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Contents - Quick Links
The Church
Church Neighborhood
Programs
Mission Outreach
Viewpoints
The
Church
First Presbyterian Church has
a rich and colorful 90-year history, and today it stands poised
before an exciting future. The church is located in an older Wheaton
neighborhood. It covers an entire city block and has a lovely,
campus-like appearance. The church draws its membership from Wheaton,
a city of 55,000, and several other western suburbs of Chicago,
including Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Naperville, and Winfield.
Throughout its history the church has enjoyed steady growth,
with its most dramatic growth coming in the 1960s. Today, First
Presbyterian Church is a vital, active, and growing 1500-member
congregation, averaging 625 in Sunday morning worship.
Within the membership the church enjoys a wide variety of
ages and family groupings. Recent growth has occurred mostly with
young families, which parallels the growth in the surrounding
community. The church's resources are substantial. The members
of the church are talented, gifted, and well-educated people,
many of whom work in technical fields.
The church has been known for providing leadership both to
the Wheaton community and to Chicago Presbytery. Many members
over the years have assumed key roles with a variety of local
institutions. With God's leading over the last several years the
church's leadership has developed a new direction, a clear sense
of purpose and a compelling mission. A $5.7 million building addition
has nearly doubled the space available to the church for programming
and mission. In the areas of worship, youth and children's ministry,
small groups, mission, fine arts, and more, the church has been
innovative in its approach and willingness to take risks.
Membership
Current membership - Approximately 1500
Average attendance - 530
Sunday morning - 530, Church School - 225 (N-12) / (100
Adult Ed.)
Christmas Eve - 1165, Maundy Thursday - 175
Good Friday - 210, Thanksgiving Eve - 138
Racial/ethnic composition
99 percent Caucasian
Church School
Grades |
Number Enrolled |
Curriculum(s) Used |
| Nursery/Preschool |
98 |
Bible Zone Live |
| Grades K-5 |
209 |
Bible Zone Live |
| Grades 6-8 |
92 |
The Covenant People by Presbyterians, for Presbyterians
and Backstage Pass to the Bible, an All-Acess Tour through
Both Testaments |
| Grade 9 (Confirmation) |
32 |
Journey to Discipleship |
| Grades 10-12 |
25 |
Presbyterian Curriculum |
Organizations within the Church
| Session (12) |
Genesis (middle school youth group) |
| Deacons (33) |
Building and Grounds Committee |
| Presbyterian Women |
Westminster Choir (45) |
| Gifts and Memorials Committee |
Office and Finance Committee |
| Women's Circles (8) |
Men's Luncheon |
| WF (high school youth group) |
Endowment Committee |
| Investment Committee |
Hospitality Committee |
| Pathways (Adult Education) Committee |
Small Group Ministry Committee |
| Staff Personnel Committee |
Communications Committee |
| Interpretation of Stewardship Committee |
Congregational Nominating Committee |
| Worship Planning Committee |
Library Committee |
| Too Early and Short Stack Society |
A variety of Christ Care (small) groups |
| Mission Outreach Committee |
Stephen Ministers |
| Caritas (care) Ministry |
Friends Across the Generations |
| Ushers |
Scribblers (writing team) |
| Bridge Group |
Web Team Ministry |
| Audio/Visual Team Ministry |
2 or More (praise band) |
| LOGOS (mid-week education, K-8) |
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Session has adopted the "Commitment to Peacemaking"
Session has not adopted the "Commitment to Evangelism"
Total Annual Budget for 2006
$1,278,000.00
The
Church and the Neighborhood
The membership of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton reflects
the community in which it finds itself--relatively young, affluent,
and mobile. The largest single age group in the Church is 35-50,
resulting in a membership with many young families and children.
As the average Church member's age declined, the Church focused
more and more of its energy and resources on programs for children
and youth. In the mid 1990s an hour dedicated to Christian education
was sandwiched into the Sunday morning schedule, reflecting the
Church's commitment to Christian education for its children, youth
(and adults), based on the belief that children and youth need
both a worship and a Christian education experience. In addition,
a mid-week program for children and youth, called LOGOS, was added
to enhance and support their Christian education in a world with
many competing belief systems. Mission trips, retreats, Vacation
Bible School, and other activities make First Presbyterian Church
a desirable church to join for many families in our community.
