July 11, 2019
Greetings!
Week at a Glance: July 12 to July 21
Friday (July 12)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
10:00 am: Spiritual Directors
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (July 13)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (July 14)
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
Monday (July 15)
7:30 pm: Alcoholics Anonymous
Wednesday (July 17)
4 pm: Be Still and Know 12 Step Meeting
Friday (July 19)
9 am: Overeaters Anonymous
TBA: Junior High outing to Just Escape, La Grange
7:30 pm: Alanon
Saturday (July 20)
8 am: Kindermusik
8 am: Saturday Meals Program
Sunday (July 21)
10 am: Worship
11:15 am: Fellowship Hour
11:15 am: Green Team Meeting
7 pm: Overeaters Anonymous
She's Baaaaaacckk! Pastor Carly, That Is, With 2 Announcements
Ask how her vacation in Valley Forge, Pa., went. Many thanks to the ministers who filled in while ours was on her summer break, and ...
Aug. 4: N o service at First Congregational. Instead, join the All Together Under the Son all-faiths service on the last day of Endless Summerfest at Gordon Park ( Ogden & Tilden avenues in La Grange). Service: 10:30 am; carnival rides and games: noon. You can have lunch there, too!

Aug. 11: Confirmation Class Kick-Off (Register by Aug. 1)
Instruction's usually offered in the fall of even-numbered years, but we'll have a HUGE class if we wait until 2020. That's great news! At least four youth born before Jan. 1, 2007, must sign up by Aug. 1 ( click here to register). An introduction to the program will be held at 1 p.m. on Aug. 11. 
Are You in Junior High (or about to be)?
Hope to see you Fri., July 19, when youth group members test their puzzle-solving skills at the Just Escape Room in La Grange (time TBD).
Keep Calm and Cast On: Hooks & Needles' Next Meeting
Knitting forever, housework whenever...Drop stitches, not bombs...Eat, sleep, knit...When I learned how to knit, I forgot how to cook ...We could go on forever, but we'll spare you. If you don't know how to knit or crochet, come to our next meeting anyway and we'll teach you. It's for a good cause.
Date : Mon., July 22
Time : 7 pm
Where : Linda Lauderbach's home, 632 S. 10th Ave., La Grange
Questions? Contact Claudia Byrne at 708-205-1409 or  e-mail
Kudos from Western Springs Congregational Church to Our Green Team
On July 6, 13 First Congregational members collected and broke down enough Styrofoam to fill a three-car garage, prompting this note from recycling organizer Dick Kassner: "I was amazed how hard everyone worked under very hot and humid conditions. Your team knew exactly what to do. I also noticed that while you had two teams, many stayed for the entire time, which was very helpful. I can't thank you enough for the awesome job." The material Nancy Heil, Linda Lauterbach, Kim Bart, Jerry Byrne, Audrey Bart, Dave Miller, Penny Miller, Claudia Byrne, and Dylan Bart processed will be turned into picture frames, moldings, rulers, pens, and other products. Photo: Sue Klein
Community Choir: 'My Shepherd Will Supply My Need'
That's the title of the combined choir's selection. The rehearsal for our community Choir will be on August 1st from in the Sanctuary at First Presbyterian of La Grange.
Rehearsal: Aug. 1
When: 7 to 7:45 pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church of La Grange sanctuary ( 150 S. Ashland Ave.)
Book Club
Our next book will be Refugee by Alan Gratz. The story is about three kids with a common mission: escape. Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. Travel with them on their harrowing journeys in search of refuge. Join us on August 1 st at 7:30 in the room off the Chapel.
The Lord Likes a Clean House (We Assume)
Help wanted: seeking volunteers to help with crafts, message, and music for August Messy church.
Date : Aug. 4
Time : 4:30 pm
Location : Church dining room
Want to help out? E-mail Amanda Ries
July Food Pantry: Help Others Stay Hydrated Despite the Summer Heat
Drop off bottled water, juice, sports drinks, and soda for the Second Baptist Church of La Grange food pantry in baskets at the 6th Avenue entrance and the sanctuary. Other shelf-stable foods are always welcome.
Coffee is a Hug in a Mug...
Ministry of Nurture asks for your help in stocking our pantry for coffee hour. Please bring in packaged items to be stored in our Rubbermaid bins.  
The Best Excuse EVER for Eating Ice Cream (Not That You Need One)
Oberweis Dairy is donating 20% of the proceeds from whatever you buy to CROP Hunger Walk (which is Oct. 27, by the way). No coupon or flyer required; just tell the cashier you're a walk supporter. At least 20 of us must register by Aug. 1 and we have seven so far, which means we need 13 more of you to click on the "Commit to Eat" button on the fundraiser's website . Bring family, recruit friends, and shame coworkers!
Date: Aug. 4
Time : 9 am to 10 pm
Where : 929 Burlington Ave., Western Springs
Top 10 Most Wanted School Supplies: Donate During July
Our Missions Committee is collecting school supplies for The LeaderShop , a La Grange non-profit that helps children K through 12 become civic-minded community-builders. Help them kick off the 2019 school year right this fall with:
  1. Binders
  2. Washable markers
  3. Wide-ruled spiral notebooks
  4. Loose-leaf paper
  5. Sturdy dual-pocket folders
  6. School glue
  7. Dry erase markers
  8. Pencils
  9. Pens (black, blue, and red)
  10. Scissors.
Place your donations in the collection box at the Sixth Avenue entrance. Thank you for your generosity! 
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.
Are You Ready to Brave the Great Outdoors?
About 10 families have signed up for the all-church camp-out, but there's room for plenty more. Online sign-up is coming soon, or e-mail Nick Redmond today if you can't wait. Don't like sleeping on the ground? Reserve a cabin or RV spot.
When: Aug. 16-18
Where : Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs
Questions : Contact Nick or Matt Davis
  Prayer is at the heart of our relationship with God. Please lift these friends, family, and members in your prayers.
Emil Balz
Prayers for Jim and Vi Clayton
The family and friends of Gina Dever
The family and friends of Fred Figge
Barbara Hultman
Evelyn Kelly
The Maley family
Stephanie McCollough
Margaret Melkonian
John Moellman, recovering at home after surgery
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
The family and friends of Vera Weiss
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.