News

Ready for Advent

Event Date: 
November 30, 2011 - 10:15am

John Buchanan is the editor/publisher of the Christian Century magazine, and has been for several years. He is also the Senior Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, a church where Joan and I have worshipped occasionally when we have been in Chicago after Christmas. The following editorial is from the most recent issue of the magazine.  

Posted on November 30, 2011 at 12:11 pm in Featured Content.

Men's Fellowship

Event Date: 
December 11, 2011 - 8:30am

All men are invited to an hour of fellowship....

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 1:36 pm in Upcoming Events.

Advent Vespers

Event Date: 
December 22, 2011 - 7:00pm

Need a calm moment in the craziness of the season?

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 1:28 pm in Upcoming Events.

College Scholarships Available

Event Date: 
November 29, 2011 - 10:15am

Members of First Congo are invited to apply for...

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 1:10 pm in Youth and Featured.

Christmas Fund Offering

Event Date: 
December 18, 2011 - 10:15am

In this holy season, 

Posted on November 29, 2011 at 12:52 pm in Upcoming Events.

Week of November 27-December 3

Event Date: 
November 27, 2011 - 10:00am

 

Gracious and loving God, in the midst of our emptiness,
you have promised a pathway to abundance and fullness.
In the chaos of our conflicts,
you have promised a Prince of Peace.
In the darkness of our ignorance,
you have promised a light for the world.
 
At the beginning of this Advent season,
we pray that you would calm our frantic spirits,
heal our consuming compulsions,
slow us down so we might prepare for your coming,
and help us wait with patience for your presence
in our lives.
 
Bring us to that place, O God,
where we prepare to celebrate your birth
by opening our hearts and souls
to your gracious and life-giving Spirit.
 
Come to us, O God,
that the Spirit of your Christ
might be born in our lives.
 
We pray in the name of the One who is coming:
Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Posted on November 23, 2011 at 5:59 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

Short Rehearsal this Sunday

Event Date: 
November 27, 2011 - 9:00am

The Chancel Choir will meet in the Sanctuary at 9:00am this Sunday, November 27 for a short rehearsal before worship. if you have any questions, please contact Don DeBruin.

Posted on November 22, 2011 at 2:35 pm in Music.

Youth Christmas Shopping

Event Date: 
December 11, 2011 - 1:00pm

First Cong Youth will head to West Towne...

Posted on November 22, 2011 at 2:33 pm in Youth and Upcoming Events.

Women's Homeless Shelter

Event Date: 
November 22, 2011 - 1:00pm

Each year we assemble Christmas gifts for guests at..

Posted on November 22, 2011 at 2:31 pm in Featured.

Marques Bovre Benefit

Event Date: 
December 11, 2011 - 12:00pm

There will be a benefit for a First Cong member...

Posted on November 22, 2011 at 1:30 pm in Upcoming Events.

Advent

Event Date: 
November 22, 2011 - 10:15am

Thursday of this week is Thanksgiving, and the following Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is my favorite season of the church year. Partly that is because, like a child, I love Christmas and I love looking forward to Christmas – planning, decorating, wrapping, etc. (I think I’m almost as excited to find out “what’s in the box” as the children who come forward for Time with Children.) But the other part of the reason I love Advent is... 

Posted on November 22, 2011 at 1:20 pm in Featured Content.

Week of November 20-26

Event Date: 
November 20, 2011 - 10:15am

 

Gracious and merciful God, be with me now as I pray; and be with me in the midst of my everyday life.

When I look into the faces of those who hunger and thirst, who lack clothing or any way to keep warm in the cold, let me be sure that I see your face in the faces of those in need.

When I see those who are strangers in our culture and society and those who are sick, as I respond with welcome and care, help me see clearly that I am responding to you.

And when I hear of those in prison, lead me to visit them, or write a letter, or support a prison visitation program, or find some other way to help, knowing with certainty that it is you who are imprisoned with the least of these, who are my sisters and brothers.

Help me see you in the faces of my closest friends and relatives, and in the faces of those who are most distant and different from me. Help me bring care and compassion everywhere I go, knowing truly that there is no east or west, no north or south in your love.

