Family Night begins this month! Each Wednesday evening, we are invited to come together as a church family, welcoming anyone to join us, including the families we are supporting through the unified mission. It will be a fan-tastic opportunity to gather with friends and build new relationships.

Family Night Kickoff Dinner Wednesday, September 7 / 6:00-7:00 pm / Fellowship Hall Come and enjoy a meal together with First Pres friends and the families from Faith Community Homes and learn about the opportunities for learning, faith, and fun each week during Family Night, beginning September 14.

Family Night Programs Begin Wednesday, September 14 Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm, September through May (see schedule, right) We will partner with Faith Community Homes to provide adult education and mentoring for the families we are supporting through the unified mission. It is not too late to get involved. If you would like to help by serving as a teacher or mentor for adults or children, contact Carol Roppel in the church office or sign up online at fpcah.org/mission2. You can also indicate your interest in helping in a supportive role.

ENGAGE AND ENCOUNTER adult Christian education will return to Wednesday nights. Pastors Judy and Ken Hockenberry will teach a class focusing on the One Church One Book initiative. Judy and Ken will lead participants on a journey of faith as the class explores the book, We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reori-entation, and Activation, by Brian D. McLaren. (Turn to page 10 to learn more.)

Children and middle school youth are invited to take part in fun and educational activities from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Grades 6-8 are invited to MSYG (Middle School Youth Group), a time to build relationships and faith and have fun. Contact Rev. TC Anderson to register (no fee). Grades K-5 are encouraged to attend Kids Connect for gym time, hands-on creative/learning activities, and a reading time (read-aloud/silent reading). Children must be accompanied by their parent(s) for dinner. No registra-tion is required for Kids Connect, and children may attend any or all portions of the program. Each segment (gym time, creative time, reading time) will be 20 minutes long, making up the Kids Connect hour. Be a part of Family Night!

It’s Go Time for Family Night Time to Grow in Faith and Fellowship, Support the Unified Mission

Weekly Wednesday Evening Schedule: Beginning September 14!

6:00-7:00 pm: Drop-in dinner time for all ages, in Fellowship Hall

7:00-8:00 pm: Classes and programs: Adult education and

mentoring ENGAGE & ENCOUNTER

adult Christian education Middle School Youth

Group (grades 6-8) Kids Connect (grades K-5) Free nursery care

September 2016

“I am about to do a new thing.”

Isaiah 43:19

Choose love. Be the light. Change the world.

One Church One Book Join This Churchwide Activity for 2016-2017

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The deadline for the October 2016 issue of The Chimes is September 10 at 9:00 am. Submit articles to Kris Mainellis, director of communications, at krismainellis@fpcah.org.

One Church One Book is a year-long opportunity to study and grow

together as a family of faith. We will read and discuss We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation, by Brian D. McLaren. Through weekly readings, we will explore the difference our growing faith can make in the world today. It will be a year-long adventure of interactive learning and personal growth. We strongly encourage every mem-ber of the First Pres community to participate by joining a small group or attending the ENGAGE & ENCOUNTER class led by Pastors Judy and Ken Hockenberry, begin-

Session Highlights by Linda Byus, Clerk of Session

From the August 8, 2016, meeting: Learned that Pastor Alex Lang

will attend the Presbyterian Credo conference the second week of September.

Learned the deacons will host a

churchwide birthday celebration for members of the congregation who are over 90 years old.

Learned fall Sunday school will

kick off on September 11. Chil-dren’s Ministries will offer all

new units in the event-based curriculum for grades K-5.

Approved the sacrament dates

for 2017. Approved the dissolution of the

Financial Planning Task Force.

Look for the full “Session Meeting Highlights” report in the Narthex literature rack.

Lay Preaching Sunday September 4, 2016

Come and hear friends from the First Pres community share their message of faith.

