Bulletin Info - Announcements
from our weekly bulletins
Calendar - Weekly calendar
of events at First Presbyterian
WEBSITE CHANGES
October 29, 2009 - Everyone had a great time at our senior luncheon on October 27, 2009.
October 26, 2009 - Dr. Mary Mikhael was our guest preacher during the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on October 25, 2009, and did a presentation, A Common Word from Lebanon, during our education hour that morning. Our blood drive was also held the same morning.
October 25, 2009 - The Members and Friends page now has access restricted to the congregation by login/password. This page provides e-mail addresses for the members and friends who wish to support e-mail contact within the congregation. It is also located on a new, subdomain of our web site, which means you need to update any bookmark/favorite you may have saved for quick access to that page. The login/password info will be distributed periodically by e-mail just to adult church members and friends. It is not for sharing with others.
October 20, 2009 - Pictures of Afrizo, a musical group from Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, taken during our morning worship services on September 27, 2009, and at their concert that afternoon are online.
October 18, 2009 - Our middle schoolers enjoyed the Genesis Fall Retreat on September 25-27, 2009.
October 17, 2009 - A photo of the breads and flags displayed on World Communion Sunday on October 4, 2009, was posted.
Saturday, September 05, 2009 - Photos from our Genesis BLAST Movie Night on August 16, 2009 are online.
Thursday, September 03, 2009 - The Genesis and LOGOS pages were updated. The LOGOS Themes for 2009 - 2010 are also now available online. Photos and more information about our Wednesday Night Faith Builders program September 2 - 23, 2009, was also added to the website.
August 1, 2009 - Camp E.D.G.E. was the theme of Vacation Bible School for children entering 4 year old preschool through Grade 4 June 22 - 26, 2009, while our Genesis youth had a wonderful week spent serving others during our VBS Service Squad. Genesis families and friends had a great time at Splash Country Water Park on on July 22, 2009. Photos are now online from these events.
July 10, 2009 - Information is now online about the four initiatives of Abraham's Children including opportunities to help support Christian communities in the Holy Land in their efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Druze.
WF WEBSITE: Got an extra minute… check
out the WF website www.ledbyyouth.com to
see what is happening in the high school youth program.
CELEBRATION SERVICE is under Construction – No, it's not going away, but
change is coming; and we’re not sure what the final result will be. As
we look to the future of First Pres, we are excited to find new ways to
better serve our church and our community through our Contemporary
Worship Service. There is a dedicated team of people currently working
on what our new service will look like. Our vision is to offer a
dynamic worship service that is appealing to today’s worshippers, and
welcoming to those who are still being pursued by God. However, no
matter where we land, we do know that it won’t happen without your help.
Whether you are interested in music, sound, visuals, worship space
experience or coordination of events, there is a place for you in this
new ministry and worship experience. Please contact Jeff Leavitt by
or by phone at 708-514-4184 if you are interested in
getting involved or just in obtaining a little more information. It
doesn’t hurt to check it out…we think you will be pleasantly surprised!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STEPHEN MINISTER? Please join Pastor Kyle and the Stephen Ministry Leadership Team in the Living Room at 12:15 p.m. on November 1 to hear more about the program and see if your gifts are a good match for distinctively Christian care giving. The new Stephen Ministry training class begins Monday, January 4, and goes through May.
ORCHESTRA DEADLINE REMINDER: An orchestrais also being planned for Thursday, December 24, at the 8:00 p.m. service. Please contact David Lincoln by November 1 if you are interested in participating in this orchestra opportunity.
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 at 630-462-0536.
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 is needed; we will train you all to be great musicians!
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.
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.
WON AN AUCTION ITEM AT THE ROUNDUP? Many of our auction winners have not cashed in their youth services yet! If this is the case, please contact your youth server and set up a time for them to complete the promised service. Lost the contact info? Call Allison at 630-668-5147, x16.
PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING Tanya Downing as our new Wedding Coordinator. Tanya comes to us with 10 years of experience as a volunteer in the Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA Wedding Guild. She will be working along side Nancy Gambaiani, our other wedding coordinator, to assist the couples on their happy occasion here at First Pres for their wedding day. We would also like to extend thanks and appreciation to Karen Joyce, who has shared her gifts with this in the past two years to ensure a joyous celebration for couples and their families.
