FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF OAK PARK 14 MAY YOUTH SUNDAY

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1 FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF OAK PARK 14 MAY YOUTH SUNDAY An open community united in love and justice

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP We're in need of renewal when everything feels like it's of the same importance. - Rob Bell *Please stand in body or spirit. Please silence cell phones.

2 PREPARING FOR WORSHIP We're in need of renewal when everything feels like it's of the same importance. - Rob Bell *Please stand in body or spirit. Please silence cell phones. GATHERING MUSIC Variations on Lord of the Dance Noel Goemanne OUR LIFE TOGETHER Please sign and pass the red pew pad. Andy Reese GATHERING AS GOD S PEOPLE * CALL TO WORSHIP Open your heart to sacred stories of love s work long ago and love s work today. We open our hearts to the mystery of God. Let go of any thoughts that keep you from this moment, these people, and this place. We open our hearts to what really matters. * OPENING HYMN Sanctuary Youth Jam Band

3 CALL TO CONFESSION Sophie Lever We are not always prepared to be pure and holy, tried and true. Together, let's name those things that keep us from recognizing God's work in our lives. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving God, we confess to you that we get mad over the trivial things in life and lose track of the things that really matter. We focus on money, cellphones, appearance, and we judge others. We forget about loving and giving thanks to the people around us. Forgive us we pray. Amen. SILENCE IS KEPT. ASSURANCE OF PARDON Jane Callahan Hear the good news! God loves us and God's love never ends. Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

4 *PASSING THE PEACE The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. LISTENING FOR GOD S WORD TO US TIME FOR SHARING FUJI SONG OF ILLUMINATION Hallelu, Hallelu SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 1:9-11 (NT p. 196) Gabe Chapman-Rienstra SENIOR SERMONS What Really Matters Katie O'Shea, Sam Lever, Jake Levin, Michelle Wolford, Lizzie Maguire RESPONDING TO GOD S WORD MUSICAL RESPONSE Let it Be FUSH and FUJI PRAYER OF DEDICATION Roz Beile Offerings are a sacred act of worship. We invite you to use the green giving cards in the pew rack to celebrate what you ve already given or to make an additional donation. OFFERTORY Oceans FUSH Youth *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below. Alleluia, alleluia. Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God whom we adore. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. LASST UNS ERFREUEN PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER Brittany Hosty & Michelle Wolford Our Creator, Mother, 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. Amen.

5 GOING FORTH IN DEDICATION AND SERVICE * CLOSING HYMN I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Youth Jam Band *CHARGE *BENEDICTION Matthew Aeschleman Sam Lever

6 *BENEDICTION RESPONSE Amen, Amen African-American Spiritual SENDING MUSIC Toccata Theodore Dubois

TODAY AT FIRST UNITED THE 2017 "PER CAPITA" DRIVE HAS STARTED The per capita fee paid to the denominations for each confirmed member of the church is $33.38.

7 TODAY AT FIRST UNITED THE 2017 "PER CAPITA" DRIVE HAS STARTED The per capita fee paid to the denominations for each confirmed member of the church is $ You can multiply the number of confirmed members in your family by $33.38 (a previous announcement stated the amount was $ We apologize for the confusion.) and send a check for the total amount to the church office or place a check in the Sunday collection plate. To ensure proper credit, please write "2017 per capita" in the memo field. Thank you to all for your past and continued generosity to First United! GOT STUFF? TALK TO FURST! The First United Refugee Support Team (FURST) has identified a list of items to help furnish the Alsaad family home. Team members will be in the church lounge before and after worship today and for the next few Sundays to answer questions about family visits and to help you sign up to donate items for our family. You can also sign up online: Meet the Alsaad Family! Before leaving Iraq, Ghassan worked as a mechanical engineer at a petrochemical company and Nadia was an English teacher. Ghassan and Nadia have four children: Ayat, 13; Abrar, 12; Mujtaba, 8; and Banen, 7. The family lived in a refugee camp in Turkey for eight years before finally being able to move to the United States in mid-february. They live in Skokie, all four kids are enrolled in schools and the parents are taking English classes and participating in other RefugeeOne programs. Questions? Contact Charlie Morris Charlie Morris (cmorris91120@gmail.com), Leah Beckwith (leahb44@ameritech.net ), or John Chapman-Rienstra (wolverienstra@gmail.com). PLEASE RECYCLE your bulletin in one of the bins near the Sanctuary exits. JOIN THE DEACONS for prayer and anointing in the chapel following Worship. HEARING AMPLIFICATION DEVICES--INCLUDING T-COIL CABLES, LARGE PRINT BULLETINS, BIBLES AND HYMNALS are available for use during worship. Please talk to a greeter to obtain these items and return the amplification device to the greeter. Large print bibles and hymnals should be returned to the table behind the middle pews.