9:00 am Worship Jody Rowley

scriptures: Luke 2:22-38

sermon title: “Finding the Presence of God in Your Heart ”

10:30 am worship Ingrid Kaufman

scriptures: Leviticus 24:17-20; Luke 15: 11-32

sermon title: “The Handshake”

ning September 14. Turn to page 10 for the details. This book study will: Offer a fresh way to experience

and practice your faith Kick-start your faith if it’s been

dormant Help you discover how a life of

faith can work for you. There is still time to sign up for a One Church One Book small group. Call Carol Roppel in the church office, at 847-255-5000, or register online at fpcah.org/adult_education. Books are availa-ble ($10) in the church office dur-ing the week or at the Welcome Center on Sundays. Get involved in One Church One Book! Contact: Alex Lang, alexlang@fpcah.org

One Church One Book Begins September 11. We welcomed Brock Halvorson into the congrega-tion on Sunday, July 24. An engineer for Verizon Wireless, Brock moved to the area last spring. He enjoys golf, camping, home brewing, and, when temperatures are suffi-ciently cold—playing outdoor hockey. Brock is an avid sports fan, with a definite preference for Minnesota teams. He played on the First Pres golf league and has enjoyed getting to know those he met through the league. Brock appreciates the worship and learning opportunities at First Pres. Welcome, Brock!

A New Member

From the Pastor God in Science Sermon Series Connects Science and Religion by Rev. Alex Lang

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This September will mark my three-year anniversary at First Presbyterian Church. I often reflect on my first

sermon here, as a candidate for the position of head of staff, in July 2013. The warm reception that I received from the congregation let me know that God was leading me to the right place. Now, after three years of preaching in your pulpit, I look back and I am amazed at how supportive you have been of me and the new ideas guiding this congregation. Not only have you been supportive of the vision, but you’ve invested your time, talent, and treasure into bringing that vision to life. As a result, every time I walk into the Sanctuary of First Pres, I feel so proud to be your pastor. You all inspire me to work hard for you and give you my best every single week. As you now know, each September marks a shift in the focus of our sermon series. Our first year, we focused on the book of Genesis, because those stories lay the foun-dation of how we understand God throughout the rest of the Bible. The second year, we read the Gospel of Mark and stud-ied the life of Jesus. The third year, we undertook a variety of series that fo-cused on spirituali-ty, all based on the underlying question: How do we live our lives as Christians, staying connected to God in the world? These three years follow a Trinitar-ian pattern: God, Jesus, Spirit, or Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Going into our fourth year, I decided that I wanted to do one series that focuses on God; another that focuses on Jesus; and another that focuses on Spirit. The first series, which will run from September 25 through Christ-mas, is called God in Science. We will explore the various ways sci-ence helps us to see God working in the world. I feel this is important because science and Christiani-ty are often seen as adversaries. Indeed, if one pays attention to the way this war between science and Christianity is por-trayed in the media, the conflict is perpetuated by both Christians and non-Christians. Regardless of the arguments by the “experts,” what is clear is that both sides are oper-ating from a place of fear. For the Christians, the fear is that science may replace the need for God. If science is capable of reveal-ing all the mysteries of the uni-verse, then God and Christianity

will become inconse-quential, preventing people from finding salvation. For the nonreligious, the fear is that religion stymies forward pro-gress. One only needs to look at the turmoil in the Middle East to understand that reli-

gion has the potential to motivate people to act in highly destructive ways. Each believes that if the oth-er would just submit, and renege their ideology, then the world would be a better place.

“For the Christians, the fear is that science may replace the need for God….For the nonreligious, the fear is that religion stymies forward progress.”

But you and I know that neither of these views rep-resents the truth. I would assume that most of the people in our con-

gregation feel that science and religion complement each other quite well. Christianity teaches us about the God who is responsible for creating the world and science teaches us about the mechanisms God employs to make the world

function. The fact that humans have discov-ered the mysteries of how God operates in the world does not make God any less necessary. On the con-trary, by understand-ing science, we gain

deeper insight into the God we worship every Sunday. The prob-lem is that such a view is a minority opinion amidst the much louder noise of how science and Christian-ity are incompatible. My aim is to make our voice much louder by showing how God and science work hand in hand with one another. My hope is that these sermons will provide you with a new narrative through which you can correct the fallacies that domi-nate the discourse between science and religion. The more we correct these errors in thinking, the more likely we are to attract the people who are sitting on the periphery of Christianity. If we want to become a church that thrives in the 21st century, I believe joining science and religion is criti-cal, so that we can create a more productive dialogue. I hope you will join me in this process of learn-ing how God and science are not opposed to one another, but are two sides of the same coin.

