October 12 , 2017
Greetings!


Peace to you and grace from Carly called to be servant leader amongst and beside the saints of La Grange and elsewhere.
The gifts of God are greatest when they are shared. 
That's what I was taught as a teen. I'm a logical person, so the idea of sharing something in order to increase it is nonsensical. And yet, experience has taught me that logic is not applicable to the working of God. 
Early in our marriage, Dan and I were were confident that we could not afford to give anything but our time and talent to the church or to any other charity. So we volunteered often and wrote checks to pay off our education debts and quarterly taxes. It seemed we always teetered on the edge of bouncing checks. We ate a lot of 10 cent ramen noodles from Aldi's. And we were dependent upon food stamps and WIC supplements while our children were young. 
I'm not sure what it was that led us to budget differently.  Once we did, we did not look back. We made two decisions that changed how we dealt with money. First, we changed..... (more)  
September 30th Financial Update
Good News!  Our expenses are running 10% under budget!
Bad News!  Our pledges and offering is running 21% under budget! To help us avoid a cash flow crisis, we need members to catch up their pledges from the summer slump as soon as possible. 
 
  Overview                         YTD Actual        YTD Budget
Total Income                    $268,052.66      $338,638.41
Total Expenses                  $302,010.56        $335,029.14
Net:                                    -$ 33,957.90        $  3,609.27
For a more detailed financial report, click here .
This Week:
Friday 10/13: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 10/14: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 10/15: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring and Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, CROP Walk at 12:30 pm, Zackley Meeting at 6:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 10/16: Hooks & Needles at 7:00 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 10/18: Carillon Handbell Choir at 7:30 pm
Thursday 10/19: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 10/20: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 10/21: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am, Craft Fair at 11:00 am
Sunday 10/22: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring and Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, Yzal/Zackley trip to Keller Farm at 1:15 pm, Exploring Membership Part B at 4:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Disaster Relief
To aid victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the earthquakes in Mexico, click here
To donate by mail, make checks payable to United Church of Christ. Mail to: United Church of Christ c/o Financial Services, 700 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.
100% of funds to the United Church of Christ designated for U.S. disaster relief are used for disaster relief and rehabilitation programming within the United States.
CROP Walk
The Crop Walk is this Sunday , October 15, kicking off at 12:30 in the Founders' Room. Walkers, please turn in your envelopes at the registration table and bring a canned good for the local food pantries. If you are a fair weather friend and the beautiful weather has inspired you to walk, come register and make a donation.. Remember, this year there is a family walk around the block.

The website for the event is  here.
Craft Fair 2017
The Craft Fair will be October 21 st from 11:00am to 4:00pm. We need volunteers to help with this event! Call Dave Bryant at 708-352-3034 for details or click here for a volunteer form .
Craft Fair 2017 - Hooks & Needles
Do you have a few things you made for the last craft fair that didn't sell? Or something new you have made since then that you would like to donate? Hooks & Needles is sponsoring a table for crafts of all types. Just bring them the day of the craft fair, tagged with a price you think is fair, and drop them off at Table No. 6. If you can't bring them on October 21st , just contact Linda Lauterbach at 708-352-5332 or lslauterbach@gmail.com to make other arrangements.
Yzals and Zackleys Corn Maze Trip!
On October 22nd the Yzals and Zackleys will be meeting at the church at 1:15pm to drive to Keller’s Farmstand at 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego, IL 60543
We need drivers so if you can drive please let Sylvia know. Church will pay for entrance but please bring money for food or souvenirs. Pumpkin and apple picking are offered as well as homemade cider donuts, kettle corn, and fudge from the concession stand. All those who are participating without a parent along must bring a permission slip.
Zackleys Bake Sale!
The annual Zackleys bake sale is coming up! We will spend the entire night November 18th baking for the congregation. Zackleys will meet in the dining room at 6pm on November 18th and will stay to hand out baked good after church on the 19th. We will collect orders every Sunday starting October 22nd . You can find order forms in your bulletin, the Tidings and in the office! Permission slips for Zackleys can be found outside of Sylvia's door.
Trivia Night

Another fun night of testing your knowledge of all topics at the 3 rd FCCLG Trivia Night. Join us on November 4 th at 7pm in the Dining Room for trivia, puzzles, raffles, and prizes. You may register ($20 per person paid at the door) as a team of up to 10, or solo to be joined with others. Please contact Mike Ries at 708-308-0426 or email to reserve your spot.
Music Opportunities
Songs for the Spirit
Ryan Cox and Jeffrey Arnold will present a recital of spiritual music on November 5 at 2pm in the sanctuary. The first half will be Psalm settings, powerful prayers in Hebrew and French, and songs of comfort by Schubert, Brahms and Strauss. The second half will partner the Biblical Songs of Antonin Dvorak, sung in Czech, with spirituals arranged by Henry Thacker “Harry” Burleigh. There are no tickets; a free-will offering will be taken.

