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UPDATED WEEKLY

WEBSITE CHANGES

  • May 1, 2008 - Check out the WF website www.ledbyyouth.com to view photos including the Second Chance Prom on March 8, 2008, and the Confirmation Retreat April 18-20, 2008, and for more information and links to vote for the WF video online at ymiLIVE, which could win $25,000 for the youth group if enough people register and VOTE.
  • April 27, 2008 - Everyone in the large crowd  enjoyed musical entertainment, savory homemade tea party treats, and a fashion show at the PW Reali-Tea.
  • April 20, 2008 - Vision page - a Great Ends section was added to express The Great Ends of the Church.
  • April 13, 2008 - The Gospel reading from Mark 16:14-18 was presented as a drama during our 8:40 a.m. worship service.
  • March 25, 2008 - Additional photos have been added to the pages about our church's first Kirkin' o' the Tartans services on January 27, 2008. 
  • March 22, 2008 - Everyone had a great time at our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Craft Party.
  • March 21, 2008 - The ChristCare and Small Groups page was updated.
  • March 20, 2008 - Photos from the Maundy Thursday drama, The Living Last Supper, are online.
  • March 15, 2008 - Our Supper Club's St. Patrick's Celebration included a great corned beef and cabbage dinner, jokes by Leprechaun Jack Wilson, group singing of Irish songs led by Debby and Denny Lawson, and was highlighted by a wonderful program of Irish and Broadway songs sung by tenor Mike Sammer, accompanied by Paul Burgess on the piano.
  • March 14, 2008 - Our Genesis middle schoolers gathered at First Pres for March Madness Night, enjoying activities such as basketball, ping pong, carpet ball, guitar hero, loaded questions, pictionary, uno attack, and fear factor food.
  • March 9, 2008 - Pastor Liz Walker joined the Fifth Grade Sunday School class for their annual "Interview with a Pastor" event.
  • February 28, 2008 - Pledge cards and Electronic Funds Transfer Forms can now be downloaded from our new Stewardship page.
  • February 20, 2008 - Our LOGOS children of all ages, their families, and additional church members brought in 480 pairs of new and gently used pairs of shoes.  After dinner our middle schoolers heard a presentation by Providence Rubingisa about his ministry called, "Stuff for the Poor."  The following week the middle schoolers sorted all the shoes and put them into bags, which were later taken to Providence Rubingisa's storage lockers.  As soon as the lockers are full, everything will be sent to Africa.
  • NEW WF WEBSITE:  Got an extra minute… check out the new WF website www.ledbyyouth.com to see what is happening in the high school youth program. Special thanks to Derrick Rohl for developing this new and youthful website.
  • Library Notes were updated April 1, 2008.

 

THE FUTURE FOR PEACE, A MODEL FOR CHANGE - Archbishop Elias Chacour will be our guest speaker at a breakfast right here at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 8:30 a.m.  There are a limited number of tickets available for $10, so please call Janet in the church office at 630-668-5147 for reservations.  See our Upcoming Events page for more information!

Dove

Elias Chacour at desk

President George Bush, on his trip to the middle-east in January, met with Christian leaders of Israel, namely, the Archbishop of Galilee, Elias Chacour.  The President and Condoleeza Rice spent 40 minutes with Archbishop Chacour, Bishop Marcuzzo, The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and several nuns from the Church of the Beatitudes, and even Raed Mualem, the Sr. Vice President of Mar Elias University.  Susan Drinan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mar Elias University was asked to compose a letter to the President which would be handed to him on this occasion. (View a copy of the letter.)  After the meeting Secretary Rice invited Raed Mualem to come to Washington, DC to discuss new models for peace in the middle-east.  Who knows what happens; but, just that somebody finally understood that peace, real peace, begins on the tops of school desks, it is one more step in the peace process.

Photos can be viewed on the Mar Elias Campus website - http://mec.sahrat.net/?pid=216.


PW FLOWER SALE TIME:  Flower pick up is Saturday, May 17, 2008, here at First Presbyterian Church between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m., for all who ordered flowers prior to March 21.  If you are unable to pick up flowers during pick up time, please arrange for someone to pick them up for you.  If you have time on Saturday, May 17, we would love to have the extra hands to unload and sort all that is purchased; please contact Liz Timmer (630-668-2743 or email gardenbake28@comcast.net) to volunteer or for more information.  Shop’n Share (May 1-31, 2008, except for Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-11, 2008) is available for those want to shop directly at the We Grow Dreams Greenhouse in West Chicago.