“By understanding science, we gain deeper insight into the God we worship every Sunday.”

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Caring Ministry

It’s hard for me to be-lieve that by the time you are reading this,

school will have started and the program year at church will be in full swing! As we begin school, switch jobs, and engage in new activities, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself and with others. Even the best and most exciting transitions are hard. Children become a little crankier as their leisurely pace in the summer switches to the demands of a school year—studies, sports, academic teams. Moms and dads get a little crankier when we feel suddenly responsible for everybody’s sched-ule, and transportation, and school

lunch! Not to mention homework and permission slips. This fall, in the midst of everything else, we will be watching endless political commercials and hearing the ongoing vitriol in one of the craziest political seasons anyone has ever wit-nessed. It’s important to remember to give our-selves and those we love—and even those we don’t know—plenty of space, and even more grace and mercy. If you find yourself struggling, needing a place to vent, or a refer-ral to a professional, your pastors

are here for you. It is our pleasure to both listen and refer, as neces-sary. When a new baby arrives or a beloved family member is lost, please remember to let your church

family know, so we can gather around you with support. Remember, we not only have pastors, but we have Stephen Ministers, who are trained in one-on-one caregiving and will work with you in the strictest confidence. Don’t let yourself get

buried with the falling leaves. Reach out when you need a little support. Life is tough. That’s why we have God and each other!

Be Gentle With Yourself — and Others by Rev. Judy Hockenberry

For the second year, the Con-gregational and Community Life Committee sponsored a booth at the Mane Event, held in downtown Arlington Heights. This year the event was held Friday evening, August 5. The Mane Event features local business-es, organizations, and restaurants that want to promote their activi-ties or products and services. The First Pres booth had a prime location this year, yielding a lot of foot traffic and interest expressed by passersby. Booth volunteers, headed up by Patti Noble, got out from behind the display table and mingled with the people, giving away lots of First Pres custom reus-able bags, church information, glow bracelets, temporary tattoos, and our blue wristbands, featuring

the First Pres tagline: Choose love. Be the light. Change the world. Participating in the Mane Event is a great way to get out into the com-munity to meet our neighbors and share information about the many awesome things going on at First Pres. Patti reported: “Some made a point of wanting the blue rubber bracelets because they loved the tagline—they loved what it says!” Many thanks to our booth staffers and all who stopped by to say “hello!”

Community Outreach

First Pres Mane Event Booth Was a Hit by Kris Mainellis

Boy Scout Troop 32 Boy Scout Troop 32, for which First Pres is the chartered, or sponsoring,

organization, was also represented at the First Pres Mane Event booth. First Pres member Al Wilson, the troop’s chartered organization rep-resentative, was on hand at the booth to hand out Troop 32 infor-mation. Serving as the chartered organization for this troop is anoth-er way First Pres reaches out to serve the local community. Troop 32 is one of the most active and long-established Boy Scout troops in Arlington Heights and the North Woods District. The troop is led by the boys, with guidance from scoutmasters and other adult lead-ers. The troop gives back to the church through gardening and other projects and activities. Troop 32 meets Monday evenings at First Pres, 7:15-8:30 pm, from September through June. Contact Al Wilson to learn more about Troop 32, at alwilson100@comcast.net.

“It’s important to remember to give ourselves and those we love… plenty of space, and even more grace and mercy.”

What’s Coming Up

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Meditation Group Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 6 7:00-8:30 pm / Parlor

Come and explore Tai Chi, a heal-ing and strengthening practice that seeks to balance body, mind, and spirit. First Pres member Walter Cook, an instructor at the Taoist Tai Chi Society in Arlington Heights, will lead the class. Come and enjoy an evening of peace and fulfillment as you learn a practice for persons of all ages and all times. Cost: Free-will donation. This group meets the first Tuesday of each month. Contact: Larry Hayes, lar2go@yahoo.com

Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering Wednesday, September 28 9:00 am / Fellowship Hall Presbyterian Women (PW) circles and all women of the church are invited to the PW Fall Gathering. Meet in Fellowship Hall at 9:00 am on September 28 for refreshments, followed by a time for prayer con-cerns and a brief business meeting,

before the main presentation, at 9:30 am. Guest speaker Marilee Kelly, a cer-tified physical trainer at Northwest Community Hospital Wellness Center in Arlington Heights, will present “Keeping Your Balance,” a discussion about the health benefits of working on balance. All are welcome for this time of fellowship and learning. Questions? Contact Marty Kraybill at marty1110k@gmail.com or 847-398-3423.

