September 5, 2019
Greetings!
Week at a Glance: September 6 to September 15
Friday (September 6)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (September 7)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (September 8)
10 am: Kick Off Sunday: Worship and Picnic
6:30 pm: Youth Group Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
Monday (September 9)
7 pm: Hooks and Needles
7:30 pm: Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday (September 11)
4 pm: Be Still and Know 12 Step Meeting
7:30 pm: Carillon Handbell rehearsal
Thursday (September 12)
7:30 pm: Cancel Choir rehearsal
Friday (September 13)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
10 am: Spiritual Directors
7 pm: Youth Group overnight lock-in starts
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (September 14)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
9 am: Youth Group overnight lock-in ends
Sunday (September 15)
8:30 am: Adult Education
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: All Teams Meeting
11:30 am: Green Team Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous

Food, Fun & Games After Church This Sunday
The Kick Off Sunday Picnic is right after the Sept. 8 service on the Sixth Avenue side of the church. Ministry of Nurture will provide the main course and beverages; bring your famous side dish or dessert to share. There will be a bounce house, climbing wall, bags games, and face painting. Many hands make light work, so e-mail Amanda Ries if you can help set up or tear down.
A Note From Pastor Carly...
Twenty minutes wasn't enough time to answer all the questions submitted for my Aug. 25 'Ask the Question' sermon time, so here are my responses to two of those. Look for more Q&As in future newsletters.
 
Would you consider having a service with more singing/all singing?  
We already do! Last week, for example, the worship team and Student Intern Jen Burney presented an all-music service. There's also the Sunday after Christmas, when the choir presents a cantata, and when the children present their musicals.
 
How is the church doing as far as room rentals, party, and wedding bookings?
Ground Floor : The 5-year, all-floor contract with LaGrange School District 105 for the 3 offices and 4 classrooms in the 1950 addition expired July 31. On Aug. 1, Youth Outreach Services (YOS), a United Church of Christ-related ministry for at-risk youth, opened a satellite site in two of those offices with a per-use arrangement for the rest of the space. As their program grows, they'll move to a shared-use arrangement for the youth room and large kindergarten room. And one of Fred Gonzalez’ former offices in the basement is home to Galaxy Theater's props and staging. (By the way, the group is performing "The Odd Couple" in our dining room in October.)
Main Floor : Four offices are shared exclusively with two agencies: TEACH, a ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph and formerly known as School and Tutors on Wheels, occupies the former Wondrous Things and CE Director’s offices. The Illinois Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) occupies the former Tech Room and CYD office.
Art Room : Local “Dad’s band” The Shakes Almighty rehearses rock & roll/Americana covers and originals here. (By the way, they need a pianist who likes to improvise; e-mail A.J. D'Antonio .)
Room Rentals and Parties:  Our regular space sharing partners regularly book the Founders’ Room and/or Drawing Room for large meetings and training sessions. We also share these spaces with several 12-step groups throughout each week.
Weddings: We have bookings into late 2020, but could do even more. We need to dedicate more resources to advertising the four spaces available to non-members.
We have no “exclusive use” space available for sharing, but we’re doing very well: This alternative income source has raised about $32,000 so far this year.
We Donated 23 Bags of School Supplies
Hundreds of parents and excited children filled the community center in August to pick up pens, paper, and other scholastic necessities donated to The LeaderShop 's back-to-school drive. Thank you for helping the students get off to a good start this fall.
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.
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.
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 .
5 Ways to Make a Joyful Noise This Fall
 Music Director Ryan Cox is back from sabbatical with exciting plans, but needs your presence in spirit and body.
  • Chancel Choir begins Thurs., Sept. 5, at 7:15 pm and will meet on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. All singers high-school and up are welcome.
  • Carillon Handbell Choir also begins on Thurs., Sept. 5, at 7:15 pm and will meet on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. All ringers high-school and up are welcome.
  • Ring & Sing and Treble+ Choir begin on Sept. 22 from 11:15 am-11:45 am and will meet 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? Ryan is looking to you to add your talents to the hymns whenever possible. Let Ryan know you're interested and you'll work together on scheduling. Musicians of all ages playing melodic instruments as well as percussion and piano are welcome. Questions? E-mail Ryan.
Sept. 8: Youth Group Greets New School Year with New Faces
Last year, parents and students encouraged us to meet twice a month instead of just once and do things like visit Go Ape and the Just Escape Room over the summer. Based on recent feedback, the group is now open to students in grades 6 through 12. (We're cognizant of the age difference and will divide into smaller groups when appropriate.) A typical gathering includes snacks, games, a life/faith discussion or activity, and time to share what's going on in everyone's lives.

Like the church, Youth Group is an open and affirming community where all are welcome. Schedule:
6:30-8 pm at the church on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month from September-March and on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in April and May. (You can also find the dates on the church calendar .)

That means the first gathering is this Sunday, Sept. 8, from 6:30-8 pm. And...get ready for...
Sept. 13-14 Lock-In
Start: Sept. 13 at 7 pm
End: Sept. 14 at 9 am
Where: First Congregational Church of La Grange
Who: All 6-12th grade youth
Cost: $10/youth to cover pizza and snacks
What: A fun evening of games, food, and community!
Registration: Sign up and pay online here .
Participants must bring signed waivers. Forms can be downloaded here .
Sept. 9: 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 : Family Room off the Chapel
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. 15: Walk, Drive or Bike 8 Local Native Gardens
Click here for a map of eight homes in La Grange and La Grange Park 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 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
Sept. 29: Last Day to Donate Coats for Homeless Shelter
Summer's almost over. As you pull out your winter wear to decide what to discard, please think of those who don't have cold-weather clothes. 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.
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' 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
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
  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
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.