2003 Events

This page includes information and pictures about events that either took place at First Presbyterian Church or involved members or supported organizations in 2003.  Please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com with any items and photos you would like to contribute.

Past events from 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 are also online, as well as upcoming events for adults and for youth.  Some information and photos about events prior to 2002 can be found in our Church History Section.

Worship leadership for our Intergenerational Christmas Eve Service in the Ministry Center was provided by children grade 3 and older who were readers and pre-school children through grade 5 who led Christmas Carols in ringing our tone chimes (grades 2-5), colored bells (K-1), and jingle bells for the youngest ringers.

Ericka Parkinson's ordination as a minister was held at First Presbyterian Church on December 21, 2003. Ericka grew up here at First Presbyterian, graduated in the spring of 2003 from Princeton Theological Seminary, and has been called to serve as Associate Pastor for First Presbyterian Church, Richland, Michigan. Members of both churches joined in choirs for this celebration. Photos, music, and messages from this celebration are online.

An Angel Tree Christmas Party was held for children and their caretakers in Stewart Hall on December 20, 2003. Angel Tree is a ministry to the children of prisoners. It is one of several programs that is a part of Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministries. Angel Tree was started back in 1982 and is has served millions of children over the years and over half a million during Christmas 2003. The children received gifts donated by church members on behalf of their parents in prison. Angel Tree is now a mission partner of First Presbyterian Church, with opportunities to help available throughout the year.

Our Westminster Fellowship (WF) youth enjoyed dressing as Santas and reindeer at their meeting on December 7, 2003. They also participated in a Progressive Dinner on December 13, 2003.

Church members and visitors enjoyed fellowship, refreshments, a live demonstration of the church website, information about Presbyterian Women's activities and projects, our church library, and some of our small groups and mission projects at our Christmas Festival in the Ministry Center on December 7, 2003.

On Sunday, November 16, 2003, we enjoyed music provided by our Genesis Choir as well as our band, Two or More, during both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. National Donor Sabbath was observed, with speakers at all three services providing personal information about this gift of life; and a table was set up in Stewart Hall with photos and memories of a few of the people who have donated tissues and organs or received these incredible gifts. Volunteers from our Health Ministry Team provided blood pressure screenings, as they do the third Sunday of every month. This was also the Sunday Presbyterian Women began their holiday sales of one-pound bags of pecans, with proceeds going toward PW missions.

Our annual Mission Fair on Sunday, October 19, 2003, provided information to all in attendance on ways we can help continue "Walking in Christ's Steps" by participating in the missions in our area and around the world.

An abundance of food, fellowship, music, and ethnic displays of arts and crafts were enjoyed at the Scandinavian Fest held in Stewart Hall on Saturday, October 18, 2003. The Fox Valley Swedish Children’s chorus presented a wonderful program of song and dance.

On October 18, 2003, 340 pink tulip bulbs were planted near Ellis Street for our Garden of Hope to honor those who have suffered from breast cancer and to raise awareness that early detection is the best cure. Please take a moment to pray for those women who have dealt with the devastating affects of breast cancer! The garden looked beautiful in April 2004 filled with pink blooms.

We celebrated Randy Den Braven's 10-year anniversary with First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 28, 2003, at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, followed by a reception in the Rotunda.

Our traditional Homecoming Sunday picnic was held in Stewart Hall on September 7, 2003. Our youth band provided music, and everyone feasted on all the delicious items brought by church members and friends as well as the hot dogs and hamburgers provided by our deacons. Fun, food, and fellowship were shared by all the generations of our church family.

Members of our Westminster Choir had the opportunity to meet David Lincoln, our new Director of Music, at the Choir Workshop held on Saturday, September 6.

On July 27, 2003 First Presbyterian members participated in our annual trip to Ravinia and enjoyed a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a picnic in the park, and the fellowship of friends.

Bible stories, cooking, crafts, and other activities were enjoyed during Vacation Bible School, held June 24 - 27, 2003, for children entering 4-year-old preschool through grade 6. This year's theme was Marketplace 29 AD.

Our WF Mission Trip in June 2003 was to Coleman, Michigan.

The Sunday School Finale was held in the Ministry Center on June 8, 2003. Each of the classes shared the scripture they had memorized with each other and with parents and other family members.

Our Pilgrims of Ibillin Middle Eastern Feast on May 16, 2003, featured Father Abuna Elias Chacour, founder of the Mar Elias Schools in northern Israel. Nearly 350 people filled Stewart Hall, enjoying delicious food and grand entertainment, and contributed $10,000 to Father Chacour’s work.

On Youth Sunday, May 4, 2003, all three services were conducted by the high school students of First Presbyterian Church. Our graduating seniors were blessed at the 8:45 service, and the Confirmation Class of 2003 was welcomed at the 11:00 service. A melodrama, "Sink or Swim," was presented at the 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. services, and our WF Youth Band played at both of these services.

On Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2003, we had a Living Last Supper and Holy Communion worship service at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Photos from the Last Supper are online.

On March 30, 2003, Pathways and the Mission Outreach Committee presented One Great Hour of Fellowship during our 10:00 a.m. Sunday education hour. Church members and visitors met in the Ministry Center for refreshments and information on our One Great Hour of Sharing program.

Our worship services on March 23, 2003, included music played by our Celebration Ringers and Orchestra plus a solo sung by Robert Wertke and played by Kristen Burge on the clarinet. Between services Riley Roberts autographed copies of his book, Fair Winds and Following Seas. Riley is a sophomore at Wheaton Warrenville South High School and a member of First Presbyterian Church.

A good time was had by all at our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Dinner on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. in Stewart Hall. Attendees enjoyed a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef, cabbage, and boiled potatoes, plus entertainment by Irish dancers and Wheaton's leprechaun, Bernie Hurley. This event was sponsored by the Friends Across the Generations.

On Friday, February 28, 2003 our church hosted a Care Team Leadership Training Conference. Our presenters for the day were Malcolm Marler, the director of the Care team network, Kelly Ross-Davis also from the Care team network in Biringham, Alabama, and our very own Maryanne Kyle.

Our 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. worship services on February 23, 2003, were contemporary in style, including music provided by our Praise Band, Genesis Guitars, and Genesis Chorus. Photos from the 8:45 a.m. service are online.

Our annual Westminster Fellowship Spaghetti Dinner was held on Saturday, February 22, 2003, in Stewart Hall. All donations for the dinner support the cost of the youth mission trip in June to Coleman, Michigan. Everyone attending had the opportunity to enjoy great Italian cuisine, fellowship, and entertainment.

Children from our Genesis and Logos programs participated in our worship service on February 2, 2003; and photos from the 8:45 a.m. service are online.

Middle school students and leaders from First Presbyterian Church went on a retreat at Timber-Lee Christian Center near East Troy, Wisconsin, from February 7-9, 2003. Small photos are available online as well as a page with links to more details, large photos, and mpg videos.