December 20th, during our 9:30 am worship, we will be having a Christmas musical put on by our children as a part of our worship service.

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Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Come out and enjoy a homemade meal prepared by Congregational Care at 11:30 am, then join our youth, choir, and staff to share Christmas songs and joy with many of our homebound members.

December 20th, during our 9:30 am worship, we will be having a Christmas musical put on by our children as a part of our worship service.

1 Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. CHRISTMAS DATES TO REMEMBER December 6th, church wide Christmas Caroling: This year we d really like to have a huge turnout. Come out and enjoy a homemade meal prepared by Congregational Care at 11:30 am, then join our youth, choir, and staff to share Christmas songs and joy with many of our homebound members. If you are a homebound member and have not received carolers but would like to, please call the church office today. December 20th, during our 9:30 am worship, we will be having a Christmas musical put on by our children as a part of our worship service. THEN LATER THAT DAY: at 4 pm a Christmas concert will be held to bring our Christmas song to the residents of Immanuel Residence, our neighbors on Gilbert Street. Family of choir and musical groups are encouraged to attend in their grand atrium as this year we share with the residents the joy of the birth of Christ. Refreshments will be provided. Our second concert will be held the same day at the church from 7:00 pm-8:15 pm here in the Sanctuary. CHRISTMAS EVE 4:30 pm will be our Family Worship Service, featuring our teens, our cherubs and our junior choir. The service will include a candlelight rendering of Silent Night with lessons and carols. The 8:00 pm Christmas Service will feature contemporary compositions and Christmas carols and candlelight. The 11:00 pm Candlelight Service will include the chancel choir leading a traditional Christmas Eve worship. Pilgrim First Congregational United Church of Christ in this December 2015 edition: page 1 From The Desk of Pastor Scott page 2 Tip For the Holiday Recycling page 3 Youth News/Dena Provenzano Faith In A Global Community page 4 The Inn Crowd/Jan Barker page 5 Ladies of the Morning PADS Christmas Gifts Prayer Concerns FCLC PFLAG page 6 Mission Possible Knitting Project Manna Support PADS Book Club/Pastor Scott page 7 Two Way Street Celebrates 45 Years page 8 Two Way Street Coffee page 9 HousePoinsettia Order Form

Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! Page 02 Did you know? Americans throw away 25% more trash during Thanksgiving to New Year s than any other time of year.

2 Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! Page 02 Did you know? Americans throw away 25% more trash during Thanksgiving to New Year s than any other time of year. This extra garbage amounts to about 25 million tons of trash. If every family in the U.S. reused just 2 feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet. The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high. If we each sent one card less or recycled our Christmas cards, we d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. How to Help the Planet Have a Healthier Holiday Season Recycle Your Holiday Lights and Extension Cords. UCCDG Caring for Creation Team is setting up a donation box inside the Church s west entrance. We can accept Italian mini-lights, traditional lights, extension cords, rope lights, LED lights. Lights can be in working or non-working condition, from any holiday! Those that are donated will be taken to SCARCE.org office, which offers recycling of these items year-round. Many of our nearby villages and towns will also be participating in the holiday light and extension cords recycling program. More information on drop locations and dates will be posted on the Events page of the UCCDG-Caring_For_Creation.weebly.com website starting in December. Recycle/Reuse Your Live Christmas Trees: Nearly all of our local villages and town will pick up live Christmas trees and shred them to make ground-cover for use in our parks and landscape projects. More information about drop-off locations and dates will be posted on the Events page of our website in late December through early January. Strip the needles from your Christmas tree branches or wreaths and use them as naturally pine-scented potpourri. Christmas tree needles can also be used to restore balance in a compost heap their acid balances out alkaline things, like wood ash. Wrapping Paper Galore! Use wrapping paper that can be recycled. Avoid those made of foil or metallic papers which are not recyclable. Shred pretty colored wrapping paper and use it as colorful but protective packaging around future gifts. Thin wrapping paper also is great for making origami - a great idea to keep the kids busy on a cold snowy winter night. Save your paper wrapping paper and use it for cleaning windows in the spring instead of wasting paper towels. Tips for Holiday Cards: If you send holiday cards, buy recycled-content cards and envelopes or send your holiday greetings in electronic form. E-cards can be enhanced with sound and animation and they create no physical waste. Recycle Christmas cards into neat gift tags or Christmas tree decorations. Another fun project to do with your kids. Shipping a gift? Reuse the foam peanuts from another package, or use unbuttered popcorn for packing. Return unwanted Styrofoam packing PEANUTS to your local UPS Store. Buy rechargeable batteries and a battery charger for all of your gadgets and toys to help reduce the number of regular batteries headed for landfill sites. By taking these simple steps, you ll give our Earth a gift while enjoying the Holiday Season!

