Delivery of Poinsettias
2024-12-21 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Delivering of flowers with a delivery window of 9-12:00pm. I will be there to receive the flowers. Grace

Winter Overnight Shelter
2024-12-22 - 2025-01-12
Every year, the Interfaith Action of Evanston provides an Overnight Shelter for the community. First Church is hosting from December 22 to January 12. Many volunteers are needed to provide this vital service, and there are still a number of vacancies on the sign-up sheet. Please read the info and sign-up if you can!

Music Ministry
2024-12-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Sanctuary

Christmas Eve Family Service
2024-12-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Sanctuary

Community Time with Birthday Cake for Jesus
2024-12-24 16:45 - 17:30 | Great Hall

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2024-12-24 18:00 - 18:30 | Sanctuary
Chancel Choir rehearsal begins at 6:00pm. Festive Prelude begins at 6:30pm. Worship begins at 7:00pm.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
2024-12-24 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-12-24 23:00 - 2024-12-25 00:00 | Sanctuary

Church Office Closed
2024-12-25 - 2025-01-01

Social Justice Intersections Adult Education
2024-12-29 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Room
Come sing the social justice verses of many Christmas Carols at 9:15am on Sunday, December 29 in the Dining Room. We will focus on verses like this from “O Holy Night” – “Truly He taught us to love one another.  His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother. And in His name all oppression shall cease.

R3 Meeting
2024-12-29 11:30 - 14:00 | Glenna Hall

NU swim Team Diaper Packing for Bundled Blessings
2025-01-02 12:30 - 14:30 | Dining Room
Northwestern Swim Team will pack diapers for Bundled Blessings on Thurs Jan 2, 1-2:30 in the dining room. We will be setting up at 12:30. Contact Nancy Brown, 847-271-1712.

Social Justice Intersections
2025-01-05 09:15 - 10:30
SOCIAL JUSTICE INTERSECTIONS GROUP MEETS SUNDAYS, 9:15AM, DINING ROOM
Hi First Church sisters and brothers –
Many focus on a daily practice, especially during Lent. This Sunday, continues our Lenten study, “Anti-Racism as Daily Practice.” Our leader will be Joyce Hodel. We are using a book by the same name which adds a sub-title, “Refuse Shame, Change White Communities and Help Create a Just World.” We look forward to to seeing you Sunday.
Lisa Jacob
Joe Agne
Here are our addition dates and leaders:
– March 30, Pastor Britt Cox
– April 13, Chris Nieuwsma
– April 27, Dr. Jennifer Harvey, the book’s author and Academic Dean of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
We take a break from our study on April 6 for Earth Care Sunday, and on April 20, Easter Sunday, when will sing the social justice verses of our favorite Easter hymns.

Compline Night Prayer Service
2025-01-07 20:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
Compline Night Prayer Services Return
On Tuesdays beginning January 7th, you are invited to a thirty minute Night Prayer Service to end your day in community and peace. These services from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., available via Zoom, are patterned after the ancient monastic tradition of Compline (meaning completion)–the final prayer of the day. We will follow a simple liturgical format for this service of quietness and reflection before rest. Persons of all ages are encouraged to give this spiritual practice a try. The zoom format invites participation from anywhere! We are enriched when family & friends in many locations join in. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, will continue through Lent, concluding on April 8th. Participants may attend as schedules allow. Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) to sign up or with questions.

SPRC Meetings
2025-01-08 09:00 - 16:30 | Glenna Hall

Young Adult Karaoke
2025-01-11 18:00 - 22:00
Come join the Young Adult group for fellowship and fun for Karaoke night. Contact Sydney Harkrider for more information at sydney@faithatfirst.com.

Monthly Men's Fellowship Gathering
2025-01-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Dining Room

The Christian Experiment
2025-01-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Room 33
The Christian Experiment is participating in One Church One Book for the season of Lent. More information below.
The Third Day: Living the Resurrection
March 9-Holy Week
Each spring, our church chooses a common book which everyone is invited to read. This year, our book is Tom Berlin’s The Third Day. Dedicated teachers offer classes on various days and times during the week, both in-person and via Zoom.
To guide us on our journey of reflection and preparation, Tom Berlin’s book puts the devastating experience of Jesus’ followers after the Crucifixion. When it appeared to them that Jesus was dead, they all faced despair. But when Jesus reappears, they take new hope and move forward to launch a world-wide movement. In addition to exploring the biblical characters’ feelings, the author interlaces contemporary stories of people facing hopelessness and despair and finding renewal in Christ. It offers inspiration to us in our own trying times. The book is available at the church office for $10.00 per copy or through Realm. Please email class teachers for Zoom information.

