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Our Mission:
Knowing Christ,
Following Christ,
Serving Christ.
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This week's feature article is written by Jim Teague,
Communications Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston
,
This coming Sunday, at 3 PM in our Sanctuary, FPCE's Chancel Choir, together with the chamber orchestra known as Calyx Ensemble, will perform Part III of
Messiah and arias from
La Resurrezione, both composed by G.F. Handel (1685-1759).
Both compositions testify to the life-changing, history-altering power of the Resurrection of Jesus, and the enduring confidence His believers have in His return. Throughout these musical scores, Scripture references accompany the individual songs, giving the Biblical basis for our worship. For example, "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" comes directly from
Job 19:25-26, while also referencing
I Corinthians 15:20: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died." Throughout the
Messiah Part III and
La Resurrezione, the lyrics point us beyond the past truth of the Resurrection to the present and future truth of Jesus' promised return and eternal assurance of victory over death.
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Highlights
Beginning NEXT Sunday, May 28, our summer worship service schedule will begin, moving to one service on Sundays at 10 am. Children and Youth Sunday school classes will be on hiatus until Fall.
A free concert with the FPCE Chancel Choir and orchestra featuring works of Handel's La Resurrezione and Part III of Messiah will be held this Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, in the Sanctuary. Come join us as we continue our remembrance of the reality of Christ's resurrection!
Rev. Endrias Tihit of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Mekane Yesus, will be joining us for our Prayer Gathering on Wednesday, May 24, at 7 pm in the Parlor. Come hear about and pray for this young church in the region of Ethiopia.
In honor of our special guest, Rev. Endrias of Ethiopia, this week's Wednesday Night Dinner will include injera (Ethopian flatbread) and four sauces: ater kik alecha we't (split pea stew); yemiser kik we't (split lentil stew); ye'atakilt we't (mixed vegetable stew); yebeg we't (lamb stew). The cost is $5 per person or $12 per family, payable at the door. Reservations are appreciated and can be made on our website, at the front desk, or by calling 847-864-1472.
Muslims celebrate Ramadan each year, a month of prayer and fasting set aside as a holy time where they hope God might hear their prayers. Please pick up a copy of 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, in order to pray during Ramadan this year, May 27-June 25. These prayer guides are available this week in the lobby, the narthex and throughout the Sanctuary.
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Worth Noting
We offer our condolences to the family of Susan Olson, a long-time member of FPCE now living in Arizona, who passed away on May 11 while visiting England. Our prayers are with her son, Rob Olson.
We offer our condolences to the family of Paul Ackles, a former long-time member of FPCE, who passed away on May 11 in Kansas. His children, Kevin, Kim and Jenny, are in our prayers.
Join us for dinner at Culver's in Skokie on Monday night, May 22, and help raise summer camp funds for kids! From 5-9 pm, a portion of sales will benefit the Connie Floyd Memorial Church Camp Scholarship Fund. Come enjoy a burger, frozen custard, or cheese curds and support a great cause! When ordering, be sure to mention that you are there to support Church Camp scholarships. Their address is Culver's of Skokie, 9455 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL 60077.
Stephen Ministry will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary at FPCE on Sunday, June 4 with a luncheon following the service. We will celebrate the past and preesnt service of Stephen Ministry members as we look forward to the future. All those interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister are invited to attend. Call RuthAnn Ostrowski at 312-613-0644 or Michael Denesha at 847-612-9479 for more information.
The next New Members Class will be Saturday, June 10 from 9 am to 2:30 pm for all interested in membership at First Pres. Childcare available with a prior reservation: Contact Janice at 847-864-1472 or
[email protected].
First Pres will be conducting baptisms for children and adults on Father's Day, June 18, 2017 at our 10 am service. Contact Janice at 847-864-1472,
[email protected] if you are interested or would like more information.
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Souper Saturday Art Project
Souper Saturday guests recently finished an art project made of bottle caps and magazine images donated by FPCE attendees, and photographs of the guests themselves. The piece, called
Under The Refuge of His Wings (from
from Psalm 91:4), includes images of Souper Saturday guests embedded in the work inside many of the bottle caps. Shown in the photo (left to right) are project participants
Breeze Streetwise, Edwin Carter and Rick Camasquillo. The project was done in partnership with Institute for Therapy in the Arts. According to Linda Hoff "These guys were thrilled with the completion of our project." Future art projects are already under consideration.
