"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. "
~1 John 3:1
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First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010
[email protected] |
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Dear Friends,
One of my favorite Bible passages is the familiar Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." It has been interpreted in many ways. Many of us think of it as a gentle reminder to be quiet and in God's presence. Another is a more dynamic one. I heard a pastor preach on it once, and read it aloud more like, "BE STILL (shouting) and know that I am God." That woke everyone up! In this interpretation, we are called to stop. To stop fighting God, to stop ignoring God, to stop fearing God, and be in AWE of God. How do we really know God in the midst of our busy-ness? We need to stop and be present and be listening.
The Slowing Time women's group at
fpcw began this spring, and had the theme of slowing down and being more aware of what we are grateful for, things we missed noticing in our busy-ness. Tonight, we resume and our fall theme is actually STOPPING. Stopping to be fully awake (or using our church's theme for the year, Fully Alive). "Even if you have no clear answers for many of the big questions of life, it is vital to continue to remember what your questions are. Losing your questions is truly losing your way." [from the book Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going] We will be talking about what happens to us as Christian women when we stop and think about what God is doing in each of our lives, within
fpcw, and within our community. What are the big questions?
The Deacons also touched on the Psalm passage of Be still..., when we discussed this month the topic of spiritual practices. We were able to list about a dozen spiritual practices that we do every week together in worship. There are practices we do collectively and ones we do in solitude, all of which have the ultimate goal of cultivating our spiritual development. The Psalm passage is a great phrase to use for many meditative practices: Taizé, walking a labyrinth, having as a daily mantra, or weaving into a
Lectio Divina meditation. My personal favorite is to break it into parts as a kind of meditation, thinking about what each part means to me. Like this: Be still and know that I am God/Be still and know that I am/Be still and know/Be still/Be. What is God asking of you in each of those parts? God sure packed a lot into those 8 words, and whether you think of them as a gentle reminder or a command, they are important ones to ponder in our stopping.
If you are curious about other spiritual practices, seek me out! I love learning about them and trying on new ways to experience God's presence in my life.
Yours In Christ,
Sue Sklansky
Psalm 46:10 (the version from The Message)
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."
Sunday, September 22, 2019
15th Sunday After Pentecost
8:45 am
Childcare
Adult Study
Confirmation Class
10:00 am
Worship
10:15 am
Sunday School
Club 56
11:15 am
Fellowship Hour
5:00 pm
Tower Youth
Missions sponsored movie "Emanuel"
Blessing of the Animals
Join us Saturday, October 5, at 10 am in the fpcw parking lot and Pastor Jeff will bless your furry or not so furry special family member.
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Slowing Time Group
Begins tonight at 7 pm in the Lounge. This group will meet twice a month for six sessions between Sept and Dec. This spring we focused on 1000 ways to be grateful, and focused on noticing the process of slowing down. This fall we'll talk about STOPPING, not just slowing down. Stopping allows us to be fully awake and remembering who God wants us to be. Topics of discussion may include: The Mountain of Too Much, From Routine to Choice, Seas of Change, The Gifts of Solitude, Owning Your Fear, Permission Granted Just to Be, and Trust Yourself (maybe a few others thrown in), from Dr. David Kundtz' book Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going. No pre-reading or prep is needed. Pastor Erin and Sue will provide the content and the lively conversation. Participant can bring snacks, we'll meet in the lounge, and All are welcome to attend any or all of the gatherings.
Dates are: Sept 18, Oct 2 and 16, Nov 6 and 20, Dec 4
 Our request for Fellowship Hour hosts is an ongoing need each month. Fellowship Hour is an important tradition at
fpcw
, and one that we cherish. Please jump on board to be a host. It's easy to do and so appreciated. Please click here to access the SignUpGenius link and pick a Sunday to host.
Adult Faith Formation
Join us Sunday mornings for this study "The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life," put together by Rev. Michael Curry, presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. We will study seven ancient pathways - Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go and Rest - that followers of Jesus have observed for centuries. Using videos, readings and conversation, we will gather to learn and support one another in living into these practices. The class meets at 8:45 am in the Upper Room.
Small Groups will resume again this fall. Now is
a great time to join a small group! All are open to anyone, no long term commitments needed.
The active small groups are listed on our website on the News & Publications page. Try out a small group and see how you can be more fully alive this fall.
