|
For the week of
December 17, 2017
|
|
DECEMBER
16 - People's Resource Center Food Pantry
17 - Potluck with Our Zomi Friends
17 - WF Christmas Movie Night
24 - Christmas Eve Worship
25-26 - DuPage County PADS
29 - Middle School Illumination Extravaganza
JANUARY
2 - Mission USA - The Bridge
8 - Stephen Minister Class Begins
19-21 Timber-Lee Winter Xtreme Retreat
28 - Annual Congregational Meeting
|
Online Calendar
Looking for even more details about what's coming up? See our online calendar
here
.
|
|
2018 Flower Sign Up
Flowers can be given in honor or memory of a loved one and will be placed on the chancel during the church services. Each week flowers are delivered by the deacons to those who are hospitalized, currently experiencing difficulties or to those who are home-bound. This year we will have one arrangement size available at a cost of $50.00.
2018 Open Dates:
January 28
February 4
May 20
June 10 & 24
August 19
December 2
EMAIL the church office if you are interested in securing one of the above dates.
|
|
Amazon Smile
When shopping online for the holidays don't forget to visit Amazon Smile. Your purchases can help support First Pres. For every purchase through this program, Amazon will donate to First Presbyterian Church. The direct link HERE.
|
It's that time of year again for decorating
the house, buying gifts, drinking hot
cocoa, and sharing time, talent and treasure with those less fortunate. The food pantries we support would like the following products for December: sugar, cans of fruit cocktail
, peaches, peas, carrots and condiments. There is also need for their usual requests of tea, canned pineapple, bar soap, toothpaste, toilet paper and diapers sizes 3,4,5 & 6 along with wipes. Thank you for helping others have happy holidays.
|
|
Halverson Benediction Prints
High quality copies of all the print designs are still available to order. You can order these here.
or visit here
to download the order information and pay by check.
|
Please join Pastor Kyle as we gather together for Bible Study on the first Tuesday each month. This year we will be studying "
Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews
" as we delve into the Book of Hebrews. 10:00 a.m. in the Living Room. Books are available in the church office for $10.
|
Join First Pres on Facebook 
Have you "liked" us on Facebook yet? We share frequent updates on events and worship services on our Facebook page as well as post photos from recent gatherings of both adults and children. It's easy! Just
CLICK HERE.
It's a fun and easy way to share our mission and promote First Pres!
|
|
 |
|
Pastor Kellen Smith
Worship Service at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Recordings of our past sermons are available on our website here.
|
|
|
|
| December Greeting from Pastor Kellen |
|
Mary Gave God a Body
Advent study led by Dr. Paul Bischoff, Ph.D
9:45 a.m. in Stewart Hall 102-103
God's infant arrival on earth required a woman. The Word became flesh through an unlikely unmarried teenage girl named Mary. This class gets into Luke's Gospel to see Mary's suspicious response to an angel's message transformed to obedience, to listen to her song of God's faithfulness throughout the ages and to reflect and ponder with her the paradoxical, even scandalous, aspects of becoming God's mother.
|
Christmas Eve Worship 
Christmas in Wheaton
Matthew 1:18-25
(No morning Worship Service)
Children-Led Family Service
3:45 p.m. Pre-service music
4:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center
Candlelight Communion
6:00 p.m. with Special Music
8:00 & 10:00 p.m. Westminster Choir with
Instrumental Ensemble
|
|
Giving Trees
Check out the different "Giving Trees" in the Rotunda  this December for other ways to give this Christmas season. Place your wrapped gifts, with the recipient's gift tag taped to the package under the tree(s).
The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
The gifts will be delivered to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Deadline Dec. 17.
Marklund Homes Giving Tree
Give a gift to developmentally disabled infants, children and adults. Deadline Dec. 17.
DuPage Convalescent Center
Give a gift to a resident at the DuPage Convalescent Center. Deadline Dec. 17.
|
Poinsettia Dedications 
Poinsettias adorn our chancel each Christmas. To dedicate a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, please complete the form in Sunday's bulletin.
|
Peoples' Resource Center Food Pantry
On Saturday, December 16 we have an opportunity to help the clients select groceries and get to their cars.
The signup sheet will be at the Welcome Desk in the Rotunda or call Gwen Henry at 630-665-4230. Hours from 8:30 until 12:00.
|
|
Potluck with our Zomi Friends
Sunday, December 17, Noon
Join us for lunch after the second service as we celebrate Christmas with our Zomi refugee friends. We will gather the two congregations, share a meal, sing some songs, and give gifts. Please bring a dish or dessert.
|
|
A Christmas Art Walk-A Gift to Remember
Twelve Artists * Twelve Stores
Through December 24
Twelve artists have been commissioned to create a truly international reflection of the Christmas story in the downtown Wheaton Shops. Visitors are invited to EXPLORE, DISCOVER and WALK through twelve stores throughout downtown Wheaton following a map that will lead them each step of the way. Each piece helps tell the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ and inspires viewers to remember the true Christmas "Gift to Remember."
Visit
www.christmasartwalk.com or
www.facebook.com/ChristmasArtWalk .
|
 Volunteer(s) Needed
Do you enjoy seeing the Luminaria that provides a beautiful presence wrapped around our church campus each Christmas Eve? Each year our middle schoolers prepare the 200+ candles for display. We need someone to place and light the luminaria around the church on Christmas eve this year around 4:00 p.m., and then clean up the bags on Christmas day. Are you looking for a way to serve this Christmas? Please contact the Church Office if you are willing to take on this mini-mission at First Pres,
[email protected].
|
Year End is a Perfect Time for Giving
As we approach the end of the calendar year, we are given numerous opportunities to be generous with the financial resources God has entrusted to us. Charitable giving is a way for us to turn our blessings toward generosity. We use the financial resources God has entrusted to us to provide welcome support for others, and it blesses the giver. You can give securely online by going to:
http://www.firstpreswheaton.org/online_giving
.
