Gatherings - Nov 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 GATHERINGS Joy to the World! First Congregational Church — Western Springs 1106 Chestnut St., Western Springs, IL 708.246.1900 Dear friends, It goes without saying that when we unexpectedly found ourselves planning a virtual Easter, we did not expect to be doing the same come Christmas. At least this time we had a little more time and experience under our belts. As much as I am going to miss our usual customs, I am genuinely so thrilled with the creative, meaningful, and deeply faithful offerings we’re preparing! We loved our summer worship series so much we’ll be using a similar series — Those Who Dream — which is filled with beautiful art and prayers. Please join us for virtual worship every Sunday as we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child. Children are encouraged to journey to Bethlehem with a special series of Sunday School lessons prepared by our remarkable Christian Education team. On December 13th, we’ll gather on the lawn for Candles & Carols from 4:30–5pm. (Wear your masks!) On December 20th, we’ll premiere our first virtual Christmas Words & Music for Children of All Ages. Filled with carols led by The Band and featuring our congregation’s very own Bill & Laura Hoglund as Santa and Mrs. Claus, this sweet celebration of the season will be fun and faithful. On December 21st, Christian Ventures will be hosting a live-streamed concert featuring harpist Janelle Jansen Lake, as well as providing members with a printable finger labyrinth to deepen the experience. On December 24th from 2–5pm, we are hosting a live nativity on our front lawn — and yes, there will be plenty of animals by the stable! Assuming we can proceed as planned, there will be stations throughout the campus to encounter various characters from the story. Look for a signup in the weekly email to ensure we can maintain social distancing. Of course, you are also welcome to simply drive or walk down Chestnut to catch a glimpse of the Holy Family. Last but certainly not least, a traditional Christmas Eve service will be available for virtual worship, and we’re delighted that it will include music from our beloved Chancel Choir. Friends, we need Christ’s gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love more than ever — and they are ours to receive. Let us enter into this season trusting in Emmanuel - God-with-us. Peace, Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey JOIN US THIS ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SEASON: Dec. 13th, 4:30–5pm: Candles & Carols (outdoors on the lawn) Dec. 20, 5pm: Virtual Premiere of Christmas Words & Music Dec. 21, 7pm: Live-streamed Longest Night Harp Concert Dec. 24, 2–5pm: Live Nativity on the Lawn (Yes, with animals!) Dec. 24, 7pm: Virtual Premiere of Christmas Eve Worship

ADVENT WORSHIP WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS! Sunday, Nov. 29 Please join us online for worship this Advent season as we prepare our hearts and homes for the arrival of the Christ Child. Themes and music will be listed each week in the Wednesday emails. ADVENT DEVOTIONAL FOR ADULTS The Challacombe's The Cross's The Lewis's As part of our Advent Worship series, we would like to offer Kristin & Wade Challacombe met while living in Chicago and you a daily devotional. You can download the devotional on our homepage at wscongo.org. have now lived in Western Springs for a little over eight CHILDREN'S MINISTRY years with their twins, Henry and Amelia (11). Kristin grew up Journey with us to Bethlehem! We invite you and your family in De Pere, WI (a suburb of Green Bay), attended Marian to be part of our Advent Sunday school classes beginning Nov. 29. Each week we share a part of the Christmas story, College, and works as an interior designer. Wade grew up in light the Advent candle, share an activity and sing a song. Let us join together and prepare our hearts for Jesus‘ birth. Elmhurst, completed his undergrad degree at the University ADD FIRST CONGO’S ENDOWMENT of Illinois, and earned a law degree from the University of FUND TO YOUR YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIFTS Chicago. He works as an attorney at Winston & Strawn. As a In a year like this, we see how very important our family they enjoy traveling, going to the city, golfing, baking, endowment fund is to helping First Congo continue its programs, offer church services online, make substantial and playing with their new puppy, Ruby. Sponsors: Mike & contributions to various not-for-profits and maintain our wonderful staff. Without the endowment, which provides Carrie Christensen about 10% of the church's annual budget, First Congo would have to curtail some or all of these efforts. Dan & Jen Cross have lived in Countryside for three years Recognizing the benefits provided by our endowment and have one child, Isabella (18 months.) Isabella was fund, the Endowment Committee encourages you to baptized at First Congo last December. Jen grew up in consider making a gift to the fund from your IRA before Western Springs and attended DePaul University. She year-end and/or to include a gift to the endowment in currently works at a digital advertising company that is your estate plan. When you consider how important the based in downtown Chicago. Dan was raised in London, church has been to you and your families over the years, England and moved to the United States in 2003. He there is no better way to say thank you and ensure that studied Communications at St. Xavier University and First Congo will be able to serve future generations as it received his Master’s from the University of St. Francis for has enriched and supported our lives. Business Management earlier this year. He is currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at the University of St. Francis. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy O'Brien Dan, Jen, and Isabella enjoy playing with their dog Prince, at [email protected]. THANK YOU! watching Premier league soccer (Go, Chelsea!) and traveling. They are very excited to join the First Congregational family. CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOLERS: Sponsors: Kent & Charlotte Wegrzyn Our Youth Ministry is looking to organize a group of high Dan & Lisa Lewis moved to Western Springs in 2019 with schoolers to write notes and cards to send to members of their 2 children, Eliza and Julian. Eliza is currently a the congregation. Anyone interested can contact Mike sophomore at LT and Julian is a seventh grader at McClure. Tilden at [email protected] if they'd like to participate. Dan is originally from Indiana and is currently the CFO for an event rental company. He plays guitar in his spare time and participates in the School of Rock adult performance program. Lisa is from Philadelphia (Go, Eagles!) She likes to read and walk their dogs in her spare time. Looking forward to meeting the First Congo community. Sponsors: Brian & Lisa Graber MEN'S BREAKFAST Saturday, December 12 at 8AM via ZOOM Pour yourself a coffee and join us on Dec. 14!