 The mission group will be sponsoring a series of movies/documentaries this fall and winter that focuses on social issues that our mission partners seek to address. Join us
Sunday, September 22, 5 pm to view t
he film "
Emanuel,"
which is the 80-minute story of victims and survivors of the 2015 Charleston church shooting. The evening will include screening of the film, followed by discussion and a pizza dinner.
Please note: this film does have some explicit scenes of violence that can be disturbing for younger audiences. We recommend youth be age 13+ to view the film,
it will of course vary from person to person.
In Sunday worship this year, we're making our way through Brian McLaren's book,
"We Make the Road by Walking."
Organized into 4 parts around the theme of being "fully alive in Christ," this study will guide us for the next twelve months. The idea is that we are not finished yet. We are all "in the making." We are not merely passive observers of the history happening to us. We can be active protagonists in our own story. And notice - it is "we," not "I," that make the road. "
We
make the road by walking." It reminds us of that old adage, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." That's the truth of the gospel - God calls us to be "fully alive in Christ"
together
, as a community, to "make the road by walking"
together
, not as self-sufficient lone-rangers doing their own thing. Join us for worship as we follow this path together! You can purchase a copy of the book in the church office or on your own.
Men's Council BBQ
Join Men's Council this Friday, September 20th for their annual kick-off BBQ. The gathering begins at 6 pm in the Fellowship Garden and there will be delicious BBQ, good conversations and a chance to reconnect with old friends. The first Men's Council Saturday gathering will be on September 28th at 7:30 am.
A Safer Chicago
Join a unique convening of experts who work to study and prevent violence in the streets of Chicago through both immediate and long-term solutions. Panel discussion at the Michigan Shores Club, Oct. 3, at 7 pm. Free, but register at ASaferChicago.Evenbrite.com.
Worship & Music
Chancel Choir
Rehearsals began on Wed., Sept. 4, 7:30-9:00 pm.
Sing for one Sunday or sing for a season!
Singers & Ringers began last Thursday, September 12
4:30-5:15 2
nd
-4
th
graders
5:15-6:00 K & 1
st
graders (
Kdg. new this year)
6:00 CHURCH FAMILY DINNER
6:45-7:30 5
th
-8
th
graders
Chancel Bells
(HS students & adults) began last Thurs., Sept. 12, 8:00-9:00 pm.
Children & Youth - Grow Disciples
Sunday School is underway for children in preschool through 4th grade. Children begin in worship with their families; after the "Time with Young Disciples" children go to their class to sing, pray, and explore stories from the Bible through art, games, discussion, and activities.
Our youth program (5th-12th grade) begins this Sunday, September 15th.
Confirmation Class (7th-8th grade) meets at 8:45 am in the Yellow Room.
Club 56 (5th-6th grade) meets in the Purple Room at 10:15 am.
Tower Youth (9th-12th grade) meets at 5 pm in the Tower.
Mission - Transform Lives
Stock the Shelves provides what food stamps won't and stretched incomes can't cover by giving Chicago area refugees the household and hygiene supplies needed to lead thriving lives. On the 4th Wednesday of the month, Stock the Shelves drives a truck filled with the 15 items refugees need to the Indo-American Center. Checkout the Stock the Shelves website
www.stocktheshelves.org
to learn how you can help support this important mission.
 Hilda's Place
Prepare, serve and share a meal with 15-20 residents of Hilda's Place, a transitional shelter for homeless people at the Lake Street Church in Evanston. This is an ideal project for families to do together and include your children to help broaden their understanding of the world. Time commitment is 2.5 to 3 hours. Interested? Need more information? Contact Mary Watt at
[email protected]
. The next meal share with Hilda's Place/Connections for the Homeless will be on Monday, September 30th.
 Family Matters Walk-a-Thon
Join us Saturday, October 5, 9 am for the annual Family Matters Walk-a-Thon. This important event raises critical funds to support youth programs, including the new kindergarten class, teen programs, one-on-one student tutoring and mentoring. Volunteers are needed for weekly tutoring support for students in grades 1-12 throughout the school year. Interested in tutoring? Contact
Greg Korak.
Wilmette Food Pantry
fpcw
contributes food and non-food items to the Wilmette Food Pantry. Donations may be left in the containers located in the
fpcw
parking lot lobby.
Need some glad tidings?
More activities, inspiration, and cheer
available on our
website
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