This Week at First Pres! October 21 thru 27
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You Should Know…
This week’s eNewsletter feature article is written by Rev. Raymond Hylton,
FPCE Senior Pastor.
Greetings!
I want to let you know about three important events coming up at our church:
One worship service this Sunday
First, please be aware that we have one worship service this Sunday — at 10 a.m. Following worship, we will have our congregational meeting in the Sanctuary. At this meeting, we will elect our 2019 congregational leaders and review the 2019 ministry budget. Please note this change and be there.
Stewardship Sunday
Second, please remember that October 28 is Stewardship Sunday.
This is our church’s opportunity to
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CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
OF GOD'S GRACE!
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focus and unite our efforts to support the mission and ministry of First Pres through each person’s generous giving. If you are a member, or you are known to call First Pres your spiritual home, you should have received a pledge card in the mail. Our Stewardship Team’s goal for October 28 is 100% response, with all pledge cards turned in. We believe every person is created to give — to give our hearts to Christ, give our time to Christ, and give our resources to Christ.
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Explore God Chicago - Training Webinar
Join us tonight at 6:30 pm in the Parlor!
In preparation for the Explore God Chicago 2019 outreach campaign, First Pres is participating in a live training webinar discussing how to conduct Explore God discussion groups. FPCE is a primary participant in the upcoming Explore God outreach taking place in early 2019, and we are encouraging as many of our members and regular attendees to take part.
If you are unable to attend tonight's webinar at FPCE, you can also
register
to watch the webinar on your own.
(Registration is only needed for those who will not be able to join us at FPCE).
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Congregational meeting after
single worship service this Sunday!
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On Sunday FPCE will have only one worship service at 10 am, followed immediately by an efficient congregational meeting, which will conclude no later than Noon. In order to provide childcare throughout the meeting, the Blue and Crib rooms will remain open and staffed, and children from K-5th grade are invited to the choir room for creative activities with Ms. Hannah and Pastor Amanda.
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Our regular bi-weekly Prayer Gathering will be held Wednesday, October 24, in the Parlor. Join us as we bring our prayers before our loving God, seeking His wisdom and guidance for the church, and for healing in our lives and the lives of those we love. All are welcome!
A Service in Memory of All Souls—an annual tradition at FPCE—will be held Saturday, November 3, in Walker Chapel from 9 to 10 am. Those interested in having a loved one memorialized during the service are invited to add those names to the Memorial list at the front desk. All names collected will be read during the memorial service. This is the only way we are collecting names. The deadline for submitting names at the front desk is Sunday, October 28.
The next New Members Class led by Pastor Ray Hylton will be a two-week session, taking place November 4 and 11 from 10:15 to 11:15 am. This is for all who are interested in becoming members at First Pres. Childcare is available upon request. For more info, or to sign up, please contact Janice at 847-864-1472 or at
jdobschuetz@firstpresevanston.org.
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Senior Varsity will meet on Thursday, November 1. The topic is: Weaving Fictional Characters from Real Life presented by Len Joy. Len Joy and his wife Suzanne Sawada are longtime First Pres members. He has authored three published books including his latest, “Letting Go”, a collection of his short fiction. Len will cover his writing journey, and how he used events and people from his life experiences to create fictional worlds and characters. Registration will begin at 10:30 am, with the presentation starting at 11 am, and lunch being served at noon (cost: $5 for lunch). Please register by October 30 at the front desk by calling 847-864-1472. All are welcome, especially seniors.
Friends in Christ will be hosting its Fall Potluck Dinner on Monday, November 5, 6:30 pm, in the church dining room. Our speaker will be the Rev. Raymond Hylton, First Pres senior pastor. He will speak on “The Practice and Power of Gratitude.” All are welcome to attend. Main dish and drinks will be provided. Please bring a side, salad, or dessert to share. RSVP to Bonnie Kath (bkath@comcast.net or 847-507-4146) by Thursday, November 1.
