CHURCH LIFE - November 8, 2009
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PW BAKE SALE. Stop by Stewart Hall today from 8:00 a.m. until noon to find a special treat for yourself, your family or a friend. Presbyterian Women are selling homemade cakes, pies, breads, and dried soup mixes, as well as small packages of cookies and muffins.
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING. If you or your family would like to be part of the Christmas season at First Pres by lighting the advent candle and reading a short scripture message, please sign up for one of the days/times on the poster in the rotunda. Instructions, including the reading material, will be provided to you by our church staff prior to your assigned Sunday. If you have any questions, please call Alice Lechiara.
THERE WILL BE A TAIZE PRAYER SERVICE Friday, November 13th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Rotunda. Taizé Prayer is an ecumenical form of prayer modeled after an international, ecumenical community founded in the 1940's by Br. Roger in Taizé, France. Gathered in the presence of Christ, we sing uncomplicated, repetitive songs, uncluttered by too many words, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity. This is a candlelight service of songs, scripture reading, silence, prayers of the people, and prayers for peace among all people. For more information please go to our website at: http://www.firstpreswheaton.org/worship/taizeprayerservice.shtml
IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS, LOGOS MEMBERS are collecting items for "Operation Support Our Troops." The congregation is invited to help by bringing items to church on Wednesday November 11th or Sunday the 15th. The top items needed at this time include: peanut butter, canned fruit, "slim jims," hot chocolate packs, Tums or Rolaids, unscented wipes, foot powder, non-aerosol shaving cream, mouthwash, and lotion. All items should be in small sizes.
YOU ARE INVITED TO OUR ADVENT LABYRINTH WALK on Sunday, November 22nd, in the Ministry Center during Education Hour. A brief introduction and preparation to walk our Chartes Labyrinth will be given by Debra Kermeen and Karen Hoban. The advent labyrinth consists of 12 pausing spaces or stations designed to promote thinking about journeys and to assist in reflecting on the Christmas story. Join us to take some time to consider the journeys of the three wise men that very first advent, for peace and quiet before entering this busy time of preparation to celebrate Christ's birth, and to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.
ADVENT CELEBRATION. Join us on Sunday, November 29th, as we begin our Advent Season with an intergenerational celebration of Advent. Come to the Ministry Center during the education hour where we will have stations of the birth story, crafts, singing, refreshments and "Hanging of the Greens." Please bring a plate of cookies to share. If you would like to help please call Mary Kinsey at 630-668-5147.
GLORY RINGERS. The Glory Ringers Handbell Choir is still looking for more ringers. We need three more people for a total of five ringers to make up a handbell choir. Please come and join us on Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. in the Bell Room at First Pres. No prior experience needed. We will train you all to be great musicians!
CARITAS TEAMS NEED YOUR HELP. Could you give an hour each month to visit a church member in a nursing facility? We have many church members who have requested a visitor to chat with them, do a puzzle, read a book, listen to music, look through old photo books. We will be delighted to answer questions and give you more information. Simply contact Dianne Lambert at didalamb@comcast.net or 630-668-3269, or Luanne Matlock Brennan at luanne513@aol.com.
CELEBRATION SERVICE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. A dedicated team of people is currently working on what our new service will look like. Our vision is to offer a dynamic worship service that is both appealing to today’s worshippers and welcoming to those who are still being pursued by God. Please contact Jeff Leavitt at jleavitt@firstpreswheaton.org or 708-514-4184 if you are interested in getting involved or obtaining a little more information.
ADDITIONAL FACILITATORS ARE STILL NEEDED for the Between Successes Career Ministry Program. This program runs on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. here at First Pres. Training is provided. If interested, please contact Angela Stephenson at 630-784-0775 or Jim Carr at jcarr@bluebookservices.com.
MISSION
SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS AT THANKSGIVING. For every $15 you donate, the People’s Resource Center can provide one family in need with their choice of classic Thanksgiving trimmings, their choice of familiar ethnic foods and a grocery gift card worth enough purchase a turkey! Make checks payable to First Presbyterian and note that it is for PRC Thanksgiving.
FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS is a way to help Outreach Community Center provide gifts to lonely, isolated seniors at Christmas time. The Older Adult Program of OCC hosts a Christmas Luncheon here at First Presbyterian on December 18th for more than 100 low-income seniors from south Carol Stream. Help is needed to provide gifts for these seniors as for many of them this may be their only Christmas activity. See the display in the Rotunda to either purchase the needed gift items OR to donate the $10 cost of each gift. The Older Adults Program is a partnership ministry of First Presbyterian. Thank you for joining us to add Christmas joy to a senior’s holiday. If you have any questions, please contact Robbie Spehr at 630-668-6661 or Kim Van Oss.
AT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS LUNCHEON. The sixth annual People's Resource Center’s (PRC) ladies luncheon will take place on Wednesday, December 2nd, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Danada House Atrium in Wheaton. As in previous years, Jean True, owner of True Cuisine, will prepare a delicious meal. We will also have a silent auction and raffles that will include tickets to museums, restaurant gift certificates, and home and gift items. Tickets are $75 and are available online at www.peoplesrc.org or by calling the PRC, at 630-682-5402 x 233. Proceeds will benefit the PRC, which has been serving DuPage County families in need since 1975. For additional information regarding the event, please visit the PRC website at www.peoplesrc.org.
JUST CORRESPONDENCE. The inmates at DuPage County Jail have a pretty bleak Christmas. To show them that God is there "inside" as well as on the "outside," JUST social services organization prepares bags of candy for the inmates. Each inmate is given a bag with small chocolate bars and other appropriate candy (no lollipops or gum). Please save any Halloween candy that is left over, as long as it’s not Halloween “themed,” and bring it to church. There will be a box marked JUST in the pantry for donations. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.
