2008 Events

This page includes information and links to pictures about events that either took place at First Presbyterian Church or involved members or supported organizations in 2008.  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 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002 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.

Denny Lawson's Fifth Grade Sunday School Class filmed a 27 minute movie titled The Christmas Story on December 21, 2008.

About 90 people braved bad weather to attend and enjoy our Centennial Christmas Concert, Let There Be Light, on Saturday, December 20, 2008.

Presbyterian Women participated in many Christmas mission projects in December 2008, including donating books and other items to the Roseland Community "Good News" Day Care Center in Chicago.

Our LOGOS middle schoolers visited many of the First Presbyterian Church seniors, taking cookies and an ornament to each one, on December 17, 2008.

The Men's Luncheon Group Christmas Party at Windsor Park Manor on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, was a wonderful outing for over forty church members.

Denny Lawson hosted the annual Fifth Grade Sunday School Class Breakfast at Denny's on December 14, 2008.

Worship leadership was provided at our 8:40 a.m. service on December 14, 2008, by The Proclaimers, our new youth music/drama group for four year olds through eighth graders that began in October 2008, meeting from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays right before LOGOS.

Nearly 120 guests visited the Ministry Center here at First Presbyterian on December 12 and 13, 2008, to pick up food and select clothing, shoes, and toys as part of Wheaton's Christmas Sharing program.  Over 150 First Presbyterian volunteers worked many hours December 9-13 to make this possible and spread the joy and peace of Christmas.  Our LOGOS middle schoolers worked at Christmas Sharing on December 10, 2008.

On Consecration Sunday, November 16, 2008, everyone enjoyed the catered brunches that followed both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.  Dr. Dennis Okholm was our guest preacher at both services.

The children at First Presbyterian Preschool enjoy activities both indoors and outdoors, learning social skills and developing their imaginations and creativity, during fall 2008.

LOGOS began each Wednesday night beginning October 1, 2008.  Photos are online of some of the LOGOS activities on October 1 and 15, October 22, and November 5, 2008.

With the generous donations from the congregation, the hands of Hannah Circle sorting and packing the donations, members of Grace Circle loading the donations into the back of Kim Van Oss’ van, and Kim and Steve delivering the donations to the Wheaton City Hall parking lot Saturday afternoon, October 25, 2008, Presbyterian Women and First Presbyterian Church helped to Make a Difference to the members of the PADS community.

Our Genesis youth had a BLAST at Sonny Acres on October 19, 2008.

Over 60 people enjoyed the great food and fellowship as well as a wonderful presentation called "Building Mental Muscle" by Patti Terkovich from Arden Courts of Glen Ellyn at the Senior Luncheon on October 16, 2008.

A pair of hawks visited the church this October.

Our Centennial Tree was dedicated on October 5, 2008.

Our second annual Blessing of the Animals service was held in the Courtyard on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

Nicaraguan newborn infants received layettes thanks to the September 2008 Grace Circle Mission Project and Austin Samaritans.

During the four Sundays of September 2008 Dr. Paul Kirbas introduced the essential characteristics of the book of Judges, with actors, who were all church members, portraying Deborah, Gideon, Samson, and a villager who was expressing the anxiety of Israel because no leader was apparent.

Our fall homecoming Sunday on September 7, 2008, Catch the Spirit Sunday, included a Connections Expo held in the Ministry Center during the Education Hour, our annual picnic with games for all ages and a terrific dinner that included food prepared by our deacons and salads and desserts provided by the members in attendance, as well as the return to our three-service schedule, with worship services at 7:30, 8:40, and 11:00 a.m., and an Education Hour from 9:55 to 10:50 a.m. 

At the Presbyterian Women's monthly gathering on September 4, 2008, Mission Possible, attendees brought sack lunches and enjoyed fellowship in Stewart Hall while completing the hands-on mission projects of filling 64 School Kits AND 81 Health Kits.  These have all been mailed to CHURCH WORLD SERVICE service annex in New Windsor, MD, and will be sent to disaster areas here at home or abroad.  All items in the kits were donated by the women of our church.

