WF WEBSITE: Got an extra minute… check
out the WF website www.ledbyyouth.com to
see what is happening in the high school youth program.
SUMMER AT FIRST PRES!! Our summer worship schedule began on Sunday, May 30, and continues through Sunday, September 5. Summer worship
services are at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Childcare is available, and visitors are invited and welcomed!
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: The church office summer hours begam June 1 and are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We will resume regular office hours Tuesday, September 6, 2010.
SUMMER IS COMING TO AN END! Check our Upcoming Events and Worship Schedule pages! These are just SOME of the changes and special events!
Sept. 19 - Return to three services at 7:30, 8:40, and 11:00 a.m. with Adult Education and Sunday School classes betweeen the two later services.
NEW CHRIST CARE GROUP: What Is Spiritual Direction? Spiritual direction belongs in the category of spiritual disciplines. Jean Rosen has studied spiritual direction for two years with the Christos Program in the Minneapolis area and is starting a small group at church to learn about this type of spiritual discipline. The group will meet at church twice a month with the time to be decided. If you are interested in discussing spiritual direction or in joining this group, please call Jean Rosen at 630-668-1782.
OUR FIRST PRES VACATION MINISTRY IS BACK! If you are on vacation and visit a new church - bring back a bulletin, take a picture of your family in front of the church, or simply email your name, date attended, and the name plus the city and state of the church you attended to
: Wisconsin is the most popular vacation retreat for our members. So far, six families have worshiped at Wisconsin churches. Eastern locations are second with five of our families visiting churches in states to the East. Two foreign countries (China and Denmark) are also on our vacation agenda. Check out the map in the rotunda, and see who, when, and where our members are worshiping this summer.
THE 2008 PICTURE DIRECTORY UPDATE is now available in the Office or the Rotunda.
A REMINDER THAT OUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY including pictures is now available online. You control your family’s profile, so the first time you logon, please start by editing your family’s information. Be sure to check the box beside each field of information that you would like displayed. If you have any questions or misplaced the letter with your family’s unique User Name and Password, please call the church office at 630-668-5147. We hope everyone will participate.
FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY is the Sunday of the month prior to Communion Sunday. Please bring your non-perishable items with you to church on August 29, 2010.
VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME AT ESSE ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS! We love pet visits, music, sing a longs, vacation videos, art/craft projects, intergenerational visits, or any talent sharing you can offer. Our centers are located at Faith Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton, and our newest center at Community Baptist Church in Warrenville. Please contact Nancie Barry at 630-260-3773.
OUR CENTENNIAL MEMORY BOOK IS AVAILABLE. This photo-filled, quality hard-bound memory book will make a wonderful keepsake for your family. You may order it online, or you can mail or drop off your paid order form at the church office. Shipping is available, or books may be picked up at the church office. Questions? Call 630-747-5038.
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH? CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE OF YOUR TIME AND TALENT? There
are many ways that you can use your gifts and talents in the First Pres. ministry.
A
small sampling is shown on our Volunteer
Opportunities page. If you would like to find out more about the opportunities to connect with other
people and projects, contact our Connections Ministry Coordinator, Paul Burgess,
by phone at 630-668-5147 x 33, or by email at either pnburgess@mindspring.com or pburgess@firstpreswheaton.org. We
look forward to hearing from you!
EVERYONE FACES DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE, but during tough economic times the probability of experiencing distress is great – possibly from the loss of work, a home, or life savings. Whatever your circumstance, remember that Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center is a wonderful resource, providing a place for healing and hope. People commonly mistake pastoral counseling as counseling for pastors. In practice, the mental health professionals at CDPCC integrate faith with the healing process of psychotherapy. If you want to talk with someone from our congregation who knows about CPDCC, contact Pam Ballard or contact CDPCC directly at 630-752-9750. You can also visit their website at www.cdpcc.org for more information.
KEEP THOSE OLD BATTERIES OUT OF THE LANDFILL! Used dry cell batteries can contribute to pollution when improperly discarded. The Audio Visual Ministry Committee has volunteered to supply a collection point for your old alkaline batteries, which will then be delivered to an area EPA disposal site. Look for the “RECYCLE” battery basket at the i-Desk, and help keep the Earth green.