Immanuel, God With Us Page 03 Youth Fellowship News! December 1st, 2015 is the deadline for our 2016 Appalachia Service Project deposit.

Saturday, December 5th and Sunday December 6th Hopes Front Door Toy Drive at St. Scholastica Parish, 7800 Janes Ave., Woodridge.

Shifts are: Saturday 4-6 pm, Sunday 8-11 am, Sunday 11-1:30 pm Sunday, December 13th CONFIRMATION LUNCHEON and OUTING WITH YOUR MENTORS!

This will be followed by surprising a special church family member who is homebound and spreading Christmas cheer! More details to follow.

!!!!!!!! Stay tuned for details Youth Fellowship Wish List: holiday gift wrap, white or colorful holiday lights, wooden pallets, empty Altoid boxes, gently used children s books for The Little Free

3 Immanuel, God With Us Page 03 Youth Fellowship News! December 1st, 2015 is the deadline for our 2016 Appalachia Service Project deposit. Kindly bring your $50 deposit to the office and make checks payable to FCUCC, marked ASP deposit. Please let Dena know if you have any questions. Scholarships are always available. Saturday, December 5th and Sunday December 6th Hopes Front Door Toy Drive at St. Scholastica Parish, 7800 Janes Ave., Woodridge. Our youth will be playing Santa s elves while gift wrapping for families purchasing gifts for families in need. Please see Dena to sign up for gift wrapping shifts! Shifts are: Saturday 4-6 pm, Sunday 8-11 am, Sunday 11-1:30 pm Sunday, December 13th CONFIRMATION LUNCHEON and OUTING WITH YOUR MENTORS! All junior high are invited to attend a potluck luncheon in our festive youth room while creating your Christmas project from 11-2 pm with your mentor. This will be followed by surprising a special church family member who is homebound and spreading Christmas cheer! More details to follow. Sunday, December 20th SENIOR HIGH HOLIDAY GATHERING - More details to come Plan on keeping the afternoon open! Sunday, December 27th Junior High and Senior High Winter Break Surprise!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned for details Youth Fellowship Wish List: holiday gift wrap, white or colorful holiday lights, wooden pallets, empty Altoid boxes, gently used children s books for The Little Free Library, gift cards for our Million Dollar Manna Project! Love and thanks for all you do to love and support these AMAZING YOUTH! Dena Rae Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries FAITH IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY - Pastor Scott A warm thanks to all who participated in our Faith in a Global Community and to our many guest speakers from the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Humanist perspectives and faith traditions. There was a great richness to the conversation and to the questions you the congregation brought. Our attendance was sporadic, ranging from 19 to 90 on any given Sunday, but I want to thank the members of the congregation for your openness to hosting this event which to me represents all that is at the core of our values in being a United Church of Christ, which seeks to find ways to dialogue and find common ground within the body of Christ and beyond it in our community to learn how we might together build bridges for God in our communities. Thank you to Reverend Jan Remer-Osborn for all her hard work at coordinating and organizing the event, and cooking!

Immanuel, God With Us The Inn Crowd Page 04 When you were growing up, did you find that you were part of the in crowd? Today, do you feel as if you are part of the in crowd?

4 Immanuel, God With Us The Inn Crowd Page 04 When you were growing up, did you find that you were part of the in crowd? Today, do you feel as if you are part of the in crowd? Well, if you are part of the in crowd, then does that mean that you are not part of the out crowd? And does the out crowd feel that THEY are the in crowd? Imagine if you were part of King David s family and had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted for tax purposes. As part of the king s family, the in crowd, you were to stay at the beautiful, Bethlehem Inn. So you became the in crowd and the Inn crowd. When Mary and Joseph came to the inn and were told the inn was full, the in crowd made them feel as if they were not worthy of staying at the inn. The only place for them to stay and for Mary to give birth to her baby was in the stable among the animals. It was only when the shepherds came to the inn and said they had followed a huge star on the advice of an angel, that the in crowd realized who this baby really was. The in/inn crowd soon found out that because of this little baby named Jesus, they were all blessed. By praising this new born King, now they were truly in the in crowd. COME SEE THE MUSICAL THE INN CROWD DURING WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH! Join the 16 plus FCC children as they recreate the story of the night that Jesus was born. You too can become one of the in crowd if you do! Yay! Do to the December rehearsals for our Christmas show, there will not be any Sunday school during the month of December. Children 3, 4, & 5 years old that do not want to be in the show may go to the nursery during worship. I will have an extra helper in there for December 6th and 20th. Our Junior Fellowship group will have their annual Christmas party on Sunday, December 13th from 5:00 7:30 pm. The party will be in the Chapel as we decorate the tree for the P.A.D.S. Christmas party. On behalf of myself and all of our Sunday school children, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Christmas Blessings to All! Jan Barker Director of Children s Ministries

Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! Ladies of the Morning & Evening Women's Fellowship: All women are always welcome to any of our events. Invite a friend or new member. UCCDG News!

RSVP with Peggy Gutzke at 630/971-1382 or email her at peggy.gutzke@gmail.com.

We had delicious food and fantastic company as we shared what we are thankful for. During the next month we will be learning about the many ways children celebrate the holidays around the world.

For the past three years, our members and friends have generously responded to provide a personal gift for each PADS guest. Last year, over 70 individuals and their children received these gifts.

If you would like to share in this most worthwhile cause, please email Tom Williams at dontomas23@aol.com or call/text at 630-664-8915. Thank you.

at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Learning to be truly yourself in middle school and high school is not easy.

5 Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! Ladies of the Morning & Evening Women's Fellowship: All women are always welcome to any of our events. Invite a friend or new member. UCCDG News! Save the date Friday, December 11, our Annual Christmas Brunch from 9:30-12:30 am at Jan Hibbeln's house, 1505 Gilbert in DG at 9:30 AM. Please bring a dish to share. RSVP with Peggy Gutzke at 630/ or her at peggy.gutzke@gmail.com. PADS Christmas Gifts First Congregational Learning Center The children and parents had a very nice time at our Thanksgiving Feast. We had delicious food and fantastic company as we shared what we are thankful for. During the next month we will be learning about the many ways children celebrate the holidays around the world. There will be a display in our hallway to show what we are learning. Take a look on Sundays when the hallway is open. FCLC wishes you, Page 05 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For the past three years, our members and friends have generously responded to provide a personal gift for each PADS guest. Last year, over 70 individuals and their children received these gifts. We are currently hosting multiple families overnight every Monday that include children. Our goal is to provide one ($50) gift per adult and several smaller gifts per child. If you would like to share in this most worthwhile cause, please Tom Williams at dontomas23@aol.com or call/text at Thank you. Prayer Concerns The family of Pat Wagner, Karen Costanzi, Ann Mullen, Bob Orsula, Mary Moniger PFLAG Attention Parents, Youth Leaders, and Mentors: PFLAG Downers Grove Meeting Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Learning to be truly yourself in middle school and high school is not easy. PFLAG s December meeting will feature presenter Carolyn Wahlskog of Youth Outlook in Naperville. Youth Outlook is the only agency in the DuPage, Kane, and DeKalb counties dedicated solely to serving LGBTQ youth. They are an awardwinning organization which provides wellness education on a variety of topics, leadership development, and social space. Carolyn will also speak about her partner organization, 360 Youth, a counseling and support center. 360 Youth s LGBTQ Collaborative networks on issues related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Come hear about the services and support that Youth Outlook and 360 Youth offer to many young people in our area. These are great resources to learn about. All are welcome! Attendees are asked to bring a donation of water bottles or toiletries for Youth Outlook's clients in need. Thanks!

Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! UCCDG News! Page 06 Volunteer your Time and Talent! Still undecided how to offer your time to your church?

Add your name and contact information, and return the form to the church office or to Paul Bertram (Leadership Committee, lorax49@aol.com) no later than December 6, 2015. Thank you!

Go Set a Watchman. The December book club will meet on Monday, December 14 th, at 7pm at the Oberle s.

January s book will be The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in an Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander as we begin a six week new year focus on race relations and faith in the new year.

