First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

LIFEKEYS: DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE
Coming in September, this is a course designed to help you find meaning and purpose through discovering and affirming (1) What you do best, (2) The places or atmospheres that give you the most energy, and (3) The purposes God has placed in your heart. Class offerings will be:
• September 14-15 (Friday night and all day Saturday) at Country Inn and Suites on Randall Road. Closing sessions and wrap up Monday evenings: September 24, October 1, 8, and 15.
• September 29-30 (All day Saturday and Sunday afternoon). Location to be determined. Closing sessions and wrap up on Sunday evenings: October 7, 14, 28, and November 4.
A registration fee of $20 covers the cost of a workbook and meals. Participants in the September 14-15 class may choose, if they desire, to attend closing sessions and wrap up for the September 29-30 class. A block of rooms at Country Inn and Suites has been reserved for those who wish to stay overnight.

COMING THIS FALL IN ADULT EDUCATION
➢ “Four Voices” in September
➢ Bible Study each Sunday
➢ “Controversial Conversa-tions with Carl”
➢ “Stepping Stones” (formerly “Help! I Need Somebody”)
➢ Breakfast each Sunday

Bill Schmoldt had triple bypass heart surgery on July 9 at St. Joseph Hospital. He is recuperating well and getting stronger every day.

Curt Phillips was injured recently at work and is not recuperating well. Curt and Jennifer are expecting their first child in September.

Rowena Swan spent several days in Sherman Hospital during the week of July 8 after a fall near her home. She is home and recuperating well.

Tom Powell injured his back during the week of June 16. He is slowly getting better.

Former FCC Children’s Choir Director, Roberta Reed, had knee replacement surgery on June 20. She is home now and recuperating well.

Russ Hanchette, Ruth Hanchette’s husband, was hospitalized at Sherman recently. He is now recuperating at home.

Marilyn Kauffman was admitted to Central DuPage Hospital on July 13 for suspicion of a heart blockage. Tests revealed she did not have a blockage and she is home now and doing fine.

Ida Jurgens, Cathy Jurgen’s grandmother, was hospitalized in Iowa with congestive heart failure.

Carson James Sanderson, son of former members Chad and Kimberly Sanderson, nephew of Cory and Dawn Sanderson, and grandson of Ken and Jackie Sanderson, was baptized at FCC on July 8. The congregation made promises on behalf of the First Methodist Church of Keller, Texas where Chad and Kimberly are active members.

Vern Miller, Jeanne Rothlisberger’s father, passed away in Iowa on July 23.

Lee Bernhard, husband of Kathi Bernhard, passed away on July 12.  A memorial service, led by Pastor Lois, was held at FCC on July 16.

Jane Busby retired on July 27 after many years of working for Charles Industries.  Congratulations!

Coming in September…
Sunday school begins on Sunday, September 9.
We are making plans for another great year of Christian education for the children and youth of our church. Our Sunday school classes will begin on Rally Day, September 9th. Please plan to join us as we kick-off another great year. Are there new families in your neighborhood? How about inviting them to come to church and Sunday school?

All Church Pool Party
Join us for the first ever all church pool party at Wing Park Pool on Tuesday, August 14th 8pm – 10p.m.  This is an after hours event so we’ll be the only ones in the pool. Yea! The pool won’t be overcrowded and there won’t be long lines at the water slides.  If you pay in advance the cost is only $5 per person or $15 per family and $5 for guests.  The cost at the door will be $7 per person.  In case of rain the event will be held on Thursday, August 16th.  Complete the order form included in this newsletter to get the advance ticket price.  Please note we will not be issuing actual tickets – we’ll have a list at the door. 

Once again it is time to get in on the fun of being part of a dinner group.  We have had many very successful years of Dine with Nine (or Dinners for Eight).   Each group consists of eight or nine adults.  The group takes turns meeting for dinner in each other’s homes.  The hostess decides on the menu for the evening and lets the other guests know what to bring.  Following dinner there is time for games, discussion, movies or whatever.  A couple of dining out groups are also available for those who do not like to cook.  If you’d like to be part of a dinner group fill out the insert in this issue of Church Life.  This is a great way to get to know the people you worship with each Sunday.  Please sign-up by September 18th so our new groups can be up and running by mid October.  Please complete the form enclosed. 

Calling all children ages kindergarten – 6th grade!  Hop on down to church on the third Friday night of each month (Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, Jan18, Feb 15. & Mar 21) for our FROG (Friends Relying on God) children’s youth group.  We begin each session at 6:00 p.m. with a pizza dinner and then follow dinner with singing, story, games and crafts.  Our evening concludes at 8:30 p.m.  It is a great time for the children of the church to play, learn, and grow together.  It provides an opportunity for parents to go out for a nice quiet dinner.   We do ask that parents volunteer one Friday night during the year.  Please complete the registration form and return it to the church office so we can plan accordingly. The cost remains $15 for the fall semester (Sept., Oct. and Nov.) if paid at one time.  The cost if paid on a month by month basis will be $7.00 per time.
Please contact Lois if you have any questions or you’d be willing to volunteer to help with this program.  

