CHI ME S The
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights
September/October 2018
Choose love. Be the light. Change the world.
From the Pastor “A Year of Action”
By Rev. Alex Lang For the last sermon in our sermon series, Church and State: The Rise of Early Christianity, I spoke about the 32 lessons we learned over the last year from the early church overcoming obstacles (see page 11). Those lessons were hung on the ceiling of the Sanctuary, mimicking Augustine’s City of God in the heavens. But these lessons mean nothing unless we are actively committed to living them out. Therefore, this coming year is what I refer to as a “year of action.” It’s a year where we are going to do our best to put our faith into practice. We will go about implementing these lessons in our lives in several different ways. One way we will keep these lessons at the forefront of our hearts and minds is through a devotional that will be distributed to the congregation. This devotional will include all of the lessons with practical ways we can live them out both inside and outside of our faith community.
common goal and that is to inspire action in our lives. Our first series of the year is called, Hidden Angels. The premise behind this series is to highlight certain people in our congregation who have done amazing things for other people. Every sermon will begin with a taped interview of the person we are highlighting. This interview will provide us with a foundation to discuss a particular topic. We’ll discuss the topic from a social, cultural, and spiritual perspective. Then we will end with how God is asking us to live our lives differently as a result of this information. More than any other series I have done, this one was very hard to put together. The people I am highlighting in this series didn’t perform these actions for any fame or glory. On the contrary, they did these things simply because they thought it was the right thing to do. Many of them were reluctant to even talk about what they did on camera. So I want you to appreciate that no one you’re seeing in this series was chomping at the bit to be interviewed.
In order to reinforce this push towards action on Sunday mornings, I have devised five different sermon series for the coming year that talk about various forms of action in our lives. Sometimes these series will focus on the things that we do. Sometimes it will focus on the things that we think; sometimes it will focus on the spiritual things within our souls; but they all have a Continued on Page 3
S
ession Highlights By Clerk of Session, Sue Henderson
From the August 13, 2018, meeting: • Received thirteen new members. • First Pres Choir will sing the National Anthem at the Chicago Dogs Baseball game on August 25. • The congregation is encouraged to complete Worship Survey. • The playground installation will begin as soon as the shed is removed. • Security system cards are being distributed. • Over 250 people stopped by the First Pres table at the Mane Event on August 3. • Three Faith Community Homes families will be sponsored by First Pres this year. Congregational support for the family affected by the apartment fire in Prospect Heights continues. • The high school and middle school youth groups participated in two successful, though eventful, mission trips over the summer. • A successful VBS was held July 9 – 13. • Approved engaging JNKA, an architectural firm with church experience, to prepare preliminary plans to enhance the church campus.
Family Night Starts Up Soon Mark your calendar and make this your year to get involved in Family Night! We kick the year off with dinner (no programming) on Wednesday, September 5. Join us anytime between 6:00-7:00 pm for a delicious, home cooked meal while you reconnect with friends and meet new people. Then come back on September 12 for the first full night of Family Night, complete with programming for all ages. Dinner is always served between 6:007:00 pm; you can drop in any time! Whole family offerings include nursery care for preschool children and younger beginning at 6:45 pm. Kindergarteners through 5th graders may participate in Kids Connect. Middle school youth (6th-8th graders) attend youth group while high school youth are invited to volunteer with Kids Connect. Adults are invited to attend a class taught by Pastor Alex Lang entitled, “Not My Problem”. In this class, we will grapple with issues that we think may not have anything to do with us, but as Christians, we are called to care about. Kids Connect, youth group, and adult classes are held from 7:00-8:00 pm. We will also offer an ESL (English as a Second Language) class during the programming hour. You’re also invited to partake in board games and fellowship in Fellowship Hall during the programming hour. Everyone is invited so make plans now to join us on September 5, and each Wednesday throughout the program year! Page 2
“A Year of Action” Continued I also think it’s important to mention that by highlighting these people, I am not trying to imply that they are the only ones doing good in our community. I know that many of you do wonderful things for the people around you. The people who we’re highlighting are people who I have heard about over the years. Usually, they aren’t even the ones who told me about what they are doing. I heard about it second or third hand. So if you see one of these interviews and think to yourself, “I had something really good that would have fit well for that sermon,” please don’t hesitate to come and tell me about it. The only reason I didn’t ask you is because I didn’t know. That said, I hope you will appreciate what a wonderful and diverse group of people we have at First Pres who are really doing their best to live out their faith and make a difference in the world.
