November 14, 2019
Greetings!

Ask the Question:
What should a true Christian do in this current toxic conservative climate?
        This is a loaded question! I come from the perspective that does not define “true Christian” outside of the what is true for each individual. In the tradition of the Congregational Church, each follower defines for themselves what is truth based upon their understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
        For me, Jesus’ teachings call me to be proactive about standing up for and speaking out for the “least of these” --people who are oppressed, rejected, cast aside, downtrodden and vulnerable. Jesus taught the meaning of scripture and the relationship of people to God always sides with the lowly, the sinners, and the outcast. Though the term comes from classical Greek, Jesus spoke truth to power; he died because the political leaders of the day found him to be a threat because his message contradicted and threatened the status quo that benefited those leaders.
        Likewise, my role as a follower of Jesus is to also call out those who abuse power, who employ propaganda and half-truths to sway the masses against those with little power and voice. In the tradition of Susan B. Anthony, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Elie Wiesel, Sojourner Truth, and so many others, it is my role as a follower of Jesus to call out injustice, name wrongs, challenge lies and half-truths, and work for equity among all people. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself;” then he proceeded to define “neighbor” as the one who is least likely to be accepted by those in power, the Samaritan.
        No matter the “climate” of the society in which we exist, my role does not change. I will continue to work for equity and justice, peace and non-violence. I will “comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.”
 
The Annual Campaign
Our Annual Pledge Campaign is in full swing. On November 24 we will not only dedicate our financial pledges, we will explore opportunities for folks of every age and every ability to be involved in the ministries of the congregation. The Founders’ Room will be the site of a Ministry Fair where each ministry will have opportunities and projects, and each member can investigate the work of each of our ministries. There will be short term, one time, and other ways to participate in the ministries without the long term commitment of being on a team. There will be rewards for those who visit each of the ministry tables!
Week at a Glance: November 15 to November 24
Friday (November 15)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (November 16)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (November 17)
8:30 am: Adult Education - Acts
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: Cantata Rehearsal
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
Monday (November 18)
7:30 pm: Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday (November 20 )
4 pm: Be Still and Know 12 Step Meeting
6:30 pm: Harvest Home Dinner
7 pm: Council
Thursday (November 21)
7:30 pm: Chancel Choir rehearsal
Friday (November 22)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (November 23)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (November 24)
8:30 am: Adult Education - Acts
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Cantata Rehearsal
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
6:30 pm: Youth Group Meeting
7 pm: Community Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
You Can Do More in 4 Hours Than You Think
Help end homelessness in our community by staffing shelters, doing laundry, making meals, supporting fundraising events, and/or taking Support Center calls for just half a day each month. Sign up on the BEDS Plus website or contact breitbarth@beds-plus.org, 708-354-0858 (ext 137).
Harvest Home Dinner
You are cordially invited to our 73rd annual Harvest Home Dinner on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30 pm in the dining room. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a delicious turkey dinner and the warm fellowship of your church family. Tickets are available during coffee hour or in the church office: Adults $10, Children 4-12 yrs $5, under 4 free. There is also a volunteer sign up sheet for kitchen workers and servers.
Social Concerns Book Group
We are reading The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert. Join us for the discussion on November 21 at 7:30 pm in the Drawing Room. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book predicts the future of the world and the mass extinction unfolding before our eyes.
Hanging the Greenery
The Ministry of Worship is asking for help to decorate our sanctuary for Advent after church on November 24. There are tasks for the strong and limber as well as the detail-oriented who may prefer to sit. Thank you for your help in advance!
December 1 Messy Church
Our next Messy Church will be December 1st at 4:30 pm in the Dining Room. The theme is Messy Christmas. We need volunteers to assist with crafts, message, and music. If you are interested, please contact Amanda Ries .
Gifts of Gratitude
We have a wonderful way to show your thanks this holiday season. Buy a gift or two for a child in need! Gifts of Gratitude will be on Sunday, December 1 st . Select an ornament or two from the tree for a child from Casa Central. They are also in great need of scarves, hats, and gloves for their elderly population. Buy a gift between $20-$30 for the child you have chosen. If you buy clothes and want to include the gift receipt in case an exchange is needed, Target and Walmart are the closest stores to these families. Wrap or place the gift in a decorative bag (staple closed) and tape the tag to the package so it finds its way to the right child through Santa Claus at their holiday party.
New Christmas Eve Service Times
Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent survey. There were two clear preferences for our services. The Family Service will start at 4 pm with a carol-sing starting at 3:45.
The Lessons and Carols service will begin at 10 pm with the prelude starting at 9:40. Note the slightly shorter duration of the prelude.
We hope these new times will allow more in our congregation to attend our beautiful services.
Help a Child Live a Better Life
Contact Cathy Pierson at 708-579-5898 or  cathyp@theleadershop.org to volunteer for two LeaderShop programs:
Mentors and mentee meet at mutually agreed-upon times and determine how that time is spent based on common interests, hobbies and favorite activities. We ask that mentors commit to at least 1 year and spend at least 4 hours a month with their match.
After-School volunteers help with homework, practice reading and math skills and help lead group activities and crafts. Times and locations:
  • La Grange Community Center (200 Lincoln, LG)             Tues. & Thurs. 3 – 5 pm
  • LeaderShop (4903 S. Willow Springs Road, LG)           Tues. & Thurs. 3 – 5 pm
  • Hollywood House (3435 Hollywood Ave., Brookfield)      Mon. & Wed.    3 – 5 pm
  • Summit Park District (5700 S. Archer Road)                   Mon. & Wed.    3 – 5 pm