SMALL GROUPS SURVEY - We are responding to a churchwide need for more small groups with the formation of the Small Groups Ministry Committee.  Step One is to evaluate the current status of existing small groups.  Step Two is to assess the current desires of the congregation in order to help develop new small groups.  Step Three is to seek out and train those individuals who would be willing to receive training to act as facilitators to those newly-established small groups.  Please take a moment to fill out this questionnaire to help us understand futher what types of small groups would satisfy the needs and desires of our church community.  Please drop off hard copy in the church office, or you may forward the survey via email to Jack Houser at jhh44@aol.com.

INVITATION TO THE CREATIVE ARTISTS OF OUR TALENTED CONGREGATION - The Centennial Committee has been working for some months planning events and activities to celebrate our Centennial year beginning in September 2008 and culminating in a Celebration Service in April 2009.  One of the activities being planned is centered on celebrating and making use of the many artistically talented members in our midst.   We invite you to submit one or two works of art related to our church for an in-house juried competition.  We will use the submissions in the following ways:  (1) Decorations on note cards to be offered for sale throughout the Centennial celebration, and (2) Artworks auctioned off to church members at a Centennial event.   These works of visual arts are greatly valued by many who have seen prior products.  We have a number of talented artists; and the types of mediums range over many skill sets – i.e., painting, photography, clay modeling, various sewing forms, glasswork, paper creations, fiber arts, etc.  In order to reproduce the art on note cards, the amount of detail should be minimal.  All skills and ages are welcome.   Please contact Knox Williams if you are interested in contributing to this exciting effort.  Knox can be reached at 630-665-2096 or jknoxwms@aol.com.  The deadline for submissions is no later than July 15, 2008.

ALL MILITARY FAMILIES - You are encouraged to contact Judy DenUyl at bdenuyl@comcast.net or 630-406-0968.  The information we have regarding our military personnel needs to be updated in order to continue our Deacons' ministry to our service men and women.  Please contact Judy with names and current addresses of those people who are serving our country.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEXT NEW MEMBERS CLASS:  If you have been thinking about joining First Presbyterian Church, please check your calendar and see if June 29 would work for you!  The next three-hour New Members Class will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2008, from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in room 101-102.  A light lunch will be served around noon, and babysitters can be provided if the church is notified at the time of registration. The new members will join the church on July 13 at the 8:40 a.m. service.  A reception in the rotunda will follow that service.  Please contact Ronda Riffle at 630-933-9913 or riffle34@sbcglobal.net with any questions.  Please contact the church office at 630-668-5147 to sign up and join our church family.  We look forward to welcoming you as a member of First Presbyterian Church!

CHURCH CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AND COMMITTEE - “Celebrating Our Past, Believing In Our Future” - Committee members are Diane Easter and Robb Frank, Co-Chairs; Andie Alvis, Jeff Alvis, Kathy Paradise, Debbie Queen, Kathy Suhr, and Knox Williams.  In early summer 2007, Session called on Diane Easter and Robb Frank to co-chair the planning committee for the Church’s Centennial Celebration.  The church was accepted as the 100th congregation of the Chicago Presbytery on April 20, 1909.  Thus far the committee has met monthly since last summer, brainstormed numerous ideas, received ideas from other churches, and is currently finalizing a general plan for the celebration.  We have begun to recruit leadership teams for each of the general events planned, as well as events associated with appropriate affinity groups within the church.  We are also planning for some fundraisers throughout the celebration.  The church will celebrate its centennial with monthly events lasting throughout the 2008-2009 program year (September 08 - April 09) beginning with the all-church picnic in September of 2008 and culminating in a community-wide Service of Thanksgiving on Centennial Sunday, April 19, 2009.  We will be setting up a link on our website with Centennial Event plans.  The theme chosen for the Centennial celebration is: “Celebrating Our Past, Believing In Our Future.”  An official Centennial Logo is being designed by church member Tad Mallery.  We believe that one of the most important charges of our committee is updating, archiving, and digitizing church history.

Many pieces of our church history are scattered around Wheaton, or have gone amiss. We feel that this single project (though it may stretch beyond the celebration) is our utmost legacy to the Centennial celebration. We are currently working with other churches, businesses, and an archivist from the Chicago Presbytery.  If you have any items in your homes or know of items that should be part of our church’s archives, please contact a committee member.  We will also be approaching long-time members for additional assistance in researching details of our church’s history.  Any questions, feel free to talk to any committee member.  We look forward to some exciting Centennial festivities as we “celebrate our past and believe in our future.”