NEW STOCK CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION: If you plan to contribute stock to the church, please note that we have changed our broker from Smith Barney to Fidelity. You/your broker will need to secure the new Fidelity account and DTC numbers in order to make the transaction; and as always, if you plan to make a contribution of stocks, please provide the information about what stock you are contributing and how many shares by contacting Jan Buscher at 630-668-5147 x19 or by
so we can match the contribution to the donor. If you have any questions, please give Jan a call.
WE ARE ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET and are so glad you’re here! If you would like information regarding joining the church and our new member class, contact Janet in the church office at 630-668-5147 or Emily Schmitz at 630-544-9293.
GIVING OPPORTUNITY: Periodically the church receives requests for financial assistance from our members and those outside our membership who are in need. Our pastors attend to those making requests and provide assistance from funds set aside for this purpose whenever it is possible and appropriate. If you would like to make an extra gift at this time to help those needing assistance, please mark it “Pastor’s Assistance Funds.”
AS A PART OF OUR NEW SECURITY MEASURES our Church Office will be locked after regular business hours. So that ministry teams might be able to pick up mail and leave information for each other, we have moved the large gray mail box unit to the parish house entry closet located just outside of the library. This closet will be open at any time the office is open and on Sunday mornings. There is also a mail slot on the Parish House front door for mail and for members who want to leave mail-sized information during off hours. Just a reminder that our regular office hours are M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and the building and office will be locked after these hours unless there are meetings scheduled. Please use special care to make sure to schedule any planned meetings with Janet Rynne, our Administrative Assistant, to ensure the building will be open and available to you. We are working to be as accessible as possible while also being safe and secure. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office.
WE HAVE TAKEN ONE MORE STEP to keep the building secure by putting locks on the Ministry Center doors, just as we have on our other classroom and office doors. If you have plans to utilize the Ministry Center for any of your meetings or events, please reserve the space with Janet Rynne in the church office so we can make sure the room is open and prepared for your event.
DO YOU KNOW A FRIEND WHO JUST LOST A JOB OR WHO HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR WORK FOR SOME TIME? Please tell them that First Presbyterian and Gary United Methodist Churches have a Career Ministry Group for people changing jobs or in any type of career transition. They can join us on the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of the month from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. at Gary United Methodist Church.Please enter through the west doors of Gary UMC. Signs will be posted to direct you to the meeting room. For more information, please contact Angela Stephenson at 630-784-0775. We meet as a group to share ideas, spiritual inspiration, and prayer. Then we break into small groups with facilitators to discuss challenges, successes, and where to get the resources you need for your job search or career change. For more information, or to become a facilitator, please contact Vickie Austin at 630-510-1900, or Angela Stephenson at 630-200-2533. The Career Ministry program is a partnership ministry of Gary UMC and the First Pres Church.
BRIDGE COMMUNITIES SEEKS GAS CARDS FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES: Bridge Communities, a non-profit transitional housing organization, a mission partner of First Pres, seeks donations of gasoline gift cards. The current high price of gasoline has strained the budgets of Bridge Communities client families – many of whom are trying to make ends meet on $900-$1200 per month. Filling a gas tank just to commute to and from work each month can easily be $180. To donate a gas card, please mail it to Bridge Communities, 505 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, or call the office at 630-545-0610, ext. 12. For more information you can visit the Bridge website at www.bridgecommunities.org.
OUR WESTMINSTER CHOIR and David Lincoln participated in the Wheaton City-Wide Family Heritage and Choir Festival on February 22. The program was taped and can be seen on the Wheaton local access station, CWC10, online on demand from their website. Just go to http://www.wheaton.il.us/video.aspx and search for keywords like family heritage choir festival and click on the link for video.
CONGRATULATIONS PASTOR JAY! Jay Moses has received his Doctor in Ministry Degree from Northern Seminary in Lombard. He did his study under the guidance of the late Robbert Webber, whose main focus had been the return of ancient catholic forms for a Post-Modern world. Jay’s doctoral project concerned the teaching of our liturgical (worship) inheritance to our children in LOGOS through the use of story. With the help of many people, including all of the children and parents of last years 4th and 5th grade students during worship skills time, an experimental form of catechesis was tried and found to be very transformative. Please join the church family in congratulating Dr. Jay Moses.
