March 29, 2018
Greetings!

Our Operating Plan for 2018 is a forthright response to the fear that inundates and permeates us. Each team, committee, and leader is focusing upon the question:
Are We:
  • Attracting Friends
  • Retaining Members
  • Nurturing Spirits
  • Deploying Agents of Change (Kingdom Builders)
  • Growing Leaders
  • Developing Partners
to build a movement of revolutionary love? 

These are the benchmarks of our “being the church” for the coming year. Each Ministry Team and Committee is developing a plan for their work this year in terms of how their ministry will accomplish these benchmarks. In the last Tidings, the Ministry of Worship Team shared their plan. This week, the Ministry of Communications Team shares their plan.
Carly
Communications Plan for 2018
We as members of the communications team have made it our goal for 2018 to help address the needs that FCCLG has in terms of accurately and efficient communicating our message to the world.

Throughout the year we will be working to fix some of the inaccuracies on the website, as well as adding much more visual media. By making these changes it is our goal that we become much more visible and inviting which will allow our church to grow. We also have many new pages we will be adding that showcase the beauty of FCCLG in an effort to bring in more revenue.

Another area we will be focusing on throughout the year will be updating some of our policies at FCCLG. One of the policies we will be updating is our wedding policy and placing it up on the website. The current policies are outdated and are in desperate need of an update. In addition to that we will be creating a protocol for advertising our church events to the surrounding communities. One of the areas we struggle in the church is communicating upcoming events between teams and this protocol will greatly simplify the way teams communicate with one another.

Our hope is that these updates to our policies, and our visual media increase communication throughout the church community and beyond. The world is ever shrinking and these updates will help us become an even more accessible place.

Brian Kasnick from the Communications Team :)
Invitation to Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
Greetings, beloved in Christ!
 
We are so thrilled today to be writing you about an amazing opportunity for every youth in the Illinois Conference-not to mention their parents, pastors, and volunteer leaders.
 
Once every four years, United Church of Christ teens from across the Midwest converge on a single college campus for four days of fun, fellowship, discovery, and play. And this year, it's happening right in our own back yard! Known as the Great Lakes Regional Youth Event, this gathering is an awesome experience full of music, worship, interest-classes for teens and adults, plus-bonus!-an opportunity to meet hundreds of other UCC teens from the Great Lakes region. This is not a work tour or mission trip; instead, this is an event designed for teens to gather, grow, and have a good time.
 
This summer's Great Lakes Regional Youth Event is scheduled to take place from July 5-8 , on the campus of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL. For a full four days, we will celebrate the ways in which young people shape our denomination and world by allowing them to grow their passions, discover new skills, and lift their voices-all under this year's theme: A Just World for All: Your Voice Matters! We are excited. We are energized. And we are hopeful that this year we will flood the campus with students from across the Illinois Conference.
 
GLRYE is open to all youth who are currently in 6th-12th grade. Early Bird registration is open through May 1 at a cost of $300 per participant for a double occupancy room. Late registration will remain open through June 15 at a cost of $350 per participant. More information can be found by visiting our website: http://www.wcucc.org/event/glrye/ .
 
We hope you'll all make an effort to join us and to help spread the word, as we look forward to a four wonderful, Spirit-filled days.
 
See you in July!
 
Rev. Emily Ann Davis
Rev. Kim Whisler-Vasko
Co-Chairs, 2018 Great Lakes Regional Youth Event
Holy Week Worship
March 25 began a week long journey from hope to the cross and back. Join us for these deeply spiritual and moving worship opportunities:
  • Maundy Thursday Tenebrae is Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Procession of Shadows leads us through word and music into the Last Supper, desertion, arrest, conviction, cross, and death. This is one of the most moving services of the year.
  • Good Friday 14 Stations of the Cross Walk (Takes place on March 30 at 9 a.m. at the UMC of Western Springs. Walk begins at UMC and ends at The Hope Chest.)
  • Good Friday on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 100 W Cossitt Ave, La Grange. An ecumenical remembrance of Jesus' last hours with moving music and drama.
  • Easter Morning Breakfast on April 1 from 8:30-9:55 a.m. in the Founders’ Room.
  • Easter Celebration on April 1 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This Week:
Friday 3/30: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 3/31: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 4/1: Easter Morning Breakfast at 8:30 am, Worship - Easter Celebration at 10 am, OA at 7 pm
Monday 4/2: Tiny Toes Music at 4:30 pm, AA for under 30s at 7 pm, AA at 8 pm
Wednesday 4/4: Be Still and Know 12 Step 4 pm
Thursday 4/5: Evening Book Club at 7:30 pm
Friday 4/6: OA at 9 am, Alanon at 7:30 pm
Saturday 4/7: Saturday Meals Program at 8 am, Kindermusik at 8 am
Sunday 4/8: The Last Week Discussion at 8:30 am, Celebration of Worship with Communion and Mission Trip Sunday at 10 am, All Teams Meeting at 11:15 am, Fellowship Hour at 11:15 am, Messy Church at 4:30 pm, OA at 7:00 pm
Living Cross
The Ministry of Worship is asking church members to donate flowers on Easter Sunday morning, April 1 to create the annual “Living Cross” that adorns the altar on Easter morning. Please bring flowers to the narthex area. Thank you for sharing in this long standing tradition.
Easter Breakfast
A reminder that in lieu of coffee hour on Easter Sunday we will serving breakfast PRIOR to the service from 8:30a - 9:55a in the Founders Room. We look forward to you joining us for a breakfast of eggs, ham, pancakes, hash browns, fruit, and yogurt; as well as fellowship with those we see regularly or who are visiting for the day.
Adult Discussion Group
  In the movie The Passion of the Christ we get Hollywood's interpretation of Jesus's last days. But what does the Bible really say about that week?
The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days
During this eight session discussion, we'll discuss the work of Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan by the same name. The book is available through the public library system, at Anderson Bookstore, on smile.Amazon.com, and other online sources. It is also available in Kindle and audible versions both online and through the library.
The book follows Jesus' from Palm Sunday to Easter in eight days through chapters. Join us as we wonder about this dangerous Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor.