8 EVENTS AND UPDATES GOSPEL CONCERT RAISES FUNDS TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE On behalf of BUILD board of directors, staff and youth thank you for raising funds to support our work to reduce gun violence in our communities. The gospel concert featuring Dexter Walker and the Zion Movement touched many hearts and souls last Saturday evening through music that was uplifting and moving. BUILD is grateful to all who came out for the concert and to those who gave generously! For more information about BUILD, please visit NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 21 Confirmation Sunday NEXT WEEK IN ADULT ED: The Way to a Will: A Path Toward your Legacy, hosted by the Planned Giving Committee We reinterpret the adage: Where there s a will, there s a way and invite you to be a part of this interactive exercise. Come and take the first simple steps to define your financial future. Sunday, May 21, 9:30 in Centennial Hall LYDIA S ORDINATION LIVESTREAM! Watch Lydia Mulkey's Ordination from afar via livestream with First United friends. The ordination will take place in Los Angeles, CA at 4 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, May 28. We'll watch in Centennial Hall. Feel free to bring snacks to munch on and share

9 BRIDGEBUILDER UPDATE: FOCUS GROUPS The Action Planning Team--formed through the Bridgebuilder process--is conducting Focus Groups in order to obtain an additional and deeper level of congregational feedback. The purpose of the Focus Groups is to hear your thoughts on four key areas which include (1) patterns of communication, (2) governance, (3) ministering to the whole person, also known as diversity and inclusion, and (4) levels of satisfaction with the Lead Pastor s performance. These areas were highlighted within Rev. Dr. Peter Steinke s report, which you all should have read. If you need a copy of the report, please contact Amanda Swanson in the Church office. The Focus Group discussions are also meant to provide a safe, non-judgmental forum for all congregants whether or not you have previously participated in the Bridgebuilder process. At this point, our faith community is discerning how best to move forward, knowing that we find people in very many different emotions: sad, surprised, relieved, angry, supported and probably others. We are at our best when we actively seek to discern God s will. Through discernment, as we pray, study God s word and contemplate Christ s calling, whatever challenges we face push us forward to discover new and exciting opportunities. Dr. Steinke s report has reminded us that the church is a place of many emotions. When growth and cooperation unite the church, there are experiences of joy and peace. When discomfort, uncertainty or conflict divide a church, there are experiences of pain and suffering. Tension in the life of the church is normal and inevitable. Rest assured, our church is not the first among churches to experience these feelings, nor will this be the last time within the life of First United. What is important is to address these experiences in a caring and compassionate way. The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. Sometimes, the most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be to just keep moving. The Action Planning Team asks that you sign up in the binder on the Elder desk in the Church lounge. The times for the Focus Groups are: May 20 (10-11 a.m.) May 21(12:30-1:30 p.m.) May 22 (10-11 a.m.) May 22 (7-8 p.m.) May 24 (7-8 p.m.) May 25 (2-3 p.m.) May 25 (7-8 p.m.) May 28 (12:30-1:30 p.m.) If necessary, please contact Amanda Swanson (office@firstunitedoakpark.com, ) in the church office for assistance in signing up.

