This Week at First Pres! August 19 thru 25
|
|
|
The Power
of Pain
This week’s eNewsletter feature article
is written by Jim Teague, FPCE Communications Coordinator
Greetings!
In the book
The Gift of Pain, (by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, Zondervan, 1997) Brand said, given the choice, he would not choose to wipe out all pain from the earth. Brand spent years working with leprosy patients, primarily in India. He is celebrated for having helped developing tendon transfer techniques for use in the hands of those with leprosy.
He came to realize it is not the disease itself which causes such tremendous physical damage among its victims. In fact, it is the inability to feel pain in the extremities which leads to ongoing
|
|
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
OF GOD'S GRACE!
|
injury and disfigurement among those who contract leprosy.
Brand didn’t always feel this way. “Previously I had thought of pain as a blemish of creation, God's one great mistake,” he wrote. After realizing the tremendous importance it plays in protecting us “pain stands out as an extraordinary feat of engineering valuable beyond measure.”
|
|
Join us after the service Sunday morning for Lemonade on the Lawn! We meet for fellowship and lemonade out near the flagpoles (weather permitting). All are welcome!
The Counseling Center (TCC) of First Presbyterian Evanston is hosting an Open House after the worship service on Sunday, August 26. During the Lemonade on the Lawn reception time, all are welcome to visit the center, chat with TCC board members and staff, and see how we are answering God’s call to provide care for Evanston and surrounding neighborhoods.
You can help support Souper Saturday by signing up for the 33nd Annual Hunger Walk, Saturday September 8, sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). The soup kitchen receives a contribution for every walker who participates in this 2 mile walk. Much of Souper Saturday’s food supply is from the GCFD and helps our Saturday guests enjoy a welcoming lunch.
A bus with a capacity of 44 will leave from the church parking lot at approximately 7:30 am (exact time to be determined). The walk begins at 8:30 am at Jackson Park. We will return to the church parking lot by approximately 11:30 am. To register or ask questions, contact Kris Economos at 847-475-0226 or
kriseconomos@yahoo.com.
The FPCE Nominating Committee is continuing to look for nominations for Deacons for 2019 and beyond. Thanks to all who have submitted nominations for Elders, Trustees and Nominating Committee members. Candidates must be a church member, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and willing to serve. Nomination forms are available at the front desk. Suggestions may also be sent to
fpcenominate@gmail.com or to Matt McLeod or Marge Stromberg, co-chairs.
|
|
This Sunday’s guest preacher is Dr. Bill Myatt. Bill received his PhD in theology from Loyola Chicago (2012), where he is an adjunct instructor. His writing has appeared in popular outlets and peer-reviewed journals, and he has presented nationally and internationally on topics including theology, philosophy, and hermeneutics. Bill currently works as a Director of Development at Catholic Extension, a 111-year-old nonprofit with offices in downtown Chicago. He received his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and worked as an Associate Pastor for six years in Omaha, Nebraska. He and his wife Melanie have four children.
Prison Ministry is hosting a “Saturday Surprise” Aug. 25 Trip to Brookfield Zoo. Volunteers sought for this trip that will include children who have a parent in prison, New Life families, and First Friends refugee children. We will leave the church parking lot at 10 am and return by 5 pm. We’ll have a picnic and see the dolphin show. It is going to be fun. If you can help, contact Peter Steffen: (cell 312-961-4176; email
wpsteffen3@gmail.com).
God is bringing the world to our doorstep! We have an opportunity to open our hearts and homes to new international students coming to study at Northwestern. Many first-year internationals have requested a host family/friend and Northwestern is ready to assist us in connecting them us. Please stop by the International Friends table at coffee hour or near the front desk to learn more, receive help for hosting internationals and sign up to be a host starting mid-September. Contact David Ivaska at
davidivaska@yahoo.com for more information after this Sunday.
First Pres will be hosting an Enneagram Introduction Workshop on Saturday, September 22 from 9:30 am to Noon, led by the Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff of the Journey Center of Chicago. Cost is $10 per person. The entire church is invited to participate. Sign up at the Front Desk or reach out to Pastor Henry at
hcoates@firstpresevanston.org. Childcare will be provided. This workshop provides a basic introduction to the Enneagram, a typology system based on 9 personality types that has been passed down through the centuries.
