A "Preach-In" on Race...
A black presidential candidate and his outspoken former pastor from the largest United Church of Christ congregation in our denomination raise issues of race and racism in the media... Some Arab-Americans are treated with contempt, even though their children play in school along with those of many ethnicities... Latin-Americans are the fastest growing "minority" in the U.S. Here we sit as good Christian church-goers, as we worship each Sunday in what some have called "the most segregated hour of the week." John Thomas, our UCC Head Minister and President, along with the leadership of the National Council of Churches, has called for a national "preach-in" on the issue of race in America for Sunday, May 18. It is hoped that this will spark a "sacred conversation" in our churches, neighborhoods, and other venues. I will participate in this movement from our pulpit, and also give my perspective on the recent media/church interaction relative to the comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Dr. Rich Wolf
New Members Received...If you have been a guest in our worship service, and are considering joining the church, please sign up in the church office for the prospective members orientation meeting. The meeting will be held on Wednesday night, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Drawing Room. New members will be received on Sunday, May 18, during the 10:30 a.m. service. Your attendance at the informational orientation does not imply a commitment to join the church, but all those at the meeting will be asked to give their intention at the end of the evening. Please call Dr. Rich Wolf with any questions you may have.
Church Building Closed
The church building, including offices, will be closed from June 2nd - 6th due to the resurfacing of floors in the hallways and office suite. If you need to reach a minister or church staff member during this time, please contact them at their home telephone numbers. Dr. Wolf and Rev. Larssen's contact numbers will be left on the church voicemail greeting that week. Our office administrator and pastors will be checking email remotely. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding.
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THIS WEEK IN OUR CHURCH
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5/11/08/08 to 05/18/08
- PENTECOST SUNDAY - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
- MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH - 9:30 a.m.
- WORSHIP SERVICES- Sunday, 9:00 a.m., Chapel and 10:30 a.m. -Sanctuary
- NO ZACKLEY HS YOUTH GROUP MEETING
- ALLIED ARTS- Monday, 1:00 p.m., Drawing Room
- NURTURE MINISTRY MEETING - Monday, 7:30 p.m., Drawing Room
- PLYMOUTH HANDBELL - Wednesday, 4:00 p.m., Choir Room
- PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS MEETING - Wednesday, 7:00, Drawing Room
- OPERATIONS MEETING - Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., Family Chapel
- CARILLON HANDBELL CHOIR - Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Choir Room
- YOGA - Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Founders' Room
- CHANCEL CHOIR - Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Choir Room
- WONDROUS THINGS GIFT SHOP- Friday, 10:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m.
- SATURDAY MEALS PROGRAM - Saturday, 8:00 a.m., Dining Room
- WONDROUS THINGS GIFT SHOP- Saturday, 10:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m.
- MUSICIAN RECOGNITION SUNDAY
- WORSHIP SERVICES- Sunday, 9:00 a.m., Chapel and 10:30 a.m. -Sanctuary
- NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED - Sunday, during the 10:30 Service
- CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING - After 10:30 Service, Sanctuary
- ZACKLEY HS YOUTH GROUP MEETING-Sunday, 7:00 p.m., Zackley Room
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THIS SUNDAY!
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MAY 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
Sanctuary Worship: 9:00 a.m. in the Chapel
and 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Texts: Acts 2: 1-21 or Numbers 11: 24-30; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b;
1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13 or Acts 2: 1-21; John 20: 19-23 or John 7: 37-39
Click Here for the
complete worship calendar.
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Altar Flowers
 Did you know that you can order flowers online? Take a moment and order flowers in memory of a loved one, a special occasion, a birthday, or any special reason. Click here to order yours now!
Fellowship Hour
 Would you like to host a Fellowship Hour after our 10:30 service, or see who is? Now you can sign up for this important ministry online by clicking here!
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Welcome!!!  Welcome to the home page of the First Congregational Church of LaGrange Illinois. If you are a first time visitor, we invite you to know more about us by using our Visitor Info pages. To learn more about the life of our church, click on the church calendar. And if music is your thing, click here to learn more about our programs. All are welcome at our church, and we hope you will visit this page often.
 Directions to Church
Call to a Congregational Meeting
The annual meeting of the congregation of the First Congregational Church of La Grange will be held immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, May 18. The two main agenda items are to discuss and approve the 2008-2009 proposed operating budget, and to vote upon those nominated for church leadership positions for the coming year. All members are strongly encouraged to attend. Visitors may remain for the meeting without voice or vote.
Spread the Love - Strengthen the Church
One of the four special offerings of the United Church of Christ is "Strengthen the Church." Your contribution to "Strengthen the Church" helps fund new UCC chruches while breathing new life into existing ones, supports leadership for new congregations, and provides new programs for youth and young adults. It also funds the "God is Still Speaking" campaign, which in the last four years has given a home to those who felt there was no other place for them and their spiritual needs. Look for your envelope for "Strengthen the Church" in the bulletin on Sunday, May 11th or pick one up in the church office. "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here."
 The May meeting will be Thursday May 22nd in Room 305. We will discuss 1421: The Year China Discovered America, by Gavin Menzies. It is a long book, so get busy on it ASAP.
Mother's Day Shopping at Wondrous Things Gift Shop
 Looking for that special gift for Mother's Day? Be sure to stop into Wondrous Things to see the array of special gifts available - pretty jewelry in pastel hues for spring - rings, bracelets and necklace and earring sets. See our charming patchwork throw and purse that would delight any Mother or Grandmother. We have added some new fragrances of the popular Shea Butter, that wonderful moisturizer. See our assortment of colorful paper napkins for your spring entertainment. Shop hours are Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Sunday before and after the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service.
