First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

We want to say a Big Thank You to Jim Lewis for serving as the chief cook and coordinator for our Wednesday night Soup Kettle dinners for over six years.  That means that he prepared over 300 meals for the hungry in our community.  Jim graciously volunteered his time and faithfully served this church and community.  Thank you, Jim for your dedication and service.  

ADVENT VESPERS SERVICE
Are you already dreading the holiday rush and hassle?  Are you already wishing you could find some way to “keep Christ in Christmas”?  Then mark your calendars for our fifth annual Advent Vespers Service on November 30 at 6:00.  Along with readings appropriate to the Advent season, beautiful music will be provided by the Chancel Choir, the Handbell Choir, the Fox River Trio, and a children’s ensemble.  Make plans now to attend this special service.  You’ll be glad you did.  

THANKSGIVING SERVICE
This year’s interfaith Thanks-giving service will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at 7:00 at Epworth United Methodist Church located at 37W040 Highland Avenue.  This is an excellent opportunity for us to celebrate all the blessings for which we are grateful in an ecumenical, interfaith setting.  Let’s join our sisters and brothers in faith in a time of praise to the God who loves us all!  

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Feed your faith and your tummy too every Sunday morning at 9:15.  Breakfast is served every Sunday morning, and childcare is always available.  Your opportunities in November are:

In-Depth Bible Study (Each Sunday) – Now that we have taken a long view of Paul’s letters we are beginning a close look at one of them in particular.  Come join the class each week as we study 1 Corinthians verse by verse.  Find out why Paris says he is glad he is not the pastor of the church in Corinth.  As always, no biblical expertise or prior knowledge is necessary.  Just bring your mind, your heart, and your desire to learn and grow. 

Stepping Stones (Nov. 9) — Dan Malone, a social worker at Elgin Mental Health Center, will discuss “Holiday Stress: Alcohol Use and Abuse.”  Remember, a person does not have to have a mental illness to attend Stepping Stones.  The group tries to cover a broad range of topics and help people get reliable information about the topic of the month.  Friends, neighbors, and family members are always welcome.  

Controversial Conversations with Carl (Nov. 23) – Following up on October’s discussion of whether elections are free and fair, Carl will lead the group in a post-election analysis.  Whether or not the election goes your way, this promises to be a most lively session.  

OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
Jim Ellsworth was at Sherman Hospital for several weeks.  He has now been moved to the rehab floor at St. Joseph Hospital.  

Doug McDonald was briefly at Sherman Hospital.  He is recuperating now at home.  

REMEMBER IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Jean Hempstead has been undergoing extensive thyroid tests.  

Cathy Jurgens was commissioned for seminary training in worship on September 28.  Cathy is enrolled at Chicago Theological Seminary.  

It’s a Girl
Molly Hanna Smith was born September 19 to parents Julia and Jason Smith, and Grandmother Jennifer Bero, and Great-grandmother Joye Albee.  

Margyne Louise Roach, sister of Orval Volkening  died October 14, 2008 in California.

Russell Hanchette, Ruth Hanchette’s husband, died September 20.  Pastor Donehoo led a graveside service on September 24.  

Adam McCoy’s grandmother died in Nebraska in late September.  

Long time member of the Golden Years sewing club, Elizabeth Silagy, died on October 11.  Pastor Donehoo led a memorial service at Wait Ross Alanson Funeral Home on October 18.  

David Detzner, brother of Chris Danzi, died September 26.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - DECEMBER 21st
We are beginning to make plans for our annual Sunday School Christmas Program on Sunday, December 21st.  We want all of the children to participate so please mark this date on your calendar now before it fills with other holiday activities.

Do you want to help with this year’s Christmas program?  Michael Blackwood and The Ministry of Christian Education are coordinating the program, but it is always nice to have extra people to assist with parts, costumes, and practices.  Please let Lois (815-341-2218) or Michael (303-548-3128) know if you can help.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - PERFECT ATTENDANCE
We are encouraging the children to be present each week in Sunday School.  Their regular attendance makes it easier for them to learn about our faith without gaps in their learning.  We want to recognize these people for perfect attendance during the month of September: Wyatt Sanderson, Ethan Sanderson, Nathan Leith, Maranda Lile, Simon Lopez, Benjamin Sobolak, Andy Carrara, Savannah Lile, Bobby Carrara, Ben Brictson, and Max Aldred.  Congratulations!   We hope that more children will try to be present each week.  We will be recognizing perfect attendance for October in the next newsletter.

