July 19, 2018
Greetings!

Ask the Question:

Why are other organizations using offices in our building? How does that effect space for our ministries? Are we in trouble?

The largest portion of our building, the educational wing, was imagined and built in an era immediately following the Second World War. At that time, the American Ideal, as promoted to our returning Service Men in the Stars and Stripes Magazine, was to live in the suburbs in a house with a white picket fence and raise a family of 2.7 children where the husband went to work every morning and the wife stayed at home to care for children in a life softened by the mighty (more)

This Week:
Friday 7/20: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 7/21: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 7/22: Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, OA at 7 pm
Monday 7/23: AA for under 30s at 4:30 pm, Hooks & Needles at 7pm, AA at 8 pm
Tuesday 7/24: Finance Committee Meeting at 7 pm
Wednesday 7/25: Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm, Council Meeting at 7 pm
Friday 7/27: OA at 9 am, Summer Musical Camp Performance at 7pm, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 7/28: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 7/29: Worship and Summer Musical Camp Performance at 10 am , Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, OA at 7:00 pm
Welcome To Our New Organist
After several months of having very capable substitutes, the Music Director and Organist Search Committee are happy to announce that AnnLaura Tapia will be joining the staff of First Congregational Church as its organist. She is a multi-talented musician, having significant training and experience on organ and piano and earning a bachelor’s degree and performance certificate in harp performance from The University of Toronto and The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, respectively. Her breadth of experience as a church musician, chamber musician and soloist will enrich our worship services. AnnLaura lives in Lyons with her husband Juan and two sons, Aurelio and Carlos. Her first Sunday will be July 29th. 
What Makes your Heart Sing?
Ministry is the work of each of us. Where would you like to focus your time, energy, and passions to be a part of God's Revolutionary Love and Extravagant Grace?   Tell us here!   Our Volunteer Coordinator will link you with others with the same interests.
Google Reviews
If you love FCCLG and want to help us reach out to others, write a Google Review. This is a fast and easy way to help us grow.  Click here to get there.
Music for All Ages
Summer Musicians of all ages are invited to play, sing or ring starting in June. The choir is off for the Summer, so we need you! Not a soloist, but want to lend your talents? Ryan will work to find an ensemble for you. Please contact Ryan Cox to sign-up.

First Conservatory: Music lessons taught by excellent teachers are offered throughout the week at First Congregational Church. Children and adults alike are welcome! Instruments taught include piano, voice, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Other instruments could be made available with interest. Click here to visit the website.

Tiny Toes Music: Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers also have a great opportunity in our building. Tiny Toes Music is the local offering for Music Together, known internationally for educating little ones and their guardians together. Click here for the website.
Member Directory
You should have received an email with a link to print your member directory. If you need a printed copy, let the office know and we will make one for you. To make corrections or updates to your information, go here and sign in or create account to make those changes.
H ooks and Needles
The summer meetings will be in our homes. The knitting and crocheting ministry meets at 7pm on the 4th Monday of the month, June through August. Please call Claudia Byrne at 708-205-1409 or email if you have any questions. Next meeting is July 23rd at Margaret Melkonian’s house at 437 South Brainard Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525.
Nurturing Spirits
Food Pantry
In July we’re collecting bottled water, iced tea and juices in plastic or cardboard containers for the Second Baptist Food Pantry. Any shelf-stable items are always welcome. Thanks for your generosity!
Styrofoam Recycling
The Positively Green Team offers church attendees the opportunity to properly dispose of their styrofoam waste for recycling. Please look for the recycling box in the Founders Room, and bring your clean styrofoam packaging, cups, and food containers before the 1st Saturday of each month. They will be taken to the Western Springs recycling program.
Messy Church
The next Messy Church will be August 5th . See you then!
Back to School Already?
It's not too soon to be watching for sales on school supplies to help out the LeaderShop's annual school supply drive. They are seeking contributions of supplies to be distributed at their School Supply Distribution and Resource Fair, where local students and their families can learn about community resources and collect school supplies for the upcoming year. Contributions of all school supplies are appreciated, but the top 10 most needed items are: binders, washable markers, dry erase markers, wide ruled notebooks, packages of loose leaf paper, dual pocket folders (sturdy), school glue (stick or bottled), pens (erasable, red, black or blue), pencils, and scissors. Please place your donations in the collection box at the 6th Avenue entrance now through August 12 th . Thank you for your generosity!
Evening Book Club
Ever wonder what it was like to be part of a top-secret government project during WWII? Come join us August 23 for a discussion of The Girls of Atomic City - The untold story of the women who helped win World War II by Denise Kiernan. Could you have done what they did for the war effort? All are welcome - we meet in the Chapel Family Room at 7:30.
Harmony, Hope, and Healing
We have an opportunity to come together on Saturday, August 25th , when the ensemble from Harmony, Hope and Healing (HHH) presents a concert in the chapel of the Congregation of St. Joseph. Marge Nykaza, Executive Director of HHH, invites you to sing with the HHH ensemble for a truly memorable event. Experience the power of music to unite, uplift and inspire at this multi-generational, multi-cultural, ecumenical event. Click here for more information.
Aging Care Connections Sports Ball Gala - Save The Date
An evening of fun and fundraising to benefit the work of Aging Care Connections.
When: Friday, September 14 at 6:30 pm
Where: Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge - 1200 Burr Ridge Pkwy., Burr Ridge
Click here for the full save the date flyer .
C an’t Get To Sunday Services?  
You can watch them live on Sunday at 10 a.m. on the web.  Click here   to see Sunday worship streamed live and to view past worship services as well.  Or follow these instructions on how to watch through your Roku Device. Contact the church office to have the worship bulletin emailed to you on Fridays. This ministry is brought to you by the estate of Ginny Palansky, and maintained by your gifts, offerings, and pledges.
Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits 
Developing Partners
Give to FCCLG when you shop on Amazon! Click the logo for our Amazon Smile page.
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil Balz.
Prayers for the Clayton family.
Renee Meier, who is dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Margaret Melkonian.
Prayers for Steve Roper, as he recovers from open heart surgery.
Prayers for Eva Stevens and family as they suffer the loss of her father.
Prayers for Dick Tobin as he deals with several health issues.
For Vera Weiss to regain her strength and fight cancer.
Brian White, who awaits healing.
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.
Those killed, the injured, and their families in acts of violence.
Children at the border.