First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

10:30 Worship - Covenant Service with Austin Lovelace music
2023-01-08 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Sanctuary
Baptism of Our Lord Sunday with renewal of baptism vows, holy communion, and Austin Lovelace music.
Worship in the sanctuary and also livestreamed. Visit Worship This Sunday – First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL (faithatfirst.org) early in the week for the livestream link and other details.

Epiphany observed
2023-01-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary

Adult ASP Informational Meeting
2023-01-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Room M
Contact Jim Hagedorn for more details.

Interfaith Action Overnight Shelter
2023-01-09, 2023-01-10, 2023-01-11, 2023-01-12, 2023-01-14, 2023-01-15 | Room M and Room K
FUMC will be hosting the Interfaith Action Emergency Shelter for 3 weeks from 12/25/22 to 1/15/23 as one of 9 faith communities involved this year.

Interfaith Action provides the 2 paid staff members each night as well as volunteers. Our congregation needs volunteers to serve as “hosts” for each morning and evening during our 3 weeks. The morning shift is from 6-7 AM and involves helping the staff and volunteers with clean-up as the guests exit the building. The PM shift is from 7:55-9:30 PM when our host will let the staff/volunteers into the building starting at 8 PM and help with set-up as guests arrive starting at 9. The City is once again requiring that all participants be masked.

If you haven’t volunteered for the Interfaith Shelter in past years, please know that there are not a lot of demands on our hosts given the staffing provided by Interfaith. Please consider giving some time for this important effort by taking one or more slots on the Sign-Up Genius which can be found here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4AACAE2AA75-fumc. And please contact Craig Chambers at cdc7976@gmail.com with any questions. Craig will be in touch with volunteers to provide further details and will be happy to give quick training to anyone who needs an initial overview or refresher. (With the emphasis on QUICK because there truly is not much to it!)

Thank you!!

Nominations & Leadership Development Committee Meeting
2023-01-09 19:00 - 20:15
The Nominations & Leadership Development Committee is charged with identifying and equipping church members to serve as leaders for the church’s ministry areas. Rev. Grace Imathiu, Chair – grace@faithatfirst.com Lynelle Diener, Vice Chair – lynellediener@gmail.com Cherie Asante Don Baker Carol Barnett, Church Council Liaison Steve Betzner Jan Chapin Julia Jackson Nancy Pendergrass Mary Taylor-Johnson, Staff Liaison – mary@faithatfirst.com
Meets on Zoom.

Night Prayer Service
2023-01-10 20:30 - 21:00
On Tuesdays beginning January 3, 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 explore this spiritual practice and participate as their schedules allow. The services, sponsored by the Faith Formation Council, continue through February 21. Interested? Contact Tom Scott (tom.scott.goblue@msn.com) for the Zoom link.

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-11 17:15 - 18:00 | Choir Room
Children’s Choir is open to children in grades 1-6 and children can join at any time. Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-11 18:30 - 19:15
The Handbell Choir plays in worship once each month. Basic music reading skills required (instrumentalists are especially welcome). Open to adults and youth in grades 6-12. New members welcome throughout the year – email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Membership Committee
2023-01-11 19:00 - 20:30
Meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:15 pm. Contact Mark Henry, chair, (mark.g.henry@gmail.com) with questions.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-11 19:30 - 21:00
SATB Choir for adults and youth in grades 9-12. New members welcome throughout the year – email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

Online Discussion of "Holy Love" - All welcome
2023-01-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
All are welcome to a three-session online conversation on the book Holy Love: A Biblical Theology for Human Sexuality by Steve Harper. The discussion is scheduled for Thursdays, January 5, 12 & 19, 1:00-2:00pm via Zoom and will be led by Blaine Rader.
Holy Love is the January book selection of the First Church Progressive Christianity reading group. Harper, a retired UMC elder of the Florida Conference, served as a seminary professor for over thirty years and will join the final discussion session on January 19.
In Holy Love Harper works to articulate the teachings of the Bible and Wesleyan tradition on human sexuality. Described as “very accessible,” this book is for persons who wish to understand the Bible’s teaching on sexuality as a vital component of human life, experience and relationships. The book makes the case that biblical, Christian teaching is compatible with faithful, covenantal love and intimacy amidst all sexual orientations.
Interested? Email Dennis Moore at djmoore1941@gmail.com for the Zoom link. A copy of the book may be borrowed from the church office.

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-15 09:30 - 10:15 | Sanctuary
Email brian@faithatfirst.com for more details.

MLK Sunday
2023-01-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Sanctuary

Children's Chapel
2023-01-15 10:45 - 11:30
Children’s Chapel seeks to excite and build confidence in children’s experience of worship and sense of belonging at First Church. Children ages three through 3rd grade are invited to experience the wonder of worship and joy of service in a lively, child-friendly setting. Throughout the program year, children take part in the seasons of the Christian year, exploring rituals, sacraments, and songs of our worship tradition as well as hands-on aspects of our church mission that children might shape and help share the story of our faith.

Connect456
2023-01-15 10:45 - 11:30
Connect456 is designed to help children in grades 4-6 connect to the church community as older elementary and middle school students preparing to make their own way at First Church. Each week features a unique means of connecting, including serving in leadership with younger children, learning about our church history and United Methodist identity, observing worship and more!

Adult ASP Info Meeting
2023-01-15 11:45 - 12:30 | Room M
Mark your 2023 calendar for a January 15 informational meeting about a possible Adult Appalachia Service Project (ASP) mission trip this spring. We would like to assess the interest and start planning. Interested? Please email Jim Hagedorn for more details.

Bundled Blessings Diaper Packing - 2 Youth Groups
2023-01-15 14:30 - 17:00 | Room M
Sun. Jan. 15, Two youth groups will pack diapers for Bundled Blessings in room M. 2:30-3:45 St.Athanasius 7th Graders; then 4-5:00 FUMC Youth Group. Contact person – Nancy Brown – 847-271-1712 or nandbrown@comcast.net

MLK Interfaith Community Worship Service
2023-01-15 15:00 - 16:30
At Faith Temple Church of God in Christ.
Learn about the event.

Walk for Warmth
2023-01-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Great Hall
On MLK Day of Service 2023, you are invited on the annual Walk for Warmth beginning here at First Church. 2023 marks the 4th year Interfaith Action of Evanston has coordinated this walk as part of the fight against homelessness and hunger in our community.
We’ll gather in Great Hall and walk alongside groups from other faith communities on a two-mile route that includes eight overnight shelter locations. Go to the Walk for Warmth webpage to register, to donate, and for more details. Questions? Contact Ann Weatherhead, our IAE delegate, at amweatherhead@gmail.com.

Night Prayer Service
2023-01-17 20:30 - 21:00 | Zoom

Children's Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-18 17:15 - 18:00

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2023-01-18 18:30 - 19:15 | Choir Room

Communications Committee
2023-01-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall
The Communications Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Questions? Contact Mary Taylor-Johnson at mary@fathatfirst.com or S.E. Brick at sebrick19@gmail.com .
2022-23 Communications Committee: Liz Blackwell, S.E. Brick (chair), Karen Jordan Farr, Wendy Istvanick, Todd Kibbey, Lauren McDonald, Henry Pleas, Andy Shotwell, Mary Taylor-Johnson (Director of Communications and Membership)
