First Congregational Church - Constant Contact
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First Congregational Church Sunday Morning Worship October 1, 2017 United in God’s Love
Transcript of First Congregational Church - Constant Contact
First Congregational Church
Sunday Morning Worship
October 1, 2017
United in God’s Love
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Let the church always be a place of mercy and hope where everyone is welcomed, loved and
forgiven.- Pope Francis
“We need to be the church that serves and loves people now, today, exactly where they are.
Until then, we are simply managing decline.”
― Rev. Kellen Roggenbuck
“Before they are preachers, leaders or church planters, the disciples are to be lovers! This is the test of whether or not they have known Jesus. This remains the case today: this cross-love is the primary, dynamic test of whether or not we have understood the gospel word and experienced its power...It is our cross-love for each other that proclaims the truth of the gospel to a watching and skeptical world. Our love for one another, to the extent that it
imitates and conforms to the cross love of Jesus for us, is evangelistic. -Tim Chester
God is still speaking …
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey …
You are welcome here! A SPECIAL WARM WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS!
Thank you for joining us today! We hope that you feel the warmth of God’s spirit here as we worship together! Please complete the form (in the pew) to let us know a little more about you and place it in the offering plate. As our guests this day it is the only offering we ask. If you should have a prayer concern or would like to meet with the Pastor please indicate this next to your name. Thank you!
Following worship please join us in Fellowship Hall for an informal Continental Breakfast.
Please note our worship services are online and televised, your participation in the service may be visible during these live ministries. If you should not wish your child to be on screen, please refrain from sending them forward during the children’s time or have them sit directly in front of the pews in the front.
Large print bulletins and hearing devices are available. Please ask an usher.
An elevator is at your disposal for all levels; our west entrance has a ramp.
Children are welcome in worship; however, should your child grow restless feel free to sit with them in the Parlor at the rear of the Sanctuary.
Nursery/childcare is available for children up to age 2 and is located on Level 2 just beyond the Chapel.
Children are invited to attend Sunday School following the Children’s Message. Classes are offered for all ages.
Today’s Sunday School: IMPORTANT NOTICE: The 5th and 6th grade class will be using room 602 (east half of the Youth Room) for their Sunday school classes beginning today. 3yrs. – 4 ½ yrs. Class will meet in room 202, 4 ½ - K class meets in room 203, 1st & 2nd grade class will meet in the Chapel and the 3rd & 4th grade class will meet in room 603.
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Please pass the clipboard in the pews. Sign in and sign up for events and let us know you’re here. PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Scott *SHARING THE PEACE *OPENING SONG God of Wonders -Hindalong CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Pastor Sanders May our love of You define us. The words we speak and the actions we take. Help us to share and speak about the Good News of Jesus Christ who changes and touches the world! Help us to share Your love God with our bodies, our voices, and our minds. Use us to bring joy, hope, and Godly love into our homes, our church, our families, and our community. Amen. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Scott The Lord’s Prayer (read in unison) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING -Joe Kilar Matthew 28:16-20 2nd Corinthians 4:5-18 MINISTRY OF MUSIC He Lives in You -Lebo M./Mancina/Rifkin Chancel Choir SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION MESSAGE This Treasure in Jars of Clay -Pastor Scott
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SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Pastor Scott and Pastor Kim This table reminds us of the open invitation and grace of God. We come carrying the weight of life, our fears, our flaws, our failures, and our sins. We leave filled, forgiven. At this table we are reminded that we are sons and daughters of the living God, kissed by grace, forgiven in ways that leave us amazed. We are called to do likewise. This table is open to all who seek the Bread of Life for the journey and the cup of God’s salvation in Christ. As Christ invites the world to come, taste and see the goodness of God, so we too offer a table open to all God’s children – no exceptions! Welcome to the table God has prepared!
Invitation to the Table Pastor Kim Prayer of Confession Pastor Scott Assurance of God’s Grace Pastor Kim Words of Institution Special Music Here -Kari Jobe The Band Prayer of Thanksgiving Pastor Kim OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Pastor Scott Sharing Our Gifts with the Offertory Offertory Music -The Band *Presentation of the Gifts with Praise (sung in unison) To God, all glorious heavenly light, To Christ revealed in earthly night, To God the Spirit now we raise, Our joyful song of thankful praise.
*Prayer of Dedication Pastor Scott *CLOSING SONG #581 Called As Partners In Christ’s Service (1,3 and 4) -Huber *BENEDICTION Ancient Words - Deshazo One of our worship traditions to show our solidarity and love in community is to join hands and sing. If you are visiting with us, we invite you to join us in song and in spirit. *POSTLUDE Glorious -Munizzi
OUR TIME OF WORSHIP TOGETHER HAS ENDED.