LADIES BOOK CLUB: Come join us; we just started a new book, Jesus, Mean and Wild, by Mark Galli, in September 2009. We meet every Thursday evening in the living room from 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Read chapters 4 and 5 for our October 1 meeting. Questions? Call Lynne Danekas, Sandy Nielsen, or Mary Kinsey.
THE KNIT & CROCHET GROUP IS STARTING UP AGAIN, and you’re invited to join us! We are now meeting on Tuesdays from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in LL105. We look forward to new members joining our group. Please contact Monica Wylie with any questions.
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW BIBLE STUDY: Come join Pastor Jay as our Tuesday morning Bible study begins the trek with Jesus “according to the Scriptures.” Matthew wrote within a small Jewish community of believers who followed the “way” of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah in the face of Jewish AND Roman opposition. What can this gospel tell us today in a world of consumerism and individualism within a powerful Christian nation? Hear the words of Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you, for my burden is light!” We meet in the Living Room on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Childcare is available if requested.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: Karen Schultz is the deacon for College Ministry. Now that our kids are back to school, we would like to keep in contact with them! Please ask them to email, call, or facebook Karen so we can get their mailing and email addresses. Karen’s email is kmschultz@p3logic.com.
THE MISSION OUTREACH COMMITTEE IS LOOKING FOR volunteers to take over key positions on the Christmas Sharing committee. This year’s event will take place December 5 – December 12, and much of the planning begins in early October. We could use help with preparing mailings to invited guests; recruiting, organizing, and supervising volunteers; and overseeing the guests and volunteers during the event on Friday night and Saturday. If you’d like to help, or for more information, please contact Jodi Stapleton (jodi10@sbcglobal.net, 630-752-4192) or Kathy Paradise (kathyparadise@comcast.net, 630-260-0236).
AS A PART OF OUR NEW SECURITY MEASURES our Church Office will be locked after regular business hours. So that ministry teams might be able to pick up mail and leave information for each other, we have moved the large gray mail box unit to the parish house entry closet located just outside of the library. This closet will be open at any time the office is open and on Sunday mornings. There is also a mail slot on the Parish House front door for mail and for members who want to leave mail-sized information during off hours. Just a reminder that our regular office hours are M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the building and office will be locked after these hours unless there are meetings scheduled. Please use special care to make sure to schedule any planned meetings with Janet Rynne, our Administrative Assistant, to ensure the building will be open and available to you. We are working to be as accessible as possible while also being safe and secure. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office.
WE HAVE TAKEN ONE MORE STEP to keep the building secure by putting locks on the Ministry Center doors, just as we have on our other classroom and office doors. If you have plans to utilize the Ministry Center for any of your meetings or events, please reserve the space with Janet Rynne in the church office so we can make sure the room is open and prepared for your event.
CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
We are blessed with a very caring Nursery Staff who
provide childcare during our worship services. We invite
other adults to volunteer on a rotating basis to be
sure there are always at least two leaders with the children.
If you are a parent, grandparent, or just love to be
with young children, please call Shelley at 668-5147 x
14 to talk about ways to volunteer.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION MEMORY DVD: If you did not receive your complimentary copy of the "Centennial Memories" DVD, copies are still available in the church office and at the iDesk on Sundays. At this time, we are asking that you only take one per family so that everyone who wants a copy gets one. Stay tuned for information towards the end of the summer regarding how you can order your FPC Wheaton Church History book being authored by our own Patricia Locke and produced by the Centennial Committee and Session. The plan is for this fantastic book of memories and history to be ready for distribution around Thanksgiving this fall.
DO YOU KNOW A FRIEND WHO JUST LOST A JOB OR WHO HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR WORK FOR SOME TIME? Please tell them that First Presbyterian and Gary United Methodist Churches have a Career Ministry Group for people changing jobs or in any type of career transition. They can join us each week on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 715 N Carlton, in Stewart Hall Room 107. We meet as a group to share ideas, inspiration, and prayer. Then we break into small groups with facilitators to discuss challenges, successes, and where to get the resources you need. Call Angela Stephenson for more information at 630-784-0775. If you are the spouse of someone in career transition, we offer a spousal support group on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Gary UMC, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton. This meeting is designed to support the men and women who in turn support their career-changing partners. For more information, or to become a facilitator, please contact Rev. Tony Asta at 708-805-8669, Vickie Austin at 630-510-1900, or Angela Stephenson at 630-200-2533. The Career Ministry program is hosted by Gary UMC and the First Pres Career Ministry.
FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY IS NOW THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH: Please bring your non-perishable items with you to church on October 25.
DUPAGE PADS IS PARTNERING WITH Fundraise & Recycle Clothes Now, an opportunity to recycle clothing and shoes to assist men, women, and children who are homeless. You may drop off donations of gently used clothing, shoes, bedding, jewelry, kitchenware, toys, books and so on at our green Donation Bin located at 703 West Liberty in Wheaton. DuPage PADS receives payment based on the volume of all donations collected. Check the website at www.dupagepads.org for other donation bin locations and information on how to have your business or organization participate as a drop off location. For more information, please call DuPage PADS at 630-682-3846 X 222.
BRIDGE COMMUNITIES SEEKS GAS CARDS FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES: Bridge Communities, a non-profit transitional housing organization, a mission partner of First Pres, seeks donations of gasoline gift cards. The current high price of gasoline has strained the budgets of Bridge Communities client families – many of whom are trying to make ends meet on $900-$1200 per month. Filling a gas tank just to commute to and from work each month can easily be $180. To donate a gas card, please mail it to Bridge Communities, 505 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, or call the office at 630-545-0610, ext. 12. For more information you can visit the Bridge website at www.bridgecommunities.org.
OUR WESTMINSTER CHOIR and David Lincoln participated in the Wheaton City-Wide Family Heritage and Choir Festival on February 22. The program was taped and can be seen on the Wheaton local access station, CWC10, online on demand from their website. Just go to http://www.wheaton.il.us/video.aspx and search for keywords like family heritage choir festival and click on the link for video.
CONGRATULATIONS PASTOR JAY! Jay Moses has received his Doctor in Ministry Degree from Northern Seminary in Lombard. He did his study under the guidance of the late Robbert Webber, whose main focus had been the return of ancient catholic forms for a Post-Modern world. Jay’s doctoral project concerned the teaching of our liturgical (worship) inheritance to our children in LOGOS through the use of story. With the help of many people, including all of the children and parents of last years 4th and 5th grade students during worship skills time, an experimental form of catechesis was tried and found to be very transformative. Please join the church family in congratulating Dr. Jay Moses.
WE HAVE THREE AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) installed in our facility. They are located in the Ministry Center near the Memorial Garden Doorway, the Rotunda on the link wall, and in the hallway between Stewart Hall and the Parish House. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be simple to use by laymen. Each staff member has received AED and CPR training along with many elders, deacons, and ministry leaders.
RECYCLE, REUSE… RESTORE HOPE: Jubilee Cars and Jubilee Furniture
Co., both divisions of Outreach Community Ministries in Wheaton, offer you the opportunity
to donate unused or unneeded items that can be used to help others. First Pres has
supported Outreach since it's inception, and OCM continues to be a key mission opportunity
for our church. Jubilee Cars accepts donations of cars and trucks in any condition.
Your donation will be picked up or towed at no charge. Cars are supplied to residents
of Jubilee Village, a transitional living and independent supportive housing program
for single, formerly homeless young mothers. Jubilee Furniture Co. accepts
donations of gently used furniture and household items from homes and estates. These
items are sold to the public in a 20,000 square foot warehouse showroom in Carol
Stream, and the proceeds help support the programs and services for children and
families that are offered through Outreach. The showroom is open Fridays 3:00-8:00
p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and is located at the corner of Schmale
and North Avenue in the Wheaton Christian Center Church. All donations to
both ministries are tax deductible to the full extend of the law because Outreach
is a 501 (c) (3) organization. For more information about how to donate your vehicle
to Jubilee Cars, call Brian at 630-682-1910. For more information about Jubilee
Furniture, call Susan Galbraith at 630-337-1467.
BOX TOPS, BAR CODES AND V-8 LIDS totaling $110 have been mailed to Kemmerer Village for their education program. This is First Presbyterian Church's gift to them. Thanks for not throwing away part of the packaging of products you use every day that can be changed into pennies, nickels, and dimes. If you are not clipping and saving, please join us in collecting. Take the sheet found in the narthex and rotunda that will tell you what products have these bar codes and box tops, or just check our website at www.firstpreswheaton.org/missions/kemmerer/overview.htm for information on what to collect and more about Kemmerer Village. Let's see if we can collect another $110 by Christmas!
DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR OLD BIKES, SHOES, CELL PHONES, AND INK JET CARTRIDGES - Genesis will continue collecting these on an ongoing basis. Please put your old cell phones and ink jet cartridges
in the green bin in the church office - Genesis recycles them as a fundraiser for the child we sponsor through Compassion
International. We will have another shoe collection later in the year.
