May 29 - June 4, 2016

Welcome to First Presbyterian
Church of Evanston
    
 
Do you remember Chris Farley? At one time, he was one of the funniest comedians on TV and in the movies. From his sketches on Saturday Night Live to the movies he starred in, Farley was a huge success in the entertainment business.
 
Chris Farley was impacted by the example and influence of another famous comedian - John Belushi. In a real sense, Farley was a disciple of Belushi. Farley famously admitted, "I wanted to be like him in every way."
 
We all know the main story: John Belushi moved from Chicago's Second City comedy troupe to Saturday Night Live to starring in Hollywood movies.
 
Farley followed the same career path. And Farley's emulation did not stop there. Both Belushi and Farley struggled with obesity, and both had a reputation for wild living. Sadly, Belushi died of a drug overdose when he was only 33 years old. And, just a few years later, after a night of partying, Chris Farley was found dead in his apartment from a drug overdose. He, too, was 33 years old.
 
In the New Testament, the word for disciple is the Greek word mathetes, which can also be translated "pupil" or "apprentice." In common usage, disciple simply means "learner or student." This means that everyone, everywhere, is a disciple of something, or someone. So we have to be careful whom we choose to follow. Sadly, Farley modeled his life after the wrong master. Thank God that our dear Jesus was a 33-year-old worth following forever.
 
The Session of our church is hard at work seeking innovative ways to fulfill the great commandment Jesus gave His church: make disciples (see Matthew 28: 19-20). We believe that changed people result in changed communities.

Since January of 2016, our leadership staff, Elders, and Trustees, are reading the book Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples. Since this was Jesus' priority, it is also our #1 priority. Not our buildings, budgets, or our attendance - as wonderful as those things can be - but encouraging people to follow Jesus. 
 
Do me a favor: Stop by the Front Desk and request a copy of the book for only $10.00. This book will help you understand the priorities of our church and what our plans are to "make disciples" at First Pres.

In Christ,

Pastor Ray Hylton

P.S. Have a blessed Memorial Day remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country. Also, we have the honor of welcoming George Atkins, former member of our staff as guest preacher this Sunday. See you then!
First Five
1. Our summer worship schedule will begin
Sunday, June 12,
with a single service at 10 am.
The weekly service will be followed by "Lemonade
on the Lawn" from 11:10 to 11:25 am. Sunday
Forum will begin at approximately 11:30 am.
All other adult and childrens' Sunday School
classes ended last week and will resume on Sunday,
September 11.

2. Men's Breakfast, Saturday, June 4, at 8 am
in the FPCE dining room.
A hot breakfast and
childcare will be provided. Our speaker will be
FPCE mission partner John Ng from Singapore
sharing on "Your Weakness Matters." Bring the
kids for breakfast.

3. FPCE is looking to gather all junior and senior high youth to participate in Youth Sunday on June 12 at 10 am. Sign up for the band, the choir (for those in third grade and up), speaking roles, dancing, ushers or other supporting roles. Graduating seniors will be recognized. Those interested in participating should sign up online at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a4aa28abf94-fpce or contact Liz Ribeiro at [email protected] with questions.

4. A potluck will be held with Dr. John Ng after
the Sunday, June 5, Rooted Service at approximately
12:30 pm in Roy Hall. RSVP online
at
www.firstpresevanston.org/june5potluck with the
number of guests and a dish you'll bring to share.

5. Next Sunday, June 5, we will participate in
Communion,
and all of the offering will go toward
the Deacons' Fund. This fund is the sole financial
backing for a wide variety of FPCE ministries and
outreaches. Please prayerfully consider your giving
this week.

Click Here for the May 29 Bulletin. Click Here for the 
May 29 Announcements.
Save the Date & Announcements 
FPCE offices will be closed Monday, May 30, in recognition of Memorial Day.
Pray for Eagles Communications, from pages 80-81 in the 52 Weeks of Prayer for Mission book. Pray for the July Preaching Conference, for young leaders to be raised up and for added resources.
First Presbyterian's Father's Day Field Day will be held Saturday, June 18, from 10 am to Noon at Raymond Park. We will celebrate and honor the men in our lives with an afternoon of active fun and games. In case of inclement weather, events will move to the FPCE gym. Contact Kalysta at [email protected] or Terri Jo at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.

