July 12, 2018
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

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

[email protected]
Dear Friends, 

This week's chapter in "The Road to Character" is about the civil rights leaders, A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin. Both were instrumental in the 1964 march on Washington DC that included Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech. Each man represents a different perspective on the trait of dignity.

 "Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. It is of significance in morality, ethics, law and politics as an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights."

 To be valued and respected . To be valued and respected. It sounds so simple, yet how many individuals in the world today don't have that because they are marginalized, homeless, refugees, addicts, unemployed, imprisoned, minorities, in war zones, without religious freedoms? The list goes on and on. What would your life be like if at work you felt constantly put down? What would your life be like if how you care for your children was constantly criticized? What would your life be like if you couldn't access things for daily living because of the color of your skin or what you were wearing to cover your head or because you didn't have shoes? What if you couldn't even get a cake in a bakery because of who you love?

 "People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other."                                       Martin Luther King Jr.

 We have come a long way since the civil rights movement, but the work is far from finished. As Christians we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. As Paul writes to the Galatians, " There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." How is God calling you to love your neighbor with dignity?

 In Christ,
 Sue Sklansky

We hope you've been able to find some time to participate in "One Church One Book" this summer and are finding inspiration from "The Road to Character." Please join us after worship at 11:15 am, for a rich and meaningful conversation around each chapter. 

Sunday, July 15, 2018
 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
 8:00 am
 Gillson Beach Service 
 9:45 am
 Childcare
 10:00 am
 Sanctuary Worship
 10:15 am
 Summer Sunday School
 11:15 am
 Lemonade on the Lawn
One Church One Book

Beach Service
If the weather looks iffy, drive by the front entrance to the church. If the front door is open, the service will be in the Chapel.
Faith and Fellowship

Divine Interruptions
Interruptions can be a nuisance, or they can reveal God's presence to us.  For six weeks, we will send an interruption to you via the church app push notification that will give a creative invitation for you to stop and to notice God's presence in the midst of your busy life. To sign up, download the church app and opt in for push notifications.

One Church, One Book  
Sundays, 11:15 am in the Lounge. No matter where you are this summer, join us in reading together The Road to Character by David Brooks. Purchase a copy on Amazon ($12), or  from the church.
  • Each week's E-News will have a thoughtful reflection and questions prompting us to think about how Jesus invites us to live our lives. 
  • This Sunday, we'll discuss chapter 6. 
    Click here to read a synopsis of this chapter.
  • Send Sue Sklansky a picture of you and your book, along with your favorite quote. If you give us permission, we'd like to post these on our Facebook page. 

Fit for Faith 2018
We are delighted to announce that our 60 member Fit for Faith team surpassed the 5,000 mile mark this morning! That means we're now 30% of the way toward accomplishing Pastor Jeff's 16,714 mile Malawi round trip challenge. Our group earns mileage credit by engaging in many forms of physical activity - walking, running, rowing, biking, weights, yoga, spin, pilates, stairclimber, fitbit steps, swimming, soccer, etc. We hope you'll consider joining us too - it's not too late to get started. We'll set you up with your own (individual or family) spreadsheet that allows you to conveniently convert all such forms of exercise to walk/run equivalent miles. Plus you'll get credit for all past activity completed since the campaign's June 3 start date.  Contact Karl Ottolini or Doug Ackerman to get started.

Children and Youth   

One Room Sunday School (through Sept. 2)
What happened to the disciples after the amazing events of Jesus' death and resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Children ages 3-4 th grade will gather upstairs to sing, pray, and build with LEGOs as we explore stories about Peter, Paul, Lydia, Philip, Tabitha, and others from the book of Acts. Meets after Time with Young Disciples in the Yellow Room.

 Family Faith Text (through August)
 Children & Family Ministry will send a text with a "tip of the week" to help you and your family experience and connect with God through creating sacred moments, and weaving spiritual habits together as a family into your daily life.  If you're interested in receiving these texts, or if you have a tip to share, please contact Lindley Traynor at [email protected]  with your cell number. This will be sent via the Remind app, so your number won't be made public.  
 
Mission

Join the Meals Team
Support the fpcw Deacons by cooking a meal for congregation members in need of care. These meals offer care to church members when it is most needed. Volunteer one time or ongoing for this important ministry. For more information please contact Kristen Novelline at [email protected].

Backpacks for Kids
This summer, fpcw will again help to provide school supplies and backpacks for kids at Rogers Park Presbyterian Church. Help in extending God's love!
Stock the Shelves 
Is a partnership between  fpcw, Sukkat Shalom, First Congregational Church Wilmette and Congregation Hakafa who, as people of faith, are responding with God's love and welcome as refugee families make new lives in the Chicagoland area. This collaborative effort by North Shore faith communities, is the missing link that unites an abundance of North Shore resources with under resourced, refugee families. The Stock the Shelves Truck delivers these necessary, everyday items on the fourth (4th) Wednesday of every month to Warren Park, located in Rogers Park, where over 125 refugee families select the items they need to continue to build thriving and sustainable lives. To learn how you can donate or become a hands-on volunteer click here to access the fpcw website.

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