All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all families of the nations shall worship before him.

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1 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all families of the nations shall worship before him. Psalm 22:27 First Congregational United Church of Christ The Guide April / May, 2018 Staff Rev. Eric Quinney-Burnard Pastor Linda DuBois Administrative Secretary John Devona, Organist Sue Gonzalez, First Class Kids Preschool Web: Director Jim Davis, Custodian Phone: (815) Fax: (815) All Hands on Deck: Church Spring Cleanup Saturday, April 28 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If you can give a couple of hours of time to help clean the inside and outside of the church, get things ready for the Summer months, and would like to have a really nice breakfast before we start, come to the Church Spring Cleaning. Breakfast is served at 8:00 am. Bring outdoor gloves and rubber gloves for indoors, and any cleaning stuff you may want to use. First Congregational Church UCC Second Time Around Basement Sale June 7th, 8th and 9th, 2018 * Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. * Saturday - 9 a.m. - noon... noon - 1 p.m. fill a bag for a buck... Donations and volunteers are needed to make this event successful. ( No donations of computers, TV s or electronics will be accepted ) (.50 cent admission donation ) Proceeds to benefit OCWM (Our Church s Wider Mission)

2 Page 2 From Pastor Eric Quinney-Burnard ( qburnard704@gmail.com ) What is faith? People say they have faith, as though it is an object: I or you or we have faith need faith have faith in. When asked what is faith? Though answers will vary, often times the answer leans more to an affirmation I have faith in God and/or Jesus (which isn t a bad thing). It isn t an easy concept to explain. Possibly because it is used somewhat sparingly in the Hebrew Scriptures and slightly more in the Gospels, the Gospel of John doesn t use the word at all. In most cases in the Gospels, faith is associated with some observable action your faith has made you well, when he saw their faith, if you had faith you could move mountains, you will receive, if you have faith and this small list continues. The Gospel s other side or opposite of faith is fear or doubt; that is to hesitate and become inactive. No wonder we struggle to define faith. We treat it as an object, a noun, when in the Gospels it s most often related to some form of action, a verb. I guess faith is not so much something you have, is it is something you do. Granted you have to have faith to do faith. And that can be hard to explain in words and maybe faith isn t suppose to be explained by our words but through our actions. And if the opposite of faith is fear to the point to hesitate and become inactive, it begins to make some sense. I have often heard through the years how a person or church has faith only to list all the reasons (excuses?) of why they can t take a leap of faith where Christ needs them. You know, we can t afford it or we have never tried it or let s form a committee and pray the idea will die. Maybe they should do a little less talking about faith and a little more leaping with faith in Christ. Granted, taking such leaps of faith may cause butterflies in the stomach, but then butterflies are the symbol of the resurrection and renewed life. Maybe a butterfly s faith. Confirmation Project Sunday, April 29 following Worship in the Fellowship Hall Josh White and Aiden Bean will be presenting their confirmation paper and project. As many of you have experience in previous years, these presentations are both informing and inspirational, so do plan to attend. Confirmation Sunday, May 6 We will be celebrating the confirmation of Josh White and Aiden Bean. Congratulations and our blessings guys!

3 Page 3 Baptisms in April We are blessed to be celebrating two baptisms this month. April 15: Cooper Chase Turner, son of Rachel and Jeffrey Turner April 29: Kain Christian Rojas, son of Katie and Michael Rojas. Please offer your prayers and support as we celebrate God s Spirit through baptism. The Moment for the Young at Heart: Be a Blessing We all seem to enjoy that moment with the children during the worship service. To share our insight in the faith formation of our children is truly a blessing and gift. We, the Christian Education Ministry Team would like to extend an invitation for you to participate in this moment in two ways: 1. To come up front to sit with the children during the message. This is a way you can reinforce that faith formation is for all generations. 2. To lead a Moment for the Young at Heart. You may have a wonderful story to share OR we can help you find a story. Again, engaging with the children is a blessing and gift we all have that enhances the faith of our children, as well as ourselves. Please speak to Pat McCure, Barbara Bonner, Randy Strong, Phyllis Huffman, or Pastor Eric if you are interested or have questions. No, Sunday Special does not refer to a daily meal featured on the menu. Sunday Special does, however, describe some very important Sundays in the months ahead. Sundays we will not want to miss. Sundays with significance and celebration. Post these delicious specials on the calendar: EARTH DAY Sunday, April 22nd MOTHER S DAY Sunday, May 13th CONFIRMAND PRESENTATIONS Sunday, April 29th PENTECOST Sunday, May 20th CONFIRMATION Sunday, May 6th also the Year End of the fall, winter, spring CHILDREN S SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM Second and Fourth Wednesday Evenings June 13th ~~ June 27th July 11th ~~ July 25th August 8th ~~ August 22nd 6:30 p.m. ~~ Shalom Room A quiet time for worship, prayer, and reflection on God s Word.

