Sunday Worship
Earth Day
April 27, 2025
10:00 am
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This Week:
04/24 - 7 pm Finance
04/24 - 7 pm Choir
04/25 - 10 am Jack Breeser's Celebration of Life
04/26 - 7 am - 2 pm Rebuilding Together (Off-site)
04/27 - 10 am Sunday Worship
04/27 - 10 am 345 Fellowship
04/27 - 10 am Church School
04/27 - 10 am Confirmation (with 345)
04/27 - 11:15 am Heart-to-Heart After Service Reflection
04/27 - 11:15 Earth Day Eden Project Garden Circle
04/27 - 1 pm Green Team Hike at Lincoln Marsh
04/27 - 1:30-3:30 JR Hi Interfaith Youth Group
04/28 - 7 pm Bible Study
04/29 - 11 am Senior Social Group
04/30 - Noon Prayer
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Check out our "Quick Links" at the bottom of every enewsletter or go to fccge.org for complete information.
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Jack Breeser
November 11, 1930 - November 28, 2024
First Congregational lost a dear soul, long-time member Jack Breeser, last November. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jack's family and friends.
Please join us in our sanctuary for a celebration of Jack's life:
Friday, April 25th
10 am Celebration
11 am Light reception
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Earth Day Eden Project
Garden Circle
April 27, 11:15
As part of our Earth Day celebration, the Green Team invites all Eden Gardeners and anyone interested in growing and donating vegetables and herbs to our first Garden Circle. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and meet us up in the atrium after service on Sunday, April 27th. We will be sharing our plans for the fast approaching gardening season as well as our successes and disappointments from previous years. And if you don't have a plan just yet, come be inspired! Whether you are an experienced gardener or just getting started, this casual discussion is here to support you. Based upon the level of interest, we will decide how often to meet in the months ahead to keep everyone motivated this gardening season!
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Green Team Hike
Sunday, April 27, 1 pm
Our next Green Team Hike will be Sunday April 27 at Lincoln Marsh, which should be in full springtime bloom. Meet at 1:00 at the parking lot at Pierce and Harrison Ave in Wheaton. St. Mark's Episcopal church's Green Team is invited to join us, and the Kannegiessers, who live on the marsh, will be hosting refreshments afterwards.
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FCCGE's Hope Garden
In Bloom Now!!
Our Open and Affirming group and Green Team have collaborated and planted a Hope Garden to recognize Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12, 2025 - May 18, 2025). The Hope Garden concept stems from a youth-driven movement called The Yellow Tulip Project (YTP) to "smash the stigma surrounding mental illness" by planting gardens of yellow tulips. The garden, on the west side of our building, has been planted with yellow tulips which are currently in bloom!
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Emergency Response Training Following Service
May 4th, After Worship, 11:15-Noon
The FCCGE Emergency Manual calls for annual training of various kinds to help us keep our congregation safe and aware of the procedures we follow.
We will hold an information and training session for ushers, staff, teachers and leaders on our evacuation and shelter plans in the event of a fire, tornado, storms or other events that require evacuation or sheltering in place. Please feel free to join us for this important training even if you are not part of the groups mentioned above. We will start this meeting in the Sanctuary immediately following the service.
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New Group Offering At FCCGE:
Chair Yoga For Balance
and Fall Prevention
8 Week Session
Tuesdays 9:30 to 11:00
Starts May 6
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury worldwide. Adults older than 60 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls. This class will use the tools of Yoga to teach proper body movement while bringing attention to the breath.
Participants will learn new patterns that create awareness to intuitively know where the body is in relation to surroundings. No Yoga experience necessary. If you have previously attended this class, this is a great opportunity to practice
and grow those skills. This is not a drop in, registration required. For more information or to register please contact Cathy Christoff or 630-936-9146.
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| Neighbor Helping Neighbor | |
Help a Church Neighbor with Your Hands!
April 26th
April 26th is fast approaching for FCCGE’s Rebuilding Together Day. We will conduct a one-day building blitz at the Maywood home of Cynthia B. to help keep her house warm, safe and dry so she may continue to live in independence. Some of our projects involve installing handrails,
plumbing, electrical, clutter removal & landscaping. If this sounds right up your alley please contact Randy Briasco (630-251-3551) or Dave Hecht (630-886-4895) . Please include RTMC in the subject line. Thank you.
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FCCGE Youth Make Critical Contributions To Fight Hunger
At the recent Easter Egg Hunt, FCCGE youth of all ages made important contributions to fight the growing challenges of hunger in DuPage County. Attendees who came to look for their Easter treats each donated food to the Glen House Food Pantry at the event. This is one of many food drives that make a real difference for the almost 83,000 of our neighbors who are at risk of hunger. The families and kids did a great job and filled our donation bin to overflowing. In 2024, the number of families seeking food support from the Pantry increased by 21%. Almost 40% of the 764 new families who benefited, have children. Help us with the fight. Donate non-perishable food each Sunday. Donate financial support using the envelopes in our lobby or on the Tithely app/payment link. Donate your time and effort as a valued volunteer. Thanks for your support!
