September 19, 2018
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-23
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First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010

[email protected]
Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe that we are already half-way through September. Even with these last few warm days it seems that the season of fall is here again. One of the first images I ever theologically reflected on in seminary were the seasons. God, creating all things good, surely meant for us to reflect on the seasons. The rebirth in spring, the warm wind in the summer, the leaves changing in the fall, and the at-times bleak and barrenness of the cold winter. Some find the seasons a metaphor for the seasons of life, some find seasons as a way to start fresh, some as a way to put away last season's clothes.

The writer of Ecclesiastes writes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Everything has a time - life, death, plant, harvest, break down, build up, weep, mourn, seek, lose, love, hate, war, and peace. It speaks to the reality of our lives, that at times seasons will be easy and full of love and other times seasons tough, uncertain, and unclear. And yet, our faith reminds us that in all these times God is with us. In all the ways that we know and understand and in all the ways that we are oblivious -God is present. God remains present with all of creation, with the first blade of grass, with the first snow flake, when we hurt, and when we love, God is there. Jesus assures us in Matthew, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28: 20).

It is both the assurance that there is a time for all things, all seasons and the assurance that Jesus is with us, to the end of the age that we find the strength and courage to go into new seasons. As we go into fall, I encourage you to explore and name the things this new season brings for you and as you name them ask yourself, "Where is God in all this?" Is God in: the new friendship? The season of mourning? The conflict at work? The new house? Know that whatever we encounter and face in life that God is with you always, to the end of the season, and the end of the age.

Yours in Christ,
Josh Larson

Sunday, September 23, 2018
18th Sunday after Pentecost
 8:45 am
 Childcare
Confirmation Class
Adult Study, Gospels 101
 10:00 am
 Worship 
 10:15 am
Sunday School
Club 56
 11:15 am
 Fellowship Hour
The Conversation Project lecture and luncheon
5:00 pm
Tower Youth

The Worship, Music, and Arts Committee sincerely thanks all of those in our church family who helped to make First Festival a great success once again this year. A special thanks to the Ushers, the Music Director, the Hospitality Committee, and to all of the committee chairs for their work on this key event at fpcw.
Faith & Fellowship - Experience God

Gospel 101 
Join us for Sundays for 6-weeks, in the Upper Room at 8:45 am as we do an overview of the teachings of Jesus in the gospels. No expertise required, just an open heart and mind. This is a deeper dive than the "Sermon on the Mount" Sunday worship series. We'll study the different emphases of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, about parables and miracles, about Christ's passion and resurrection, and why we have four gospels instead of one.

The Conversation Project
Join us this Sunday at 11:30 am, in the WMFC for an informational luncheon sponsored by The Conversation Project. The interfaith community is celebrating the importance of values-based conversations about our wishes for care while transitioning through stages of life with a focus on end-of-life. Their goal is to provide encouragement to you and our faith community as to the importance of having these conversations and also provide resources, along with momentum, for this to happen. Think this is for the elderly? Think again...anyone who hasn't ever shared their thoughts about their own end-of-life, should think about attending. It is important for families who are dealing with aging parents, or aging parents who want to know how to broach the subject with their adult children. To learn more click here  and check out their website.
To register for this event, email Sue Sklansky . 
Check out this informative video from ABC World News with Diane Sawyer about the Conversation Project.

 Continuing the Conversation  
Join us for a unique opportunity to gather with Jeff and Erin after the service to have a talk back and to discuss the morning's sermons. We'll meet in the Sanctuary after the service for 20 minutes. Fell free to grab a cup of coffee and a cookie, then join us. This is a pilot program and will be present on the last 2 Sundays in September.

 Chancel Bells
 Our high school/adult handbell choir is flexible, fun and offers good fellowship. We rehearse for roughly 6 weeks, meeting Thursdays, 8-9 pm, and play various Sundays throughout the year at the 10:00 am service. We will play in worship on Sunday, October 21st. 2018 Fall Rehearsal Schedule: September 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18. 

Church Family Dinner
 Join us Thursday evenings at 6 pm in the WMFC. Adults and children alike are invited to this casual time of food and fellowship, whether you are in S & R, a parent, caregiver, or have a church meeting and need to grab dinner. A donation of $8/adult and $6/child (10 and under) is suggested. Please RSVP to chef Amy at [email protected] by Wednesday, 9 am.

Children & Youth - Grow Disciples
  
Sunday School Update
 Sunday school for children ages 3 through 4th grade will be exploring the Sermon on the Mount. What does Jesus have to say about being salt and light? About asking, seeking, and finding? About building houses on sand or rock, or loving our enemies? What does it mean to be "blessed"? And how can we be "secret agents" of God?  

Attention families of 1st-8th graders!
Save Thurs. afternoons and evenings for Singers & Ringers, fpcw's children and youth singing and handbell program.  Here's the fall schedule. (We're VERY flexible - let Peggy Massello know if there are issues with the bus or transportation.)
 4:30-5:15 pm   4th/5th grade sing & ring
 5:15-6:00 pm   1st-3rd grade sings & plays games
5:15-6:00 pm   Arts & Rec w/Josh|
 6:00 pm           Church Family Dinner
 6:45-7:30 pm   6th-9th grades ring & sing

Mission - Transform Lives

 Family Promise Hosting
This mission helps homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence. Our next hosting is September 30th - October 6th. Volunteer to cook dinner or stay overnight. Click here to access the SignUpGenius link and please sign up to volunteer.

 Hurricane Florence
We likely know someone who may have been in the path of hurricane Florence. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is currently administering to those directly affected by this devastating hurricane. P lease click here to donation  to P DA so they can continue to offer their on going support when a disasters strike. 

 Katawa, Malawi School Project 
 fpcw donated money to our sister church in Katawa, Malawi for a new school building. For students to be eligible to attend school each child is required to have various school items. Click here to access the list of items school children need. Please consider donating to this important mission and help support these children with  an opportunity to continue their education.

Family Matters
Volunteers are needed to tutor students in grades K-12. Tutors/mentors receive an orientation and on-going training and support, and meet with students once a week during the academic year. Questions? Please contact  Greg Korak. 

Stock the Shelves Truck
The missing link that unites an abundance of North Shore  resources with under-resourced refugee families. Food stamps don't buy necessary, every day items such as soap, diapers, laundry detergent or toilet paper. The STS truck delivers these items on the 4th Wednesday of the month to Warren Park where over 125 refugee families select the items they need to continue to build sustainable lives.

 How can you help? Click here to access the Stock the Shelves website for ways to donate and volunteer.

Wilmette Food Pantry
 fpcw contributes food and non-food items to the Wilmette Food Pantry. Donations may be left in the containers located in the fpcw parking lot lobby.
 

Need some glad tidings? 
More activities, inspiration, and cheer 
available on our
website