If you have or know a child who’d like to make like-minded friends, tell them about LeaderShop’s fall high school retreats for junior high students and high school students .
Music News
Hymn Helpers: Are you an instrumentalist? Then you can be a hymn helper! Ryan is looking to you to add your talents to the hymns whenever possible. Please let Ryan know you are interested and you'll work together on scheduling. Musicians of all ages playing melodic instruments as well as percussion and piano are welcome!
FCCLG: 140 Years and Counting!
March 2021 marks our 140th anniversary and we'll start planning the celebration in October . If you'd like to help commemorate this momentous occasion, raise your hand! Better yet: Sign up in the church office.
Green Team News
Drop off old Brita (name brand only) filters, pitchers, bottles, faucet mounts, and other accessories for School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE) in the labeled box in the Styrofoam/cork closet.
 
Green Team Tip: The average carbon footprint for a person in the United States is 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. Globally the average is closer to 4 tons. To have the best chance of avoiding a 2 ℃ rise in global temperatures, the average global carbon footprint per year needs to drop under 2 tons by 2050. Lowering individual carbon footprints from 16 tons to 2 tons doesn’t happen overnight! By making small changes to our actions, like eating less meat, taking fewer connecting flights, and line drying our clothes, we can start making a big difference.
There's Room for More Mentors (Not Tutors)
Many thanks to Kathy Donaldson for answering the call to oversee our Kids Hope USA partnership with Congress Park School in Brookfield. The program asks members of participating congregations to spend 1 hour each week (during the school day) building a supportive relationship with an at-risk elementary school student. Now we just need volunteer mentors! We won't just throw you in there; you'll receive training (done online and takes 1 hour, plus additional resources and support).
Questions? E-mail Nancy Heil or call her at 708-482-3409.
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil Balz at Meadowbrook La Grange
Diane Biegert
Rev. Biegert at Oak Trace
Lyle Brumley in hospice care in Texas
Jim and Vi Clayton
The friends and family of Jason Esler, a former Zackley
Ron Kloss at Plymouth Place
Stephanie McCollough
Martha Ririe, who is both recovering from a painful time, and concerned about ther daughter-in-law's father
Carol Svendsen, Fred Weiss' daughter, who is in the hospital for a heart condition
Christina Thomas, Joy Palomo-Clark's cousin, a young mother dealing with cancer
Peter and Kendra Van Kempen's twins John and Irene, born September 19 and being cared for in the NICU.
The family and friends of Paul Watts
Those killed, the injured, and their families in acts of violence
Those at the border
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others

To send your thoughts / prayers to someone listed above, place a completed Touch Card (they're in your pew) in the offering plate and the office will address and mail it. Let us know if you or someone you know is hospitalized or receiving medical treatment because HIPAA privacy laws prohibit doctors and hospitals from contacting us. If you know someone who'd like a visit from the Called to Care Ministry team, contact Called to Care Ministry Leader Jennifer Burney by calling the church office at 708-352-0800.
C an’t Get To Church?   Join Us in Virtual Worship
Click here at 10 a.m. on Sunday to watch the service or follow these instructions to watch through your Roku Device. Made possible by the estate of Ginny Palansky and maintained by your gifts, offerings, and pledges, our Livestream viewership is much appreciated by members and families who can't attend in person. Contact the church office to have the bulletin emailed to you on Thursdays.