THE 2008 PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES ARE HERE and are available for pick up in the church office.  If you had a picture taken with Lifetouch, there is a directory reserved with your name on it.   If you didn’t have a picture taken and would like a directory, or if you would like an extra copy, there will be some available for $6.  Please call Janet or Tiffany with any questions at 630-668-5147.

PLEASE BRING IN YOUR OLD CELL PHONES AND INK JET CARTRIDGES and put them in the green bin in the church office. The Genesis middle schoolers are collecting them to recycle as a fundraiser for the child we sponsor through Compassion International.

CHCF - COFFEE HOUSE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP - needs your help.  We are still looking for prayer partners for our college-age students.  There are at least a dozen students who we have not been able to pair up with a partner.  If you are interested in being a prayer partner and would like some additional information, please contact Sue Massaro at smassaro@sbcglobal.net.

THE PEOPLE’S RESOURCE CENTER FOOD PANTRY is in desperate need of food donations.  The combination of rising food costs, fewer government commodities, and an ever-growing number of clients has left the shelves bare at the pantry.  The People’s Resource Center food pantry serves more than 1800 families each month.  Low income residents of DuPage County can use the pantry one time each month, and they usually receive 6 to 7 days worth of food.  The pantry needs all kinds of food items such as canned fruits and vegetables, soup, cereal, tuna, peanut butter, and canned pastas.  Donations are accepted at the Resource Center Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until noon.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Travis at 630-682-5402.  Please also remember to bring food to church with you on Food Pantry Sundays, which are the second Sunday of each month.

SUPPORT PADS – CLEAN YOUR CLOSETS!  Please drop off donations of clothing and soft goods at the green donation bin located at 703 West Liberty. Fundraise & Recycle Clothes Now will reimburse DuPage PADS for donations collected which helps raise funds for programs that assist people who are homeless in our communities.  If you are having a clothing collection drive, and have surplus items at the end of your event, our partner Fundraise & Recycle Clothes Now will pickup that surplus for you.  For more information, please call DuPage PADS at 630-682-3846 x 222. 

GOD SPEED AND GOD BLESS:  Worship Planning Committee is starting a tradition of "God Speed and God Bless" for people who are moving away.  If you are moving in the near future, please let us know so that we will have the opportunity to recognize you during the service on the last Sunday you are in attendance.  Please do not take this as an invitation to move, rather an opportunity to recognize your service in the life of our congregation.  Please contact Janet Rynne in the church office with upcoming move dates or changes to your contact information.  

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE FIRST PRES NEWS ELECTRONICALLY?  If so, please contact Janet at the church office at 630-668-5147 or by to update your email address and preferences.  We can email your monthly newsletter to you, instead of mailing, which will allow you to receive it sooner, view it from anywhere, and help us save on mailing expenses.  You will also receive notice every Thursday of the weekly happenings with our “This Week at First Pres” email.  Sign up today!

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESHOOL has been serving the community since 1967.  Preschool is often a child's first school experience and sets the stage for future years of formal education. First Presbyterian Preschool provides a safe, caring, Christian environment that stimulates the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children.  Registration for the 2008-2009 school year is open to church members and returning families beginning November 1 and is open to the public beginning January 1.  Contact Carol Rooney (3 Year Old Program) or Chandra Gravit (4 Year Old Program) at 630-668-5147 ext. 27 to request an application or to set up a classroom visit. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL ANNOUNCES A NEW PROGRAM, the Terrific Twos. This is a preschool experience created especially for 2½ year olds beginning in September of 2008.  The Preschool is currently accepting applicants for a teaching position in the Terrific Twos.  For more information about the program, or the teaching position, please contact Chandra Gravit or Carol Rooney at 630-668-5147 x 27.

THE WESTMINISTER CHOIR is the primary choir for many services at First Presbyterian Church.  The Westminster Choir consists primarily of adults, but high school age singers are encouraged to attend.  Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.  You do not have to commit to an entire season; you can join us for special occasions or whenever it works with your schedule.  Please contact David Lincoln for more information. 

