What's Happening at First Congregational February 4, 2016

WEBSITE

ABOUT US

WORSHIP & MUSIC

CHILDREN & YOUTH

CONNECT & SERVE

Last Sunday After Epiphany/Transfiguration

February 7, 2016

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43) Read scripture here

Music

:

Sr. Hi Musicians

Last week's sermon>

Upcoming Events

Service Times are

9 and 10:30 am

2/4 - 6 - 8:30 pm Sr Hi Sunday rehearsal and dinner

2/4 - 5:30 pm Joyful Noise rehearsal
2/4 - 7 pm Cantata/Celebration Choir rehearsal

2/5 - 11:30 am Ladies in the Loop Lunch

2/6 - 8:30-10:30 am Faith and Fitness - All Purpose Room

2/7 - 10:10 and 11:45 Focus Groups in All Purpose Room

2/ 7 - Sr Hi Sunday 9 and 10:30 services

2/7 - 11:30-2:30 Community Art in Pilgrim Crossing

2/7 - NO Rehearsal - Super Bowl

2/ 9 - 7:15 pm Handbells rehearsal

2/10 - 6:15 pm All Church Dinner

2/10 - 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday Combined Choir Call Time

2/10 - 7 pm Ash Wednesday service

2/10 - NO youth fellowship (attend Ash Weds. service with family)

Church Calendar

Remember you can view the EBlast from the lower right column of FCCGE's website!

What's New at FCC?

Senior Minister Search Committee

and Focus Group Update

Thank you to all of you that have taken part in a focus group and filled out a survey. We still have more focus groups coming up (Sunday Feb. 7 at 10:10 and 11:45 in addition to Weds. February 17th at 7 pm). We encourage you to share your input. Please click the link above for information.

2016 Annual Fund Update

Thank you to all that have returned your pledge forms. So far we have received commitments totaling $1,036,702 from 277 households. Thank you for your wonderful generosity to our church's good works. By comparison, last year's drive yielded (in total) gifts from 328 households equaling $1,200,046 (an average of $3,600). We have currently received 86% of last year's pledge total.

Please keep these numbers in mind as you prayerfully consider your gift to the church for the upcoming year.

To give online click here

SAVE THE DATE!

Dr. Keith Hampton, April 3, 9 and 10:30 services

Dr. Keith Hampton, organ performer, conductor, composer, ed ucator, church musician, adjudicator, and workshop clinician will be leading our congregation on Sunday, April 3 at both services. Our choirs have sung many of his compositions and benefited from his workshops. Dr. Hampton's infectious enthusiasm and joy is something you don't want to miss.

How Can I Connect with Others?


Celebrate Chicago Restaurant Week with Ladies in the Loop Do you commute into the Loop for work (or would you be willing to come down and join some fellow church friends for lunch?). If yes, you are invited to join our informal group of church women who meet periodically throughout the year, (but ALWAYS for Christmas Tea). Please consider joining us for our first LUNCH get-together of the new year on Friday, February 5th at 11:30 a.m. We plan to take advantage of Chicago Restaurant Week and the special $22 per person Prix-Fixe Lunch at GT Fish & Oyster, 531 N Wells, Chicago. Read more.	All-Church Dinner, and Ash Wednesday Worship February 10 February's All-Church Dinner will be on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 6:15 pm, in Pilgrim Hall. Ash Wednesday worship will be at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Register for dinner here or on paper in the church coffee area. Childcare available during worship in Starlight Cinema.	Prime Timers Brown Bag Lunch, Wednesday, February 17, 12:00 pm Pack your own lunch (coffee, tea and dessert provided.) and join us in Pilgrim Hall at noon. After we eat, we will car-pool to the Glen Ellyn SCARCE facility where Kay McKeen, Director of School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE), will discuss ways to help conserve and recycle items needed for our schools and community. All are welcome to join us!

Short Classics Book Group

Weds. February 24 7:30-9 pm

There is so much in Hamlet that we will again discuss it on Wednesday, February 24 from 7:30-9 pm in the church parlor. FYI, Ida Hagman, who has taught Hamlet at the college level will be there. I'd suggest either reading the Cliffs Complete edition, OR watching the movie by Kenneth Branaugh. Hope to see you then!

Contact Alan Bayert.

Join AMEN Men's Bible Study

Tuesday, February 9 7:00 am

AMEN Bible Study will begin an examination of David Brooks' book, The Road to Character, beginning Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 am. If you care to engage on this journey, contact John Mulherin.


Faith and Fitness Small Group Saturdays 8:30 - 10:30 am All Purpose Room Interested in exploring how physical, mental and spiritual health interact? We have launched a new small group focused on our whole being. Each meeting will focus on a scripture reading, a physical practice and a discussion on how mind and attitude support improvement in our habits and some physical activity. Click here for more information. Please RSVP to Sylvia Rodee at smrodee@sbcglobal.net or text 630-640-2425.	Let's Make Some Art! No art experience necessary! All FCCGE members & staff, families, friends, under the guidance of Leah Samuelson, Artist and Instructor at Wheaton College, to design and paint a mural in Pilgrim Crossing. Sun. 2/ 7 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m Tues. 2/ 9 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m Thur. 2/25 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 pm Come when you can; leave when you must. Come just once, or come to all three sessions. Art materials, beverages, and light snacks will be provided.	Heart Soul Mind Strength: Lent Devotional 2016 Lent begins February 10. So does Heart Soul Mind Strength: 2016 Lent Devotional from the Stillspeaking Writers' Group. This fresh collection of unique Lenten devotions includes a scripture verse and prayer for each day of Lent. Pick one up at church or click here for a Kindle edition (Kindle edition is $5.99).

How Can I Help?

Full on Faith - Volunteers Needed

February 23 6-8:30 pm, Geneva, Il.

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn is looking for 50 volunteers to join us evaluating, sorting, labeling and packing food for the needy in our community. This is a fantastic short time-commitment, inter-generational (ages 8 and up) opportunity to enjoy fellowship with others and give back to our hungry neighbors. Click here to learn more. Contact at Jeannine Kannegiesser or 630-340-0395.

Youth Activities


Jr. High Singers NEW DATE! - Jr. High Singers will now sing on Jr. High Sunday April 10th (not on Feb. 28th). Rehearsals on Sun. April 3rd and Thurs. April 7, 6:00-6:45. Contact michele@fccge.org.	FCCGE Church School Raising Funds for UCC Global Ministries *UPDATE* The children and youth of our congregation have raised $147.66 to support Syrian refugees via the UCC Global Ministries. We will be collecting funds via our church school offering through May. Details about this ministry can be found at www.ucc.org and search for "Global Ministries Syria." Thank you!	Our Whole Lives 2016 is a series of sexuality education programs for grades 7-9, grades 10-12 at FCCGE. The resources are written by professional sexuality educators and provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to be used in the affirming and supportive setting of our churches. Click here for Jr Hi dates and registration links.