Church Life
Watch this space for new opportunities in Adult Education coming this fall…- “Four Voices”
- “Controversial Conversations with Carl”
- And lots more!
And continuing this fall in Adult Education…- Breakfast served each Sunday.
- Bible study each Sunday.
- “Help! I Need Somebody!” once a month
6/03 Alyssa Hargrave
6/04 Diane Menke
6/07 Keaton Fahnestock
6/07 Alyssa Ekstrom
6/08 Lois Bucher
6/10 Evelyn Johnson
6/10 Owen Grote
6/11 Beth Iverson
6/12 Myrtle Patterson
6/12 Sandra Peterson
6/13 Avery Swan
6/18 Kristen Carlson
6/18 Jerry Trojanowski
6/19 Amanda Boan
6/25 Stewart Crockett
6/25 Cathy Jurgens
6/26 Kolten Peterson
6/28 Karen Carlson
6/29 Aimee Louaillier
6/30 Nathan Leith
6/30 Rick Black
- Chuck Zimmerman had hip replacement surgery at Sherman Hospital. After rehab at St. Joseph Hospital he is now home and recuperating well.
- Aimee Louaillier is home from Delnor Hospital and still struggles with several health issues.
- Angie Rae has been released from Sherman West Court where she went for rehab after a bout with pneumonia.
- Jane Busby had knee surgery. She is home and doing well.
We Goofed
Oops! We goofed. Last month’s Church Life said Margaret Schmoldt had knee replacement surgery. In fact she had hip replacement surgery. She is now recuperating well at home.
Reid Voght was briefly home from his work with Halliburton Corp. in Afghanistan. It was good to see him in worship on April 29.
Mark & Mary Hartwig’s son, Geoff Reu, and his fiancé, Vanessa Oltmanns, were married on May 19.
Natalie Iris Pfister was born May 15 to parents Rick and Meg Pfister and grandparents Paris and Penny Donehoo.
Three of FCC’s own were honored at the Elgin Rotary Club’s annual Awards Day Luncheon for maintaining an A average for one or more years. They were
Joanie Steffen (one year),
Maria Allessandra Castillo (two years), and
Chase Sund (two years).
We give thanks to God for three wonderful years of leadership for our children’s choirs by
Roberta Reed. Thanks, Bobbie! You will be missed!
All youth are invited to a celebration of summer on Tuesday, June 12th. We’ll begin with a taco dinner at 5:00 p.m. Our evening activity will be a scavenger hunt that will take us all over Elgin. If you’ve never done this with us before you will LOVE it. It is a blast! So, plan to attend and invite your friends to join in the fun. Email Lori Kemmler to let her know that you will be there: Kemmler@wideopenwest.com
Sunday School Classes Over for the SummerOur Sunday School classes ended on May 20th. We had a wonderful year. A BIG thank you to our dedicated teaching staff! Thank you to these people who were a part of our educational ministry this year:
Evelyn Johnson, Connie Reuter, Kate Reuter, Kirsten Zoerhoff, Kris Zoerhoff, Michael Blackwood, Adam McCoy, Deb Leberecht, Pat Jocius, Deb Sell, Laura McMinn, Erin McMinn, Lauran Rantz, Sue Ruf, Shannon Lile, Angela Garcia, Wendy Hargrave, Amy Kerber, Katy Powers, Beth Mitchell, Walt Kilmanas, Brian Stark, Lori Kemmler, Mike Kemmler, Beth Iverson, Linda Taylor, Carol Olson, Helen McClure, Janet Aldred, Roberta Reed, Jean Rothlisberger, Mary Ellen Flaks, Stacie Widder, Lindsay Iverson, Jan Embree and Lois Bucher.
Vacation Bible School
We are looking forward to an exciting week of VBS – June 18th – 22nd, 9:30 – 12:15 at Wing Park Pavilion #2. In case of rain we will meet at the church. Please complete the registration form enclosed in this issue of Church Life. We are encouraging everyone to ask a neighbor child or friend to be a part of this year’s VBS. We’ll be “lifting off” to learn more about our faith. This wonderful week will be just what is needed to put some excitement into your summer. So spread the word. Tell your friends that you want them to join you on a hot air balloon “lift-off” this summer. This program has something to offer all ages. Everyone will enjoy hearing Bible stories, playing games, singing those catchy songs, and making crafts. The older children will enjoy their camp-like experience which will include time for nature study, hikes, games and storytelling. We offer our program free of charge so that all can participate. Please make this week a priority for your family.
We will be recognizing graduates on June 3rd during our 10:15 worship service. Please call the church office and let us know if you have a high school, junior college, technical school, college, or advanced degree graduate in your family.