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"Gospel Extravaganza!"
Sunday, May 4th, 4 pm
Lux Cantorum Chicago presents: Gospel Extravaganza! We highlight the rich heritage of gospel music’s powerful vocals, soulful melodies, inspirational messages, and enthusiastic rhythms. Our tribute to gospel music welcomes a spiritual experience with a wide range of gospel music styles, and celebrates a faith and culture that is enriching and entertaining! Featuring works by Robert Ray, CeCe Winans, Mark Hayes, M. Roger Holland II, and more. Enjoy a $5 discount by purchasing tickets in advance (prior to day of concert).
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"An Irish Blessing" Concert
Wednesday, May 21st
7:30 pm
Our choir is headed to Ireland in June and will be delighting us with a concert of their music on May 21st. But that's not all! We will be featuring professional Irish musicians who will deliver rollicking traditional Irish music. It'll be the craic! No sign-up or tickets required; freewill offering to benefit the music ministry.
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Summer Musicians Needed
Solo singers and instrumentalists (youth and adults) contact Michele Hecht about performing in worship this summer. Hurry before the dates fill up!
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Once-a-Month Playgroup
Sat. May 10th, 9 am
It's Spring and time to get outside with your little one for our Once-a-Month Playgroup! This month, we will meet at Kelly Park at 9 am. Please note, that if the weather doesn't cooperate, we will not meet back at the church this month-we will have to reschedule. Text Jessi with any questions 602.820.6450.
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JR Hi Interfaith Youth Group
Sun., April 27, 1:30-3:30 pm
We will be joining Etz Chaim for a combined JR HI ONLY youth group at Altitude Trampoline Park in Lombard on April 27th from 1:30-3:30pm. Reduced Cost is $20 and included pizza - see Tanner for registration!
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ASP Work Camp
June 14th - 21st
Come help others live in warm, dry, and safe homes by joining us for a week with Appalachia Service Project. Not
only is this a formative experience, but also a chance to build relationships and learn new skills - no previous
experience needed. We will be joining St. Mark's and First United Methodist in work crews. This is open to
graduating 8th graders through senior high. Cost is $375. Reach out to Tanner for more information.
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Sponsee's Lunch
May 18th, 11:15
This is the last hoorah of the program year! A chance for confirmands to meet with their sponsors (or talk with the confirmation teachers if they do not have one) to review the past year and set intentions for next year. We also will give a brief overview of what to expect the following year for confirmation. During worship confirmands will help set-up the lunch in Pilgrim Hall while the sponsors and parents are invited to join after worship. Please email
Tanner to RSVP.
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SR Hi *Off-site *
Youth Group
May 18th
5:45 - 7:30 pm
The last youth group of the year will be an off-site event at ACTIVATE in Oak Brook. and we will meet on-site @ 5:45-7:30pm. It's like you are in a video game, but it's not VR -it's a physical arcade! Some games are competitive and some we win together. We'll play 1-3 minutes games for 75
minutes. Reduced cost is $10 peri only please!) Email Tanner to register!
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End-of-Year Youth Group Pizza Party
May 4th, 530-730pm
6th-12th graders are invited to this end-of-year pizza party to celebrate both our graduating 8th and 12th graders. We will be playing glow-in-the-dark floor hockey in Pilgrim Hall and having pizza! If you have a gluten, dairy, or other dietary restriction, please let Tanner know so we can get some food you can enjoy!"
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Climate Action Camp
Tower Hill Camp
June 16 - 20, 2025
All faith leaders & families, students & teachers, activists & seekers are encouraged to come together to begin, continue, or go deeper to be the Land Defenders & Water Protectors God needs at this time. During our time together, all ages will explore the climate crisis through the lens of water, especially Lake Michigan & its watershed. We will spend time diving deeper into the issues & learning how we can be agents of change. We will also spend time playing & swimming at the beach, enjoying bonfires, star-gazing & eating S'mores. There are camp scholarships available for all ages. Contact Catherine Curtis, Director of Christian Education to inquire.
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Request for VBS In-Kind Donations
Would you be able to support our VBS week through an in-kind donation? We're looking for a variety of items for mission projects, activities, and snacks for this year's VBS "Just Like Me." Donations may be dropped off in the labeled tub outside the Conference Room. Contact Catherine Curtis, Director of Christian Education with questions. Thank you for your support!
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