11 WELCOME- We re glad you joined us for worship. Learn about First United: Visit the welcome desk in the lounge or the visitor table in the narthex to receive more information about the church and a gift to take home with you. Sign the registration pad when it s passed. Include your to receive our weekly e-news and devotional! Speak with any greeter or minister or join us for coffee hour following worship. Contact Britt Cox at or bcox@firstunitedoakpark.com for information about Newcomers Gatherings and any additional questions. ABOUT US - We are a union church of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ. We seek to be an inclusive expression of Christ s body celebrating our diversity while finding our unity in Christ. We are a More Light/Open and Affirming congregation, committed to full inclusion of GLBTQ people in membership & ministry. ABOUT WORSHIP - Worship is our time to praise and grow closer to God. Worship each week includes song, prayer, learning, silence and giving. If you have any questions about what we do, please ask a minister or a member. WORSHIP WITH CHILDREN - We welcome all children to participate fully in worship. Age-appropriate worship activities and books are available as you enter the sanctuary. We offer safe, quality childcare and quiet play for children five and under in our nursery (just off the lounge). Accompanied by a parent, these children may leave after Time for Sharing. RESTROOMS & WIFI - Accessible restrooms are located off the church lounge. Free Wireless Internet is available in all areas except the Sanctuary. Network: FirstGuest, password: FirstUnited. GIVING - Offering envelopes are in the pew racks. You can also give one time or recurring gifts online at

12 SUNDAY, MAY 14 - YOUTH SUNDAY 9:30 am Church School and Adult Ed 11:00 am Worship MONDAY, MAY 15 6:30 pm Waging Peace meeting 6:30 pm Pack 16 meeting 6:30 pm UCC Regional meeting 7:00 pm Nominating committee meeting TUESDAY, MAY 16 9:00 am National Guild of Piano Teachers 7:00 pm Council meeting WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 9:00 am National Guild of Piano Teachers 9:00 am FUNS Board Meeting 11:00 am Wednesday Small Group 6:30 pm Early Childhood Professional Dev. 7:00 pm Cluster Tutoring Board meeting 7:00 pm Food Pantry Volunteer Orientation 7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir THURSDAY, MAY 18 1:00 pm National Guild of Piano Teachers 6:30 pm Cluster Tutoring FRIDAY, MAY 19 SATURDAY, MAY 20 9:00 am Confirmation Rehearsal 10:00 am Bridgebuilder Focus Group 12:30 pm Amka Afrika Recital dress rehearsal 7:00 pm Amka Afrika Benefit Recital SUNDAY, MAY 21 - CONFIRMATION SUNDAY 7:30 am Confirmation Breakfast 9:30 am Church School and Adult Ed 11:00 am Worship 12:00 pm Confirmation Rectpion 12:30 pm Bridgebuilder Focus Group 6:00 pm FUSH CONTACT THE FIRST UNITED OFFICE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9 AM TO 5 PM John Cole, Lead Pastor (ext. 101) jcole@firstunitedoakpark.com Britt Cox, Associate Pastor (ext. 105) bcox@firstunitedoakpark.com Lydia Mulkey, Director of Christian Education (ext. 103) lmulkey@firstunitedoakpark.com Alicia Reese, Coordinator of Youth & Children's Ministry (ext. 104) areese@firstunitedoakpark.com William Chin, Director of Music (ext. 108) bill@firstunitedoakpark.com Michael Surratt, Organist msurratt@firstunitedoakpark.com Donna Montgomery, Church Administrator (ext. 102) donnam@firstunitedoakpark.com Amanda Swanson, Administrative Assistant (ext. 100) office@firstunitedoakpark.com LynToya Pate, Financial Assistant (ext. 106) lpate@firstunitedoakpark.com Keith Liesse, Head Custodian kliesse@firstunitedoakpark.com First United Church Nursery School , Prevail/Housing Forward , Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry , The Kid s Kloset, children s clothing ministry sjzaruba@yahoo.com

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF OAK PARK 11 JUNE 2017

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF OAK PARK 11 JUNE 2017 An open community united in love and justice PREPARING FOR WORSHIP The proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb, but the full hearts