The FPCE Warming Center will begin its weekly operations November 12. First Pres is a member of the Evanston InterFaith Action group. We coordinate with other Evanston area churches during the winter season to provide a warm, safe and welcoming place for our homeless guests to rest. Starting Monday, November 12 and running through the end of March, the warming center will be open from 4-7 pm. Should you hear the call to support our help and would like additional information please contact Sherin Peters at 708-987-7278 or at
spetersmcs@aol.com.
Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsals begin Nov. 29. All children and youth 3 years old through high school are invited to participate in the 4:00 Christmas Eve pageant. Rehearsals will be Thursdays 5:15-6:00, Nov. 29-Dec. 20. Special dress rehearsal Sunday, Dec. 23. Contact Pastor Amanda or Bev Bolsen to let them know your child or youth is interested.
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CONSULTANTS' REPORT FROM LISTENING SESSIONS
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Representatives from Ministry Architects--our strategic plan consultants--provided a report at a meeting on October 13 of their findings from the October 11-12 listening sessions, online questionnaire replies, and other research.
You can download the full report here. This report also contains their recommendations and a proposed timeline.
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DEACONS' CLOSET SEEKS WARM WEATHER ITEMS
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With winter weather soon upon us, the
Deacons' Closet
is hoping you can soon provide our customers with:
- Jeans - especially larger sizes
- Winter shoes/boots - sturdier the better
- Overcoats & jackets - larger sizes
- Warm socks
- Gloves and thick scarves
- Belts
- Towels
- Roller suitcases, duffel bags
Please check your closets as you move in your cold weather clothes, and look for gently-used things that you likely won't be wearing anymore. Find it in your heart to share with those who need them. Items can be dropped off by the front desk in the church office, inventoried for tax purposes.
The Deacons thank you for looking and sharing.
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October 27 Saturday Surprise with the Prison Ministry Team. Accompany Angel Tree and First Friends refugee children to the Emily Oaks Nature Center for a picnic and a hike. We leave at 11:00 and return by 4:00. Background check required. Contact Sonia Evenstad at
evenstad@sbcglobal.net or 847 869-5112.
Do you know a disabled refugee? If so encourage him/her to contact
suzanne@syriancommunitynetwork.org for information on PRIDE, a UIC research study designed to assist disabled refugees find work. One need not be Syrian to apply.
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PRAY FOR OUR MISSION PARTNERS
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Please Pray for our Parish Associate, Pastor Younan Shiba and his wife Lelah, with daughters Joy and Grace. Pray for their ministry, Family Life Development, as well as his radio/TV ministries, and his work with our refugee families. Pray for God’s provision in all of their physical and spiritual needs.
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BOOK CLUB MEETS OCTOBER 30
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The Parish Nurse Book Club will meet on Tuesday, October 30, 1:30-3 pm in room 102. We will be reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.
According to Goodreads, this novel is “based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country.”
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Kindergarten children will receive Bible story books in worship on October 21. Please let Bev Bolsen know how your child’s name should appear in the book. If your child was not here when they were in kindergarten, and would like a story book, contact Bev.
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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Middle School Youth Group (NUBS) meets each Friday, from 7-9 pm, on the top floor in the Middle School lounge.
This Friday, all youth are encouraged to invite a friend to Youth Group! (Our goal is 40 youth!) We will be playing some games, enjoying snack and continuing to get to know each other.
High school Youth Group (PYGS) meets downstairs in the basement Youth Lounge from 4-6 pm on Sunday Afternoons.
This Sunday, All youth are encouraged to bring a friend. We will be doing a scavenger hunt that will take us all over downtown Evanston!
All Youth Ladies are invited to the Women’s Retreat Oct. 20th! Come help hand out bulletins and volunteer in other ways while enjoying the one day retreat.
Contact Pastor Amanda with questions.
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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!
A women’s basketball pick-up game is held at 7:30 pm on the THIRD 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.
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First Pres Evanston is seeking to fill the following job opportunity:
Worship Band Director (Part Time)
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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
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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 September Session Meeting are available
here
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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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