The Messenger. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Live toward your purpose, on purpose!

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield October 2017 The Messenger To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1 Do you actually know that when God was working on God s great design for the universe that God could not think of a way to do this day, this season in the life of the world, without you? Today, lean into the discovery and the promise of what you suspect God was up to in making you. Why do you suppose that was and is? Live toward your purpose, on purpose! What is it about you that God needed and wanted so very much that the atoms of your being, the story of your past and the prospect of your future were brought together into the being that is you? For what purpose are you purposed? Rejoice in being alive. There is a time for every purpose under heaven! Blessings, Pastor Hawkinson Stewardship Commitment Sunday is November 5th, Let us put our substance where our purpose is!

2 WORSHIP/MUSIC Sunday Worship 9:30 & 10:45 a.m. Adult Faith Formation 8:30 a.m. Sunday School for Kids 9:30 a.m. First Sundays One worship service with communion at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. for 3rd graders and younger October 1, World Communion One Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. followed by brunch in the Undercroft Sharing the Feast of Christ s broken bread and shared cup, we ll celebrate this rich life with the South Asian and Korean congregations that worship in our building! Monday Communion October 2, 1:00 p.m. Join us for communion and worship in the Heritage Chapel. Contact the church office at if you need a ride! Instrumental Opportunity Do you play an instrument and are you willing to add your sound in worship leadership? Contact Royce Eckhardt at royceeckhardt@sbcglobal.net. Casual Choir - Sundays at 10:45 a.m. Have you ever thought you d like to be in the choir but can t find the time to be at rehearsal every Wednesday? The concept of the Casual Choir is the opportunity to engage in short term rehearsals to offer music in one service at a time. With simple music and excellent leadership from Royce Eckhardt, you ll find yourself with a few more songs in your heart and a sense of service as you offer occasional music in small ensemble for worship leadership! See our website for: Links to past sermons News on upcoming services Ways to engage more deeply Do you think it s important to go to church on Sunday? Here are four powerful reasons you should attend church weekly, and why church attendance can change your life: 1. God says so. The Bible calls us to not give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). The Epistle even goes so far as to call the church the bride of Christ. Loving Christ calls us to the things that he loves. Christ loves the church like a husband loves his bride. In love with Christ we grow to love his Church as well. God didn t call us to gather and worship to burden us, but to bless us. Church attendance can become one of the greatest blessings in your family s life. 2. Worshipping Jesus Christ together is powerful. God lives inside of us as the Holy Spirit and that Spirit grows belief in us. This is a profoundly incredible truth! But there is also something biblically powerful about gathering together with other believers to worship. Jesus said, Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20). So Christ not only lives in us by his Spirit, but in the midst of us by Spirit when we gather to worship him. 3. We need Christian community. All of us long for community and connection with others. God has given us this gift in gathering together for worship, and in smaller groups in each other s homes. It fulfills and cultivates something inside of us to be authentically involved in each other s lives around God s Word. Christian TV, podcasts, books and conferences are wonderful additions to our spiritual lives, but nothing can take the place of consistent Christian community through presence in gathered worship. 4. We grow more together than alone. It can be messy when we step into each other s lives. We are all human, and no one is perfect. So it requires effort and intentionality and grace from God to do life together, even as believers. Gathering regularly with other believers becomes a refining process whereby we help each other, pray for each other and encourage each other to want to follow Christ more wholeheartedly. It is a truly beautiful thing. Don t let any excuses stand in the way of God s call to worship. God will strengthen you and empower you to do what he has called you to do. If you have encountered past wounds from leaders or from church members, seek reconciliation God will bring healing and grace to you as you seek to follow him and love his church. Adapted from an article by Matt Brown (@evangelistmatt),an evangelist, author and founder of Think Eternity, an evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands of people with the gospel each year through live events and online. This article was originally published on Matt s blog at ThinkE.org.

