August 2, 2018
Greetings!

Worship in the Park
There is no Worship at FCCLG on August 5th . As part of La Grange's Endless Summerfest Celebration, the La Grange Churches will meet at 10:30 a.m. on August 5 at Gordon Park. Fantastic music, a combined choir, and a lot of energy will buzz together!

Peace to you and grace, from Carly, called to be a bearer of the Good News to the saints and sinners of La Grange and beyond.
 
“Sin” was a word that was thrown around and thrown at people regularly in the fundamentalist church in which I dabbled in college. Everyone was considered a sinner in need of being saved from the clutches of evil – or “Satan.” The sweet joy of being saved was the drawing card of that congregation. The leaders were fast to call anyone who did not agree with their theology or ideology a “Sinner.”
At one time in history of Congregationalism, “Sin” … (more)
This Week:
Friday 8/3: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 8/4: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 8/5: Community Worship at 10 am in Gordon Park, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7 pm
Monday 8/6: AA for under 30s at 4:30 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 8/8: Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm
Friday 8/10: OA at 9 am, Spiritual Directors at 10 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 8/11: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 8/12: Worship at 10 am , All Teams Meeting at 11:15 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, OA at 7 pm
Messy Church
The next Messy Church will be August 5th at 4:30. See you then!
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 First Congregational Church's 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.  
Lost and Found
There are unclaimed items in our lost and found box. The boxes are located in the foyer between the Founders’ Room and the Sanctuary. Please take a look! All unclaimed items will be donated on August 8 th .
Music News
Hymn Sing Choir
On Sunday, August 12th, we will have a hymn sing during worship and hear the stories of how some of our favorites came to be. Singers from 3rd grade through adult are invited to rehearse at 9:15 in the sanctuary to practice harmonies and descants.
 
Performance at Plymouth Place
Ravel, Britten and Broadway will be presented at Plymouth Place on August 20 at 1pm in Dole Hall. Amanda Murphy, soprano, and AnnLaura Tapia will perform works by Ravel and Britten for harp and soprano, and Ryan Cox will mix Ravel and Britten songs with Broadway standards. All are welcome!
 
Music Program Rehearsals Start Dates
If you’d like to join an ensemble, contact Ryan Cox to be added to the mailing list for any of these programs:
Chancel Choir rehearsal begins 9/6 at 7:30pm
Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal begins 9/5 at 7:30pm
Ring and Sing/Treble Choir rehearsal begins 9/16 at 11:15am

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.
Soles4Souls
Don't toss those unwanted but still wearable shoes! The Positively Green Team encourages you to donate them to Soles4Souls, a group that distributes shoes to those in need all over the world. A drop-off location is conveniently located at Life Storage, 405 Shawmut Ave., La Grange.
Galaxy Theater Company invites you to…
come to their Summer FUNdraising event on August 18 from 4 to 8pm in the Dining Room. The event is open to all ages and will feature dinner, games, karaoke, dancing, a close-up magician, and raffles! Get to know them and have a great time! Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for kids 5 -12 and free for kids 4 and under. Tickets sold after services on 8/12 in the Founders’ Room.
Galaxy Theater Company was founded in 2016 as a non-for-profit dedicated to bringing theater and arts to the community.
Food Pantry
In August we’re collecting sweets! Please bring cake and brownie mixes, packaged cookies, pudding and jello mix, and other shelf-stable items. Thanks for providing treats to those who could use a smile.
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.
Can We Fill the Box?
Thanks to the generosity of many of you, the LeaderShop school supply collection box at the Sixth Avenue entrance is half full. Can we fill it to overflowing? A list of needed supplies is posted on the box, but any school supplies for grades K-12 are gratefully accepted. Last day to donate is August 12.
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 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.
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. The n ext meeting is August 27 th at Mary Forester’s home, 315 N. La Grange Road, Apt. 138, La Grange Park.
Nurturing Spirits
Aging Care Connections Sports Ball Gala
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 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
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.
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.