4 Page 4 A Report from Your Mission Team Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference. You were asked to provide funds to purchase blankets. You gave enough to give 70 people a blanket to keep them warm and know that they are loved. You were asked to give to One Great Hour of Sharing to help the needy. You gave generously in the amount of $755. For the months of April and May we will be focusing on Fish Pantry needs. April: Personal hygiene items May: Pasta and Pancake Mix (Need ideas? Check the Mission bulletin board.) Rev. Jorge Morales, our Conference Minister for the Illinois Conference has announced his retirement which will be affective the end of April. Our prayers and blessings go out to Jorge for the many years of service in the Illinois Conference. The next step for the Conference is to secure a short-term transitional Interim (2-4 months) that will allow the Conference Council time to search and secure a long-term Interim Conference Minister (18-24 months). Like in a local congregation, this Interim time will be used by the Conference Council to discern what form of ministry would be best for our Conference and then pursuing the said recommendations. Opportunity to gather with others who like to sew, color, paint, bead, quilt, write, knit, crochet, scrapbook...and enjoy the fellowship of other crafters. Opportunity to learn a craft or share pointers. DOORS OPEN FRIDAY 4 P.M. -? SATURDAY 9 A.M. - 1 P.M. April: May: Friday the 20th (no Saturday session) Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th Contact Kay Quinney-Burnard with any questions at or qburnard27@gmail.com ***Crafters staying Friday evening are invited to share a dinner for delivery. Snacks to share are always welcomed!

5 Page 5 NEWS FROM THE PEWS Sunday Worship Attendance: 9:30 a.m. March 4 75 March March March April 1 (Easter) Sunrise Service 29 9:30am Service Phil Woock 8 Cindy Pecka 9 Jennifer Dusek 11 Gayle Prehn 16 Jack Medema 24 Jeni White 25 George Manikas 27 Don Law CWA Spring Salad Lunch Friday, May 4th 11:30 a.m. ~ 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $9.00 on sale Sunday mornings, from any CWA member or in the church office Includes entrée, salad buffet, beverage * Proceeds support our church pledge, offerings, and community mission projects 1 Abby Morgan 6 Missy Beltrame 7 George Gee 9 Marcia Onderisin 9 Amy Rutter 9 Maria Sandstrom 12 Barb Kallquist 12 Shirley Morgan 13 Jayson Anderson 14 Janet Knol 18 Tom Ferry 19 Nikki Bockholdt 19 John Dunkovich 23 Jim Stephenson 24 Ken Moyer 25 Adam White 31 Stephen Morgan

