Services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am



Scripture: Psalm 27 NRSV
 

Music: 
 Alan Bayert, guitar and vocals





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Week at FCCGE
(Click the blue links to be taken to the article!)



3/21 - 5:30 pm Joyful Noise Rehearsal
3/21- 7 pm Celebration Choir Rehearsal 
3/24 - Pick Up Your New Church Directory
3/24 -7 pm Sanctuary Singers
3/26 - 8 am AMEN Bible Study
3/26 - 9 am Parent/Child Playdate
3/26 - NO Bells Rehearsal
3/27 - NO Youth Fellowships
This Week
Annual Fund 2019 Update
All Our Journeys Annual Fund: Fiscal Year 2019-20
Thank you to those who have submitted their promised annual gifts!  If you have not yet pledged for the 2019-20 Fiscal Year (which begins July 1, 2019), please consider doing so to help us reach our goal.  If you need a pledge form, please find forms and envelopes on the table in back of the Sanctuary, or in the church office.
Relenting
Re-Lenting:  A Lenten Sermon Series 
Begins THIS Sunday 

A lot of people choose to give up - to relent something - for Lent.  Beginning this Sunday, March 24, you're invited to join us for Sunday worship and to consider the ways in which we can yield or relent something during this holy season; not just chocolate or red wine, but rather our guilt and our judgement, our time - maybe even our dreams - until the storm relents on Easter morning and hope is born anew.
Justice and Action
DuPage United Making an Impact in the County

 The DuPage United Assembly met on March 10th to  continue  their work on initiatives to help keep people needing mental health services out of the criminal justice system, creating more 
affordable  housing in DuPage  County and gun  control.  The Daily Herald covered the a
assembly  and you can read about it here. DuPage United and FCCGE engage in an active and on-going partnership, advocating for under-served communities and social justice.Photo courtesy of the Daily Herald.

The Gift of Language

Literacy DuPage, a part of DuPage United, seeks volunteers to tutor adults in English. More than 100,000 DuPage County residents need help improving their English skills.Empowering an adult with language will change that person's life-and yours, too. No foreign language or teaching experience needed. Just time and heart. For more information, click the link on the church website . On the "Community" tab, click on DuPage UnitedRead more here.

Victory for the LGBTQ+ Community

For a number of students and parents, February 11, 2019 was the culmination of three years of effort. Glenbard District 87, located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, had been engaged in discussions about how (or whether) to treat and accommodate trans and gender non-conforming students in terms of ensuring equality. 

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn and its members advocate for LGBTQ rights and played an integral part in making these necessary changes at Glenbard West.


PADS Help Needed
Super Simple Task!

 Northwestern Medicine has changed the way PADS laundry is being cleaned.  Right now, we are not able to have towels and washcloths washed weekly.  This is about 3 loads of laundry.  Can you help?  It would require picking it up at church Monday and then returning it before Sunday?  This is a commitment for about 6 months.   Please contact Linda Davenport,  or Tom Pulver.
Slavery
Does Slavery Still Cast it's Shadow over Our Country?
Part 2:  March  24th

The answer is yes. FCCGE and  St. Mark's Episcopal Church  are co-sponsoring a screening of the movie The Long Shadow. In this powerful documentary, the filmmakers, both daughters of the South, who were haunted by their families slave owning pasts, passionately seek the hidden truth and the untold stories of how America - guided by the South's powerful political influence - steadily deliberately and at times secretly, established white privilege in our institutions, laws, culture, and economy. This is a great opportunity for you to enhance your knowledge of white privilege and find out more about how racism shapes our country today.
Build Community
Passover Seder at Etz Chaim
Sat., March 30, 6:00 pm

Our friends at Congregation Etz Chaim have asked us to join them for Passover Seder March 30 as we celebrate the freedom of the Jewish people.  We will meet at Etz Chaim at 6:00. Please register here.
Bible Study  

The Tuesday morning Bible Study Group will begin a new book by Karen Armstrong entitled, The Bible - A Biography.  If you ever wondered how the Bible came to be written, compiled and interpreted through the ages, this is the book and discussion group for you.  Our small group, open to all people of our faith community, will meet at 8:00 am in the Main Lobby on the following dates to discuss this important piece of writing:  March 26, April 9, and April 23.  Contact person is Brian Hamilton.
Spring Work Day Coming Soon!
  
