|
This Week:
03/28- NO Choir Rehearsal
03/28 - 7 pm Maundy Thursday Worship
03/29 - NOON Good Friday Worship
03/29 - Church Office Closed
03/31 - 9 am Easter Sunday Worship
03/31 - 10:30 am Easter Sunday Worship
04/01 - Church Office Closed
04/02 - 7:30 pm Handbells
04/03 - 11:30 am Men's Lunch at the 7 Dwarf's
04/03 - Noon Prayer
04/03 - 7 pm Social Justice
04/03 - 5 pm Angel Choir Rehearsal #2- All Purpose Room
04/04 - Choir Rehearsal
| |
Maundy Thursday Worship
Tonight at 7 pm
We hope to see tonight for our traditional Maundy Thursday worship when we live and breath through Christ's final hours in the candlelight. This service will be livestreamed.
| |
|
*Childcare will be available for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services only. We encourage family attendance on Easter, however, the nursery will be open for parents who wish to care for their children by themselves. | | |
|
Palm Sunday
Glorious!
Palm Sunday was a beautiful, joy-filled sunshine-ie day. The congregation, clergy, bells and choir began outside in the breeze and processed into the sanctuary for a lovely service with special music. *Images courtesy of Karen Koenig
| |
Ukraine Effort-Viking Update | |
|
Viking Update
Aid Continues
The Viking Group in Ukraine continues helping fellow citizens using vehicles and supplies FCCGE has sponsored (see video above). The building restoration is coming to an end and more info is on its way. Funds are always needed, so please help if you can.
| |
Look for "Ukraine Relief" in the drop down menu | |
|
Book Review:
Better Than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community
Turmoil all around us. Yes. Elaine Eachus’ book, Better Than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community, will look in on some hope, some soothing times, some ways to cope in this troubled age. Find it in our church library.
*Many of you remember that Elaine was our interim pastor 2015-16.
| |
|
Improving Wheelchair Accessibility in Our Sanctuary
As an Open & Affirming congregation, accessibility for all people is important to us. As it stands, however, we only have room for one wheelchair in the back row of the Sanctuary. As such, our FCCGE Property & Grounds Committee has unanimously voted to remove a 1/2 pew from each side of the Sanctuary, towards the middle of the room, to create space for folks with limited mobility. This change will be made during Holy Week and will not compromise the beauty of the Sanctuary, nor substantially reduce our capacity; though it will hopefully improve our hospitality, and remind others that all are welcome here. See rendering, above right.
| Own a Piece of FCC History | |
|
Save a Pew or Two
As you know, we have removed 2 of our 100+ year old pews from the sanctuary to accommodate members and guests that have mobility issues and use wheelchairs. We are offering these 2 historic pieces to anyone that might be interested in taking them. They measure approximately 9.17 feet each. The end caps are unfinished and the end of one of them is missing a side and underneath support, so these beautiful pieces need a bit of TLC. Please email Sherry if you are interested.
| |
Newcomers Information Session
Sunday, April 7, 11 am, Parlor
For those interested in learning more about joining FCCGE and the United Church of Christ, there will be an informal gathering for newcomers Sunday, April 7, 11:00 am in the Parlor (childcare for all ages available in the Nursery). Available joining date following this session is April 21. For further information, contact Rev. Seth Ethan Carey ( or 630-469-3096 ext. 12).
| |
|
Cantata Sunday
April 28
“Fill the Earth with Music”
In place of a sermon, the choir, along with guest soloists and orchestra, will present a program of anthems from around the world, in many languages, offered up as a prayer for peace. Bring your friends and neighbors to hear this beautiful music with a message of unity. Any questions, contact Michele Hecht, Director of Music Ministry.
| |
Spirituals vs. Gospel
Watch Doc's Seminar Now!!
Sunday, March 17th many of us had the pleasure of spending time with Dr. Keith Hampton after a wonderful music-filled worship service. "Doc" educated us, in his energetic, enthusiastic and inspiring manner, about the differences between spirituals and gospel music. Did you miss it? Click on the video above so you can experience this unique and interesting talk.
| |
|
All Church Retreat
"Weekend Away"
at Tower Hill Camp
July 19th - 21st
Join us for rest, relaxation, fellowship and fun on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoying beach time, exploring antique stores, visiting fruit stands, climbing dunes, hiking in nature and more at our own church camp. It's a true opportunity for community for all ages! Details and sign-up here.
| |
Heart-to-Heart After-Service Reflection
Are you interested in forming deeper relationships with others from church and enhancing your sense of community and belonging? Would you like to participate in a small group and have connecting conversations? If so, watch for updates on a new, after-service group for adults, beginning soon. You will be invited to share aspects of the service that were moving and inspiring to you. If this speaks to you, please join us!
| |
|
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Sat., April 13, 7-10:30 pm
Pilgrim Hall
Get ready to put your thinking caps on and join us for a night of fun and fundraising! We are excited to announce our upcoming Trivia Night, where you can gather with friends, enjoy delicious snacks and drinks, and compete for the title of top trivia team. Not only will you have a blast, but you'll also be supporting FCC missions and our mission to make a positive impact in our world. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night of trivia and fun! Let's make a difference together with FCC Missions!