A Faith Story: Black Identity at First UMC Evanston
2025-01-12 09:30 - 10:30 | Dining Room
A Faith Story: Black Identity at First UMC Evanston On the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, Jan. 12, assisted by current members of the congregation, we will review highlights from the story of Black persons (African Diaspora) who have worshipped and intersected with First UMC Evanston. How is that story different from the one with which you are familiar?

Drop-In Q&A about Inquirers Class
2025-01-12 11:35 - 12:15 | Dining Room
A casual drop-in time for persons who are considering the Inquirers Class to ask questions and learn more about the experience. The next Inquirers Class begins January 26 and meets weekly on Sundays 9:15-19:15am through March 2. Contact person: Mary Taylor-Johnson, 847-864-6182

Earth Care Committee Meeting
2025-01-12 11:45 - 12:45 | Glenna Hall

Board of Ordained Ministry Mock Interview
2025-01-13 08:00 - 12:00 | Glenna Hall

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing with Justin Wynn Students
2025-01-13 16:30 - 18:00 | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank Packing with Justin Wynn Students – Mon. Jan. 13, 4:30-6 PM. Contact person — Nancy Brown, 847-271-1712 or nandbrown@comcast.net

Bundled Blessings Money Talk
2025-01-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Glenna Hall

Third Thursday Women’s Plus Basketball at First Church
2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Great Hall
Third Thursday Women’s Plus Basketball at First Church

Calling all women and non-binary folks who want to play ball or just have a ball.

What: Basketball for adults. Your children can watch (the way we watch their games). No skills are required. Fierce competition and great gentleness are welcome. The ultimate goals are fun and connection. Your friends who have not yet experienced First Church awesomeness are also welcome.

When: Third Thursday of Every Month from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: First Church Gym
Who to Contact: Kathryn Grant-Bolton at kgrant@depaul.edu or 847-529-6256

Social Justice Intersections Group: The Wetlands, Caring for our Neighbor. With guest speaker, Paul Botts, President and Executive Director of The Wetlands Initiative
2025-01-19 09:15 - 10:15 | Dining Room
On January 19 during Adult Education time, First Church will hear from Paul Botts, executive director of The Wetlands Initiative, about restoring marshes and other wetlands in our area.
Even though we live beside the Great Lakes, the greatest freshwater bodies in the world, clean water is a precious resource. We all need to reduce our use to save clean water in a warming environment. Here are some tips to reduce your water use at home:
• First, take shorter showers and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Small changes like these add up!
• Save and reuse water when running your faucet to get hot water. You can use this for watering plants, for example.
• Attach a rain barrel to your downspout and collect rainwater to use for watering outdoor plants. (Be sure the top of the barrel has a tight mesh screen over the opening to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.)
• Replace faucets and shower heads with low flow versions. New, water efficient toilets also use much less water than older ones.
• Run your washing machine only when you have a full load.
• Maintain your appliances. Check for and repair any water leaks.
Small changes at home can help our region retain precious fresh water. And to learn more about the importance of water, be sure to attend the Wetlands Initiative presentation on January 19th at 9:15 a.m.!

Drop-In Q&A about Inquirers Class
2025-01-19 11:35 - 12:15 | Glenna Hall

Walk for Warmth
2025-01-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Sanctuary
Walk for Warmth is an Interfaith Action, community-wide event that raises funds for the overnight shelters and celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King. Funds will be used to support staff, laundry, and supplies for the shelters at the nine faith communities throughout the winter months. Set-up will begin at 9am, with doors opening at 10:30am.
Check out the Interfaith Action website for details on the walk, registration (free and required), and the option to make a financial donation for the overnight shelters.

Mom's Night Out
2025-01-22 18:30 - 20:30
Mom’s Night Out- Wed Jan 22nd – A New Year!
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22, 2025! 6:30-8:30 pm
Caroline Wagner’s Upstairs Kitchen (with Meg Hagenah and Liz Blackwell as Cohosts)
Please RSVP to carolinehwagner@gmail.com Or Caroline’s phone 646-271-0727
You can bring something to share but no pressure!