Join us at 11:30 am on Sunday, April 14. We have lots of painting, spring cleaning, small repairs and projects and more to help keep our church and grounds in shape. No need to be an expert... jump in and we'll find a place for you to help. We'll have lunch in Pilgrim Hall right after second service and put in several hours caring for our building and grounds. It's also a good way to meet other members. Send an email to  Andy Ginger to tell us you'll help. See pictures from last year. 
Joining the Church
March 31st at 10:30  

For those who have attended a "Newcomers Session" and would like to join the church, the following dates are available for joining:  March 31 (10:30 am) and August 18 (9:30 am).  For further information, contact Rev. Seth Ethan Carey (630-469-3096 ext. 12).  The next Newcomers Information Session will be held on Sunday, August 4, at 10:45 am - 11:45 am in the Parlor.
pancakes.jpg

Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast 
Sat. April 13th. 
7:30-11:30 am

Come and enjoy an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast prepared and served by Boy Scout Troop 41 in Pilgrim Hall on Saturday, April 13, 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Price is $5 for an individual ticket or $15 for the entire family; tickets may be purchased at the door. Hope to see you there!


Film Discussion Group 
April 9, 6:30 pm


"This magical and elusive work, which always seems to place second behind "Citizen Kane" in polls of great films, is so simple and so labyrinthine, so guileless and so angry, so innocent and so dangerous, that you can't simply watch it, you have to absorb it." Roger Ebert
On Tuesday, April 9, we'll view and discuss Rules of the Game.    Any questions or suggestions, contact  Alan Bayert.

Help Families Feel at Home

Refugees often flee their homes at a moment's notice. They arrive at a U.S. airport with few belongings, a difficult past and high hopes for the future. An important first step in making them feel welcome is to provide each family with a Welcome Kit. The Service and Justice Committee, in conjunction with World Relief, will be collecting household items for a Refugee Welcome Kit. This kit is given to refugee families when they arrive in DuPage County to help them settle into their new home. More information on items needed and the drop-off timeline will be coming soon!
Enrich Your Lenten Experience
A Time for Reflection and Prayer Yogameditation
Upcoming Opportunities March 20-April 10

We are now in a season of reflection, deepening faith, and miracles. We are offering prayerful opportunities to come together just for these things. Wednesday March 27th come for quiet and soul-cleansing guided meditation and prayer in the Chapel from 7-8 pm. Weaved into our Wednesday night offerings, Cathy Christoff will be leading Wednesday Evening Yoga from 7-8 pm on April 3rd and 10th in the All-Purpose Room (lower level). No need to sign up.
Easter Flowers
Order by April 7th  

We have a wonderful tradition of making Easter flowers available for order and lots of work goes into this. Jennifer Darnall needs help collecting orders and money-can you lend a hand?  Please e-mail her  to help.
Easter flowers available this year (all in 6" pots):  Lily ($11.50), Tulip or Daffodil ($9), Mum ($12.50), Azalea ($18.50), Reiger Begonia ($17.50), Hydrangea ($22.50).  Order forms may be found on the table in the Atrium. Orders must be received by Sunday, April 7.  Make checks payable to FFCGE with "Easter Flowers" noted.  You may pick up your flowers after the 10:30 am service, Easter Sunday, April 21.  
LentDevoLent 2019
Pick Up in the Atrium

Lent is upon us (beginning with Ash Wednesday) and this year we have a beautiful family-friendly Lenten devotional for you. Be sure to pick yours up in the atrium. You'll be making a paper chain with this packet, then each day of Lent, you'll "break" the chain and practice the devotional on that link. Visually and spiritually impactful. Watch for other Lenten practices coming too like evening Yoga, a church book discussion and a special Lenten sermon Series.

Learn Something
Communion Training
April 7th, 11:45-12:30

Come to this  brief  training and learn how to become a Communion Server  assisting
clergy on the first Sunday of the month in worship. **This would not require an every month commitment! You let us know when you're available. Please register here by Thursday April 4th.
Music - "Requiem" by John Rutter
FCCGE Choir
Performs
 in San Francisco

27 of our choir members had the honor and  privilege  of singing with 133 other voices at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco March 11th under the direction of  Dr. Sandra Snow.   See photos here.
Cantata 2019

Our choirs and orchestra with soprano soloist Breda Barry performed John Rutter's masterpiece "Requiem" on Sunday, March 17th at both services. Listen here!
No Time to Watch the Requiem?
Listen to the Podcast

Do you know that FCCGE has all of our sermons and our larger musical works on a podcast? Oh yes indeedy- check this out!

