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Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn’t leaving til 5. Sincerely, the Unicorns -Anonymous Such is the human race, often it seems a pity that Noah... didn't miss the boat. -Mark Twain It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. –Howard Ruff Remember the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. –Dave Barry No matter the storm, when you are traveling with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting. -Author Unknown

God is still speaking …

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey …

You are welcome here! A SPECIAL WARM WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS!

Thank you for joining us today! We hope that you feel the warmth of God’s spirit here as we worship together! Please complete the form (in the pew) to let us know a little more about you and place it in the offering plate. As our guests this day it is the only offering we ask. If you should have a prayer concern or would like to meet with the Pastor please indicate this next to your name. Thank you!

Following worship please join us in Fellowship Hall for an informal Continental Breakfast.

Please note our worship services are online and televised, your participation in the service may be visible during these live ministries. If you should not wish your child to be on screen, please refrain from sending them forward during the children’s time or have them sit directly in front of the pews in the front.

Children are welcome in worship; however, should your child grow restless feel free to sit with them in the Parlor at the rear of the Sanctuary.

Nursery/childcare is available for children up to age 2 and is located just off the hall of the main Sanctuary.

Children are invited to attend Sunday School following the Children’s Message. Classes are offered for all ages.

Nursery and Sunday School: The nursery is open today. Sunday school for 3 year olds- 4th grade will be in the Chapel. 5th-6th graders will be in the Youth Room.

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Please pass the clipboard in the pews. Sign in and sign up for events and let us know you’re here.

PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Scott *SHARING THE PEACE *OPENING SONG Mighty to Save -Story CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Pastor Scott God when You call us to move… Don’t let us make excuses or rest on our spiritual laurels God when You call us to speak… Grant us courage, that we not remain silent God when You ask us to listen May we not be too busy to hear Your Still Speaking Voice! Amen.

CHILDREN’S SONG Jesus Loves Me (1st Verse) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Scott The Lord’s Prayer (read in unison) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. CHILDREN’S SONG Jesus Loves Me (2nd verse) Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give, Light and love to all who live. SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 1:1-14, 17-21 Joe Kilar MINISTRY OF MUSIC Flood -Jars of Clay The Band

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SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION MESSAGE Who’s Steerin’ This Thing? Pastor Scott RECEIVING OF NEW MEMBERS Pastor Scott Introduction of New Members *Congregational Response We welcome you in giving thanks that God has brought us together to serve, to pray and to play together in the joy and work of being church. May God help us to walk with one another. May God help us to learn from each other, to support one another, and to pray for one another. For the grace and joy of sharing this journey together as members of First Congregational United Church of Christ we rejoice in God for your walk together with us. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pastor Scott Silent Prayer Prayer OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Sharing Our Gifts with the Offertory Offertory Music Ain’t It Good -Schwartz Chancel Choir *Presentation of the Gifts with Praise (sung in unison) To God, all glorious heavenly light, To Christ revealed in earthly night, To God the Spirit now we raise, Our joyful song of thankful praise. *Prayer of Dedication Pastor Scott *CLOSING HYMN Blessed Assurance -Wasson The Band *BENEDICTION Ancient Words -Deshazo One of our worship traditions to show our solidarity and love in community is to join hands and sing. If you are visiting with us, we invite you to join us in song and in spirit. POSTLUDE Greater -MercyMe The Band

OUR TIME OF WORSHIP TOGETHER HAS ENDED.

NOW MAY OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BEGIN!

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Today’s Musicians Vocals: Kelley Calpin, Anthony Berg, Emily Durham

Guitar: Owen Cooper Bass: Leo Finan Percussion: Lily West Piano: Jon Neuhoff Percussion and Piano: Justin Kono

New Church App

Download our new app on your iPhone or Android NOW! Just search for our church name. The app will keep you connected “real-time”.

PRAYER CONCERNS AND COMMUNITY JOYS

Rick and Genevieve Franz, Betty and Lyle Cheever, Lorek- sister Judy health concerns, Matt Miller, MacKenzie-daughter of Stephanie Herlien (FCLC)

GREETERS: Kimberly Nagy, Joyce Nerud USHERS: Tim Costanzi, Fred Rensch, Lindsey Rensch, Corinne Rensch HEAD USHER: Dirk Gutzke COUNTERS: Mark Lockett (Lead Counter) Larry Ferries This week’s continental breakfast will be served by FCC Book Club. This week’s altar flowers are from Mark & Lisa Lockett, in honor of Pat & Bill Lockett’s 68th anniversary.