3 TIME, TALENT & TREASURE STEWARDSHIP AND GENEROSITY For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1 And this is the season for stewardship the season for making your annual commitment to our general fund budget for the coming year. We were very pleased that pledges for 2017 totaled nearly $830,000 this was a significant increase over 2016 and allowed us to restore and improve programs for this year. As we continue to monitor expenses very closely, with the same level of congregational support for 2018 we will continue to provide all of the programs and services you have come to expect. The 2018 Stewardship packages will be distributed very shortly we encourage you to carefully review the materials and prayerfully consider what God wants you to give. We appreciate that the 2018 Stewardship Campaign is coming on the heels of the Generation to Generation (G2G) Capital Campaign. Just keep in mind that your 2018 pledges are essential to maintaining the everyday operations of the church, while G2G is a one-time necessity, largely for capital improvements and repairs for the long term stability of our church home. You may recall that a few years ago we held a complementary workshop on Estate and Tax Planning for Christians. The FPCD Foundation has scheduled a second workshop for Saturday morning November 4. This is an unusual opportunity to hear professional estate planners provide tips on saving on estate taxes and directing your estate exactly as you wish. There will be an opportunity to discuss privately your situation with an expert. More information to follow! Pledges received through August 31 $515,652 Total 2017 pledged amount $829,864

4 ADULT FAITH FORMATION Oct The Reformation Arrives in Switzerland Ulrich Zwingli is first among the Swiss to begin preaching through the New Testament, departing from standard Catholic liturgies, insisting on repentance, purity, and justification by faith. Supported by Zurich s City Council, he abolishes the mass completely, replacing it with a simple Lord s supper. In Geneva, William Farel establishes the Reformation by vote of the Great Council, and shortly persuades John Calvin to join his effort. Calvin becomes the theologian of the Reformation, by publishing his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Sadly, Swiss and German leaders miss an opportunity to create a united Protestantism. Oct English and Scottish Reformers Join the Fray Calvin s reformation theology, with its emphasis on Scripture and justification by faith, becomes the new movement s standard. But its spread involves interesting quirks of history. Henry VIII s desire for a wife who will give him a male heir is seen as one cause, although English reform can hardly happen without the support of Cardinal Wolsey and others. English and Scottish reform is as much political as theological Classes in September began with Rev. Paul Palmer s discussion of The Reformation(s) of the 16 th Century. We continue our conversation in October. Paul Bischoff leads adult education classes on October 22 and October 29. What Does the Reformation Mean for Us, Today? is the topic for October 22. What Might the Reformation Mean for Us, Tomorrow? is the focus of our discussion on October 29. Oct Catholic and Anabaptist Reforms Capture Opposite Poles As Calvinism becomes an international movement, thanks to The Scots Confession, The 2 nd Helvetic Confession, and eventually, The Westminster Confession, the great Catholic Church itself works at reform during the Council of Trent. Though Protestantism is condemned, many steps forward are taken in the use of the Bible and standards for priests. Anabaptists, on the other end of the scale, believe that Luther s and Calvin s reforms are too moderate, and so begin advocating believers baptism, spiritual rebirth, and total separation of church and state. Topics on Tap October 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Warehouse in Deerfield Knowing that some of the greatest theologians of all time did their best work in a local tavern, we thought we would give it a try! Join us each month for a drink of your favorite beverage while we discuss some current topics. We ll tackle challenging subjects - the possibilities are truly as diverse as whatever is on tap. Watch for the monthly topic in the bulletins and weekly blast. Topics on Tap is a monthly discussion group for adults, facilitated by Thom Cunningham and Matt Ruiter.