Christopher House Pizza Fundraiser Sept. 28 & 29 Christopher House Auxil-

iary is sponsoring a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen (3 S. Ever-green Ave., Arlington Heights), on Wednesday and Thursday, Septem-ber 28 and 29. Dine in on either of these dates, hand in your FUNd-raiser flyer when you place your order, and Christopher House will receive 20 percent of the cost of

your bill. You can pick up a flyer in the church office during the week or at the Welcome Center. Thanks for helping these families in need (learn more at christopher house.org). Contact: Gladys Holtz, gladysholtz@comcast.net

Nursery Help Needed One of the big reasons our baby and toddler rooms are such terrific

places for little ones on Sunday morning is that so many volunteers help out in this important ministry. Little ones feel safe and comforta-ble when volunteers provide com-fort, smiles, and personal attention. We are once again seeking friendly volunteers to care for babies and toddlers during worship times for the upcoming school year. If caring for little ones is something you en-joy, please contact Beth Johnson at bethjohnson@fpcah.org. The time commitment is 90 minutes, one Sunday a month. Safe Sanctuary training is required for all volun-teers who work with children.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Aluminum Can Drive Saturday, October 29 9:00-11:00 am / West Parking Lot Save and crush your cans (e.g., soda cans) for the Aluminum Can Drive. Proceeds support the Men’s Bible Study’s sponsored charities. At the July 25 drive we collected more than 78 pounds. If you have questions or other aluminum or copper items for recycling, contact Stan and Nancy Conning at 224-735-7310.

Fall Kickoff Is Coming Sunday, September 11 Join fall kickoff worship as well as special services to mark the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Three worship service times resume and Christian education restarts for all ages. Turn to the back cover.

First Pres Board of Deacons Serving the Needs of the Congregation

Deacons’ Volunteer Fair Sunday, September 11 Stop by the Narthex between services.

Learn how YOU can make a difference

in YOUR church family!

Take Your Spiritual Gifts to New Heights

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Worship Schedule

September 4 Season of Pentecost Lay Preaching Sunday preaching at 9:00 am: Jody Rowley — “Finding the Presence of God in Your Heart” scriptures: Luke 2:22-38

preaching at 10:30 am: Ingrid Kaufman — “The Handshake” scriptures: Leviticus 24:17-20; Luke 15:11-32

music: 9:00 am: Led by Compass 10:30 am: Megan Hendrickson, soprano

Three Service Times Resume: September 11 Season of Pentecost

Kickoff Sunday — 8:30 am preaching: TC Anderson

9/11 Remembrance Services — 9:30 & 11:00 am preaching: Judy Hockenberry

music: 8:30 am: Led by Compass 9:30 am: Chancel Quartet 11:00 am: Combined Choirs September 18 Season of Pentecost preaching: Judy Hockenberry

music: 8:30 am: Led by Compass 9:30 & 11:00 am: Chancel Choir & First Pres Brass September 25 Season of Pentecost preaching: Alex Lang God in Science sermon series begins: “The Science of Beginnings” scriptures: Genesis 1:1-27

music: 8:30 am: Led by Compass 9:30 am: Chamber Singers 11:00 am: Chancel Choir

Music & Worship

Announcing the 2016-2017 Concert Series:

Sunday, October 16, 2016 / 4:00 pm Bruce Blanck Jazz Ensemble Showcasing big band, cool jazz, and swing music

Sunday, November 13, 2016 / 4:00 pm Pipes and Hammers, with Christopher Urban and Chuck Beech Offering favorite piano and organ duets; plus, special music to honor veterans, in observance of Veterans Day weekend

Sunday, December 11, 2016 / 4:00 pm The Glory of Christmas Praising Jesus with the First Pres choirs and orchestra: featuring Randall Bass’s Glad Tidings (with narration by Lynn Stolley), and audience participation in singing familiar carols of the season

