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The Tidings
First Congregational Church of La Grange
South La Grange Road at Cossitt Avenue
info@fcclg.org
708-352-0800
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Week at a Glance: September 20 to September 29
Friday (September 20)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (September 21)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (September 22)
8:30 am: Adult Education - Acts
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: Ring & Sing/Treble+ Choir
11:30 am: Safe Church Training
6:30 pm: Youth Group Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
Monday (September 23)
7 pm: Hooks and Needles
7:30 pm: Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday (September 25)
4 pm: Be Still and Know 12 Step Meeting
7 pm: Council Meeting
7:30 pm: Carillon Handbell rehearsal
Thursday (September 26)
7:30 pm: Chancel Choir rehearsal
Friday (September 27)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (September 28)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (September 29)
8:30 am: Adult Education - Acts
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: Ring & Sing/Treble+ Choir
11:30 am: Called to Care Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
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Pastor Carly Answers More Questions...
If the Bible says to love everyone, why does homophobia exist?
Homophobia:
irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
Fear:
an unpleasant, often strong, emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.
Our brains house the source of two conflicting emotions.
An almond-shaped mass of nuclei deep within the temporal lobe generates our “fight or flight” response when we encounter a perceived threat, or fear. We
react
quickly and without much thought. Fear is a reaction to things we don’t understand or to which we’re unaccustomed. Because reactions often provoke more reactions, fear often turns into anger or hatred as a way to feel more in control by holding “the other,” of whom we fear, in judgement.
A
response
is thought-out, calm, and non-threatening and comes from our cortex. Responses provoke discussion, and seek understanding and resolution. The best way to deal with fear is to seek understanding. We teach our children to look under the bed to see there’s no monster hiding there; when we understand a bee is more interested in pollinating and stings only if threatened (a reaction!), we begin to see their value and to be amazed by them.
“Do not fear” is one of the most common phrases spoken by God’s messengers in the Bible. Scripture tells us to not react with fear to the unknown. Repeatedly, we are told to
respond
, not
react
. God gave us a mind to be used!
Homophobia exists because people react to the unknown with fear. I believe that if people take the time to seek to understand and engage in conversation with and about whatever they fear, they will respond with care, compassion, and acceptance. This is the harder path, however, because letting our fight-or-flight-reacting amygdala give us the illusion of control is much easier.
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Music Director Ryan Cox Reports on His Sabbatical
Click here
to learn what he did during his summer-long stint of study and reflection.
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This Sunday: Safe Church Training
Members and employees who work with children, youth, and/or special needs adults must complete training every 18 months. If you've gone longer than that or plan to volunteer soon, please attend this Sept. 22 education.
When
: 11:30 am
Where
: Church dining room
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Hooks & Needles Had a VERY Productive Summer
Pillars Community Health in La Grange took delivery of these five handmade baby blanket-and-hat sets and 23 baby hats. Next meeting: Sept. 23.
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Sept. 29: Last Day to Donate Coats for Homeless Shelter
Missions is collecting new or gently used, clean adult-size coats, hooded sweatshirts, and fleece jackets for the local homeless shelter BEDS Plus. A donation rack and box are at the Sixth Avenue entrance.
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Respond by Sept. 30 to
Get Cookin' for Coffee Hour
The Worship Team is celebrating
World Communion Sunday
on Oct. 6 by gathering bread for the communion table and letting us eat them during coffee hour. Loaves should be whole, but can be raised, flat, sweet, savory, round, braided - anything goes! If you have a favorite loaf to bake or bring,
e-mail JoAnne Konkle
or the church office by Sept. 30 so we can get a rough count. On Oct. 6, bring your loaf to the altar by 9:45 am. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Another Request for World Communion Sunday on Oct. 6
To celebrate the vibrancy of our world’s diversity, the Worship Team is asking for loans of fabric, tapestry, and/or weaving representing places near and far to decorate the sanctuary on World Communion Sunday Oct. 6. Bring your loaner to the church office by Sept. 30 in a bag with your name on it. Questions?
E-mail Ryan Cox
. Image: ceremonial ship cloth/Wikimedia Commons
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Annnnnd...a Movie in Honor of World Communion Sunday
Directed by two-time Emmy award-winning writer Linda Midgett, "
Same God
" has been playing to sell-out crowds across the country. Tickets are $5 for a showing at American Islamic College in Chicago.
Click here
for details.
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Oct. 4: Music By the Fahhhhhbulous Fabtones
Get your 1960s British Invasion and U.S. pop fix at Interfaith Community Partners' 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
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Junk the Nasty Junk on Oct. 5 for FREE
Get rid of chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, old medication, fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps at an Illinois EPA household hazardous waste collection event. Not accepted: latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, agricultural chemicals and business wastes.
When
: 8:00 am to 3 pm
Where:
Village of Bensenville Public Works (717 E. Jefferson)
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Oct. 24: Book Club Delves Into 'Little House on the Prairie' Author
Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Biography,
Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder
by Caroline Fraser covers three generations of the Ingalls Wilder family, homesteading, the history of broken treaties with Native Americans, and the politics that set the stage for the Dust Bowl.
When
: 7:30 pm
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You Can Help a Child Live a Better Life
Mentors
and mentee meet at mutually agreed-upon times and determine how that time is spent based on common interests, hobbies and favorite activities. We ask that mentors commit to at least 1 year and spend at least 4 hours a month with their match.
After-School
volunteers help with homework, practice reading and math skills and help lead group activities and crafts. Times and locations:
- La Grange Community Center (200 Lincoln, LG) Tues. & Thurs. 3 – 5 pm
- LeaderShop (4903 S. Willow Springs Road, LG) Tues. & Thurs. 3 – 5 pm
- Hollywood House (3435 Hollywood Ave., Brookfield) Mon. & Wed. 3 – 5 pm
- Summit Park District (5700 S. Archer Road) Mon. & Wed. 3 – 5 pm
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FCCLG: 140 Years and Counting!
March 2021 marks our 140th anniversary and
we'll 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.
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Hot Off the Press: 2019 Member Directory
To access the online directory,
e-mail the church office
with
Directory Request
in the subject line before Oct. 3. A few printed copies are available in the office.
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There's No Excuse for Not Playing Bridge
Our bridge group begins a new season of play soon. The best part? You don't have to be an expert
or
have a partner to join in. Everyone's welcome! We play once a month on a date to be decided between the two teams playing each other that month. Questions? E-mail
Doris Bryant
.
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Wanted: Water Purification Equipment for Recycling Program
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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.
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Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
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Emil Balz
Rev. Biegert
Jim and Vi Clayton
The friends and family of Jason Esler, a former Zackley.
Ron Kloss
Stephanie McCollough
Martha 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.
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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 Thursdays.
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