WE HAVE THREE AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) installed in our facility. They are located in the Ministry Center near the Memorial Garden Doorway, the Rotunda on the link wall, and in the hallway between Stewart Hall and the Parish House. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be simple to use by laymen. Each staff member has received AED and CPR training along with many elders, deacons, and ministry leaders.
RECYCLE, REUSE… RESTORE HOPE: Jubilee Cars and Jubilee Furniture
Co., both divisions of Outreach Community Ministries in Wheaton, offer you the opportunity
to donate unused or unneeded items that can be used to help others. First Pres has
supported Outreach since it's inception, and OCM continues to be a key mission opportunity
for our church. Jubilee Cars accepts donations of cars and trucks in any condition.
Your donation will be picked up or towed at no charge. Cars are supplied to residents
of Jubilee Village, a transitional living and independent supportive housing program
for single, formerly homeless young mothers. Jubilee Furniture Co. accepts
donations of gently used furniture and household items from homes and estates. These
items are sold to the public in a 20,000 square foot warehouse showroom in Carol
Stream, and the proceeds help support the programs and services for children and
families that are offered through Outreach. The showroom is open Fridays 3:00-8:00
p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and is located at the corner of Schmale
and North Avenue in the Wheaton Christian Center Church. All donations to
both ministries are tax deductible to the full extend of the law because Outreach
is a 501 (c) (3) organization. For more information about how to donate your vehicle
to Jubilee Cars, call Brian at 630-682-1910. For more information about Jubilee
Furniture, call Susan Galbraith at 630-337-1467.
BOX TOPS, BAR CODES, AND V-8 LIDS totaling $110 have been mailed to Kemmerer Village for their education program. This is First Presbyterian Church's gift to them. Thanks for not throwing away part of the packaging of products you use every day that can be changed into pennies, nickels, and dimes. If you are not clipping and saving, please join us in collecting. Take the sheet found in the narthex and rotunda that will tell you what products have these bar codes and box tops, or just check our website at www.firstpreswheaton.org/missions/kemmerer/overview.htm for information on what to collect and more about Kemmerer Village. Let's see if we can collect another $110 by Christmas!
DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR OLD BIKES, SHOES, CELL PHONES, AND INK JET CARTRIDGES - Genesis will continue collecting these on an ongoing basis. Please put your old cell phones and ink jet cartridges
in the green bin in the church office - Genesis recycles them as a fundraiser for the child we sponsor through Compassion
International. We will have another shoe collection later in the year.
His Wheels International is low on bikes now. If you
have a bike you would like to dispose of, please drop it off at church or let Mary Kinsey know.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL has
been serving the community since 1967. Preschool is often a child's first school
experience and sets the stage for future years of formal education. First Presbyterian
Preschool provides a safe, caring, Christian environment that stimulates the physical,
social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. Enrollment in the preschool for the 2010-2011 school
year is open to the public beginning January 1, 2010, for the three and four year olds and beginning February 1, 2010, for two year olds. Admission forms are now online linked from the preschool pages. For
more information on our programs, please contact Chandra Gravit, Director, at 630-668-5147
ext. 27.
WORSHIP SERVICE CDs - a CD of one of each Sunday morning's worship services
is available in the library in the Parish House.
First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton has two separate podcasts - one
for sermons and a separate one for adult education classes. Our podcasts
page includes details including how to subscribe to either or both of these
free podcasts. In addition -
All recent sermons are available online
in both MP3 and Real Audio format for listening or downloading; and the sermon dates,
titles, and presenters are all listed on our sermons page.
Many of our Adult Education classes from 2007 - 2010 can be downloaded directly
from our website from our Prior Classes
Online page. They are also available in our church library.
DR. PAUL J. KIRBAS received a PhD. Degree in
Theological Studies and Biotechnology from the Graduate Theological Foundation,
a consortium of universities with offices in South Bend, Indiana, in late March 2007. As
a major component of his degree program, Dr. Kirbas wrote a thesis entitled Navigating
through a Stipulated Freedom, in which he developed a theological and ethical
compass to evaluate the moral implications of biotechnical subjects such as stem
cell research, prenatal engineering, and artificial intelligence. His book, Navigating
Through a Stipulated Freedom: Discovering a Guiding Biblical Compass For the Journey
of Biotechnology, published by Cloverdale
Books in August 2007, is available for purchase in the church office or from other booksellers such as Amazon.com or
Books.com.
