March 15, 2018
Greetings!
Why and how are we building a movement of revolutionary love?
In a time when the very thread of society appears to be intentionally frayed; when children are shot in their classrooms; when the voice of our leaders is vitriol and vice; when those with opposing ideas are treated as the enemy; when neighbors cannot feel safe in the place they call home, the Body of Christ is called to love: To love our children, our neighbors, God’s Creation. To be so bold as to spread love in the face of hatred and to speak kindness to those who would destroy us is to be revolutionary. Christ calls us to BE the Body of Christ, to Talk the Talk of Jesus, and to Walk the Walk of God’s extravagant welcome, grace, and love.
How do we do this? By attracting friends to our movement, taking care of those who belong to the movement, nurturing spirits both in and out of the movement, deploying disciples who are agents of change, growing leaders, and developing partners. 
Join us in this revolution of Love. 
Carly
Ministry of Worship: Moving Forward
Worship Ministry will continue to maintain its regular activities including coordinating flowers for Sunday services, communion, greeters, liturgists, ushers, and paraments. It will also continue working with the Music Director on special services such as choral sermons, Holy Week and the Christmas season.
As we broaden our focus, we look to explore different avenues for hymn resources; to set aside a summer Sunday worship as a Messy Church themed service; to continue looking for a diversity of people to engage our children during the children’s message; and, occasionally, to vary the worship experience while maintaining the essence of our traditional service.

Janet Bednar, Mary Cooper, Bob Klestil, Lex Bart, Jean Tomkinson, Tom Pitman, Ryan Cox
Holy Week Worship
March 25 begins a week long journey from hope to the cross and back. Join us for these deeply spiritual and moving worship opportunities:
  • Palm Sunday Worship on March 25 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The Procession of Palms and Celebration of Hope.
  • Maundy Thursday Tenebrae on March 29 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Procession of Shadows leads us through word and music into the Last Supper, desertion, arrest, conviction, cross, and death. This is one of the most moving services of the year.
  • Good Friday on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 100 W Cossitt Ave, La Grange. An ecumenical remembrance of Jesus' last hours with moving music and drama.
  • Easter Morning Breakfast on April 1 from 8:30-9:55 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
  • Easter Celebration on April 1 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This Week:
Friday 3/16: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 3/17: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 3/18: The Last Week Discussion at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Greet Team Meeting 11:15 am, Ring & Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, Finance Committee Meeting 11:30am, Zackleys 6:30pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 3/19: AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 3/21: Be Still and Know 12 Step 4 pm, Carillon Handbell Choir 7:30 pm, Chancel Choir 7:45pm
Friday 3/23: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 3/24: Zackley Work Trip, Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 3/25: Zackley Work Trip, The Last Week Discussion at 8:30 am, Bells at 9:00 am, Choir at 9:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring & Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15am, Belonging: Exploring Membership 4:30pm, OA at 7:00 pm
Easter Lilies
Are you ready to order a lily to grace the sanctuary on Easter morning? You may stop by the office or come to the Founders’ Room after worship today through Palm Sunday, March 25th. The cost is $13.00 per plant, and the lily is yours to take home after the Easter service .
Adult Discussion Group
  In the movie The Passion of the Christ we get Hollywood's interpretation of Jesus's last days. But what does the Bible really say about that week?
The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days
During this eight session discussion, we'll discuss the work of Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan by the same name. The book is available through the public library system, at Anderson Bookstore, on smile.Amazon.com, and other online sources. It is also available in Kindle and audible versions both online and through the library.
The book follows Jesus' from Palm Sunday to Easter in eight days through chapters. Join us as we wonder about this dangerous Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor.

