What's Happening at First Congregational April 25, 2024

First Congregational Church

of Glen Ellyn, Il

Cantata Sunday

April 28

“Fill the Earth with Music”

In place of a sermon, the choir, along with guest soloists and orchestra, will present a program of anthems from around the world, in many languages, offered up as a prayer for peace. Bring your friends and neighbors to hear this beautiful music with a message of unity.

Cantata Sunday

World Music in Place of the Sermon

Orchestra

Soloists

April 28, 2024

10:00 am

Scripture: Psalm 42

This Week:

04/25- 7 pm Choir Rehearsal

04/27 - Rebuilding Together (Off-site)

04/27 - 11 am Jerry Clousson's Celebration of Life

04/27 - NOON Reception

04/28 - 10 am Cantata Sunday

04/28 - 10 am Church School

04/28 - 10 am Confirmation Class

04/28 - 11 am "Common Ground" Film and Discussion

04/28 - 5 pm Jr Hi Fellowship

04/28 - 6:30 Sr Hi Fellowship

04/30 - 5:30 pm Yoga

05/01- 11:30 am Men's Lunch at 7 Dwarf's

05/01 - Noon Prayer

05/01 - 7 pm Social Justice Group

Green Team

Premier of Film

"Common Ground"

Sunday, April 28th, 11 am

Pizza Lunch Included-Bring your own beverage

"Common Ground is the highly anticipated sequel to the juggernaut success documentary, Kiss the Ground, which touched over 1 billion people globally and inspired the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to put $20 billion toward soil health." ~CommonGroundfilm.org

A revolutionary group of activists, scientists, farmers, and politicians band together in a global movement of “Regenerative Agriculture” that could balance our climate, replenish our vast water supplies, and feed the world. All are invited to Pilgrim Hall on April 28th to view and discuss the film, Common Ground, a follow-up to Kiss the Ground (view Common Ground trailer above).

Please Register Here

Eden Project

Cartons Needed

Half-gallon cardboard cartons from juice or milk are needed to transplant tomatoes for distribution for the Eden project. 40 are needed. Please drop off in the box by the parking lot entrance. No plastic please. Last date for collection is May 5th. Thanks so much!

In Memoriam

Jerry Clousson

We regret to share the sad news that long-time member, Jerry Clousson has passed. We extend our deep condolences to his wife Carolyne and family.

There will be a celebration of life for Jerry on

Saturday, April 27th

11:00 am

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn

Reception following

God's Garden is Growing!

Please welcome our new members!

Diane Pyzik

Diane's areas of ministry interest are with children's church school and the environmental ministry.

David Lezondra and

Jim Bailey

David Lezondra's areas of ministry interest music ministry/choir and Jim Bailey's areas of ministry interest are the music ministry and visual arts ministry.

Rick and Laura Hall

Rick and Laura's area of ministry interest is the music ministry.

Marie and Steven Pabst

Marie's areas of ministry interest are social justice groups, PADs and Glen House Food Pantry and Steven's

areas of ministry interest are cooking and hospitality.

Music

The Staff Recital is Back!

Wed, May 22 at 7pm

Enjoy a fantastic evening of music - classical, jazz, Broadway, pop, folk and rock - performed by our talented music staff, clergy and leaders! Freewill offering for the music ministry. Not to be missed! This event will not be live streamed - a recording will be available at a later date. Contact Michele Hecht.

Summer Musicians Needed

Solo singers and instrumentalists (youth and adults) contact Michele Hecht about performing in worship this summer. Hurry before the dates fill up!

The Feminine Mystic

edited by Lynne M. Deming

Book Review by Marilyn Peretti

Women’s voices from the past. Do they have value today? Hear from a Feminine Mystic, words that early Christian women wrote to express their deep commitment to God.

Read Review Here

FCCGE Library Selections about Creation Justice and Care

In the opening pages of Genesis, we learn that the first job that God gives to us humans is to care for God’s creation. Stop by the church library to check out titles that honor and encourage wonder for God's Creation and explore our interconnectedness as a part of it. Titles include: All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings and Climate Church, Climate World by UCC minister Rev. Jim Antal as well as other books and books for children.

Preserving Our History

FCCGE Roofing Project

Completed in Record Time!

Caring for our historic building is a labor of love, requiring dedication, resources, and time. After years of anticipation, the replacement of our century-old clay tile roof is finally complete! Thanks to favorable weather conditions, the skilled roofers finished the project in record time. With an investment of $650,000 and 14,000 tiles, our roof is now set for the next 100+ years. Special thanks to Wojceich Gracz for his unwavering commitment to this endeavor, and to all our members and supporters whose generosity made this crucial renovation possible. The beauty and integrity of our building stand stronger than ever!

See the Sanctuary Roof Pictures Here (Yes, from Up There!)

See Temple of Light Roof Pictures Here

Supporting Our Community

Help Us Make Hunger History By Supporting the Glen House Food Pantry

May is FCCGE's Month to Give

Over 56,000 DuPage County residents live below the poverty line and deal with food insecurity regularly. The Food Pantry served over 7,000 of our neighbors last year, distributing groceries through the Pantry and 10 out-reach programs. Client demand has increased significantly. The nation’s shortage of affordable homes is more acute today and homelessness is on the rise.

Meanwhile, the grocery supply chain has become more efficient than ever, which means there is less food available for recovery. That means FCC and the other churches supporting the Pantry need to help make up the difference.

Help us overcome this challenge in our community. Bring food items to donate in the collection bins near FCC’s parking lot entrance. Participate as a volunteer by signing up on the pantry website or donate funds through the Tithley app….your donations help buy food to make up the shortfall. Every $1 you donate can buy $8 in groceries for the Pantry.

Thanks for your support!

Raising Awareness and Support

Transgender and Gender-Expansive

Teens and Young Adults Panel Discussion

Weds. May 15, 7:30-8:45pm

Pilgrim Hall

Welcome to an extraordinary and open panel discussion featuring transgender and gender non-conforming teens & young adults. Join us as we come together to listen to their powerful stories, learn about their inspiring journeys, ask meaningful questions, and discover the best ways to support them. The gathering will be facilitated by Dorothy Powers (she/her). Light refreshments served. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Dorothy here or call her at (847) 902-1258.

Weds., May 1st, 7 pm

Pilgrim Hall

Let’s complete our Social Justice meetings with a special speaker from FCCGE. Marilyn Peretti will share her paintings, her aversion to war and her growing awareness of the history of racial injustice as evidenced by the lynchings that have taken place from 1882-1968 in the United States. Come and see some of Marilyn’s paintings, listen to her poem and hear her story.

Rebuilding Together

April 27th

April 27th is fast approaching for FCCGE 27th Rebuilding Together Day. Mrs. Kinnie is our recipient this year who lives in the southern Cook County suburb Park Forest. We will meet at the church and carpool to her house for a one-day building blitz to help keep her home warm, safe and dry so she may continue to live in independence. Some of our projects involve installing handrails, painting, retiling, clutter removal & landscaping. We need just 7 more people for this event. If this sounds right up your alley please contact Randy Briasco. Please include RTMC in your email subject line. Thank you.