FACILITY SCHEDULING: Janet Rynne, our Administrative Assistant, is now
scheduling our facility and coordinating all requests to use the Church space, including
equipment, weddings, meetings, activities, and programs. As First Pres continues
to be a busy place for our members, committees, and programs, and for outside groups
inquiring about using our facilities, it is imperative that requests be made to
Janet as soon as you know your schedule, preferably at least two weeks prior to an
event. Outside groups may not reserve the facility more than three months
in advance to give our own staff, committees, members, and programs the first opportunity
to reserve dates. If you need to use the Church building for any reason, please
contact Janet in the church office at 630-668-5147. Also, if you plan to sell
or advertise tickets to an upcoming church event, or display/sell items between services,
we have reserved Stewart Hall (right up the ramp) for you - please reserve your dates
with Janet so a table might be provided.
THE OUTREACH COMMUNITY CENTER in Carol Stream serves many of the senior
citizens in southeast Carol Stream who are in need of friendship and assistance. There
are many opportunities for service, but the two that need volunteers are the Friendly
Visitors and Activities Programs. If you feel you could give a few hours a
month, please speak with Janet Cederquist, Alice Lechiara, or Jean Williams.
YOUTH - Our Youth Permission Form is
online in both Word (doc) and Adobe
Acrobat (pdf) formats, and our Youth Medical/Travel Release Form is
also online in both Word (doc) and Adobe
Acrobat (pdf) formats. These forms can be saved or printed from the
website, completed, and returned to the church in person or by mail with the original
signature of the parent or guardian.
YOU CAN HELP PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS - The Olive Branch Chapter of Pilgrims
of Ibillin is continuing to sell the beautifully hand-carved olive wood items that
were on display at our Advent Festival on
December 3, 2006. These carvings come directly from Bethlehem and Beit Sahour - the
town of the Shepherd’s Field next to Bethlehem. Proceeds go directly to Palestinian
Christians to provide employment and education for the children at Mar Elias Elementary
School, founded by Archbishop Elias Chacour. For more information or to purchase
these beautiful items, contact Cerena Fischer at 630-289-4942 or by email at cmfischer2@aol.com.
You can also view photos and obtain more information on the Bethlehem Imports website
- http://www.bethlehemimports.org.
Wellsprings 2: Joyful - the new CD of piano and flute music by
Glauber Ribeiro and Jack Urban - is now available on the internet at http://cdbaby.com/cd/glauber3.
Like their original CD, Wellsprings, it features the same style of
peaceful musical conversations, perfect for meditation, prayer meetings, or personal
relaxation at home. Wellsprings2: Joyful was recorded in our
church sanctuary on December 23, 2005.
HOSPITAL VISIT UPDATE: In an effort to respect everyone’s privacy,
hospitals no longer contact the church automatically when you become a patient. You
must request that your church be notified. When we learn that you have entered the
hospital, members of the pastoral visitation team will visit you Monday through Friday.
Members of the team are Pastors Paul and Jay, as well as Rev. Ed Lanier, Mabel
Koshy, and Andrea Schewe. If you would like to be on the prayer board, just call
the church office and inform us. If you do not want a visit, for any reason, let
us know; and we will honor your request. We understand! All of us need different
kinds of support when we are ill.
DO YOU SING OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC MINISTRY
AT FIRST PRES? – Contact David Lincoln by
or by phone at 630-668-5147 (ext. 22) to get involved in Worship at First Pres.
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) IS AVAILABLE! –
Your monthly pledge commitment can be automatically withdrawn from your checking
account, savings account, or credit card! Sign up forms are available at the information
desk, online, or you can
also call the office for one. There are many reasons to sign up for this program:
No need to write checks or bring cash to church
Peace-of-mind knowing that the church is receiving your contribution even if
you are unable to attend, which also makes for a more even cash flow for our church
More secure than checks
All contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement with date of settlement
IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!
If you have any questions regarding the EFT program, please contact Denny
Lawson.