From the Music Stand By Adam Hendrickson, Director of Music and Worship Fall Kick-Off is just around the corner! If there was ever a program year to get involved with music ministries at First Pres, this is that year! Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Chancel Hand Bell Choir, Instrumental (brass, strings, etc), Children’s Choir, or even rocking out with our praise band, Compass, this is the year to get involved. Free child care will be provided from 6:30-8:30 pm on Thursday evenings to accommodate parents who would like to sing with one of our adult choirs. Contact Adam Hendrickson for more details at
[email protected]. It can be as little or big of a commitment that fits your schedule. Our 2018/2019 Concert Series is lined up! Mark your calendars accordingly: October 21 at 4:00 pm – Bruce Blanck Jazz Quintet November 18 at 4:00 pm – Chicago Gargoyle Brass and Organ Ensemble December 2 at 4:00 pm – Messiah Sing-Along! December 16 at 4:00 pm – The Glory of Christmas February 10 at 4:00 pm – The 34th Annual OrganFest March 17 at 4:00 pm – First Pres Community Talent Show April 14 at 4:00 pm – Spring Choral Concert Our Wednesdays @ Noon Recital series will begin on October 3, with an organ recital by our very own Chris Urban. Be on the lookout for the 2018/2019 Concert Series brochure, as it will have detailed information concerning our concerts, as well as the remainder of our Wednesdays @ Noon Recital Series dates. Page 3
Youth & Family Ministries By Rev. TC Anderson, Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families
VBS Week Youth Events During VBS week, the youth did several mission activities and fun events. On Monday, the Middle School youth went to Feed My Starving Children. They spent two hours packing food for people experiencing hunger throughout the world. In our session, we packed 132 boxes or 28,512 meals, which is enough to feed 78 children for a year! On Tuesday, the high school youth went to Bernie’s Book Bank and helped sort donated books for children and youth who can’t afford them or don’t have a library near them. They packed books into large boxes and labeled them according to how many were in each. On Wednesday, the high school youth went to Sky Zone to jump on trampolines, play dodgeball, and climb up curved walls. On Thursday, the middle school youth went to Laser Tag and got pizza. All around it was an amazing week of mission and fun!
Middle School Mission Trip to Kansas City, MO From Sunday, June 24, through Friday, June 29, twelve middle school youth and three brave adults were on the Middle School Mission Trip to Kansas City, MO. Throughout the week we did so much; we cleaned a public park, trimmed trees, painted a basement, caulked a basement, helped clean inside and outside a retirement home, helped children with reading, writing, and math, worked at a farm, and much, much more! The youth also got to experience Kansas City BBQ at Jack Stack, went on a scavenger hunt, and had a community cookout with everyone we met that week. Thank you for all of your financial support and for your prayers while we were away. It was an amazing trip!
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Reflections on Peru By Kim Hogan I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend ten (plus a few bonus) days with 31 rollicking First Pres high school youth as we sought to be Christ’s hands and feet in Peru. Did I mention loud First Pres youth? So loud that during meals Rusty, along with his wife Sara, who were our PCUSA mission contacts, would not only wear ear plugs but, could sometimes be seen covering his ears with his hands. The youth were hard working, thoughtful, loving, but most of all, resilient in the midst of uncertainty, illness, and a bit of deprivation. I always say this after returning from a mission trip, but it’s especially true this time; I am so proud of them all. Also a huge thank you to TC and Ellen for their calm leadership and to my fellow leaders, Katie Marr and the Brians (as we affectionately nicknamed them); we laughed, counted noses endlessly, ate together, worked together, worshipped together, hiked at dizzying altitudes together, and yes, got sick together! It took us two long days of fairly arduous travel by air and through the Andes by bus to get to the small town of Santa Teresa where we spent the majority of our time. We were the first Presbyterian group from the US to visit this area, mostly because it’s hard to get to. We picked coffee on two coffee farms, one which required a strenuous hike up about 1,000 feet in elevation to reach. We also worked alongside the members of the Iglesia de Santa Teresa, passing buckets of rock and pushing wheelbarrows of cement to help with the construction of a classroom addition to their small church building. Most of us spent time at the school in Santa Teresa helping the school children practice English. I would say, however, that by far the most important thing we did was to just be there. I won’t soon forget the pride with which one of our coffee farming friends explained his craft. It’s painstakingly hard work, mostly all