The May 2016 First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.

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1 Messenger The May 2016 First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. Romans 15:2 Can you think of time when you have done something solely because it was important to someone else? A child wants to play a game and you have a thousand other pressing things to do, but you see the moment, you throw off the musts and you play with the child. It does both of you good. There s a neighbor unloading packages from a truck and you can see they re alone. You stop what you re doing and you go to make the load lighter. Both of you know the world is changed by kindness. You choose a rescue pet to bring home---even though you could afford pedigree because you want the creature to be chosen. The list could go on, and it does every time the soul in us listens to the cries of the souls around us and acts. Every time we act in selfless generosity, the world is made a better place. This is the work that Christ has set us to, is it not? Making money, being organized, having it all together ---all pale in comparison to the goal of being a blessing to someone else for the sheer opportunity and joy of it. The month of May in worship at First Presbyterian Church is about rejoicing with and blessing neighbors who are reaching milestones. Each Sunday, ---and all Sundays are One Service Sundays with a single worship service being held at 10AM every week from May 1 st to May 28 th --- is dedicated to warming the hearts of some dear folks and lifting thanks to God for important points of light on the human journey. May 1 st ---We ll recognize 25 year and 50 plus year members in our congregation while we ll also enjoy a fascinating artist-led illumination of scripture. Renowned local artist Joel Tanis will paint before us as the story unfolds! May 8 th ---We ll give thanks for the gifts of music we enjoy all year at FPCD with feature anthems from the youth, the Chancel Choir and individual musicians. Come early to hear a magnificent piano prelude. May 15 th ---We ll hear the testimony and faith of our newest Confirmands and celebrate the Pentecost birthday of the Christian Church. Remember to wear red to celebrate!! May 22 nd We ll send and bless the graduating seniors among us---hearing from their voices as well as listening for God s call to all of us. May 28 th ---Remembering Memorial Day and those who have given their lives for our freedom, we ll give thanks and reflect on what it means to look at life s richness in light of the call to sacrifice. Do be present to worship and to celebrate the wonder of sharing joy with all your neighbors! Pastor Hawkinson

2 Women s First Presbyterian Deerfield A place for Presbyterian women to connect Mission of the Month: Nuestro Center Book Group will meet May 20 at 9:30 in the Library. May s book is Last Train to Istanbul by Ayse Kulin The Nuestro Center, founded in 1997 as a local response to the growing needs of the Latino community, provides community resources, referrals and programs for the families of Highwood and Highland Park. Some of the dynamic services offered include ESL classes, health screenings, art classes, after school homework club, computer training, and community based summer camp. We are donating items for the 2016 summer program. Items needed are: Paper Goods Play dough Stencils for play dough Glue gallons Board games Durable Hula Hoops AA and AAA batteries Ink for stamps Stickers and scrap book materials Sharpened pencils Spools of hemp thread for sewing. Various colors 3 kick balls Please place donated items in the PW hall closet. We appreciate donations for this worthwhile organization.

3 Church & Money Matters Church Matters - Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Our Pastor Intern, Lawrence, reminded us in his sermon, of the importance of the local church. In following the Great Commission, disciples reached out and formed churches where the faithful would gather to learn, to worship, to commune with God and each other. We may feel close to God in the mountains, wilderness, in the faces of children, but we all need the foundation of the local Church to truly grow, learn and deepen our faith. Church matters because it is there that we learn about our savior as we make our own spiritual journey through life. Your gifts support all of this and more. Thank you. Tradition is that Antioch is where the first Gentile church was founded (Acts 11:20-21), where the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians and where Paul started on his missionary journeys. Pledges Received as of Mar 31, 2016 $ 794,133 Pledging Units (Individuals or Families) 215 Does this Ministry have YOUR NAME on it? A cup of coffee or tea, a kind smile and a chance to talk is the gift that is offered in the pause between services that is called "coffee fellowship." Deacons Tiffani Siegel and Kathy Forlow have expanded opportunities for service in this important ministry by inviting all to sign up to serve. Might you and your family be interested in hosting a Sunday this coming year? It's simple, fun and a great way to meet new people. It's also a way to reach out, for Christ's sake, to the hungry, the thirsty and the stranger in our midst. Find the sign up at the coffee table between services!

