First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

Once again it is time to get in on the fun of being part of a dinner group. We have had many very successful years of Dine with Nine (or Dinners for Eight) Each group consists of eight or nine adults. The group takes turns meeting for dinner in each other's homes. The hostess decides on the menu for the evening and lets the other guests know what to bring. Following dinner there is time for games, discussion, movies or whatever. A couple of dining out groups are also available for those who do not like to cook. If you'd like to be part of a dinner group fill out the insert in this issue of Church Life. This is a great way to get to know the people you worship with each Sunday. Please sign-up by September 17th so our new groups can be up and running by mid October.

Join us for a Sundae Celebration on September 10th as we kick-off our new programming year. The Ministry of Christian Education will be serving all the fixings for mighty fine sundaes. So, bring your appetites to coffee hour and come be creative.

Would you like to go see the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum?  We are ordering group tickets for this event on Sunday, Sept. 17th.  If you'd like to join the group you'll have to get your money into the church office as soon as possible.  We will be ordering the tickets the week of the 28th.  See the insert for further details.  Please note that the cost is about half of the amount you'd pay on your own.

Calling all Women of the church.  Please join us for our HeartSpa retreat on Friday night, Sept. 29th - Saturday, Sept 30th.  It will be a great time to relax, fellowship and grow in your faith.  Come be refreshed and rejuvenated at the "well."  This retreat is open to teens also if they attend with their  mother or other adult.  See the brochure for details.

Please mark your calendars now for Elgin's CROP walk on Sunday, October 15th.  This walk benefits the hunger programs of Church World Service.  Watch for more information in the next issue of Church Life, but save the date now.

Special thanks to Chuck Zimmerman for re-padding all the chairs in fellowship hall at his own expense.

Dear Friends,

I was just overwhelmed by the many cards, phone calls, gifts, visits and offers to help from you during my recuperation from hip surgery. What would I do without this wonderful church family! Thank you so very, very much.

Dolores Zimmerman

Dear Friends,

Diana Castillo and I had a great time at Grandparents and Me Camp at Pilgrim Park (August 7-9). We had great fellowship with 20 children ages 4-11 and ate great food, played games, sang songs, did some swimming, went on a hayride, sat around the camp fire and had S'mores! We hope more families from FCC will join us next summer. Thank you Christian Education.

Sincerely,
Mary Green

Dear Friends,

Over the past six months since our family learned just a hint of the struggles that our new baby would face, we have been emotionally supported and lifted up by friends from a myriad of sources. Neighbors, relatives, church friends, fellow workers and friends from associated businesses and social services have all been extremely supportive and understanding.

During the past two months, as we faced the trials of dealing with Wyatt's treatment schedule while caring for our grandson, Aidan, and attempting to meet the normal commitments in our lives, we discovered how important it is to have real friends who would walk with us and understand the trials that we were facing. And in these days since Wyatt's passing, as we struggle to understand the unfairness of life and ways to deal with our grief and sense of loss, we feel particularly blessed by the friends who have expressed their sympathy. But most of all we are grateful to all of you, who continue to pray for us, encourage us and understand the tremendous loss that we feel.

Whatever the reason that baby Wyatt was taken from us, it was not for lack of love or support. His parent's spent a part of every day at his bedside while he was hospitalized. During his last two hospitalizations, either one of us or one of his parents were with him every minute. Hundreds of folks visited Wyatt's website over 1500 times and left over a hundred messages of encouragement. Cards and phone calls to the family numbered in the hundreds and thousands prayed for his recovery.

All of you need to know how much this support and understanding has meant to us. We honestly could not have gotten through it without you. Thank you so much for all of your kind thoughts and expressions of sympathy. You truly are a blessing.

Bless you all,

Feed your spirit and your tummy with Adult Education's new look for 2006-2007.  In order to make it more convenient for you and your family to take advantage of learning opportunities, the Adult Ed. Committee will be serving breakfast each Sunday morning in fellowship hall.  Juice, fruit, milk, cereals, pastry, and coffee will be available at 9:00.  Bring your whole family to the table and then settle in until 10:00 for a time of spiritual and intellectual growth.  Child care will be available for your young ones after they have eaten breakfast.

During September Dr. Donehoo will lay some basic foundations for understanding the Bible.  His topics will be:

September 10th
Tales of Canaanites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Mosquito Bites:
A Brief Survey of the Old Testament

September 17th
"I Am Divine; You Are De Branches"
A Brief Survey of the New Testament

September 24th
Did Moses Use a Ballpoint?
A Brief Survey of Biblical Origins

Starting in October Dr. Donehoo will begin an in-depth study of a biblical book which the class will choose.  You don't want to miss this chance to deepen your walk of faith.  And breakfast will be tasty too.