His Wheels International is low on bikes now. If you
have a bike you would like to dispose of, please drop it off at church or let Mary Kinsey know.
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH? There
are many ways that you can use your gifts and talents in the First Pres. ministry.
If you would like to find out more about the opportunities to connect with other
people and projects, contact our Connections Ministry Coordinator, Paul Burgess,
by phone at 630-668-5147 x 33, or by email at either pnburgess@mindspring.com or pburgess@firstpreswheaton.org. A
small sampling of opportunities is shown on our Volunteer
Opportunities page. We
look forward to hearing from you!
GOD SPEED AND GOD BLESS: Worship Planning Committee is starting a
tradition of "God Speed and God Bless" for people who are moving away. If
you are moving in the near future, please let us know so that we will have the opportunity
to recognize you during the service on the last Sunday you are in attendance. Please
do not take this as an invitation to move, rather an opportunity to recognize your
service in the life of our congregation. Please contact Janet Rynne in the
church office with upcoming move dates or changes to your contact information.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE FIRST PRES NEWS ELECTRONICALLY? If so,
please contact Janet at the church office at 630-668-5147 or by
to update your email address and preferences. We can email your monthly newsletter
to you, instead of mailing, which will allow you to receive it sooner, view it from
anywhere, and help us save on mailing expenses. You will also receive notice
every Thursday of the weekly happenings with our “This Week at First Pres” email. Sign
up today!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL has
been serving the community since 1967. Preschool is often a child's first school
experience and sets the stage for future years of formal education. First Presbyterian
Preschool provides a safe, caring, Christian environment that stimulates the physical,
social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. For more information please ontact Carol
Rooney or Chandra Gravit, Co-Directors, at 630-668-5147
ext. 27.
WORSHIP SERVICE CDs - a CD of one of each Sunday morning's worship services
is available in the library in the Parish House. Homebound members are now
able to receive CDs of Sunday morning worship services. The sermons can be accessed
as a track on the CD. Homebound members can call their Deacons or the
church office to arrange for the CD delivery.
First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton has two separate podcasts - one
for sermons and a separate one for adult education classes. Our podcasts
page includes details including how to subscribe to either or both of these
free podcasts. In addition -
All recent sermons are available online
in both MP3 and Real Audio format for listening or downloading; and the sermon dates,
titles, and presenters are all listed on our sermons page.
Many of our Adult Education classes from 2007 - 2008 can be downloaded directly
from our website from our Prior Classes
Online page. They are also available in our church library.
DR. PAUL J. KIRBAS received a PhD. Degree in
Theological Studies and Biotechnology from the Graduate Theological Foundation,
a consortium of universities with offices in South Bend, Indiana, in late March 2007. As
a major component of his degree program, Dr. Kirbas wrote a thesis entitled Navigating
through a Stipulated Freedom, in which he developed a theological and ethical
compass to evaluate the moral implications of biotechnical subjects such as stem
cell research, prenatal engineering, and artificial intelligence. His book, Navigating
Through a Stipulated Freedom: Discovering a Guiding Biblical Compass For the Journey
of Biotechnology, published by Cloverdale
Books in August 2007, is available for purchase in the church office or from other booksellers such as Amazon.com or
Books.com.
FACILITY SCHEDULING: Janet Rynne, our Administrative Assistant, is now
scheduling our facility and coordinating all requests to use the Church space, including
equipment, weddings, meetings, activities, and programs. As First Pres continues
to be a busy place for our members, committees, and programs, and for outside groups
inquiring about using our facilities, it is imperative that requests be made to
Janet as soon as you know your schedule, preferably at least two weeks prior to an
event. Outside groups may not reserve the facility more than three months
in advance to give our own staff, committees, members, and programs the first opportunity
to reserve dates. If you need to use the Church building for any reason, please
contact Janet in the church office at 630-668-5147. Also, if you plan to sell
or advertise tickets to an upcoming church event, or display/sell items between services,
we have reserved Stewart Hall (right up the ramp) for you - please reserve your dates
with Janet so a table might be provided.
THE OUTREACH COMMUNITY CENTER in Carol Stream serves many of the senior
citizens in southeast Carol Stream who are in need of friendship and assistance. There
are many opportunities for service, but the two that need volunteers are the Friendly
Visitors and Activities Programs. If you feel you could give a few hours a
month, please speak with Janet Cederquist, Alice Lechiara, or Jean Williams.
