Friday, April 12

7:00 PM Senior High Lock-Out

Saturday, April 13

9:00 AM Inquirers Class for Prospective New Members (Fellowship Hall)

Sunday, April 14

10:00 AM Worship in Sanctuary & Chapel

10:20 AM Sunday School Pre-K - 7th grade

11:00 AM Social Hour (Social Hall)

11:15 AM Confirmation

11:30 AM Inquirers Class for Prospective New Members (Fellowship Hall)

4:00 PM Junior High Fellowship (Youth Lounge)

5:30 PM Youth Bells (Classroom 04)

Monday, April 15

9:00 AM Habitat Quilters (Social Hall)

6:00 PM New Member Dinner (Social Hall)

7:00 PM New Members Meet with Session (Chapel)

7:30 PM Session Meeting (Conference Room)

6:30 PM Vesper Bells (Sanctuary)

Tuesday, April 16

7:00 AM Men's Bible Study (Zoom)

11:00 AM Laugh Your Way to a Brighter Day (Social Hall)

6:00 PM Bible Stories for Grown-Ups (Zoom)

Wednesday, April 17

7:30 AM Breakfast & Bible (Zoom)

4:00 - 6:00 PM PADS Food Donation Drop Off (Sanctuary Narthex)

Thursday, April 18

9:00 AM Women’s Disciple Bible Study (Conference Room)

4:30 PM Joyful Noise Choir (Choir Room)

6:00 PM Chapel Music Team (Chapel)

6:30 PM Motet Choir (Sanctuary)

7:30 PM Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)

Saturday, April 20

8:00 AM Mobile Food Pantry (Douglas Parking Lot)

Sunday, April 21

Earth Care Sunday

10:00 AM Combined Worship in Sanctuary

11:00 AM Frog Lady Eco Fair (Social Hall)

11:15 AM Confirmation

1:00 PM Sacred Ground Small Groups (Dougherty Room & Library)

5:00 PM Open Mic Coffee House (Social Hall)

Upcoming Events

April

Laugh Your Way to a Brighter Day (April 16)

Bible Stories for Grown Ups (April 16)

Earth Care Sunday & Frog Lady Eco Fair (April 21)

Open Mic Coffee House (April 21)

Junior High Lock-in (April 26)

New Member Recognition (April 28)

Climate Crisis Action Steps (April 28)

May

“iConfirm” event (May 11)

Chancel Choir & Orchestra Major Work: "Lux Aeterna" (May 12)

Confirmation & Baccalaureate Sunday (May 19)

Spring Blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden (May 21)

Summer Youth Trips

Senior High Montreat Conference in North Carolina (June 8-15)

Junior High Quest Youth Conference at Green Lake (June 23-28)

Worship with us!

Join us at 10 a.m. for worship! The Rev. Nicole Chapman-Farley is preaching in the sanctuary and Rev. Kim Mendoza is preaching in the chapel. The services will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Flower Dedication

The flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday are placed to the glory of God by Gini and Brad Baker with love and in celebration of their granddaughter Katie Baker’s 16th birthday.

Coffee & Fellowship: Join us in Social Hall after the service for coffee, lemonade and sweets!

Welcome to Paul McKenzie (Interim Music Director)

Please welcome Paul McKenzie, who will be serving as our Interim Director of Music Ministries through the end of May. Paul served as Director of Music here at First Pres from 1986 to 1995 and we’re so happy to have him on board in this temporary role as we plan out our summer worship services! Along with his duties as music director, he will be conducting our adult bell choirs.

Since returning to his native Minnesota, Paul has worked with a number of churches and music groups in the Minneapolis area, most recently as the Assistant Conductor of the Edina Chorale, and as Director of Worship, Music, and Fine Arts at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins.

You may contact Paul at pmckenzie@boxp.net or through the church office at 847-362-2174.

Return Meal-a-Month Bags on Sunday

Fill a grocery bag it with the items listed below - or other non-perishable food items - and bring it to church with you on Sunday. Your donations benefit the Libertyville Township and St. Joseph Food Pantries.

● Canned Tuna

● Macaroni and Cheese

● Canned Stewed Tomatoes

● Canned Vegetables

● Canned Fruit

● Powdered or Canned Milk

● Peanut Butter (plastic jar please)

● Cereal

● Any unopened, unexpired non-perishable food

Laugh Your Way to a Brighter Day

Join us for lunch from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 and laugh your way to a brighter day with Rosemary Monahan as she explores how humor can transform and uplift our lives. This program is for everyone, so bring a friend to join in the fun! Click the button to RSVP or call the church office at 847-362-2174. Cost: $12 (includes lunch).

"Bible Stories for Grown-Ups" on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. (Zoom)

Sign up today! The six-week learning series begins on Tuesday, April 16. We'll be looking at familiar Bible stories and reveal new details and interpretations. Join us for one lesson, a few, or all. To register, call the church office at 847-362-2174 or email Megan Huber at mhuber@boxp.net.

Volunteer at the CARE Garden

Our "God's Gardeners" Community CARE Garden group is always looking for more helpers! Come out Saturday morning at 9 a.m. for one of their workdays!