9-03 Kirsten Pedersen
9-03 James Schock
9-03 Mari Rahn
9-06 Dennis Leberecht
9-07 Suzie Lewis
9-09 Curt Phillips
9-09 Max Aldred
9-10 Bonnie Morrow
9-11 Robert Lohse
9-13 Patricia Henrys
9-14 Doug MacKinney
9-14 Sue Perrin
9-14 Andy Banwart
9-15 Gerald Hochberger
9-17 Kathy Turnquist
9-19 Steve Aldred
9-22 Mary Hartwig
9-23 Danikka Preradovic
9-27 Dale Ells
9-28 Jan Embree

• Angie Rea was admitted to Sherman Hospital for treatment of an infection and edema in one leg. She is currently recuperating at the home of her daughter, Camille Rea.
• Rowena Swan had a stroke on August 19. She is receiving therapy at Sherman Hospital.
• David Gerber had foot surgery at Lutheran General Hospital on August 10. He was released after several days and is now recuperating at home.
• Matt Gerber was in an automobile accident on August 16. He suffered a broken arm and whiplash. He is home recuperating.
• Roger Dieringer is home after an extended stay for rehab at Manor Care.
  

• Dennis Hewitt's step-father passed away in late July. Dennis' and Mary's son, Rev. Kris Hewitt, led a memorial service.
• The father of Marge Novy, former Parish Nurse at FCC, died on August 17.

Thursday, September 14th
Sister to Sister is an informal woman's group that meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.  Join us in the library for conversation and sharing.  This month everyone is invited to bring something to share with the group from their summer adventures.

Our  new Sunday School program year will kick off on Sunday, September 10th at the 10:15 service.  It will be a celebration you won't want to miss.  So bring the family to worship and don't forget to invite neighbors and friends to join you at church and Sunday School this year.  As in the past, after the children's message the children will be dismissed to their Sunday School classes.  And following the worship service children and families will gather outside for a special "surprise" event.  Hey!  Did you see that big gift in the sanctuary?  See the Sunday School brochure in this issue of Church Life to find out more details about our program.

9-03    Brad Rantz & Dennis Turnquist
9-10    Marissa Lewellyn & Samantha Kottmeier
9-17    Maggie Powers & Tianna Louaillier
9-24    Alex Halfpenny & Taylor Powers

We are very excited about some upcoming youth events.  

• FROG Friday - Sept. 15th.  Come and help with the children's youth group at 6p.m. and stay for Jr. High and High School youth group until 11p.m.  We've cooked up some fun - so mark your calendars and bring your friends.
• King Tut - Sept 17th
  We will be going to see the King Tut exhibit on Sunday, Sept. 17th.  Order your ticket by August 28th to be included in this royal event.
• Amazing Race - Sunday, Sept. 24th   Following coffee hour we will divide up in teams for an "amazing" adventure.  We'll stop for some lunch too.
• CROP Walk -  Sunday, October 15th - 1p.m.  Walk to help raise funds for hunger programs.
• Wilderness Weekend - Saturday, Nov. 11th and Sunday, Nov. 12th we'll head up to Wisconsin Dells for a wonderful weekend at the Wilderness Lodge Waterpark.  Be sure to sign-up right away to reserve your spot.  We have a limited number of spaces.

Once again we are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Roberta Reed will direct our children's choirs. The children have loved her warm and friendly choirs the past two years. This year's children's choir program will begin rehearsing on Tuesday September 19th. Many of you requested that we consider a later rehearsal time to make it easier for you to get your children to church. We've listened to your request! The new choir times for this year will be Cherub Choir (kindergarten - second grade) at 5:00 p.m. It will conclude at 5:30 p.m. and the Chapel choir (3rd - 6th) will rehearse from 5:30 - 6:15. Please let Lois know if you have any questions.

Karen's Corner will begin a new season of sales in the church library on Sunday, September 10th, right after the first worship service and continuing until around 1 pm. All profits will go toward buying down our church debt. Items for sale include fall decorations, baby gifts, stationery, candles, flower arrangements, knick knacks, picture frames, children's books and toys, jewelry, and miscellaneous household and gift items. Of special interest are handmade dish cloths, wooden reindeer, and lighted glass block presents. Come and enjoy shopping at reduced prices while contributing to buying down our church debt!

Thank you to all the shoppers last spring who through their purchases made it possible to decrease the church debt an additional $336.30 !