done by hand. “Organico!” he would say, bursting with pride. Who had ever come to this remote place to visit him before us? We worshipped with the congregation on three occasions, welcomed with enthusiasm and each time singing, “How Great Thou Art,” in Spanish. The pastor closed each service by thanking us for our presence and by saying, “Friends, if we don’t meet again in this life we will in the next.” The church members gave us the great honor of preparing a Pachamanca (“pot of the earth”) meal, meat and potatoes cooked over hot rocks buried in the earth. We played volleyball and soccer that day and just spent time together. I also won’t forget the care and concern the nuns and workers at the convent in Cusco showed us when we all took turns getting sick. We were given tea, advice by a local healer (drink water with gas! (carbonation)), and chicken soup with rice when that was all some of us could eat. I’d like to thank the congregation for your prayers and constant support. Peru was an unforgettable experience for our youth. They were terrific representatives of Christ’s love for His people, and you can be proud of them too! Page 5
Children’s Ministries By Katy Allen, Director of Children’s Ministries
Sunday Summer School Wrap Up They say pictures are worth a thousand words, and so, too, are picture books! This summer, preschoolers through 5th graders were treated to storybooks that carried strong themes, wonderful lessons, and creative applications. Miss Rumphius reminded us that any and all of us can change the world. The lovable panda, Stillwater, and friends, demonstrated compassion in Zen Ties. The sweet boy in The Carrot Seed wouldn’t give up on his carrot seed even when all around him told him all was lost. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves showed us that change is inevitable, and part of God’s plan. Sharing what you have with others is the cornerstone of Stone Soup, and our “stone soup fruit salad” allowed us to practice the gift of sharing. Our final Summer Sunday School will feature It Takes a Village and will give us the opportunity to work together for the good of all. Children’s Ministries would like to offer a special thanks to our guest readers: Phyllis Orzechowski, Chris Dunn, Kate Halley, Kim Nowak, and Dustin Puckett. We would also like to thank our helpers: Courtney Lang, Amy Gutzmer, Darah and Kurt Landwehr, Laura Puckett, and Michele Holifield.
Sunday School for Preschool Through 5th Graders We are excited to welcome preschoolers through 5th graders to Sunday School on September 9. Sunday School will meet from 10:30-11:30 am. Parents are invited to bring their preschoolers to the Green Room and their elementary-aged children to Fellowship Hall beginning at 10:20 am. Please do not drop children off earlier than 10:20, as there may not be adult supervision prior to that time. Preschoolers will begin to explore the Bible through stories, videos, songs, activities, and play. Our youngest learners are introduced to favorite Bible stories and characters in fun, engaging, and ageappropriate ways, by a team of dedicated preschool teachers who have a special gift for reaching and teaching this age group. Elementary-aged children (kindergarten through 5th grade) will enjoy a creative approach to Sunday School this year. The general program model will include a traditional Bible story and lesson one week followed by an application of that story’s theme the following week. If you have any questions about Sunday School for preschoolers through 5th graders, please contact Katy Allen, Director of Children’s Ministries, at
[email protected]. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities on Sunday mornings, please contact Katy. Page 6
Family Night and Kids Connect - THE Place to be on Wednesday Nights Back for its third year, Kids Connect is growing and getting better with age! Fun and fellowship is the name of the game as kindergarteners through 5th graders come together for an hour each Wednesday night for games and activities. We start in the gym with a game that all ages can enjoy, followed by activity time. New this year will be optional workshops that kids can opt to participate in. Workshops (typically 2-4 weeks long) will include Kids Yoga, woodworking, sewing, art class, American Sign Language, science, and cooking. Space in workshops may be limited due to size and age constraints. Kids may opt to attend a workshop or participate in our regular Kids Connect classroom activity. Come for dinner between 6:00-7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall and stay for Kids Connect from 7:00-8:00 pm. Parents are encouraged to attend the adult ed offering from 7:00-8:00 pm, or spend time meeting others while playing board games and sharing in fellowship. There is something for everyone on Wednesday nights! Our first gathering will be on Wednesday, September 5. This evening will be dinner only from 6:00-7:00 pm. The following Wednesday, September 12, will feature dinner and programming for adults and kids (including middle school youth group for 6th-8th graders) from 7:00-8:00 pm. Join us!
