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Our Mission:
Knowing Christ,
Following Christ,
Serving Christ.
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I have a question for you: How do you measure real success?
In my experience, we often make the mistake of focusing our energies on becoming the best person we want to be at work - and far too little on the person we want to be at home.
Investing our time and energy in raising wonderful children or deepening our love with our spouse, building healthy relationships with siblings and friends, often doesn't return clear evidence of success. Not in the way we commonly perceive success in the public sphere.
Because of the seeming low return on these relational investments, we tend to over-invest in our careers, and under-invest in those key relationships with family and friends - thus starving one of the most important parts of our life of the personal resources it needs to flourish.
Not long ago, in a conversation, someone said, proudly and defiantly, to Judith and me, "I have no friends.
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H
ighlights
 A special Wednesday Prayer Gathering will be held September 20 at 7 pm in the Parlor. FPCE missions partner "Pastor Y" will share some details of what is happening in the Chinese church. Prior to the prayer gathering, a Wednesday Night Dinner will be held in the Dining Room at 6 pm. The menu will include peanut vinegar chicken, Szechuan shrimp, rice noodles and stir-fried vegetables. Reservations are appreciated and may be made in advance through the front desk. All are welcome!
 First Pres is partnering with LifeTouch Church Directories & Portrait Company to create a new church directory in celebration of 150 Years of God's grace. There is no charge to have your picture included in the new directory, and sign-up is easy.
Visit the FPCE web link, call the church office at 847-864-1472, or sign up in person at the designated table during Fellowship Hour in Roy Hall to sign up, beginning this Sunday morning.
Tickets are still available for the Ladies' Tea to be held from 2-5 pm, Saturday, September 30. The event, hosted by Women's Ministries, will be a mini retreat for women and youth to be refreshed and encouraged. The theme is "Joy in the Journey". On-site childcare will be available upon request. Tickets are $20 and
can be ordered on the church website. September 17 is the final day for registration.
The next FPCE New Members Class, led by Pastor Ray Hylton, will be held Saturday, October 28, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. Childcare is available with prior registration. Contact Janice at 847-864-1472 or
[email protected].
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Worth Noting
We welcome for the sacrament of baptism during Sunday morning's 9 am service, Felipe Alexander Darragh, son of Christopher Darragh and Maria Paula Sintes Darragh.
"The Power of Habits" will be the topic of Senior Varsity, which will meet on Thursday, October 5. The kick-off event for our fall series will be led by Pastor Ray and Judith Hylton. Habits are the patterns that shape our lives. Come and learn how habits are formed; how some habits create a stuck life, while other habits transform and liberate us for the abundant life in Christ. Registration will begin at 10:30 am, the presentation at 11, and lunch will be served at noon (cost: $5 for program and $5 for lunch). Please register by October 3 at the front desk by calling (847) 864-1472. All are welcome, especially seniors.
The Book Club will meet Tuesday, October 10, from 1:30-3 pm in the Parlor. Our new selection is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. Accordin
g to Amazon it is "a moving story about tradition, tea farming, and the enduring connection between mothers and daughters". All are welcome!
First Presbyterian Church of Evanston is looking to fill a part-time evening receptionist position. Work hours would be Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm. Candidates must have good communication and people skills as well as basic computer skills. For the full job description, please go to http://www.firstpresevanston.org/about-us/employment. To apply please contact Janice at the church office or e-mail her at [email protected] with the position name in the subject line.
The First Pres Sanctuary has once again been selected as a location for the 2017 Open House Chicago on October 14 and 15, sponsored by the Chicago Architectural Foundation (CAF). Last year nearly 1,000 people toured our beautiful and historic sanctuary. We are looking for volunteers to greet and check visitors into the building in the narthex, as well as to act as docents in the sanctuary. If you are interested in serving, please leave your name at the front desk. Jack Harriff, coordinator, will contact you to schedule a specific time and to provide details.
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Jesus in the Courtroom to be discussed
 Attorney, author and FPCE member John Mauck will discuss his book Jesus in the Courtroom: How Believers Can Engage the Legal System for the Good of His World at this Saturday's Men's Breakfast. The breakfast begins at 8 am in the dining room. All men are invited!