FROG (Friends Relying on God) FRIDAY
Our first two Frog Fridays of the year have been a “hopping success.”   We meet on the third Friday of every month. Our next meeting will be on November 21st.  Our time together begins at 6pm with a pizza dinner.  The evening always includes story, songs, games, and crafts. It concludes at 8:30 p.m.  . The cost remains $15 for the fall semester (Sept., Oct. and Nov.) if paid at one time.  The cost if paid on a month by month basis will be $7.00 per time.  Please invite your friends to come and participate. 

BIBLES FOR THIRD GRADERS
All third graders are invited and encouraged to come to Bible Blast 2008 on Friday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m. Please eat dinner at home before you come.  Our evening will begin with ice cream sundaes.  This special evening will include learning activities and games to help these young people discover the treasures within their Bibles.  Please RSVP to Lois (847-741-4045 ext 19) to let us know that you plan to attend.
The third graders will be receiving a Bible as a gift from their First Congregational Church family on Sunday, November 23rd  during the 10:15 worship service.

YOUTH OFF TO THE WILDERNESS
The junior high and senior high youth groups will be going to the “wilderness” for a weekend of fun and group building on November 15th and 16th.  That is, the Wilderness Lodge in Wisconsin Dells.  We are excited that people have begun signing up to be a part of this fun fall weekend in the dells.  Our weekend will include lots of time at the indoor water park and fun and games in our condo.  We will be leaving Elgin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 15th and returning at about 4pm on Sunday, November 16th. 

MISSION TRIP PLANS
Plans are underway for the 2009 Mission Trip.  We will be meeting on Sunday, November 2nd  immediately following church to discuss date,  location and initial plans.  Please plan to join us if you think you might be interested in joining the group on this year’s trip, or you just want to find out what it is all about.  Registrations and non-refundable deposits to hold a place for you will be due in early January. 

Damaris is a women’s fellowship group that meets each month to go out to dinner together.  We normally meet on the fourth Thursday of every month.  However, the November meeting will be on the 3rd Thursday (November 20th) because Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday.  We will meet at 6:30 p.m. at LaPuesta Del Sol, 165 E. Highland, Elgin.  For more information or for a ride please call Lois (741-4045)

FROM THE CHURCH SECRETARY
Several times recently I have found the back door unlocked when I arrive in the morning.  Please try and remember to lock the metal doors and the glass doors before you leave.

Also, as you enter the office you will find on the upper cabinets a reimbursement form which you need to fill out for me. If you need to be reimbursed for expenses, please just take a minute and fill out the correct form and attach it to your receipts.  It makes my job just a little bit easier.
Thank you
Pat Calvin

KAREN'S CORNER
The next sale of Karen’s Corner will be Sunday, November 9th from 9am until 12:30 in the church library.  Bring your gift list and get your Christmas shopping done early! All profits go to the church renovation fund.  Hope to see you there! 

RENOVATION UPDATE
Last month you read that we were in the Construction Document Phase of the renovation.  That is progressing nicely and work is expected to be finished November 13.  There will be a meeting of the renovation committee on Tuesday November 11 to review the status of those drawings, review the materials for the washrooms, review the estimate from Shales McNutt, and approve proceeding with securing final bids and a building permit.  Though you cannot see results yet, work is progressing.  Please continue to support this endeavor through your prayers and giving.

CALENDAR RAFFLE
Are you stumped for a unique gift for someone?  Why not give that person a gift that offers 53 chances of winning $25 during 2009?  Purchasing a calendar from our calendar raffle does just that.  $25 buys the calendar and the stub gets put into the raffle pool.  Each Sunday during 2009 and also on Christmas Day one of the stubs is pulled from the pool and the name on the stub will receive a check for $25 in the mail.  Think what a nice surprise that would be to receive $25 in the mail.  The stub even goes back into the pool and may be drawn again!  Purchase this unique opportunity as a gift for someone or just for yourself.  They are sold outside the church office between the services on Sunday and also in Fellowship Hall following the second service.  All proceeds benefit the renovation effort.

 Think of apples so juicy the juice runs down your chin as you eat them.  Or think of oranges and grapefruit so sweet you forget you are eating fruit.  Sounds good, doesn't it?  Our second annual Fruit Sale is beginning, so you can make your thoughts a reality.  We will be accepting orders for Navel and juice oranges, red grapefruit, tangelos, Red Delicious apples, Golden Delicious apples, and Granny Smith apples until November 9.  All items come in two sizes, 20 pounds or 40 pounds and prices range from $25 to $45, including two sizes of gift boxes.  
 
We earned quite a bit of money for the Renovation last year and hope to do even better this year.  Think about the holidays ahead.  Place your order soon and take an order sheet with you to let your neighbors and coworkers in on this delicious opportunity.  Look for a table during Coffee Hour, or contact Shannon Lile.  Remember:  orders and money need to be collected by November 9.  Turn everything in to Shannon or to the table in Fellowship Hall, NOT to the church office or offering plate.  Thanks for your help.
 