2018 Annual Stewardship Pledge count through 1/22/2018

For the Week $ 11,520.00 pledge units 3 Cumulative $ 390,316.48 pledge units 123 Annual Stewardship Statistics: In 2018 these same pledge units pledged $ 368,719.08 Pledge increase over last year $ 21,597.40 Pledge % increase over last year 5.86% The year-end contribution statements are in the back of the church on the Welcome table for pick up. Anyone who doesn’t pick their statement up on Sunday will have theirs put in the mail on Monday.

This Week’s Announcements Upcoming dates:

January: New Member Sunday January 28th

March 4th: Elmhurst College Jazz Ensemble will be sharing a Worship and Arts Art and Soul Concert here at the church. Time TBA.

Monday Adult Ed classes: This week’s topic- God as Trinity NEXT week’s topic- The Two Natures of Jesus Christ: Human/ Divine, 1pm and 6:30pm NEW LOCATION Music Room

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YOUTH MINISTRY: - High School Discussion Group, begins again on, Sunday, January 28th, 6:30-8:30pm-Youth Room. - PARENT EDUCATION SERIES is sponsoring a College Planning workshop on Sunday, January 28th beginning at noon in the church Parlor. Making college affordable is the topic. HOUSTON Hurricane relief trip: 2nd meeting will be Sunday, February 11th following worship. Details about dates, costs and lodging will be forthcoming as well as medical updates and skill sets for the trip. Godly Play Training for Teachers: There will be training for anyone interested in teaching the new Goldly Play curriculum. The two part training will take place on February 4th and February 11th from 11:00- 12:30 in the Chapel. Please email Michelle Rafacz at mrafacz@uccdg.org by February 1st if you would like to participate. Junior Fellowship: Junior Fellowship (4th-6th) will meet today (Jan 28th) from 3:30-5pm in the youth room. Children’s’ Spring Musical- The spring musical will be on April 29th. If your child is interested in participating, please contact Michelle Rafacz (mrafacz@uccdg.org). The 2018 Pancake Breakfast: The 2018 FCC Pancake Breakfast will be held once again on Saturday, February 10th from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Tickets will be on sale after church services on Sunday, January 28 and February 4th. See Nick Costanzi in Fellowship Hall. Blood Drive: Congregational Care thanks Ron Moravec and Mark Herrick for their assistance at the January 16th blood drive. Everyone enjoyed the delicious cookies from Pat Lockett. Thanks, Pat! We made our goal with 21 amazing participants! Many thanks to the following: Dawn Vanderberg, Dave Williams, Mark Herrick, Sandra Toleikis, Dennis Lewis, Karen Nachtigall, Laurel Bowen, Eugene Lavin, Bill Hammack, Dena Provenzano, Marc Provenzano, David Doemland, Joyce Doemland, Megan Ruschke, Ralph Anderson, Pat Armstrong, Paula Orsula, Patricia Linden-Lewis, AnnaMay Miller, Lisa Lockett, Dana Jacobson. Their donations help save lives! There is no substitute for human blood. Someone needs donated blood every 2 seconds in the United States. Mark your calendars and join us for our next blood drive on April 17th. See you there! Want to be a holy roller?: Warm up your bowling skills this winter by joining your fellow church members for an afternoon of bowling at the Tivoli 938 Warren Ave Ste B, Downers Grove, IL 60515 on Sunday, February 11th from noon to two. Cost is $10 per person. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Feel free to bring non-church friends. Please sign up with any of the Fellowship Board members - Fred Borrowman, Robin Oberle, Joyce Nelson, Samantha Cechowski,

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Denise Hoytt, or Lynn Niemi. We will be available at continental breakfast, by email at Niemi05@hotmail.com, and on sign-up clipboards in the pews. Please respond soon as we would like to have reservations made by February 1st.

Caring For Creation: Thank you to all who participated in Caring for Creation’s Styrofoam recycling drive. Caring for Creation team members brought a large carload of foam to the recycling facility. If you wish to recycle Styrofoam on your own, you will find details on the Caring for Creation web site at http://uccdg-caring-for-

creation.weebly.com/. Mission Ministry: Calling all volunteers - join our prison ministry team at the Illinois Youth Center (Warrenville)! Each Thursday evening, two members of our team teach a “life skills” class to help better prepare the youth for life outside the juvenile justice system. You can volunteer as often as you would like, but you don’t need to be there every week. Our spring semester will begin in February 2018. If you are interested in this rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact Amy Curran at amyccurran@gmail.com or 630-964-2205 for more information. FCC BOOK CLUB: As we enter the fifth year of our book club group, we will be doing things a little different this year. The Downers Grove Public Library is recommending that we take advantage of their Book Bag program. Basically, this means that I, as the leader, will pick up all the books for our monthly reading and distribute those books to the members at the meeting. If you miss a meeting and want to participate in the next month's meeting, you will need to contact me to make arrangements to pick up the book at the church office. My phone number for calls or text is: 630-464-0426. My email is Lsmedia52@gmail.com. Our book for February is "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" by Lisa See. We will be meeting in the parlor on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there soon. Any questions? Call me, text me or email me. Linda Schranz. Chancel Flowers: Did you know that the flowers displayed on the Chancel are donated by church members? Everyone is invited to donate flowers in joy, celebration or remembrance of a loved one. The cost to donate is $35.00 and there is a sign up calendar on the bulletin board on the Sanctuary level, south entrance. When you donate a floral arrangement you are encouraged to take it home with you following service so that you may enjoy its purpose. We do ask, however, that you return the vase so that we can recycle them with the florist. Any questions, please see Linda Schranz or Barb Hammack.

