"We live in a time-starved culture...while we affirm Christ calling us into relationship and all agree we need at least 2-3 close relationships, building those relationships can be difficult."

Participating in a Small Group provides the environment for connecting with people, authentic Christian spiritual friendships and meaningful conversation centered on the application of the Bible in our everyday life.

On Sunday, Feb. 3, Pastor Chris will launch a new Sermon Series that will be tied into a new Small Group initiative. An original curriculum is being specifically written for the purpose of engaging Small Groups with the Sunday morning Sermon Series.

How can I join a group or get more information?

Here are three good options:

1. For more information or to join a group, contact Cinda (469-2007 ext 22) in the church office or speak with a member of the leadership team listed below.

2. Plan to become a part of one of the new groups that will form in early 2013 as a part of a special sermon series that Pastor Chris is preparing. Groups will form during January and begin meeting in February. The Small Group Leadership Team will be available on Sunday mornings in January in the Gathering Place to answer questions and provide assistance.

3. Feel called to leadership and want to start your own group? Great!

Pastor Chris will lead a Facilitator Training Session on Tuesday Jan. 8, 6:30 - 8:00pm and Sunday Jan. 13, 12:30 - 2:00pm. Facilitators of current Small Groups and new Small Groups are invited to attend one of the Sessions. RSVP to Cinda at csiligmueller@firstpresge.org

Small Group experience is the best way we know of to grow in Christ and experience his life. Make 2013 the year you experience how to live different.

Small Group Leadership team - Nathan Chaney, Paul Bischoff, Larry Siewert, Rob/Barb Meyer, Alice Fryling, Em Griffin, Steve Tonissen, Mark Birchler, Don Vicha, Bob/Cathy Novaria.

The Christmas Eve Offering is a tradition at First Pres. Typically, we divide the offering between two missions, one global and the other local or US. This year, the Missions Council has selected the Montana Mission Trip and Scholarships for students at Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan.

 Mission Fund for Montana Mission Trip.

First Pres has been traveling to Culbertson, Montana and working with 2 churches on the Ft. Peck Indian Reservation for 17 years. They typically focus in two areas:

* hosting a week-long Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children served by the Makaicu and Red Eagle Churches

* working on construction projects for those churches

This summer, the team was asked by Elder Sandra Lilley from the United Dakota Church in Wolf Point, Montana, to consider hosting a VBS this coming summer for children at their church. United Dakota is a large older church that struggles to cover maintenance costs. Wolf Point is located about 1 1/2 hours from Culbertson, Montana.

To develop a second VBS, the Montana Team will need additional materials, equipment for games, crafts, and snacks for approximately 30 children. Costs will also include transportation/gas as they will plan to split the VBS group and send a team to Wolf Point each day.

They anticipate also assisting United Dakota Church with maintenance and repairs. Any extra funds not used for VBS will be used for maintenance and repair.

These are the projected needs but, as the team experiences when they travel to Montana each year, they may see additional needs. The Christmas Eve fund will assist in this effort.

 Forman Christian College Scholarship Fund.

A year and a half ago, Rev. Jim and Mrs. Beth Tebbe arrived to serve at Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan. For Jim, this return to serve as Rector of Forman was a return to the place of his youth; his parents were missionaries in Pakistan. First Pres has agreed to come alongside the Tebbes' mission there, primarily by helping to support the scholarship fund for Christian students at Forman.

One of the stated goals of Forman is to give Christians, an under privileged minority, the ability not just to survive in Pakistani society but also to become leaders and full contributors in the cultural enterprise of shaping what it means to be Pakistani. In 2011, 14.2% of the students were Christians (total Christian population of Pakistan is less than 2%.) As the Christian community is largely made up of the poorest of the poor, proportionately more help goes to them (45% of the total scholarship money).  Without this help most of these Christian (and poorer Muslim) students would not be able to attend.

The Missions Council has designated half the Christmas Eve offering as a contribution toward scholarships for Christian students at Forman.