SOUP KETTLE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FROM FCC
We are still in need of volunteers on the first shift of Soup Kettle.  We specifically need volunteers on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of the month, from 4-6 pm.  It is a very worthwhile ministry, and it’s easy to do, and you'll feel really good that you did it.
 
We are scheduling out through February at this time, so pick one month, or all 4!  JUST CALL Janet Aldred to get on the schedule. (630) 715 7494    ….. or email Janet@jqdesigns.com.  PLEASE HELP if you can!  Thanks!
 
Also, just a reminder, the 5th Wednesday of the Month is FCC night at our Soup Kettle.  That means we supply the volunteers for the evening.  Thanks to all those who stepped forward to volunteer in October and December!
 

STEPPING STONES
We would like to thank Joan Schneider-Cooper, LCSW, RDDP for a wonderful program on Embracing Forgiveness.  Participants felt the four stages of forgiveness were very informative.  The meaningful Healing Service in the chapel was blessed with the beautiful voices of Dr. Donehoo, Joan and John Cooper, and Steve Stauffacher.

Our November program will be on Sunday, November 9 at 9:15 in the Library.  Mr. Dan Malone LCSW, CDC who works full time at the Elgin Mental Health Center will be speaking on Holiday Stress – Use and Abuse of Alcohol.

The Ministry of Mental Health, also known as Stepping Stones, is focused on recovery to educate, enlighten, empower, and encourage individuals living with mental illness, their families and the community.  We are asking what topics would minister to you in 2009?  Is there a topic that you feel would be helpful?  Please let Dr. Pat Lindquist, Mary Hartwig or Gina Orazi know.  There will be no Stepping Stones meeting in December.

SCRIPS UPDATE
Participation in the Scrips gift card program is beginning to take off!  Right now less than 20% of the congregation is participating and our goal is to get that number to 50% or better.  Since inception we have raised close to $500!  Imagine how much higher this number could be if we all participated by buying gift cards for retailers that we are already shopping at, even if just once a month.
It is a given fact that most households of all ages and sizes eat out of the house at least once a month, many of us more than once a week.  Sometimes for a planned social event with friends or family, sometimes because we don’t feel like cooking and other times while we are on the go from point A to point B.  This being said, did you realize if you examine your buying habits, you could plan ahead for those future expenses and help the church at the same time?  For example, last week I (Jennifer) used my KFC certificates to pick up chicken for dinner on my way home from work.  I know I do this at least once a month.  So to anticipate the future, two weeks ago I purchased KFC gift cards through the Scrips program.  I also purchased Burger King, Arby’s and Wendy’s and a few others.  However, this can be a lot to carry around in your purse or wallet.  To solve that problem, and to keep from forgetting them at home when I needed them, I created a special file to organize my gift cards and keep in the car.  After all, to get to most of these places I will have to drive my car, so keeping them in the glove box will mean I am always ready and prepared.  
Not sure if a restaurant you like is on the list?  Well here is a list of participating food & beverage spots within 20 miles of Elgin:
Applebee’s, Arby’s, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Bahama Breeze, Baja Fresh, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, Big Bowl, Bonefish Grill, Boston Market, Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, Champps Americana, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Cheesecake Factory, Chipotle, Chuck E Cheese, Claim Jumper, Cold Stone Creamery, Cousin’s Subs, Dave & Buster’s, Denny’s, Domino’s Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Fazoli’s, Honey Baked Ham,  Jamba Juice, KFC, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Long John Silver, Lou Malnati’s, Macaroni Grill, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Noodle’s & Company, Old Country Buffet, Olive Garden, On The Border, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Pizza Hut, Pizzeria Uno, Rainforest Café, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Rosebud, Ruby Tuesday, Shaw’s Crab House, Starbucks, Subway, Sweet Tomatoes, TGI Friday’s, Wildfire, & Wendy’s

Wow, what a list!  Janet & I would like to issue you a challenge: if you participate in an eat out group such as Dine with Nine or Damaris, why not choose a restaurant that’s on the list?  Then all those who participate can purchase their gift cards from FCC and help the church while having fellowship at no additional cost.  After all, it was money you were planning to spend anyway.  
Don’t forget those specialty food & candy companies like Fannie May and See’s Chocolate who are the highest contributing companies and give 25% of your purchase amount back to FCC, or Hickory Farms (15%) and Harry & David (10%).  So for a great hostess gift or with holiday entertaining around the corner …think chocolate!

