God is still speaking

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2 No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey You are welcome here! A SPECIAL WARM WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS! Thank you for joining us today! We hope that you feel the warmth of God s spirit here as we worship together! Please complete the form (in the pew) to let us know a little more about you and place it in the offering plate. As our guests this day it is the only offering we ask. If you should have a prayer concern or would like to meet with the Pastor please indicate this next to your name. Thank you! Following worship please join us in Fellowship Hall for an informal Continental Breakfast. Please note our worship services are online and televised, your participation in the service may be visible during these live ministries. If you should not wish your child to be on screen, please refrain from sending them forward during the children s time or have them sit directly in front of the pews in the front. Large print bulletins and hearing devices are available. Please ask an usher. An elevator is at your disposal for all levels; our west entrance has a ramp. Children are welcome in worship; however, should your child grow restless feel free to sit with them in the Parlor at the rear of the Sanctuary. Nursery/childcare is available for children up to age 2 and is located just off the hall of the main Sanctuary. Children are invited to attend Sunday School following the Children s Message. Classes are offered for all ages. Today s Sunday School: This week, 3 years 4 ½ years in room 202, 4 ½ years K in room 203, 1st & 2nd grade in the Chapel, 3rd & 4th grade in room 603 and the 5th & 6th graders in the east half of the Youth Room, room 602. Saints are not those who are super human nor are they sinless or perfect, unreachable examples out of touch with the world and living in asthetic hermitude. No, a saint is simply one who in opening their heart and mind to God have shone an extraordinary capacity for love and compassion, which has reminded others around them, even enemies, of the love of God. adaptation Robert Ellsberg What is a saint supposed to do, if not convert wolves? Umberto Eco All the hungers we have for love, for union, for happiness are given by God to lead us to him. The difference between a saint and the greatest sinner is where they go to satisfy that hunger. Christopher West Act in such a way that all those who come in contact with you will go away joyful. Sow happiness about you because you have received much from God; give, then, generously to others. They should take leave of you with their hearts filled with joy, even if they have no more than touched the hem of your garment. Maria Faustina Kowalska 2 God is still speaking

3 Please pass the clipboard in the pews. Sign in and sign up for events and let us know you re here. PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS Pastor Scott *SHARING THE PEACE *OPENING HYMN # 136 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty -Heber/Dykes CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Pastor Scott God, shine Your light into our lives. Help us to live in ways that carry Your light into the world around us everywhere we go. That we might be living instruments, saints, to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen. CHILDREN S MESSAGE Pastor Scott The Lord s Prayer (read in unison) Our 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 and ever. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING Revelation 7:9-17 Psalm 34:1-10, 22 Dirk Gutzke SILENT MOMENT OF REFLECTION MESSAGE Salmon Run Pastor Scott SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Pastor Scott and Pastor Sanders This table reminds us of the open invitation and grace of God. We come carrying the weight of life, our fears, our flaws, our failures, and our sins. We leave filled, forgiven. At this table we are reminded that we are sons and daughters of the living God, kissed by grace, forgiven in ways that leave us amazed. We are called to do likewise. This table is open to all who seek the Bread of Life for the journey and the cup of God s salvation in Christ. As Christ invites the world to come, taste and see the goodness of God, so we too offer a table open to all God s children no exceptions! Welcome to the table God has prepared! Invitation to the Table 3 Pastor Sanders

4 Prayer of Confession Pastor Scott Assurance of God s Grace Pastor Sanders Tolling of the Bells: Precious Lord, Take My Hand -Dorsey Words of Institution SPECIAL MUSIC Eat This Bread -Barnard Chancel Choir Prayer of Thanksgiving Pastor Scott OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS TO GOD Pastor Scott Sharing Our Gifts with the Offertory Offertory Music Keep Your Lamps -Thomas Chancel Choir *Presentation of the Gifts with Praise (sung in unison) To God, all glorious heavenly light, To Christ revealed in earthly night, To God the Spirit now we raise, Our joyful song of thankful praise. *Prayer of Dedication Pastor Scott *CLOSING SONG #529 For All the Saints (v1,3,4,5,6) -How/Williams *BENEDICTION Ancient Words - Deshazo One of our worship traditions to show our solidarity and love in community is to join hands and sing. If you are visiting with us, we invite you to join us in song and in spirit. *POSTLUDE When The Saints Go Marching In -Armstrong Choir and Band OUR TIME OF WORSHIP TOGETHER HAS ENDED. NOW MAY OUR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BEGIN! Today s Musicians Vocals: Kelley Calpin and Anthony Berg Percussion and Piano: Justin Kono Percussion: Lily West 4

