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Our Mission:
Knowing Christ,
Following Christ,
Serving Christ.
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This week's column is written by
Associate Pastor Henry Coates
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This Wednesday, today as I write, is not only Valentine's Day, it's Ash Wednesday - Ash Wednesday being the first day of Lent, marking the beginning of the Lenten Renewal of fasting, penitence, self-reflection, and, ultimately, repentance.
The aim of Ash Wednesday is threefold: to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness, and need of a savior; to embark upon a commitment of daily repentance during the Lenten season and in all of life; and to remember, with confidence and gratitude, that Christ has conquered death and sin. Ash Wednesday proclaims the Gospel truth. It is a witness to the power and beauty of our union with Christ, and to the daily dying and rising with Christ that this entails.
Traditionally, the imposition of ashes is often a central part of the Ash Wednesday worship service. Ashes have a long history in Biblical and church traditions. In Scripture, ashes or dust symbolize frailty or death, sadness or mourning, judgment, and repentance. In Christ's Passion, we see God's judgment on evil; in our penitence, we express sorrow and repentance for our sins; in our rededication, we show that we are purified and renewed. The ashes on our forehead mark that we truly are on our way to the cross, with Jesus, during the season of Lent.
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Highlights
Book Club will meet Tuesday, February 20, 1:30 pm to 3 pm in the Parlor. We will be reading Teatime for the Firefly by Shona Patel. According to Goodreads "Teatime for the Firefly is an engaging combination of Indian culture, history, and romance in the unusual setting of an Assam tea plantation." All are welcome!
Our annual series of Taizé Lenten Prayer services will begin this Wednesday, February 21. Subsequent services will take place March 7, 14, 21 and 28. Each of the gatherings will begin at 7 pm and will be held in Walker Chapel. Join us for a service of meditative prayer with simple and reflective songs in the style of Taizé.
Communion will be celebrated at each of these events.
The Grove City College Touring Choir will perform in concert Wednesday, February 28, at 7:30 pm in the FPCE Sanctuary. Students of this Western Pennsylvania-based Christian liberal arts college, under the direction of Katherine Mueller, will perform approximately an hour of beautiful choral music, including works by Palestrina, Brahms, Grieg, John Rutter, and Moses Hogan. All are welcome!
Annual Meeting of the Congregation: Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 12:45 pm in the Church Dining Room. Please plan to attend to hear about the highlights of our church during 2017, as well as the vision for our church in 2018. The 2018 Budget will be among the items presented and the printed 2017 Annual Reports will be distributed. A light lunch ($5/person) will be served.
 The Women's Ministry's annual pre-Valentine Day Movie Night and Jewelry Swap has been rescheduled to March 2, from 6:30 pm to 9 pm in the Dining Room and the Parlor. This year's theme will be "You Are Loved." Sign-ups are still being taken
online. The cost is $5 per person, and proceeds will benefit Good News Partners and Emmaus Ministry. Each participant should also bring two pieces of jewelry (used is fine). One is to swap and the other goes to the women of Good News Partners.
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Worth Noting
We offer our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Ernie Roehrborn, who passed away on February 10. Memorial Service 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at First Pres in Walker Chapel.
The topic "Navigating Retirement Finances" will be the focus of the next Senior Varsity presentation, Thursday, March 1. Our speaker will be FPCE member Elizabeth Brown.Topics will include: Can I afford to retire? Managing assets - now and later, Health care costs (Tax considerations, and Leaving a legacy through estate planning. Registration will begin at 10:30 am, and the presentation will start at 11. Lunch will be served at noon (cost: $5 for lunch). Please register by January 30 at the front desk by calling 847-864-1472. All are welcome, especially seniors!
 The 24th annual FPCE Men's Retreat will be held March 9-10. We will be studying the Gospel of Mark, led by Dr. Clifton Black, a professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. Details and registration forms are available at the front desk or on the
church website.
The Maundy Thursday Service scheduled for March 29 will not include a Seder Dinner. We apologize for the error.
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Online resources for Adult Education classes
Resources are now available online for FPCE's Adult Education classes (including the All-Church sessions we just completed). Visit
http://www.fpceadultdiscipleship.com/ for downloads and schedules for upcoming classes.