6 Page 6 BACK TO BROADWAY Lincoln-Way Area Chorale Spring Concert Lincoln-Way WEST Performing Arts Center S. Gougar Road in New 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 Adults: $17, Seniors & Students: $15 Tickets: See Richard Hartshorn, Dave Knol, Evie Goltz or Jim Stephenson or using PayPal or call Please join us for a wonderful afternoon of show tunes! Some Thoughts from your Treasurer It is tax season and we are all getting those big tax refunds. There are some things that you could do with them that would help YOUR church. On the bulletin board in the hallway outside of the Shalom Room you will find copies of some of the bills that we have received. Now don t get worried when you look at them. We are current on paying our bills, but we would like to be able to keep up with them. There are some blue envelopes in the pews and on the bulletin board that say Adopt a Bill. A special donation in those envelopes would be a great help. If you do want to adopt a bill you don t have to pay the whole bill, just a portion would be great. Be sure you put in the memo section of your check Adopt-a-Bill. If you have any questions, talk with one of the Stewardship Committee members. THANK YOU for your continued support. Dave Knol, Treasurer They say April showers bring May flowers. So, now is the time to get your gift cards for Ace Hardware, Lowes, Menards and The Home Depot so you will be ready for the May flowers. Oh, don't forget to get gift cards for your groceries and gasoline too. Order forms will be distributed after church on the first Sunday of each month and orders and payment are due on the second Sunday of each month. If you have any questions about the Manna program see either Susan Knox or Jean Law.

7 Page 7 Eastern Association Spring Meeting We Are Still Alive Zion United Church of Christ, Gilman, IL Saturday, May 5 th, 2018 Registration: 8:30 am to 9:30 a.m. Program: Five Mini (25 minute) workshop presentations to offer outreach ideas that can spark your congregation s imagination and energize your ministry and mission. The workshops are not the answer but to stimulate the question what can WE do? Workshops: 1 Where to start? Asking the right questions. 2 Messy Church: Intergenerational Sunday School 3 On-line Bible Study: Group Study at home 4 Summer Music/Drama Children Outreach Ministry 5 Jubilee Café: A Meal Program with Integrity We are challenged: to bring no fewer than three people, not counting pastor, to this gathering. The Spring Meeting is designed to inspire small churches, which is nearly all of us, to explore outreach opportunities that is both relevant and can energize the congregation. This is also a great way to network with other congregations that could assist you. Keeping Faith: Sisters of Story Kim Schultz, Rohina Malik, Susan Stone Three exceptional storytellers share stories from their own faiths Christian, Muslim and Jewish to counter the current rhetoric and transcend our differences through their shared belief in the power of connection, compassion and unity. Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church, 925 East Ninth Street in Lockport ( ) on April 13th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $10.00 in advance $12.00 at the door

8 Page 8 Well...actually more like month by month! But to keep the congregation informed minute by minute the monthly Council meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin boards in the office work room and the Fellowship Hall. Anyone wanting copies can contact the office or Pat McCure, Postings will include additional information distributed to Council. Pat McCure and Phyllis Huffman serve as Co-Recording Secretaries for the church. They cover Council and Congregational Meetings. Summer 2018 HOME AT FCCL Typically, summer finds folks in travel leaving home for the beach, for the woods, for the lake, for sightseeing and visiting. Ironically, our church family finds folks returning home! The warm Midwest summer attracts. We tend to stick around. So, summer is a great time to enjoy together. In addition to summer worship, there will be other opportunities for intergenerational fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth. SUMMER SCHEDULE POSTINGS Fellowship Opportunity Board above Welcome Center Fellowship Hall Board Check these bulletin boards for programs, dates, and times throughout the summer. AWAY AT CAMP There are two locations within a short travel distance from FCCL that offer fun, inspirational opportunities often for spans of a week or less. They are our very own UCC church camps! Each one features beautiful grounds for walking, hiking, or just sitting. Visit for a day or spend a few. Overnight accommodations are available as well as camp grounds. Plus, there are programs for all ages. Attend one of the annual events or schedule one of your own. Here is a sample of the twelve plus programs currently at PILGRIM PARK or TOWER HILL CAMPS: Grandparent & Me Camp - Sports Camp Worship & Wonder Camp - Spirit Camp Women s Retreat - Autumn Adult Retreat For details check the Fellowship Hall Board or

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10 C.W.A. Tickets may be purchased from any C.W.A. member or in the church office. Phone: F i r s t C o n g r e g a t i o n a l C h u r c h U C C E a s t N i n t h S t r e e t L o c k p o r t, I L How To Reach Us Phone: (815) Fax: (815) Linda@Lockportucc.org Website:

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