Chicago A Cappella
Hear Ryan Cox sing with the acclaimed vocal ensemble Chicago a Cappella. We will delve into the rich diversity of Jewish composers at their season-opening concerts Funny, That Doesn’t Sound Jewish . The program features works by Salamone Rossi, Mendelssohn, Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and Chicago-area composers including Max Janowski and Stacy Garrop. To read on click here !
For tickets and information, visit www.chicagoacappella.org or call (773) 281-7820.
Messy Church
Messy Church will be Sunday, November 5th at 4:30 pm. Our theme is Messy Baptism. Come and have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. Click here for flyer. We need volunteers!
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner
Adult Education Opportunities!
Gather with us in the Drawing Room at 8:30 on Sunday Mornings for good coffee, engaging conversation, and challenging questions. 

Uppity Women in the Bible  -- November 5- 19 
Women in the Bible are often hidden in the narrative or behind the actions and narratives of the men around them. We’ll see to understand, debate, and explore the issues raised by the stories of some often misunderstood Biblical women.
November 5 -- Potiphar's Wife: Truth or Dare?
November 12 -- Delilah: Enemy or Entrepreneur?
November 19 -- Herodias: Heartless or Hurt?

Coming Soon: Creation and Birth Narratives in Diverse Cultures  -- Nov.26 – Dec. 17
A survey of creation and Birth narratives in faith traditions from around the globe.
Missions Book Discussion

It's time to get reading! Our first discussion is November 6, at 7:30 in the Drawing Room. Join us as we discuss the National Book Award winning book  Dreamland: the True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic  by Sam Quinones. Please invite family and friends to join us. Learn how drugs got into small town America and the importance of Levi 501 jeans to the drug trade.
Concerned About the Environment?

FCCLG is exploring interest in starting a Green Team, and we need you and your ideas! An organizational meeting will be held in the fall. Watch this space for more information.
FCCLG Christmas Service Survey
Let us know what you think! Please go to this link and take a quick one question survey!
Food Pantry
With the weather turning cooler in the month of October, we're collecting canned soups, stews, and vegetables for the Second Baptist Food Pantry. Place your donation in the wicker basket outside the chapel or sanctuary and know your gift will help a struggling local individual or family. Donations of any nonperishable food items are always appreciated.
Hooks and Needles
We make prayer shawls, baby blankets and pocket prayer squares for members of the congregation. We also donate to organizations like Project Linus. Meetings are Mondays, except for the first Monday of the month, at 7 pm in the Family Room off the Chapel. Coming every Monday is not required, we do a lot of our stitching at home. Please email Linda Lauterbach for the door code. Our next gathering on October 9th.
Let's Play Bridge!
The FCC bridge group is beginning a new card-playing season. If you would like to join us, please contact Doris Bryant . All levels of skill are welcome. If you would like to play but don’t have a partner, we will do our best to find you one. Each team plays once a month, at a time to be mutually determined by the two teams directly competing that month. It is a fun group and you would be welcome.
Volunteer Opportunity

We are seeking interested individuals in assisting with the church service. We would like any adults who love children to sign up to provide the weekly children’s sermon. You can be added to a monthly rotation or just do it once. The children thank you in advance for your participation! Contact the church office or let Deb Gardiner-Zigulich know of your interest.
Interfaith Career Network
Listen and Learn From A Panel of Recruiters
ICN invites you to join us on Thursday, October 19, 7-9 pm at St. John of the Cross Parish Center, 5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Springs. Learn what recruiters look for when they search for candidates. Our panel will offer their insights and ... (read on)
Everyone is welcome to ICN meetings/workshops and there is no charge to attend. www.interfaithcareernetwork.org .
First United Methodist Concert
Christopher Houlihan has been described as "dazzling" (Wall Street Journal) and "eloquent" (Los Angeles Times). He will be the guest organist performing at the First United Methodist Church on October 22 at 3:00 pm . A freewill offering will be received: greet the artist at a reception following the program. First United Methodist is located at 100 W. Cossitt in La Grange, IL.
For the Love of Jerusalem
“For the Love of Jerusalem” is an interfaith event bringing together Christians, Muslims and Jews to explore their love for Jerusalem. It will be hosted by Grace Lutheran Church of La Grange, 200 N. Catherine Ave. on Sunday, Nov. 12 , from 1:00 – 3:30 . Three exceptional speakers will facilitate the discussion. All are welcome to attend. For further information call 708-352-0730 or click here !
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.

Emil and Maria Balz.

The Biegert Family as they mourn the death of Evelyn’s sister Phyllis Langhofer.

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

Prayers for Bonnie Day’s granddaughter Ashley Albers who is dealing with health issues.

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

John Moellman at the loss of his mother who was 98.

Adrienne O’Toole, as she heals after having a liver transplant.

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

Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer.

Erik Sander and family, whose mother died unexpectedly August 24 th .

Nancy Coleman’s friend Sharon Veltre, who continues to fight her battle against cancer.

Prayers for Vera Weiss who is living with cancer.

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

The victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and earthquakes in Mexico.

Prayers for those killed, the injured, their families, and first responders in Las Vegas.