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Pray for Our Mission Partner
Pray for our mission partners, Robert and Laurie Nordstrom, from pages 82 and 83 of 52 Weeks of Prayer for Mission. Ask for God's guidance as they serve with Overseas Missionary Fellowship Interational in their USA offices. Pray that God would raise up mature, skillful staff members and that He would open the doors for the spreading of the Gospel in regions formerly hostile to its message.
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Men's Clothes donations needed
The Deacons' Clothes Closet needs men's large size sweaters, pants, shoes, and boots.
Please help our gentlemen guests brave the elements and cold temperatures by dropping off your donations at the church office front desk.
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Missions
Do you have a car available to loan one of our mission partners and members, Jay Sivits, from March 19 to March 27?
She will be visiting First Presbyterian and the Chicago area during that time and is in need of reliable transportation. If you can help, please contact
Caryl Weinberg
. Thank you in advance!!
Our mission-focused adult education class entitled "Building Friendships with Muslims and Internationals: Cultivating Meaningful Spiritual Conversations" continues Sunday morning at 10:30 am in the Dining Room. Come and be trained on being Christ's ambassadors here in Chicagoland, now through March 18. Facilitators include Dan McNerney, Dave and Sally Ivaska, Ned and Sharon Hale, Melody Myatt and Caryl Weinberg. The group will be using a video series, Muslims, Christians and Jesus by Carl Medearis. Books (optional) are on sale at the Front Desk for $10.
Wanted: a small clothes dryer and a vacuum cleaner are needed by one of our First Friends' Syrian families. If you have one, please contact Kungsiu Lao at
[email protected] for details. Thank you!
 Pick up your copy of the 2018 version of Seek God for the City, a Lenten devotional that helps us pray thoughtfully for our city. They will be available in multiple places in and outside the sanctuary. An app version is
available online for 99 cents.
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Children and Families
Join us for Children's Choir! Children ages pre-K through 6th grade are invited to come and sing with us! We rehearse each Thursday from 4-5, and sing in church once each month. For a full schedule, contact Kristin Mueller, or register to participate online at http://www.firstpresevanston.org/events/event-registration/.
"Lent in a Bag" at-home kits for families to use during the season of Lent are now available in the back of the Sanctuary, and at the Children's Ministry table outside the library. We invite you to take one bag per family. The symbols and devotional guide inside will give your family a Bible story to reflect upon each week of the Lenten season.
 Fish banks for the "One Great Hour of Sharing" offering are now available at the Children's Ministry table outside the library. Children are invited to give offering throughout the Lenten season, and then return the bank to church on Palm Sunday, March 25. An engagement map with activities is also available as a tool to show where our offerings are sent each year.
Summer Save-the-Dates!
- Church Camp, Phantom Ranch, Mukwonago, WI - June 17-22
- Family Camp Weekend, Stronghold Camp, Oregon, IL - July 6-8
- Vacation Bible School, on-site at First Pres - August 6-10
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Youth and Families
More details about Youth events can be found in our weekly email. Text YOUTHGROUP to 42828 to subscribe!
PYGS meets from 4-6 pm each Sunday afternoon. Dinner is served and a $5 donation is requested to cover costs. All high school students are welcome.
NUBS meets each Friday, from 7-9 pm, in the NUBS lounge.
Students from grades 6-8 are invited.
The next Youth Service Saturday event will be held this Saturday, February 10. We will be helping to serve lunch for the Presbytery Assembly here at First Pres. Volunteers will meet from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Families are invited to serve together as we support ministries in and around our community on the second Saturday of every month.
Overnight Lock-in! This Sunday, February 18 until Monday February 19. All high schoolers are invited to join us for overnight fun including karaoke, 9 Square, a flashlight tour of the church, sardines and all kinds of other surprise activities. Please bring a snack to share and $10 to cover pizza and supplies. A special "guest chef" will also be joining us! Registration forms can be found
online, at the Sunday School table, and in the literature rack. Bring a friend!
