This Week's Parish Life:

December 5: 9 a.m. Follow Me in Fellowship Hall; Kids Church and PreK Class during worship.

December 12: 9 a.m. Follow Me; Kids Church and PreK Class during worship.

The Rev. Amy Heinrich is leading worship in the Sanctuary. Her sermon is titled Hope: The Practice of Seeing What Isn’t There Yet.

Our worship service is livestreamed at 10 a.m. on YouTube and will be recorded for those who wish to view it later in the day. Click here to download our worship bulletin.

Following worship, join us in Social Hall for our Coffee Hour. We ask that everyone keep their masks on when they are not eating or drinking

We are now inviting you to sit in any row you would like during worship, but we ask that you be mindful of the people sitting around you and try to leave as much space as possible between groups.

The flowers are placed to the glory of God by Mary Slight in memory of her loving father, Bob Bushell; and by James E. Swab in memory of his beloved wife, Jinni.

To make a flower dedication, click this link, call the church office at 847-362-2174, or send an email to office@boxp.net.

Join us in the Sanctuary this Sunday (Dec. 5) at 6 p.m. for our Advent Vespers: A Ceremony of Carols, by the English composer Benjamin Britten. Our Vespers Choir is led by Jane Orth.

Dedicate a poinsettia "in memory of" or "in honor of" someone special. The dedications will be included in our Christmas Eve worship bulletin, which will also be available online. The cost for each plant is $10.

Join Rev. Lesley Weir and Dr. Syed Atif Rizwan for an exciting and deeply reflective interfaith discussion on the role of Maryam/Mary in the Islamic and Christian traditions and how this important figure can serve as a bridge between Muslim and Christian communities. Learn more by clicking here.

Bible Study: An Advent of Hope

Join us on Zoom on Wednesday nights during Advent as together we explore what it means to Hear Hope, See Hope and Share Hope.

The Chancel Choir, led by David Edelfelt, presents their Major Work: Gloria, by John Rutter at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary (Chancel Choir & Brass Ensemble).

Christmas in the Four Gospels on Dec. 15

Prepare your heart and home for Jesus as we explore Christmas in the Four Gospels at our Women's Ecumenical Advent Worship Service on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Music will be presented by our Women's Ensemble (led by LeAnn Malecha) and Vesper Bells (led by Jane Orth).

Rev. Amy Heinrich (First Pres Libertyville), Rev. Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll (Retired Presbyterian Minister), Rev. Kara Smith-Laubenstein (First Pres Libertyville), Rev. Kristie Finley (First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest), Rev. Jane Clark (Retired Episcopal Priest), Anne Perkins Munley (North Suburban Mennonite Church), and Rev. Kristin Saylor (St. Lawrence Episcopal Church of Libertyville).

The Christmas Pageant: A Service of Lessons & Carols, will be presented by Choir Ensemble, Motet Choir, Jr. & Sr. High Choir, Children's Choirs, Youth Bells and more on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

There will be a Congregational Forum immediately following the pageant to discuss the upcoming changes in staffing for youth ministries.

The Bel Canto Ringers, led by Jane Orth, will present Christmas music at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21 in the Sanctuary. All are welcome. Please register in advance if you'd like to purchase an optional box lunch that you can pick up as you leave.

Our full Advent and Christmas Eve schedule is available here.

Would you like to receive daily Advent e-devotions? Text ADVENT2021 to 22828 and reply with your email address

 … the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop.

2 Corinthians 9:6 CEB

When we give to the church, we are actually sowing seeds in anticipation that the seeds will germinate and grow into a large crop of blessings.

 As we think about First Pres’ many ministries from adult and children’s faith formation programs, including youth retreats; multiple music ministries; community outreach such as PADS, soup kitchen, mobile food pantry, holiday meal boxes, and giving tree; our Congregational Care and Stephen Ministries; caregiver support group; worship and fellowship opportunities; the Earth Care Team, the Anti-Racism & Equity Ministry; and, of course, our awesome and hard-working pastors and church staff that holds it all together, to name a few; I think about how many lives are being touched, and I am grateful that we have indeed harvested a generous crop!

On behalf of the Stewardship Committee, thank you for your generous and continuous giving, which provides the ability for First Pres to continue to be a blessing to its congregants as well as the greater community.

If you haven’t yet made your pledge, there is still time to do so. It’s easy! Simply click on the Giving Estimate Form link below. You can also set up secure online recurring giving via electronic check or debit/credit card by clicking on the Online Giving button. Blessings to you and yours during this sacred holiday season.

You can share your vision for the future of First Pres by answering questions in a congregational survey in January and participating in Listening Circles in early Spring.

The Long Range Planning Committee, Congregational Care & Evangelism Committee, and Committee on Anti-Racism & Equity have been meeting to determine ways to reach out to everyone in our congregation

to hear your joys and concerns.

The survey is the U.S. Vital Congregations Survey, which will be administered by the PC(USA). The Listening Circles will be group discussions, led by trained facilitators from our congregation. Stay tuned for more information!

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for our Virtual Trivia Night. Click here to get the Early Bird rate and learn more about January Generosity: Mission Possible. Online auction bidding begins January 8.

This year's theme will be Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story? and we will be talking about telling our own stories and why they matter.

Did you know that the Tuesday night PADS shelter is now open? Our crowds are significantly smaller (10-20 guests), but we are still in need of volunteers, especially for the 11 p.m. - 3 a.m. and the 3 a.m. - 7 a.m. shifts.

We could really use your help - please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4ba8af23a5fa7-first1

Can't volunteer but want to help. Check out our Amazon Wishlist. Items will ship directly to the Marsden's house and they will bring to PADS: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21LIBBL9AOAZW?ref_=wl_share

No experience necessary! We will train you to operate the equipment. We need people who have an interest and willingness to help provide high quality audio and video. If you're interested and want to learn more, please call the office at 847-362-2174 or email us at office@boxp.net.

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.

The church office is staffed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call 847-362-2174 when you arrive and someone will open the "office entrance" door on Douglas Ave.

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.