NOW MAY OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BEGIN!
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Today’s Musicians Vocals: Kelley Calpin and Anthony Berg
Guitar: Vinny Kabat Bass: Eric von Holst Piano: Michael Goldman Reeds: Matt Beck Trumpet: Mike Leavans Horn: Sara Younker
Percussion: Justin Kono and Lily West
PRAYER CONCERNS AND COMMUNITY JOYS For our country and its leaders, for people in our community who are struggling to make ends meet, The Prohot family, Dorothy Allen, Michael Ode, Gary Emore
GREETERS: George Vytlacil, Debra & Ralph Anderson USHERS: April Prescott, Mike Prescott, Larry Ferries, Sandy Gales (HEAD USHER:) Bob Orsula COUNTERS: Skyla Hall, Paul Zimmerman (Lead Counter) Jim Finucane
This week’s continental breakfast will be hosted by Buildings & Grounds. This week’s altar flowers are in celebration of Mike & April Prescott’s 20th year anniversary.
This Week’s Announcements UPCOMING Christian Education Opportunities:Sundays Starting October the 8th- following service we’ll have a discussion group each Sunday around preaching issues that face the church today. NOTE: Many of these sermons are edgy and controversial- the idea is to elicit conversation and reaction and to wrestle with the challenges they propose. I hope that you will consider coming to one or more of these opportunities to engage and share with your church family. October the 8th: Why People Hate Organized Religion -Brian McLaren October 15th: Borderless Borders (grappling with Immigration in the church) Cladiudio Carvalhaes October 22nd: Confronting Racism through Preaching Will Willimon October 29th: When the Empire Strikes Back Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III November 5th: Relinquishment and Reception Walter Brueggemann November 12th: What the Wing Says Barbara Brown Taylor
Get to know the people in your pew better... Attend a Dinner for 8 Event this Fall: The Fellowship Board is planning another Dinner for 8 for this Fall. Forms are also available on the clipboards in the church pews. Please either put the completed form in the offering plate on Sunday or get it to one of the board members. They are Samantha Cechowski, Robin Oberle, Fred Borrowman, Joyce Nelson, Denise Hoytt, and Lynn Niemi. The soft deadline for sign-up is this today, Sunday, October 1st.
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COAT DRIVE: On October 22nd, Congregational Care will be handing out names and sizes of coats needed for Foster Care. To help provide these families with warm clothes, see us in Fellowship Hall. This is the 52nd year this congregation has been sharing hope. Returns will be November 5th. Questions? Call Ann Mullen 630-969-3287.
Pads-Still Many Openings for Food and Volunteers: Good news is that most of Oct. 2nd is filled. I still need 2 salads and one dessert, and one volunteer for the 3-7am shift and one for breakfast from 5:30 to 7am. For the four remaining Mondays I need a lot of food and more volunteers for most shifts. Please help if you can! I will be available after service or email char [email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS: 24 HOUR POWER RETREAT to Pilgrim Park, on Saturday, October 7, departing from our church at 2:00 pm and returning Sunday, October 8, at 2:00 pm. This Sunday, Confirmation meets in the side Parlor at 9:15 am to help lead worship with Pastor Scott. This quarters “Service Projects”, Crop Walk October 15th at 1:45 pm, Sleep Out Saturday November 4th 8:00 pm-8:00 am November 5th, Night Ministry Christmas Party, December 16th 2:00 pm-7:00 pm. Questions? Contact Mrs. Pro at 630.660.7445.
What does Generous God - Generous Spirit mean to you? Come to the town hall meeting on October 1st immediately following the service to find out. Updates will be given on the reserve study, the capital campaign, a preliminary 2018 fiscal and ministry vision and an introduction to what a Generous God and Generous Spirit can do within First Congregational Downers Grove in 2018. We will not limit the POWER OF GOD in this place. Hope to see you all there.
Prison Ministry: We’ll be kicking-off the Warrenville Youth Center prison ministry for the 2017/18 school year with a planning meeting at church on Monday, October 2 at 7 pm. Please join us if you are interested in learning more about this fun, and meaningful, outreach. You can also contact Amy Curran at [email protected].