All contributions for 2017 must be postmarked or received in the Church Office by midnight on December 31, 2017.
Giving is not limited to cash. Tax savings can be even greater if you give appreciated assets, such as stocks and bonds. The IRA Charitable Rollover Contribution continues for those who are age 70½ or older. If you are in that age bracket, you may make a distribution of up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to the church without being taxed.
Please email Jan Buscher
or call the church office if you are planning on making a non-cash contribution.
As you consider all of the opportunities to give at year-end, making an additional contribution to the ministry, mission and operations of First Presbyterian is an investment in God's work here and around the world. It will also help us finish the year in a strong financial position and ready to continue God's good work in 2018.
|
Thank you to all who have submitted a 2018 Giving Card. If you have not yet completed a 2018 Giving Card, please consider doing so. Having each member's participation is essential for planning ministry and mission at First Pres in 2018, every gift counts. If you would like a card sent to you, please contact the church office at (630) 668-5147.
Giving cards are also at the welcome desk, in the pews and
online.
|
|
FPC Book Club
Thursday, December 21, 7:00 p.m. in the ParishHouse Living Room
Christmas Bells
by Jennifer Chiaverini is the December selection for the FPC book club. Join your FPC book club for a wonderful Christmas book to read and share.
Questions? Please contact Mary Kinsey or call 630-668-5147x20.
|
|
New Stephen Minister Class
Beginning the second Monday in January and lasting through the end of May, First Pres will be offering a new Stephen Ministry training class. Here is a snapshot of what Stephen Ministry entails.
Responsibilities of a Stephen Minister:
-Daily prayer for their care receiver
-Usually meet once a week with their care receiver
-Listening (not fixing)
-Dealing with feelings
-Sharing distinctively Christian caring resources
-Remain process oriented....not results oriented
-Relating assertively
-Maintaining boundaries
-Maintaining confidentiality
-Help identify people in need of Stephen Ministry
-Participate in twice-monthly supervision and continuing education
-Agree to serve two years
-50 hours of training
If this is something that is of interest, please contact Pastor Kyle (630-668-5147), Henrieta Ribeiro
(630-221-1994), Diane Easter (630-835-4223), or Bob Young (630-668-6886). There is an application form to fill out and be returned and then followed up with an interview.
|
|
|
The holiday season is often difficult, and this is our opportunity to share some holiday warmth with those less fortunate. Please join us on January 2nd as we serve some love and holiday food. We will gather to car pool at 5:45 p.m. by the side kitchen door of First Pres. Please email
Denny Lawson
if you plan to participate.
|
|
People's Resource Center Food Pantry
On Saturday, December 16 we have an opportunity to help the clients select groceries and get to their cars.
The signup sheet will be at the Information Desk in the Rotunda or call Gwen Henry at 630-665-4230. Hours from 8:30 until 12:00pm.
|
Women's Ministry: Jesus is Calling You to Tea at K'Tizo
Join us on the 4th Thursday each month for a deep breath of peace and calm with a Jesus Calling devotion at K'Tizo Tea & Coffee Shop, 1915 North Gary Ave. at 9:30 a.m.
Questions? Call Angela Stephenson at 630-200-2533.
|
First Light Collaborative
Christmas: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Advent Study for Adults
by Richard B. Wilke
In this four-week Advent study (through Dec 30), the author focuses on people in the story of Christ's birth. There are those we associate with the joy and celebration of Christmas-the wise men, the shepherds, and Joseph. Yet the author reminds us not to forget that the evil King Herod is also part of the Christmas story, and how it is because there is evil in our world that we so desperately needed-and
need
-a Savior. Each lesson includes a key scripture, brief reflection, questions to discuss, a suggested Christmas carol, and a prayer.
Breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m. next to the kitchen.
Contact
[email protected]
to be sure we have enough bacon for all.
|
LOGOS - A Midweek program for K-8th Grade
Wednesday nights (Oct.-March) 5:00 - 7:15 p.m.
LOGOS is a place where church is fun and everyone matters! Children, youth and adults come together to practice the art of Christian relationships. Questions? Contact Lynn Nuzzo for K - 5th Grade and Mary Kinsey for 6 - 8th Grade.
for more information.
Christmas Eve
Children-Led Family Service at 4:00 p.m. with Pre-Service music at 3:45 p.m.
Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this interactive worship service where the children will share their gifts of art and music and tell the story. All of the children will be learning a song to play using bells and tone chimes in Sunday School. The worship bulletin will be filled with the children's creative art work!
|
WF Christmas Movie Night - Sunday, December 17 - 6-8:15pm
Invite a friend for a festive movie night on the 3rd floor, complete with popcorn and hot cocoa. Just the thing to get us in the Christmas mood! Will we watch Elf? The Polar Express? Or the Grinch? Vote today!
|
Some of the High School Agape Girls' Small Group had a real treat on Thursday! They got to see all 40 of Betty's nativity sets, and hear about the meaningful ornaments on her Christmas Tree! She shared that she has learned in life, that "Love is always a miracle." She is one special lady!
|
|
|
|
|