4 Mission at Work FPCD Mission Partnership in Mexico This past December, the FPCD Mission Service team, along with Session, approved funding to purchase a plot of land for a sanctuary to be built for a small worshiping community in Tulum, Mexico. This building project will mark the 44 th year of our partnership with Rev. Ramon Celis and the Yucatan Presbytery. Over the years, Pastor Celis has helped our congregation build dozens of churches, an orphanage, and a hospital in some of the most underprivileged areas of Mexico. Our partnership with Rev. Celis has not only had an impact on the communities we serve, but it has affected the faith of hundreds of FPCD youth and adults. Each mission trip to the Yucatan provides participants with opportunities to see, hear and become part of God s helping hands to a world in need. These experiences have challenged participants to examine who they are while encouraging them to listen for God s new call in their lives. As we continue to work with Pastor Celis, we invite you to consider ways you too can be part of this ministry: *Pray for the people of Tulum! *Pray for the senior High Youth mission trip to Tulum *Prayerfully consider participating in an Adult Mission Trip to Tulum in January of More info to come next month on this! This project is another amazing program funded through the mission component of the Forward in Faith church building campaign in Funds contributed by hundreds of church members continue to make an impact on the world! Thank you to all who supported that campaign!

5 Junior High Scripture Verse John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have external life... From Abby Knaus Statement of Faith Congratulations Confirmands! The congregation is invited to a celebration honoring the confirmands after the 10 a.m. worship service on May 15. Abby Knaus Maddy O Donnell Stephen Samson Olivia Vani Good Times at Stronghold Twelve junior high students, along with chaperones Sue Vani and Tom Gilbert, recently spent a great weekend at Stronghold in Oregon, IL. The retreat included lots of time outside, spiritual growth, and plenty of fellowship. This retreat is one of the highlights of the Junior High year, and this year was no exception! Senior High Baccalaureate Sunday May 22 The congregation is invited to join the graduating seniors and their families on Sunday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. A reception in their honor will be held in John Calvin Hall following the service. Ellis Archuleta Emily Browdy Jessica Donaldson Andrew Forlow Logan Haase Jesse Holloway Megan Garrett Jordyn Jensen Molly Nakahara Griffin Norwesh Tate Olander David Pigg, Jr. Megan Rudd Andrew Simo Jonathan Trapani Senior High families will sponsor a bake sale before and after the June 5 senior high mission trip commissioning at the 9:45 am service. This sale will feature amazing homemade cookies and treats and will raise funds for supplies for the summer mission trip to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Stop by and treat yourself! Friday, May 6th - 6:30-8:30 pm - Our last Junior High fellowship event of this school year. The kids will spend time competing in a fantastic scavenger hunt at the church and have dinner together. Register by ing Jennifer Wilson at jennifer@wilsonhome.us to let her know your son/daughter can attend. The Senior High Rummage Sale is June 24 and 25. If you have items for pick up please call Kathy Forlow at (847) , or her at kforlow@firstpresdf.org. Check out the First Presbyterian website at firstpresdf.org for updates and registrations

6 Community Cares DEACON HAPPENINGS Bring a Friend to Sundae Sunday June 5th What better way to show off our fun and sweet side than sharing with friends hot dogs, chips and ice cream sundaes with all the toppings! We will be once again entertained by the Hummers and Strummers. Plan on staying after the second service and meet and greet new and long time friends! The Board of Deacons met Monday, April 11, Deacons will honor confirmands with a special card and gift. Deacons will honor high school graduates with a special card. We received lots of good feedback from the Easter flower deliveries to our older adult members. We discussed Coffee Fellowship and ways to simplify (doughnut holes?) and encourage others to host besides Deacons. We discussed an at-will offering during the summer to cover the cost of purchased items. Deacons signed up as May 1 communion servers. We discussed the July 17 All-Church Picnic and explored ways the Deacons can contribute. Nancy Clymer will coordinate the meal with Deacon volunteers. The next meeting is Monday, May 9. The New Church Photo Directory Needs You! Plans are being set to produce a new photo directory. The directory is an invaluable tool for helping the congregation keep connected and it is not complete without you. There is no expense to have your picture in the directory. You may buy pictures perhaps as Christmas gifts for the person that has everything! Plan family gatherings for the photo shoot days so that you can have your entire family s picture taken. PLUS do not forget your pets! They can be included in your picture as well. Soon you will be able to sign up for dates and times on line and with paper and pen at the Friendly Desk. The dates are: August 9, 10,11 and September 15, 16, 17 and October 3. We will let you know when the sign up opportunity begins and how to access the internet sign up site. Questions? Call Connie Wesley Phyllis Baker Elwood Baker Sharon Eager Frances Griffin Joann Harrison Christy Markle Anne Middaugh Lois Nagy Please Pray For: Jeanne Salzman Marilyn Speed Floyd Sutton Harriette Sutton Joan Thompson Judy Thorson John Wilcox Tuck Woodson