Shipwrecked and MissionFactory, What a Week! By the numbers, Vacation Bible School week was pretty incredible. We welcomed 20 4-year old preschoolers, 100 elementary-aged kids, and 43 5th and 6th graders for a week of summer fun in July, but the numbers don’t tell the most important part of the story! Everywhere you looked that week, you saw kids and adults engaged in fellowship, learning about themselves and God, making friends, and helping others. It was so exciting to add a new component to our elementary VBS program with a mission project. Kids worked hard each day on housewarming gifts that were donated to Journeys and will be given to their clients as they reach their goals of secure housing. They will be reminded of the love and support of our community through these gifts. MissionFactory, our VBS program for 5th and 6th graders, volunteered at the Wheeling Township Food Pantry, hosted a Page 7
bingo game, packed food at Feed My Starving Children, sewed pillowcases for children at Lurie Children’s Hospital, tied no-sew blankets for the Linus Project, delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, grocery shopped for some of our senior members, delivered a meal to the fire station, and hosted lemonade stands in downtown Arlington Heights to raise money for the Dryden Place Project. And, as if that wasn’t enough, they also forged friendships and developed a greater understanding of the needs of others and how we can help meet those needs. They truly were God’s hands and feet in the world. Thank you to the enormous number of volunteers who stepped in and up to make VBS week at First Pres an incredible time for everyone who came through our doors!
Presbyterian Women (PW) A New Year begins! September is here and it is the beginning of a new program year for PW. Come join a Circle and discover a wonderful way to participate in a small group experience. PW member discover meaningful ways to live out their faith surrounded by a caring community of women. Discover creative and interesting programs presented throughout the year, Bible study relevant to life, lively discussions, and sharing of ideas. Develop wonderful and lasting friendships formed by sharing faith, and opportunities for service to the church and community. Our three morning Circles meet once a month, usually on the third Wednesday. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 19, at 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall. Fellowship time and refreshments are first, with an introduction to the lesson by Pastor Judy Hockenberry, followed by Bible Study in the lower level of the Christian Education Wing. If nights are a better time for you, join our Evening Circle. They are an informal gathering held each month on the third Tuesday of the month in the home of one of the members. The September 18 meeting will meet at 7:00 pm in the home of Liz Thompson (644 Patton Drive, Buffalo Grove). For more information about evening circles, please contact Liz Thompson at 847-537-9087. This year, PW will be studying, “God’s Promise….I Am With You!” When do we need God the most, and how does he let us know He is with us? Rosalie Stoike will have study books available in the Narthex on Sunday morning, September 19, for $13. As a highlight, our Circles come together four times a year as a Gathering, which includes a time of fellowship, refreshments, entertaining programs that bring a character in history or books to life, and more surprises. (See the article about the Fall Gathering on Page 13). The first Gathering is September 26 at 9:00 am. Whether you’re a long-time PW member or you would like to see what PW is all about, you’re always welcome! If you need additional information, please contact Betty Launer, Moderator, at
[email protected] or 847-7490402. Page 8
October PW Circles 1, 2, 3 and Night Circle 7 If you do not have a chance to join a Circle in September and enjoy a small group experience with PW women, then join us in October! In Presbyterian Women, women discover meaningful ways to live out their faith surrounded by a caring community of women. Discover our Gatherings or creative programs, Bible study and lively discussions each month. Develop lasting friendships formed by sharing faith and opportunities for service to the church and community. Our three morning Circles are meeting on Wednesday, October 17, at 9:00 am at church and our evening Circle 7 meets on Tuesday, October 16, at 7:00 pm at the home of Mary Larson (1149 W. Kenilworth, Palatine, 847-776-8146). Please plan to join us for fellowship, creative discussion, and interesting programs.
