First United Methodist Church of Evanston, IL

All-Bach Organ Concert
2025-03-21 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Sanctuary
Dr. Brian Schoettler presents an all-Bach organ concert in observance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday. Included on the program is Bach’s monumental Passacaglia and, maybe the most famous work for organ, the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. The 7:30pm concert is free and open to the public.

New Members-First Friends Lunch
2025-03-23 11:40 - 12:40

Pat Kline's Celebration of Life
2025-03-29 | Sanctuary

ASP Sunday
2025-03-30

Handbell Choir Rehearsal
2025-03-30 10:00 - 10:15 | Sanctuary

Visitor Coffee and Tour
2025-03-30 11:30 - 12:30 | Glenna Hall
Curious to further explore First Church? Want to meet others in the congregation and tour the building? Visitors and others new and not-so-new to First Church are invited to stay after worship on March 30 or April 13 for a Visitor Coffee. The event will include informal conversation, coffee and snacks, and tours of rooms in the building where “the magic happens” (to quote Pastor Grace). Information on the Inquirers Class will be available. Please RSVP for either date here.
Questions? Please reach out to Mary Taylor-Johnson,
Director of Membership and Engagement, at 847-864-6182 or mary@faithafirst.com.

Music Ministry
2025-03-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-08 14:30 - 15:30 | Sanctuary

Evanston Lighthouse Rotary
2025-03-31 16:30 - 21:30 | Dining Room

Festival Choir Rehearsal
2025-04-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Choir Room
Adults and high school youth from the congregation and the community rehearse in preparation of Handel’s “Messiah” (Parts II & III) for the Festival Choir Concert on May 16, 2025. No audition is required.

Wedding
2025-04-04 08:00 - 2025-04-05 17:00 | Tittle Chapel
Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5, 2025 – Wedding Rehearsal and Wedding Ceremony

Dinner for Earth Care Committee and Special Guests
2025-04-05 18:30 - 20:30 | Glenna Hall

Earth Care Sunday
2025-04-06

Children's Council
2025-04-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Dining Room and Conference Room
Children’s Council acts as both a work committee and an advisory board to the Director of Children’s Ministry. The Children’s Council focuses on formulating and supporting the vision of our various children’s ministries. We consult with the Director of Children’s Ministries to plan the yearlong calendar. Under the umbrella of Children’s Ministries are the following programs: Sunday School, Chapel, Connect 456, Nursery, Summer Camps (Creation Camp, VBS, Family Camp), Fellowship Groups, Pageant, and holiday celebrations (e.g, Advent, Lent, Easter).

Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank hosting ETHS Community Serivce club for diaper packing
2025-04-10 16:00 - 17:30 | Room M
Bundled Blessings Diaper Bank hosting ETHS Community Service club for diaper packing on Thurs. 4/10, 4-5:30 pm in room M. Contact Nancy Brown at 847-271-1712.

Mom's Night Out
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:30
Come Join us for some lively conversation and friendly moms of all ages!!!!
Every MOM is Welcome!
Julie Womack’s home with Jess Chadwick as Cohost
RSVP to womackjulie@gmail.com
Bring something to share if you wish – no guilt!

ASP Fundraiser Dinner
2025-04-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Dining Room
Come join us as our youth and adult volunteers tell you all about our annual Appalachia Service Project mission trip! We need your help to help the people of Appalachia! Please join us for a pasta dinner and consider our auction table so you can donate to our cause and get a gift out of it! Hope you’ll help our Youth Ministry go on ASP for the 27th year!

Palm Sunday Procession
2025-04-13 09:15 - 10:30 | kitchen
Help us enter Holy Week! At 9:15 a.m., come together with area churches (and a live donkey!) in the Ecumenical Palm Sunday Parade. Following the walk, gather in the church kitchen to learn a bit about the history of hot cross buns — an early spring and Easter favorite — decorate one for yourself or a friend, and have a bite before worship! Then grab a palm branch outside of the Sanctuary between 10:25-10:30 a.m. and help lead the way into worship as part of the children’s Palm Sunday procession.
Please note that Sunday school and Faith & Parenting classes will not meet at 9:15 a.m. on Palm Sunday, April 13.

