Thanksgiving Week

Thursday, Nov. 24 & Friday, Nov. 25

Church office will be closed

 

Sunday. Nov. 27

10 AM Worship (Sanctuary & Chapel)

11 AM Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)

6 PM First Light: A Service Hope & Healing (Chapel)


Tuesday, Nov. 29

6:30 PM Advent Faith Formation

7 PM Feed My Starving Children Packing Event


Sunday, Dec. 4

9 AM Confirmation (Social Hall)

9 AM Follow Me Faith Formation (Fellowship Hall) 

10 AM Worship (Sanctuary & Chapel)

10:20 AM Kids' Church (Rooms 204/205)

11 AM Social Hour (Social Hall)

11 AM Fourth & Fifth Grade Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

4 PM Junior High Fellowship (Youth Lounge)

6:30 PM Advent Vespers (Sanctuary)

7 PM Senior High Fellowship (Youth Lounge)

 

Upcoming Events

Friday, Dec. 2

5 PM Date Night Babysitting Fundraiser

Sunday, Dec. 4

6:30 PM Advent Vespers (Sanctuary)

Wednesday, Dec. 7

7 PM Ecumenical Advent Reception & Worship (Chapel)

Sunday, Dec. 11

10 AM Chancel Choir Major Work (Sanctuary)

Sunday, Dec. 18

10 AM Christmas Pageant (Sanctuary)

Tuesday, Dec. 20

12 PM Bel Canto Ringers (Fellowship Hall)

Saturday, Dec. 24

4 PM Family Christmas Eve Worship

7 PM & 10 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Sunday, Dec. 25

10 AM Christmas Morning Worship



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A Word from Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson - Thanksgiving 2022

In the Thanksgiving Day Proclamation for this year, the President recalled that, the “American spirit of gratitude dates back to our earliest days, when the Pilgrims celebrated a successful first harvest, thanks to the generosity and support of the Wampanoag people. It inspired George Washington to give his troops a day of prayer and thanks amid fierce fighting for American independence. It also moved Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday, honoring America’s bounty and asking God to bring us together to care for one another and heal our Nation.”


Gratitude, commitment, community, and reflection are at the core of spiritual life and these same qualities are among the greater virtues in the heritage of our nation. Thanksgiving is a civic holiday, but the work of gratitude is at the heart of Christian faith as it is carried in our Presbyterian tradition. This year we are not sharing a service of worship on Thanksgiving Day. But I hope you will pause to reflect and pray on Thursday. My colleague, Rev. Nicole Farley, who guides our ministry of Faith Formation, has prepared a meaningful prayer that you can offer at table this year as an act of Christian unity with our First Pres family of faith.


For this Sunday in worship, I’ve included an affirmation in the Sanctuary that was our meditation at the annual joint meeting of our Session and Deacons this week. It is a reading from Colossians 3:12-17. The core of this passage is a straightforward admonition for Christian life: “And be thankful.” It isn’t a suggestion it is a directive. It is solid guidance – be thankful.


Christians see the world through the lens of grace: “We love, because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Most simply put, the Christian faith is summed by this move: Grace and Gratitude. Grace overcomes our past mistakes. Gratitude frames our future actions. May it be true for our lives and for our nation on this Thanksgiving Day. Be thankful.

May God bless you, and may you be a blessing,

Blessing Bags

Last Sunday, our junior high and senior high students learned more about the needs of unhoused people as we made Blessing Bags to have with us when our families are out-and-about this holiday season, so we might be ready to encounter someone in need. We have about a dozen extra for anyone who wishes to come pick one up from the container in the Sanctuary Narthex.


And, if you would like to make your own, here's a helpful checklist, compiled with the wisdom of morewithlessmom.com, a woman who has experienced housing insecurity. You can read the full blog post on making blessing bags here.

Thanksgiving Deacons Fund

We are not having a Thanksgiving Day Worship Service this year, which means we will not be passing the plate on that day for our Deacons Fund. The Stewardship Committee asks that you consider giving to the Deacons using our pew envelopes and designating the gift is for the Deacons fund or by using the drop-down tab on our Giving page at firstpreslibertyville.org/giving.

Worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary or Chapel

Join us for worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary or Chapel. Rev. Dr. Brian R. Paulson is preaching in the Sanctuary and Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley is preaching in the Chapel. The Sanctuary service will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Congregational Meeting

The Session has called for a congregational meeting immediately following worship to elect a nominee to fill a vacancy on the Board of Deacons.

Join us this Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in the Chapel

If you are entering the holiday season with a heavy heart, having suffered a loss or are carrying a burden or grief, please join us for First Light: A Service of Hope & Healing. The service is led by Stephen Ministers, Rev. Brian Paulson and preacher, Rev. Amy Heinrich. Music is provided by Charles Murphy and the Chapel Music Team.

Feed My Starving Children

Join us at our Feed My Starving Children food packing event this coming Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 7-8:45 p.m. We have 40 spots reserved, but they're filling up quickly! Click here to sign up! 

Worship Bulletin
Flower Dedications
Fellowship Pad

Your Giving Truly Matters!

Each year we are asked to partner in God’s mission and ministry at First Presbyterian Church through generous financial Stewardship. This is part of our life-long journey in giving back to God a portion of what he has generously given to us as stewards. Thank you for your heartfelt gifts that enable First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville to spread Gods love.

Give
Giving Estimate

Sunday Morning Faith Formation for All Ages returns Dec. 4

We'll begin the unit called Go Tell on Sunday, December 4. We'll talk about all sharing the good news of our faith. Learn more about faith formation at First Pres for kids, youth and adults here.