PADS + Summer Suppers = Year-Round Homeless Ministry By Cathy Mataloni For approximately 27 years, First Pres has been ministering to our community’s homeless members by serving as a PADS site. Every Tuesday evening from October to April, we open our doors to about 30 guests. We not only provide dinner, a place to sleep, a hot breakfast, and a sack lunch, but offer a little peace of mind as well. It takes a huge commitment from many volunteers to make all of this happen— from the people who donate homemade or store-bought items for our meals, to the dedicated crew who spend the night or come in early to keep our site running. But homelessness doesn’t take a break in the summer, and neither do we. Although it isn’t as comprehensive as our weekly PADS program, our once-per-month Summer Suppers program helps bridge the gap for many in the northwest suburbs from May through September. So far this summer, we’ve served dinner to an average of 32 guests on the first Monday of the month, while some sites have served up to 72 guests at a time. Clearly, this is an important and vital program in our community. One of the sites shared that guests really count on these summer meals, especially at the end of the month when they tend to run out of the government funds they receive. First Pres has been blessed with many volunteers who donate food and items for our take-away table; those who prep, serve, and clean up; and those who simply sit, eat, and talk with our guests. As we finish our last Summer Supper on Labor Day, we’re already planning for the start of a new PADS season in October. Last winter, we made a few logistical changes in order to accommodate our growing number of guests. We are no longer using the PADS kitchen area for food storage, preparation, or eating but are utilizing Fellowship Hall and the main kitchen instead. The PADS area is now designated for sleeping. Our guests seem to enjoy the new arrangement! We are thankful for all of our loyal volunteers and welcome new people to support this vital ministry. Food and volunteer sign-ups will be held on September 9, 16, and 23, following worship in the Narthex. Please contact
[email protected] with any questions. Page 9
Days of Restoration On Easter, you heard Pastor Alex talk about our new church initiative, Days of Restoration. To participate in Days of Restoration, you sign up via our website to receive an e-mail that provides you with an action that you are to perform the following day. So far there have been some incredible acts of charity and forgiveness. The purpose of these actions is to practice the ethos of sacrifice and restoration. The more we practice these acts of sacrifice and restoration, the better we can achieve the ultimate end of the Christian faith: restoring balance to the world. Check out Laurie Ruhlin’s story from when she was asked to buy a drink for someone she did not know.
May 11 “I take the train into the city a few days a week. Recently, there has been a 30- year old woman sitting at Wacker and Madison. She says to everyone who passes, “have a good day!” or “enjoy your day!” This morning she said it again to me and the thousands of people who pass by, but for some reason it stuck with me all day. On the way back to the train, I stopped into a Jimmy Johns and bought a fresh sandwich. I was happy to see her sitting in the same spot she greeted me 8 hours earlier. I asked if I could join her for a minute. I told her that I hear her every morning telling me to have a good day and that I was thinking about it all day. I told her that her small, kind gesture impacted me and put a smile on my face. I thought it was ironic for her telling ME, to have a good day... seemed so backwards. I’m gainfully employed, and fortunate enough to have a job and a way to make a living and truly enjoy what I do for 8+ hours, while she sits on a street corner. I gave her the sandwich, she thanked me and I asked her name, Michelle. We exchanged a handshake and I said that I’d see her next week. I got up and crossed the street to Union Station. A man who saw our exchange came up to me as I walked away and asked me if I had found out her story. I told him the very little that I knew. He said that he buys her coffee once in a while. She just started sitting on that corner about a month ago. He commented that she must live on the streets because of how dirty her hands and nails are. I told him briefly about this Days of Restoration project and he and I commiserated about how small gestures, her telling us to have a good day and a fresh cup of coffee or sandwich given to her, can mean so much. I hope I brightened her day a tiny bit. She brightened mine. Thank you, Michelle.” May 16 “Yesterday I brought a Ziplock bag of some breakfast bars, protein bars and snacks, as well as a pack of gum for my new friend, Michelle. I asked her where she spends the night and she said Lower Wacker Drive. I asked her if there was anything that she needed and she replied that she could use some sweat pants. This morning I dropped off a reusable tote with a hoodie sweatshirt, pair of sweatpants, two pairs of socks, gloves, Kleenex, and a hand sanitizer. She smiled and said “God bless you”. She always sits at the base of that big black light pole and I’ve seen her there both when I pass by in the morning and at 4:30 going home.”
