February 15, 2010 - First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

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Pastor/Head of Staff...Reverend Christine Chakoian...cchakoian@firstchurchlf.orgAssociate Pastor for Mission...Reverend Corey Nelson...cnelson@firstchurchlf.orgAssociate Pastor for Faith Formation, Youth &Young Adults...Rev. Erik Dailey...edailey@firstchurchlf.orgAssociate Pastor for Faith Formation, Children’s...Rev. Amy Pagliarella... apagliarella@firstchurchlf.orgParish Associate...Reverend Kent Kinney...kkinney@firstchurchlf.orgExecutive Director...Lynnette Hinch ...lhinch@firstchurchlf.orgDirector of Faith Formation, Youth and Parent...Kristie Finley...kfinley@firstchurchlf.orgDirector of Music/Organist...Jill Hunt ...jhunt@firstchurchlf.orgDirector of Sanctuary Choir...Tom Tropp...ttropp@firstchurchlf.orgDirector of Youth Music Ministry...Lesley Byers...LesleyPByers@aol.comPreschool Director...Ruth Luke ...rluke@firstchurchlf.orgDirector of Communications...Donna Birney ...dbirney@firstchurchlf.orgChurch Business Manager...Herb Smyers...hsmyers@firstchurchlf.orgChurch website...www.firstchurchlf.org ... fax 847. 234 . 6283...phone 847 . 234 . 6250First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest 700 N. Sheridan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045 847-234-6250Dear friends,Ash Wednesday, February 17, opens the season of Lent -the six week period leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Often we think of Lent in terms of "giving up something,"an ancient Catholic tradition. But in the next breath our inner Calvinistkicks in, and we question whether our "sacrifice" of chocolate or coffeeamounts to anything more than showing off self-discipline.Maybe we have the goal wrong. In fact, the discipline is a means, not an end.The core purpose of Spiritual disciplines (ancient and modern) is to draw us closer to God.The disciplines are just the means. Nor is there only one discipline - "giving up something."Rather than a one-size-fits-all exercise for Lent, the most effective Spiritual disciplineis dependent on whatever is keeping you at a distance from God.This Lent, you are invited to explore what may be getting in the way of your relationshipwith God, and to take up a discipline that can draw you closer.Wednesday morning services begin on Ash Wednesday and will focus ona different discipline each week (see schedule in this issue) includinghospitality, prayer, discernment, compassion, Sabbath keeping and worship.See you in worship!Blessings,Reverend Christine Chakoian"Caring for Aging Loved Ones "Saturday, February 2710:00 AM: Coffee & Fellowship10:30-11:30AM: PresentationLaura Carothers, M.D.in South ParlorCaring for aging loved ones can be very rewarding, but it is also hard work. Dr. Laura Carothers,geriatrician and Stephen Minister, will discuss medical care tips and daily care of aging lovedones, common health conditions and ailments, care giving planning, wellness and support, seniorcare centers such as adult day programs, living and housing options.ALL ARE WELCOME TO THIS HELPFUL & SUPPORTIVE PRESENTATION.RSVP-DONNA dbirney@firstchurchlf.org A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITYSunday WorshipSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 219:00 & 11:00AM WorshipFirst Sunday of LentLuke 4: 1-13Reverend Christine Chakoianfirst@five@ 5:00 in the sanctuaryfellowship & dinner @ 6:00Reverend Erik DaileySUNDAY, FEBRUARY 289:00 & 11:00AM WorshipSecond Sunday of LentJohn 6: 1-15Children’s ChoirsTable for...5000!first@five@ 5:00 in the sanctuaryfellowship & dinner @ 6:00Guest preacher:Joy Guscott-MuellerCHURCH CLOSEDTHE CHURCH WILL BE CLOSEDON MONDAY, F EBRUARY 15IN REMEMBRANCE OFPRESIDENT'S DAY.Faith Connectionsis published bi-monthly and mailedto 1300 members and friends ofFirst PresbyterianChurch of Lake Forest.700 North Sheridan RoadLake Forest, Illinois 60045Submission due dates are the1 st and the 15 th of every month.Please send submissions tokwolff@firstchurchlf.orgfaxed to (847) 234-6283 ordropped off at the church office.CHURCH OFFICE 847-234-6250HOURS: Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00PMSaturdays [Sept - May] 8:00-noon
AshWednesdayWednesdayFebruary 17Family Worship...5:30PMi n F e l l o w s h i p H a l lSupper...5:45PMFaith Journey. ..6:30 PMby Reverend Erik DaileyWorship...7:00PM with communion & imposition of ashesBegin your journey through Lent by joining fellow church members inFellowship Hall at 5:45PM for a simple soup and salad supper as wehear Reverend Erik Dailey's faith journey. The evening continues with anexperiential, moving service of worship at 7:00PM in the sanctuary withcommunion and imposition of ashes offered. Though this evening is a whole event,you are welcome to participate in whatever part(s) allowed by your schedule.There will be extra chairs in Fellowship Hall if you cannot make the supper butwish to hear Erik's faith journey. Worship is open to everyonewhether you are able to come to supper or not. Reservations for dinner $ 5 .00 -w w w . f i r s t c h u r c h l f . o