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Our Mission:
Knowing Christ,
Following Christ,
Serving Christ.
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VBS at FPCE is next week. See below for details and for prayer requests, too.
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Over the last few weeks, I have focused my thoughts on the question of suffering and evil. Maybe it's because I am reading through the book of Habakkuk that I find myself doing this. It's not an easy thing to do. Why so hard, you might ask? Some of us struggle with a disorder that I have coined SAEF (Suffering and Evil Fatigue).
In order to cope with SAEF, some choose to hit the mute button. By doing this, they are spared the almost unbroken litany of miserable news: crime, murder, sickness, accidents - seemingly endless wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, with chemical bombs raining down on babies and the elderly - Isis and other murderous sects and hate groups - plane crashes, tsunamis, epic floods and fires that daily assault our mental space and time.
Others have a theological framework to deal with SAEF. It goes something like this: God is good and sovereign, but we humans, being sinful, have wrecked the world. A day will come when God will right-size the world and all will be well... But to me, at least, that doesn't help. Not the here and now, where the daily horrors and the weariness seep in.
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Highlights
Please join us for the annual Deacons Hot Dog Social after church this morning on the front lawn, weather permitting. Hot dogs, lemonade, and treats for all!
Sunday morning we are commissioning those students taking part in the PYGS' 2017 Mission Trip to Wetumpka, AL, July 29 through August 5. Please keep the entire team in your prayers, asking God to give them guidance, safety and powerful ministry opportunities. Participants should grab lunch that day from the Hot Dog Social and then attend training taking place after the service. Students should be picked up at 2 pm. Visit http://www.firstpresevanston.org/learn/students/youth-service-trip/ to learn more about the trip.
A BBQ for young adults and families will be held Sunday, July 23 from 5-9 pm at Dawes Park Beach in Evanston. Burgers, hot dogs and brats will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share with others. Family appropriate activities are also planned. All are invited!
Join us next week for Vacation Bible School at the Maker Fun Factory as we discover that we were created by God and built for a purpose. We'll meet at church July 24-28, from 9-11:45 am, to learn Bible stories, play games, create projects, and learn how God wants us to be involved in our world. Children who will enter 3-year-old preschool through 6th grade in the fall of 2017 are invited to participate.
Haven't registered yet? Not a problem! Sign up at fellowship time today or arrive at 8:45 tomorrow morning to complete a walk-in registration.
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Worth Noting
Congratulations to John and Kayla Kulans on the birth of their daughter, Luciana Renee, on July 11.
Come and fellowship with us! Moms R Us is having another potluck dinner fellowship night at the home of Sally Ivaska, 1120 Austin, Evanston, on Monday, July 24 at 6:30 pm. Moms of all ages are invited. Contact Patty Bastian with questions at
[email protected].
The Deacons wish to remind those who have signed up to supply our backpacks that those supplies are needed no later than Monday, July 24.
Please make sure all bags are secured and labeled with students' names (and numbers, if you have those) when returned to the Front Desk. Thanks to all who have participated!
Families are invited to join us for a weekend Family Camp, August 4-6, at Stronghold Camp in Oregon, IL. Our weekend will include games, crafts, swimming, campfires, and fellowship in the beauty of God's creation. Camp fees include lodging (tent or retreat center), food, activities, and programs for all ages. Contact
Kristin Mueller for a registration form.
 The Book Club's next choice for reading is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Discussion on the book will be held 1-3:30 pm, Tuesday, August 29, in the parlor.According to Amazon, "Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning a letter arrives, addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl, from a woman he hasn't heard from in twenty years." All are invited to read what happens and join us for our discussion.
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Pray for Our Mission Partner
Pray for our mission partner, Tumekutana, from pages 110 and 111 of 52 Weeks of Prayer for Missions. Tumekutana is a Swahili word meaning "We have come together." It is a gathering of women leaders from Presbyterian and Reformed Church organizations and congregations from around Africa. Pray for their efforts in fighting disease, slavery and famine across the African continent. Ask God to help those women who wish to attend to get the necessary visas and resources for traveling.
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Items Sought for Refugee Family
A Syrian refugee family being assisted by the FPCE First Friends and the Women's Ministry is welcoming their third child this summer. They are in great need of the following new or gently used items (unisex colors preferred-white, green, yellow): sheets and blankets, baby clothes, newborn diapers and wipes. They also have a 2-year-old daughter who is a size 3 and wears size 5 diapers and a 7-year-old son who wears size 8 clothes. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Kim Langlois at
[email protected].
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Save the Date
You can help support Souper Saturday! Save the date and join us - Saturday morning, September 16, Jackson Park for the Hunger Walk (sponsored by Greater Chicago Food Depository). We receive contributions for every walker who participates. More details (transportation from First Pres parking lot and times) to follow. Please direct question to Kris Economos 847-475-0226 or
[email protected].
The Women's Ministry at will be hosting a Ladies Tea September 30. It's a mini retreat for women and youth to be refreshed and encouraged. The theme is "Joy in the Journey". Watch for more updates of this event.
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Children and Families
Be sure to keep Vacation Bible School and our volunteers in your prayers this week! Children will be learning Bible stories, creating projects, playing games, and making new friends. Adults and teens will be serving with our classroom groups or in our activity stations. Please pray for us as we meet each morning at the church. Pray for God to be working in our relationships and speaking to and through all of us as we learn together. Pray for good weather, safety, and a fun week for all!
Scholarships are available for all of our summer programs and camps. Contact Kristin Mueller for an application.
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Youth Events
More details about Youth events can be found in our weekly email. Text YOUTHGROUP to 42828 for directions to subscribe!
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our fundraising for the Youth Mission Trip to this point. We have met our goal and raised $20,075.76! If you are still interested in giving, contact Liz Ribeiro. If you haven't yet turned in your pledge, payments can be made
online (please select youth missions option), dropped off at the front desk (attention Liz Ribeiro), or put it in the offering plate (with youth missions on the envelope subject line).
 A BBQ Beach day and All-Youth potluck gathering is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, July 21. We'll provide the burgers and the dogs. Meet at 124 Greenleaf Avenue at 4 pm to drop off your food. Then we'll walk to Lee Street Beach together. Bring your token and towel (we'll try to have a few extras). At 5:30 pm. we'll head back for dinner and chillaxing. Pick-up time will be 7 pm.
NUBS and PYGS t-shirts are still available.
See Liz Ribeiro.
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Young Adults/Families Events
Pastor Henry wants to take you out for coffee! Grab him after church or shoot him an email at [email protected] so that a date can be scheduled, and let's make this happen!
Any young adults interested in volunteering in the Crib Room during Sunday morning services should see Pastor Henry or Kristin Mueller for more details.
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!
Like Trivia? Come on out and join Pastor Henry and other Young Adults for Trivia Night at Bar Louie, every Thursday night at 8!
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Host Families Needed
A volunteer family is needed who would be willing to host a female Japanese college student from Kobe. The student would need a home to stay in from August 30 through September 8, except Labor Day weekend. She will be working in downtown Chicago.
Another female Japanese college student is wishing to stay with a local family and experience an English speaking environment for a few days. She will be in Chicago August 15-18. Please contact
Kay Sugiura if you are interested in helping.
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Opportunities to Serve
 Express your love for your neighbor through a yard sign saying "No matter where you are from, we are glad you're our neighbor" in 3 languages. If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Lisa Weber at [email protected].
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 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 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 847-864-9133.
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Summary notes from the June 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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