Music Programs at First Congregational Church of LaGrange
If you have ever wanted to sing (especially Handel’s Messiah), ring or do anything else musically, click here to learn about all of our music programs. You can also reach our Music Director Ryan Cox at ryan@fcclg.org or at 352-0800.
Inside Edition
For real time news from the UCC, click here. This column is your direct pipeline to the latest from their web site.
Our Newsletters
The latest issue of our bi-weekly newsletter, The Tidings, can be read by clicking here. If you would like to begin receiving it by email, click here to register.
The latest issue of our quarterly newsletter, We Are the Church News, can be read by clicking here. If you would like to begin receiving it by mail, contact the church office at (708) 352-0800 or at peg@fcclg.org.
Property Committee
Your Property Committee is trying to do a better job for everyone and everything at our Church. From now on if anyone sees anything that they think needs attention, please notify Peg Peterson in the office so she can communicate it to the Property Committee. Also, if you need Fred to help with something, please coordinate this with Peg Peterson so she can facilitate and prioritize your requests.
I thank you in advance for your helping make OUR Church a better place for everyone!
-Bob Taylor, Property Committee Chairman
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Experience It Again!
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Watch and Listen to our
May 4th Confirmation Sunday!
Today we welcomed 11 new members to our church, our 2008 confirmands! It was a beautiful day, inside and outside our church, and we listened to these young people confirm the vows of their baptism, and become full members in the life of this Body of Christ. Enjoy listening to parts of this service, especially the Statements of Faith shared with the congregation of Dr. Rich Wolf and Elena Larssen, our pastors. Click any of the links below to listen and watch our service. And please... join us in person next Sunday. Whoever you are, Wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
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Capital Improvement Update
Work has started on The Founders Room and is coming along well. We are having the outside doors (facing La Grange Road) fixed so they open and close properly. On June 2, 2008 the church will be closed for the removal of the asbestos in the building, so please be patient that week. The removal of the asbestos is scheduled to be complete by Saturday June 7, 2008. Then the beautification begins with new tile and new carpeting after that. We ALL should be proud of what is happening to OUR Church! The Property Committee is working hard to make other changes as time and money allows.
Summer and Fall/Winter/Spring 2008/2009 for Sunday School
Summer and Fall/Winter/Spring 2008/2009 Sunday school sign-up is now available in the church outside the Director of Christian Education's office. Your gifts are needed, your commitment is minimal and the benefit to our chldren is immeasurable. Summer school begins on June 1st and ends August 24th. The lesson and plenty of support is provided along with any assistance you may need to provide a wonderful Sunday school experience.
What Can We Do Together For Health Care Justice?
The United Church of Christ churches in the Chicago area are hosting a dialog around health and health care. When it comes to actually having an impact on the full spectrum of issues in health care justice, we have incredible resources among us! Recognizing the power of this amazing gift of resources, the Church in society Committee of the Chicago Metropolitan Association is hosting an opportunity for faith-full dialogue, relationship building and planning for action. Together we will reflect on what role we can play together in impacting health and health care in our communities and nation?
Join us Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL. To RSVP and for more information call 847-384-3744 or email denise.dowling@advocatehealth.com.
Confirmation Dinner/Coffee Hour Thank You!
A big Thank You to Deborah Zigulich from the Ministry of Education for organizing and leading our 2008 Confirmation Dinner on April 29th and Coffee Hour May 4th, the day our 8th grade students were confirmed into members of our church. A wonderful meal accompanied by tasty goodies both days were enjoyed by all, along with wonderful fellowship of the Confirmands, their families and mentors. Support and assistance for this momentous time of our church was provided by Paul and Diane Likness, Sue Hoffman, and members of the 7th grade Sunday school class: Emma Klitchman, Emma Saunders, Sarah Devereux, Hannah Likness, Erika Zenchak, Annie Birkland, Patrick McCarthy, Danielle Zigulich, John Pirtle, and Maddie Merker.
Yoga at FCCLG!
 Now on Wednesdays -- It’s Just the Kind of Yoga Class You’ve Been Looking For...
C'mon, give it a try! Attend a yoga class now offered on Wednesday nights. Church member and certified yoga instructor Johnny Gillespie is offering gentle stretching-oriented yoga classes at First Congregational on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Founders’ Room. Sessions are suitable for all levels, and beginners are welcome to attend at any time. Wear comfortable clothes and enjoy a peaceful hour of stretching. The cost is $10 per session. For more information, contact Johnny at 708-482-4721.
Saturday Lunch Program
Have you wanted to get involved with our highly successful lunch program but didn't know how to go about it? Here are some suggestions on how you can help:
Funds: We gratefully accept donations of any amount.
Time: We appreciate any time you can give us on a Saturday, whether it is making lunches, serving food or assisting the clean-up crew.
Food: Donations of homemade desserts such as cookies, brownies, etc. are always appreciated by our guests. Also, donating a hot lunch for about 40-50 people would be greatly welcomed.
Laundry: We use a lot of towels, aprons and tablecloths while serving our guests. Washing these linens and having them back in the kitchen by the following Saturday would be a great help.
Anyone with questions or willing to sign up for one of these tasks should call Bill Bright at 246-4018 or eamil him at billybright@hotmail.com. Thank you for all your support! We couldn't do it without you.
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