5 New Church App Download our new app on your iphone or Android NOW! Just search for our church name. The app will keep you connected real-time. PRAYER CONCERNS AND COMMUNITY JOYS For Baily Rose Butkus and her parents Mike and Kelly (Grandparents Jan and Rick Martin), Harold Laughlin recovering from back sugery, Rick and Genevieve Franz, Barb Bayer- recovering from a fall, victims of NY terror attack GREETERS: Judy Davenport & Bill Kundert, Debra & Tom Eisenhart USHERS: Fred Borrowman, Eric Nelson, Dave Williams, Dick Hill (HEAD USHER:) Dirk Gutzke COUNTERS: Skyla Hall, Paul Zimmerman (Lead Counter) Jim Finucane This week s continental breakfast will be hosted by Christian Mission. This Week s Announcements A reminder of how this church community can help shape and change lives one family at a time. An update from our latest sponsored Bridge family. COAT DRIVE: Many Thanks to all who have helped get warm coats for our Pads guests and the foster care children. Returns today at the chapel balcony. Congregational Care Minstry. Thanks a bunch, Ann Hope s Front Door will be holding our 9th annual Toy Sale at St. Scholastica on Saturday, Nov. 25th and Sunday, Nov. 26th. We need new and gently used toys for the toy sale. Additionally, we will need 4 volunteers per day to wrap presents. We are also asking for donations of wrapping paper and ribbons/bows (can be dropped off on 6th floor in our office or outside of office door). Volunteers are asked to bring their own scissors and tape. Please contact Adrienne Colvert if you are interested in being a Rapper! acolvert@att.net or Thank You. Bailey Gofundme: Kelly (Martin) Butkus and Mike Butkus, members of the church and daughter of Rick and Jan Martin recently had a baby girl- Bailey Rose Butkus. Bailey was born with many major health concerns: hole in her heart, one missing heart valve, and several other major health concerns. She is one month old. She has had two life saving surgeries thus far and is needing more. Her aunt has started a gofund me site to help her family through the myriad of medical expenses. We hope you are able to help. Here is the Go 5

6 Fund Me page Laura set up for Bailey. baileys-medical-fund FCC BOOK CLUB: Our next selection for November is "Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles. We will meet at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 1 in the Parlor. Everyone is invited! Bring a friend, neighbor, relative and/or spouse! Blood Drive: Congregational Care would like to thank Ron Moravec and Mark Herrick for their help at the October 17 Blood Drive. Thanks again to Pat Lockett for providing delicious bar cookies for our snack table. Many thanks to the following 23! participants: Sandy Toleikis, J. Richard Toleikis, Mark Herrick, Pastor Scott, Joyce Doemland, Dave Doemland, AnnaMay Miller, Clint Mobley, Michelle Mobley, Roger Crisman, Scott Given, Ralph Anderson, Pat Armstrong, Ruth Poplar, William Saxton, Matt Newton, Judy Harry, Kathleen Travis, Dena Provenzano, Marc Provenzano, David Burke, Jill Aparo, Karen Nachtigall. Blood donations save lives! Please mark your calendars and plan ahead for our next Blood Drive on January 16th! Blood can be donated every 8 weeks. Thank you! Women's Fellowship - Ladies of the Morning and Evening: Stitch and Chat in the Parlor Friday, November 17, from about 9:30-11:30 am. You don't need to bring anything to stitch, but can just hang out and chat. This is a very casual gathering. Come if and when you can, even if for only a few minutes. Questions? Contact me, Peggy Gutzke Home: 630/ Cell:630/ peggy.gutzke@gmail.com Caring for Creation: The Caring for Creation Team is hosting an outing to see 'An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power ' on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at the York Theater in Elmhurst. A sequel to 'The Inconvenient Truth,' the follow-up documentary addresses the progress being made to tackle the problem of climate change and Al Gore's global efforts to persuade governmental leaders to invest in renewable energy. For those interested in dinner before the movie, we will be meeting at the church at 5 p.m. and then carpooling to Armand's restaurant near the theater. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tom Eisenhart at teisenhart@yahoo.com or Faith Builders Group: A new Christian Education opportunity to share in prayer, read scripture and share our experiences with it as we grow together as disciples each Thursday at 10am in the Library with Pastor Scott. 6