YOUTH - Our Youth Permission Form is
online in both Word (doc) and Adobe
Acrobat (pdf) formats, and our Youth Medical/Travel Release Form is
also online in both Word (doc) and Adobe
Acrobat (pdf) formats. These forms can be saved or printed from the
website, completed, and returned to the church in person or by mail with the original
signature of the parent or guardian.
YOU CAN HELP PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS - The Olive Branch Chapter of Pilgrims
of Ibillin is continuing to sell the beautifully hand-carved olive wood items that
were on display at our Advent Festival on
December 3, 2006. These carvings come directly from Bethlehem and Beit Sahour - the
town of the Shepherd’s Field next to Bethlehem. Proceeds go directly to Palestinian
Christians to provide employment and education for the children at Mar Elias Elementary
School, founded by Archbishop Elias Chacour. For more information or to purchase
these beautiful items, contact Cerena Fischer at 630-289-4942 or by email at cmfischer2@aol.com.
You can also view photos and obtain more information on the Bethlehem Imports website
- http://www.bethlehemimports.org.
KEEPING IN TOUCH: One of the ways we can most efficiently, quickly and
inexpensively keep you informed of upcoming church events is via email. You
could help us keep in touch with you better by providing us with your current
email address and by letting us know when your email address changes. Simply
your current address to Janet Rynne at the church office, and we will take care of
the rest! Your email address will not be added to the church website unless
you request it, either by noting this in your email to the church office or by emailing
Susan Miller at GGM81@aol.com.
Wellsprings 2: Joyful - the new CD of piano and flute music by
Glauber Ribeiro and Jack Urban - is now available on the internet at http://cdbaby.com/cd/glauber3.
Like their original CD, Wellsprings, it features the same style of
peaceful musical conversations, perfect for meditation, prayer meetings, or personal
relaxation at home. Wellsprings2: Joyful was recorded in our
church sanctuary on December 23, 2005.
HOSPITAL VISIT UPDATE: In an effort to respect everyone’s privacy,
hospitals no longer contact the church automatically when you become a patient. You
must request that your church be notified. When we learn that you have entered the
hospital, members of the pastoral visitation team will visit you Monday through Friday.
Members of the team are Pastors Paul and Jay, as well as Rev. Ed Lanier, Mabel
Koshy, and Andrea Schewe. If you would like to be on the prayer board, just call
the church office and inform us. If you do not want a visit, for any reason, let
us know; and we will honor your request. We understand! All of us need different
kinds of support when we are ill.
DO YOU SING OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC MINISTRY
AT FIRST PRES? – Contact David Lincoln by
or by phone at 630-668-5147 (ext. 22) to get involved in Worship at First Pres.
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) IS NOW AVAILABLE! –
Your monthly pledge commitment can be automatically withdrawn from your checking
account, savings account, or credit card! Sign up forms are available at the information
desk, online, or you can
also call the office for one. There are many reasons to sign up for this program:
No need to write checks or bring cash to church
Peace-of-mind knowing that the church is receiving your contribution even if
you are unable to attend, which also makes for a more even cash flow for our church
More secure than checks
All contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement with date of settlement
IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!
If you have any questions regarding the EFT program, please contact Denny
Lawson.
GLORY BANNER: The beautiful Glory to God
banner was first hung in the Sanctuary in September 2004. It was begun by Leana Fay
and completed by Timothy Botts and is a gift from the late Jack Strunk back to the
congregation, reflecting Jack’s mission here on earth. . . Glory to God!
JOIN A PW CIRCLE - We invite you to join other women in fellowship
by attending Circle meetings. These groups meet on a regular
basis and participate in Bible studies, mission projects and take time to get to
know each other. For more information please contact Judy DenUyl (630-406-0968) or
Liz Timmer (630-668-2743).
HELPING HANDS CARITASTEAM IS AVAILABLE! The ministry goal of this CaritasTeam
Ministry is to maintain and strengthen ties among the Body of Christ by providing
specific remedial repairs required for the health and/or safety of members of this
church. We will perform minor home repairs or household odd jobs members cannot do
themselves due to physical limitations (perhaps temporary) or lack of required tools,
equipment or know-how. If appropriate, we’ll offer you an honest assessment
and recommendation of a local service professional that will meet your needs. No
member of our congregation should feel they must face a home repair problem alone.
