July 24 - July 30, 2016

Welcome to First Presbyterian
Church of Evanston

This week's guest contributor is Caryl Weinberg,
FPCE's Mission Director.


Today, in our world, it seems no matter what direction we turn we hear yet one more story filled with revenge, violence, hatred, fear, loss and great suffering. The world seems increasingly overwhelmed with pain and misery.  And one can't help but ask the question "Where is God in all that is happening?"  As people of faith, we don't believe God causes suffering. But we do believe He is very present with those who are experiencing it, and actively redeems suffering for His purposes. Over 15 days this month, Rev. Younan Shiba, Rev.  Greg Buell of Village Presbyterian Church, Northbrook, and I had the privilege to travel in Germany, Sweden and Austria. While there we saw and heard about God bringing hope where there is hopelessness, and meaning to the lives of those who have suffered beyond what we can imagine.
 
Hassan
One of many powerful stories we heard was from a man called Hassan. He was a member of the "government" party in Syria, probably a part of the secret police.  Hassan was living a good lifestyle with a good salary. He had a large home and wealthy parents who also supported him.  His family lived in peace - even in the midst of the ongoing conflict there. Most likely, people lived in fear of him and the power he wielded.
 
Then one day Hassan was sent to officially intervene in a dispute between a mosque and a local church.   Hassan, a Muslim, had questions about the Christian faith and began asking questions of those who attended the church.  At some point afterwards he was thrown into prison, though he didn't say why.  He just said his friends from the mosque had betrayed him. In prison Hassan saw people in chains.  He saw fear and fighting.
 
His own fear and hardship caused Hassan to call on "Allah" to reveal himself to him. In response, Jesus - not once, but twice - came to visit Hassan in his cell at night and revealed Himself as God.  Hassan asked for and received a Bible. One verse stood out to him and has since become a regular source of encouragement: "Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)." Hassan committed his life to Christ.  Not through a person, but because Jesus visited him in prison, answered Hassan's prayers, and comforted him when he was afraid.
 
Following his conversion, Hassan's extended family rejected him. With his circumstances completely changed, he brought his family to Germany, where we met him. Having found a church run by Syrian and Iraqi pastors who he had known previously in Syria, Hassan has begun to be discipled in his walk with Jesus.
 
Arabic Fellowship
in Goteberg, Sweden
Other stories of hope we heard on our trip were told by leaders of Arabic-speaking fellowships. Many of these refugee-infused churches are taking root in these European countries where the national and denominational churches have been slowly dying out. All of these young churches are growing; some little by little and others by leaps and bounds. Many have been started by believers coming from the Middle East, but they are growing because Muslim background believers - not just the recent refugees - are coming to Christ. Paraphrasing Genesis 50:20, what so many intended as harm to these refugees, God intended for good. 
 
How do we respond to this miraculous move of God? My suggestion would be for us to ask Him to make us people whose eyes and ears are open to what He doing in the world, both near and far.  And may we be people of hope.  1 Peter 3:15 says, "Be ready always to give a reason for the hope that is within you, with meekness and fear."   Are you ready to share that hope?  You never know whose world might be transformed because God is bringing them near to you! 
 
Caryl Weinberg
Mission Director

Highlights
Lemonade on the Lawn will be held following Sunday's service - and each Sunday throughout the summer - at approximately 11:30 am. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Roy Hall.

Vacation Bible School will be held at First Pres on July 25-29, from 9-11:45 each morning. Classes for 3 yrs-5th graders. Walk-in registrations will be accepted on site Monday morning. All are welcome to join us on Friday at 11:30 a.m. for a Closing Program and Family Picnic in Raymond Park!

The next FPCE New Members Class will be held Saturday, August 6, from 9 am-2 pm. The class, led by Pastor Ray Hylton, is for those interested in membership at First Pres. Childcare us available with a reservation by contacting Janice at 847-864-1472 or by e-mailing [email protected].

Click here for the July 24 Bulletin. Click here for the 
July 24 Announcements.
Save the Date & Announcements 
Pray for Our Mission Partners Jim and Karen Turner of Wycliffe Bible Translators, from pages 96-97 of the "52 Weeks of Prayer" book. Praise God for the kingdom fruit in the Middle East! Pray for their sabbatical as they seek clarity in God's guidance regarding career next steps, needed rest and better self-care habits. Pray for their sons who are seeking God's direction for the future. Pray for peace in the regions they work to enable Bible translation.

The Chancel flowers this week are in honor of member Jay Sivits as she leaves to continue her ministry with InterVarsity in the Boston and New England area. Jay's ministry has recently focused on Spiritual Formation and Prayer. We bless her as she begins this new phase of ministry.

We welcome, Sunday morning, July 24, for baby dedication Ezra James McGinty, son of Joel & Elda McGinty.

The City of Evanston will be doing street resurfacing on Chicago Avenue between Dempster Avenue and Grove Street, July 18-22. Both the Chicago Avenue parking lot entrance and exit will be blocked. Please enter through the alley during the construction period.

A gathering will be held in the Parlor, Sunday, July 24 at 9 am, to pray for and send off Jay Sivits, long time FPCE member, elder and mission partner of First Presbyterian Evanston. Jay has been working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) for over 30 years. Though she is not retiring, she is moving out to Boston, to work with a new team in the Graduate and Faculty Ministry of IVCF. We want to show her our love, thanks and care as she heads out East. Everyone is welcome. There will be coffee and a few treats provided.

The next FPCE Book Club will meet on Tuesday, August 9, from 1:30-3 pm in the Parlor. We will be reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. According to Amazon.com  "The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who's decided it's time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers." All are welcome to take part in the book club. Bring a friend, too!

All are invited to attend "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a chamber music concert presented by Credo on Sunday, July 24, at 8 PM at the University Club (76 E. Monroe Street, Chicago). Purchase half-priced tickets online at: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/4VmiRkvirIItZDeFdrolZQ or by calling 440.774.3658. Credo is a transformational ministry dedicated to combining high-level musical training in an environment of Christian mentorship and service to others. Learn more at www.credo-music.org.

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.

Nominations are sought for FPCE deacons, elders and trustees. Submit nominations online at http://www.firstpresevanston.org/officer_nomination_form_2016 or with forms at the front desk. Candidates will be elected October 16 at the congregational meeting.

Short-term housing is being sought for a female Japanese student who will be working in downtown Chicago. She is looking for a home to stay in for two weeks beginning after Labor Day weekend. Two one-week stays would also work. Contact Kay Sugiura 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.
Join the kids and moms from the New Life shelter on a camp out! Every year, we join people from the Vineyard Church at a campground in Bristol, Wisconsin, for a two-day camp out. This year, it is Friday evening Aug. 5 through Sunday afternoon Aug. 7. Vineyard people will prepare all the food and the FPCE bus will provide transportation. In addition, we need volunteers to help supervise the kids. You can sleep in a tent or a cabin, and can come for the weekend or just a day. Contact Tom Alrich at 312-515-8996 or [email protected].
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.   


 

 

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We will gather for prayer this Wednesday, July 27, at 7 p.m. in the parlor. All are welcome!
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WOMEN'S RETREAT PLANNED FOR FALL
The FPCE women's retreat will be held Saturday, October 22, from 9 am to 2 pm.
More information to come!
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Summary notes from the May Session Meeting are available here

The May summary of the Chicago Presbytery Meeting is available here.

Paper copies are also available in 
our literature racks. 
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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