Children’s events are planned to reflect the portion of the First Church mission statement that says we will seek opportunities to worship, learn, connect, and serve in ways that put Jesus’ life and teaching into action.
Friday, October 15
- Friday Fun Night for children in kindergarten – 3rd grade. Fall crafts and games, a pizza dinner and dessert will be served. A small donation of $3 for pizza will be collected. Please register by October 8 with Ellyn Gehrke (etakgehrke@comcast.net) or Sue Pinkowski (spinkowski@hotmail.com)
- Friday Fun Night for children in 4th/5th grades. Games and pizza. A small donation of $3 for pizza will be collected. Please register by October 8 with Anita Hindsley (hindsley1@comcast.net) or Jennifer Jordan (jjande2@att.net)
- Child care for toddlers. Nursery care for siblings participating in the K-5th programs available for a small donation. Register with Ruth Zervas (ruth.zervas@umcelmhurst.org) by October 8.
Fall Adult Church School Schedule
Surprises Around the Bend
September 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17
9:15-10:15 a.m.- Aldersgate Room (main level)
Led by Anita Hindsley
Mark your calendars to join the latest craze: walking. During the Education hour on Sundays from 9:15 until 10:15 a.m., Anita Hindsley will lead a class discussion with a bit of walking based on the book, Surprises Around the Bend: 50 Adventurous Walkers. The author, Richard A. Hasler, shows how avid walkers such as Henry Thoreau, Robert Frost, C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, and Mohandas Gandhi found inspiration in walking. This first session begins Sunday, September 12 and will conclude on October 17, just in time to see the changing fall foliage. A second session will continue in the spring. Look for the sign up sheet in Wesley Hall at the Education table or email Anita at hindsley1@comcast.net for further details. See how thoughtful walking brings out your creativity and provides an atmosphere for personal reflection. Copies of the book will be available for a nominal fee.
Reconciling Our Faith, Our World: Exploring the Palestinian Quest for a Just Peace
September 12, 19, 26, October 3
4 – 5:30 p.m. in Wesley Hall
Led by Connie Baker
Child care available upon request
A study of the Israel/Palestinian conflict developed by the Presbyterian Church that seeks to help Christians understand the “facts on the ground” so that as a Church we may embrace our calling as followers of the Prince of Peace in the land of His birth, the land we call holy.
Serious Answers to Hard Questions
Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. in room 103 (lower level)
September 15 – November 17
Led by David Hachmeister
Child care available upon request
Ten theologians – recognized worldwide in their respective fields – address 10 obstacles-to-faith issues, such as the existence of evil, other religions, resurrection, forgiveness, and the relationship between religion and science. This course, hosted by United Methodist Bishop Kenneth Carder, encourages energetic discussion and sustained reflection by both believers and seekers. Presenters include N.T. Wright, Amy-Jill Levine, John Polkinghorne, Richard B. Hays, and Sathianathan Clarke.
Reconciling Our Faith, Our World: Exploring the Gay Issue
October 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7
4-6 p.m. in Wesley Hall
Led by Reconciling Ministries Network Task Force
Child care available upon request
This five-week series is intended to bring witness and open discussion about the issue of homosexuality and religion. This series will provide insight into the issue from both a biblical and personal perspective. The objective is to bring the subject out of the closet and provide a venue for faithful discussion so that we may truly be an inclusive church and community which welcomes everyone and affirms diversity.
- October 10 - Series Introduction and Film Study - Testimony Time
- October 17 - Bible Study - Claiming the Promise
- October 24 - Film Study - For the Bible Tells me So
- October 31 - Exploring the personal perspective - Film Study Preacher's Sons
- November 7 - Series conclusion and review
The Old Testament
October 24, 31, November 7,14,21
9:15-10:15 a.m.- Aldersgate Room
Led by Bill Barnhart
The influence of the Old Testament on Western literature, art, music, theatre, and film, as well as its prophetic call for social Justice permeates our culture. It is the foundation document of Judaism and the first part of the canon of the church. Stories contained in Exodus will be explored on DVD by noted Bible scholar Amy Jill Levine; discussion will provide richer insights into the literature that forms our faith bedrock. This is an on-going series that began in fall 2009, but it is not necessary to have attended the previous sessions to participate in this class.
The Advent Conspiracy
November 28, December 5, 12, 19
9:15-10:15 a.m. – Aldersgate Room
Led by Chris Squier
Has consumerism stolen the soul of Christmas? Explore ways to make Christmas what it should be, a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth, not a retail circus. Participants will be encouraged to substitute compassion for consumerism by practicing four simple but power countercultural concepts:
- Worship Fully – because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus
- Spend Less – and free your resources for things that truly matter
- Give More – of your presence, your hands, your words, your time, your heart
- Love All – the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, the sick, in ways that make a difference.
All are welcome to participate in any or all of this video/discussion series in order to enrich the Advent experience.
Freed Up Financial Living
Two fall Saturday mornings 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
October 30 and November 20
Arrangements will be made for lunch
Led by Jennifer Jordan (Child care available)
Freed-Up Financial Living is designed to help individuals at every stage of their lives effectively deal with day-to-day issues related to finances. It’s about finding the peace, joy, and freedom that come through following biblical financial principles. Presented in an encouraging, grace-filled manner, Freed-Up’s goal is heart change and a more God-centered perspective on your resources, not just a change in financial behavior. In the Freed-Up course, you’ll discover effective tools and develop skills that will help you control your finances — so your finances don’t wind up controlling you.
After completing the course, you’ll walk away with:
• A clear understanding of biblical financial principles
• Simple steps to apply those principles in day-to-day decision making
• A personalized spending plan in your hand, knowledge in your head to implement it, and the motivation in your heart to follow through’
Book Discussion on “The Help” October 17
The Help by Kathryn Stockett will be the first Library Committee’s book discussion of the fall, and will be held on Sunday, October 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church library. This work of fiction takes place in Oxford, Mississippi in the 1960’s and is a story of social awakening as seen from both sides of the American racial divide.
In pitch-perfect voices, Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women — mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends — view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't. The book is available at bookstores, the Elmhurst Public Library, and Amazon.com. Child care will be provided upon request to ruth.zervas@umcelmhurst.org.