5 ADULT FAITH FORMATION Oct What Does the Reformation Mean for Us, Today? Building on its history, the major tenets of the so-called Protestant Reformation challenge today s church to rethink its identity and function as the body of Christ for others. The lynchpin of Luther s theology was the Incarnation. What might it mean for the church to be more incarnational in concrete ways for the world? Where does being justified by grace through faith show up in a world where it s all about earning and performance? How might the sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism transform how I live and not only be celebratory acts of liturgy within our sanctuary walls? Since Luther never uttered the word Protestant and rejected the thought of Luther-an churches, how might we speak more biblically about the church? This class is led by Paul Bischoff who has pastored four congregations with the Evangelical Covenant Church and has taught theology at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. Oct. 29 What Might the Reformation Mean for Us, Tomorrow? Given today s self-absorbed culture, tomorrow s church must continue to view itself from God s perspective to counter a selfabsorbed society and individual narcissism. Luther s Theology of the Cross challenges us to address this question: What did the manger, cross and empty tomb mean for God? Only then may we ask what do they mean for me? Beyond today s labels of mainline, evangelical, liberal and conservative, what criteria emerged from the Reformation to define the Church? What did Protestants lose [or gain] when they left the Catholic church? This class is led by Paul Bischoff. FPCD Private Reformation Walking Art Tour at The Art Institute of Chicago The Protestant Reformation during the 16th century in Europe almost entirely rejected the existing tradition of Catholic art and very often destroyed as much of it as it could reach. A new artistic tradition developed, producing far smaller quantities of art that followed Protestant agendas and diverged drastically from the southern European tradition. Join us on November 3 for a private walking tour of art from the Reformation. Participants will gather at the church by 10:00 and travel by van to the Art Institute (or meet us there). The tour begins at 11:15 and individuals will be given time to have lunch at the museum before we depart at 1:30. Sign up online or at the Friendly Desk by October 16 $35 per adult $28 for adults 65 and older Minimum of 15 participants required Disciples Bible Study Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Do you ever wonder why we have so many Christian denominations and if there's really much difference between them? The answers to these questions lie in the dramatic and turbulent times of the Reformation. Join us on Thursdays as we bring to life the stories and struggles that still impact us today. Our focus is on Martin Luther as he rediscovered God s grace, took on the church, and found himself moving from priest to outlaw and then from heretic to hero. Thom Cunningham at tcunningham@firstpresdf.org for more information. First Watch Bible Study Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m. in the Mary Martha Lounge Our first topic is resilience the capacity to recover from difficulties. Join us for Bible study... and still make your train. Friday Morning Book Group October 20 at 9:30 a.m. in the Mary Martha Lounge Led by members and friends, this group gathers monthly to discuss a book and inspires with a year-long reading list. Let your imagination and friendships be renewed. October s book for discussion is "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead. Men s Breakfast October 21 at 8:00 a.m. in the Mary Martha Lounge Good food, good friendship and shared leadership are offered at this monthly gathering. Meet in the Mary Martha Lounge to get your Saturday off on the right foot! Led by Mark Nagy and John Radzinski.

6 MISSION PADS Shelter For the past five years, First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield has been providing shelter to those experiencing homelessness through PADS (Providing Advocacy, Dignity, and Shelter). Each Sunday night from October through April, FPCD, along with supporting congregations from the community, provides meals and overnight accommodations for those seeking shelter for various reasons. This fall, beginning October 8, you can join the many volunteers who serve the PADS program in a variety of ways. Watch for volunteer sign-up sheets on the mission bulletin board as well as sign up information on our church website. For more information, please contact Thom Cunningham, Director of Education and Mission (tcunningham@firstpresdf.org) or FPCD PADS Coordinators Susan Rudd (daniel.rudd@att.net) and Kathy Knezevic (kknezevic222@gmail.com). Boxes Packed: 62 Servings: 37,200 Cost: $8,184 This past September, First Presbyterian Church members helped turn hunger into hope by packing nutritious meals for hungry children around the world. Our 25 volunteers packed 62 boxes adding up to 37,200 servings. The participants enjoyed some fellowship time together at the Warehouse following the packing. Thanks to Karen Holway for coordinating the evening! Season of Sharing Our program kicks off this month. We will partner with Family Services of South Lake County once again to identify 40 families in need of food, clothing and some holiday cheer. On Sunday, October 29, we will line the church halls with 40 empty bins with a shopping list of food items to help a single family eat well between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We invite participants to take a bin, fill it, and return it to church no later than November 12.

