Church Life First Congregational Church 256 Chicago Street Elgin, IL 60120 Ph. 847-741-4045 February, 2015 Paris Originals We met in the First Grade when both of us retreated from a recess kickball game and took refuge in a small thicket of pine trees on the playground. Thus was born a friendship. His name was Keith, and we were inseparable during those elementary school days. Vivid imaginations and similar interests (we both loved horror movies) combined to produce countless battles against marauding Indians, invading aliens, heartless Yankee soldiers (this was Decatur, Georgia in the fifties, after all), and numerous other threats - each of whom we vanquished handily. We laughed a lot, and shared our darkest secrets with one another. Then came the awful day when my family moved away to the edge of the earth: Roswell, Georgia. We saw each other sporadically after that, and each time we were together I noticed tension between us. Ultimately, arguments came to dominate our conversations. Looking back on it I now know we were entering into the teenage years when we felt we had something to prove to the world. And since we thought we each knew everything there was to know, we verbally clashed like opposing hockey teams. Through our college, graduate school, and early career years Keith and I attempted various reunions, but they always ended badly. For many years we completely lost touch with one another. Then about fifteen years ago Keith emailed me. One contact led to another, and we met while both of us were back in Georgia at Christmastime. And something had happened. The years had mellowed us. I was no longer threatened by his choice to become an apostate Presbyterian atheist, and he was no longer angered by my dogged commitment to Christ and the Church. We discovered we had much in common after all, and the ease in one another’s presence, along with the laughter, returned like dog-eared pages from a familiar book. This past Christmas, as Keith and I compared notes about our respective work - he, a university professor of philosophy; I, a local church pastor - Keith said, “You know, it seems to me that you and I are engaged in much the same work. We both try to engage people in truth that will change their lives.” I told him I could not agree more. I suppose life has finally purged from us the need to stake a claim and narrow the world to a choice between “us” and “them.” As I reflect on the current divisions throughout the world between political, religious, ideological, and lifestyle factions, I cannot help seeing them as manifestations of immature thinking and behavior. Perhaps the day will come when we humans stop seeing our differences as threats and learn to embrace each other. Maybe, someday, we will grow up. Page 2 Church Life In Worship this Month February 1: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Preacher – Tom Howard Scripture readings: Psalm 111 Mark 1:21-45 Sermon: Who? Anthem: How Lovely Are the Messengers by Felix Mendelssohn Sacrament of Baptism Holy Communion February 8: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Preacher – Paris Donehoo Scripture readings: Genesis 7:17-8:5 Genesis 8:8-17 Sermon: In Remembrance Anthem: Show Me The Way by Lyle K. Neff Sacrament of Baptism February 15: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Preacher – Lois Bucher Scripture readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12 Mark 9:2-9 Sermon: Are You Listening? Anthem: Anthem for Transfiguration Paul Hofreiter Transfiguration Sunday February 18: Ash Wednesday 11am-1pm for individual Holy Communion, ashes (if desired) and prayer February 18: Ash Wednesday 7 pm Serice of quiet reflection, prayer, silence, music, Holy Communion, ashes (if desired) and commitment to the Lenten Journey February 22: First Sunday in Lent Preacher – Paris Donehoo Scripture readings: Psalm 25:1-10 Matthew 4:1-11 Sermon: Fool Me Once Anthem: Lead Me, Lord by Samuel Wesley February, 2015 THE WAY We’re off and running with “The Way.” As of this writing we have 30+ new participants and companions in five different Bible study groups each Sunday evening (or Monday morning). New connections are being made, the Bible is being applied to real life, and the Holy Spirit is moving. It’s not too late to be a part of this process. Groups can be joined until February 15. After that, the groups will close for Lenten preparation, moving toward a special celebration on April 12. Thanks to our group facilitators: Jane McCaffery, Lorri Powell, Lori Schultz, Sherry Maxson and Sherry Lenz. Thanks also to Rich Wagner for providing meals each week, and Vicki and Jaylen Thomas for providing child care. A Monday morning group has also formed, meeting from 10:30-12:00. Sherry Lenz is the facilitator. Talk to Paris or Lois for more information. BREAKFAST WITH THE BIBLE Matthew is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, and yet non-Jews play a major role in the story. We are currently exploring this and other paradoxes in our Sunday morning study. Come and find out what Jesus was really talking about in the Sermon on the Mount, if you dare. Breakfast is served, beginning at 9:00, and the study begins around 9:15 (or whenever Paris gets loose from the early service). Childcare is available. Page 3 Church LIfe February, 2015 “SOUP”ER BOWL OF CARING THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST This simple prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat," delivered by Brad Smith, a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, and gave birth to an idea. Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when people come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting money to feed the hungry. The youth from this one church started a movement that is now in it’s 25th year. All the money raised stays in the local community and is reported to Souper Bowl of Caring so that they can total the amount raised for the hungry. Last year 9 million dollars was collected from almost 10,000 groups. Over the past 25 years almost 100 million dollars has been collected to address the needs of the hungry across the USA. That’s no small change! THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST, our Sunday School children will be taking up a special offering for the hungry in our community. 100% of your donation will go directly to our soup kettle and food pantry. So bring your cash donations to throw in the soup pot and we can make a difference! ASH WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 18TH Lent is a season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus. During this time we are invited to take a 40-day faith journey to look inside our hearts. It invites us to see ourselves with compassion and truth — to see our brokenness and our beauty, our failings and our faithfulness. Too often we want to arrive at Easter without having taken the journey through the Lenten season. When we do that we prevent ourselves from experiencing the growth that occurs along the way. This year won’t you commit yourselves to participate in the WHOLE journey? See you in church on Ash Wednesday! TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASH WEDNESDAY INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION AND ASHES From 11:00 am until 1:00p.m. Dr. Donehoo will be in the chapel to serve communion, pray with you, and impose ashes (if you would like to receive them). You may come by yourself, as a couple, or as a family at any time during those hours. ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, 7PM Please join us for a special service of worship at 7p.m. This service will be a time of quiet reflection and an invitation to enter into a deeper journey of discipleship. It will include readings, candlelight, prayer, quiet music, silence, communion and imposition of ashes (for those who desire them). Please bring the whole family to this service so that we can all begin this journey through the Lenten season together. Page 4 Church Life TACO BAR AND SALAD LUNCHEON FEBRUARY 15TH The mission trip group is sponsoring a Taco Bar luncheon immediately following worship on February 15th. This is a fund-raiser for our mission trip to work at the Morgan-Scott Project in Deer Lodge, TN during the summer of 2015. There will be an assortment of meats and toppings to build delicious tacos as well as a salad or a taco salad. As always, we will also have a variety of yummy desserts all for the low price of $5. Every penny raised will help to defray the costs of the Mission trip. Let Beth Iverson know if you’d be willing to donate an item for the tacos, a salad or a dessert by emailing [email protected] or signing up in Weekly Window. Thanks for your support! ADD MEANING THROUGH MUSIC! As the many weeks of Lent draw near, are you looking for ways to add meaning to this reverent time? Why not take this opportunity to join with our Chancel Choir for weekly, group rehearsals of Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living? Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM beginning January 28th, and we will perform this beautifully moving piece on Good Friday at Noon in our sanctuary. Please visit the choir room after the 10:15 service for more information. February, 2015 S S TEPS FOR YOUR OUL – HEARTSPA WOMEN’S RETREAT – FEBRUARY 27 – 28 Mark your calendars now to join us for our 9th annual women’s retreat which will be held at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Elgin. Our theme “Steps for Your Soul”. We are very excited that our keynote speaker will be Sonia Solomonson. Our weekend will include Bible Study, keynote, small group sessions, group activities, crafts, spa treatments, pool time, and relaxation. Brochures, including registration forms, are available in the church office. CRAFT NIGHT COMING Do you have a craft project that is gathering dust in a corner or closet? Or do you have a project that you are working on all by yourself? If so, come join us on Fri., Feb. 6th in Fellowship Hall beginning at 6 pm for an evening of fellowship and crafting. Bring your own project and supplies. We will provide the space and company. PAY IT FORWARD-SHARE YOUR STORIES Have you “spent” your Pay It Forward coins yet? There is a basket of coins in the Sanctuary for those who would like more. Anytime of year is a great time to spread some unexpected joy with random acts of kindness! Page 5 Church LIfe February, 2015 FROG FRIDAY Frog Friday, our youth group for four year olds through sixth graders will be held on Friday, February 20th from 6 p.m. - 8:30p.m. The cost is $7 per person or $10 if you want to pay for February and March (our last two winter sessions) together. FROG Friday includes dinner, craft, story, music, and games. We’ve been blessed with lots of FROGs this year and they have been having a great time. Come join us and bring a friend. MORAL OBLIGATION SCHOLARSHIP Our church is pleased to be able to offer Moral Obligation Scholarship Loans to church members who are taking college classes. These are interest free loans for any age student. Students are allowed to take out a loan of up to $500 per semester. These loans are then repaid to the church after graduation (or as soon as you stop taking classes). This repayment allows funds to be available for future students. With the high cost of education, this loan may not pay for a class, but it may help to cover book costs. For more detailed information and requirements please contact Lois. WOMEN’S STUDY GROUP NEW STUDY FOR LENT Please consider joining the Women’s Study Group on Thursday mornings as they embark on a new study during the Lenten Season. This study will begin on February 19th and continue during the six weeks of Lent. We meet on Thursday mornings in the Conference Room. For more information please contact Pastor Lois. All are