Sunday, February 12, 2017 / 4:00 pm The 32nd Annual Organ Fest Honoring a First Pres tradition, featuring talented local organists

Sunday, March 5, 2017 / 4:00 pm New Chicago Brass Highlighting cutting-edge, high-quality brass performance

Sunday, April 30, 2017 / 4:00 pm Spring Choral Concert Remembering the Lenten journey with sacred works by the First Pres Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers, and orchestra

Sunday, May 21, 2017 / 4:00 pm ‘May’ the Horse Be With You with Donald Kaasch, Marianne Kim, Kristen Walter, and Steven Walter Horses may race in May, but we can’t do that in the Sanctu-ary! Come join us for the closing concert, featuring local professionals.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend this season’s fantastic lineup of musical events. As always, the goal of this Concert Series is to encourage appreciation of the arts in the church, the community, and beyond. Watch The Chimes for more details, pick up a Concert Series brochure (available soon!), or visit fpcah.org/newmusic.

Adam Hendrickson, Director of Music Programs

Christopher Urban, Associate Director of Music and Organist

Church Life

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Celebrations Patti and Mike Noble are celebrat-ing the birth of their grandson, Jacob Joseph Harlston, Jr., born July 27, 2016, to Paige and Jacob Harlston. 

A Wedding Invitation

Marjorie and Tim Lock invite you to the wedding ceremony of Allison Lock and David Jacobsen Saturday, October 8, at 4:00 pm

in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church

 

Sympathy Dawn McGrath and family, on the death of her brother, Fred “Ross” Riebel

Susan and Tom Carroll, on the death of Susan’s sister, Janet Swearingen

Lenore Tarchala and family, on the death of her daughter, Susan Dyckes

Larry Olson and family, on the death of his wife, Jan Olson

Mike and Benna Hermanson and family, on the death of Mike’s moth-er, Marcella Hermanson

Family of Ruth Gouwens

George and Beth Drost, on the death of George’s mother, Doris Drost

Parlor Furniture Is Here! The Board of Trustees is grateful to the congregation for the gener-ous contributions that enabled the purchase of new Parlor furniture. We hope you enjoy it!

— Liz Thompson, for the trustees

Book Donations Our church library receives book donations on a fairly frequent ba-sis. Sometimes it’s a single book, as was the case with the recent dona-tion of Jesus Before the Gospels, by Bart D. Ehrman. Sometimes the donation is a box of books. What-ever the number, we get them. Unfortunately, the donors are usually anonymous. We don’t know whom to thank. So please, when donating books to the church library, give us your name. The worst that can happen is you’ll get a thank-you note.

— Matt Meisterheim, for the First Pres librarians

The First Pres PADS (Public Action to Deliv-er Shelter) program will open for a new season on Tuesday, October 4, and it’s coming up quickly. Last year, we had an average of 30 guests per week throughout our 30 weeks of PADS. Given that each guest received 3 meals per overnight stay, we pre-pared 2,700 meals for the home-less! Thank you.

Group Support Last year, 18 of our 30 dinners were provided by groups, which included Youth Ministries, parents from our Children’s Ministries, Pathways, Men’s Bible Study, the Board of Deacons, Just Friends, Mission Committee, The Bridge, a few families who formed their own group, and a local caterer. Once again, any group within or outside of the church is welcome to prepare entrées of their choosing. These can be delivered hot on Tues-day evenings or delivered on Sun-

day, Monday, or Tuesday for our vol-unteers to heat up and serve.

Funds for PADS Food This year, individu-

als or groups may prefer to make a monetary donation to PADS for a specific meal. Volunteers can pur-chase and prepare it on your be-half. A hot breakfast can be provid-ed for $25 a week, our bagged lunch items cost about $30, and dinner entrées can be prepared for about $40 to $50. We appreciate your support in feeding our homeless guests each Tuesday night. If you are interested in donating food or funds to feed our homeless guests, contact Barba-ra Psimoulis, at spsimoulis@yahoo .com. The PADS Steering Commit-tee will also have sign-ups for shift volunteers on Sunday mornings in the Narthex throughout September; or, you can contact Helen Ross, at hj926@aol.com.