WORSHIP SERVICE CDs - a CD of one of each Sunday morning's worship services is available in the library in the Parish House.  Homebound members are now able to receive CDs of Sunday morning worship services. The sermons can be accessed as a track on the CD.   Homebound members can call their Deacons or the church office to arrange for the CD delivery.

First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton now has two separate podcasts - one for sermons and a separate one for adult education classes. Our podcasts page includes details including how to subscribe to either or both of these free podcasts.  In addition -

All recent sermons are available online in both MP3 and Real Audio format for listening or downloading; and the sermon dates, titles, and presenters are all listed on our sermons page.

All sessions of Dr. Paul Kirbas' 2007 classes In the Beginning, GOD:  Can Creation and Evolution Peacefully Coexist? and Dangerous Religious Trends of Our Time and Navigating the Uncharted Seas can also be downloaded directly from our website from our Prior Classes Online page.  They are also available in our church library.

KEMMERER VILLAGE UPDATE:  Kemmerer Village, in Assumption, Illinois, is a mission agency of the Presbyterian Church that cares for neglected and dependent children.  Our church has been helping them for a good many years to acquire academic and athletic items by participating in General Mills’ “Labels for Education” and “Box Tops for Education” programs.  There has recently been a change in their request.  They will no longer accept the front label from the Campbell soup can.  They will only accept the UPC bar code and the little Campbell soup man together.  Box tops are still acceptable, but please be sure the words “Labels for Education” are included.  They are most appreciative of our help and support in this project.  Please continue to put the labels and coupons in the pantry off of the dining room on the shelf marked Kemmerer Village.

DR. PAUL J. KIRBAS received a PhD. Degree in Theological Studies and Biotechnology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, a consortium of universities with offices in South Bend, Indiana, in late March 2007.   As a major component of his degree program, Dr. Kirbas wrote a thesis entitled Navigating through a Stipulated Freedom, in which he developed a theological and ethical compass to evaluate the moral implications of biotechnical subjects such as stem cell research, prenatal engineering, and artificial intelligence.  His book, Navigating Through a Stipulated Freedom: Discovering a Guiding Biblical Compass For the Journey of Biotechnology, published by Cloverdale Books in August 2007, is available for purchase in the church office, from the publisher, or from other booksellers such as Amazon.com or Books.com.

A PLAY GROUP is being held in the 2 year old nursery on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 10:00 -11:30 am. Come let your infants/toddlers play and chat with other moms, dads, grandparents, etc.

OUR CHURCH OFFICE hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

FACILITY SCHEDULING: Janet Rynne, our Administrative Assistant, is now scheduling our facility and coordinating all requests to use the Church space, including equipment, weddings, meetings, activities, and programs. As First Pres continues to be a busy place for our members, committees, and programs, and for outside groups inquiring about using our facilities, it is imperative that requests be made to Janet as soon as you know your schedule, preferably at least two weeks prior to an event. Outside groups may not reserve the facility more than three months in advance to give our own staff, committees, members, and programs the first opportunity to reserve dates. If you need to use the Church building for any reason, please contact Janet in the church office at 630-668-5147. Also, if you plan to sell or advertise tickets to an upcoming church event, or display/sell items between services, we have reserved Stewart Hall (right up the ramp) for you - please reserve your dates with Janet so a table might be provided.

CARENOTES:  There are CareNotes on display in the Rotunda which are available to you.  CareNotes are little booklets of encouragement on a myriad of topics.  Take one for yourself or a friend.  Be alert, as titles may change from week to week, and always monthly.  Teen CareNotes are also available!

HELP WANTED

HELP NEEDED - CELEBRATION SERVICE AUDIO / VISUAL TEAM:  The Celebration Service Audio Visual Team is looking for some additional help with the monthly Celebration Service.  We are looking for some electronic “Gurus" who would be willing to help set-up, execute, and tear-down our Audio and Visual Equipment.  This includes computers, projectors, screens, and all sound equipment.  The monthly commitment is 90 minutes minimum.  Please help support the monthly Celebration Service by sharing your gifts.  Please contact David Lincoln at 630-668-5147 x 22 if you would like to join the team.  Thanks and God Bless!

