Sunday, June 20, 2021
Worship in person
Join us at 10 a.m. for in person worship. The Rev. Amy Heinrich is preaching our regular service in the sanctuary and Rev. Kara Smith-Laubenstein is preaching outside on the church playground for our Outdoor Family Worship. Masks are required on the main level of the sanctuary, but are optional in the balcony for those who have been vaccinated. Please join us!

Worship online
For our online worshippers, we are debuting our new livestream worship from the sanctuary this Sunday (June 20) at 10 a.m. on YouTube. This is our first week using new technology, so please bear with us if there are any technical glitches. We will be adding more features to our livestream experience in the coming weeks as we become more comfortable with the new system and its capabilities. The livestream will be recorded for those who are unable to view it when it premieres.

Fellowship Pad
Sign our Fellowship Pad and make a prayer request by clicking the Fellowship Pad link below.

Ice Cream at 11 a.m.
Following worship, the Deacons are hosting an outdoor Coffee Hour with coffee, lemonade and ice cream in honor of Father's Day.

Flower Dedications
Did you know that you can honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by dedicating a Sanctuary flower arrangement on Sunday morning?. To make a dedication, click this link, call the church office at 847-362-2174, or send an email to office@boxp.net.
Outdoor Family Worship
Join us this Sunday (June 20) at 10 a.m. on the playground for an outdoor worship service designed for families. The Rev. Kara Smith-Laubenstein is preaching and Charles Murphy is providing the music. Please bring your own chair(s).

Sunday, June 20 @ 10:00 a.m.
Outdoors on the playground next to our Christian Ed entrance.

This worship is designed for "children" of all ages. This interactive service will include music and stories. Masks are welcomed, but will be optional as long as there is room to social distance. Be prepared with a mask to protect our vulnerable children if the area becomes crowded.
Family Sunday School: Give God the Glory!
Our Sunday School program has been following the Faith at Home curriculum since September. This final session in the series is Give God the Glory, based on the angels’ song announcing the birth of Jesus (Luke 2).

We are coming out of the pandemic after almost a year and a half. Vaccines miraculously have enabled us to cut the numbers way down for those infected. It has been a difficult time. Jesus often comes in unexpected ways; a friend reaching out, a building of faith at a church event, the coming of a baby when a king is expected.  Romans 8 tells us, “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Give God the glory indeed!
Working Plan for Worship Starting June 20
Our working plan for worship on campus requires that masks be worn by all present on Sunday morning with one exception: Masks will be optional in the balcony during worship if you are vaccinated.


Masks will be required for those who are unvaccinated for the foreseeable future. Leaders of worship will remove their masks when speaking or performing. All persons on the chancel for leadership, with the exception of occasional youth or children leading, are required to be vaccinated.

The pre-pandemic pattern of worship in two spaces is scheduled to return with the start of fall worship life on August 29. Weekly learning ministries for children and all ages is planned to begin at that time. For the time being, our working plan for summer worship will offer a variety of musical forms from one week to the next. The projection screen will present content of the worship with occasional pre-recorded offerings by musicians. Congregational singing will continue with masks on the main floor while masks are optional in the balcony for people who are vaccinated. Hymnals are available in the seating even as unison readings and lyrics will be projected on the screen.

Starting June 20, the YouTube Premiere worship will feature a livestream broadcast of our in person worship. In the coming weeks, we will be adding more visual enhancements to the livestream as hardware and software are upgraded and integrated. One of the ministers will ordinarily be missing from the first few minutes in front of cameras in order to greet online participants in the YouTube curated community chat online.

The Session is mindful of children under the age of 12 who are unable to be vaccinated at this time. Several families expressed concern regarding any plans for unmasked participation in worship by vaccinated persons. With consideration for our families, and mindful of our members with immunocompromised concerns, the working plan outlined above has been prepared. As an added measure, we plan to have an air purifier deployed at the front edge of each side of the balcony. It is worth bearing in mind, that since this is a working plan, it is subject to adaptation and adjustment.