MANNA: Manna Cards- Manna Cards- There are three easy ways to purchase cards and increase income for our church ministries. You can purchase or order for purchase actual cards, you can reload cards you have purchased and you can now get ecards on your device. You can go to www.ShopWithScrip.com. Questions? Email Laurie Olseon at glennlaurie@earthlink.net and Steve Johnson at sjoh413@gmail.com. or come by the Manna Table during Coffee Hour.

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Conscious Bean Coffee- This is the direct trade coffee served during coffee hour that travels from San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala to our church. We purchase the coffee for North Central College Enactus a student run organization. You can purchase this coffee for your own use during coffee hour. It is available in one pound bags or KCups. New flavored coffees are now available. Come learn more!

Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack: Join church members each Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 9:00 pm for a food repack session. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, which is just off the Stevenson Expressway at Pulaski Road. For more information, contact David Hersemann at dah5@comcast.net, or Laurel Carlson at lacduke@comcast.net.

Christian Witness in Society: Make a positive difference. UCC.org examines current justice issues within the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in today’s world, and offers opportunities to take personal action. Receive weekly justice action alerts from the UCC by going to ucc.org. Click on “Advocate for Justice,” then click on “Take Action.” You can receive justice alerts by email or text. Sign up. You CAN make a difference in the world. Amazon Smile: When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to First Congregational United Church of Christ. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2361106

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Coming Up This Week SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2017

New Member's Sunday

9:30 AM - 10:30 PM Sunday School

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Worship Service-Sanctuary

10:30 AM Spring Musical Rehearsal

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Alleluia Ringers-Music Room

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Praise Band Rehearsal-Sanctuary

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Parent Education Program

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM Junior Choir-Music Room

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM College Planning Workshop Parent Education-Parlor

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Jr Fellowship-Scavenger Hunt-Youth Room

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM High School Discussion Group-Youth Room

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2017

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

1:00 PM Adult Education Classes-Music Room

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel

6:00 PM PADS Overnight Guest-Fellowship Hall

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Adult Education Classes-Music Room

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2017

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

7:00 AM PADS Departure- Fellowship Hall

10:00 AM Adult Coloring Group-Parlor

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study (at members' homes)

11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting-Library

12:00 PM Administrative Deadline for Bulletin

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Caring For Creation Team-Live Podcast-Sanctuary

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Grounds of Hope Worship Service-Coffee House

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Alanon meeting-Coffee House

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM FCLC Jumpbunch Chapel

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room

7:00 PM Scouts-Fellowship Hall

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017

6:00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel

8:15 PM Two Way Street Concert-Coffee House

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Martial Arts Parlor

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM All Bridge Saints-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sing Around-Coffee House

7:00 PM Concert-Sanctuary

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An Open and Affirming Congregation 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-968-0358

OUR CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor ........................................... pastorscott@uccdg.org Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation ............. casanders3@aol.com Rev. Karen Nachtigall, Pastoral Ministry Team .................karennachtigall@gmail.com Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries ..................................... kcalpin@gmail.com Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music ............................ mcarin1m@aol.com Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries .................. dprovenzano@uccdg.org Michelle Rafacz, Acting Director of Family Minsitries .................. mrafacz@uccdg.org Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary ................................. lmcfarland@uccdg.org Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper ....................................................... bookkeeper@uccdg.org Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor ................................... Carll@uccdg.org Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center ... kchoate@uccdg.org Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House ................ dave@twowaystreet.org Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist ............................................................. bill@symbolix.com Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries .................................................. lenp@potterpro.com Justin Kono, Band Director ......................................................... j.akira.kono@gmail.com The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus

Our church staff is available Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment.

Office Phone: 630-968-0358 Office E-mail: FCUCC@UCCDG.org

In pastoral emergencies, Pastor Scott can be reached at 630-432-0380.

•Visit our weekly Sunday Service on channel 6 each Sunday at 11:30am or view the service online at www.uccfn.org

Website: www.uccdg.org

First Congregational Learning Center FCLC Website: www.fclcdg.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fclcdg

twitter.com/ uccdg facebook.com/uccdg Donate