DO YOU HAVE ½ HOUR THAT YOU CAN GIVE TO THE CHURCH?  If you do, the ranks of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton Volunteer Usher Corps needs you! Ten teams, made up of a crew of seven, are needed to staff the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. services each month. All that we need from you is one service on one Sunday per month, to come 15 minutes early and to stay 15 minutes after the service to clean up. This volunteer opportunity comes with on-the-job training by your crew’s head usher and usher captain so there are no meetings to attend!  Women, youth, men, and families are welcome. Please give Paul Luhrsen, our usher coordinator, a call at 630-588-9369; and he will assign you to one of the 10 teams.  Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!  You can make that first impression by presenting your smile and a weekly bulletin to both old and new members one Sunday a month.  Being an usher is a great way to meet and greet your fellow Christians.  If you can’t join one of the teams, we can make you an assistant usher.  All you have to do is return your hymn book and Bible to the pew racks, take your bulletin home, or throw it into the recycle bin at the end of the service.  Help us prepare the sanctuary for the next service.

ARE YOU ASKING YOURSELF QUESTIONS LIKE:  How can I share my time and talent as a steward of God’s gifts to me?  How can I help others?  How can I have fun meeting other people who have similar goals and interests?  All you have to do is call Paul Burgess!!  He’s the Connections Ministry Coordinator, and he can help you answer these questions!  Contact him at  630-668-5147 x 33 or by email at pnburgess@mindspring.com.

CALLING ALL RETIRED AND ACTIVE ELDERS AND DEACONS:  Have you ever thought about serving your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ through Communion?  The list of available Communion Servers is getting old and out of date.  The only requirements are that you be either an active or retired, ordained elder or deacon and your willingness to be a servant of God.  If you are interested in becoming an instrument of God through this service, please contact Cerena Fischer at 630-289-4942 or the church office to request a sign up form.  If you are already participating and being called to Communion service, please let us know so we can be sure our lists are updated.  Thank you for you prayerful consideration of this important service in the life of our church.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cerena Fischer at email: cmfischer2@aol.com or 630-289-4942.

The Celebration Ringers are looking for more Bell Ringers!  Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.  Adults and high school students are welcome!  Come and join us! Contact David Lincoln for more information.

The Celebration Service Planning Team is continually seeking participants of all ages who are gifted in the areas of music, dance (including interpretive movement and American sign language), art, and drama of any kind.  IDEAS TO SHARE?    Please call Jo Albert at 630-681-8175 or email  jo.albert@comcast.net for more information.

Are you creative and love to write? Would you like to give just a little bit of your time to help? We have openings available on the Communications Committee to help us create and write advertising, press releases, and web content. If you are interested or have questions about what is involved, please call Ron Hands at 630-670-6710.

Do you or would you like to run PowerPoint presentations for church functions? Are you sure how to use the church laptop and projector to make your presentation come alive? The Audio/Visual team members are available to help you learn how to use this equipment properly. We would like any member that would like to use the laptop and/or projector to have a good experience. This will also help extend the usable life of our equipment. To arrange for training or ask questions, please contact John Herndon at 630-653-1338.

NEWSLETTER COLLATERS - A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who join us on the last Thursday of the month to collate the newsletter!  We will continue to meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Dining Room or Stewart Hall.  The schedule for 2008 is as follows:  May 29 - June newsletter, June 26 - July newsletter, July 31 - August newsletter, August 28 - September newsletter, September 25 - October newsletter, October 30 - November newsletter.  New volunteers are always welcome so please join us!


THE OUTREACH COMMUNITY CENTER in Carol Stream serves many of the senior citizens in southeast Carol Stream who are in need of friendship and assistance.  There are many opportunities for service, but the two that need volunteers are the Friendly Visitors and Activities Programs.  If you feel you could give a few hours a month, please speak with Janet Cederquist, Alice Lechiara, or Jean Williams.

YOUTH - Our Youth Permission Form is online in both Word (doc) and Adobe Acrobat (pdf) formats, and our Youth Medical/Travel Release Form is also online in both Word (doc) and Adobe Acrobat (pdf) formats.  These forms can be saved or printed from the website, completed, and returned to the church in person or by mail with the original signature of the parent or guardian.


YOU CAN HELP PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS - The Olive Branch Chapter of Pilgrims of Ibillin is continuing to sell the beautifully hand-carved olive wood items that were on display at our Advent Festival on December 3, 2006. These carvings come directly from Bethlehem and Beit Sahour - the town of the Shepherd’s Field next to Bethlehem. Proceeds go directly to Palestinian Christians to provide employment and education for the children at Mar Elias Elementary School, founded by Archbishop Elias Chacour. For more information or to purchase these beautiful items, contact Cerena Fischer at 630-289-4942 or by email at cmfischer2@aol.com. You can also view photos and obtain more information on the Bethlehem Imports website - http://www.bethlehemimports.org.