7 Irma Fund Information: Ken Klindtworth and Joslyn Kirkegaard ( ) are a part of the local relief efforts of Irma along with Pastor Jim and Kirk of the Keys Church. If you would like to support this effort make all checks payable to our church with Irma Fund in the memo. UPCOMING Christian Education Opportunities: Sundays following service we ll have a discussion group each Sunday around preaching issues that face the church today. NOTE: Many of these sermons are edgy and controversial- the idea is to elicit conversation and reaction and to wrestle with the challenges they propose. I hope that you will consider coming to one or more of these opportunities to engage and share with your church family. November 5 th : When the Empire Strikes Back Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III November 12 th : Relinquishment and Reception Walter Brueggemann November 19 th : What the Wing Says Barbara Brown Taylor Chancel Flowers: Did you know that the flowers displayed on the Chancel are donated by church members? Everyone is invited to donate flowers in joy, celebration or remembrance of a loved one. The cost to donate is $35.00 and there is a sign up calendar on the bulletin board on the Sanctuary level, south entrance. When you donate a floral arrangement you are encouraged to take it home with you following service so that you may enjoy its purpose. We do ask, however that you return the vase so that we can recycle them with the florist. Any questions, please see Linda Schranz or Barb Hammack. Bad Girls of the Bible: Yes, you read that title correctly. We know the Bible is chock full of men and women of good character who model a Christcentered life for us but have you ever been curious about the Bad Girls of the Bible? Who are they, and what makes them bad? Do they redeem themselves and become upstanding Women of God? If so, how? What does that mean for us as Christians good, bad, or otherwise? Join Pastor Kim this fall as we embark on a colorful journey to examine these women, discover their transformation, and learn how their experiences remain meaningful and relevant for all of us today! Our Bible study will follow the book and study guide Bad Girls of the Bible, Exploring Women of Questionable Virtue by Barbara J. Essex. Pastor Kim has a limited number of copies available for $6. each or they may be ordered through Amazon. ISBN # X The Pilgrim Press We will meet at 2:00pm and 7:00pm on Thursdays from October through December. Please call or Pastor Kim with questions ( , pastorkim@uccdg.org). All are welcome! Amazon Smile: When you Amazon will make a donation to First Congregational United Church of Christ. 7

8 MANNA: MANNA CARD CHANGES! The Manna company we have been using has been acquired by Great Lakes Scrip Center. There are some changes that will make it easier to purchase Manna Cards and support our church. Here is the website for the new company- shop.shopwithscrip.com/. You can use this to order cards on your own. Orders received by Tuesday night can be picked up on Sunday morning. You can also use the website to reload some of the cards you purchase. Check out the list of merchants and the percent they give back to our church on the website. Remember you pay for the amount you receive, so it is easy to help the church budget at no cost to you. Follow these instructions to set up your account and begin ordering today. If you have questions, see us at the Manna Table on Sunday mornings. Go to click on the grey "register" button in the upper right hand corner, click on the left side Join a scrip program. Use the enrollment code 92A2CLLA You can create your logon information. Once you create your account you can order by clicking the "shop" button. If you sign up for Presto Pay, which is their ACH system you can order and pay online. You will need to go through their security process to sign up. If you do not want to sign up for Presto Pay you can orders to Laurie Olsen glennlaurieolsen@gmail.com and Steve Johnson Sjoh413@gmail.com. Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack: Join church members each Wednesday evening from 6:00 9:00 pm for a food repack session. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is located at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, which is just off the Stevenson Expressway at Pulaski Road. For more information, contact David Hersemann at dah5@comcast.net, or Laurel Carlson at lacduke@comcast.net. Christian Witness in Society: Make a positive difference. UCC.org examines current justice issues within the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in today s world, and offers opportunities to take personal action. Receive weekly justice action alerts from the UCC by going to ucc.org. Click on Advocate for Justice, then click on Take Action. You can receive justice alerts by or text. Sign up. You CAN make a difference in the world. 8