Women's Fellowship - Ladies of the Morning and Evening: We're going out for Lunch, Friday, October 6, at 11:30 AM at Yerbabuena Mexican Cuisine at 4734 Main St Lisle, IL, (630)-852-8040. If you plan on coming please email or call me. It is nice to have some idea of how big a table to get. Peggy Gutzke H-630/971-1382 [email protected]!
Traveling Feast Fundraiser: HOPE’S FRONT DOOR (HFD) will be hosting THE TRAVELING FEAST fundraiser on October 5, 2017. Guests will be tasting delectable food offerings from five downtown Westmont restaurants before traveling down the road to their next culinary destination. The money raised will be in support of the Financial Literacy Program –
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helping area residents gain financial self-sufficiency through baseline financial literacy including budgeting, savings and credit repair. Tickets can be purchased by calling Hopes Front Door at (630.241.0187) or by visiting the website at www.hopesfrontdoor.org; or you may contact them by email at [email protected], [email protected].
Faith Builders Group: A new Christian Education opportunity to share in prayer, read scripture and share our experiences with it as we grow together as disciples each Thursday at 10am in the Library with Pastor Scott.
FCC Book Club: The book club selection for October is "The Nobodies Album" by Carolyn Parkhurst. We will meet on Wednesday, October 4 at 6:30 PM in the Parlor. EVERYONE is invited - merely read the book and join us for spirited discussion.
CROP WALK: The South DuPage CROP Hunger Walk this year will be held on Sunday, October 15th at 2pm. Starting point is at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, corner of Grant and Main Street, Downers Grove. There is a 6K and a 1K walk. Please consider participating in this worthy and fun event! Contact Adrienne Colvert at [email protected] or 630-795-0535 to participate/register. Hope’s Front Door receives a portion of the proceeds from CROP Hunger Walk each year as well as 1,900 local food banks and soup kitchens in the US. This is a Church World Service event. Thank you! Blood Drive: Mark your calendars for our next blood drive on Tuesday, October 17 from 3-7pm. Help us meet our goal of at least 20 donors! Did you know that someone needs blood every two seconds? Just one unit of blood helps three people. Be someone’s lifesaver! Blood can be donated every eight weeks. You can start donating at age 17 ( age 16 with written approval from a parent or guardian). Come see how easy and safe it is to be a blood donor! All participants will receive a coupon for FREE admission to Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Festival, September 23- October 31. Please contact Joyce Doemland at (630) 971-3423 to schedule your appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome! Chancel Flowers: Did you know that the flowers displayed on the Chancel are donated by church members? Everyone is invited to donate flowers in joy, celebration or remembrance of a loved one. The cost to donate is $35.00 and there is a sign up calendar on the bulletin board on the Sanctuary level, south entrance. When you donate a floral arrangement you are encouraged to take it home with you following service so that you may enjoy its purpose. We do ask, however that you return the vase so that we can recycle them with the florist. Any questions, please see Linda Schranz or Barb Hammack.
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B&G Update: Our August bill from ComEd was $1,792 or $863 less than in 2016 on 11,666 fewer kW hours. Our total ComEd savings (vs 2016) in 4 months since new RTU's installed is $2,463 on 34% fewer kW hours. This August was 5 degrees cooler, on average, than last year. The Variable Frequency Drive on the new 50 Ton unit allows the fan to operate at speeds less than 100% based on demand as indicated by the controls system. The old unit always ran at 100% capacity whenever it was running. Tom Williams
Bridge Mentoring Team: Bridge Communities Mentor Training-Saturday, September 30, 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.! Location: Gary United Methodist Church, 224N. Main St. Wheation, Il! Register at bridgecommunities.org/Support-us/Mentoring/Mentor-Training.html.! Class for persons interested in finding out more about Bridge and possibility of becoming a mentor. Mentors assist the client families as they work to develop the life skills necessary for self-sufficiency. They help families with: budget development and savings plan, debt reduction, financial literacy, self-esteem, emotional support, parental skills and healthy decision making. A team of 3 to 4 mentors works together to help the family. Any questions call Char Wild at 630 985-4416 or email [email protected].!
Bad Girls of the Bible will start up next week! Yes, you read that title correctly. We know the Bible is chock full of men and women of good character who model a Christ-centered life for us…but have you ever been curious about the Bad Girls of the Bible? Who are they, and what makes them “bad”? Do they redeem themselves and become upstanding Women of God? If so, how? What does that mean for us as Christians – good, bad, or otherwise? Join Pastor Kim this fall as we embark on a colorful journey to examine these women, discover their transformation, and learn how their
experiences remain meaningful and relevant for all of us today! Our Bible study will follow the book and study guide Bad Girls of the Bible, Exploring Women of Questionable Virtue by Barbara J. Essex. Pastor Kim has a limited number of copies available for $6. each or they may be ordered through Amazon. ISBN #0-8298-1339-X The Pilgrim Press 1999. We will meet at 2:00pm Monday afternoon and 7:00pm Thursday evenings) from October through December. Please call or email Pastor Kim with questions (630-601-2580, [email protected]). All are welcome!