Our Genesis Middle Schoolers participated in a mission project cleaning up at the church and preparing things for fall programs on August 11, 2008.  They then enjoyed pizza and a gutter banana split.

Our Genesis youth had a BLAST at Rice Pool on August 3, 2008.

Genesis volunteers participated in a mission project working at Feed My Starving Children on July 31, 2008, packaging bags of food in an assembly line - measuring ingredients, pouring ingredients into bags, weighing bags, sealing bags, and boxing food to be shipped.

Many Genesis youth participated in a mission project on Friday, July 11, 2008, for His Wheels International, helping Alice Teisen clean up her backyard, straighten up her garage, organize bikes, and work on bikes

Since over 50 children from Vacation Bible School sang at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on June 29, 2008, David Lincoln had his hair dyed in the Rotunda following the service, as he had promised the children.

Rainforest Adventure was the Vacation Bible School theme June 23-27, 2008, for children entering 4 year old preschool through Grade 4. The children enjoyed Bible stories, games, crafts, music, being with their friends, and making new friends.  The adult and high school student volunteers did a wonderful job making the event a success!  At the same time youth entering Grades 5 - 7 participated in a hands-on mission project, Service Squad, doing volunteer work at People's Resource Center, DuPage Convalescent Center, and Willowbrook Wildlife Haven.

Genesis volunteers participated in a mission project on Thursday, June 19, 2008, helping at the Milton Township Food Pantry, 1492 North Main Street Wheaton, IL.

Thirty-one middle school students and ten adults had a BLAST at the Kane County Cougars game on Thursday, June 5, 2008.

Over 30 people attended our first CHCF (Coffee House College Fellowship) meeting of the summer on Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Buffalo Wild Wings in Warrenville; and we had a great time catching up with each other and dining together.

Church members and friends welcomed back Archbishop Elias Chacour at a breakfast at First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton, on Saturday, May 17, 2008.  Following the delicious breakfast Archbishop Chacour spoke of a model for peace that works; the model he has been using for the last 25 years, accomplishing what scores of politicians have failed to do.   In the process he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.

On Youth Sunday, May 18, 2008, all three services were conducted by the high school students of First Presbyterian Church, and the messages of nine of our graduating high school seniors are available in mp3 format to hear or to download.

Mama Duck decided the church courtyard was a welcoming place to raise her family in May 2008.

A record crowd of about 145 people enjoyed our spring senior luncheon and a slide presentation by Paul Kirbas of the recent group tour to Israel on May 14, 2008.

The new officers of Presbyterian Women were installed in May 2008, and photos from some of the PW programs and activities are now available on the website.

The Sunday School classes from 2 year olds through grade 5 gathered in Stewart Hall to share their scripture memory with each other and their parents on May 11, 2008.  The classes took turns coming to the "stage" and offering what they have learned this year.  Each class did a wonderful job!  We are so thankful for all the fantastic teachers who share God's love with the children!

On May 9 and 10, 2008, six middle school youth and two adults participated in the Presbytery of Chicago's Youth Mission project AWOL - A Work Of Love.

On May 4, 2008, our church collected 84 bikes for His Wheels International, a bicycle service organization that assists Christian mission organizations in providing bicycles and bicycle expertise in the U.S. and throughout the world.

On April 27, 2008, the choirs of the First Presbyterian Churches of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn joined together to sing the Gospel Mass by Robert Ray at 8:40 a.m. in Wheaton and 11:00 a.m. in Glen Ellyn.

Everyone in the large crowd  enjoyed musical entertainment, savory homemade tea party treats, and a fashion show at the PW Reali-Tea on April 27, 2008.

Our Genesis Middle Schoolers had a BLAST at Brunswick Zone in Carol Stream on April 23, 2008.

Photos from the Second Chance Prom on March 8, 2008, and the Confirmation Retreat April 18-20, 2008, are available on the WF website www.ledbyyouth.com.

The Gospel reading from Mark 16:14-18 was presented as a drama during our 8:40 a.m. worship service on April 13, 2008.

