A Humorous Paradox of God's Love

This week’s eNewsletter Feature

was written by Rev. Amanda Golbek

FPCE minister of children and youth.

Dear Jim,

Every morning as I make my coffee I glance at my refrigerator and see the collage of magnets that I have collected there over the years. One in particular always makes me laugh. The magnet says, Jesus loves you, but I’m his favorite.

This magnet was gifted to me by my college campus ministry pastor. I still remember receiving it in my first Care package at seminary. The intent behind it was to offer some levity amid a daunting season in my faith journey.

While the intention — and the effect — is humorous, it actually points to a deep paradox of Christian discipleship. We follow a God that has unbounding love for each and every one of us. As this Sunday’s Scripture from Acts makes clear, our God shows no partiality for any child of God. The paradox is that while God loves every one of us equally and fully, we feel, through each of our own unique relationship with God, that we are the favorite: Each and every one of us, God’s chosen one, given special gifts for special, God-ordained, purposes.

Sunday Worship & Communion Service

October 2 | 9:30 a.m.

In person and online!

Download Bulletin

This week in the "A Place at the Table" series, Rev. Amanda Golbek preaches the message "God Shows No Partiality" from Acts 10:34-43.

Church Governance Information Meeting

The final information session regarding proposed changes to the First Pres Bylaws will be held this Sunday, October 2 in the FPCE Sanctuary following the service. It will also be streamed live immediately after the service at https://live.firstpresevanston.org.

Thursday Women's Bible Study: Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. in Room 213 and on Zoom. Learn more.

Loop Bible Study: Fridays at noon at 1 N. LaSalle St. (25th floor) and on Zoom.

Saturday Men’s Breakfast: Saturdays at 8 a.m. Room 213 or on Zoom. Learn more.

Nourish Women's Bible Study: Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Room 213 and on Zoom. Childcare provided. Learn more.

'God's Big Picture' Adult Ed class: Sundays at 11 a.m. Room 213 and on Zoom. Learn more.

The Book of Ruth Adult Ed class: Sundays at 11 a.m. FPCE Parlor and on Zoom. Learn more.

Eat, Knit, Laugh, Pray: Friday, October 7 at noon in Room 206. Learn more.

Life Together Membership Class: resumes October 9 at 11 a.m. Choir Room and on Zoom. Learn more and register.

Seeking Halloween costume donations for kids at New Life Shelter

Donations of new and gently used Halloween costumes are being solicited for the October Halloween outing for the kids at New Life Shelter. Costumes of any youth size are welcome! Drop off donations at the front desk anytime the building is open until October 23.

Parish Nurse Book Club 

Our next book club meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11 from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Parlor. We will be reading “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

Open House Chicago

October 15 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

October 16 | 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Chicago Architecture Center's Open House Chicago, a free festival offering access to hundreds of architectural sites across Chicago, returns this year. Once again, First Pres will be opening up its beautiful Sanctuary to our Evanston and Chicago community. Everyone who visits can experience the visceral awe of hearing the organ, as well as the fun of interacting with the organ and trying it themselves. Please pray that God will move the hearts of all who visit our Sanctuary that weekend!

Mission Prayers

Pray for Mission Partners Doug and Sheila Wilson 

Avant Ministries, the sending organization of Doug and Sheila Wilson, is one of the oldest missionary sending agencies in the United States and Canada. The big news is that after 35 years of service with Avant Ministries, Doug has decided to retire. Sheila would like to continue as a missionary and will assist Doug in the preparation and presentation of the Improving one’s Intercultural Skills seminar prior to his retirement. They are thankful for the faithful prayers and financial support received over the last three and a half decades. Continue to pray that Doug’s experience and education will be used to continue the work of planting and developing churches around the world.  

Prayers are needed for Doug’s blood condition, amyloidosis, and for his atrial fibrillation. His doctor tried enrolling him into a clinical trial, however when tested, the level of amyloid protein in his blood was not high enough to qualify him for the study. But still the Wilsons ask us to praise the Lord for the medical care that Doug has received since he arrived in Colorado. He is feeling better after losing over 25 pounds and after his second ablation. Please pray that the Lord will bless both Doug and Sheila with health: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.   

View August 2022 Session notes here.

The most recent summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available here.  

Paper copies are also available in our literature racks.

FOLLOW US

Halloween Costume Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash.