february 2018 first pressand children’s clothing, women and men’s clothing, shoes, coats and a...

First PressTogether we Celebrate, Journey & Serve

FEBRUARY 2018

• February 2018

What’s Inside:

AnnouncementsPage 2

College Age Network, PreschoolPage 3

ChildrenPage 4

High School News Page 5

FPC Book Club, Adult Education, Abraham’s ChildrenPage 6

Women’s Ministry,Men’s Ministry, Stephen’s MinistryPage 7

Ash WednesdayLenten SuppersPage 8

A Message from Pastor Kellen

Dear First Pres Family,

With the start of the Neighboring sermon series we began the year in January, we’ve been asking the question: What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Together, we’ve been learning how to love like Jesus. I believe that’s what we’re called to do in Christian community: to love like Jesus. We won’t always get it right, but as we do our best to be faithful to this calling, we may be surprised how God gives us the courage to follow the biblical invitation to: “Let love be genuine . . . love one another with mutual affection” (Romans 12:9-10).

I continue to pray that we will be intentional in our emphasis on building community in 2018. As a church, let’s work to align our priorities and scheduling around enhancing community. I also invite you individually to be looking for ways to grow in community. You might consider starting or joining a small group/Bible study; looking for a new mission opportunity; or reaching out to those in your neighborhood you have yet to get to know. Be creative and encouraged!

This month, we’ll begin the spiritual walk toward Easter. On February 14, we’ll mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday by worshipping and taking part in the ancient tradition of receiving ashes. It’ll be a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year! The following Sunday, we’ll start a new sermon series called FOCUSED: A Journey through Lent. A good movie has the ability to change the way we see the world. As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we’ll spend six weeks exploring the life of Jesus through the lens of Lent. Each week we’ll look at a snapshot from Jesus’ time on earth. This series will take us behind the scenes to see why the Gospels capture the most compelling story ever told.

God bless you,Pastor Kellen

• February 2018

Announcements

Food Pantry

Brrrrrrr!!! February is here with snow, cold and valentines. With your continual donations to our food pantries you send valentines and care every month. New needs this month are canned tuna and cooking oil at Peoples Resource Center. Interfaith needs what they have needed all along, women’s personal products, bar soap, tea, diapers and wipes. Of course, there are the usual needs that we have been helping with since last summer particularly toothpaste. The pantries are doing well with canned goods this month. You have been so generous over the last few months with the canned goods donations. Thank you for your continued kindness to those in need.

Boy Scout Troop 23 Needs Your Help!

Troop 23 has been a part of First Pres since 1955 and continues to be a very active Troop with 80+ boy scouts. Over the past 4 or so years I’ve had the privilege of being the liaison for First Pres and Troop 23 fostering a strong and cooperative relationship. I have enjoyed my time as the Chartered Organization Representative (the official name) however the time has come for me to be moving on. Therefore, I am asking for another member of First Pres who is interested in helping Troop 23 keep that strong and cooperative relationship with First Pres. The position truly doesn’t require a lot of time but it does need someone who supports Boy Scouts and Troop 23. If you are interested please contact me. Ron Hands – (630) 670-6710

Roseland “Good News” Day Care Center

I want you to know how your donations for Christmas Sharing at our church continued to give to many more. Just before Christmas we took a carload of clothing to Roseland “Good News” Day Care Center. After our guests had finished shop-ping at Christmas Sharing at our church, we were able to select things for the Day Care. We took many bags of infant and children’s clothing, women and men’s clothing, shoes, coats and a selection of new toys from our toy room. Ms Pearl was so appreciative of everything! We got to spend a little time with the children that morning. The older ones were busy making Christmas ornaments! Attendance was low that day as the Day Care had been hit hard by the flu, both the children and the teachers.

A church group had been in to the Day Care over the week-end to assemble gift bags of infant supplies. Ms Pearl and a few women visit several maternity departments of local hos-pitals over Christmas. They visit with the new teen moms there, give them the gift bag of supplies, and talk to them about the love of Jesus. Ms Pearl also shares with them about the Day Care Center and the need for the moms to stay in school to finish their education. You can imagine the hope this gives these young moms.

Over the winter months, please remember to bring things your children have outgrown to the Rotunda coatroom, marked “Roseland”. The need is great for warm clothing, coats, and boots. Blankets are also welcome. The request is ongoing for diapers, wipes, infant formula and food. It all helps!! Any questions, please call Jan Foster at 630-653-2612. Thank you!!

Seniors Invited to Defer Property Taxes

Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant’s household income cannot exceed $50,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes.

The application period closes March 1, 2018. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at (630) 407 5900 or visit www.dupageco.org/treasurer.

Gwen HenryTreasurer

Wanted: Communications Team Volunteer – Google AdWords

The communications team is seeking someone to assist in the development of effective Google AdWords campaigns that promote the church within the community. Experience with Google AdWords is desired; however, individuals with interest in search, digital growth strategies, copywriting, testing & analytics, or a keen desire to learn and contribute to telling the First Pres story please contact: [email protected].

Community Dinners with Pastor Kellen

Want to get to know our Pastor better? Want to socialize with him and others from First Pres? Now is the time. Members of First Pres are hosting a series of community dinners. The gatherings will be on Sundays from late February to late April. Sign-ups will be in the Rotunda for the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing a delicious meal and even better fellowship!

• February 2018

Giving Envelopes Are In!

If you requested giving envelopes for 2018, they are available in the church office. We have a limited number of blank books available as well. Please contact Alice Lechiara at [email protected] with any questions.

Thank you SO much to all who donated money or gift cards for the December mailing to our college aged students! We were able to send a letter and gift card to 66 students! What a great way to give them a tiny spot of joy during a stressful finals week, and send along the love of our congregation! Thank you!

can (College Age Network

College Age Network gathering over the Christmas break.

Preschool

January and February are busy months for learning in our preschool classrooms. By this time in the school year, the children are ready for new challenges and more interactive and engaging learning opportunities.

This month we are partnering with the BR Ryall YMCA of Glen Ellyn to provide yoga to our preschoolers. We are delighted to have Beth Pomatto as our instructor. She taught two sessions of yoga to our four year olds last spring semester and it was such a success that we are sharing it with all of our 3s, 4s, and 5s this spring semester.

The two year olds spent January learning about the season of winter. They are now working on a transportation unit; singing songs, reading stories, and making projects about buses, snowplows, and trains. Most days you can find them sitting on a bus, airplane or train traveling to someplace fun!The three year olds spent January using scissors for the first time in the classroom. Conquering the skill of cutting is a source of great pride for the children. This month they begin a unit on transportation and shapes. They are also adding two new important skills to their growing learning base: tracing with a pencil and name recognition.

The four year olds are two months into their phonics unit now. Each child is building their own phonics book filled with their writings and projects. Every week the children are immersed in the letter/sound of the week with center activities, stories, songs, snacks and projects. The children are recognizing upper/lower case letters, sounding out the letter sounds, and practicing letter writing. While it is a lot of work, it is also a lot of fun and the children are really enjoying looking forward to all the sound related activities in their week as well as taking great pride in their accomplishments.

Our Pre-K class spent January learning about winter and Antarctica. In February, they will begin building words with the knowledge of letters and phonics that they have attained thus far this year. February is also the month for two annual favorites: Dr Seuss’ birthday and Pajama Reading Night.

Our Kindergarten Enrichment class completed their journey to France and Sweden before the holiday break. They are now off on an adventure to the ancient culture of China for their winter session.

And, of course, February brings another fun holiday celebration in all of our classrooms with Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day!

• February 2018

ChildrenWorship & Sacraments Education Class Lynn Nuzzo will be leading a special class for the 1st grade children and their parents on Sunday, February 25 at 12:00 p.m. in Stewart Hall.Children and their parents will learn about Baptism, Communion and the many Christian symbols of the church to discover how they fit into the worship service and our everyday lives. If you missed the class in previous years you and your child are welcome to join us! RSVP to Lynn at [email protected] so we have enough food and supplies for everyone!

LOGOS in February2/4 LOGOS children (K-5th) sing in worship at 11:00am2/7 Olympics2/14 Ash Wednesday2/21 Chinese New Year2/28 Dr. Seuss Night

SAVE THE DATES:

Easter Party and Egg HuntSaturday, March 24th ~~ 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.Toddler thru 3rd Grade (4th & 5th Graders welcome to come assist!) Crafts, Games, the Easter story and an egg hunt will all be a part of the fun!

Vacation Bible School/Service Squad June 11-15Ages 4 years – entering 8th grade

Middle School BLAST is going bowling, Friday night, Feb. 9th, 5:15-7:00 pm at Wheaton Bowl, 2031 Gary Ave., Wheaton. $15.00 for 2 games, shoes, pizza, pop, dessert and a BLAST. Bring your middle school friends. Forms are on line or in the church office. Please RSVP by Monday, Jan. 29th to Susie Mitchell 312-498-1048 [email protected], Jen Keating 630-212-9690 [email protected] or Mary Kinsey 630-668-5147 [email protected]. We need to know how many lanes to reserve. Adult chaperones always invited and needed. Middle Schoolers let’s go AWOL with the Chicago Presbytery. Mark your calendars for an overnight mission trip to downtown Chicago, Friday, April 20-Saturday, April 21. More information will be coming. 8th grade confirmation begins Sunday, March 4th. All FPC 8th graders and their parents are invited to an informa-tional meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 6:45-7:15 pm in SH 104. Questions? Please contact Mary Kinsey or Nancy Goodwin. VBS-Service Squad, a week of daily mission trips and lots of fun, is Monday June 11-Friday, June 15, 9:00-11:30 am.

Our amazing middle schoolers enjoying a faith and fun filled weekend at Timber-lee in Wisconsin!

• February 2018

WF High School NewsHappy February!Our High School youth are very busy this winter! We’ve had ‘Bring a Friend Night’ and a Lock-In, the Mission Trip Fundraiser and a special visit from Jenn Amo to talk to us about how to watch out for Human Trafficking signs at school. And that was all just in January! We have lots more fun, fellowship and growing in the Lord to come in February and March-I hope you’ll join us!Blessings,Nancy

WF Super Bowl PartyFebruary 4, 5pm through the half time showAt the Carroll’s house - 803 E. Illinois St.Join us for football and fun finger food! Not remotely interested in watching the game? That’s ok! Come for the commercials! We’ll play commercial Bingo for fun prizes! Bring an appetizer or dessert to share! Chili and pop will be provided. Please let Nancy know if you can come!

Winter RetreatFebruary 16 at 5:15pm, to Feb. 18 at 2pmNo Sunday AM or WF on Feb. 18!Please pray for us this weekend! We’ll be away at Camp Timber-Lee for an amazing time of spiritual growth, making connections within our group, and having a really fun time! We won’t have Sunday AM or WF on February 18, but we’ll be back in action on February 25!

Upcoming Registrations, Deadlines and Payments Due:February 1 1st Summer Mission Trip $100 dueFebruary 21 Last day to sign up for the DOOR Mission Trip, payment & forms dueMarch 1 2nd Summer Mission Trip $100 dueMarch 4 DOOR Mission Team training Meeting at noon

Chicago DOOR Mission TripMarch 16-18Traveling across the country to help others in need is awesome, but why not join us to see what God is up to and how we can do mission in our own “backyard?” This is a great opportunity for those that can’t make it on the summer trip to experience a mission trip, and to deepen our faith and relationships by working for God. We will stay at Church of the Brethren in the city and will work with some of DOOR’s mission partners downtown. We had an incredible experience last year! It was a very eye opening and meaningful trip. This trip is also open to parents that would like to come along with their teens! The trip costs $150 per person, and the last day to register is February 21. Student scholarships are available! All participants should plan to attend the Mission Team Training Meeting on March 4, from noon to 1:30pm. Please let Nancy know if you have any questions. For more information on the DOOR Network, check out their website at www.doornetwork.org/chicago/.

Chattanooga, TN Summer Mission TripJune 16-23Join us for our awesome summer Mission Trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee! We will be doing general home repair, interior/exterior painting and/or deck/ramp building – whatever our resident needs! This week long trip is such a meaningful way to grow in our faith and our relationships with each other. It is so exciting to see what God will do in us and through us this week! Register with forms and your first payment of $100 (or scholarship request) by February 1. The final cost depends on our two fundraisers, but will range between $300 and $450. Partial scholarships are available. All participants will be required to help out with our two fundraisers (1/28 and 3/25), and parents and students should plan to attend the Mission Trip Information Meeting on May 20 at noon. Please let Nancy know if you have any questions

The high schoolers didn’t get a lot of sleep at the lock-in, but they did have a lot of fun

playing competitive team games and making a tasty breakfast together in the morning!

SPECIAL EVENT: Interfaith Event for Middle School and High School YouthMarch 10, 3-4:30pm in the Ministry CenterThe Wheaton Interfaith Council has initiated a special afternoon of Olympic Games and fun at our church! We will be joined by Hope Presbyterian Church, Gary Church, the Islamic Center of Wheaton, and members from other churches and faith traditions in Wheaton. We’ll play some fun games, have snacks, and just get to know each other a little bit. This

is an opportunity for us to be good neighbors to those in our community that may be different from us. Parents are welcome to stay, have coffee and visit while the youth play games. Join us!

• February 2018

Adult Education No Fear in Love: God's Mandate to Love the "Other"

Join us as we engage in a biblically rich, provocative exploration of the Christian mandate to love the other.

Pastor Kyle is leading this 5 week long series based on theologian and pastor Will Willimon's book "Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love". The books are available in the office ($10).

Sunday mornings through February 11 9:45-10:45 a.m in Stewart Hall 102-103.

FPC Book Club

2018 FPC Book Club List

Join the FPC book club, once a month in the Parish House living room, 7:00-8:30 p.m. for fellowship and great book discussions. This list can be found in the Rotunda, in the church office, the kiosk at the Madison Street entrance and on line.

March 22 – Still Life by Louise PennyApril 26 – The Sisterhood by Helen BryanMay 31 – The Throwaway Children by Diney CosteloeJune 29 – The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency –Book 1 by Alexander McCall Smith is our February book for the FPC book club.

Set in Africa, Precious Ramotswe is the only detective in Botswana. She loves her profession so she can help people with problems in their lives. As soon as she opens her shop in a small storefront in Gaborone, she is hired to track down a missing husband, uncover a con man, follow a wayward daughter and find a missing eleven-year-old boy who may have been snatched by witchdoctors. This book received two Booker Judges’ Special Recommendations and was voted one of the International Books of the Year.

Join us on Thursday, February 22, 7:00 pm in the FPC Parish House, for good discussion and great fellowship. Questions? Please contact Mary Kinsey 630-668-5147 x20

An interfaith dinner and celebration of thanks and gratefulness, sponsored by Abraham’s Children, was held in Stewart Hall Friday night January 19. It was to thank all who worked tirelessly and have given generously to the Chariot of Mercy Event held last fall. To celebrate the achievement, Pastor Kellen Smith, Chairman of Abraham’s Children, presented to Jon Wylie a scroll honoring those who gave their time and money to realize the goal of funding this Medical Mobile Project. This scroll will be hand delivered to Dr. Bisharat by Jon the beginning of February when he travels to the Holy Land to see firsthand the healing work done through this ministry. A duplicate of the scroll is displayed on the ramp into Stewart Hall along with photos depicting the abysmal living conditions in Area C/West Bank where the forgotten people are forced to live.