You can help support Souper Saturday. Join us Saturday, June 25th, at Chicago's Jackson Park for the Hunger Walk (sponsored by Greater Chicago Food Depository) We receive contributions for every walker who participates. More details to follow. 

FPCE Part-time position available:
Part-time Children's & Youth Program Administrator (20 hours/week).  Visit www.firstpresevanston.org/about-us/employment for a job description. To apply, please e-mail your resume, with job title in the subject line, to Janice Dobschuetz at [email protected].

2 Summer Camps at First Pres: Church Camp is a sleep-away camp grades 2-6, at Phantom Ranch in Wisconsin from June 19-24. Vacation Bible School is a day-camp, at First Pres on July 25-29, each morning from 9-11:30. Classes for 3 yrs- 5th graders. Registration is available online for Church Camp and VBS materials will be available soon.

Emmaus Ministries' Endurance Ride 13th annual bike-a-thon is on Saturday, June 4, 2016 in Plano, IL. Please join casual and serious riders of all ages, including singles and families. Riders choose between 10- and 25-mile routes and try to complete as many loops as they can between 7 am and 7 pm. They seek sponsorships from their friends and families, and all proceeds benefit Emmaus Ministries. Please sign up at www.enduranceride.org. For details contact Joel Brown at (773) 334-6063.

The 17th Annual Race Against Hate will take place Sunday, June 19th at Floyd Long Field Park in Evanston starting at 7:30 AM.  This family-friendly event, which features a 5K, 10K, walk, and youth mile, draws thousands of people from all over Chicagoland to honor the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong and promote awareness and activism to eliminate racism. Proceeds support YWCA Evanston/North Shore programming in our communities, especially in the areas of racial justice and violence prevention. Learn more and register at www.ywca.org/RAH2016.
Opportunities to Serve
The deacons' Clothes Closet needs your donations of gently used clothes for women & men. Please no children's clothing. Spring and summer pants, shirts, jackets and shoes for larger men are especially needed.

Did you know caregiving is an act of faith? If you are caring for a loved one, neighbor or friend and would like to learn skills for providing compassionate Christian care, please consider taking part in Stephen Ministry training. FPCE is offering training this summer to help equip people for service in order to provide Christ's love to those in need. For a class schedule and other details, please contact Mike Denesha at [email protected] or RuthAnn Ostrowski at [email protected].
Crocheters are greatly needed to help make necklaces to be sold to raise support for Congo's Presbyterian schools. The work, which may be done at home, involves simple single stitch crocheting. All materials are provided. Please contact Barbara Spencer at [email protected] for more information.
Mason Park Tutoring Program needs supplies.   Do you have extra supplies? Is your office over flowing with pens and paper? Do you have one to many calculators?   Please consider donating these or any other school supplies. No donation is too small or too large. Donation box available at the front desk, or contact Liz Ribeiro at [email protected] with questions.
We are looking for volunteers once a month to run our projection slides on on Sundays at 9am and 11:15am. Training provided. Contact Neal Ostrovsky at [email protected].

If you are an artist, graphic designer, filmmaker/editor, photographer, etc., we invite you to get in touch with our Parish Associate and artist, Pastor Jonah (Younan) Shiba.  Pastor Younan is at FPCE offices Tues-Thurs 9am-3pm. Email him at [email protected]
Be a role model for a homeless child! Volunteer at the New Life shelter, five minutes from church. Contact Tom Alrich [email protected].
FYI
Do you need a ride, a meal or someone to run an errand for you? A member of Friends in Christ is ready to help with your need. Please Please call Bonnie Kath at 847-507-4146.  
 
Christ Caring for People through People.  Stephen Ministers are lay people trained to care for someone going through a difficult time by listening, supporting, praying and encouraging.  If you could benefit from this confidential ministry call RuthAnn Ostrowski 312-613-0644 for more details.
 
In Cases of after hour emergencies - please call our Emergency Answering Service at 866-259-7088.  

The Counseling Center (TCC) provides professionally trained Christian counseling in our own facility. Contact TCC Director Charles Miyamoto 847-864-9133
 


Our Mission  


Sharing Christ,

 

Making Disciples,

 

Serving God's World,

 

By the Power

 

of the Holy Spirit.   