A Successful Shoe Drive The seventh annual back-to-school Shoe Drive for the children served by WINGS was a success! Once again the First Pres congrega-tion stepped up in a big way to help others in the community. The deacons collected 130 pairs of shoes for WINGS kids! Thank you for your donations of shoes and funds to purchase shoes. Learn more about WINGS at wings program.com. — Karyn Kraske & Debbie Rowells,

for the Board of Deacons

Sign Up to Help PADS Ministry by Barbara Psimoulis

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Mission

In 2012, a young woman, Magaly, was my guide in the community of Las Yaguas. It was my first mission trip to the Dominican Republic. As a nurse, I was there to do in-home health assessment for church mem-bers who were unable to get to the clinics. I was accompanied by a driver from the church in Gaspar Hernandez and an interpreter, as well as Magaly, who knew where the people lived who needed care. I had minimal interaction with Magaly that year. I learned that she was married, that she had four chil-dren, and that she had only a third-grade education. It was evident that she was known to the people in Las Yaguas and had a passion for visit-ing people in her community. In addition to home visits that year, I taught a class for the women in the church. Magaly was not in my class that year. I saw her next at the worship service the night before I was to return home with the mis-sion team. That visit, I gave a New Testament booklet in Spanish to each of the team with whom I worked.

Making a Difference Through the Dominican Republic Mission by Jane Reinschmidt

In 2013, I returned to the Dominican Repub-lic and was asked to teach the women of the newly formed “health team” once again. That year, Magaly came to the class. With her she brought the New Testament that I had given her the year before. It was soiled and the pages obviously much used. With tears in her eyes, she said something in Spanish as she held the book close to her chest. The only words I under-stood were “…mi cora-zon” (my heart) and, over and over, “gracias.” Magaly had enrolled at the fourth grade level in an evening high school equivalency program in the fall of 2012. I remember asking her when she found time to study. Her reply (through an interpreter) was, “I study when my children study. It lets them know that school

is important.” I was impressed. Each year, I have seen Magaly use the skills she learned in my classes. She has developed a new self-confidence. When I saw her during the August 2015 mis-sion visit, Magaly ex-plained that she would be entering her next-to-last year of high school at the end of the month and would begin her final year of high school in January 2016. Amazing! In two years, Magaly had completed the equivalent of seven years of school. By then my Spanish

skills had improved enough that we could communicate a little without a translator. I asked Magaly why she decided to return to school. Her response was, “In the past I had no reason to go to school. Now I want to be a nurse. I see what you do for the people in my community and I think I can help them more if I am a nurse like you.” Magaly has en-rolled in a school of nursing in San-tiago. She will receive a scholarship for school. I received an e-mail recently from Magaly, thanking me for being her teacher. I am thankful for this young woman with a strong faith and courage to pursue her calling. This young woman will surely make a difference in lives in her community. The mission efforts of First Presbyterian Church continue to make a difference. Providing an education for one will improve the lives of many. Praise God for those who are God’s hands and feet and make a difference!

Reinforcing skills in 2016 (Magaly, left; Jane, center)

Magaly (left) and Jane, in 2015

On Monday, August 1, First Pres greeted 63 hot and hungry guests at our fourth Summer Supper for the Hungry. This was the highest number of guests ever served at one of our suppers, but our volunteers were well prepared, with plenty of food, cold drinks, and sincere greetings and camaraderie. Since starting in May, we’ve greeted many familiar guests of our PADS (Public Actin to Deliver Shelter) ministry, but the majority of our Summer Supper friends are not homeless people; they are those who are thankful to stretch their food budgets or who simply need friendly conversation, a hot, nutritious meal, and a few clothing items. Thank you for supporting this outreach ministry that helps so many in our local community. Our final supper this summer is September 5 (Labor Day).

Thank You for Supporting Summer Suppers by Barbara Psimoulis

Youth Ministries by Rev. TC Anderson

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Farewell to College Youth We are keeping all of our college youth in our thoughts and prayers as they head back to college and readjust to life away from parents and family, but we want to especially keep our college freshmen in mind as they set off on this brand new adventure. Whether they’re moving far away or commuting from home, college is a very different animal, and they will need all the prayers they can get. So please pray for their safe travels, for a focused mind, for good time management, and that they know they can always come back home!