9 Tolling of the Bells Mya Topel Don, Lynn and Hollis Owen Pat Rensch, Helen Stefek, and Nancy Waszak. Grace Nafziger Dan Dreiser William Hans Rahn Lillie Jackson Karen Shahnasarian Ronald Christiansen John Bollinger Charles and Jessie Costanzi, Earl and Virginia Young Phyllis Wright La Verne Cummins, Maxine Cummins, and Rosemary Shearburn Tom Quinn Richard Larsen, Martha Johnson Ron and Amy Gales, Ellsworth and Charlotte Steinhauer Jack and Carolyn Williams Stu and Mil Fallick Vic Mazzone, Gary Mazzone, Bill Collins, and Bill Urbauer Ed Starzyk Diane Carlson John Linden and Emmett Linden Ted Prochot, Alice Prochot, Lorraine Freres Phillip Wadycki, Marilyn Widmann Bob Sandman, Richard Sandman Jack Ruder Dolores Kissane, Grace Nafziger Lindy Greenwood, Lois Walden, and Edna Waldbauer 9

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11 Coming Up This Week SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, :30 AM Cherub Choir Rehearsal-Mayflower Room 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Blood Pressure checks-parlor 10:30 AM Coat Drive Return Coats for Foster Care-Loft 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM Alleluia Ringers-Music Room 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Praise Band Rehearsal-Sanctuary 11:00 AM Sunday Adult Discussion Group-Parlor 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM Junior Choir-Music Room MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel 6:00 PM PADS Overnight Guest-Fellowship Hall 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM HFD Budget Assistance program - 603/604 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 7:00 AM PADS Departure- Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM Adult Coloring Group-Parlor 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Support PADS at Tom & Eddie's-348 Yorktown Center-Lombard, IL 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Technology Committee meeting-504 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study (at members' homes) 11:00 AM Church Staff Meeting-Library 12:00 PM Administrative Deadline for Bulletin 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Greater Chicago Food Depository Wednesday Night Repack 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Grounds of Hope Worship Service-Coffee House 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PFLAG-Chapel 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Alanon meeting-coffee House THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM FCLC Jumpbunch Chapel 10:00 AM Faith Builders Group -A New Christian Education Opportunity-Library 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Bad Girls of the Bible-Parlor 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM ESL-Library 7:00 PM Bad Girls of the Bible-Parlor 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room 7:00 PM Scouts-Fellowship Hall FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, :00 AM Acceptance Group of Alcoholics Anonymous-Coffee House 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Martial Arts Chapel 8:15 PM Two Way Street Concert-Coffee House SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, :00 AM - 1:00 PM Martial Arts Chapel 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM All Bridge Saints-Fellowship Hall/Kitchen 6:00 PM Two Way Street Barn Dance Setup-Fellowship Hall 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM Two Way Street Barn Dance-Fellowship Hall 11

12 An Open and Affirming Congregation 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL OUR CHURCH STAFF The Rev. Scott Oberle, Senior Pastor... Rev. Kim Whisler-Vasko, Assoc. Minister of Faith Formation Cathy Sanders, Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation... Kelley Calpin, Director of Music Ministries... Maria Carini, Assistant to the Minister of Music... Dena Provenzano, Director of Youth Ministries... Jan Barker, Director of Children s Ministries... jbarker@uccdg.org Leslie McFarland, Administrative Secretary... lmcfarland@uccdg.org Kimberly Rutter, Bookkeeper... bookkeeper@uccdg.org Carl Lorek, Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor... Carll@uccdg.org Kim Choate, Director, First Congregational Learning Center... kchoate@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 Justin Kono, Band Director... j.akira.kono@gmail.com The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Schieler, Pastor Emeritus Our church staff is available Monday Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment. Office Phone: Office FCUCC@UCCDG.org In pastoral emergencies, Pastor Scott can be reached at Visit our weekly Sunday Service on channel 6 each Sunday at 11:30am or view the service online at Website: First Congregational Learning Center FCLC Website: Facebook: twitter.com/ uccdg facebook.com/uccdg Donate 12