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Pray for Our Mission Partner
Pray for our mission partners, Pastor Younan and Layla Shiba of the Family Life Development Foundation, listed on pages 90 and 91 of 52 Weeks of Prayer for Missions. Pray for their work of reaching Muslims in Illinois and Milwaukee with the love of Jesus. Pray for God's blessing over Younan's trip to Europe to visit refugee churches and camps. Lift up his arts ministry, their radio program, and especially their daughters. Ask God for wisdom as they seek new means of provision for themselves and the Foundation.
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Spring Art Exhibit
Your last chance
to see the Spring Art Exhibit is this Sunday, May 21. Through such media as photography, acrylics and collage, 20 artists from our congregation portray God's promise of resurrection and rebirth. The exhibit is located in the second floor main hallway.
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Save the Date
FPCE invites you to join our "pop-up" Community Choir, to sing Sunday, June 4, at our 10 am service. All who love to sing to God are welcome: any ability, age 10 & up. Rehearsal: Sunday, June 4, at 8:30 am. Questions? Contact Hannah McConnell at [email protected].
On June 4 we will remember Pentecost, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after His Ascension that can be found in the second chapter of the Book of Acts. We invite you to wear red that day to remind us of the work and fire of the Spirit.
Book Club will meet on Tuesday, June 6, from 1:30-3 pm in the parlor. We are reading An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny by Laura Schroff. It tells of the life-long friendship between a busy sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy, and how both of their lives changed by what began as one small gesture of kindness.
FPCE's Stephen Ministry will kick off their ministry training sessions on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Training classes will be held on Monday nights from 7-9 pm starting on September 18, 2017, and ending February 26, 2018. There will be a three-week break at Christmas. Those interested should plan on attending the Sunday, June 4 luncheon following the worship service. We will celebrate the past and present service of Stephen Ministry members as we look forward to the future. All those interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister are invited to attend. Call RuthAnn Ostrowski at 312-613-0644 or Michael Denesha at 847-612-9479 for more information.
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Children and Families
If you haven't yet registered your child for Church Camp, it's not too late! We have a limited number of spaces still open. Students currently in grades 2-6 are invited to join us June 18-23 at Phantom Ranch in Mukwonago, WI. Learn more and register online through our website at http://www.firstpresevanston.org/events/event-registration/
Vacation Bible School registration is now open online! Join us 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. Learn more and register online through our website at
http://www.firstpresevanston.org/events/event-registration/
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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.
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!
NUBS and PYGS t-shirts are now available. First come, first served! See Liz Ribeiro.
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our fundraising for the Youth Mission Trip to this point. We have currently raised $10,405 toward our goal of $20,000 (52%). If you are still interested in giving, contact Liz Ribeiro. Silent auction winners have now been contacted via email and should coordinate with
[email protected] to pick-up your items.
Registration for Great Escape is here! The trip will take place July 10 through 15! This event is for rising 6th graders through graduating 8th graders! Great Escape is a sleepaway camp in Greenlake, Wisconsin for Middle Schoolers. Registration forms can be found
online and on the children's and youth table.
The PYGS' 2017 Mission Trip is set for July 29 through August 5. The team will be traveling to Wetumpka, Alabama, as part of an outreach by Youth Works. Throughout the week, we will facilitate a Kids Club at a local church, participate in work projects and serve with organizations seeking to meet the needs of the community.
More details are available online.
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Young Adults/Families
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!
Bodyweight Workouts - NOTE: No formal workout May 18
Thursdays, 6 pm, Roy Hall
For those training to be in the Spartan Race or anyone just wanting to work out. Come on out and let's exercise hard together!
Pastor Henry is looking for donations of medicine balls, kettle bells, and slam balls for his weekly exercise class he is hosting during open family gym time in Roy Hall. Donations should be made to Pastor Henry's office and are greatly appreciated!
Registration to participate with Pastor Henry in the Spartan Sprint has been extended to June 9. The Reebok Spartan Sprint is perfect for athletes of all levels; from first timers to seasoned obstacle courses racers. The 3-5 Mile Sprint packs more than 20 Signature Spartan Obstacles. If you think you can't do it, you're wrong. The race will be in the afternoon of Sunday, June 11. If you're interested in participating or looking for more information, connect with Henry after church or shoot him an email at [email protected]. Partial scholarships are available.
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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 9 am and 11:30 am. 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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Bulletins and Other Notes
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Summary notes from the April 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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