Aug. 22, 2019
Greetings!
Week at a Glance: August 23 to September 1
Friday (August 23)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (August 24)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (August 25)
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: Green Team Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
Monday (August 26)
7 pm: Hooks and Needles
7:30 pm: Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday (August 28)
4 pm: Be Still and Know 12 Step Meeting
7 pm: Council
Friday (August 30)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (August 31)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (September 1)
11 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
4 pm: Messy Church
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous

A Message From Pastor Carly: No Sermon This Sunday Because...
Aug. 25 is 'Ask the Question Sunday.' Everything's up for discussion: our ministry and mission here at First Congregational, the United Church of Christ's mission, your mission as a person of faith, the Bible, you name it. Here's your chance to find out why we do what we do and how.
Added Bonus: It's also Folk Music Sunday with a folksy group of music leaders and some amazing music!
Image: Sophie Janotta/Pixabay
The Congregation That Camps Together Kumbayas Together
Despite torrential rain when it was time to break down tents, our first all-church camp-out last weekend at Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs was a resounding success. Five families spent the night and several other church members stopped by to visit. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying nature, going on hikes, visiting the nearby hummingbird fest, and relaxing around the campfire. Lots of laughs, a bunch of muddy children, many meaningful conversations, and tons of tasty food. Many thanks to Nick Redmond and Matt Davis for organizing. (P.S. No word yet on whether or not they'll attempt another outing next year.) Photo: Jean Anderson O'Brien
FCCLG: 140 Years and Counting!
March 2021 marks our 140th anniversary and we will 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.
2019 Member Directory
The 2019 Member Directory is ready! For access to the online directory, email the Main Office with Directory Request in the subject line between now and October 3rd. A few printed copies are available in the office for those who need them.
Music News

Let’s fill the chancel with music! Ensemble rehearsals start soon and we hope to see you there! Ryan returns from his sabbatical on September 3 and has exciting plans, but needs your presence in spirit and body!
Chancel Choir begins on Thursday, September 5 at 7:15 pm and will continue primarily on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. All singers high-school and up are welcome.
Carillon Handbell Choir also begins on Thursday, September 5 at 7:15 pm and will continue primarily on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. All ringers high-school and up are welcome.
Ring and Sing and Treble+ Choir begin on September 15 from 11:15-11:45 and will continue on Sundays. Treble+ Choir will rehearse 11:45-12:15 on Sundays without All Teams Meetings. Ring and Sing is for K-8th and Treble Choir 3rd-8th.
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!
 
Conservatory Recital
Join us on Saturday, August 31 at 2 pm in the Choir Room for a recital featuring Conservatory cello teacher Ingrid Krizan, violin teacher Emma Stohbusch, and their students. Free for all to enjoy!

Aug. 26: Next Hooks & Needles Meeting
Make prayer shawls, baby blankets, and lapghans for church members and organizations like Pillars Community Health. (They'll teach you how.) Image: Ulrike Mai/Pixabay
When: 7 pm
Where : Mary Forester's home (at Plymouth Place)
Kick Off Sunday Picnic
The Kick Off Sunday Picnic will be on Sunday, September 8 th immediately following the service on the Sixth Avenue side of the church. The Ministry of Nurture will provide the main course and beverages. Please bring your famous side or dessert to share. There will also be a bounce house, climbing wall, bags games, and face painting. 
Additionally, many hands make light work when it comes to set up and tear down. If you can assist with either, please reach out to Amanda Ries .
Sept. 12: Book Discussion on White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Dr. Robin DiAngelo coined the term "white fragility" to define a state in which even minimal racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering defensive moves. You can explore the implications of her 2018 New York Times best-seller even if you haven't read the book by watching this brief NBC Think video .

When : 7 pm
Where : La Grange Public Library (10 W. Cossitt Ave.)
More information : here
Sept. 13: Youth Group Overnight Lock-in at the Church
All 6th - 8th grade youth and their friends are welcome. Pencil it in and stay tuned for details...
Sept. 15: Walk, Drive or Bike 8 Local Native Gardens
Click here for a map of eight homes in La Grange and La Grange Park (and a solar power stop) you can tour for inspiration. Sponsored by La Grange Environmental Quality Commission and La Grange Park Sustainability Commission.
Sept. 22: Safe Church Training (Reservations Required)
Health and safety are key to our congregation's culture of caring. That's why members and employees who work with children, youth, and/or special needs adults must complete policies and procedures training every 18 months. If you've gone longer than that or plan to volunteer this fall and haven't yet participated, please plan to attend this educational session.

When : 11:30 am
Where : Church dining room
To register : Click here
Wanted: Water Purification Equipment for Recycling Program
Drop off old Brita and PUR (name brands 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.
There's Plenty of 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.
Oct. 4: Music By the Fabulous Fabtones
Get your 1960s British Invasion and U.S. pop fix (and participate in a silent auction) at Interfaith Community Partners' (ICP) annual fundraiser. The non-profit gives older adults free rides to doctor, grocery store, hairdresser, church, etc.
When : 6:30 pm
Where : Capri Banquets (6240 Joliet Road, Countryside)
Tickets : $65
RSVP by : Sept. 27
Details : click here
Book Club
The book club's next selection is Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Biography, the book covers not only the lives of three generations of the Ingalls Wilder family, but also homesteading, the history of broken treaties with Native Americans, and the politics that set the stage for the Dust Bowl. Please join us on October 24th at 7:30 pm .
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil Balz
Rev. Biegert
Jim and Vi Clayton
Debbie Cosgrove
Barbara Hultman
Ron Kloss
The Maley family
Stephanie McCollough
Margaret Melkonian
Marth Ririe, who is both recovering from a painful time, and concerned about ther daughter-in-law's father
Christina Thomas, Joy Palomo-Clark's cousin, a young mother dealing with cancer
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 Fridays.