7 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Presbyterian Women Visit Nuestro Center Join us for a site visit to Nuestro Center in Highwood, Oct. 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (Carpooling from the church at noon) Nuestro Center provides numerous services to the Latino community in Highwood and has recently moved into a new, larger facility. We will tour the new building and get an overview of some of the services the center offers. Afterwards, we will visit with the senior citizens who gather every Monday and help with this day's activity -- preparing for the annual Day of the Dead celebration, making paper flowers for an altar. Join us to get a closer look at the good things this mission partner of PW and FPCD is doing for the community. Presbyterian Women Thank Offering The Thank Offering has been a tradition for Presbyterian Women and its predecessor organizations since 1888 when Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio, urged each women to give one dollar over and above her usual contribution to the Women's General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America as a "thank offering to our Lord." Since 1988, when United Presbyterian Women and Women of the Church joined to become PW, the Thank Offering has given more than $25,000,000 to more than 2,000 programs and ministries that assist those struggling with illness, marginalization and lack of access to education, services and resources. The Thank Offering provides clean water, alleviates homelessness, provides educational opportunities, promotes health and improves the lives of women and children throughout the world in many other ways. Every year, FPCD's PW members collect a Thank Offering at one circle meeting to participate in this worthy cause. Recipients of funds from last year's Offering included: Nationally: -- First United Presbyterian Church of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan -- a mobile food pantry serving children and their families -- Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati -- a program helping families experiencing homelessness -- Blue Monarch in Tennessee -- a program on "parenting sober" -- Sunset Gap, also in Tennessee -- promoting nutrition and health for families in Appalachia Internationally: -- Africa Inland Church, Kenya -- program to provide medical services and education to impoverished women and families -- In His Steps: Pathways of Peace, Palestine -- a program to help reduce the instances of breast cancer among women Much more information is available at presbyterianwomen.org/thank. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, Whose confidence indeed is the Lord. That one will be like a tree planted by water.. And will not worry in a year of drought Or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Mission of the Month PW is once again collecting men's and women's clothing and accessories for the REDO Resale Shop! Please place your items in the PW closet in the West Hallway. All church members and friends are welcome to bring items. Items should be dropped off by November 5. Please keep in mind that the November toy and game collection for Casa Central begins on November 5. Thank you for your generosity!

8 Jr./Sr. High Ministries The Wreath Sale is coming! The Senior High Youth Group members will be selling beautiful wreaths and holiday greenery in October to benefit their mission trip to Mexico. Last summer the Mission was to the Yucatan to build a church, under the direction of Pastor Ramon with many saying, this was the best week of my life. All wreaths and greenery will be delivered to your home just before Thanksgiving so you are ready for the holidays! To make a purchase, please see one of our Senior High youth group members, pick up a form in the Friendly office or contact Nancy and Don Anderson at nancy4204@sbcglobal.net or Orders need to be received NO LATER than Sunday, October 29. Thanks for supporting our teens! Senior High Activities Senior High Fall Retreat October 7 9, Covenant Harbor Don t miss this chance to hang out with friends and participate in fun activities like rope climbing and making a bonfire. Register today at firstpresdf.org. Sunday Off Site Sunday, October 22 Watch for announcements for details about the secret location of this SOS. Take a look below to see how much fun the kids were having at SH kick off and kayaking in September! Junior High Activities Sunday, Oct. 1st- Junior High Youth hosts World Communion Brunch in FPCD Undercroft 11:00 AM- Junior High youth are needed to come help set up, serve, and clean up for the FPCD annual World Communion Brunch. Parents will also be asked to contribute to this fun event which raises money toward the Jr. High Mission Fund. Friday Oct. 20th through Sunday Oct. 22nd- Junior High Fall Retreat at Covenant Harbor, WI This overnight retreat is a weekend of fun and faithbuilding. The fall retreat is a great chance for the youth to develop new friendships and strengthen their faith through organized Bible Study activities. There will be plenty of fun including games, hayrides, bonfires and more. Register at fistpresdf.org.