March 18: Thursday, Mark 14:12-16
March 25: Good Friday, Mark 15
April 1 –   No Class
April 8:     Holy Saturday, Harrowing of Hell
April 15:   Sunday, Resurrection, Mark 16:1-8

We gather with coffee and snacks on Sundays from 8:30 to 9:15 am in the Drawing Room.
Nurturing Spirits Growing Leaders Deploying Kingdom Builders
Zackley Stock Sales
The annual Zackley Work Trip is March 24th-April 1st. We will be going to Edisto Island but to make this trip happen this year, we need your help. We need safe church trained people to go on the trip but also people to help organize logistics for the trip and to help with stock sales. Please let the office know if you are willing to help out this year!
Nurturing Spirits Deploying Kingdom Builders Developing Leaders
UCC Summer Camps 2018
Illinois Conference UCC Outdoor Minitries sponsored events. Beyond Belief! The Universe of God! Contact 815-447-2390 or visit www.il-outdoorministries.org for more information. Click here for the full flyer.
Messy Church
Messy Church is April 8th at 4:30 pm. Our theme for April is Easter! Come have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. Click here for flyer. We need volunteers!
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner

Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits
Developing Leaders   
Missions Book Discussion Group
We changed our meeting date from May 7 to June 4 at 7:30pm in the Drawing Room for our next Missions Discussion Group. We will explore issues of racism in our next book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann.
Volunteer Opportunity
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 100 volunteers transport clients to medical appointments, therapies, and errands. We also take clients to their places of employment. There is no cost to clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. We need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, or visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org. Can you spare an hour a week?
The Positively Green Team
The PGT meets again following worship on March 18th from 11:15 to 12:30. All are welcome to attend. If you have ideas or topics you’d like to know more about, please let us know.
Tip of the Month :
Consider turning your heat down a degree or two, especially when you're not at home or sleeping. This will save energy because your furnace will not have to run as frequently, and will also save a little money on your utility bill! For more Green Tips, see the IL EPA's website at http://www.epa.illinois.gov/citizens/citizens-information/get-involved/green-tips/index

H ooks and Needles
Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 26th . We meet every 4th Monday of the month. Feel free to drop in anytime and join us at 7 pm in the family room off the Chapel. Because of winter weather cancellations, please call Linda Lauterbach (352-5332) or email to confirm we are meeting. This is a great time for charity knitting!
Nurturing Spirits
Music News
The Joyful Noise orchestra will be resurrected for Easter! You are invited to play the instrument you regularly practice, or the one you need to dust off. Pros and amateurs alike will combine their talents to joyfully accompany the "Hallelujah Chorus." Children and youth who are confident players are invited too! You will get music ahead of time to practice at home, then we will rehearse as a group the morning of at 9:30am. Please contact Ryan to sign up.
Evening Book Club
Note: This event has changed dates!
Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 5th at 7:30 in the Chapel Conference Room. We will read In the Garden of the Beasts by Eric Larsen.
Food Pantry
In March we’re collecting dry goods for the Second Baptist Food Pantry. Please bring pasta, rice, couscous, graham crackers, potato mixes, etc. Any non-perishable foods are welcome. Thanks to all who brought paper products last month. The Pantry staff was delighted to see so many overflowing bags of donations.
C an’t Get To Sunday Services?  
You can watch them live Sundays at 10 a.m. on the web.  Click here  to see Sunday worship streamed live and past worship services as well.  Or, check out these instructions on how to watch through your Roku Device. Contact the church office ( mainoffice@fcclg.org ) to have the worship bulletin emailed to you on Fridays. This ministry is brought to you by the estate of Ginny Palansky, and maintained by your gifts, offerings, and pledges.
Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits 
Developing Partners
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil and Maria Balz.
Fred Bell, who is recovering from leukemia.
Prayers for the Clayton family, as James Clayton recovers in the hospital from the flu.
Prayers for Diana Coberly, as she goes through a tough time.
Ann Fish, as she recovers from surgery.
Renee Meier, who is dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Margaret Melkonian.
Prayers for the family & friends of Hayden Miles, LT student, who passed away March 12 th .
Prayers for Jim Palansky as he recovers from a serious bout of pneumonia.
Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.
Prayers for Billy Payne, who is in the hospital struggling with health issues.
Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer and recovering from broken ribs.
Prayers for Steve Roper, as he recovers from open heart surgery.
For Vera Weiss to regain her strength and fight cancer.
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.