DNEOCVEEMMBBEERR2 2001 92 0 Sunday, December 13, 2020 LIVE CHAT: 11AM – 12PM VIRTUAL SHOPPING continues from Dec. 13 – Dec. 30, 2020 Go to wscongo.org/giftsofhope Sponsored by: First Congregational Church – Western Springs Make Christmas brighter for more than just the people on your list.. HOW IT WORKS: Starting Dec. 13, shoppers can visit wscongo.org/giftsofhope to virtually meet representatives from local, regional, and international charitable organizations and learn about their missions and good works. Some organizations will be available for Live Chat on Dec. 13. Choosing from “wish lists” created by the organizations, shoppers can donate and fund a particular purchase, e.g., a meal, a bag of seed, or a pair of gloves for a person in need. Visit wscongo.org to view the Gifts of Hope shopping list. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar by the Ruth Koch Fund, up to $15,000. Cards will be available for donors to send to their gift recipients explaining a donation was made on behalf of a family member or friend for a meaningful Christmas gift. SEND US A CHRISTMAS CARD! Deadline: Tuesday, December 15 We'd like you to submit a holiday photo card or a snapshot for inclusion in our December Words & Music Christmas Premiere. Please email all photos/cards to [email protected] by Dec. 15. FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED! Make a difference this holiday with every purchase you make at Amazon. Shop for gifts at Our area food pantries are very much in need of smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2327265 to generate donations donations. Even though our church building is closed, you for First Congregational Church. may use your keycard to drop off pantry items on the table just inside the Chestnut Street door of the Education building. Donations will be taken to HCS Family Services. Questions? Feel free to contact Meredith, [email protected]. COMING SOON: Congo Swag!! Just in time for the holidays, we're offering a selection of super cool CONGO SWAG so you can sport our new logo and tagline in style! Choose from face masks, 4\" round car magnets, water bottles, canvas totes and t-shirts! All proceeds help raise money for PF’s (Plymouth Fellowship) programs. BONUS: Items will be hand-delivered to your mailbox by PF’ers. TO ORDER YOUR CONGO SWAG, visit wscongo.org/first-congo-swag/.

CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP SERVICES Nov. 29, 7pm via ZOOM Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, Nanette Farina, and the Christian Ventures Committee will host another Contemplative Worship service on the theme of Hope & Healing During the Season of Advent. The service will be approximately 25–30 minutes, after which participants will be welcome to stay on the Zoom call for fellowship. To register for the service, please visit: https://bit.ly/contemplativeworship. A Zoom link will be sent out via email the week before each service. ALL IN ALL By Sarah Are (A Sanctified Art, LCC/ sanctifiedart.org) VIRTUAL PREMIERE OF It takes strength to dream. A Words & Music Family Christmas I imagine it’s that same strength that leads Sunday, Dec. 20, 5PM people to say, “I love you” first, The Band will host a “Words & Music Family Christmas” with Those three vulnerable words, encouraging holiday stories and songs for the children of all Wrapped in heart strings, ages. We hope you'll join us on the First Congregational Whispered, Church of Western Springs YouTube channel! Because what could be Is too good to keep quiet about. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER POINSETTIAS? It takes strength to choose joy. Orders due: December 15 It takes strength to push the covers If you'd like to purchase a poinsettia to decorate the altar for Off our weary bodies morning after morning, our Christmas worship services, you can order online at To plant weary feet on solid ground, https://onrealm.org/wscongo/-/give/now or complete the And look for signs of beauty. order form on the homepage at wscongo.org and return it It takes strength to remember that to the church office, along with a check made payable to we are not alone, First Congregational Church, by Dec. 14. Be sure to note But the story starts with bone of bone and \"POINSETTIA\" in the memo line. You can also call the flesh of flesh. church at 708.246.1900 to order. That feels like so long ago. Oh yes, joys & concerns It takes strength to dream. I imagine that’s why many choose not to, WELCOME TO THE WORLD! For it would be far easier to simply sleep. But there are always those who dream, James Patrick Hanson was born on Nov. 5 to Megan and Those who are up at night picturing Eric Hanson. what could be, Duke Eli DiOrio was born on Oct. 23 to Nic and Bea Because this world is too good not to. (Yount) DiOrio. So we say, “I love you.” We push the covers off. We find solid ground. We look for beauty. And we dream. We dare to dream. ANNOUNCING FIRST CONGO YOUTH'S NEW INSTAGRAM! @firstcongoyouth Give it a follow!