KEEPING IN TOUCH: One of the ways we can most efficiently, quickly and inexpensively keep you informed of upcoming church events is via email.  You could help us keep in touch with you better by providing us with your current email address and by letting us know when your email address changes.  Simply your current address to Janet Rynne at the church office, and we will take care of the rest!  Your email address will not be added to the church website unless you request it, either by noting this in your email to the church office or by emailing Susan Miller at GGM81@aol.com.


Wellsprings 2
Wellsprings 2: Joyful - the new CD of piano and flute music by Glauber Ribeiro and Jack Urban - is now available on the internet at http://cdbaby.com/cd/glauber3.  Like their original CD, Wellsprings, it features the same style of peaceful musical conversations, perfect for meditation, prayer meetings, or personal relaxation at home.  Wellsprings2: Joyful was recorded in our church sanctuary on December 23, 2005.
All of their CDs are available online at http://cdbaby.com/group/wellsprings, and you can even listen to the first couple of minutes of each song online.  These CDs are also available directly from Glauber Ribeiro or online from Amazon.com.

HOSPITAL VISIT UPDATE: In an effort to respect everyone’s privacy, hospitals no longer contact the church automatically when you become a patient. You must request that your church be notified. When we learn that you have entered the hospital, members of the pastoral visitation team will visit you Monday through Friday. Members of the team are Pastors Paul, Jay, and Liz, as well as Rev. Ed Lanier, Mabel Koshy, and Andrea Schewe. If you would like to be on the prayer board, just call the church office and inform us. If you do not want a visit, for any reason, let us know; and we will honor your request. We understand! All of us need different kinds of support when we are ill.

DO YOU SING OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC MINISTRY AT FIRST PRES? – Contact David Lincoln by or by phone at 630-668-5147 (ext. 22) to get involved in Worship at First Pres.

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT) IS NOW AVAILABLE! – Your monthly pledge commitment can be automatically withdrawn from your checking account, savings account, or credit card! Sign up forms are available at the information desk, online, or you can also call the office for one. There are many reasons to sign up for this program:

  • No need to write checks or bring cash to church
  • Peace-of-mind knowing that the church is receiving your contribution even if you are unable to attend, which also makes for a more even cash flow for our church
  • More secure than checks
  • All contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement with date of settlement
  • IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!

If you have any questions regarding the EFT program, please contact Denny Lawson.

GLORY BANNER: The beautiful Glory to God banner was first hung in the Sanctuary in September 2004. It was begun by Leana Fay and completed by Timothy Botts and is a gift from the late Jack Strunk back to the congregation, reflecting Jack’s mission here on earth. . . Glory to God!     

JOIN A PW CIRCLE - We invite you to join other women in fellowship by attending one of the following Circle meetings. These groups meet on a regular basis and participate in Bible studies, mission projects and take time to get to know each other. For more information please contact Judy DenUyl (630-406-0968) or Liz Timmer (630-668-2743).

HELPING HANDS CARITASTEAM IS AVAILABLE! The ministry goal of this CaritasTeam Ministry is to maintain and strengthen ties among the Body of Christ by providing specific remedial repairs required for the health and/or safety of members of this church. We will perform minor home repairs or household odd jobs members cannot do themselves due to physical limitations (perhaps temporary) or lack of required tools, equipment or know-how. If appropriate, we’ll offer you an honest assessment and recommendation of a local service professional that will meet your needs. No member of our congregation should feel they must face a home repair problem alone. To request assistance or get more information simply call the church office at 630-668-5147 and leave a message at the CaritasTeam extension *840 or call the team’s coordinator Stuart MacDonald (630-510-8944).

ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE IS A SPECIAL FUND to help with congregational needs on an emergency basis? Due to the downturn in the economy we have received several requests from church members for assistance, and the fund is rapidly becoming depleted. If you would like to help, you can make a contribution to First Presbyterian marked for the congregational special needs fund. Place it in the offering or mail to the church.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED WITH THE FIRST PRES WEBSITE? The only requirement is access to a computer and email; we can teach you the basics of preparing and updating web pages.  We can also use photographers and reporters - people who attend some of the various events at our church and are willing to take a few photos and/or prepare a brief summary of them, even just occasionally.  For more information, please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com.