Amazon Smile: When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to First Congregational United Church of Christ. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2361106
New Church App: Please download our new app on your iPhone or Android NOW! Just search for our church name. The app will keep you connected “real-time”.
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MANNA: MANNA CARD CHANGES! The Manna company we have been using has been acquired by Great Lakes Scrip Center. There are some changes that will make it easier to purchase Manna Cards and support our church. Here is the website for the new company- shop.shopwithscrip.com/. You can use this to order cards on your own. Orders received by Tuesday night can be picked up on Sunday morning. You can also use the website to reload some of the cards you purchase. Check out the list of merchants and the percent they give back to our church on the website. Remember you pay for the amount you receive, so it is easy to help the church budget at no cost to you. Follow these instructions to set up your account and begin ordering today. If you have questions, see us at the Manna Table on Sunday mornings. Go to https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/ click on the grey "register" button in the upper right hand corner, click on the left side Join a scrip program. Use the enrollment code 92A2CLLA55623. You can create your logon information. Once you create your account you can order by clicking the "shop" button. If you sign up for Presto Pay, which is their ACH system you can order and pay online. You will need to go through their security process to sign up. If you do not want to sign up for Presto Pay you can email orders to Laurie Olsen [email protected] and Steve Johnson [email protected].
Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack: Join church members each Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 9:00 pm for a food repack session. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, which is just off the Stevenson Expressway at Pulaski Road. For more information, contact David Hersemann at [email protected], or Laurel Carlson at [email protected].
Christian Witness in Society: Make a positive difference. UCC.org examines current justice issues within the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in today’s world, and offers opportunities to take personal action. Receive weekly justice action alerts from the UCC by going to ucc.org. Click on “Advocate for Justice,” then click on “Take Action.” You can receive justice alerts by email or text. Sign up. You CAN make a difference in the world.
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Coming Up This Week SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Blood Pressure checks-Parlor
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Alleluia Ringers-Music Room
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Praise Band Rehearsal-Sanctuary
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM Junior Choir-Music Room
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017
6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel
6:30 PM - 8:15 PM HFD Budget Assistance program - 603/604
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017
6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House
10:00 AM Adult Coloring Group-Parlor
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Support PADS at Tom & Eddie's-348 Yorktown Center-Lombard, IL
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Technology Committee meeting-504
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017
6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study (at members' homes)
11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting-Library
11:30 AM Lunch Bunch Fellowship-Papa Passero's
12:00 PM Administrative Deadline for Bulletin
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Grounds of Hope Worship Service-Coffee House
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Book Club-Parlor
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM Troop 55 Committee meeting-503
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Alanon meeting-Coffee House
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2017
6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM FCLC Jumpbunch Chapel
10:00 AM Faith Builders Group -A New Christian Education Opportunity-Library
6:30 PM - 7:45 PM ESL-Library
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room
7:00 PM Scouts-Fellowship Hall
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017
6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel
8:15 PM Two Way Street Concert-Coffee House
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2017
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Martial Arts Chapel
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM All Bridge Saints-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sing Around-Coffee House
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An Open and Affirming Congregation 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-968-0358
OUR CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor ........................................... [email protected] Rev. Kim Whisler-Vasko, Assoc. Minister of Faith Formation [email protected] Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation ............. [email protected] Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries ..................................... [email protected] Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music ............................ [email protected] Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries .................. [email protected] Jan Barker, Director of Children’s Ministries ...................................... [email protected] Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary ................................. [email protected] Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper ....................................................... [email protected] Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor ................................... [email protected] Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center ... [email protected] Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House ................ [email protected] Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist ............................................................. [email protected] Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries .................................................. [email protected] Justin Kono, Band Director ......................................................... [email protected] The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus
Our church staff is available Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment.
Office Phone: 630-968-0358 Office E-mail: [email protected]
In pastoral emergencies, Pastor Scott can be reached at 630-432-0380.
•Visit our weekly Sunday Service on channel 6 each Sunday at 11:30am or view the service online at www.uccfn.org
Website: www.uccdg.org
First Congregational Learning Center FCLC Website: www.fclcdg.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fclcdg
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