This Week at First Pres! Dec. 9 thru Dec. 15
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Hark!
- Actually
This week’s eNewsletter feature article
is written by Rev. Raymond Hylton,
FPCE Senior Pastor.
Greetings!
On Wednesday, I gathered with a group of Evanston pastors for our annual Christmas Brunch, hosted for the past nine years by Pastor Clifford Wilson at his church, Mount Pisgah Ministry.
The food was great, and the fellowship, always special. But, this year, I took particular note of our singing. These pastors are not just preachers and public speakers, they can sing. Without aid of an instrument, save the human voice, almost pitch perfect, we sang the hymns of Christmas in beautiful harmonies.
Standing around the table, with surprising passion and a volume that
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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
OF GOD'S GRACE!
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filled the room, we sang Wesley’s “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
(A side note. Did you know that within a year after his conversion, in 1738, Charles Wesley wrote three great hymns: "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" for the Lord's Incarnation, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" for the Lord's Resurrection, and "Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise" for the Lord's Ascension? What a gift!)
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This Sunday is our
Advent Lessons & Carols service!
Join us in the Second Week of Advent as we continue our look into the promises of Christ's coming made through the prophets.
This week is our special Advent Lessons & Carols service. We worship together at 9 and 11:30 a.m. For more information on our Advent activities,
download this guide.
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All-Church Adult Education classes continue this Sunday morning! Join us in the Dining Room at 10:30 am for the second week of this three-week series of classes as we take a look at the connection between faith and the creative arts. All FPCE adults are encouraged to participate in the all-church Adult Education classes for Advent. Each week, a guest instructor will help us explore the relationship between our faith and the enjoyment of and participation in different areas of the creative arts.
This week's instructor is Dick Ryan, who will speak on music, opera and conducting. See the back of
this week’s bulletin for details.
The Parish Nurse Book Club will meet on Tuesday, December 11, 1:30-3 pm in room 102. We will be reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. According to Goodreads, it is “the story of a quirky woman whose social misunderstandings, mental health issues, and unabashed wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes that the only way to survive in the real world is to open her heart to friendship”. All are welcome to join us!
Come join us this Wednesday for our bi-monthly Prayer Gathering (this will be our only one in the month of December). We will gather in the Parlor at 7 pm. All are invited to come join us as we seek the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bringing our burdens and opening our hearts to hear.
Deacons’ Closet has urgent need of Men’s winter wear. Good, warm coats and jackets are in very short supply for our male visitors —larger sizes are especially helpful for purposes of layering. Also need for sweaters, sweat shirts, large-size pants and sweat pants, and sturdy shoes and boots. As the cold winds blow and temperatures plummet, please look through your closets, drawers, and storerooms to help our friends survive the season in some warmth and comfort. God bless you in this Season of Giving. Items turned in by December 31 can qualify for 2018 tax deduction; ask for tax forms at the church office front desk.
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We offer our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the friends and the FPCE family of Sarah Filler for her passing on December 3. Details for a memorial service, which will take place in January, are still to be determined.
We offer our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family of Rita Virginia Newman, a longtime FPCE member, who passed away on December 4. Services will be private.
Please help support the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Presbyterian schools at Fellowship hour this Sunday morning between services. Hand-knitted and crocheted scarves, hats, and necklaces made by First Pres Congo team members will be offered for sale, with proceeds going toward Build Congo Schools. A wide variety of colors and styles will be available.
Come to Nourish Women’s fellowship Christmas brunch for fellowship and fun. The event will take place Thursday, December 13, at 9:30 am in the Dining Room. If your last name begins with A-L, bring fruit; those whose last names begin with M-Z are asked to bring bread products.Bring a white elephant gift for more fun! Questions? Contact Patty Bastian at
RWBastian@aol.com.
We offer a special thanks to the following people who made the Christmas Around the World Potluck a wonderful time for our entire FPCE family: Sally and Dave Ivaska, Alison Velasco, Ruby Singh, Amanda Jenta, Nikki’s mom Rita, Allun Ren, Bob Bastian, and Judith Hylton.
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PRAY FOR OUR MISSION PARTNERS
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Pray for the youth living in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region—which is in the midst of continuing turmoil, hardship and pain—who live with uncertainty about the future. Pray that those struggling with depression and substance abuse will break free and experience God’s peace in their lives. Pray that the younger generation will find hope and identity in Christ. Pray for peace and stability throughout the region.
(This month we are praying for the concerns facing the people of the Middle East/North Africa, with guidance from Voice of the Martyrs).
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SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE FRIDAY
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Second Baptist Church of Evanston Music Ministry will be performing Handel's
Messiah
, this Friday, December 7, at 7 pm in the FPCE Sanctuary. Performing under the direction of Rev. Vernon Clark, the event is free and open to the public.
Download their flyer here.