 

 Join our Mailing List  

 

Our guest preacher on Sunday, May 29, is George Atkins, a counselor with the Christian Counselors Collaborative of Pittsburgh. George received his MDiv in '96 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He served as the Director of Missions and Evangelism for 8 years, and then the Director of Adult Discipleship for 2 years at FPCE. Team Atkins moved to the metropolis of Beaver, PA, where George served as the Director of Adult Connections at Four Mile Church for 6 years before leaving congregational ministry to serve as a Christian Marriage and Family Counselor. Joline still acts and directs from time to time when she is not working as a fitness coach, and regular contributor to the Beaver County Times. Harper and Zane attend Beaver Country Christian School, and are both candidates for their black belt in Tang Soo Do. They're grateful and excited to be back where it all started. 
Summary notes from the May Session Meeting are available here

The summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available here.

Paper copies are also available in 
our literature racks. 
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Vacation Bible School, July 25-29.
Camp is held at First Pres each morning from 9-11:45 am. Campers range in age from 3 years (or will be three by September 1, 2016) to those who are entering 6th grade in the fall - register online today! Join us on a "Cave Quest" as we follow Jesus' light.
Learn more.

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Nominations are now being accepted for church officers including deacons, elders and trustees. Submit nominations online at www.firstpresevanston.org or with Sunday's bulletin insert. Election of candidates will be held October 16 at the congregational meeting.

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MEMBERSHIP ROLLS UPDATED
 
The Session has just completed an update of the membership rolls.  Letters were sent to a number of members for whom there was no record of recent attendance or other participation, and these members were given the opportunity to respond as to whether they intend to participate in the life of FPCE in the future.

Keeping the membership rolls up to date is an important ongoing task.  As a church, we want to be able to minister to the needs of all of our congregation, and for this reason, we need to know who our members are.  In many cases, people have moved away, or joined another church, but we have no way of knowing this unless our members keep us up to date on changes in their lives.

You, our members, can help us with this effort in several ways:
  • Make sure that you fill out the tear-off sheet on the bulletin each time you attend Sunday services.  This is the only way we have to register your attendance.
  • Call the church office if you move or if any of your contact information changes.
  • Fill out the annual pledge card indicating your intention to continue to support the work of First Pres, even if you cannot make a financial commitment.
  • If you do move away, or decide to leave First Pres for any reason, let us know, and when you join another church, ask the new church to contact us to transfer your membership, or contact us directly with the new information.
  • Keep track of your friends.  If you notice someone missing from church services or other activities, give him or her a call.  This way we can all encourage each other to remain active in the church, minister to each other's needs, and continue our spiritual growth.
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LIBRARY CORNER
   
  

2nd Graders Receive Bibles
 
What a wonderful day for all our second graders who received their personal Bibles on Sunday April 17.  Congratulations!  We know that now you are starting to read and study the Bible, and the good news is that the church library has both books and DVDs to help you understand the Bible better.
 
Buck Denver Asks---What's in the Bible? (J DVD Wha) is the 13-video series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer.  Using animation, puppets,
fun music and live video, Vischer has set out to help kids (and parents!) learn the story of the Bible - God's great plan of salvation from Genesis to Revelation.
 
 


I Want to Know About the Bible by Rick Osborne (J 220.6 Osb) is a great print introduction to the Bible, fun to read and covering everything from when and how it was written to using a Bible dictionary and concordance and learning famous verses.  Fun fact - the Bible has been read by more people in more languages than any other book ever!
 
We have study aids for kids, too.  The colorful Baker Bible Dictionary for Kids (J 220.3 Luc), Baker Bible Handbook for Kids (J 200.61 Day) and Baker Book of Bible Travels for Kids (J 220.91 Ada) are for kids 8 and up.  Each of them is easy to read, full of lively illustrations, answer kid's questions, and fun reading.
 
All of the books and DVDs listed above are currently in the display case across the hall from the church library.  We will be glad to take them out of the display case when you want to look them or check them out.  You will find more Bible-related books and the rest of the DVDs in the J section of the library, ready to check out.
 
 
Have you tried to look up books on the library computer and not been able to connect to the library catalog?  We are having a problem with our computers not connecting to the church server.  We have requested church tech support and are waiting for more information, which we hope will solve the problem soon.  

First Presbyterian Church of Evanston

[email protected] 

847-864-1472