Abraham’s Children

• February 2018

Stephen Ministry

Please join Pastor Kyle as we gather together for Bible Study on the first Tuesday of each month. This year we will be studying “Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews” as we delve into the Book of Hebrews. Meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the Living Room. Books are available in the church office for $10.

Women’s Bible StudyWomen’s Ministry

Jesus is Calling You to TeaJoin us for a deep breath of peace and calm with a Jesus Calling devotion at K’Tizo Tea & Coffee Shop, 1915 North Gary Ave at 9:30 a.m. We will continue to meet the 4th Thursday of each month throughout the summer. Questions? Call Angela Stephenson at 630-200-2533.

Men’s Ministry

March8/9 - Dress a Girl Around the World

April12 - Women’s Ministry Tea

May17 - Strawberry Breakfast

First Light Collaborative

Please join the First Light Collaborative for this 11 week study running through March 17 - Life in the Spirit by J. Robertson McQuilkin

In Life in the Spirit, Robertson McQuilkin writes, “The Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual blessing, the administrator and executive officer of our triune God.” So why do we so often neglect the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives? With fresh insights, this book reveals how the church has too often ignored the Spirit's influence and what we must do to get back to our spiritual roots.

Breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m. next to the kitchen. Please contact [email protected] to be sure we have enough bacon for all.

New Stephen Ministry Training Class

We are excited to add new names to our Stephen Ministry Team. We are already one month into our training program that concludes in May. Our new class includes Nancy Goodwin, Julie Hardwick, Maryanne Kyle-Dipietropaolo, Stuart MacDonald, Lynn Nuzzo, and Angela Stephenson. This is our first class in several years and we are blessed to add these dedicated people who will be giving distinctively Christian care to those in our church and community.Your Stephen Ministry Team-Pastor Kyle, Diane Easter, Henrieta Ribeiro, and Bob Young

Women’s Ministry Retreat

Saturday, February 17, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Come in from the cold and cozy up for fellowship, comfort food (which includes light refreshments and lunch) and time to reflect on the value of a thankful heart through creativity. The event begins in the Rotunda at 8:30.

The cost is $30 (made payable to Women’s Ministry) to cover the cost of the take home project. Scholarships are available.

Please RSVP by Friday, February 9th. We need to know the exact number for materials needed.

Babysitting available upon request.

• February 2018

March newsletter submissions are due by February 15. Email them to [email protected]. This is a monthly publication. If you move please call the church office with your new address.

February 21 - March 21

Join us Wednesday nights during Lent for a light supper, meaningful worship time, and study.

6:30 - 7:15 p.m. Food and fellowship in Stewart Hall7:15 - 7:45 p.m. Worship7:45 - 8:15 p.m. A time of studyFamilies and people of all ages are welcome! There will be a free will donation to offset supper costs. RSVP to the church office at [email protected] if you plan to attend. If you are able to provide a crockpot of soup to share, call Pastor Kyle at (630) 668-5147 and she’ll send you a recipe.

Ash Wednesday: February 14 Morning Prayer and Ashes: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. An open time for quiet prayer and imposition of ashes.

Ash Wednesday Worship: 7:00 p.m.Marking the beginning of the season of Lent, this service is an opportunity to gather for prayer, self-examination, and worship as we prepare to journey toward Easter. Being reminded of our need for forgiveness, we will receive the sign of the ashes, a practice which serves as an outward manifestation of an inner posture of repentance and faithfulness.