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Volunteers will be needed the nights of January 27-February 9, 2019, to serve at the overnight shelter at First Presbyterian. If you have never received training before and are interested, attend any of the following one-hour sessions on: November 6, 7, 12, or 15 at various locations in Evanston. Contact Charlene Parris for details at
c.parris@comcast.net.
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EXPLORE GOD CLASSES IN 2019
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The 7 Big Questions
We all have questions about God, faith, and purpose; Explore God is a unique effort to come together to look at these questions in an open, authentic way. Join us at First Pres and explore The 7 Big Questions (January 13-February 24).
Check here for details.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING SET FOR JANUARY 5 - JUNE 3, 2019
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You are part of a caring congregation. Is God calling you to take a more active role in Christian caregiving? Then Stephen Ministry may be just what you’re looking for. To find out more,
read this insert
or contact:
Mike Denesha RuthAnn Ostrowski
(847) 612-9479 (312) 613-0644
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Christmas Pageant rehearsals are continuing! They take place each Thursday from 5:15 to 6 pm in the Choir Room and Sanctuary. If you are interested in helping, contact Bev Bolsen at
bbolsen@firstpresevanston.org.
First Kids Choir meets each Thursday afternoon! Children in 4-year-old pre-K through 5th grade meet to sing from 4 to 4:45 pm. From 4:45 to 5:15 pm, children in 2nd through 5th grades ring chimes. During the rehearsal, the Dining Room and Gym are open for parent-supervised activity for siblings.
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Registration for High school Mission Trip 2019 now open!
All current 9th graders through 12th graders are invited to join us for a fun week of service and faith building! We will be going to New Orleans, Louisiana, July 28 -August 3. We will work with a local organization called RHINO. Cost is $250 (scholarships are available). Registration forms can be found
on the website, at the Youth Board near the Front Desk, or by contacting
Pastor Amanda. Registration deadline: January 6.
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Middle School Youth Group (NUBS) meets each Friday, from 7-9 pm, on the top floor in the Middle School lounge. This Friday, December 7, we’ll meet
and enjoy acting out the Nativity!
High School Youth Group (PYGS) will meet this Sunday afternoon from 4-6 pm in the basement Youth Lounge. We will be enjoying snacks, talking about the Nativity story and having a gingerbread house decorating contest!
Register for the Middle school Winter Retreat! All 6th-8th grade youth are invited to come along Jan. 18-20 for a weekend of wintery activities and digging deep into faith at Camp Timber-lee. Cost: $100 (scholarships are available) Registration forms can be found at the Youth Board near the front desk or contact
Pastor Amanda.
Registration deadline: Dec.16.
Register for the High school Winter Retreat! All 9th-12th grade youth are invited to come along Jan. 25-27 for a weekend of hanging out with friends, enjoying outdoor activities and exploring God at Camp Timber-lee. Cost: $100 (scholarships are available) Registration forms can be found at the Youth Board near the front desk or contact
Pastor Amanda. Registration deadline: Dec.16.
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More details about Youth events can be found in our weekly email. Text YOUTHGROUP to 42828 to subscribe!
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YOUNG ADULTS AND FAMILIES
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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!
December’s women’s basketball pick-up game will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, December 11 in Roy Hall. Games will return to the third Thursday of each month in January. All skill levels and abilities are welcome! Reach out to Kathy Grant,
kgrant@depaul.edu with any questions.
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STUDY AND MISSION TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND SET FOR JUNE 2019
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June 3-14, 2019, Professor K.K. Yeo and FPCE Senior Pastor Ray Hylton will host a Study and Mission Tour of the Holy Land.
The cost is $3,398 per person. Those interested in learning more can pick up a brochure at the front desk, or visit
firstpresevanston.org/holy-land
to learn more or register.
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DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY TICKETS TO JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH
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"Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" is an annual post-holiday musical event full of fun, worship and fantastic performances. Through the efforts of an FPCE member, discounts to the performances, January 19 and 20, are available through the Auditorium Theatre where the event is held. These discounts are only available through the links below with the proper codes and *only through December 14.
Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah
Saturday, January 19 at 7:30 pm
or
Sunday, January 20 at 3 pm
Save 10-25% on Tickets*!
Click here
and enter the code
FPCE119
to unlock the 25% discount on Saturday
Click here
and enter the code
FPCE120
to unlock the 10% discount on Sunday
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Homework help at New Life!
FPCE is now providing homework help/tutoring to the children at the New Life shelter, only 5 minutes from the church. There are currently at least ten school-age kids in the shelter, and ideally we'd like to have one volunteer for each child (as well as volunteers to play with the younger kids). We are there Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 PM. Tuesdays are also possible. Email Tom Alrich at
talrich@hotmail.com
or Dane Watkins at
creativedane@sbcglobal.net
.
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.
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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.
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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.
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The Counseling Center (TCC)
provides professionally trained Christian counseling in our own facility. Contact TCC Director Charles Miyamoto at 847-864-9133.
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In cases of after-hour emergencies,
please call our emergency answering service
at 866-259-7088.
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Summary notes from the November 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.
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1427 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1472
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