Summer 2018 we're heading to The Great Escape. Rising 7th graders though graduating 8th graders are invited to go to the longest running middle school conference in the country July 9-14. It's a huge high energy Jesus filled week of fun! Registration is $475. Scholarships are available. Registration details can be found on the Sunday School table, in email, or eventually online.
High School Mission Trip will be July 22-27 in Benton Harbor Michigan. We will be serving the communities youngest and oldest residents alongside other churches. Registration fee is $450 with an early registration discount of $25 for participants registered before February 14th. Part of our preparation will involve fundraising to defray costs and raise scholarships. Registration details can be found on the Sunday School table, in email, or eventually online.
Calling all Christian leaders! The youth ministry needs you!
Are you ready to share in the gifts that the Lord has built in you? We are looking for volunteers of all types. Please email Liz at [email protected] so she can take you out for coffee and chat about how you can put your gifts to work helping to grow the Youth of our community.
Parent Small Group - A parent small group will be held on Sunday evenings from 4-6 pm during the high school PYGS youth group time. Focus of the scripture teaching will mirror the youth devotionals to help keep in step as a family. Please email leaders Alison Velasco
[email protected] and Susan Hood
[email protected] to join. All parents are welcomed. If you are interested in joining or leading a small group on Friday nights during the NUBS youth group please email Liz at
[email protected]. Training for leaders will be provided by the small group ministry team.
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Young Adults and Families Events
Want to know Jesus more fully? Looking for a Sunday school class that will delve deep into the bible and not shy away from hard questions? Come to Pastor Henry's class on The Gospel of Mark! We are studying Mark chapter by chapter, attempting to take in a holistic view of the Scripture text that encompasses historical, literary, and theological insights. Mark's Gospel centers around the question Jesus asks of his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" All are welcome, from first time visitor to long time member, to join with us as we seek the answer! When: After the First Service. Where: Upstairs in the Parlor.
Family Open Gym
Thursdays, 4-7 pm, Roy Hall
Open for parents and their children to come run around, shoot some baskets, play some games. No need to RSVP; just show up and have a great time!
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Submissions sought for 150th Anniversary Art Exhibit
Wanted: Visual artists! As part of the 150th anniversary celebration in July, the Arts Ministry Team plans to stage an exhibit of our congregation's artistic talent. If you wish to participate with an example of your talent in the genres of photography, painting, drawing, watercolor, collage, calligraphy, needlework or quilting, please contact Dan Van Heukelem at
[email protected] to express your interest and get more details.
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Sunday Morning Greeters sought
Do you want to help make our church more welcoming to visitors? If so join the welcome team as a greeter Sunday mornings. We are looking for volunteers to greet before and after the Sunday morning services. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please contact Stephanie Homan at
[email protected].
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Opportunities to Serve
Are you interested in becoming a regular visitor to one of our homebound members? If so, Friends in Christ would love to hear from you! Whether you are an old pro at visiting, or are willing but would like a little training, please step forward and call Bonnie Kath (847-507-4146). There is someone out there who would love a visit from you!
The Deacons' Clothes Closet needs your donations of gently used clothes for women & men. Please no children's clothing. Pants, shirts, jackets and shoes for larger men are especially needed.
We are looking for volunteers once a month to run our projection slides on Sundays at 10 am in the summer, and 9 am and 11:30 am during the school year. Training provided. Contact Neal Ostrovsky at
[email protected].
Be a role model for a homeless child! Volunteer at the New Life shelter, five minutes from church. Contact Tom Alrich at
[email protected].
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Resources for You
Do you need a ride, a meal or someone to run an errand for you? A member of Friends in Christ is ready to help with your need.
Please call Bonnie Kath at 847-507-4146.
Christ Caring for People through
People. Stephen Ministers are lay people trained to care for someone going through a difficult time by listening, supporting, praying and encouraging. If you could benefit from this confidential ministry call RuthAnn Ostrowski at 312-613-0644 for more details.
In cases of after-hour emergencies - please call our Emergency Answering Service at 866-259-7088.
The Counseling Center (TCC) provides professionally trained Christian counseling
in our own facility. Contact TCC Director Charles Miyamoto at 847-864-9133.
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Summary notes from the February Session Meeting are available
here.
The most recent summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available here.
Paper copies are also available in our literature racks.
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