Children in Action
2025-04-13 12:00 - 13:30
Children in grades 1-6 are invited and encouraged to step into service on Palm Sunday, April 13 from 12:00-1:30 p.m., with lunch provided! This month, we’ll help inspect and sort plastic Easter eggs to reuse all we can for this year’s Easter Eggstravaganza before painting and decorating real eggs of our own! Registration required. See details and register here.

Bookends and Beginnings hosts author Colm Toibin
2025-04-15 16:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary
Evanston bookstore, Bookends & Beginnings, hosts author Colm Toibin, for the paperback release of his latest book, Long Island. They anticipate 300 attendees. Program to begin at 7:00 with doors open at 6:00. Contact person for the church: Krys Juleen

Children's Ministry December Monthly Dinner
2025-04-16 00:00
Children’s Ministry Month Dinner Gathering, Contact: Colin McDonald, colin@faithatfirst.com

Labyrinth Walk During Holy Week
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Memorial Garden
Labyrinth Walk during Holy Week: Walk the labyrinth at the church in our Memorial Garden during Holy Week. Walking a labyrinth is a spiritual practice that involves walking a path (at our church, a circular single path design) to the center and back out again. It can be a time for prayer, reflection and healing. Why walk a labyrinth? …to see life as a journey of faith, to quiet the mind and practice mindfulness, to gain insight and self-knowledge, to feel solace and comfort, to renew strength and perspective, to pay attention and be present in the moment. The labyrinth will be available to walk from April 16th-18th, Wednesday-Friday during Holy Week, from 12:00 noon-1:00 pm. A member of the Faith Formation Council will be there to provide information and help guide you. You may find your way to the labyrinth by entering the Church St. door or by entering directly through the outside gate off of Hinman Ave.

Maundy Thursday Family Service
2025-04-17 17:30 - 18:30 | Tittle Chapel

Maundy Thursday Pizza Potluck
2025-04-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Great Hall
On Maundy Thursday, we remember that Jesus invites us to His table that we may leave strengthened and repurposed to love as we are loved. While Maundy Thursday worship tends to be a bit heavy, help us lighten the mood and look forward to Easter’s joy at Pizza Potluck. Following the Maundy Thursday Family Service at 5:30 p.m. in Tittle Chapel, we’ll gather in Great Hall for a taste of things to come with delicious pizza and time together around the table.
All are welcome, though not required, to bring a side dish to share. As the kitchen will be in service for Thursday Soup Kitchen, please only bring sides that require no preparation or heating. Register here!

Chancel Choir Rehearsal
2025-04-17 18:30 - 19:00 | Tittle Chapel
Chancel Choir rehearsal in Tittle Chapel balcony before worship.

Maundy Thursday Service
2025-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Tittle Chapel

Good Friday Service
2025-04-18 19:00 - 20:00

Easter Vigil
2025-04-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Tittle Chapel

Festive Prelude
2025-04-20 10:00 - 10:30 | Sanctuary
The Music Ministry of First Church present 30-minutes of music as we prepare for our Easter worship service.
The Festive Prelude and worship will feature the Chancel Choir, Brass, and Organ.

Easter Sunday "Eggstravaganza"
2025-04-20 11:30 - 12:30
Immediately following Easter Sunday worship, children of all ages are welcome to join in the fun of this year’s outdoor egg search! Exit through the fountain foyer into the Memorial Garden for three designated locations divided by age. Pick up a “map” and take-home treat bag from an usher at any entrance to the Sanctuary, and help us reduce and reuse by depositing all plastic eggs in marked buckets located across First Church’s front lawn. No basket needed! (Event will move indoors in case of rain.)
Please note, children’s classes will not meet Easter Sunday. Worship activity bags will be available at all Sanctuary entrances and Nursery care will be provided beginning at 10:00 a.m. through the Worship hour.