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32 Lessons of the Early Church For the last sermon in our sermon series, Church and State: The Rise of Early Christianity, Pastor Alex spoke about the 32 lessons we learned from the early church overcoming obstacles. If we work to embody these lessons in our own lives, then we can bring that church down to earth. 1. Jesus is real in our hearts § No one’s Jesus is 100% accurate 2. Think outside the box § Question and doubt 3. Don’t fixate on the details § Build each other up 4. Jesus may or may not return § Make the world better while you wait 5. Christianity is adaptive § Relevance requires adaptation 6. We each hold a piece of the puzzle § Centered in Jesus’ love, compassion, and forgiveness 7. Faith leads to action § Action leads to faith 8. Love will always make an exception § Love unconditionally 9. Love forces us to say, “Yes!” § The church mirrors God’s kingdom in the world 10. Pooling our resources does more good § Generosity expresses our love for God 11. Jesus calls us to sacrifice for everyone § Even those we don’t know 12. Christianity is a reflection of life § God takes chaos and uses it for good 13. Rethink, retool, and rebuild the church § Jesus is a restorer 14. Jesus redefined the rules § God doesn’t keep score 15. Our Christianity is self-giving, not self-serving § Our Jesus is big enough 16. God gives money so we can give it back § Giving helps create God’s kingdom on Earth 17. God will make it right § God’s forgiveness restores our brokenness 18. God’s kingdom is established through us § We are Jesus’ hands and feet 19. Christianity is focused on this life, not the next § Jesus enters into your suffering right now 20. All Christians pick and choose § Own the hypocrisy 21. The Bible is important § The Bible is the start of our story 22. A community figuring out the puzzle of life § You help us figure out the puzzle of life 23. Together, we become who God intended us to be § Our future will be different from our past 24. Humans like structure § Structure locks in the good and the bad 25. We work out our differences § Our common morality is Jesus’ love 26. Christianity is not one thing § You write the future of our faith 27. Humans possess great potential § We have the capacity to be like Jesus 28. We can do what Jesus asked of us § Food, clothes, housing, medicine, love 29. Equality § Everyone is welcomed and accepted 30. God wants everyone to be saved § God will never reject us 31. Radical acceptance § Our doors are open to all 32. Live the truth § Christianity is countercultural Page 11
Upcoming Events Family Night: Come and enjoy
a meal together with the families of First Pres and learn about the opportunities for learning, faith, and fun each Wednesday evenings during Family Night, 6:00-8:00 pm, September through May. Weekly Schedule: 6:00-7:00 pm: Drop-in dinner time for all ages 7:00-8:00 pm: Classes and programs, including: * Kids Connect (grades K-5) * Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8) * ENGAGE & ENCOUNTER adult education * Free nursery care Please note: Dinner ONLY September 5, Programming begins September 12
Fall Kick-Off Celebration:
Sunday, September 9, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm on Dunton Ave. / You aren’t going to want to miss our big celebration for the new program year. Learn more on Page 15!
Greg Athnos September Lectures: Members of First
Pres are cordially invited to attend lectures presented by Greg Athnos at The Moorings (811 E. Central Rd, Arlington Heights). Programs begin at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. September 25: “Leonard Bernstein, An American Icon, On the Centennial of His Birth”; October 2: “History of the Keyboard, 14th to 20th Centuries”; October 9: “Frederic Chopin, Genius of the New Keyboard”
Contribution Sundays Flower Orders: Sunday,
September 16 & 23 / See Page 13 for more information.
Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering: Wednesday,
September 26, at 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall / See Page 13 for more information.
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Christopher House Fundraiser: September 19-20
and 26-27 / Want to help make a difference in the lives of the families served by Christopher House? Join us for lunch or dinner at California Pizza Kitchen! Barrington Presbyterian Church’s Christopher House Auxiliary members have set up a fundraiser for Wednesday and Thursday, September 19 and 20, at the California Pizza Kitchen at 20502 N. Rand Rd in Deer Park. Then join us again in downtown Arlington Heights at 3 S. Evergreen on Wednesday and Thursday, September 26 and 27. 20% of your bill will be donated to Christopher House when you present a fundraiser flyer as you place your order. Flyers are available at the Welcome Center and literature rack.
Wednesdays @ Noon Concert: Wednesday, October 3,
at 12:10 pm in the Sanctuary / Join us for a midday concert featuring Christopher Urban on organ.
Aluminum Can Drive:
Saturday, October 6, from 9:0011:00 am in the West Parking Lot / Save and crush your cans (e.g., soda cans) for the Aluminum Can Drive. Proceeds support Men’s Club sponsored charities. If you have questions or other aluminum or copper items for recycling, contact Stan or Nancy Conning at 224-735-7310.
Fall Anniversary Speaker:
Thursday, October 11, at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary / We are very excited to host Reza Aslan! See Page 15 for more details.
Bruce Blanck Jazz Ensemble: Sunday, October 21,
at 4:00 pm in the Sanctuary / The Bruce Blanck Jazz Ensemble is one of the premier jazz groups in the region. This will be the fourth year in a row that the jazz ensemble will kick off our concert series. Sit back, relax, and enjoy these cool cats.
