LATEST NEWS

News Archive
Video/Audio Archive

 
 
    Miss our Service? See it Right Here!
June 28, 2009
First Congregational Church, the oldest church in Elgin, is pleased to offer video taken at our weekly 10:15 a.m. worship service. Now you can see what all the excitement is about at F.C.C.! Click the button to watch the video of our most recent service. If you are unable to play the video, you will need to download and install Adobe's Flash Player and restart your web browser before viewing the video.

To see videos dating back to March 2, 2008, please click here to access the archives. Thanks for visiting our site!


ONLINE GIVING
FCC is truly coming into the 21st century. At its April meeting, the Church Council approved the option of online giving to our church. Now you can choose to have your regular offering, or renovation pledge, or any other gift automatically transferred from any bank account. This service is available through the United Church of Christ and will operate just like your online bill payments. It will promote consistent giving and make it easier to forecast cash flow. FCC will have complete control over contribution information, and confidentiality will be maintained as in the past. Click here for more information and to download the authorization form.

F.C.C. MISSION GRANT SUPPORTS MISSION TRIP TO GUATEMALA

In late March of this year, the First United Methodist Church of Corvallis, Oregon travelled to Guatemala for mission work to help the people of Guatemala. This mission work was partially funded by a mission grant from F.C.C.

Click here to see more photos from the mission trip!

MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY
We all remember "I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!" from Alice in Wonderland. We're asking you to be on time and purchase tickets to the Mad Hatter's Garden Walk and Tea Party on Saturday, August 1 at 1 p.m.. Tickets are $20 ladies aged 12 and up/$10 for girls 6-12 yrs of age, and can be purchased after every service in the narthex. Invite your mother, sister, friend or neighbor! It'll be a great afternoon with gardens, refreshments and a silent auction. For more information, email Letty Jocius at .


POWER PARENTING 101
Daily routine of managing children wearing you out?
Tired of saying: “Do your homework!” “Clean up after yourself,” and “Don’t you ignore me!”

Spend more time enjoying your family and less time nagging, threatening, and yelling!

Practical and easy-to-use skills

TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF PARENTING BY:
• Raising responsible children
• Improving communication
• Establishing healthy boundaries
• Having fun!

Six classes begin: Monday 6/22 & Tuesday 6/23
Then Mondays 6/29-7/27, 6:15-7:45 PM
(No class 7/6/09)
First Congregational Church
256 E. Chicago St., Elgin

ADMISSION IS FREE!
Optional workbook $12



To reserve your space, contact:

or (847)836-9272
Call to register for CHILDCARE!: 847 741-4045


1st ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC WAS A BLAST!

This year held the 1st Annual FCC Church Picnic, and what a day it was. The Lord blessed us with good weather, worship, food and fellowship. Around 90 of us gathered under Wing Park's shelter #1 to praise God in the outdoors and were reminded that Jesus says "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am also." For those who weren't there, you missed a special treat on a beautiful Sunday and please plan on attending next year. Click here to enjoy the sounds of the Fox River Trio, the FCC Guitars (Bob, John and John) and our church family and friends joining in song and worship. We look forward to next year's picnic!

SPIRITUALITY OF FINANCE
While it's probably not the best name; we’re working on it. But in the meantime, we’ve already started having some great discussion about the current economic challenges, and what really makes us happy. Please join us (the first Sunday of the month) at 9:15am in the 2nd floor conference room. If you have questions, please call the church office.

DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE MEETING
Every Monday Night, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at F.C.C., 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance's (DBSA) mission is to provide hope, help, and support to improve the lives of people living with depression or bipolar disorder. DBSA pursues and accomplishes this mission through peer-based, recovery-orientated, empowering services and resources when people want them, where they want them, and how they want them.
For more information, contact:
Lisa at 847-961-5165 or 224-623-4891
Joyce at 630-392-0521
Additional information
DBSA Website

SCRIP GIFT CARD PROGRAM
Purchase gift cards and participating retailers rebate a portion to our church. All profits go to the Transforming The Church renovation fund.
For the list of participating retailers, click here.
For instructions on how to order online and help raise money for the F.C.C. renovation, click here.
• 600+ retailers on the list!
• Cards for gas, food, clothes, home improvement, hotels etc.
• Use it yourself or give as gifts
• Order on a Sunday, get card(s) the next Sunday
Purchase by cash or check. Must be a separate check than your church offering.

We are pleased that the participation in the Scrips gift card program is beginning to take off! But, right now less than 20% of the congregation is participating and our goal is to get that number to 50% or better. Since inception we have raised close to $500 for the renovation project! Don’t want to carry so many cards in your wallet or purse? Keep an envelope in your glove compartment for easy access! Here are the newest members of the Scrips gift card family: HSN (Home Shopping Network), Jiffy Lube, REI and The Container Store.

Any questions, please contact at (630) 715-7494 or at (224) 588-7034.
New Updated Coming Events Page
There’s a lot going on at First Congregational each and every week! Click here to be directed to our new and updated events page. On it you’ll find activities at the church and in our community for the next few months. Check back often for the latest event listings!




 
Listen to Last Week's Service

Entire Service (6/28/09)
Real Audio (streaming)
MP3 (please download first)

Sermon Only
Growing Faith
(6/28/09)
— Rev. Lois A. Bucher
Real Audio (streaming)
MP3 (please download first)

(audio file help)

2008 Video/Audio Archive


Acolytes, Ushers and Other Volunteer Schedules

In Worship in July


July 5: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher — Dr. Paris Donehoo
Scripture readings:
Judges 6:36-40
Daniel 3:13-20
Romans 12:9-13
Sermon: God, Guns, and Guts
Solo: Mark Kohavec - saxophone
Holy Communion

July 12: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher — John Kauffman
Scripture readings:
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29
Sermon: Believing, Blessing, Building – Power Surging!
Anthem: Mixed Ensemble

July 19: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher — Rev. Lois A. Bucher
Scripture readings:
Matthew 25:31-45
Sermon: Reflections on Mission Trip to Washington D.C.

July 26: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Preacher — Dr. Paris Donehoo
Scripture readings:
Psalm 148:1-14
Psalm 121:1-8
Sermon: I Will Never Drive a Minivan