rg or Kerry at (847) 234-6250 ext 233Friendship Is PricelessThe best prescription for loneliness is friendship.For those who are homebound and have limited social contact,the perfect prescription can be a Friendly Visitor.A new ministry opportunity, the Friendly Visitor Program, wasinitiated by the Board of Deacons this fall. Our Friendly Visitorsmake visits to older or shut-in members of our congregation in theirhomes or care centers, or to other residents in nursing care facilities.The visits are social in nature. Friendly Visitors provide a friendlyear, just talk, play checkers, do crossword puzzles, read thenewspaper, or reminisce. Visitation times are flexible. A mutuallyconvenient time is set up between the senior and the visitor.We have a growing number of congregational members who arehomebound-those who cannot make it to worship or who wouldbenefit from our support to let them know that they are rememberedand loved. Do you have 30 minutes or an hour to share with asenior talking, listening, playing cards, reading a story, or writing aletter on a weekly or bi-monthly basis? Your smile can brighten a life.Friendly Visitors receive a two-hour training session on listening,confidentiality, and other relevant topics. To participate in thisministry or to learn more, contact Carrie Ford at (847) 615-9166or bandcford@aol.com, Vandy Janson at (847) 234-1922 orv.janson@sbcglobal.net or Laura Sibley at (847) 615-9221 orsibleylaura1948@yahoo.com.Lunch Bunch On Friday, February 26,Lunch Bunch welcomes Mike Goy of the Lake Forest PoliceDepartment.His talk, "Fraud, The Internet & IdentityTheft," will be presented through a power-point presentationon what it is, how it's done, and how to prevent it.Join us for this timely and important information.Lunch is at noon in South Parlor. Cost is $6.00 at the door. Pleasecall Kerry at (847} 234-6250, ext 233 by Tuesday, February 23.The Road Most TraveledFinding the way to our church home is like navigating the TollRoad under construction. We encounter pot holes, detour signs,road rage, frustration and disappointment. There is no directroute. No Yellow Brick Road to follow. We can only hopewe'll eventually hit a stretch of smooth asphalt to relieve thestress. When we do, we feel it. We sense the worst may beover, and we look forward to the rest of the ride, hopefullyarriving at our destination safe and sound.Of the ten men and women received into membership at FirstChurch on January 24, 2010, most had traveled the circuitousroute. Their journeys were unique and inspirational: no twoalike. However, they all shared the same sentiment, "They hadfound their way home." Their quest was over.Each heard a voice, a calling,or felt a yearning that compelledthem to connect or reconnect to their faith…to commit to that faithand share the good news with others. And share they did, whilegathered in the intimacy of the upstairs Stuart Room prior to beingpresented to the congregation. The diverse group of faithfultravelers told their stories; the doctor, the scientist, the single mom,the couple who found each other after years of tribulation, thegraduate student who crossed an ocean and found love, faithand family, the son of a minister who had taken a detour andfound his way back to his father's faith. All agreed they felt"comfortable, blessed, grateful" with their decision.After Christine's closing prayer, someone noticed the sun had justcome out and flooded the room with light. God is the light in ourlife. God is the truth and the light. God's presence was evident.God led the faithful to their new church home, and wewelcomed them with God's blessing.How did you find your way to First Church? Why did youchoose to become a member? Taking time to reconstruct yourjourney is worth your while. It brings you back to the core ofyour faith. It allows you to ask questions and show your gratitude.As you embrace these new members into the life of the church,ask them to listen to your story, too. Share your glory with them.We are all family, supporting, honoring, loving and forgiving oneanother. This is membership. This is family. "Now you are thebody of Christ," Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "and eachone of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV).Sunday, February 21Senior High Youth Group meets at 7:00PMin the Youth Lounge. We will head over to the Jewel tobuy groceries for neighbors who need support. We willbe using the money we collected from the Souper Bowlof Caring. This will be a really fun night of shoppingand service! Groceries will be delivered during the weekto the Shields Township Food Pantry.Sunday, February 28 - Senior High Youth Group meetsat 7:00PM in the Youth Lounge. Come one, come all and bringyour friends!BIRTHSWe welcome Avery Lynn Mondau, born on January 28, 2010 toKevin and Rebekah Mondau. She joins grandparents Laura andChris Mondau and proud great-grandma, Jean Grost.
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February 15, 2010 - First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

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