October 26 , 2017
Greetings!

Donations to respond to disasters through the UCC Disaster Ministries have reached over $1 million. The bulk of the dollars were given to Hurricane Harvey because it happened earlier and gifts that went through the Conferences have arrived only for Harvey. Below are some of the numbers, also we received about $350,000 undesignated during this time period that does not show in the list below.
 
Hurricane Harvey     $460,489.77
Hurricane Irma         $67,582.67
Hurricane Relief       $271,029.86
Puerto Rico Specific  $109,503.61
Hurricane Maria       $25,501.13
Mexico                      $6,322.57
 
This would be the start of a good fundraising drive if we were only responding to one or two disasters, but for all the ways we have to divide the money, we are going to have to work harder to raise funds, apply for grants, and do other things to be able to support the many communities damaged by these disasters for the long-term.
Also, we received less than $10,000 so far, to respond to the Wild Fires in California.
 
Peace,
Rev. Phyllis Richards
Global Sharing of Resources
United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-3215
Disaster Relief
To aid victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate 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.
Harvest Home
You are invited to our annual Harvest Home dinner on Wednesday, November 15 th at 6:30 pm in the dining room. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a complete turkey dinner! Tickets are available during fellowship time or in the office: Adults $8, children 4-12 $4, under 4 free. There are volunteer opportunities for kitchen workers and servers. Check out the signup sheet during Fellowship Hour.
This Week:
Friday 10/27: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 10/28: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 10/29: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring and Sing / Treble Choir at 11:15 am, Convergence Leadership Project at 1:00, OA at 7 pm
Monday 10/30: Hooks & Needles at 7:00 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 11/1: Carillon Handbell Choir at 7:30 pm
Thursday 11/2: Chancel Choir at 7:30 pm
Friday 11/3: OA at 9 am, Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Alanon at 7:30
Saturday 11/4: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am, Belonging: Exploring Membership at 4:30 pm, Trivia Night at 7 pm
Sunday 11/5: Worship with Communion at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Songs for the Spirit at 2 pm, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
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.

Christmas Musical
Christmas Musical rehearsal starts on November 11 at 10am in the choir room. All children K-8 are welcome, including friends and neighbors. The tradition of having our 3-5 year olds participate as sheep continues! For the full rehearsal schedule and registration form, please see Ryan , Sylvia or the office . The performance will be on December 17 during 10am worship. The registration deadline is November 2.
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?

These three sessions will be based on Barbara J. Essex's book Bad Girls of the Bible . This book can be found here . Copies of the specific chapters are available in the office.

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
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.
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 30th .
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.
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.
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.

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, Maria, and Nate and earthquakes in Mexico.

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