April 1 –   No Class
April 8:     Holy Saturday, Harrowing of Hell
April 15:   Sunday, Resurrection, Mark 16:1-8

We gather with coffee and snacks on Sundays from 8:30 to 9:15 am in the Drawing Room.
Nurturing Spirits Growing Leaders Deploying Kingdom Builders
Summer Musical Camp
Save the date for "Rescue in the Night," the story of Daniel in the lion's den. Camp will be July 23-27 and is open to all children in 1st-8th grade. Please contact Ryan@fcclg.org for more info.
UCC Summer Camps 2018
Illinois Conference UCC Outdoor Minitries sponsored events. Beyond Belief! The Universe of God! Contact 815-447-2390 or visit www.il-outdoorministries.org for more information. Click here for the full flyer.
Messy Church
Messy Church is April 8th at 4:30 pm. Our theme for April is Easter! Come have a great time and grow in faith and in your love of others on the journey. If you want more information about Messy Church or want to know how you can assist please contact Amanda Ries ( amanda.m.ries@gmail.com ).​
Click here for flyer. We need volunteers!
4:30-5:15pm: Crafts and Stories
5:15-5:30pm: Celebration
5:30-6:00: Dinner

Attracting Friends Retaining Members Nurturing Spirits
Developing Leaders   
Volunteer Opportunity
Interfaith Community Partners is a non-profit organization that works with volunteers to provide rides to older adults and individuals with disabilities in the Lyons, Proviso, and Riverside Townships. Over 100 volunteers transport clients to medical appointments, therapies, and errands. We also take clients to their places of employment. There is no cost to clients, and we rely solely on private donations, grants, special events, and church support for funding. We need you! Please consider becoming a Volunteer driver. Contact us at 708-354-9328 for an information packet, or visit us on the web at www.interfaithcommunitypartners.org . Can you spare an hour a week?
Evening Book Club
Evening Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 5th at 7:30 in the Chapel Conference Room. We will read In the Garden of the Beasts by Eric Larsen.
Shopping Event to Benefit BEDS Plus
When: April 13, 2018 From 7-9 p.m.
Where: 48 S. La Grange Road, La Grange ,IL 60525
Click here for flyer!
The Positively Green Team
The PGT meets next on April 15th from 11:15 to 12:30 in the Drawing Room. You are welcome to attend and share your ideas. The Team is now offering 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 Styrofoam packaging, cups, and food containers before the 1st Saturday of each month. They will be taken to the Western Springs recycling program. To read this whole article click here .

H ooks and Needles
Our next meeting will be on Monday, April 23rd . We meet every 4th Monday of the month. Feel free to drop in anytime and join us at 7 pm in the family room off the Chapel. Because of winter weather cancellations, please call Linda Lauterbach (352-5332) or email to confirm we are meeting. This is a great time for charity knitting!
Nurturing Spirits
Spring 2018 Congregational Work Day
The Property Committee invites all everyone to join us for a day of good honest work, dirty hands, and fellowship. Tasks that are needed to accomplish are primarily the clearing of leaves from the gardens as well as general sprucing up. But there are other spring cleaning opportunities as well, including for those who are handy with electricity and motors.
Please mark your calendars for Saturday May 5th, from 1 to 4pm.
Missions Book Discussion Group
We changed our meeting date from May 7 to June 4 at 7:30pm in the Drawing Room for our next Missions Discussion Group. We will explore issues of racism in our next book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann.
Work Trip: It's not just for the Teens!  
Coming in October : the Adult Work trip. This year we'll be going to Houston to help clean up from 2 hurricanes. Here's an introduction to what we'll be doing. 
Food Pantry
In April we’re collecting breakfast foods for the Second Baptist Food Pantry. Please bring cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, dried fruit, etc. Other non-perishable foods are always welcome as well. Thanks for your generosity!
C an’t Get To Sunday Services?  
You can watch them live Sundays at 10 a.m. on the web.  Click here  to see Sunday worship streamed live and past worship services as well.  Or, check out these instructions on how to watch through your Roku Device. Contact the church office ( mainoffice@fcclg.org ) 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
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil and Maria Balz.
Fred Bell, who is recovering from leukemia.
Prayers for the Clayton family, as James Clayton recovers in his son’s home.
Prayers for Diana Coberly, as she goes through a tough time.
Bonnie Day, as she recovers from Bronchitis.
Ann Fish, as she recovers from surgery.
Renee Meier, who is dealing with cancer.
Prayers for Margaret Melkonian.
Prayers for the family & friends of Hayden Miles, LT student, who passed away March 12 th .
Prayers for Jim Palansky as he recovers from a serious bout of pneumonia.
Petra Palmer’s granddaughter’s friend Summer who is having chemotherapy for leukemia.
Prayers for Billy Payne, who is in the hospital struggling with health issues.
Prayers for Tom Pitman, who is living with cancer and recovering from broken ribs.
Prayers for Steve Roper, as he recovers from open heart surgery.
For Vera Weiss to regain her strength and fight cancer.
Those living in fear and without hope, and those who use fear to control others.