At a recent Worship Council meeting, members expressed a desire to be as inclusive and accommodating as possible for individuals with special needs. Our goal is to facilitate a meaningful Worship experience for all of the congregants at First Presbyterian Church - Glen Ellyn. To reach this goal, we would like your help identifying individuals with unmet needs whom we can reach out to.

Are you aware of any individuals in the community who would join us in Worship if their physical, sensory, and/or cognitive barriers were eliminated through appropriate modifications or accommodations?

Are you aware of any current members who are not getting the most out of the Worship experience because of some unmet needs?

If the answer to either of these questions is "yes," please let one of the council members know. We discussed contacting community-based, professional organizations, but want to get our church members' input first. With your help, we will be able to reach out to the greater community and perhaps include individuals who feel isolated and alone.

Paul Drennan, Steve Fessenbecker, Barb Meyer, Christina Riley, Karen Blake, Kerri Andersen, Phyllis Kidd, Kathryn Jordan and Bob Clauss - Worship Council

On a recent cold November night, 24 youth and three adults spent the night participating in Bridge Communities Sleep out Saturday. Attending a Bridge Communities rally, we heard from families helped by Bridge in their successful transition from homelessness. What a mighty transition.

We studied God's word, digging into scriptures that call us to be the hand and feet of Christ. We learned from Matthew 25:31-46 that Jesus leaves no room for doubt regarding what we are to do to help those in need. We are to feed the hungry, offer drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, invite in the stranger, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. As kids aged 11-18, we know our assistance comes in many forms. We know that our kind deeds, great and small, add up to help others.

 We discussed Luke 10:25-37 reflecting on the fact that "my neighbor" is not limited to the folks next door. "My neighbor" most definitely includes the homeless man, woman, and child.

In the church parking lot we built a campfire for warmth, and cardboard box shelters that our "families" slept in. We tried to stay warm, feel safe, and get a good night's sleep. We tried to remain unafraid as we listened to the sound of a coyote pack fill the night sky. We were grateful we were dry.

We discussed that when we are alive in Christ, our actions towards others are the direct result of Christ working through us. When we are willing to turn our lives over to him, we take part in caring for others without thought of our own gain, that His attitude and actions take the lead and soon we are serving in His name and for His glory in many ways.

Did I mention we also had an awesome time of fellowship? We played crazy games, ate lots of snacks, and all that great youth group kind of stuff. Oh, and we raised $784 which was donated to Bridge to help more families transition from homelessness.

(www.timber-lee.com)

Depart: Friday, Jan. 18 at 4:00pm

Return: Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4:00pm

Speaker: Jonathan McKee Music: Jake Brothers

Cost: $190 (Scholarships available, call Jos, 469-2007)

First Pres retreat sweatshirt, included in the cost! Don't forget to indicate your sweatshirt size (xs-xl) on your permission form.

Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 23 - to get on the list simply turn in your permission slips to Jocelyn Smolik, Kathy Light, or Nate Peace. (after Dec. 23 the price will go up $20 and spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis)

Parents - we'd love for you to join us on the retreat - let me know if you have any interest in coming as a group leader - it's a lot of fun for you too!

Timber-lee Winter Retreat Flyer: Jan 18-20

Questions or concerns please contact Jos at Jsmolik@firstpresge.org!

Sunday Dec. 2 at Culver's in Aurora from 10am -10pm. Culver's is located at 509 S. Route 59 and 75th Street. Culver's will donate 15% of their sales to help pay medical expenses for Jeff. He is struggling with serious health challenges and is unable to work.

Jeff's story... Jeff Berry was a Naperville fireman for 10 years but retired early from a job he loved when he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Since his diagnosis, Jeff was only able to work part-time jobs. About a year ago, Jeff had a stroke. After three weeks in the hospital and months of therapy, he was starting to recover. Then in Sept. 2012 Jeff suffered a second stroke. Jeff has no insurance to cover costs of enormous medical bills and therapy bills.

Donations for the family can also be made to:

The Jeff Berry Benefit Fund

Old Second National Bank

4080 Fox Valley Center Dr.

Aurora, IL 60504

or contact Mallory Mosher 630-851-6596.

Jeff is the son of First Pres members, Don and Gay Berry.