GLORY BANNER: The beautiful Glory to God
banner was first hung in the Sanctuary in September 2004. It was begun by Leana Fay
and completed by Timothy Botts and is a gift from the late Jack Strunk back to the
congregation, reflecting Jack’s mission here on earth. . . Glory to God!
JOIN A PW CIRCLE - We invite you to join other women in fellowship
by attending Circle meetings. These groups meet on a regular
basis and participate in Bible studies, mission projects and take time to get to
know each other. For more information please contact Judy DenUyl (630-406-0968) or
Liz Timmer (630-668-2743).
DONATE YOUR USED CAR THROUGH BRIDGE
COMMUNITIES - Bridge Communities, a non-profit, transitional housing program
serving homeless families in DuPage County, is looking
for individuals or businesses that would like to donate used cars. The cars are used
by homeless families who are in transition to self -sufficiency; donated cars allow
Bridge clients to commute to better paying jobs. Donations are tax deductible for the value of the car. To
donate your used car, or to
find out how to support Bridge in another way, please call Mark Milligan at 630-545-0610,
ext. 10.
WORSHIP FLOWERS - Church members or friends may donate flower arrangements
for the Sunday services. Arrangements, which are made by Expressions Flower & Gift
Shop, cost between $45 and $60. After the services, arrangements are delivered
by the Deacons to the hospitalized or ill. Special announcements are posted in the
bulletin before Easter and Christmas, when donations are taken for the Easter lilies
and Christmas poinsettias. Please call Mary Burge at 630-665-7623 for additional
information.
PORTABLE COMPUTER PROJECTION SYSTEM AVAILABLE - A computer projector,
laptop, VCR, screen, and cart were purchased with funds from a gift to the church.
The system has the ability to project computer slide shows (e.g., Powerpoint), DVD
movies, VHS video tapes, and can be useful for Sunday School classes, committee meetings,
retreats, youth fellowship, worship and special presentations. For reservations contact
the church office 630-668-5147.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN . . . The Communication Ministry Committee
strives to provide church news through the church publications, the website and press
releases. If you or your group has news to disseminate outside of the church, please
be aware of the following guidelines:
The website is updated weekly with information from the Sunday bulletin. Pictures
are welcome and should be emailed to the web contacts. Hard copy photos can be put
in the web team’s mail slot in the church office. All photos should be accompanied
by a contact name, phone number and/or email address, and any other pertinent information.
Website contact: Susan Miller, 630-682-0108, GGM81@aol.com.
Press releases are submitted regularly to the newspapers for church news of community
interest. Press release requests or suggestions are welcome and can be submitted
to the press release contacts by either email or telephone and should include a contact
name, phone number and/or email address. At least four weeks lead time is required
for press releases. Please be aware that press releases are used as the newspapers
choose. Press Release Contact: Beth Gustafson, 630-871-9572, bgustafson5@sbcglobal.net.
The Committee wants to get your news out - please help us!
CARE CARDS - Please write a note on the Care Card located in the pew racks.
Sign your name, place it in the offering plate or in the care box at the Welcome
desk in the rotunda, and we will send them. You may also send Care Cards from our
website anytime - just click on care card,
type in the information, and then click on send.
WORSHIP ASSISTIVE DEVICES CARTS are available in both the Narthex and
the Son-Light Rotunda. These HELP carts provide a uniform site for parishioners with
special needs to choose from an array of items that can enhance their worship experience.
The items on each cart include large print hymnals and Bibles, as well as audio devices
and individual pew cushions. Help yourself to items on the cart or ask an usher for
assistance prior to each service. Please remember to return items to the cart after
each service so that other parishioners may use them. The individually packaged ear
piece portion of the personal hearing devices are available for $3.00 each and should
not be returned (for hygienic reasons).
WHEELCHAIRS - Thanks to the generosity of Marion Glendenning, Grant and
Theresa Lawson, and Denson's Medical Shop, First Pres has a wheelchair stationed
at each of the four main entrances of our church. Whenever these wheelchairs are
used, please be sure to return them to the proper location marked on each chair -
Narthex, Rotunda, Parish House, or Madison Street Entrance. If there are any problems
with the wheelchairs, please contact the church office.
Please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com with
any items you would like to contribute to the news and events sections of the First
Presbyterian Church website. Pictures are also appreciated!