Sign up by April 5th!
| |
|
Donate Items or Services for Our
Trivia Night Silent Auction
Would you like to donate an item or experience to our
Trivia Night Silent Auction (April 13th)?
Do you have a skill or talent you could share?
We are looking for donations of time, talent, goods and services to help us raise money for FCCGE missions and ministries. Click below for ideas.
Reach out to Nicole Baedke (203-246-3885) for more information on how to donate.
| |
Glen House Food Pantry Fundraiser
Weds. April 3, 5-8 pm
Visit Two Hound Red on Wednesday, April 3 from 5 – 8 pm. Bring an item to donate. Proceeds will benefit the food pantry and make a real difference in our community.
| |
|
Social Justice and Adult Ed | |
|
Social Justice Group
Weds. April 3rd, 7 pm
Let’s kick off this election season with a letter writing campaign to encourage voting. Vote Forward has joined with Big Tent USA to reach their goal of sending out 10 million letters between October, 1st and October, 29th . Writing personalized, handwritten letters to voters is a proven and effective way to help increase voter turnout. We will write the letters now so they will be ready to send out close to Election Day. Letter writing suggestions and examples will be provided. We will meet in Pilgrim Hall at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April
3rd . Please RSVP to Mary so ample supplies will be available.
Bring a friend and enjoy conversation, letter writing and goodies.
| |
|
Transgender Day of Visibility
April 7th, after Worship
Each year on March 31, we honor International Transgender Day of Visibility! This year, that coincides with Easter, so we are sliding our celebration back a week to April 7.
There are over 1.6 million trans, non-binary and gender-expansive youth (age 13+) and adults across the United States. Trans parents and family members. Trans coworkers, neighbors, and friends. The transgender community is diverse, representing all racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as all faith traditions. While we have made significant progress in recent years with more visibility than ever before, we are still fighting for acceptance and many basic human rights for the community. Today and every day, we must celebrate all trans and non-binary people everywhere and combat disinformation, discrimination and hate impacting our community.
Please join us Sunday, April 7, for a celebration of Transgender Visibility during and after our 10:00 am service.
| |
|
DuPagePads Rock & Bowl 22nd Annual Bowl to End Homelessness!
Sat. April 13, 12 pm
Saturday, April 13th 12 pm-3 pm at Fox Bowl Assemble your team of five bowlers, register your team name, design your fundraising page, and work together to raise money for DuPagePads. Registration is now available here.
| |
|
|
Palestine 101
April 14, 11:15-1 pm
Lunch Included
Join an interfaith panel of journalists, researchers and preachers for a film and discussion. Please register below so we can plan for supplies and food.
| |
|
Rebuilding Together
April 27th
April 27th is fast approaching for FCCGE 27th Rebuilding Together Day. Mrs. Kinnie is our recipient this year who lives in the southern Cook County suburb Park Forest. We will meet at the church and carpool to her house for a one-day building blitz to help keep her home warm, safe and dry so she may continue to live in independence. Some of our projects involve installing handrails, painting, retiling, clutter removal & landscaping. We need just 7 more people for this event. If this sounds right up your alley please contact Randy Briasco. Please include RTMC in your email subject line. Thank you.
| |
|
Once-a-Month Playdate
Saturday, April 20
9:30 am
Main Street Rec Center Playground
501 Hill Ave., Glen Ellyn
This is a wonderful way for parents and caregivers to meet each other and for children to make friends from church. This play group is an opportunity for families with young children, in kindergarten and younger, to meet and build relationships for the children as well as the adults in their lives. Older siblings are welcome to join play dates too, as an opportunity for them to have fun and to grow into their roles as mentors and nurturers, while building relationships with other adults in the congregation. Text Jessi Fleming at 602.820.6450 with questions.
| |
|
Registration for Community Vacation Bible School (VBS) Open to the Community
June 24-28
We joyfully explore ways to restore and mend God's world during VBS this year. VBS is for participants from age 4 to rising 5th graders with opportunities for rising 6th - 8th graders to serve as Leaders-in-Training and high school, college, and older adult roles for volunteering. VBS is an AMAZING opportunity for intergenerational relationship-building and faith exploration. VBS is here at FCCGE from 8:30 am to noon on June 24 - June 28. Details and registration for BOTH participants and volunteers is online here. We are currently limited to 50 participants.
| |
One Community Art Exhibit at FCCGE
We are delighted to partner this year with One Community, an initiative to actively celebrate and embrace our community’s diversity and raise awareness, acceptance, and involvement of neighbors of all backgrounds. One Community sponsors an annual Diversity Arts Project, consisting of art created by Glen Ellyn youth, capturing their varied perspectives, and allowing the community to experience and appreciate them. This year’s project launched on March 13, and will be on display for 2 more weeks at FCCGE. It’s a wonderful exhibit, and we’re honored to be involved in this very special way. Hope to see you there!
| | | | |