The FPCE Women’s Ministry will host its annual retreat on October 20 at Sunset Ridge Country Club. Author, singer and speaker Kim Tabor will present on the topic “Speak Life: Who Am I!” from Proverbs 18:21. More details will be available soon!
|
|
150th Anniversary Book available
|
The 150th Anniversary History Booklets are on sale at the FPCE front desk for $10 each. These are beautiful full-color 28-page booklets with many photos and articles about our history and the different aspects of ministry and life at First Pres. Stop by to get your copy!
|
|
|
Thank you for your generous donations to the Deacons Clothes Closet. However, please hold back donations for women’s clothing until at least September. We still can accept bath towels, sheets, comforters, and large size mens jeans and shirts. Please no suits nor dress shirts. Indicating the size on masking tape to the outside would be helpful!
|
|
PRAY FOR OUR MISSION PARTNERS
|
Please continue to pray for Tumekutana! Join women across Africa to pray and fast every Wednesday, to hear God’s voice. We are asking the Lord to pour His grace out on the women’s leaders in Africa to be able to come together in September for Tumekutana. Pray fervently that each and every women who wishes to do so might attend, and that every barrier—spiritual, financial and practical—would be removed.
|
|
The Children’s wing of our education building is only open to children and the adults who accompany them. The Evanston Police Department has encouraged us to keep our children’s wing closed to the general public. Congregational members are encouraged to begin using the bathrooms either downstairs (youth lounge level) or upstairs (Roy Hall level) on Sunday mornings.
|
|
The Fall Youth Events Calendar is coming soon!
Car Magnets for sale at the Front Desk! You can show your FPCE pride by purchasing an FPCE car magnet for $5. Proceeds go to FPCE’s Children’s and Youth Ministries.
|
|
More details about Youth events can be found in our weekly email. Text YOUTHGROUP to 42828 to subscribe!
|
|
YOUNG ADULTS AND FAMILIES
|
Families Small Group is a great way to connect with other families in the church, especially if your family schedule is too full to be a part of a weekly small group! We meet about once a month on Sundays, 4-6:30 pm, at the church for bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Childcare and dinner are also both generously provided by members in the church, and each gathering we take a volunteer offering to help subsidize the costs. The first gathering will take place September 30. If you have any questions, please contact Sally Ivaska (
sallyivaska1@gmail.com) and Kathy Shiau
(kathy.tan.shiau@gmail.com).
20/30s Small Group is a great way to connect with other younger adults at First Pres. Our first fall meeting will be September 9, 6:30 PM at Pastor Henry’s condo in Evanston. If you are interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Pastor Henry at
hcoates@firstpresevanston.org. This fall we will be working through a series called Making Space, a study which gleans wisdom from the Book of Proverbs and from the example of Jesus to show you how to center our lives on God’s priorities. Good food, good study, even better people—come on out and join the 20/30s small group!
Join Pastor Henry and other FPCE Young Adults for Trivia Night at World of Beer 1601 Sherman Ave, Evanston, every Wednesday night at 7:30 pm!
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!
A women’s basketball pick-up game is held at 7:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month in Roy Hall. All skill levels and abilities are welcome! Reach out to Kathy Grant,
kgrant@depaul.edu with any questions.
|
|
EXPLORE GOD CHICAGO LAUNCH EVENTS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION
FPCE is once of the participating churches in the Explore God Chicago evangelistic campaign, which will take place in early 2019. Launch events for participant churches are scheduled for various dates in the coming weeks, and Senior Pastor Ray Hylton will be taking a group from FPCE to the October 13, 2018, event at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.
Explore God Chicago is a Community Outreach Initiative led by a local pastors and ministry leaders. We all have questions about God, faith, and purpose; Explore God Chicago is a unique effort to unite together to look at these questions in an open, authentic way.
Starting in January 2019, ministries across denominational lines in the greater Chicago area will be open for our communities to explore big questions about God together through discussion groups and sermon series.
|
|
First Pres Evanston is seeking to fill the following job opportunities:
Program Assistant - Children’s and Youth Ministries (Part Time)
Worship Band Director (Part Time)
Organist (Part Time)
|
|
SPECIAL INVITATION TO SEPTEMBER 18 PRESBYTERY ASSEMBLY
|
The September 18th PCUSA Chicago Presbytery Assembly meeting is going to be a little different. Oriented around the
Peace & Global Witness Offering
, there will be a variety of enrichment opportunities available before assembly begins for you to engage in dialogue with our community partners and deepen your understanding of peacemaking in the Chicagoland area and beyond.
FPCE Pastor Ray will be speaking at the event.
|
|
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!
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
nostrovsky@firstpresevanston.org.
Be a role model for a homeless child! Volunteer at the New Life shelter, five minutes from church. Contact Tom Alrich at
talrich@hotmail.com.
|
|
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 at 312-613-0644 for more details.
|
|
The Counseling Center (TCC)
provides professionally trained Christian counseling in our own facility. Contact TCC Director Charles Miyamoto at 847-864-9133.
|
|
In cases of after-hour emergencies,
please call our emergency answering service
at 866-259-7088.
|
|
Summary notes from the July 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.
|
|
1427 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1472
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