Even with all of its youthfulness, the Church is well represented
in the other age groups. The Church's empty nesters and active
seniors, for example, continue to provide leadership and continuity
in a variety of areas.
The members of First Presbyterian Church tend to be well-educated,
and the majority have college degrees. Many in the Church also
have advanced degrees, with an especially large number of lawyers,
educators, and scientists. More can be learned about the City
of Wheaton and the County
of DuPage from their web sites and the many additional links
they provide.
Most members live in Wheaton itself and drive less than 5
miles to the Church, though in recent years a growing number of
members are coming to the church from surrounding communities
to the north, west, and south, where there are new housing developments.
Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Winfield, and Naperville are among the
communities from which the Church draws its membership.
In the late 1940s the Church purchased an entire city block
nestled in the middle of a residential area about one mile from
the center of town. Included in the purchase was a lovely Georgian
style home. A sanctuary was then built in the early 1950s and
is joined to that house by a cloister or enclosed corridor. An
education wing with kitchen was added in the late 1950s and is
also joined to the house. A weekday nursery school is located
on the lower level of the education building, and there is a play
yard on the northwest corner of the property. The new addition,
completed in 2001, increased the size of the education wing, added
a new 'Ministry center' (a multi-purpose room used by all), and
a new entry foyer, complete with additional parking. The buildings
surround a patio and garden, forming a beautiful courtyard and
labyrinth. The former residence, now called the Parish House,
still has its home-like look, and its rooms are used as offices,
church parlor, church library, and chapel. The design and "flavor"
of the whole complex is traditional with red brick, white columns,
slate roofs, and a lighted steeple. The church owns a property
with a small house that is presently used as "transitional
housing" in one of the Church's mission efforts.
The church neighborhood is well maintained, and new homes
have been built there recently.
Wheaton is the county seat for DuPage County, one of the fastest
growing counties in the Midwest. Wheaton is 25 miles west of downtown
Chicago and is less than 45 minutes from Chicago's Midway and
O'Hare Airports. It is adjacent to Interstates I-88 and I-355.
Transportation includes two local train stops (one downtown
and the other near Wheaton College) where commuters board Metra
trains to downtown Chicago. A local bus system transports commuters
to the train station and other selected locations in the suburbs.
Shopping centers and restaurants are located at Rice Lake Square,
Danada Square East and West, Town Square, and in the historic
central business district of Wheaton itself.
There are over fifty churches, including several very large
evangelical churches, located in Wheaton (38) and in the neighboring
communities. The largest Protestant Church in the United States
is only a 30-minute drive away. Willow Creek Community Church
serves over 16,000 worshipers on a typical weekend.
In addition to some of our country's major universities, located
in Chicago, there are several educational institutions in our
own community:
College of DuPage - nation's largest single-campus community
college
Elmhurst College
Illinois Benedictine University
Illinois Institute of Technology
National-Louis University
Wheaton College
North Central College
McCormick Theological Seminary, one of the educational institutions
serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is located in the Hyde
Park area of Chicago. Several other major seminaries and divinity
schools are also located in Chicago.
In addition to some leading medical centers and teaching hospitals,
located in Chicago, excellent healthcare is provided locally by
Central DuPage Hospital, Glen Oaks Hospital, and Marianjoy Rehabilitation
Hospital and Clinics.
The Billy Graham Center Museum, home to several internationally
known collections of art and literature, is located next to Wheaton
College. Christianity Today Inc., Tyndale Publishers, and other
notable Christian organizations are also located nearby.
Programs
Worship
Sunday worship services
are held at 7:30, 8:40, and 11:00 a.m. Pathways
adult education and Sunday
School programs for children are both offered during our education
"hour" from 9:55 to 10:50 a.m. Visitors are welcomed
to all, and childcare is available for both the 8:40 and 11:00
services and during the education hour.
Following our
Mission Vision Study it became very apparent that we have a congregation
that is united in their Christian faith but diverse in their preference
for expressing that faith. Our new fall worship schedule
includes a variety of worship styles.