9 Children s Ministry Tithe. Save. Spend Over the next month, the Sunday School program will introduce the wisdom of the piggy banks that the children will make in Sunday School. The concepts of spending, saving and giving will be taught as the students will be challenged to become part of the giving process. It is not how much they give, but that they learn to give with a joyful heart and grow to understand what and why they are giving. This is not only about their treasure, but also about who they are becoming. Here is a summary of what the children will be learning: 1. Tithe: The Bible teaches us to give. Proverbs 3:9 reads, Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. So, the first step is to honor and praise God with your money. In other Bible verses we learn to do this by tithing. The old testament teaches that a tithe means a tenth or 10% of what you have. Many people give 10% of their money in a church offering. Try putting 10% of your money in the tithe portion of the bank. October 22, 10:45 a.m. in the Undercroft Join us for our second annual celebration of blessings. This family-focused event invites participants to consider the many ways God has blessed them. Games, crafts, and activities will be designed to reinforce the importance of sharing our abundant harvest! The luncheon will have a Halloween theme including mummy hotdogs, ghostly Jell-O, and spooky punch. This event is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor into our church family. There is no cost but there will be an opportunity to make a donation. Tuesday Nights Together 2. Save: God s word also tells us that it s smart to save! Proverbs 21:20 shows us that it s good, or wise, to be patient and save, or store up. When you quickly use up the gifts God gives you, you are being foolish. When you put some of your money in the Saving bank, then you can add to it later. The more dollars and coins you add together, the more your money will grow! Talk to your parents about how much you should save this week. 3. Spend: After you are generous to God and have begun saving, then you can move to step 3 spending. But remember, follow the steps in order. The Bible teaches us how to handle our money step-bystep. After you give and save you can decide how to use the rest of your money. But if you don t understand how to tithe or save, then you are not ready to spend. Ask your parents to teach you how to tithe and save your money. Then talk with them about how to use the rest of it too! TNT kids play outdoor games in the Garth when the weather is nice. We are blessed and grateful.

10 COMMUNITY CARES Keeping Faith: Three Sisters of Story October 14, 7:00 p.m. in John Calvin Hall Led by Rohina Malik, a playwright whose recent work is being performed at the Goodman Theatre this fall. In these difficult and dark times, let the power of storytelling illuminate our hearts. Three exceptional storytellers will share stories from their own faiths--- Christian, Jewish and Muslim to transcend differences through shared belief in the power of compassion. Come bask in the luminous light. Sponsored by the interfaith community. Blessing of the Animals Highlights Cost is $10 for advance tickets. Reserve tickets in the Friendly Office. Exploring Membership Class Saturday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m. in the Library If you re wondering what it means to be a member of the church, come to learn more about the history of the church and explore your own faith. Uncover some of your passions for what God is doing in your life in the company of safe conversation and the nourishment of a hot brunch. Please RSVP to tberardini@firstpresdf.org. Let us know in advance if you need childcare. After the gathering, you are invited to join the membership of the church! For more information Alisa Secrest at asecrest@firstpresdf.org. Stephen Ministry Certification Course Tuesday nights, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry is a specialized lay ministry based on commitment, engagement and training. The course includes 50 hours of training and reflection to grow in servant leadership, self-awareness and caring skills. For more information contact Alisa Secrest at asecrest@firstpresdf.org. Materials are $50. Ask about available scholarships. Applications are available in the Friendly Office. The class began September 19. Prayer Shawl Ministries 2nd Monday of the month, 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel This group of caring members skillfully knit and crochet prayer shawls and baby blankets for our congregation s needs. Knitters and crocheters are encouraged to join in this caring fellowship time. If you have a friend or loved one who could benefit from a prayer shawl, please contact Alisa Secrest at asecrest@firstpresdf.org.

11 CONNECTIONS Getting to Our Roots What s the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing someone? When we only know about a person, we may really only know the parts of them that we can easily see their name, occupation, hobbies, church role, and family members. But when we truly know them, it means we have taken the time and care to understand where they came from, what life experiences have most profoundly shaped them, what s most important to them, and how they feel God is calling them. In other words, we come to know the roots that have grown and sustained them. This fall at FPCD, we want to begin to share our roots. In October, we will host two congregation-wide gatherings to go deeper in our relationships with one another and we invite you to choose one to attend (October 17 from 7-8pm or October 29 from 4-5pm). Then, in November, we will host two more follow-up gatherings to turn our gaze outward into the community, and again we invite you to choose one to attend (November 7 from 7-8pm or November 12 from 4-5pm). This is the beginning of a relational listening process that will bring us into deeper relationship with one another and encourage us to spread our values wider into the community around us. Please contact our Ministry Assistant, Ryan Wallace (ryanlawrencewallace@gmail.com) with any questions. This fall FPCD is using a new tool for communicating with our members. You choose what information you d like to receive-via or text message--from the various ministries and groups in our church. You can unsubscribe at any time. There are two easy ways to connect: -Text FPCD to from your phone, or -Visit firstpresdeerfield Prayer Circle Gather Mondays at 9:00 a.m. in the Mary Martha Lounge to pray for the joys and concerns of the church. Together we discern ways we see God at work in our congregation and raise those in prayer. For information contact Judy Straight at str8arrow2@att.net. Please Pray For: Jim Adamson, Phyllis & Elwood Baker, Q Brown, Leonard Larson, Jolene Luth, Larry Mueller, Judy Rundell, Jeanne Salzman, John Showerman, Floyd Sutton, and Ken Wengzen. Text STOP to to stop text notifications. Text HELP for help. There is no charge for this service, but your carrier message and data rates may apply. View privacy policy & conditions at

12 Coffee House Café with Classical Guitarist Jack Cimo October 22, 4:00 p.m. in John Calvin Hall In café ambiance be transported in peace by the classical guitar melodies of local great, Jack Cimo. Cimo is known for his powerful presence, beautiful tone, and exciting interpretations. Having played the guitar most of his life, he considers it a part of him. He has mastered a wide repertoire ranging from celebrated pieces by Dowland, Bach, and Debussy to works by Spanish composers Isaac Albéniz and Francisco Tárrega. Mr. Cimo has delighted audiences in Las Vegas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, New Orleans, Ireland, and beyond. Bring good friends. Don t miss this evening! We d love to hear from you! Senior Pastor Suzan Hawkinson Associate Pastor Alisa Secrest Mission and Edu. Dir. Thom Cunningham Music Director Royce Eckhardt Dir. of Youth and Children s Choirs Bill Gordon Dir. of Praise Band Caesar Sanchez Office Manager Kathy Knezevic Financial Administrator Doug Coulter Christian Beginnings Dir. Judy Rundell Administrative Associate Terri Berardini Ministry Assistant Ryan Wallace shawkinson@firstpresdf.org asecrest@firstpresdf.org tcunningham@firstpresdf.org royceeckhardt@sbcglobal.net bgordon@kenilworth38.org caesarsanchez123@gmail.com office@firstpresdf.org admin@firstpresdf.org jrundell@firstpresdf.org tberardini@firstpresdf.org ryanlawrencewallace@gmail.com 824 Waukegan Road Deerfield, IL Church Office Hours Monday - Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.