5th Eric Turnquist
Alex Halfpenny

12th Emerson Lewis
Maggie Powers

19th Keaton Fahnestock
Phillip Brictson

26th Brad Rantz
Dennis Turnquist

Hey Kids - Let's Sing!
It’s time for the kids of FCC to “Make a joyful noise!” Kids, your choirs are starting up the Tuesday after Labor Day! (That’s Tuesday, September 4 for you parents and the family calendars.) I’m very excited about having ALL the kids in the congregation join in on this fun, joyful, musical time of singing and rejoicing in our Lord. Parents, more details about rehearsal will be announced soon and over the next few Sundays. Stay tuned for more info, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Letty Jocius at 847 608 0653. 

August 5    Shirley Mae Byrnes
Charlie Rantz

August 12    Janet Banwart
Jennifer Bero

August 19    Penny Donehoo
Karen Carlson

August 26    Lee Ellsworth
Glenna Pravadovic

September 2    Jennifer Phillips
Kurt Phillips

September 9    Penny Donehoo
Glenna Pravadovic

September 16    Shirley Mae Byrnes
Janet Banwart

September 23    Karen Carlson
Lee Ellsworth

September 30    Jennifer Bero
Charlie Rantz

We were asked to serve an extra week this quarter and as usual our fine volunteers came thru.

Sherman Hospital --- week of June 25
Larry Rothlisberger
Gail Yauch
Bonnie Turk
Chuck Zimmerman
Dolores Zimmerman

Many thanks to all.

Our next turn is the week of August 7 and 14. If you'll be available to help please call me at 847-741-1606.

Thanks
Dolores Zimmerman

7-02 Emilie Kottmeier
7-03 Mary Vickers
7-04 Mich Barbezat
7-14 Robert Bayler
7-16 Mark Preradovic
7-19 A. J. Mitchell
7-20 Jami Sunday
7-21 Derick Dahlstrom
7-22 Danielle Dahlstrom
7-22 Benjamin Grote
7-23 Samantha Sell
7-24 Shirley Hokanson
7-27 Leonel Solis
7-25 Patricia Scroggins
7-28 Ellen McDonald
7-31 Karie Widder
7-31 Christie Bowers
7-31 Cameron Leberecht

8-01 Joanie Steffen
8-02 Helen McClure
8-03 William Schnell
8-04 Susan Smith
8-05 Kate Reuter
8-05 Tianna Louaillier
8-07 Steve Stauffacher
8-07 Mary Ehret
8-07 Chase Sund
8-09 Delores Kagel
8-10 Sandra Magana
8-11 Jesse Vickers
8-11 Kerry Sund
8-11 Andrew Duncan
8-11 Abigail Garcia
8-12 Steve Munson
8-14 Clifford Hokanson
8-14 Paris Donehoo
8-16 Colleen Stauffacher
8-18 Dorothy Cook
8-18 Fred Steffen
8-18 Robert Mason
8-20 Eric Turnquist
8-21 Krista Leith
8-22 Janet Banwart
8-26 Nick Kemmler
8-27 Kenia Solis
8-28 Andrea Szlapinski
8-29 Shirley May Byrnes
8-31 Betty Hargrave
8-31  Nancy Bye

The Mental Health Ministry announces its new name:

Our mission statement:  A mental health ministry focused on recovery to educate, enlighten, empower and encourage individuals living with mental illness, their families and the community.

To begin the new adult education year,
Stepping Stones presents:


The materials to be used for this workshop are:

•    Fierce Goodbye
•    Living in the Shadow of Suicide.  

This is a faith-based perspective on suicide produced by Mennonite Media in cooperation with Faith & Values Media.  Topics will include stories of suicide survivors, aftermath of suicide, faith communities and survivor support.   Fierce Goodbye focuses on stories from people who have experienced suicide in their families or among their loved ones, and how they have found hope amid terrible pain.  The intention is to facilitate more open conversation in the church and society about the once-taboo topic of suicide, and thereby help survivors move toward healing.  Throughout the workshop there will be large and small group discussion, time for reflection and sharing, and a celebration of life service to remember those we have lost.
For planning reasons we are asking anyone who will be participating to complete the registration form included in this newsletter.  Additional registration forms will be available at FCC.  The registration deadline is August 30, 2007.  In addition, there is a $10.00 fee due at the time of registration.
Scholarships are available upon request.

Unfortunately, almost every one of us has been touched by suicide.  Whether we have experienced the loss ourselves or we have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, fellow parishioner…in some way we have witnessed the chain of events unleashed by suicide. This workshop is dedicated to exploring, learning and sharing how we’ve coped with the despair and grief associated with the aftermath of suicide.  
By sharing these experiences we strive to share hope.  Hope for healing.  Hope for a better understanding.  Hope for fewer loved ones lost to suicide.
We encourage anyone, whether you are a survivor or not, to participate.