Everyone had a great time at our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Craft Party on Saturday, March 22, 2008.  The children, age 3 through grade 3, and their adults enjoyed crafts and face and hand painting, followed by cookies in Stewart Hall.  The egg hunt was held in the Ministry Center due to snowy weather.

Our Maundy Thursday worship service on March 20, 2008, included the drama The Living Last Supper.

Our Supper Club's St. Patrick's Celebration on Saturday, March 15, 2008, included a great corned beef and cabbage dinner, jokes by Leprechaun Jack Wilson, group singing of Irish songs led by Debby and Denny Lawson, and was highlighted by a wonderful program of Irish and Broadway songs sung by tenor Mike Sammer, accompanied by Paul Burgess on the piano.

On March 14, 2008, our Genesis Middle Schoolers gathered at First Pres for March Madness Night.  Forty-five students enjoyed activities such as activities such as basketball, ping pong, carpet ball, guitar hero, loaded questions, pictionary, uno attack, and fear factor food.  The evening ended with a devotion and message about God’s plan for our lives led by Allison Tirone, Senior High Youth Director.

Photos of some of the LOGOS activities from October 2007 through their closing banquet on March 12, 2008, can be viewed online.  LOGOS is our mid-week ministry for young people in Kindergarten through 8th grade.  Meetings are on Wednesday evenings from October through March each year.  The goal of the ministry is to nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ and Christian relationships with peers and adult leaders.  This is accomplished through a four-part program that includes Bible Study, Worship Skills, Recreation, and a family-style dinner.

The 5th Grade Sunday School hosted its 5th annual “Interview with a Pastor” event during the Sunday School hour on March 9, 2008.  The students were well prepared with a list of questions to ask Pastor Liz Walker.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, our LOGOS children of all ages, their families, and additional church members brought in 480 pairs of new and gently used pairs of shoes.  After dinner our middle schoolers heard a presentation by Providence Rubingisa about his ministry called, "Stuff for the Poor" -  www.stuffforthepoor.com.  The following week the middle schoolers sorted all the shoes and put them into bags, which were later taken to Providence Rubingisa's storage lockers.  As soon as the lockers are full, everything will be sent to Africa.

Discovering Your Own Path to God was the topic of a retreat led by Paul Kirbas held at our church on February 9, 2008, sponsored by our Single Adult Fellowship.

Forty of our middle schoolers attended the Genesis Winter Xtreme retreat on February 8-10, 2008, at Timber-lee.  Our favorite band, Daniel's Window, led us in worship; and Bill Allison was our amazing speaker.  We enjoyed perfect weather all returned a little changed for the better.

On Scout Sunday, February 3, 2008, a display on scouting was set up in the Rotunda; and Boy Scout donuts were served after the worship service.  As members of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton we have sponsored Cub Scout Pack 63 since 1943 and Boy Scout Troop 23 since 1955.

We celebrated the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church through a wonderful service of bagpipes and drums, tartans, beadles, Scottish liturgy, and traditions of the old Scottish Kirk at our church's first Kirkin' o' the Tartans services at 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2008.  Our annual congregational meeting was held in the Ministry Center between the two services.  The State of the Church presentation by Dr. Paul J. Kirbas can be downloaded as an audio file in mp3 format or as a video file in mov format.  The video format includes the slides from the powerpoint presentation and is about 75 MB in size, while the audio format is only about 5 MB in size (a much faster download). Right click either link to save the target on your own computer.

Pearlington Mississippi Mission - Eighteen First Pres members and friends traveled to Pearlington, Mississippi, January 13-19, 2008, to provide assisstance to members of this community, which was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  Photos and reflections from this trip have been added to to the Pearlington - Katrina Disaster Assistance web page.

Our Genesis Middle Schoolers had a BLAST at Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville on January 13, 2008.  Vertical Endeavors is an indoor rock climbing facility with walls ranging from 30 to 42 feet in height.

A celebration of thanks to honor the ministry and contributions of Pastor Caryle Aitken Wilkie was held in Stewart Hall following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on January 6, 2008.  Although Caryle was with First Presbyterian only 22 months as our Interim Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care, she and her husband, Peter, had rapidly become part of our church family.