Help Others

Givingtree
Visit the Giving Tree in the Atrium 

Support the Senior High Work Camp trip to Kentucky with Appalachia Service Project by donating at the Giving Tree! Your support funds scholarships so all youth can participate. You'll also receive a thank-you letter from a work camper while they're on the trip! Choose an envelope that matches your contribution: the person who chooses envelope #63 would make a $63 donation, #5 is $5, and so on... this will help us raise over $5,000! You can turn your donation in to the work camp mailbox in church office. 
Questions? Contact Ally Vertigan, Senior High Work Camp Coordinator.
One Great Hour of Sharing  

One Great Hour of Sharing, as part of Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), is one of the four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. Working in more than 138 countries, the offering provides hope to people 365 days each year.  The UCC works with international partners, and together we provide support to health, education, refugee, agricultural, and emergency relief initiatives.   Special offering envelopes are available at the back of the sanctuary.  Make checks payable to First Congregational Church, with "One Great Hour of Sharing" on the memo line.
Don't forget to click the tiny little blue " View Entire Message" link at the bottom left of this newsletter to see all articles!
What's New for Families, Youth and Children?
Children and Youth Dates


Sunday, March 24 - NO Jr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Spring Break
Sunday, March 24 - NO Sr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Spring Break
Wednesday, March 27 - NO 345 Fellowship due to Spring Break
Saturday, March 30 - Sr Hi Youth Fellowship - Passover Seder with hosts Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard
  Sunday, March 31 - NO Jr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Spring Break
Sunday, March 31 - NO Sr Hi Youth Fellowship due to Passover Seder on Friday
Never Too Late to Register Youth for the Program Year!

Online registration for the 2018 - 2019 program year for all children and youth, infant - 12th grade is live online at our church website . We invite all families, members and guests, to register their children and youth annually.  This information assists us as we welcome your family and provide a safe experience.
Remember to Bring Your Banks Back!



Reminder  to the elementary-age children who brought home a special bank and calendar for the children's offering for January & February to support the UCC Refugee Emergency Fund.  Bring in your banks with your offering to drop-off in the baskets in the Chapel or in the Atrium Sundays in March.


Vacation Bible School 2019
*New Dates*

We are very excited by the upcoming renovations to Pilgrim Hall which will be coming this summer.  Due to the timing during VBS, we are joyfully announcing our partnership in VBS with our sister faith communities of Grace Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches of Glen Ellyn.  Our VBS program will be a joint program on NEW DATES and located on-site at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH of GLEN ELLYN from Monday, June 17 - Friday, 21 from 9:00 am to Noon.  It may be a different location but we will have the SAME wonderful activities:  crafts, games, and VBS bread!  Register online as a participant or volunteer here.  Our theme this year is Celebrating God's Creation!  (We are limited to 100 participants so don't delay!)

More Awesome Summer Stuff for Individuals and Families

Outdoor Ministries offers a variety of summer and fall camps for everyone. Check out this link for complete details.
FCC Lenten Favorites on Spotify

We are in the season of Lent - visit our church Spotify account to see music from our Lenten worship services and music suggested by church staff by searching for "fccge535."   
Lost and Found
Did You Lose a Bracelet?

Did you lose a bracelet 2 weeks ago at FCC? One of our members found it and would love to find it's owner. Please call (630.642.6421) or email Marge
with a description.
Visual Arts Ministry (VAM)
        Greg Schreck                 Jeremy Botts
Sanctuary and Main Gallery 

 In the Sanctuary and Main Gallery, we welcome the return of a Lenten exhibit first appearing here in 2013, a moving depiction of the 14 stations of the cross, by fine art photographer Greg Schreck and graphic designer Jeremy Botts, both professors of art at Wheaton College. While working at a rehabilitation center for torture survivors in Chicago in 2012, Greg was struck by the profound physical and emotional traumas these individuals had experienced. He thought of Christ, who suffers in solidarity with those who suffer. His exhibit tells the story of the via dolorosa ("way of sorrow") these survivors were traveling, by linking it to the Christian devotional practice of the 14 stations of the cross. In this way, the stations tell not just the story of Jesus' suffering, but the stories of all of those in our midst who are wounded by war, political upheaval, and unspoken violence. Jeremy's work is a collection of archival digital images ("abstract icons") created in response to Greg's work. To learn more about the exhibit, pick up a handout in the gallery.
Artist in Residence

Don't miss Ashley Giampoli's beautiful and inspiring photographs, taken during travels to Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and Africa. (The gallery is located in the hallway adjacent to, and around the corner from, the Parlor, downstairs from the library, elevator Level G).
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn | | [email protected] | http://www.fccge.org
535 Forest Avenue
Glen, IL 60137
630.469.3096