Also on June 20, a special one-time outdoor worship for families will happen concurrent with Sanctuary worship. We anticipate a new normal summer routine will commence on June 27, the day of ordination and/or installation for new church officers. Our leaders will monitor respective levels of both participation in the balcony and of composition of participants on the main floor in the Sanctuary (e.g. - After making these adjustments, are families participating this summer or waiting for the autumn?).

Also as a final detailed reminder, all people heading to the balcony will be required to wear a mask while walking through the hallways or the narthex to the stairwells. Please stay tuned. Beyond this notification, announcements will be made as further adjustments are required.

Pastor Brian Paulson
Juneteenth "Weekend of Learning" on June 19
There are still a few spots available for Saturday's Juneteenth learning groups. Learn more by clicking here.
Summer 2021 Book Read
Join in on the all-church summer book read of Jemar Tisby's "The Color of Compromise." Learn more by clicking here.
Free Movie Night for JHF & SHF
Are you on Rev. Kara's email lists for JHF and SHF youth updates? Did you know she's rented a movie theater out for private viewing for our JHF & SHF crew this coming Tuesday (June 22)? Click here to learn more and sign up!
Peace Like a River: River Rock Painting
Join us next Sunday, June 27 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church’s South Parking Lot (Douglas St.) for a fun outdoor activity that is open to all ages!

We will be painting river rocks, getting to know each other through a passing pieces of information activity and sharing in fellowship. Refreshments will be provided.
Volunteers needed on June 26
On Saturday, June 26 , we need two more volunteers to help move furniture and other household items from Love INC's Gurnee warehouse to the residence of a Lake County neighbor in need of a fresh start. Click here to sign up.
Inquirers Class on June 30 & July 7
If you’re thinking about becoming a member of First Pres or just want to learn more about our church, please fill out the interest form below.

The classes will be held in Fellowship Hall from 6:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. on June 30 and July 7. If you decide you'd like to officially join the church, you'll meet with Session leaders at 8:30 a.m on Sunday, July 11 and then be presented to the congregation as New Members during our 10 a.m. worship service in the Sanctuary. Please click the link below to sign up.
Older Adult & Caregiver Resource Fair
Join us on Thursday, July 8 from 3 - 7 p.m. in Social Hall for a resource fair designed to help older adults, family members, and caregivers find FREE resources that can improve the quality of life of our older adults. Please RSVP for a free "grab-and-go" catered dinner! Click here to sign up!
Message from the Stewardship Committee
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce - Proverbs 3:9
 
Giving our Best
When we first consider all that God has provided for us, it becomes a blessing and joy to return our very best to God. Thank you for your generous gifts made online at www.firstpreslibertyville.org. It will be great worshiping together once again!
 
Gifts for the Future
We are all stewards of what God has entrusted to us. For information about planning a legacy gift to the church, contact Bill Chapman at 847-456-8647.
 
Other Gifts
Stocks, bonds and mutual finds are just a few assets that help sustain the mission and ministry of FPC Libertyville (and may offer you tax benefits). Please contact Cynthia Churchwell at cchurchwell@boxp.net to learn more.
FIDE: Mythology in the Modern World
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at First Pres Arlington Heights
Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s lectures on mythology, join Adam Hendrickson on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (through July 7) for a five-part series of classes examining the role mythology plays in our modern world. From a person’s occupation to their religious beliefs, you might be surprised how much mythology is ingrained into our genetic makeup and the society that we have created. This class is in-person at First Pres Arlington Heights, but you can watch the live stream at https://firstpresah.org/experience/livestream/
Libertyville Senior Center
The Libertyville Senior Center offers a number of programs and services for seniors in our community. You may access their monthly newsletter by clicking the blue button below.
Church Office Hours
The church office is staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The doors, however, are locked so that we can monitor entry into the building. Call 847-362-2174 when you arrive and someone will come to the office entrance on Douglas Ave.
How to contact a pastor or staff member
Phone: Call 847-362-2174.
Email: Office@boxp.net (emails go to a member of the administrative team and will be forwarded to the appropriate person).

Pastoral Emergencies: Please call 847-367-6460 if you are church member and need to reach a pastor in an emergency. Leave a message and a pastor will return your call as soon as they are able.