Chimes, January 2022

Come out and enjoy a morning beautifying our building with all our Christmas decor! Make it a family event, there is fun work for all ages.

Join First Pres musicians and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra of Arlington Heights for our annual Messiah Sing-Along Concert! It will be a glorious playing of Part 1 Messiah concluding with the Hallelujah Chorus. Singers & non-singers alike will enjoy this holiday favorite!

During the concert directed by NSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Semanik, you will hear soloists Megan Hendrickson, Kristen Walter, Nick Pulikowski, Adam Hendrickson, and Dan Richardson perform, coupled with chorus interludes for audience participation.

This concert will run approximately 65 minutes with no intermission. There is ample free parking at and around the church. This is a free event, and no tickets are required for entry; a free will offering will be accepted during the concert to help First Pres and the NSO continue their missions of bringing music and joy to the local community.

We hope that you will join us to begin the holiday season!

Child care is provided for evening concerts by calling the office for a reservation (no later than four days in advance).

Men’s Monday Morning Bible Study and Scout Troop 32 invite the entire congregation to a Christmas breakfast. Come enjoy food, coffee, fine conversation and fellowship.

The Mission Committee will sponsor a volunteer workday at Christopher House in Logan Square on Saturday, December 9. We will gather at First Pres at 9:15 am and travel together. We will return around 1:00 pm. We will be working with the Christopher House staff to receive and organize the Family to Family Christmas gifts that are being received from organizations that day.

Christopher House provides comprehensive services to families in the Chicago area for families with newborns through high school. Christopher House and First Pres have a long partnership including participation in the Family to Family Christmas program. We only have twelve spots for this volunteer opportunity, so please register if you plan to attend. If you have questions, please contact Michele Holifield.

For some of us, Christmas is a time filled with palpable sorrow and lingering grief. Maybe you have experienced a life changing event or a loss that leaves you struggling to get through each day. Please know that you are not alone in your feelings of dread for the joy and celebration that surrounds you. If these words resonate with you, we encourage you to attend what we call The Long Night Service or Blue Christmas.

Love Lights Service – December 10, 5:30 pm

Christopher Urban, organist
Kris Ward, handbells

Ding, Dong, Merrily on High – Christine D Anderson
Veni, Veni – Heather Keith
Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming – Michael Kastner/Kevin McChesney
Greensleeves – Brian Childers
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – Linda Lamb
Mary, Did You Know? – Jack Schrader
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Kevin McChesney
West Indies Carol – Christine D Anderson

Please join the Presbyterian Women for a Christmas Tea in the Parlor after the recital.

The entire congregation is invited to a Christmas tea hosted by Presbyterian Women in the Parlor. Be sure to attend the Wednesdays@Noon concert at 12:10 pm in the Sanctuary

Sunday, December 17, after worship
After worship join us in the Parlor — $10-per-box donation to support Youth Ministries.

Join Chancel Choir, Men’s Chorus and orchestra as they present Christmas music themed around Winter Wonderlands! Featured composers include Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, John Rutter and poetry by Christina Rossetti. Audience participation is encouraged as we raise our voices in singing familiar carols of the season.

Children’s Pageant & Candlelight

4:00 pm, Sanctuary
Children’s Choir and Youth Handbell Choir