Thanksgiving Baskets: Please donate healthy, nonperishable foods for families
served by Christopher House and Firman Community Services, two local organizations that serve families in need. Please note that lighter boxed items (not expired) are easier for our clients to carry on public transportation. Containers will be located in the Narthex on Sundays in October and the first two weeks in November. Thank you for helping these families have a joyful holiday! Questions: Contact Jody Stanhope at 847-259-8054
Flower Orders Contribution Sundays, September 16 and 23, are right around the corner! You are invited to order flowers to decorate the Sanctuary for worship services throughout the year by stopping by the Presbyterian Women’s table in the Narthex on September 16 or 23. You may designate it “in honor of ” or “in memory of ” for a specific Sunday of your choosing. Weekly Sanctuary flowers are not included in the church budget, so we depend on member donations for this purpose. $25 is the suggested donation. Please make checks payable to “Presbyterian Women.” Forms for donations may be submitted throughout the year; simply look for the flower forms in the rack outside the church office or in the literature rack outside the Sanctuary. Thank you for your donations!
PW Fall Gathering All women of the church are invited to the first Gathering of the year on Wednesday, September 26, at 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall. Six years ago we saw the first stages of the Christopher House Charter School in Chicago for low income families. Now see the progress, Stage 3, and the building for infants through 8th graders. Hear about the exciting new playground and sensory garden on the roof. Take a virtual trip to Christopher House School, and take pride in our support over the years!
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What choir will be at worship? Below you will find a list of the choirs and the dates they will participate in worship. 9:00 am Worship Music for September/October led by Compass 10:30 am Worship Ensembles: September 9 – Combined Choirs and First Pres Brass September 16 – Chancel Choir September 23 – Chancel Choir September 30 – Chancel Choir October 7 – Men’s Chorus and Chancel Choir October 14 – Chancel Choir and Chancel Hand Bell Choir October 21 – Chancel Choir October 28 – Chamber Singers
Thank You From Christopher House Thank you! Because of the generous support for the children and scholars of Christopher House, you have supplied 175 backpacks for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and also filled each one with the needed supplies for the year! The smiling faces of these children as they pick out their new backpacks sends a big thank you to our First Pres family for you generous donations that exceeded our goals. Again, thank you for investing in the lives and education of low income children and ensuring a great start for the new school year.
Celebrations
Baptisms
To Allison, Nicholas, Henry, and Delaney on the birth of their daughter and little sister, Margaret ‘Maggie’ Marie Lopuszynski
Mason Landwehr Samuel (Sam) Walter Jackson, James, and Sawyer Gutzmer Madison Fuentes
Sympathy Please join in extending sympathy to: To Marjorie Lock and family on the death of her aunt, Viola Phillipp To the family of Willoughby Donellan To the family of Douglas Moore Page 14
New Members Barbara Broud Sam and Jan Dix Jessica Hosler Timothy Hurley Ridgely Jackson Suzanne Kowalski David Daniels and Christine Nelson John and Kimberly Nowak Brian and Beth Tavares
Fall Kick-Off September 9 11:30 am- 2:00 pm Join us in celebrating the new program year with food, fun, and fellowship on Dunton Ave. in front of First Pres! Food will be available for purchase. Cost will be $3 for 1 ticket, which can buy you tacos, quesadillas, or a basket of donuts! Drinks will be supplied. There will be a bounce house, a slide, and a dunk tank with Rev. Alex inside (dunk tank requires a $3 ticket)! You can purchase tickets early on Sundays following worship until the day of the event. $12 minimum (4 tickets) if you are purchasing with credit cards. Open to all ages. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Don’t forget that Sunday School starts on September 9, too!
Fall Anniversary Speaker: Reza Aslan October 11
Join us for A Conversation with Reza Aslan on Islamic Reformation on Thursday, October 11, at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. We are thrilled to be hosting Reza Aslan who is the author of No God but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam and Zealot. Aslan is also a professor and producer of “The Leftovers” (HBO) and “Of Kings and Prophets” (ABC). Aslan’s books will be for sale and he will be signing books following the program. Seating is limited! Order your tickets on Sundays following worship or call the church office at 847-2555900. This event is brought to you by First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights in partnership with the Chicago Theological Seminary.
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First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights 302 N. Dunton Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5993 Phone: 847-255-5900 Fax: 847-255-3475 www.firstpresah.org /
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