Nineteen participants from First Presbyterian Church of Arlington

Heights joined with more than 40 others from all around the Chicago Presbytery and took two buses down to Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, for a week of fellowship, worship, learn-ing, and fun. We stayed in non–air-conditioned dorms, hung out in special hammocks, worshiped with 5,000+ youth and leaders from around the world, joined in small groups, made new friends, and walked a whole lot! It was an amazing week, and I encourage you all to find some of these youth and ask them how the trip was!

High School Summer Trip to Presbyterian Youth Triennium Builds Faith

For Presbyterian Women (PW), September means the beginning of the new program year. PW leaders have already been planning for Gathering programs, Bible study, circles, small groups, and mission opportunities close to home. First Pres women of all ages are welcome to join circles, where small groups come together for fellowship, Bible study, and mission. We are return-ing to the same circles from last year, but there are changes! This year’s Bible study is Who Is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes, by Judy Yates Siker. Rosa-lie Stoike will have study books available Sunday morning, Septem-ber 18, in the Narthex, for $10.

Presbyterian Women

Circles meet once a month, either the third Wednesday morning at church or the third Tuesday even-ing in a member’s home. The first Wednesday meeting of the year will be September 21 at 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall. Yes, that is a change; both in time—a little earlier, at 9:00 am—and in location—in Fellowship Hall for refreshments, followed by circle meetings in the lower level of the Christian Educa-tion Wing. If you prefer an evening circle, Circle 7 will meet Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 pm in the home of Diane Platt (235 W. Wilson, Palatine). Lee Smith will be cohostess.

Circles also come together for four Gatherings during the year. These Gatherings bring women together for conversation, prayer, refresh-ments, and opportunities to learn something new (see page 5 to learn about the Fall Gathering). Circles are another way to be part of the small-group experience here at First Pres. Need more information? Con-tact Marty Kraybill at 847-398-3423 or marty1110k@gmail.com.

PW Program Year Begins New Wednesday Morning Meeting Time, New Location by Nancy Lincoln

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Adult Education & Community Groups

ENGAGE & ENCOUNTER September through May, you are invited to make Wednesday evening your midweek time for adult education. Free child care.

One Church One Book with Rev. Judy Hockenberry and Rev. Ken Hockenberry

Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 pm / Chapel Class begins September 14! We will kick off the program year by

joining the churchwide One Church One Book initiative at First Pres. Pastors Judy and Ken Hockenberry will lead participants on a journey of faith through We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation, by Brian D. McLaren. We Make the Road by Walking is organized according to the seasons of the church year, providing an overview of the entire Bible through a year-long adventure full of interactive learning and personal growth. The book invites us to: “Dare to venture off the old maps into new, uncharted territory and discover how we make the road by walking.” Ken and Judy will guide the class following the book’s weekly reading schedule, complemented by scripture readings and class discussion time. Each lesson is designed to challenge and cultivate faith, encouraging an authentic and intelligent understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith in the 21st century. Together, class participants will explore how to grow and make the most of their faith, making a difference in the lives of others along the way. Join Judy and Ken for these enlightening and entertaining evenings of learning.

New Sunday Morning Adult Education Class

The Gospels: Windows Into Christianity with Dr. Donald Kaasch Sundays, September 18 – October 30 / 9:45-10:45 am / Chapel No class October 9

Join Donald Kaasch each Sunday morning to study the historical development of the four Gospels, beginning with the synoptics (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) and ending with John. Emphasis will be on the language of the early church as it grows away from Judaism and further into the Romano-Hellenic world outside of Judea. This will be an intense and challenging course, in keeping with the teachings from the pulpit these past three years. This will be a perfect entry for anyone who has not attended the Old and New Testament courses. Don’t put this part of your Christian education off any longer!

ALSO ON SUNDAY MORNINGS:

Coffee: Grounds for Discussion

9:45-10:45 am in Room 110/112, Christian Education Wing Drop in to discuss today’s issues related to the Bible and church in a relaxed atmosphere.

Contact: Kelly Dean, k_p_dean@hotmail.com

Community Groups

New Group: WHOLE30 Begins September 1! The WHOLE30 is a 30-day guide to total health and food freedom. This plan will make you look at food in a different way and force you to real-ly think about what and how you feed your body. Learn more at whole30.com. Contact group lead-er Kelly Dean, at k_p_dean @hotmail.com, to get involved. Join the WHOLE30 community group and take your health back!