Care Cards are powerful little yellow pieces of paper that provide comfort, strength,and support to others in need of prayers. They are available in the pews at eachservice for quick little notes to let one another know that we are thinking about

them and praying for them. They can be dropped off in the offering plate during services.They can also be sent online from this page. The church office forwards online

and handwritten care cards to the recipients.https://firstpreswheaton.webconnex.com/CareCard

February 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday01

9:30AM Women's Ministry

12:00PM Preschool Piano

4:30PM Victory Sports

6:00PM Troop 23 Leaders Mtg

6:45PM Kopian Soccer

7:00PM Strong Ladies in Christ

7:30PM Westminster Choir

02

6:00AM Finding Fathers


6:30PM Whtn Comm Radio Amateurs

03

7:00AM First Light Mens

8:00AM Victory Sports

9:00AM Zomi Prayer Meeting

12:00PM Zomi Praise Band

04

8:30AM Worship

9:45AM Education for All

9:45AM Sunday A. M. - WF

9:45AM New Member Class

11:00AM Worship

1:00PM Zomi Worship

6:00PM WF Souper Bowl Party

05

11:30AM Art Enrichment

1:00PM Genesis Team Meeting


6:45PM Troop 23

7:00PM Stephen Ministry Training

7:00PM Stephen Ministry

7:00PM Worship Planning

06

9:00AM Staff Retreat

10:00AM Women's Ministry Bible Study

11:30AM Victory Sports Preschool

11:30AM Elizabeth/Rebecca Circle

2:00PM Yoga



7:00PM Disaster Prep Task Force

7:00PM Board of Deacons

07


1:00PM SPA

5:00PM LOGOS

6:30PM WF Girls Small Group

6:30PM WF Guys Small Group

7:00PM Chix with Stix

8:00PM WF Leadership - SALT

08

9:30AM Children's Min Team


1:00PM Grace Circle



7:00PM Scout District Rd Table


09


9:30AM Sarah Circle


10



9:00AM Deacon Retreat



11

8:30AM Worship


9:45AM New Member Class


11:00AM Worship

1:00PM Zomi Worship

6:00PM WF - Youth Group

12

9:00AM Preschool Valentines Fest


4:30PM Victory Sports - Soccer

6:30PM Joy Circle

6:45PM Troop 23

7:00PM Office & Finance


13

8:00AM Preschool Valentines Fest

9:00AM Ruth Circle

11:30AM Staff Meeting


2:00PM Yoga




14

7:30AM Imposition of Ashes

9:00AM Caritas Meeting


1:00PM SPA meeting

5:00PM LOGOS



7:00PM Ash Wednesday Serv ice

8:00PM WF Band Practice

15




7:00PM Strong Ladies in Christ


16


5:15PM WF Winter Retreat leaves

17



8:30AM Women's Ministry Retreat



18

8:30AM Worship

9:30AM New Member Reception

9:45AM Koinonia Coffee


11:00AM Worship

1:00PM Zomi Worship

2:00PM WF Winter Retreat returns

19

CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED

6:45PM Troop 23

7:00PM Stephen Ministry


20



2:00PM Yoga



7:00PM Mission Committee

7:00PM HR Committee


7:00PM Troop 23 Committee Meeting

21

9:30AM Hannah Circle


1:00PM SPA

5:00PM LOGOS

6:30PM Lent Soup Suppers

6:30PMWF Guys Small Group



8:00PM WF Leadership - SALT

22

8:00AM Women's Grief Group

9:00AM Newsletter Collators

9:30AM Jesus Calling to K'Tizo



6:30PM Preschool Night


7:00PM Buildings and Grounds

7:00PM FPC Book Club

7:00PM Women's Grief Group


23


9:30AM Sarah Circle


6:30PM AA

24




9:30AM Betty Wittmayer Memorial Svc


25

8:30AM Worship



11:00AM Worship

12:00PM First Grade Comm Educ

1:00PM Zomi Worship

6:00PM WF - Youth Group

26


4:30PM Victory Sports - Soccer

6:45PM Troop 23

7:00PM Prayer Shawl Ministry


27



2:00PM Yoga



7:00PM Session

28


1:00PM SPA meeting

5:00PM LOGOS

6:30PM Lent Soup Suppers




8:00PM WF Band Practice

february 2018 first pressand children’s clothing, women and men’s clothing, shoes, coats and a...

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