Gifts of Love
This week’s eNewsletter feature
was written by Rev. Raymond Hylton,
FPCE senior pastor.
Greetings!
Chances are you have read Jesus's famous response to the religious leader's question, "Which is the greatest commandment?"
Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." ( Matthew 22:36-40 NRSV)
Love God, and love others; that's fundamental to everything God requires of us. So Jesus calls his twin commands the greatest and first (love God), and the second is like it (love neighbor).
Pastor Ray, you may ask, is life with God and people in the world really that simple?
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We will be joining together in worship at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday!
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Face masks are now required for all indoor public gatherings at First Pres.
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Our All-Church Retreat with Dr. Andrew Root is less than a week away! Register now! See how below.
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Information on the October 24 Congregational Meeting below!
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First Pres is looking to hire a Sunday morning hall monitor. See details below.
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Congregational Meeting
Our Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers will be held Sunday, October 24, 2021, immediately following the 9:30 a.m. worship service (at approximately 10:15 a.m.). The meeting will be held in the Sanctuary, with agenda items to include the election of 2022 officers (elders, deacons, and officers of the Society), a preview of the 2022 budget, and important updates about challenges and opportunities facing our church in this post-pandemic time. For more information on these items, including the list of candidates up for election, visit https://firstpresevanston.org/event/congregational-meeting/.
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Employment at First Pres
Nursery Coordinators
Paid hall monitor sought for Sunday services
FPCE is looking for a paid hall monitor for the children’s wing during Sunday morning service from 9 a.m. to Noon. Please contact Janice at jdobschuetz@firstpresevanston.org or 847-864-1472 x503 if interested.
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Current COVD-19 Guidelines for First Pres
The City of Evanston recently mandated the wearing of face masks in all indoor public places to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19.
Masks MUST be worn by all individuals over 2 years of age in all public areas of First Pres and SLC. This includes the front desk area, hallways, Roy Hall, the Sanctuary, the Narthex, the Parlor, the Dining Room and all classrooms and meeting rooms in the building.
In staff offices or meetings of small groups, attendees may agree to forego the mask requirement once everyone has arrived, but only in the room where the meeting is taking place.
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Sunday Morning Worship
at 9:30 a.m.
Our Sunday morning worship service will be in person in the Sanctuary and online this week. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on October 10 for our regular worship service.
Interested in childcare for this Sunday (available for those 4 years old and under)?
FELLOWSHIP OUT ON THE FRONT LAWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE.
Prayer Companions will be available in person.
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Mission Prayers
For the past 35 years, First Pres has been an active mission partner with the IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students), especially in English, Portuguese and French-speaking Africa and the Middle East and North Africa. Praise God for the many ways we have been able to support Bible study and student leadership training, provide seed money for pioneering work and mission conferences and matching support for emerging leaders. Please pray for three key upcoming conferences: a Conference for the next generation of staff from two closed countries in the Middle East, Kenya’s 11th COMMISSION Conference, and the General Secretaries Conference for all of the Middle East and North Africa. Pray for preparations, visas, safety, and for a significant work of the Holy Spirit in each.
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Dr. Andy Root
Popular speaker, author, and Professor and Carrie Olson Baalson Chair of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary.
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REGISTER NOW!
All-Church Retreat
October 15 & 16, 2021
Dr. Andy Root speaks about the “Anxious Church:
Being Disciples in a
Mid-Pandemic World”
$15 online or in-person
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Afghan Refugee Welcome Kits
Thanks to everyone who has donated to provide two Welcome Kits for newly-arrived Afghan families! Items should be delivered to the church no later than Monday, October 11.
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First Pres film series, class on racial injustice continues
Join us every Sunday at 11 a.m. in Room 213 or by Zoom (and selected Wednesday evenings via Zoom) as we delve into the history and issues of racism in the U.S.
This Sunday, Cam Traut and Denise Drain will lead the class as participants continue the discussion on The Color of Compromise. We encourage as many as possible to attend the entire series, but everyone is free to join whenever possible. To get the Zoom link for the entire series (including presentations by special guests and movie watch parties), “register” at www.firstpresevanston.org/film-series/. Details of upcoming movies and recordings of previous Sunday Classes can also be found there. Questions? Contact Susan Moreland-Wilkins or Cam Traut.
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Parish Nurse Book Club meets to discuss ‘I Am Malala' on November 2
Our next book club meeting will be on November 2 from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Parlor. We will be reading I Am Malala by Malala Yousaufsei.
Goodreads introduces the book with the following information: “On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala’s miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey form a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.” All are welcome to attend!
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Thursday Evening Women's Bible study begins tonight
The Thursday Women’s Bible Study is convening via Zoom beginning Thursday, October 7, and running through December 9. The meeting time will be from 5:30-6:45 p.m.. Our study is based on 2 Corinthians, which is currently the subject of our Sunday teaching series. We welcome women of all ages, and newcomers are also welcome. Contact Alyce Claerbaut at a-claerbaut@neiu.edu for any additional information and access to the Zoom Links.
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Men's Breakfast meets in person and on Zoom this week!
First Pres Saturday Morning Men’s Breakfast will meet at 8 a.m. this Saturday in person in Room 213 as well as on Zoom. This will be a bring your own food gathering. To receive the weekly Zoom link, email Bob Bastian at bob.bastian55@gmail.com.
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Nourish women's Bible study meets Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
The Nourish women's Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m., Thursdays, in Room 213. We will also be connecting with folks on Zoom during the meeting. Our study this fall will focus on daily disciplines of discipleship, using a video series and the book "Liturgy of the Ordinary" by Tish Warren Harrison. Look for her book in the First Pres library or any local library. All ages are welcome and childcare will be provided. Please join us and bring a friend! Questions? Need the Zoom link? Contact sallyivaska1@gmail.com.
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Loop Bible Study meets in person and online each Friday
The regular Friday Bible study in the Loop, run by FPCE member John Mauck, takes place every Friday at Noon at 1 N. LaSalle St. on the 25th floor, conference room on the right, in Chicago, 60602. You can also watch online live at
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Environmental Education about Climate Change and its Effect on the DRC
Please join the Congo Mission Network on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 9:00 a.m., when the Rev. Mudekereza Nsibula, leader of the Environmental Discipleship Ministry of the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK), will speak about the devastating impact of climate change in the Democratic Republic of Congo and important steps the church is taking.
send you a link to attend each session. If you registered last year, no need to register again.
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No clothes donations being accepted
We are not accepting donations for the Deacons Clothes Closet at this time. Donations left at FPCE (other than new face masks), will be discarded. CLICK HERE for alternative giving locations!
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2021
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2
Sermon: "Motivated by Love"
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Summary notes from the August Session Meeting are available here.
The most recent summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available here.
Paper copies are also available in our literature racks.
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1427 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1472
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