2009 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 2009.  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 2008, 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.

Dr. Gary M. Burge was our guest preacher at both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on Consecration Sunday, November 15, 2009.  His message, "The Greatest Gift Given to Jesus," was both humorous and inspirational.  Brunches were served following both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.

Our Presbyterian Women's Bake Sale on November 8, 2009, was a great success.  Thanks to all the women who brought delicious treats and the church members who purchased and enjoyed them, we raised $750 for PW's Plus Giving at the end of our year. 

Abraham's Children and TESS (Too Early and Short Stack Society) presented a wonderful breakfast and program on Saturday, November 7, 2009, with all proceeds going to Archbishop Chacour's Mar Elias University in Galilee.  The program, "The Endangered Species" Christians in the Holy Land, was presented by Rev. Dr. Don Wagner, Professor and Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University.

Kyle Roggenbuck talked about her position in Pastoral Care, and David Lincoln and the Humble Singers entertained in the Sanctuary at the Senior Luncheon on October 27, 2009. 

Our Genesis middle schoolers had a BLAST at Premier Gymnastics, Carol Stream, Illinois, on October 25, 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.  Dr. Mikhael has been the president of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, Lebanon, since 1994 and is the first woman seminary president in the Middle East.  Our blood drive was also held the same morning.

“Mission in the World: Enabling Indian Women” was the fascinating program presented by Dr. Mabel Koshy, a First Pres member and Parish Associate on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2009.  This event was sponsored by Presbyterian Women.  Following the presentation everyone enjoyed refreshments and conversation.

A display of breads from different countries, with flags for each of these countries, provided a visual enhancement of World Communion Sunday during our 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on October 4, 2009.

Afrizo, a musical group from Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, that sings a unique blend of African music, sang at both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on Sunday, September 27, 2009.  Afrizo also performed in a concert held in the Sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. the same day.  Good will donations to support Daystar University were accepted during the concert.

Our middle schoolers had a great time at Timber-lee at the Genesis Fall Retreat September 25 - 27, 2009.

At both our 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on September 20, 2009, a dramatization of the story of the rivalry between siblings was presented by Doug Boyd as Esau and Doug Zimmer as Jacob.  The services also included special music with David Beering playing his trumpet and Elizabeth Aalbue singing the verses of our gathering song, "Life Together," and leading the congregation in singing the refrains.

Our Connections Expo in the Ministry Center on September 13, 2009, provided an easy way for church members to learn about the many opportunities available for them to volunteer, share their talents and interests, and get connected with other people and activities in the church.

Our September 2009 Wednesday Faith Builders program was enjoyed and well attended by both Presbyterians and Mormons. 

Perhaps it was the scheduling change to the end of August, the starting time change to 11:00 a.m., the beautiful 70-degree weather, or a combination of all of these factors, but our August 30, 2009, Catch the Spirit All-Church Picnic had the largest crowd in recent memory.

Kurt, Sue, and Family from the "Humanitarian Optical Project" were received at a reception at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2009.

Genesis youth had a BLAST at Movie Night at the church on August 16, 2009.  Even though we had to move the movie inside due to rain, everyone had a great time eating a lot of candy and popcorn while watching the movie, "Fred Claus."

Genesis members participated in a mission project, the third annual Genesis All-Church Cleanup, weeding and planting on the church grounds and enhancing the preschool on August 11, 2009, helping get the church ready for fall programs.  Afterwards they enjoyed pizza and “gutter” banana splits.

Genesis families and friends had a great time at Splash Country Water Park on on July 22, 2009. 

From June 22 - 26, 2009, children entering 4 year old preschool through Grade 4 had a wonderful time at Vacation Bible School.  This year's theme was Camp E.D.G.E. (Experience and Discover God Everywhere). The children enjoyed Bible stories, games, activities, service, and songs, along with 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 Genesis had a wonderful week spent serving others during our VBS Service Squad.  Our first day was spent getting to know each other, putting together our Service Squad journals, and making fleece pillows.  Day two was split between one group going to the Animal Shelter to bathe and play with 10 puppies while the other group assisted Joan Reuss with gardening duties at Adams Park.  Day three the weeders were able to go to the Animal Shelter for puppy socialization and treat making while other group planted around the church grounds.  Day four was spent playing bingo with the residents of the DuPage Convalescent Center.  Our fleece pillows were the bingo prizes.  The week concluded with the morning spent at Feed My Starving Children and then lunch afterwards at MacDonald's.  What a wonderful week we all had!  

On June 7, 2009, a reception to welcome Kyle Roggenbuck, our new Coordinator of Pastoral Care, was held in the rotunda following the 8:00 a.m. worship service.

Our Genesis youth had a BLAST at the Kane County Cougars baseball game on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

At Princeton Theological Seminary on May 23, 2009, Sarah Iliff received the Master of Divinity degree and Peter J.M. Henry received the Doctor of Philosophy degree. 

