September 13, 2018
Greetings!

Grace to you and peace from Carly, called to be prophet, preacher, teacher, and leader among and beside the saints of La Grange and beyond,
As the gardens slow down and the Fall schedules commence, I am thankful for all the hard work put into producing so many vegetables, herbs, and delightfully fresh salads. I am thankful for the bees that pollinated the blossoms, and for the fences that kept the rabbits at bay. I am even grateful to the resident bats, birds and opossum that kept the insects in check. It has been a fruitful summer in the back yard of the parsonage.
As we wrap up the summer and fall back into the autumnal schedules, I invite us into the spiritual practice of gratitude. As our daily activities unfold, give thanks to God for those who grow the coffee beans, maintain the roads we drive on, or write the news we read. Everything we experience is made possible by hundreds of people's time, energy, and heart. 
I give thanks for the labors of love you pour into this community of faith as you usher, greet, sing, teach, maintain the building, organize, and volunteer. Thank you for all you do to create this beloved community. 
 
With love and gratitude,
Carly
This Week:
Friday 9/14: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 9/15: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/16: Confirmation Class at 8:15 am, Reclaiming Jesus Bible Study at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring & Sing/Treble Choir at 11:15 am, All Teams Meeting at 11:15 am, OA at 7 pm
Monday 9/17: AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 9/19: Be Still and Know 12 Step at 4 pm
Thursday 9/20: Chancel Choir Reharsal at 7:30 pm
Friday 9/21: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 9/22: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 9/23: Confirmation Class at 8:15 am, Reclaiming Jesus Bible Study at 8:30 am, Worship at 10 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Ring & Sing/Treble Choir at 11:15 am, September Safe Church Training at 11:30 am, OA at 7 pm
Neighbors In Need Offering
On October 7 there will be a special offering to support our Neighbors in Need. This annual offering by the UCC goes to support the ministries of justice and compassion throughout the USA. Two-thirds of the offering is used to fund local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Some of the issues that are advocated by the Justice and Witness Ministries and will be helped by your donation are the federal budget, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice. One-third of the offering goes to assist the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries. Neighbors in Need helps make A Just World for All possible and it needs your support! Contributions to Neighbors in Need can be made online at anytime here . Thank you for your generosity!
Add Your Blessing to our Confirmands' stoles
Confirmation Students will be wearing stoles as they participate in leading worship over the course of the class. We'd like everyone in the congregation to add your blessings to these stoles by writing on them. The stoles are in the back of the Sanctuary.
Adult Work Trip Informational Meeting
Are you willing to put your time and energy where your heart is? It’s one thing to talk about helping others. It’s another to actually do it. 
October 20-28 are the dates of the Adult Work Trip including travel days to and from the Houston, Texas work site. We hope to have 12 adults representing our church's love to our sisters and brothers in need.
We need a wide variety of skill sets for this trip including meal planning and prep, cleaning, painting, carpentry, and roofing. You need only an interest; the experts on site will show us how to do it. 
Please see Carly if interested - registration closes September 23.
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 .
H ooks and Needles
The knitting and crocheting ministry meets at 7pm on the second and fourth Monday each month in the Family Room off the Chapel. The next meeting is September 24. Please call Claudia Byrne at 708-205-1409 or email her if you have questions.
Nurturing Spirits
Safe Church Training
If you’d like to work with the children and youth and have not participated in Safe Church Training in the last 18 months, please plan to attend on Sunday, September 23 at 11:30 in the Dining Room. Reservations are required.  Please click here to reserve your spot.
Wedding Officiants and Event Coordinators Needed
We have a significant increase in the number of inquiries about weddings, memorials, and other events in our church. For all non-member events with more than 75 people expected, we require a member-host to be present to answer questions and provide direction. And, while couples may bring their own wedding officiant, some couples prefer to have someone “from the church” officiate. The state of Illinois does not require marriage officiants to be licensed or registered. So we are looking for a few good people to offer this service. If you’d like to participate in weddings as an officiant, as a wedding coordinator, or as a coordinator for other events, register for this informational even t on September 30 following worship in the Drawing Room. 
Music News
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 continues on Thursdays at 7:30pm
Carillon Handbell Choir rehearsal continues on September 26 at 7:30pm
Ring and Sing/Treble Choir rehearsal begins 9/16 at 11:15am

Tiny Toes Music
Tiny Toes Music continues its partnership with First Conservatory and is the local offering of the nationally recognized program, Music Together. This program is for children 0-6 and their guardians and meets at First Congregational on Wednesday mornings beginning September 19. More info and registration here.
Food Pantry
In September we’re collecting condiments and sauces such as BBQ sauce, syrup, mustard & ketchup, hot sauce, salad dressing, honey, gravy, etc. Any shelf-stable items are welcome, and thank you for your generosity!
Messy Church
The next Messy Church will be October 7th at 4:30. See you then!
Adult Bible Study - Reclaiming Jesus
We live in tough times. Politicians, the media, the right, the left, the apathetic, and the lukewarm are all using "Jesus" as a battering ram for their own cause. What does it mean to be a Christian today? How do we rectify what is being called "Christian" in the public square with what we believe to be Christian? You are invited to (good, fair trade) coffee and donuts in the Drawing Room at 8:30 on Sunday mornings to discuss what it means to be a person of faith in today's world. This 9 week Bible Study was developed as a resource to empower progressive people to reclaim the faith in this difficult time. Check out the statement here .
Positively Green Team
Green Team Survey - what are your interests?
Help us plan activities and programs by responding to our short survey here .

Tip: Cleaning kitchen surfaces and cutting boards spray full-strength white vinegar on food prep surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. Spray cutting boards with vinegar at night and let it evaporate overnight. Spray vinegar on cabinets and floors to deter ants.

Styrofoam Recycling
The Positively Green Team offers the opportunity to properly dispose of their styrofoam waste for recycling. Bring your clean styrofoam packaging, cups, and food containers to the closet at the bottom of the stairs near the 6th Avenue entrance.
Evening Book Club
Evening Book Club will discuss Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz on October 4th at 7:30pm. Mr. Horwitz reports on modern attitudes on the Civil War and how it is discussed and taught, as well as attitudes about race. All are invited to the Family Room off the Chapel to join us for this timely discussion and light snacks.
Altar Flowers
Is there a special date coming up? There are many Sundays open in the coming months to donate altar flowers. Check the calendar in the Founders’ Room or visit the office and sign up today!
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.
Mary Clair, infant niece of Kevin Cunningham.
Prayers of comfort for Nancy Heil’s mother, Jane Heil, and their family at the loss of Nancy’s father.
Renee Meier, who is dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Margaret Melkonian.
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.