August 31 , 2017
Greetings!

Ask the Question, Part 5
We ran out of time for a number of questions asked in worship on May 14 th . Here is the final installment on responses to those questions.
 
What is tithing?
Tithing is giving a set portion of your possessions away before any of it is spent, and living on what is left. 
Raising $2 Million.  According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income for the community of La Grange is $102,500. Biblically, a tithe is 10% of your assets given away each year. Assuming that our congregation is a mirror image of the community, if every household in the congregation ...(click for more)
This Week:
Friday 9/1: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 9/2: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/3: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 9/4: AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 9/6: Carillon Handbell Choir Begins
Thursday 9/7: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 9/8: OA at 9 am, Spiritual Directors at 10:00 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 9/9: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/10: Worship at 10 am, Sunday School Begins, Kick-off Sunday Picnic at 11:15 am, ABT Canvassing Training 1:30, Yzals Meeting at 6:30 pm, Candidate Forum - Meet Tio Hardiman at 6:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Disaster Relief -- we're in this for the long haul
UCC joined in the recovery efforts by helping victims of Hurricane Harvey. Click here for more information on how YOU can assist in the relief!
Music Opportunities
All programs are open to the community, so invite a friend or neighbor to check us out. Interested musicians please contact Ryan Cox before your first rehearsal for door codes and more info.
 
Chancel Choir rehearsal begins Today, August 31 at 7:30pm and continues again on September 6 at 7:45pm in the Choir Room . Membership is open to all singers, high-school on up. All voice parts are needed. Not sure where you fit in? Ryan will help. All new choir members are offered two free voice coachings with Ryan.
 
Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal begins on September 6 at 7:15pm. Anyone high-school and up is welcome. Previous ringing experience is not required: basic music reading is helpful. We need both regular ringers and those who would like to sub in from time to time. 
 
Ring 'n Sing : It's back and it does what the name suggests. We sing. And, we ring. Children in 1st-8th grades are welcome. Rehearsals begin on September 17 from 11:15-11:45am. This is a great introduction to our youth program.
 
Treble Choir : An extension of Ring n' Sing, this ensemble is designed for children in 3rd grade and up. The focus is on voice development, music reading, and singing more challenging music. Normally we meet right after Ring n' Sing from 11:45am-12:15pm. However, our first rehearsal is combined with Ring n' Sing on September 17 from 11:15-11:45am.
Sunday School Registration
*Sunday School Begins on September 10th!

If you have a child 0-18 please fill out a Sunday School registration form! Forms can be found in the office, on the Sunday School bulletin board, or outside Sylvia's office. You can also click here!
Messy Church
Messy Church will be this Sunday, September 3rd at 4:30 pm. Our theme this month is Who is Jesus? Come and have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. Click here for flyer.
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner
Ministry of Education Volunteer Opportunities
School is starting soon and so is our Ministry of Education programming. If you can help our amazing children and youth, please fill out a Ministry of Education volunteer form found in the church office.
Positions available in Messy Church, Sunday School, Yzals, and Zackleys.

September 3 : Messy Church
September 10 : Sunday School starts
September 10 : Yzals meeting 6:30pm
September 17 : Zackleys Meeting 6:30pm
September 24 : Yzal and Zackley BBQ
Kick-Off Sunday
 
Please join us for our annual Kick-Off Sunday picnic on September 10th on the 6th Avenue lawn after worship. A broasted chicken lunch and beverages will be provided. Please bring either a side dish or a dessert to share. Play games and visit new friends and old in your church family. See you there!
Safe Church Training 
Anyone who works with children in the church is required to complete Safe Church and Boundary Training annually. The class is offered in September and February. This session will take place on September 24th from 1:00 to 2:30 in the Founders' Room. If you are a teacher, Messy Church volunteer, mentor, or youth leader, please register for training during fellowship hour.
New Members Class
Let's explore what it means to belong, to sense that you're at home in the community of faith. Three gatherings are planned for those who have been worshiping and participating in the ministries of the congregation and who would like to explore a deeper relationship.
  • Sunday, October 8 at 11:15 am, in the Dining Room following our Sunday morning worship. We will explore the work and ministries of the congregation and tour the church building.
  • Sunday, October 22 at 4:30 pm, at the Parsonage.
  • During morning worship on November 5th, participants will have an opportunity to formalize their relationship with FCCLG.
This is an exploration only with no obligation or strings attached. There is no cost to participate, but registration is appreciated. Sign up in the Fellowship Hour following worship, or contact Carly .
Back Bay Mission Trip
Back Bay Mission trip October 15-22, 2017 in Biloxi, MS. Join Pastor Carly and five others. Mission trips at Back Bay are divided between work, learning, and time for play. Accompany us on this journey! There are 3 more spaces available. There's a $175 per person materials and lodging fee, and we share the cost of groceries and car expenses. If you have any questions, please email Bobbie Nunez or Pastor Carly .
Food Pantry Donations For September
For busy back-to-school mornings of September, we are collecting breakfast foods-- hot or cold cereals, pancake mix, syrup--for Second Baptist Food Pantry. Any nonperishable foods are appreciated.
Craft Fair 2017 - Save The Date!
October 21st is the Church Craft Fair from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Check out the FCCLG website to become a volunteer or sign up for a table. Call Dave Bryant at 708-352-3034 for more details.
Missions Book Group

Missions will facilitate a book discussion focusing on issues of social concern. We meet at 7:30 on the 1st Monday in November, February, and May .
November 6: Dreamland: The True Tale of Americas' Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
February 5: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the America City by Matthew Desmond
May 7: TBD
Community Fundraising Event

Interfaith Community Partners is hosting its 15th Annual Fall Benefit on Friday, October 6, 2017 from 7pm-10pm at Capri Banquets in Countryside. Entertainment includes The Nick Pontarelli Band playing favorites from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Frankie Valli, and more! Join us for an evening of music, friendship, and philanthropy. If you would like to purchase tickets and to learn more about ICP, please call 708-354-9328 or visit our website at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org . Ticket price is $60 per person and includes hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine, silent auction, and paddle raise. Cash bar for other cocktails. For more information or if you would like to donate, sponsor, or volunteer please call our office.
Fundraising For FCCLG
We're happy to announce that we recently received $31.95 from Amazon Smile. Give back to FCCLG when you shop on Amazon! Click here
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Ojo Adedji, seeking asylum in the U.S., whose hearing date has been postponed to October.

Emil and Maria Balz.

Thoughts and prayers for the Dave and Doris Bryant family, as they mourn the loss of  Dave's brother,
Peter Bryant, who died on July 29th.

The family and friends of Renee Bryant’s friend Melissa, who passed away.

Prayers for Dave King, who is suffering from West Nile encephalitis.

Genesis Matthiesen’s friend Vincent Franco, who has lost his way.

Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.

Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer.

The Sander family.

Nancy Coleman’s friend Sharon Veltre, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.

The victims of Hurricane Harvey.