You know what they say about opinions. Lots of people have them. I often find the setup to an opinion has as much influence as the opinion itself. For instance, you could be on a date at a nice restaurant, order a wonderful dish, but have lousy conversation. Your...
When First Pres updated their hymnals from the 1955 edition to the 2013 edition, there were bound to be some changes. Something I noticed right away was it being less impressive than the 1990 edition. The 1990 edition still reigns supreme for me, but I digress. My...
Our lives are organized around several series of repeating patterns: the earth spins day into night and vice versa, the same hours repeat on a clock, the same days repeat week after week, the same months in the year, and the year always repeats with each orbit around...
Christmas Eve morning, wow! Here it is. I hope you are able to watch our Christmas Eve service online today. We put a ton of hard work into it to make it as special as possible for you. If you are apart from friends or family, particularly if you are by yourself, find...
Over the last few weeks, I have been scouring through our Worship Archives for music. I am putting together a “Best of” Christmas Concert. It should be available, immediately following Katy Allen’s delightful Virtual Caroling event on Sunday. I am also putting...
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 4:00 PM
Choir, soloists and orchestra present Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah, which chronicles many episodes of the prophet Elijah’s life, including his
Event Details
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 4:00 PM
Choir, soloists and orchestra present Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah, which chronicles many episodes of the prophet Elijah’s life, including his challenge to Ahab and the contest of the gods, the miracle of raising the dead and his ascension into heaven. This piece was composed in the spirit of Mendelssohn’s Baroque predecessors Bach and Handel, whose music he greatly admired. Elijah is modeled on the oratorios of these two Baroque masters; however, in its lyricism and use of orchestral and choral color, the style clearly reflects Mendelssohn’s own skill as an early Romantic composer and it often feels operatic. The oratorio was first performed on August 26, 1846, at Birmingham Town Hall in England. The choir will be made up of voices from the First Pres Chancel Choir, Southminster Presbyterian, Faith Lutheran, St. John UCC, Christian Church of Wood Dale, Sounds Good Choir, Elgin Master Chorale and Apollo Chorus. An inspirational afternoon of music you will not want to miss!
Confirmation Sunday is April 28! Join us to celebrate important milestones in the lives of our youth. For 8th graders currently finishing Confirmation, we’ll celebrate their hard work
Event Details
Confirmation Sunday is April 28! Join us to celebrate important milestones in the lives of our youth. For 8th graders currently finishing Confirmation, we’ll celebrate their hard work and dedication to learning about their faith as they enter a period of discernment before choosing whether or not they’d like to join the church. For 10th graders, we’ll celebrate the culmination of their discernment following their time in Confirmation in 8th grade by welcoming them as members of the church. This is such a special Sunday. We hope you’ll join us!
May 1, 12:10pm | Christopher Urban, organ
Our final noontime recital of the 2023-2024 season. Chris will focus on music of spring
Event Details
May 1, 12:10pm | Christopher Urban, organ
Our final noontime recital of the 2023-2024 season. Chris will focus on music of spring and rebirth from the hymn tune All Things Bright and Beautiful to Edvard Grieg’s The Last Spring. A celebration of the new life and rebirth the season offers.
Child care is provided for 4:00 pm concerts by calling the office for a reservation (no later than four days in advance). All concerts livestreamed at firstpresah.org
Time
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 12:00 pm 12:00pm(GMT-05:00)
Wednesday, May 8, 7:00pm
Our next God’s Honest Truth will be on the theme Untold: Hidden Stories from Our Past. We are looking for your
Event Details
Wednesday, May 8, 7:00pm
Our next God’s Honest Truth will be on the theme Untold: Hidden Stories from Our Past. We are looking for your own personal untold stories that have had a significant impact on your life. Please contact Rev. Rebekah Anderson with your story or talk to her at church. If you aren’t telling a story, plan to attend to support and hear the amazing stories from our congregation.