To request assistance or get more information simply call the church office at 630-668-5147
and leave a message at the CaritasTeam extension *840 or call the team’s coordinator
Stuart MacDonald (630-510-8944).
ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE IS A SPECIAL FUND to help with congregational
needs on an emergency basis? Due to the downturn in the economy we have received
several requests from church members for assistance, and the fund is rapidly becoming
depleted. If you would like to help, you can make a contribution to First Presbyterian
marked for the congregational special needs fund. Place it in the offering or mail
to the church.
DONATE YOUR USED CAR TO A HOMELESS FAMILY THROUGH BRIDGE
COMMUNITIES - Bridge Communities, a non-profit, transitional housing program
serving homeless families in DuPage County with headquarters in Glen Ellyn, is looking
for individuals or businesses that would like to donate used cars. The cars are used
by homeless families who are in transition to self -sufficiency; donated cars allow
Bridge clients to commute to better paying jobs. Donations are tax deductible. To
donate your used car to help homeless families served by Bridge Communities, or to
find out how to support Bridge in another way, please call Mark Milligan at 630-545-0610,
ext. 10.
WORSHIP FLOWERS - Church members or friends may donate flower arrangements
for the Sunday services. Arrangements, which are made by Expressions Flower & Gift
Shop, cost between $45 and $60. After the services, arrangements are delivered
by the Deacons to the hospitalized or ill. Special announcements are posted in the
bulletin before Easter and Christmas, when donations are taken for the Easter lilies
and Christmas poinsettias. Please call Mary Burge at 630-665-7623 for additional
information.
PORTABLE COMPUTER PROJECTION SYSTEM AVAILABLE - A computer projector,
laptop, VCR, screen, and cart were purchased with funds from a gift to the church.
The system has the ability to project computer slide shows (e.g., Powerpoint), DVD
movies, VHS video tapes, and can be useful for Sunday School classes, committee meetings,
retreats, youth fellowship, worship and special presentations. For reservations contact
the church office 630-668-5147.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN . . . The Communication Ministry Committee
strives to provide church news through the church publications, the website and press
releases. If you or your group has news to disseminate outside of the church, please
be aware of the following guidelines:
The website is updated weekly with information from the Sunday bulletin. Pictures
are welcome and should be emailed to the web contacts. Hard copy photos can be put
in the web team’s mail slot in the church office. All photos should be accompanied
by a contact name, phone number and/or email address, and any other pertinent information.
Website contact: Susan Miller, 630-682-0108, GGM81@aol.com.
Press releases are submitted regularly to the newspapers for church news of community
interest. Press release requests or suggestions are welcome and can be submitted
to the press release contacts by either email or telephone and should include a contact
name, phone number and/or email address. At least four weeks lead time is required
for press releases. Please be aware that press releases are used as the newspapers
choose. Press Release Contact: Beth Gustafson, 630-871-9572, bgustafson5@sbcglobal.net.
The Committee wants to get your news out - please help us!
CARE CARDS - Please write a note on the Care Card located in the pew racks.
Sign your name, place it in the offering plate or in the care box at the Welcome
desk in the rotunda, and we will send them. You may also send Care Cards from our
website anytime - just click on care card,
type in the information, and then click on send.
WORSHIP ASSISTIVE DEVICES CARTS are available in both the Narthex and
the Son-Light Rotunda. These HELP carts provide a uniform site for parishioners with
special needs to choose from an array of items that can enhance their worship experience.
The items on each cart include large print hymnals and Bibles, as well as audio devices
and individual pew cushions. Help yourself to items on the cart or ask an usher for
assistance prior to each service. Please remember to return items to the cart after
each service so that other parishioners may use them. The individually packaged ear
piece portion of the personal hearing devices are available for $3.00 each and should
not be returned (for hygienic reasons).
WHEELCHAIRS - Thanks to the generosity of Marion Glendenning, Grant and
Theresa Lawson, and Denson's Medical Shop, First Pres has a wheelchair stationed
at each of the four main entrances of our church. Whenever these wheelchairs are
used, please be sure to return them to the proper location marked on each chair -
Narthex, Rotunda, Parish House, or Madison Street Entrance. If there are any problems
with the wheelchairs, please contact the church office.
Please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com with
any items you would like to contribute to the news and events sections of the First
Presbyterian Church website. Pictures are also appreciated!
This page last updated Thursday, November 05, 2009