Advent Faith Formation: Preparing for Christmas

Tuesdays: November 29, December 6, December 13 and December 20

6:30 PM-7:30 PM, Social Hall


This Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, join the First Pres Adult Faith Formation Committee on four consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning November 29, 2022 at 6:30 PM. The scripture and lessons for our Tuesday meetings are taken from the Follow Me booklet “Go Tell” and are the focus for the upcoming Sunday’s sermons. Gaining insight into these Advent scriptures though the Follow Me materials and group discussions prior to hearing the Sunday sermon will enhance and expand your ability to “hear the good news of Advent”.   


Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley and Pastoral Resident Kim Mendoza, M.Div. will kick off our first meeting, which is focused on “Telling the right story.” A limited number of copies of the Follow Me booklet “Go Tell” are available in the church office for you to pick up any time, and copies for each lesson will also be available weekly at the Tuesday sessions.  


Childcare will be provided, and a soup meal will be shared. We ask that you register to assist us in ordering the soup and planning for childcare providers.


No preparation is required prior to the weekly meetings, and you can drop in for one, two, three or all four meetings. All are welcome. Please join us this Advent as we prepare for Christmas.


Advent Adult Faith Formation Meetings

November 29 Go Tell: Tell the Right Story Matthew 25:34-40, Luke 1:46-55; 4:16-21

December 6 Go Tell: Break the Good News Luke 1:1-25, 57-80; John 1:1-18

December 13 Go Tell: Join the Chorus Isaiah 58:6-9a; Acts 8:26-39

December 20 Go Tell: Tell of the Hope within You Jeremiah 32:1-44; Luke 2:8-20

Help us provide love and hope to those in need!

Gifts given through the Giving Tree program provide hope and love to those in need through several partner organizations. Please keep gifts in the $25-$30 price range maximum. Return gifts to the Sanctuary narthex with the gift code/description attached by noon on Sunday, Dec. 11.


Here's the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f45a4a72ea5fd0-first

Dedicate a poinsettia in memory or in honor of someone special. The dedications will be included in our Christmas Eve worship bulletin.

Poinsettia Dedications

Date Night Babysitting Fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 2*

Our JHF and SHF students are offering childcare on Friday, Dec. 2 from 5-9 p.m. There will be games, crafts and movies! Feed your kids dinner and then bring them to the church with their favorite snacks and sleepy time stuff for 1-4 hours.

*We need a minimum of 10 children in in order to hold this event!

$15 / kid / hour

$75 max per night

All ages welcome!


Click here to sign up!

Advent Vespers: The Story and the Songs

Join us in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. for a beautiful service of music, scriptures, and poetry featuring featuring our Vespers Choir and instrumentalists. All are welcome. Invite your friends!

Ecumenical Advent Worship on Wednesday, Dec. 7

Do the holidays sometimes feel more hectic than holy? Grace your season with the calming effects of candles, carols and contemplation. There are angels still among us... if we are still enough to perceive them and receive them.


This lovely, music-filled, contemplative Ecumenical Advent Worship service will be led by women in ministry from First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, North Shore Mennonite Church, First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, Kenilworth Union Church and Church of the Holy Spirit!


Come at 7 p.m. for a twinkly-lighted reception in the First Pres Libertyville social hall and then join us for worship at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel.

Major Work on Sunday, Dec. 11

The Chancel Choir presents their Major Work "Gloria" by Jonathan Willcocks, featuring an eight piece brass ensemble, during worship on Sunday. Dec. 11.

Christmas Pageant on Sunday, Dec. 18

Mark your calendar for A Service of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Following worship, we'll have a cookie and punch reception in the Social Hall.

Music & Lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 20

Join us in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, Dec 20 from noon to 1 p.m. to celebrate the joys of the season with music from the Bel Canto Ringers handbell choir! RSVP for our Panera lunch ($12) by calling the office at 847-362-2174 or clicking the blue button below.

Lunch Bunch

Join us on Christmas Eve

  • Family Worship at 4 p.m.
  • Candlelight Worship at 7 & 10 p.m.

Discover your Gifts

Offering time, talents, and spiritual gifts is an important way we live out Jesus' call to discipleship. Now, there is a new way to connect your particular gifts with the needs of the world, our community, and one another! The Discovery Tool is a survey that takes just 3 to 5 minutes, and you will see the results immediately. Click the link below to take the survey.

Discovery Tool

Volunteers needed on Wednesday/Thursday at PADS

On Wednesday nights, we host overnight guests in the Fellowship Hall as part of the PADS Lake County Emergency Overnight Shelter Program that ensures that everyone has a safe, warm place to sleep from October through April. Click the links below to discover ways that you can help!


Volunteer Shifts: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA8AF23A5FA7-pads10 

Shopping & Food Prep: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA8AF23A5FA7-pads9

Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37MQQ0AFL43MJ?ref_=wl_share

Amazon Smile Donations

Thank you to our friends and members for shopping at smile.amazon.com. When you shop using AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville's Mission fund. Here's the link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2195472  

How to contact a pastor or staff member

Call 847-362-2174 or email office@boxp.net.

Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Pastoral Emergencies

If you are a church member and need to reach a pastor in an emergency, please call 847-367-6460. Leave a message and a pastor will return your call as soon as they are able.

Libertyville Senior Center

The Libertyville Senior Center offers a number of programs and services for seniors in our community. You may access their monthly newsletter by clicking the link below.

Senior Center
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