Congratulations to these High School graduates
Lisa Boan-- Lake Park High School
Brianne Murphy – Elgin High School
Danikka Preradovic – Elgin High School
Mission Trip NewsThis year 20 people (8 youth and 12 adults) will be participating in our mission trip to Neon, Kentucky the week of June 23 – July 1st . We are getting excited. It seems like all of our plans are falling nicely into place. Some items for Mission Trip participants and parents to mark on their calendars
- Mission Trip participants will be commissioned during worship on June 17th during the 10:15 worship service. We’d like everyone to be present for this worship
- There will be a Mission Trip Team Building Session on Monday, June 18th. We will begin with a chicken dinner and a question and answer time for parents. Participants will stay following the meeting for some group building activities.
Couldn’t Go on This Year's Mission Trip?
Well, you can still be with us in spirit. We are looking for prayer partners for our trip. We have done this the last couple of years and it was wonderful. People back home wrote notes, (even sent care packages) to those on the mission trip. It was fun to get mail and know that people were thinking about us and praying for our group. In return each mission trip partner sent a postcard and note to their prayer partner back home. If you’d be willing to take time during the week of June 23rd – July 1st to lift us in prayer and send a note or two to your prayer partner please complete the enclosed form and send it to the church office or drop it in the offering plate. Lois will match you up with a mission trip participant and give you all the necessary information.
The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ offers many great camping opportunities for all ages. We have two camps—Pilgrim Park is located in Princeton, IL and Tower Hill is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Sawyer, Michigan. Church Camp provides an opportunity for campers to learn more about God’s amazing creation while enjoying the beauty of these camp settings. Whether the camper is attending for the first time, or is returning for the tenth time they will discover that camp is a place where everyone is accepted in a spiritually enriching, caring and nurturing environment. Two and three day camps are available for the first time camper who is as young as kindergarten age. There are also great specialty camps – like sports camp, horseback riding camp, MADD (Music and Dance and Drama) Camp, Peace Camp, Grandparents and Me camp, … For registration materials, or to find out more information, please see Lois for a brochure. First Congregational Church does have a scholarship fund that provides Camperships up to ½ the cost with a maximum of $100 per person.
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June 3 |
| Maggie Powers |
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| Samantha Kottmeier |
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| June 10 |
| Dennis Turnquist |
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| Alex Halfpenny |
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| June 17 |
| Keaton Fahnestock |
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| Brad Rantz |
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| June 24 |
| Taylor Stark |
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| Phillip Brictson |
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Anna Halfpenny
Ben Brictson
Matthew Halfpenny
Bailey Stark
Chris Leberecht
Diana Castillo
Phillip Brictson
Alex Halfpenny
Cameron Leberecht
Chris Taylor
| June 3 |
Karen Carlson
Glenna Preradovic |
| June 10 |
Jennifer Bero
Charlie Rantz |
| June 17 |
Penny Donehoo
Janet Banwart |
| June 24 |
Shirley Mae Byrnes
Lee Ellsworth |
| July 1 |
Jennifer Phillips
Kurt Phillips |
| July 8 |
Penny Donehoo
Glenna Preradovic |
| July 15 |
Janet Banwart
Jennifer Bero |
| July 22 |
Karen Carlson
Lee Ellsworth |
| July 29 |
Jennifer Phillips
Kurt
P Kurt Phillips |
MISSION GRANTS COMMITTEE VACANCY
One three year position on the Mission Grants Committee is now open. It will expire in 2010. The Committee meets 4-5 times a year, mostly from November-January. Grant requests are reviewed and determination of recipients is made prior to the Annual Meeting in January. One Spring meeting is held to determine themes for the coming year. Interested parties need to submit their name to the Church Moderator before the Summer Council meeting. Additional information is available from Carl Flaks, current Chair.
CHRIST CARE GROUPS
This small but powerful group has had it’s last meeting for the year, and will be taking the summer off. We thank all that have supported us this year by sharing prayer concerns. We will continue to individually pray for everyone over the summer. Have a great one, and take some time to enjoy your fair weather hobbies, kids
home from school, and the slower pace that summer brings. May God bless you all.
Janet Aldred
Movie Maniacs is going on summer hiatus. We have enjoyed some awesome movies. For your viewing pleasure this summer check out--The Illusionist, The Power of One, Amazing Grace and any Buster Keaton films. We look forward to popcorn munching, viewing and reviewing in the fall.
Writers in the Storm is a group of dynamic, inspiring folks who continue to amaze each other with the thoughts they put to paper with pen or computer. We will continue to write our thoughts this summer, but will discontinue our group meetings until the fall. "Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you." 2 Corinthians 3:2 NLT
The United Church of Christ.