The Heritage Service
– For those who treasure an experience rich in heritage and heartfelt
contemplation. Liturgy steeped in tradition, and selections from
the hymnal with lush organ and piano accompaniment, highlight
this 45-minute Sanctuary service. A classic approach to
worship. Sundays – 7:30 a.m.
The Tapestry Service
- A fluid fabric of worship woven from the unique strands of memorable
hymns and liturgy, and the new classics in Christian music. Westminster
Choir and a meld of ensembles and instrumentation thread their
way through the loom of the Presbyterian Order of Worship. Tradition
with a twist. Sundays in the Sanctuary – 8:40 &
11:00 a.m.
The Celebration
Service –
A joyous outpouring of Christian faith through modern themes.
Art, drama, music, prayer, praise: a cornucopia of ways to contemplate,
convey, and celebrate our beliefs. In the Ministry Center the
second Sunday of each month at 11:00 a.m. This service is
in lieu of The Tapestry Service that week. |
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Education Programs - Adult,
Young
People
Children's Sunday School - Sunday morning 9:55-10:50
Genesis - grades 6-8, meets as part of LOGOS on Wednesday evenings
LOGOS - mid-week education program for K - 8 (>100 participating
parents)
First Presbyterian Nursery School for ages 3 and 4
Westminster Fellowship (WF) - grades 9-12, meets on Sunday evenings
Vacation Bible School
Pathways (adult Sunday school; several parallel sessions)
Christ Care (small) Groups
Monday Morning Bible Study
Advanced Leadership Training
Hospitality
Church leadership explores and examines ways in which our congregation
can answer its scriptural call to hospitality and help visitors
feel welcome in a church home. We facilitate the new member course
"Believing, Belonging, Becoming" as part of the Pathways
education program. Through individual connection and information
sharing we assist new members in their assimilation into the life
of the church. We are committed to educating ourselves regarding
the meaning and practice of hospitality so we may guide the members
of the church in the discernment of their responsibilities when
we proclaim "We welcome you as we would welcome Christ himself."
In its work this committee interacts with the deacons, ushers,
pastors, members of Session, Christ Care/small groups, and other
areas of ministry within the church.
Mission
Outreach
A central element of the philosophy of ministry of First Presbyterian
Church is that "we extend the vital presence of our church
and ourselves through mission to include others, balancing ourselves
(our inward focus) with service and witness to our local community
and the world." Our church has a varied and active mission
outreach program in an effort to make mission relevant in
the lives of members.
The 2006 mission budget is $100,000. Of the mission
budget, 65 percent is given locally and 35 percent is
distributed through Presbytery or General Assembly agencies.
Missions receiving the largest amount of financial support
are DuPage Habitat for Humanity; Transitional Housing
(providing housing and mentoring for families); Outreach
Community Ministries (an umbrella organization for a
variety of neighborhood ministries); Pilgrims of Ibillin
(supporting Christian communities in the Holy Land);
ESSE Adult Day Care (daytime centers providing activities
for seniors); People's Resource Center; Marklund Charities;
Interfaith Food Pantry; Exodus World Service "Welcome
to America"; and JUST of DuPage. Substantial mission
giving not reflected in the mission budget is made by
various groups within the membership, including Presbyterian
Women, Westminster Choir, the Deacons, individual Sunday
School classes, and Christ Care groups.
Significant financial assistance
is provided to individuals
in Kenya (OC International), Pakistan (Literacy International),
Ireland (General Assembly), and the Philippines (also General
Assembly).
Just as important as financial support is hands-on participation
in mission. From service on mission boards to serving meals, from
mentoring to delivering Christmas gifts, from building houses
to rebuilding dignity, First Presbyterian Church members are seen
all over the surrounding communities reaching out to others. Our
church youth annually roll up their sleeves on mission trips to
places such Wind River Reservation, Wyoming, and the inner city
of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Adults have discovered the joy of hands-on
mission in Ibillin, Galilee. The Staff, Session, and Mission Outreach
Committee are dedicated to the vision that every church member
can in some way be involved in mission and discover spiritual
growth through giving of oneself through gratitude.
Viewpoints
View the statement of our Vision
as a Christian congregation -- approved by Session in October
2005.
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