The CARE Garden - a joint effort between The Chapel and First Pres - is located on Winchester Road just east of Route 45, between The Chapel and the GLSA soccer fields.

Here's a note from our First Pres Garden Coordinator, Amy Scovill: I know it's last minute, but we are planning a workday for tomorrow - Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. The primary focus will be weeding in the main garden areas. Please join us if you are able.

If get on the email list, please reach out to Amy at godsgardenersfpc@gmail.com.

You can also follow the garden Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CareGardener.

Janice G. & Charles M. Savidis Fine Arts Scholarship: Applications are being accepted for a $1,000 college scholarship available to a graduating First Pres high school senior who plans to study music, theater, or any other fine art in college. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 6, and the scholarship will be awarded on Baccalaureate Sunday, May 19.

Click here for the application. Call the church office at 847-362-2174 or contact Jerry Brann with any questions.

Sunday, April 21: Earth Care Sunday

Join us on Sunday, April 21 for our Earth Care Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Rev. Amy Heinrich is preaching and our good friend the “Frog Lady” will join us in Social Hall immediately following the service!

Eco Tip from the Earth Care Team

As our temperatures warm and God’s creation bursts to life, let us be mindful of how we can help be a part of caring for our environment. In anticipation of Earth Day, we can all be a part of helping all the sprouts and the environment in our neighborhoods by having a family/friends yard and neighborhood clean-up.

Whenever is convenient for your group, grab your bags for garbage and recyclables, work gloves, boots for muddy areas, bright clothing for areas along streets; and pick up the recyclables and trash left over from last fall and winter. There are plenty of locations that will need help – yards, parks and their woodsy perimeters, parking lots. school yards, and more.  

The Earth will breathe a sigh of freeing relief; God surely will be smiling; and we will all gain a greater appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation.

Sunday, April 28: Climate Crisis Action Steps

Join Rev. Amy Heinrich on Sunday, April 28 from 11:15 a.m. -12:30 p.m. in the Dougherty Room for coffee and conversation (and homemade muffins) to talk about Climate Response Action Steps using the book “The Future We Choose,” by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac. 

Great Performances, Handcrafted Coffee Drinks and Delicious Baked Goods Our youth are hosting an Open Mic Coffee House on Sunday, April 21 from 5-7 p.m. in Social Hall! We're looking for performers, baristas, bakers, servers, and anyone else who wants to get involved. Click here for more information on how you can be part of this awesome event! Questions? Reach out to Rev. Kim Mendoza at kmendoza@boxp.net.

Save $5 with the Early Bird Discount

Join Rev. Amy Heinrich on Tuesday, May 21 from 11:45 AM - 2 PM for a delightful afternoon at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

Secure your spot today at the discounted Early Bird rate of $25, which covers parking, admission, a lovely lunch in a private dining room, and a private tram tour through the breathtaking gardens.

Feel free to linger after the event to explore the gardens at your leisure. If you need assistance with transportation, please inform us so we can assist you.

All ages are welcome, and we encourage you to bring along your friends.

When you sign up, kindly indicate your choice of sandwich for lunch: Tarragon Chicken Salad, Cranberry & Brie Turkey, or Pesto & Mozzarella Caprese Focaccia (Vegetarian). Each sandwich comes with a seasonal side salad and a delicious house-baked chocolate chunk cookie. Gluten-free modifications available upon request.

Register now to lock in the Early Bird rate before the price goes up on April 15th.

PADS Food Collection

Drop off on Wednesdays between 4-6 pm in the Sanctuary Narthex. Please only bring items from the list below:

Breakfast: Bagels, cream cheese, instant oatmeal, store-bought muffins, granola or breakfast bars, meal replacement drinks

Lunch: Crackers, chips, ramen noodle cups or packages, protein bars, tuna or chicken salad packs, beef jerky, microwave popcorn, Jell-O cups, apple sauce pouches

Dinner: Non-perishable microwave dinners, canned baked beans, mac and cheese in boxes or cups, canned chili, microwave rice packs, sardines

Drinks: Apple or fruit juice packs, water bottles, hot chocolate packs, small containers of milk

Other: Can openers, plastic cutlery and plates, baby food

Flower Dedications

Honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by dedicating a floral arrangement to be used in our worship spaces on Sunday mornings. The cost is $40 per arrangement.

Libertyville Senior Update

Click here to read the April newsletter from our friends at the Libertyville Senior Center.

How to contact a pastor or staff member

Call 847-362-2174 or email office@boxp.net. Regular office hours are Monday-Friday 9 AM - 4 PM. The office will be closed on Monday, April 1, but a pastor will be on call for emergencies.

Pastoral Emergencies

If you are a church member and need to reach a pastor in an emergency, please call 847-367-6460. Leave a message and a pastor will return your call as soon as they are able.

Beware of Scams!

To avoid falling victim to scams, please verify the sender's email address before responding to any messages that appear to be from Pastor Brian. Pastor Brian only sends emails from bpaulson@boxp.net and will never make personal requests for money, gift cards, or any kind of assistance through email. If you have any doubts, please call the church office at 847-362-2174 to verify before taking any action.