New to Scrips- HSN (Home Shopping Network), Jiffy Lube, REI and The Container Store
Bonus Buys this month- this means the following retailers are providing a higher percentage than their usual contribution- Burger King, Eddie Bauer, HSN, and K-Mart.  Remember, most gift cards are eligible to use online for shopping for their stores.
Don’t Forget!  Each family purchasing $1000 in gift cards between September 7 and December 28, 2008  will be put into a drawing for a special gift in January.  (It sounds like a large number, but how much will just your household spend on gasoline or dining out alone in four months?)
If you have any questions, contact Janet Aldred (630) 715-7494 janet@jqdesigns.com, or Jen Phillips (224) 588-7034  Phillipsville500@yahoo.com.
As always, we appreciate your support of this program!!!

As I sat in the pew this past Sunday listening to Paris’ annual “stewardship sermon” I thought how he was echoing aloud everything I was thinking about this year’s campaign.  I thought about my own retirement savings and how the balance and market value are going down and how I have to live off of this for the remainder of my life.  I thought about how everything coming out of the media, Washington, and Wall Street is negative.  With the capital campaign fresh in our minds and wallets, how can I possibly ask people to pledge to the stewardship campaign?  Then I “came to” and heard the immortal words of Paul, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.”   I thought, I’m not giving God or the rest of you much credit, am I?  

I am so grateful for everything I have: my home, my family (both biological and church), my health, my job, and the funds that I do have.  God has always taken care of me and why would I think he would stop now?  Furthermore, why would YOU think God would stop caring for you and your family?  Our faith tells us we should always believe that a loving and compassionate God will be there for us no matter what Washington or Wall St. or Main St. says.  Call me a Pollyanna, but I truly believe that.

Paris keeps telling us that we have a different way of looking at things because we are Christians.  Being a part of “Faith Walk” I can see that being a disciple of Jesus isn’t always easy.  It takes commitment and it has certain responsibilities - like not always doing the easy or safe thing, but once in a while going out on that limb and taking a “leap of faith.”  

When your stewardship letter and estimate of giving card arrives next week, before you fill it out, go somewhere in your home where it is quiet and pray to the God that has always been there for you.  Ask Him for His continued guidance and care and listen for that still, small voice.  It won’t lead you astray; it never has; it never will.  

Shalom.                
Patti Scroggins

11-03    Linda Dahl
11-04    Cecilia Snider
11-05    Jennifer Bero
11-08    Denise Farley
11-10    Norbert Kurth
11-11    Elly Hopkins
11-12    Adam McCoy
11-13    Kenzie Fahnestock
11-14    Rosella Menke
11-14    Marjorie Irion
11-17    Sue Trojanowski
11-17    Michael Barbezat
11-18    Jean Hempstead
11-19    Virginia Flentge
11-19    Jeanne Rothlisberger
11-23    Judith Leith
11-24    Jordan Sund
11-27    Robert Steffen
11-27    Bailey Stark
11-30    James Breunlin

11-02    Mike & Barb Halfpenny
11-09    Wendy Hargrave
11-16    Mark & Mary Hartwig
11-23    Jean Hempstead
11-30     Pat Henrys

11-02    Penny Donehoo, Jennifer Bero
11-09    Shirley May Byrnes, Glenna Preradovic
11-16    Karen Carlson, Lee Ellsworth
11-23    Janet Banwart
11-30    Jennifer & Curt Phillips

11-02    Ron & Liz Schaaf
11-09    Janet Banwart & Sandy Dalton
11-16    Stewart Crockett
11-23    Paul & Tracy Grote    
11-30    Pat Henrys

11-02    Cassidy Sell, Emilie Kottmeier
11-09    Grace Anne Aldred, Abby Garcia
11-16    Kenzie Fahnestock, Abby Kottmeier
11-23    Matthew Halfpenny, Bailey Stark
11-30    Taylor Stark, Emerson Lewis

11-02    Janet Banwart
11-09    Carl & Mary-Ellen Flaks
11-16    Janet Aldred
11-23    Deb Sell
11-30    Walt & Carole Kilmanas

11-02    Jennifer Phillips
11-09    Cathy Jurgens
11-16    Lorri Powell
11-23    Dennis Hewitt
11-30    Pat Henrys

11-02 Jodie Stackowiak, Kirsten Pedersen, Laura McMinn, Cherie Murphy, & Sandy Dalton

11-09    Chase Sund, Anna Mitchell, Mary Taylor, Grant Powell, & Alessandra Castillo

11-16    Walt & Carole Kilmanas, Ron Banwart, Ron & Karen Carlson

11-23    Jim Schock, Deborah Treacy, Chuck Zimmerman, Sandy Dalton

11-30    Jeanne Rothlisberger
    Steve & Colleen Stauffacher