COUPONS AND BOX TOPS FOR KEMMERER VILLAGE. There are valuable coupons for box top eligible items available to you at www.boxtopsforeducation.com. Click on the coupon tab and you will be asked to sign up as a user. Just type in zip code 62510, click on Kemmerer Village School, and you will be able to print out coupons to use on products you buy on your weekly grocery list once your sign up is complete. All products have the Box Top logo, which if clipped and brought to the church, are worth ten cents to the Kemmerer Village School. Check out the new Kemmerer Village web site at www.kemmerervillage.org.
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CENTRAL DUPAGE PASTORAL Counseling Center, one of our local missions, was formerly located on our property in the old Manse? Over 900 of our members have been helped by counselors there. Today they are located at 507A Thornhill Drive, Carol Stream, in the Mona Kea Medical Park. For more information contact them at 630-752-9750 or www.cdpcc.org.
CHILDREN & YOUTH
LOGOS. November 11th from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. The theme is Veterans Day – Bring items for the troops. Wear red, white and blue or camouflage.
THE PROCLAIMERS - "Using the Performing Arts to Worship God." This music and drama program runs from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. every Wednesday that LOGOS is in session. You may select to have your child involved in Proclaimers as part of the LOGOS program. You may also join the program if you are not attending LOGOS. If you have any questions about this exciting program, or have not yet had a chance to register, please contact David Lincoln at dlincoln@firstpreswheaton.org or 630-668-5147 x22. You may also register on our church web site.
CARE GIVING MINISTRY
DID YOU KNOW? Closure is an important phase of the Stephen Ministry process as the care receiver approaches that point in the healing process where the ministry is no longer needed. After closure the Stephen Minister goes on to be assigned a new care receiver. If you or someone you know could use the help of a Stephen Minister, contact Henrieta Ribeiro (221-1994), Bob Young (668-6886) or Beth Stremel (690-4198).
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship has first to do with the claim of the Living God in our lives which requires of us justice and loving kindness, sending us into the midst of human need and giving us what we need in order to respond.
FELLOWSHIP
SINGLE ADULTS FELLOWSHIP. Set aside Sunday afternoon, November 15th, for our Fifth Annual White Elephant Bingo! The event will take place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Stewart Hall. If you've attended this event in the past, you know it is an excellent opportunity to round up those miscellaneous items you've been meaning to toss or give away (white elephants), and head over to the church to play bingo, have supper and then take home a whole new assortment of miscellaneous items, etc. It's serious fun! About 16 people are signed up already, and, if you'd like to join us, please call Janet in the office to RSVP by Friday, November 13th. For more information, call our hosts for the event, Karen Stadtlander or Donna Francis.
THE NOVEMBER MEN’S LUNCHEON. You don’t have to go to the Caribbean to go treasure hunting! Join us here at First Pres on Tuesday, November 17th, where “Captain” Fran Brocker will take us on a tour seeking the many historical artifacts in and about our church. We will have a catered lunch in Stewart Hall before our journey. Reservations are required for this boxed luncheon so please call the church office by Friday, November 13th to RSVP. Wear your hiking shoes!
HAVE YOU OR A FRIEND BEEN LOOKING FOR WORK? First Pres and Gary United Methodist offer a Career Ministry Group for people changing jobs or in any type of career transition. Join us on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at First Pres in SH 107. Call Angela Stephenson for more information at 630-784-0775.
SUNDAY EDUCATION HOUR
PATHWAYS ADULT EDUCATION
Session 2 – November 1st, 8th & 22nd Five class options
- Hope for the De-Churched
The decline of Christianity has been trumpeted throughout the media, but where does this leave the future of the church? This class will examine the grass-root example of “The Emerging Church” movement in our day as a response. Led by Nannette Sawyer. This class will meet in SH 101.
- Watership Down
Richard Adams’ famous saga of the exodus of a struggling tribe of rabbits speaks powerfully to many issues of faith and responsibility. This class will work through the famous book with these questions in mind. Led by Pastor Jay. This class will be held in SH 102.
- Moving Through the Labryinth
Join us today, when we will have our own Labyrinth set up, to learn about different ways it is used, the use of hand gestures from different cultures, ways of praying during the labyrinth walk, and ways that the body can express itself as one walks. Led by Marty and Debra Kermeen. This class with be held in the Ministry Center.
- Career Journeys
Discover where help and resources are available to make your vocational journey meaningful and productive. This week Dr. Dan Tomal will be presenting "Understanding Yourself Better" to better understand your goals in life, strengths/weaknesses, and how to maximize your potential. This class will be held in the Living Room.
- That the World May Know – Continues
Ever wonder not what but where the ‘eye of a needle’ is? This class will discuss the sacred geography of Jesus’ day as a way of understanding our Bibles and its message all the more. Led by Peter Richey. This class will be in SH 103.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL. November Sunday School classes will have lessons each week about giving thanks. The "B.I.G Idea" for the month: We believe that it is good to give thanks to God with our whole hearts. November 8th: Miriam Gives Thanks.
GENESIS SUNDAY SCHOOL. Join us for this week’s lessons! 6th Grade begins at 9:30 today: We are watching The Prince of Egypt. 7th Grade: Assemble Disciples. 8th Grade: Psalms: Prayers for praise, prayers for help, and pick a proverb.
THE EDGE. All high schoolers are invited to join Don and Mary Jane Bauer and Beth Bauer and Todd Starowitz at 9:55 a.m. on the third floor of the Parish House for "The Edge". The November 8th topic is Think and Say . . . Can Music Affect My Thoughts? The Edge will not meet on November 15th. November 22nd the topic is Where Was God When… November 29th The Edge will not meet. "The Edge" will have a special Christmas series for all high schoolers starting December 6th. |