On Youth Sunday, May 17, 2009, all three services were conducted by the high school students of First Presbyterian Church.  The Confirmation Class of 2009 was introduced and blessed at the 8:40 a.m. service.  Our graduating seniors were blessed at the 11:00 a.m. service, and the mission trip was commissioned.  The messages of seven high school seniors can be heard and downloaded as mp3 files.

Everyone enjoyed food and fellowship at our deacon-sponsored Senior Luncheon on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. 

Children from each class from preschool through grade five did a great job at the closing celebration on the last day of Sunday School  on May 10, 2009.

New board members were installed and prior board members acknowledged and thanked at our Presbyterian Women's Strawberry Breakfast on May 7, 2009.

Presbyterian Women celebrated Remarkable Women Sunday at the 7:30, 8:40, and 11:00 a.m. worship services on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

Centennial Sunday, April 19, 2009, was the big set of events: simultaneous worship in both the Sanctuary and the Ministry Center on a beautiful spring day; with visiting pastors and seminarians; a post service reception in the living room, dining room, and Stewart Hall; noon time bell ringing outside the Sanctuary (and by other Wheaton and Presbytery of Chicago Churches); a pre-service meeting to coordinate the extraordinary number of service elements; our Celebration Food Drive and parking trolley; and a Special Thank You to the many who helped plan and realize these many events.

At the Centennial Reception held Saturday, April 18, 2009, at the Carol Stream Holiday Inn, attendees enjoyed sharing memories with pastors, staff and interim pastors from our past.  It was so good to catch up on the lives of these active people!

Everyone had a great time at our annual Easter egg hunt and craft party on Saturday, April 11, 2009. The party was for children age 3 through Grade 3 and their adults.

Our Maundy Thursday worship service on April 9, 2009, included the drama “The Living Last Supper,” in addition to the message by Dr. Paul J. Kirbas, The Things We Do For Love, which is available in audio format from our sermons page or our sermons podcast.

Our Centennial Concert on March 22, 2009, was a wonderful display of some of the many talented members of First Presbyterian Church.

Fifty middle school youth had a BLAST at the Genesis March Madness event at church on March 13, 2009.

Banners enhanced our worship experience each week of Lent, March 1 through April 5, 2009, helping us turn our eyes upon Jesus and learn the lessons for life as he walked the way of the cross.  All of the sermons during Lent were presented by Dr. Paul Kirbas and are available from our sermons page. 

The Presbyterian Women's February Mission, Blanket the World with Love, assisted by Genesis youth, provided 49 blankets for this Church World Mission.

Our second annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans worship services at 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. on February 22, 2009, were enjoyed by all.

Our first Kirkin' o' the Tartans dinner on February 21, 2009, included bagpipe music, tartan flags, and other Scottish items, as well as a delicious dinner and great fellowship.

As a thank you to First Presbyterian Church for all the support for the LOGOS program and in honor of our church's 100th birthday, LOGOS presented FPC with a portable, Chartres-style canvas labyrinth.  On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, LOGOS participants enjoyed the opportunity to experience and learn about labyrinths.

Our seventh graders reenacted the Last Supper during Sunday School on February 15, 2009.

Valentine was the theme at LOGOS on February 11, 2009.

Everyone who participated in our PW Vintage Memories Luncheon on February 8, 2009, had a great time.

Photos of our Sixth and Seventh Grade Sunday School classes taken February 8, 2009, are now on the website.  Our sixth graders study the Old Testament throughout the year using the Presbyterian curriculum The Bible - The Story of God's Faithfulness; and our seventh graders study the New Testament throughout the year using With All Boldness and Freedom, A Survey of the New Testament. 

Mayor Michael Gresk of Wheaton declared February 4, 2009, to be Ruth Chambliss Day and John O'Melia Day, honoring these two members of First Presbyterian Church for their many years of service on the Community Relations Commission.

Scout Sunday was celebrated on February 1, 2009.  As members of First Presbyterian Church, we have sponsored Boy Scout Troop 23 since 1955 and Cub Scout Pack 63 since 1943.

Everyone had a great time at our Genesis WinterXtreme Retreat at the Timber-lee Christian Retreat Center, which took place from Friday, January 23, through Sunday, January 25.

On Sunday, January 18, 2009, Ministers Jim Honig from Faith Lutheran of Glen Ellyn, Lillian Daniel from First Congregational of Glen Ellyn, and Jay Moses from First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton came together for an ecumenical service "Table Talk" at both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. services in our Sanctuary.

At our Centennial Grande Salon Art Exhibition on January 10, 2009, about $3200 was raised to fund expenses of our Centennial Celebration; but just as important was the opportunity for our members to share their talents, for others to take home a cherished object, and for everyone to enjoy wonderful fellowship.

Our Genesis middle schoolers and their friends had a BLAST at the Wheaton Sport Center on January 9, 2009.

On Epiphany Sunday, January 4, 2009, the sermon by Dr. Paul Kirbas, "The Three Gifts," focused on the three particular gifts that were brought by the Magi.  A dramatization was provided at both the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.