 

In Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

 

Posted on November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

What's Wrong with Capital Punishment

Event Date: 
November 15, 2011 - 10:15am

The state of Georgia executed Troy Davis at 10:53pm on a Wednesday in September, by lethal injection…. Nearly a million people world-wide signed Amnesty International’s petition urging authorities in Georgia to commute Davis’ death sentence. Davis spent 20 years on death row for a crime it’s doubtful he committed, and the penal system ground inexorably forward. No one could stop it. 

Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:42 pm in Featured Content.

Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System

Event Date: 
December 5, 2011 - 5:30pm

Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice system and Communities of Faith, a panel discussion will be held...

Posted on November 15, 2011 at 12:30 pm in Upcoming Events.

Trip to the Corn Maze

Event Date: 
November 13, 2011 - 1:00pm

The Youth took a trip to Treinen Corn Maze last Sunday. Picture!!

Posted on November 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm in Featured.

Poinsettias for Christmas!

Event Date: 
November 29, 2011 - 10:15am

Last week!! Use this form to order poinsettias in memory of or to honor your loved ones. 

Posted on November 14, 2011 at 3:44 pm in Featured.

Week of November 13-19

Event Date: 
November 13, 2011 - 10:15am

 

Our lives are short, our sins are long. We are quick to fall asleep, quick to become complacent, to be content with lives of quiet desperation. Afraid, we bury our treasures. We fear you, we fear failure, we fear success, we fear change, so we hide.

For the sake of Christ, rescue us and fill us with the faith-based courage to share our gifts and other wealth with one another for your glory. Amen.

 

Posted on November 10, 2011 at 1:09 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

Remarks from Annette Ellstrom at Kick-Off Luncheon

Event Date: 
October 2, 2011 - 11:30am

Campaign Coordinator Annette Ellstrom spoke of her decision to become the Reach and Renew Campaign manager at the Kick-Off Luncheon in October. Read Annette's Story. 

Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:43 am in Reach and Renew.

Three Days with Nancy Chinn

Event Date: 
November 8, 2011 - 10:15am

Our days with this well-known artist were full of...

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:12 pm in Featured.

Celebrate with Us!

Event Date: 
November 20, 2011 - 11:00am

We would like you to join us for...

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:07 pm in Upcoming Events.

Cherub Choir singing in Worship

Event Date: 
November 13, 2011 - 9:30am

 

The Cherub Choir will be singing in worship this Sunday, November 13. Cherubs are reminded to meet in the sanctuary on Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M. for a short rehearsal before worship begins. If you have any questions, please contact Don DeBruin.

 

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 12:01 pm in Music and Sunday School.

All Youth Advent Movie Meditation

Event Date: 
November 27, 2011 - 11:30am

Movie is ​Escanaba in da Moonlight

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:57 am in Youth and Upcoming Events.

Christmas Pageant

Event Date: 
November 13, 2011 - 10:15am

The Children of the Sunday School will be working during class on songs for the Christmas pageant. Lyrics will be sent home. ONE FULL REHEARSAL (putting the whole thing together) will be on Saturday, December 17 from 9-11am. All children of the Sunday  School participate in the pageant.

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:53 am in Sunday School.

Thoughts on War and International Conflict

Event Date: 
November 8, 2011 - 10:15am

A few weeks ago, President Obama announced that the war in Iraq was officially ending as far as the United States was involved, and that most of our troops would be home by Christmas. This announcement caused me to think about the 8 & ½ years of that war, and the 2 more years of the war in Afghanistan, and indeed about warfare in the modern world. But first Iraq. Here are the statistics as they are officially reported:

 

Posted on November 8, 2011 at 11:47 am in Featured Content.

Week of November 6-12

Event Date: 
November 6, 2011 - 10:15am

 

A Celtic Prayer

In the busyness of this day,

grant me a quietness of being, O God.

 

In the multiplicity of sights in my day,

grant me a stillness of seeing.

 

In the conflicting voices of my heart,

grant me a calmness of hearing.

 

Let my seeing and hearing,

my words and actions,

be rooted in the serene certainty of your presence.

 

Let my passions for life,

and the longings for justice that stir within me,

be grounded in the experience of your peaceful presence.

 

Let my life be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God,

let me be rooted in the depths of your peace.

 

from Celtic Benediction (adapted)

 

Posted on November 3, 2011 at 10:31 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

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