March 15, 2017
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6


Quick Links

 

 


Questions?
Comments?

 Contact Us  
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010

office@fpcw.org

Dear fpcw family and friends,
Romans 15:7 says, "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

What if this verse was the definition of hospitality?   Often our understanding of hospitality centers around entertaining others. Yet, the way in which Scripture defines hospitality and the way in which Jesus embodies hospitality gives us a much deeper meaning to this word that goes beyond entertaining. If we are hospitable in the way Christ has been hospitable to us, what does this look like? Pastor Jeff, in his sermon on Sunday, suggested that the Greek word from which we derive the word hospitality means something closer to loving and welcoming the stranger, immigrant and foreigner as we would our own family. Wow!  What would this look like?  How might this change we way treat others whom we do not know?

As we continue in this Lenten journey together, may we embody a Christ-like hospitality!  

In Christ's love,
Rev. Erin Raska
 
Lent
A Focus on Spiritual Practices
Join us as we enter into this Season of Lent. We hope that as you journey with us from Ash Wednesday to Easter you will experience with greater abundance the reality of God's redeeming grace. Lent invites us to make our hearts ready for remembering Jesus' death and resurrection.
 
Lenten Conversations
 with Pastors Jeff and Erin
 Join us Sundays, at 8:45 am, in the
 Wallace Moore Fellowship Center for coffee, light
refreshments and a conversation around spiritual
practices that will help guide your Lenten journey.
  • March 19 - Examen
  • March 26 - Forgiveness
  • April 2 - Telling our Stories
 40 Way for Keeping a Holy Lent 
 Lent is a period of spiritual renewal, a time of waiting and preparation. Located in the Narthex, please find a list of 40 ways you can keep a Holy Lent to help focus your heart, spirit and minds on Christ's Resurrection. 

Kids and Prayer - a family workshop
Families are invited to explore prayer during the Church Family dinners through the month of March (March 9, 16, 23 & April 6). Sessions include: What is Prayer?, Why do We Pray?, How do we Pray?, and Where do We Pray? Please contact Bev Bolsen for more information.

Guided Meditation - April 12, 1-3 pm, fpcw Chapel
This unique mediation will guide you through the garden of Gethsemane and includes Taize chant, prayer and an opportunity to share your meditation experience with the other participants.

Maundy Thursday, April 13th
Simple Supper (6 pm)
Worship (7 pm)

Good Friday, April 14th
9:30 - 11 am Journey to the Cross at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church
Good Friday Service, 6 pm, fpcw Chapel

Easter Sunday, April 16
Worship in word, song and prayer
9 am and 11 am, fpcw Sanctuary 
 
 
Sunday, March 19, 2017
 Second Sunday in Lent
 8:45 am
 Childcare
Adult Study
Confirmation
9*1*6 Kids' time
9:00 am
Membership Ministry Group
 10:00 am
 Worship
10:15 am
Sunday School
Club 56 
 11:15 am
 Fellowship Hour
 Nominating Committee
3:00 pm
Youth/Family Ministry Group & Tower Core
4:00 pm
Installation Service for Rev. Jeff Lehn
5:00 pm
Reception for Rev. Jeff Lehn, fpcw Lounge
 Tower Youth Fellowship

Installation service for Rev. Jeff Lehn
Join us this Sunday, March 19, at 4 pm for the Chicago Presbytery's Installation service for Rev. Jeff Lehn as our Senior Pastor, Head of Staff. Come celebrate with Jeff and his family as we offer our support, and affirm our new Senior Pastor.

Music Notes
Join a music group for Holy Week! Rehearsals are under way in our groups for Holy Week and our Hymn Festival (April 30). Chancel Choir rehearsals Wednesdays March 22, 29, April 5 & 12 from 7:30-9 pm. Come along for a 4 week ride. More info is available on our website.

Medical Update for David Leasure
 David continues to work on his health issues, and he misses fpcw dearly! Recently, David was approved for and has decided to go on Disability, which begins on April 1st and will continue indefinitely. David will be deeply missed! He has served our congregation with compassion, energy and love for 18 years. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 23, when we plan to honor and thank David for his work and ministry among us.

Faith and Fellowship

Learn about the events of Holy Week in the interactive, age-appropriate Journey to the Cross on Good Friday (April 14), 9:30 -11 am at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 1140 Wilmette Ave. Join families from neighboring churches for this ecumenical event that engages children and answers questions about what happened between Palm Sunday and Easter. The event is open to all children ages 3 through 5th grade, accompanied by parent or caregiver.

Calling All Artists and Appreciators of Art
 The Worship, Music, & Arts Committee is seeking new art pieces to hang in the rear lobby of fpcw . Do you have paintings, photographs, textiles, or other items that you think would be interesting and appropriate? Would you like to create some? Please contact Peggy Massello for further information.
 
Stewardship 2017 Your gifts make a difference in our congregation, our community and God's world. The use of our resources reflects the generosity of our hearts. Thank you for your prayerful, eager and generous pledge.  

 Fellowship Hour  - Please note that we are looking for volunteers to host Fellowship Hour. Please check out the signup sheets located in the WMFC. If you have questions please contact  Fran Langewisch .

Mission and Care .

Family Promise Annual Taste of Family Promise
Celebrating 7 years of service to families. Join us for this special community dinner, this Sun., Mar.19,
5 pm, Northfield Community Church, 400 Wagner Rd., Northfield. The evening includes, food, fellowship, entertainment, raffles and surprises. Need more information? Please call 847-474-4500.

One Great Hour of Sharing - April 2-16
By giving to One Great Hour of Sharing, you support ministries working to provide access to sustainable food systems, aid and shelter for those impacted by disaster, and resources for communities working to loose the bonds of oppression and injustice. 
Three ways to give:
New Trier Food Pantry  -  The pantry is a service for residents whose incomes do not cover all their needs. Please donate non-perishable food to the  fpcw Food Donation Basket located in the parking lot lobby.   

Mission Partners - fpcw is blessed to have a wonderful and vibrant set of mission partners. We invite you to join us in faithful service as Christ's disciples and find God in new ways and in new places. Click here for our Mission Partner Overview Catalog and become familiar with the many ways fpcw engages in mission.
 
Need some glad tidings? 
More activities, inspiration, and cheer 
available on our
website