members and friends of First Church to submit the names of loved ones who have died and whom you would like remembered in the church bulletin.

Please submit names by Thursday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. to ensure they are included.

At the conclusion of worship on All Saints Sunday, we will gather in the Memorial Garden, where there will also be an opportunity to speak aloud the names of saints we carry in our hearts.

Together, we will remember their lives, give thanks for the ways they have shaped us, and entrust them once more to God’s eternal love.

Click here to submit names.

Calendar at a Glance:

Check out the church calendar for details and a complete listing of events.

Need to reserve a room or request publicity for your church event? Please submit event information and room reservations via the Communications and Calendar Request.

This webpage is only accessible via the link in the weekly E-News or by using the search bar on the website.

FUMC Merch:

Want to rep FUMC? Click here to browse our merch!

Items are made to order, so you’ll get your gear fast. Click here to shop.

Stay Connected!

First United Methodist Church

516 Church St.

Evanston IL 60201

847-864-6181

www.faithatfirst.org

First United Methodist Church

is a community of Christians

inviting all people

to grow in their relationship with God

and to live their faith in the world.