6 Immanuel, God With Us Get Connected! UCCDG News! Page 06 Volunteer your Time and Talent! Still undecided how to offer your time to your church? Please check off which of the following Ministries and Committees you might be interested in that still have openings beginning in January, Add your name and contact information, and return the form to the church office or to Paul Bertram (Leadership Committee, no later than December 6, Thank you! Christian Education Fellowship Congregational Care Outreach & Membership Learning Center (FCLC) Stewardship Worship & Arts Name: Phone: BOOK CLUB Pastor Scotts house: December is Harper Lee s Go Set a Watchman. The December book club will meet on Monday, December 14 th, at 7pm at the Oberle s. To ALLAY ANY CONFUSION there are TWO BOOK CLUBS- one led by Linda Schranz the first Wednesday of the month, and one led by Pastor Scott the third (normally) Monday of the month. January s book will be The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in an Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander as we begin a six week new year focus on race relations and faith in the new year. February s book will be This Changes Everything by Nancy Klein. Manna MANNA Gift Cards are an easy way to increase church income- Remember that Manna is easy. You purchase a gift card for the face value and the merchant donates a percent back to the church. Our Manna program needs new customers. Here is an example of how the funds multiply. If you shop at Jewel and purchased a $100 gift card (for $100 dollars) 40 times a year, the church will receive $160 in income at no cost to you. For every 10 members who do this the income would be $1,600 more each year. You can also purchase cards for gas, dining out, air travel, hotel, retailers and more. Use Manna cards as gifts or to purchase gifts. Use Manna cards as you travel during the holidays, or to purchase food for family gatherings. And watch the weekly e-bulletin for bonus offers from merchants which is an even larger donation to the church. Stop by the Manna table this Sunday to learn more and to see the complete vendor list

Immanuel, God With Us TWO WAY STREET CELEBRATES 45 YEARS!

Ten rooms of our church building resounded with jam sessions, dances, showcases, workshops and sing-alongs.

A sold-out evening concert filled the Sanctuary (and Parlor!) with music from four major Midwestern musical groups who have performed at the Two Way Street. The concert was broadcast live on WFMT 98.

7 Immanuel, God With Us TWO WAY STREET CELEBRATES 45 YEARS! Page 07 More than 600 people and numerous area music organizations came together on Saturday, November 7, to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of our church's Two Way Street Coffee House. Ten rooms of our church building resounded with jam sessions, dances, showcases, workshops and sing-alongs. Fellowship Hall featured old-time, world, Irish and line dancing, exhibits, a CD and apparel boutique, and food served up by our downtown neighbors Lemon Tree Grocer and Wells Street Popcorn. A sold-out evening concert filled the Sanctuary (and Parlor!) with music from four major Midwestern musical groups who have performed at the Two Way Street. The concert was broadcast live on WFMT 98.7 FM. More than 40 members of Two Way Street's all-volunteer staff greeted guests and hosted the event, with help from some additional friends. Our church made a very positive impression on the guests, many of whom had never been to our church before. The Two Way Street received invaluable help from our church staff, especially including Len Potter, Bill Hammack, Jim Molina, Carl Lorek, Barb Compton and Leslie McFarland, and also strong support from our Buildings and Grounds Committee. All are welcome at Two Way Street events, which are all highlighted on the website at Be sure to visit during our 46th year!

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Our Church Staff The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor....pastorscott@uccdg.org Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation...casanders3@aol.com Jim Molina, Minister of Music and Media.

com Dena Provenzano, Interim Director of Youth Ministries...dprovenzano@uccdg.org Jan Barker, Director of Children s Ministries...jbarker@uccdg.

org Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center..kchoate@uccdg.org Radika Jungwirth, Admin. Asst, First Cong. Learning Center radikaj@uccdg.

10 Our Church Staff The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Jim Molina, Minister of Music and Rev. Jan Remer-Osborn Licensed Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Dena Provenzano, Interim Director of Youth Jan Barker, Director of Children s Ministries...jbarker@uccdg.org Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary lmcfarland@uccdg.org Cliff Mazzone, Bookkeeper...bookkeeper@uccdg.org Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor.Carll@uccdg.org Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center..kchoate@uccdg.org Radika Jungwirth, Admin. Asst, First Cong. Learning Center radikaj@uccdg.org Dave Humphreys, Two Way Street Coffee House.dave@twowaystreet.org Bill Hammack, A-V Specialist...bill@symbolix.com Len Potter, Broadcasting Ministries.lenp@potterpro.com The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus T h e P i l gr i m C h r i s t m a s E d i t i o n First Congregational UCC * 1047 Curtiss Street * Downers Grove, IL Phone: (630) office@uccdg.org Website: * Broadcast: Other Communications: * FCC Learning Center:

United In God s Love 150th Year

United In God s Love 150th Year As we usher in a new year we think about beginnings and we reflect on days of old. Our church will be doing a lot of this as 2016 marks our 150th year in ministry to the