Health and Fitness Groups Physical and emotional health,

in addition to spiritual health, are important components of overall wellness. We encourage everyone to get involved in activities to promote health, including: Walking (Mondays & Wednes-days / 6:00-6:45 pm); Cycling (regularly scheduled rides); Meditation (first Tuesday of the month—see page 5); Chair Holy Yoga (Wednesdays at 5:00 pm); and Holy Yoga (Wednesdays at 6:00 pm). To learn more, visit the Health and Fitness page at fpcah.org (keyword search: “health”) or contact TC Anderson, at tcanderson@fpcah.org.

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It has been a tremendous experi-ence for our kids. We are looking forward to a bountiful harvest this fall as we pick corn, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and other delicious fruits and vegetables.

Children’s Ministries by Katy Allen

Children’s Ministries has been blessed with an incredible

group of volunteers who have faithfully served our children as teachers for many years. Many of these teachers have been teaching since their children were in pre-school; many have taught purely for the love of teaching; all felt called to honor the prom-ise we make at baptism to guide and nur-ture, to help children know and follow Jesus. As we say good-bye to these faithful folks, we offer them our most heartfelt thanks for the hours they invested in our children. Thank you, Denise Beihoffer, Cynthia Hiskes, Karyn Kraske, Barb Larson, Cheryl Pena, and Denise Poy.

This Program Year: Exploring God’s Earth Children in kindergarten through fifth grade will embark on a jour-ney when the new program year begins this month, on Sunday, September 11. Together, we will explore Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too.” Using the thematic approach intro-duced last year, our elementary kids will spend three to four weeks on a unit theme followed by a spe-cial event designed to bring the unit to life in a creative and fun way. Here are the themes for this year: Water for Life All Creatures Great and Small Loaves & Fishes Let Us Pray Women of the Bible The Potter & Wheel Singing the Psalms

We are looking forward to a fun year of faith-centered adventure as we explore what it means to be part of God’s creation.

Thank You to Our ‘Retiring’ Teachers

Loaves & Fishes Children’s Garden Yields Fun and Spiritual Growth We have had a great time in the Loaves & Fishes garden this sum-mer! From planting to weeding, to watering and harvesting, children got firsthand experience with what it means to create and care for a garden. We were able to provide the Wheel-ing Township Food Pantry with some fresh vegetables for their shelves; we handed out freshly cut herbs to worshipers one Sunday morning; and we made a pasta and spinach salad for our August Sum-mer Suppers for the Hungry. We also had fun making salsa and herb dip that the kids got to take home and share with their families. In late August, we learned about canning tomatoes, drying herbs, and preserving vegetables to eat later, which will benefit the First Pres PADS (Public Action to Deliv-er Shelter) ministry and Family Night dinners, coming up this fall.

Family Night Is Coming! Turn to the front cover to learn more about this weekly evening of learning and fun for all ages, including Kids Connect for grades K-5.

The First Presbyterian Church 302 N. Dunton Avenue Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5993 Phone: 847-255-5900 Fax: 847-255-3475 www.fpcah.org / mail@fpcah.org

September 11 — Kickoff Sunday and 9/11 Remembrance Services Plan to join your First Pres friends for the start of the new program year, on Sunday, September 11. Three service times

will restart and Christian education for children, youth, and adults will resume (9:45-10:45 am).

TC Anderson will preach at finding grace worship at 8:30 am in the Chapel, in a service to kick off the new program year.

Judy Hockenberry will preach at Crossroads (9:30 am) and Heritage (11:00 am) worship in the Sanctuary, as we take part in special 9/11 remem-brance services to mark the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Christian Education: Preschool — Green Room (main level, Christian Education Wing) Kingdom Sunday School (grades K-5) — Fellowship Hall Y-Search (grades 6-7) — Middle School Lounge Confirmation (grade 8) — Room 109/111 High School Sunday School (grades 9-12) — High School Lounge Coffee: Grounds for Discussion — Room 110/112 The Gospels: Windows Into Christianity, with Dr. Donald Kaasch — Chapel