Vacation Bible School

Please keep our Vacation Bible School staff and children in your prayers as we begin a fun-filled week of “Beach Party: Surfin’ Through the Scriptures” tomorrow. Vacation Bible School will run from 9:30 a.m.-12 noon Monday through Friday. The congregation is cordially invited to the closing musical program on Friday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, followed by an ice cream social in Wesley Hall.

Welcome Visitors

If you are a visitor, welcome! Please feel free to take a church brochure, located in the attendance folder in each pew, or ask an usher or any church member if you have any questions about the church. We’re glad you’re here.

Faith Summit on Justice and Peace for Israelis and Palestinians

On Sunday, August 17 from 3:00-6:00 p.m., Elmhurst College will bring together leaders from a wide variety of organizations to find common ground, build momentum and share concerns for justice, peace and reconciliation for Israelis and Palestinians. Meet other leaders from organizations who advocate for justice, peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land, and share advocacy and programs planned for the coming year. We will brainstorm ways that we can work together. Lower level of Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Avenue.

Adult Class

“The Wired Word”, which features discussion of current events and their relevancy to Christians, will be offered on August 17, 24 and 31 at 9:15 a.m. in the Aldersgate Room.

What's Your Vision?

If you were to look ahead and describe First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst in the year 2013, what would you say? Do you feel proud and excited to be a part of our congregation? Do you feel passionately about the future direction of our church? Do you feel that you have something to offer with regard to creative and strategic thinking? If you answered these questions with energy and enthusiasm, the Strategy Team invites you to a special working session to assist in developing our church's written Vision and Mission on Monday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldersgate Room. We'll bring refreshments; you bring creativity and a collaborative spirit! Contact: Jodi Parins at (630) 832-4350 or jpone2@aol.com.

Fabulous Bible Investigators

First Church Kids entering grades 4th, 5th, and 6th: Bring your Bibles and observation skills and become “Fabulous Bible Investigators” in a special Sunday School program each Sunday throughout August. F.B.I. sleuths will learn how to crack the code, identify the contents, and do reconnaissance of Bible lands. Theme crafts and games are also a part of the morning’s activities, which is held downstairs in Room 102 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Sundays during the summer. Sessions are led by Ruth Zervas and youth helpers from our Confirmation Class.

Praising God with Songs and Stories

First Church Kids in Preschool to entering 3rd Grade are invited to bring their musical enthusiasm to“Praising God with Songs and Stories” each Sunday morning throughout August. Each class features the singing of familiar and new Bible songs, crafts, games, and stories about the songs. Participants will share their songs with the congregation throughout the summer, too. The class meets in the Rainbow Room downstairs and is led by Pam Locke, Lisa Rogers, Beth Valdez and members of the Education Team.

Harvest 2020 Website

Harvest 2020, a movement in the Northern Illinois Conference for empowering healthy discipleship, planting new faith communities and revitalizing cluster ministries, now has it own website. This site will serve as a clearinghouse for ideas, resources, news and a virtual meeting place. You can link to the site from the Harvest 2020 logo on the NIC conference website home page at www.umcnic.org   or visit the site directly at www.harvest2020.org.

DuPage PADS Walk

Take a step to end homelessness with DuPage PADS on Saturday, September 6 at 8:00 a.m. Run 10K or 5K or enjoy the 3K walk on this CARA-approved course to help raise funds for DuPage PADS programs. Serious runners, fun runners and walkers are all welcome. Registration is $25 for the 10K or 5K and $20 for the 3K walk. For information and to register online visit www.dupagepads.org.

Sign Up For PADS

Sign up for PADS -- It’s still warm outside, but we’re beginning to organize for the 2008-2009 PADS season. We need people for all shifts and jobs as we reach out to those who need food and shelter overnight. Again this season, we will support St. Alexis Catholic Church in Bensenville on the first Saturday night-Sunday morning from October 2008-May 2009. The sign-up chart will be available beginning August 31 at the Missions table in Wesley Hall. Contact: Marlene Stratton at (630) 953-2454.

Coping With Grief

A continuing 10-week support group will meet the first and third Mondays of each month at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Facilitator is hospital chaplain Don Dahlheimer and any adult who has experienced the death of someone they have loved is invited. The group began August 4 and meets until January 5. (When this series finishes, it will start again.) Those interested may join the group at any time. For information call (630) 833-1400, x 47058.

Electronic Delivery of The Visitor

If you can receive your copy of the monthly Visitor newsletter via e-mail to help us streamline production, please contact Jan in the church office at (630) 834-2440 or jan.martin@umcelmhurst.org.

Sunday Worship

Services at 8:15 & 10:30 AM. Church school programs at 9:15 AM for all ages. Child care available from 8:15- 11:30 AM.