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Pray for Our Mission Partner
Pray for our mission partners, Medical Benevolence Foundation, from pages 20 and 21 of 52 Weeks of Prayer for Missions. Pray for their many partners who receive vital supplies and other resources through MBF. While their Houston headquarters was spared significant damage, many of their staff and partners are also located in that area. Pray for wisdom for all those who, in addition to their regular duties, are working tirelessly to minister to the overwhelming needs of their congregations and the immediate community they serve. Pray, also, for their work in Kenya, which is experiencing political conflict.
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"Broadway Hits & More" Benefit Concert set for October 21
 Come to hear wonderful "Broadway Hits & More" sung by our own W. Stephen Smith, professor of vocal performance at Northwestern University, formerly of the Juilliard School of Music. Carol, Steve's wife, will accompany him on the piano. The event is a WIN/WIN - you will hear great music, and ticket proceeds will contribute to the construction of a new Diboko Primary School and Institute Bulunda Secondary School in Tshikapa, DR Congo. The Concert date: October 21, 7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. Tickets: ($25 for adults and $10 for students) are available online now at
firstpresevanston.org/congoconcert, or after church on Oct. 1, 8 and 15 in the Fellowship Hour and first floor hallway."
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Children and Families
Fall registration is underway for Children's Ministry! If your family will be attending any Sunday children's programs, please fill out a pink sheet at the Children's Ministry table, or online through our
web link. For more information about our children's programs,visit
http://www.firstpresevanston.org/learn/children/.
Join our Children's Choir this fall!
Children in Pre-K (4 yrs) through 5th grade are invited to sing together from 4-5 pm on Thursday afternoons at First Pres. We've started rehearsals, but it's not too late to join us! Students in 6th grade and older will have the opportunity to participate in a Youth Praise Band and Dance group. Register children through the First Pres website (under events registration), or contact Kristin Mueller for more information.
Any parents or caregivers of kindergarteners who didn't receive a copy of The Jesus Storybook Bible during the previous weeks and would still like one should contact Kristin Mueller.
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Youth and Families Events
More details about Youth events can be found in our weekly email. Text YOUTHGROUP to 42828 for directions to subscribe!
Calling mentors and leaders: The youth ministry needs you! The youth ministry is seeking spiritually mature adults to invest in and guide our students. If you are interested in serving as a NUBS or PYGs leader, or confirmation mentor please reach out to Liz Ribeiro.
The next youth band rehearsal is at 6 pm, September 21. Band and dance will meet on alternating Thursdays. All skill levels are welcomed to join as we grow together. Please RSVP to Liz Ribeiro for planning purposes.
NUBS - Never Underestimate Believers in the Savior - gatherings take place each Friday, from 7-9 pm. Students from grades 6-8 are invited to youth group.
PYGS - Presbyterian Youth Group - Youth group for High Schoolers in grades 9-12 will start up this Sunday September 17. We meet from 4-6 pm. Following Acts 2:42 dinner is served. $5 is asked to cover costs. All are welcome.
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
First Pres' 20/30's small group will be starting Sunday, September 24 at 6 pm! If you're a younger adult in your twenties or thirties, married or single, graduate or college student, kids or no, you are invited to join the 20/30s small group! We will gather beginning September 24 at 6 p.m. Join us for good food and drink and even better conversation at Pastor Henry's condo in Evanston twice a month. Together we will seek to know one another and Christ more fully! If interested, send Pastor Henry an email at [email protected].
First Pres' Young Family Small Group will be meeting once a month starting this fall. Food and and childcare will be provided. Through fellowship and study we will grow closer as families to Jesus. If you and your family would like to participate, please send either Pastor Henry or Kristin Mueller an email.
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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FPCE Writers' Guild
Are you a member of the First Pres community who has been published in book form? We're looking to highlight the authors in our midst by creating a special page on the FPCE website. Whether you've had a NY Times bestseller or a self-published collection of poetry and prose, we would love to list your works. Visit
http://www.firstpresevanston.org/writers-guild/ to fill out an information form to submit for the Writer's Guild page (or download a print version
here and return it to the FPCE Front Desk).
Contact
[email protected]
with any other questions. We hope to have a listing of our FPCE authors up by October 1.
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Volunteer Bulletin Stuffers Sought
Beginning October 6, FPCE will be in need of volunteers to fold and stuff the Sunday bulletins. The process can take 2-3 hours, depending upon the number of bulletins and the number of inserts for a given week. In the past, volunteers have chosen to come Friday mornings, though any time before 5 pm Friday would be fine. If interested, contact the Front Desk at FPCE at 847-864-1472 or 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 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 August 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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