DONATE YOUR USED CAR TO A HOMELESS FAMILY THROUGH BRIDGE COMMUNITIES - Bridge Communities, a non-profit, transitional housing program serving homeless families in DuPage County with headquarters in Glen Ellyn, is looking for individuals or businesses that would like to donate used cars. The cars are used by homeless families who are in transition to self -sufficiency; donated cars allow Bridge clients to commute to better paying jobs. Donations are tax deductible. To donate your used car to help homeless families served by Bridge Communities, or to find out how to support Bridge in another way, please call Mark Milligan at 630-545-0610, ext. 10.

WORSHIP FLOWERS - Church members or friends may donate flower arrangements for the Sunday services.  Arrangements, which are made by Expressions Flower & Gift Shop, cost between $45 and $60.  After the services, arrangements are delivered by the Deacons to the hospitalized or ill. Special announcements are posted in the bulletin before Easter and Christmas, when donations are taken for the Easter lilies and Christmas poinsettias.  Please call Mary Burge at 630-665-7623 for additional information.

PORTABLE COMPUTER PROJECTION SYSTEM AVAILABLE - A computer projector, laptop, VCR, screen, and cart were purchased with funds from a gift to the church. The system has the ability to project computer slide shows (e.g., Powerpoint), DVD movies, VHS video tapes, and can be useful for Sunday School classes, committee meetings, retreats, youth fellowship, worship and special presentations. For reservations contact the church office 630-668-5147.

EXPANDING AUDIO VIDEO MINISTRY TEAM - The A/V Ministry Team is broadening its scope and would welcome new members who are comfortable with (or want to learn about) audio or video recording and projection equipment or computers or media content tools. It is a ministry to our church and its organizations and members, and it is a chance to learn and grow with the team. Meetings are currently Saturday mornings twice a month. Contact John Herndon (630-653-1338, johnherndon@comcast.net) for more information.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN . . . The Communication Ministry Committee strives to provide church news through the church publications, the website and press releases. If you or your group has news to disseminate outside of the church, please be aware of the following guidelines:

  1. The website is updated weekly with information from the Sunday bulletin. Pictures are welcome and should be emailed to the web contacts. Hard copy photos can be put in the web team’s mail slot in the church office. All photos should be accompanied by a contact name, phone number and/or email address, and any other pertinent information. Website contact: Susan Miller, 630-682-0108, GGM81@aol.com.
     
  2. Press releases are submitted regularly to the newspapers for church news of community interest. Press release requests or suggestions are welcome and can be submitted to the press release contacts by either email or telephone and should include a contact name, phone number and/or email address. At least four weeks lead time is required for press releases. Please be aware that press releases are used as the newspapers choose. Press Release Contact: Beth Gustafson, 630-871-9572, bgustafson5@sbcglobal.net.

The Committee wants to get your news out - please help us!

CARE CARDS - Please write a note on the Care Card located in the pew racks. Sign your name, place it in the offering plate or in the care box at the Welcome desk in the rotunda, and we will send them. You may also send Care Cards from our website anytime - just click on care card, type in the information, and then click on send.

WORSHIP ASSISTIVE DEVICES CARTS are available in both the Narthex and the Son-Light Rotunda. These HELP carts provide a uniform site for parishioners with special needs to choose from an array of items that can enhance their worship experience. The items on each cart include large print hymnals and Bibles, as well as audio devices and individual pew cushions. Help yourself to items on the cart or ask an usher for assistance prior to each service. Please remember to return items to the cart after each service so that other parishioners may use them. The individually packaged ear piece portion of the personal hearing devices are available for $3.00 each and should not be returned (for hygienic reasons).

WHEELCHAIRS - Thanks to the generosity of Marion Glendenning, Grant and Theresa Lawson, and Denson's Medical Shop, First Pres has a wheelchair stationed at each of the four main entrances of our church. Whenever these wheelchairs are used, please be sure to return them to the proper location marked on each chair - Narthex, Rotunda, Parish House, or Madison Street Entrance. If there are any problems with the wheelchairs, please contact the church office.

Please contact Susan Miller at 630-682-0108 or by email at GGM81@aol.com with any items you would like to contribute to the news and events sections of the First Presbyterian Church website. Pictures are also appreciated!

 

Last updated Friday, May 09, 2008

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First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton
715 North Carlton Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois  60187

 
phone:   630-668-5147
fax: 630-668-5187