Summoned2Serve

Saturday, August 8 we will be working to help seniors and families in need right here in McHenry County. It's a great way to impact the lives of our closest neighbors, all with just a few hours of yard work, landscaping and other projects than lend a helping hand. You'll be working with a team of folks. Meet us at First Church at 8:30 a.m., bring some work gloves, sunscreen and a servant's heart.

Sunday, August 9 we will host our fourth annual meal-pack to support the children and families of Liberia. As is often the case with crises situations, the children of Liberia were disproportionately impacted by the Ebola virus and it's after effects. This is our opportunity to pack 100,000 meals to ship to that country, and alleviate some of the burden of hunger as these same children struggle to recover and cope. There will be an 8:00 a.m. service which will be held in the sanctuary instead of at the chapel in the woods. There will be no 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. services at the church. Plan on meeting at 9:00 a.m. at McHenry County College cafeteria. Park between Buildings B and C, across from the baseball field. Packing starts at 9:30 a.m.

Special thanks to the current Crossroads Worship Team that has led music at the 11 am Sunday Service. We've been blessed by your ministry. The new Ignite Service will launch on Sunday, September 13th at 10:45 a.m. If you are interested in hearing about it, and maybe being part of the team that supports it by volunteering with tech or music or other leadership roles, come to the information chat hosted by Tyler Hughes, our new Director of Young Adult Ministries, on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. 

And be sure to share a word of appreciation with the Crossroads Worship Team  - they have helped us all get ready for this time of transition.

Summer Sunday School

Summer Sunday School is offered every Sunday through August 30th at 9:30 a.m. Children are expected, encouraged, and welcomed to come to the sanctuary and participate in the first part of the worship service with the rest of the First Church family. After a Children's Time in worship, the children and adult helpers will leave for Sunday School in room 120. 

United Methodist Men

Men, on August 13, we will be going as a group again to the Sycamore Threshing and Steam Show. We will meet and have breakfast together at 8:00 a.m. at the Burnt Toast in Algonquin. We will leave at 

approximately 8:45 and carpool to the show. All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us. Please R.S.V.P. Ron Young at 815-404-3115.

Bella Musika Academy

We now have a brand new music academy starting up here at the church.   We are actively looking for students and for teachers to be a part of this new school.   Our Mission is to provide an enriched musical environment with high quality instruction, inspiring performances, and a dynamic community.

We will also connect the musical arts to the celebration of our faith and outreach for our community by introducing children, youth, and adults to a repertoire of classical and contemporary music, by offering excellent musical instruction and environment through private lessons, ensembles and group classes, and by providing frequent opportunities to perform publicly. 

If you are interested in learning more about this, or are interested in lessons or teaching, please email Katrina Jackson or call 815-459-0785 ext 119.

Celebration Singers Adult Choir Open House

The Celebration Singers are having an open house, with pizza and soft drinks, on Wednesday, August 26th from 6:30-7:15pm in the lower Narthex. This is open for anyone who wants to learn more about the choir and how to be a part of it.  This is the main adult choir that helps lead worship each week in the "Cornerstone" service at 9:15am. All are welcome to be a part of this group. Email Katrina Jackson if you have any questions or call
815-459-0785 ext 119.

Storage Space Needed

The United Methodist Women host Rummage Sales every year to raise funds for local and global missions. The United Methodist Men assist with these sales and also receive a percentage of the income for their mission activities. Unfortunately, these Rummage Sales may not always coincide with the downsizing or decluttering of your homes. We're hoping to give you more opportunities to donate items to the UMW Rummage Sales by finding free or inexpensive year-round storage space. We would then be able to accept your donated items on a monthly basis prior to the rummage sale. If you know of or have a clean, dry, electrically-fitted storage space we could use, please contact us. Email Karen Gilmer or call at (815)354-3828.

Days for Girls

Thursday August 13, 7:00 p.m. in Room 222

Our group meets once a month to create the many pieces of the kit. We especially need sewers of all levels of experience, but have tasks for non-sewers as well. We meet on alternating Thursdays and Saturdays and would love to have you join us. Please contact Judy Riepl 815-455-4474 or Beth Ann Zhungu 815-477-7613 for more information or join us this Thursday.