welcome! Betty Moore had surgery to remove a tumor attached to her colon. She is currently recuperating at Sherman West Court. Dale and Betty Ells continue in rehab at Rosewood Care Center. Patricia Margaret Norman, mother of Chris Norman, passed away on January 5. Frank Kottmeier’s step-father and father passed away within a week of one another. Willie Payne had a knee replacement on January 19th. He is recuperating at home. VOICES UNITE TO END VIOLENCE ON FEBRUARY 14TH You are invited to join the LONG RED LINE – One Billion Rising for Change on Saturday, February 14th 2 – 4 p.m. at Gail Borden Library. On this day, usually dedicated to love, we will show our love and support for the women and men who suffer from abuse and violence. Each person is asked to bring a red cloth, any length, made of any material, any shade of red. Knit it, crochet it, sew it, buy it, or create your own artistic version of it, to join The LONG RED LINE that will surround Gail Borden library. One Billion Rising/Elgin is part of the global campaign by women, for women, calling for an end to violence, and for justice and gender equality. Lois will be joining the LONG RED LINE and would love to have a large group of (women, men and youth) from FCC standing in solidarity with the abused. Let’s meet at 1:30 at church so we can car pool to the library. Let Lois know if you plan to participate. Page 6 Church Life February, 2015 FEBRUARY SERVING SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 1 Acolyte.................. First Faces............. Reader.................. Sound System....... Coffee Hour.......... Ushers................... .............................. .............................. FEBRUARY 15 Jocelyn Wagner Dennis & Deb Leberecht Walt Kilmanas Curt Phillips Liz Schaaf Kirsten Pedersen, Laura McMinn, Jodie Stackowiak, Cherie Murphy, Sandy Dalton FEBRUARY 8 Acolyte.................. Bible Bearer.......... First Faces............. Reader.................. Sound System....... Coffee Hour.......... Ushers................... .............................. .............................. Amanda Schultz Clarice Dutton Sandy Dalton/Laura McMinn Shirley May Byrnes Don Patterson Mary Hewitt Pablo Payne, Bailey Stark, Abby Garcia, Savannah Lile, Anna Halfpenny WOMEN, WINE AND THE WORD Women, Wine and the Word, our women’s fellowship group, will be meeting at Blues BBQ at 102 N. River Street in East Dundee at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26th. This is an informal group. We would love to have you join us for dinner, conversation, and a Bible Study. If you have any questions about this group please contact Lois or Evelyn Johnson Acolyte..................Maranda Lile Bible Bearer..........Jaylen Thomas First Faces.............Ron and Liz Schaaf Reader..................Amanda Harris Sound System.......Pam Patterson Coffee Hour..........Mission Trip Luncheon Ushers...................Willie Payne, Ron Carlson, ...............................Karen Carlson, Ron Banwart FEBRUARY 22 Acolyte..................Chloe Underhill Bible Bearer..........Toby Underhill First Faces.............Dianna Shultz/Tamera Guilinger Reader..................Rich Jacobs Sound System.......Ben Brictson Coffee Hour..........Lindsay Iverson Ushers...................Colman Smith, Willie Payne, .............................Jim Schock, Tom Phillips BEER, BURGERS, AND THE BIBLE Calling all guys! Beer, Burgers and the Bible meets next on February 23rd. We meet at 6:30 p.m. at Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago Street. Order something to eat (it’s halfprice burger night), if you like, and come upstairs for an hour of Bible study for dudes only. Page 7 Church LIfe February, 2015 First Congregational Staff Dr. Paris Donehoo.................................................................................................................... Sr. Pastor Rev. Lois Bucher............................................................................................................ Associate Pastor Jon Warfel........................................................................................................................Music Director Pam Patterson..................................................................................................Administrative Assistant Pat Lindquist................................................................................................... Congregational Associate Mark Velasquez.................................................................................................................... Custodian First Congregational United Church of Christ 256 E. Chicago St. Elgin, IL. 60120 847-741-4045 Website: www.fcc-elgin.org WORSHIP TIMES: 8:15 & 10:15 a.m. Christmas Eve Offering Update 2/1 2/1 2/2 2/3 2/4 2/6 2/9 2/11 2/14 2/16 Sandy Dalton 2/17 Tom Leith Taylor Stark 2/19 Alex Richardson Jen Howver 2/22 Brian Stark Rich Wagner 2/23 Mary Underhill Elizabeth Sharf 2/25 Vivian Iverson Pat Segel 2/25 Pamela Swan Elizabeth Linquist 2/26 Rich Jacobs Dahris Garcia 2/27 Jaxson Tsuji Zachary Brictson 2/28 Ruth Munson Betty Butler Wow! On Christmas Eve our congregation was asked to consider giving a gift to the Christchild through two special mission projects. We had hoped that we might raise $3,500 to purchase a bedroom at the Habitat for Humanity house ($2,000)that we have been working on at 114 Channing Street and a well for a village ($1,500) through the United Church of Christ’s Congo Initiative. We knew that this was really a stretch goal since the Christmas Eve offering of 2013 was about $1,500. Much to our surprise and awe this congregation donated $6,500.00 to these two projects. With this money we were able to complete our building project at the Habitat for Humanity house and purchase three wells for villages in the Congo. Thank you to everyone who participated! Together we can do great things! Merry Christmas, Jesus!