7 Session Happenings The work of the Session is to first, by prayer, conversation and imagination, to discern and to choose what is the hope that God has about the future of FPCD. Sometimes those decisions seem mundane---like being reminded that we have a policy that only approved programs and projects can promote something that costs money. Not just a control, this policy allows the Session to make sure that every matter that comes before the congregation is consistent with the Church s mission. You won t ever see a magazine company or a tire store advertising something for sale here. You will have the opportunity to be a strong support of things like the food pantry. Our session is led by Pastor Hawkinson and served by elders listed below. -Finance Committee Moderator: Dean Geers Assisting Elder: John Dahl -Properties Committee Moderator: Britt Olander Assisting Elder: Ben White -Personnel Committee Moderator: Kim Norwesh Assisting Elder: Gaby Ruiter - Foundation Board Chair: John Raquet Treasurer: Kenn Ashley Secretary: Dan Rudd Elder Liaison: Bill Smith -Time, Talent and Treasure Committee Moderator: Bill Smith -Worship Committee Moderator: Michael Cummings Assisting Elder: Wendy Mineau -Christian Education Committee Moderator: Mary Boote Assisting Elder: Tom Gilbert -Fellowship and Congregational Care Committee Moderator: Connie Wesley Assisting Elder: Sandra Udoni Assisting Elder: Rob Wolter -Outreach Committee Moderator: Lisa Thompson Assisting Elder: Dave Mitchell -Mission Committee Moderator: Susan Furmanski Assisting Elder: Doug Heid Clerk of Session Arlo Straight This month the matters that were deliberated and decided by the elders of your Session included: Finance reports revenue and expenses for Q1 close to budget. A motion to accept voluntary contributions from members and friends of FPCD for continuation of the Internship of Lawrence Sharrett. The internship is currently funded from General Pledges through May Lawrence serves as lay worship leader, teacher for JH, TNT, senior visitation, various mission projects and assisting with visitation in homes and to the hospital bound. Motion approved to allow the Mission Committee to host the I Have A Dream year-end dreamer/graduation party in the John Calvin Hall or Undercroft, on Monday, May 19 beginning at 6:00 pm. Personnel reported on the next phase of transition for our support staff. Dilyanka Chardaklieva and Jori Maguire ( hired temporary office manager and bookkeeper) have assisted in the interim while new job descriptions have been developed for office management. Personnel is in the process of interviewing candidates. Douglas Cutler, a book keeper accountant, who is an expert in the church s financial system (ACS), is assisting with transition and the implementation of recommendations to streamline financial systems and workflows ACS software platform is exploring transitioning to a more intuitive, simpler system Realm and the Technology Team is investigating its merit. Payroll is being outsourced as of April 30 th. This will provide tax reporting, benefit evaluation, training modules, compliance review and may provide significant savings. Working with Properties and Congregational Care, Samaritan Counseling Center has been offered space in our building for offices to begin this summer. The Samaritan is an established, faith-based counseling service that will enhance and support our caregiving ministries. Christian Beginnings informed on success of off campus fundraisers including Panera with many from church participating. Motion was made to change Christian Beginnings policy for financial assistance to allow current CB families to apply May 1 instead of July 15. Outreach has begun a prayer meeting at 9 am on Mondays to pray for members and ministries of the church. Please join us in Mary Martha Lounge. Coffee Fellowship is in transition from Deacons to other groups and families. A committee is working on possibilities of what Coffee fellowship can become. Elders have been asked to provide this service during the summer months.

8 Join us at: Biaggi s Thursday, May 12, 6:30 9:00pm $10 per person for appetizers Bring a friend or family! Fellowship and Congregational Care Questions? We d love to hear from you! Questions? WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Pastor Suzan Hawkinson Associate Pastor Alisa Secrest Director of Education and Mission Thom Cunningham Christian Beginnings Director Judy Rundell Director of Music Mike Nelson Organist Bill Crowle Accountant Dilyanka Chardaklieva Administrative Associate Terri Berardini Ministry Intern Lawrence Sharrett Assistant Dir. of Children s Music Michelle Perkowitz Messenger submissions (by the 15th of the month) shawkinson@firstpresdf.org asecrest@firstpresdf.org tcunningham@firstpresdf.org jrundell@firstpresdf.org mikenelson71@comcast.net bcrowle@firstpresdf.org dchardaklieva@firstpresdf.org tberardini@firstpresdf.org larrysharrett@yahoo.com mperk3@gmail.com tberardini@firstpresdf.org 824 Waukegan Road Deerfield, IL