39th Annual Organ Fest

During morning worship services, we begin Holy Week with the distribution of palm branches to mark the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

During morning worship services at 9am (Compass Praise Band) and 10:30am (Youth Choir and Children’s Choir).

Scriptures: Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 31:9-16

Performed by the First Pres choir, orchestra and soloists:

Diana Richardson, soprano
Nick Pulikowski, tenor
Dan Richardson, bass

The oratorio, written in 1797 and 1798, is considered by many to be one of Joseph Haydn’s greatest masterpieces. It depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as narrated in the Book of Genesis.

Part I brings the audience through the journey of the creation of light, of heaven and Earth, of the Sun and Moon, of the land and water, and of plants as narrated by the three soloists, representing the angels Gabriel (soprano), Uriel (tenor), and Raphael (bass).

From its opening Representation of Chaos, through the creation of stars, seas and storms, a magnificent musical sunrise and of course every animal from whales to eagles and even a worm, the Creation is one of the great musical dramas, teeming with life and energy.

All First Pres concerts are FREE and open to the public. Donations to continue our free programming are appreciated.

We’ll also celebrate First Pres 170th anniversary with an Illinois premiere of Tributum, for bagpipes and orchestra.

First Pres is one of many partner churches who work with Journeys | The Road Home, a non-profit that advocates for those experiencing homelessness in the Northwest suburbs. The PADS program provides hospitality, food, and emergency shelter from October 1 through April 30 of each year.

The First Pres PADS site is staffed by volunteers every Tuesday night October through April. Volunteers prepare and offer dinner, breakfast, and a sack lunch, all in a welcoming, supportive, safe environment. Monetary and food donations are needed each week as well as volunteers to staff each of the three shifts (6:00 pm -11:00 pm; 11:00 pm-3:00 am; 3:00 am -7:00 am). A dedicated team of volunteers also assists with Wednesday morning clean-up. For more information contact [email protected].

Every Wednesday, Family Night begins with dinner, served buffet style, from 6:00-7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Dinner offers an excellent chance to connect with old friends and make new ones, all while enjoying great company and delicious food. After dinner, we offer programming for the whole family from 7:00-8:00 pm.

• Children’s Choir (Grades K-5) rehearses from 6:30 – 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
• Adults are encouraged to attend the adult education offering of the evening. Adult ed offerings range from book discussions to current event discussions to storytelling and beyond.
• Middle schoolers (6th-8th grade) meet for youth group.
• K-5th graders participate in Kids Connect.
• High schoolers (9th-12th grade) are invited to volunteer with Kids Connect or attend the adult ed offerings.
• Nursery care offered, if needed, based on attendance.

We hope you will give Family Night a try this year! Please contact Rev. Rebekah Anderson if you have any questions or anticipate needing nursery care.

We are invited to a dinner and worship service at St. John’s UCC Church on Evergreen.

The evening will start with a dinner at 6:00 pm and a service at 7:00 pm.

A service of darkness and betrayal where we observe the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, featuring the Chancel Choir and Youth Choir.
This service, like all others, will also be available via Livestream at https://firstpresah.org/experience/livestream/

Children’s Ministries is sponsoring an all-ages Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. We will begin in Fellowship Hall and separate children by age group before the hunting begins so each group will have their own area to search for eggs in the Christian Education wing and Gym.

Bring your Easter basket to hunt for eggs and get some delicious treats! You may even find the GOLDEN EGG!

A light breakfast of donuts, fruit, veggies, yogurt, bagels, juice and coffee will be served. Allergen-friendly treats will be available.

Please register using the link below. We hope to see you there!

There are 4 different services to celebrate Easter at First Pres as we experience new life through God’s love and the resurrection.

• 6:30 am – Sunrise Worship in North School Park** followed by coffee and donuts (with St. John UCC)
• 8:00 am – Modern Worship with Praise Band
• 9:30 am – Traditional Worship with the Chancel Choir & Brass
• 11:00 am Traditional Worship with the Chancel Choir & Brass

*Childcare will be available for the 8:00 am, 9:30am & 11:00 am Services.
** If inclement weather, sunrise service will move to St. John Sanctuary

HELP US FLOWER THE CROSS!
On Easter Sunday, please bring cut flowers to help flower the Easter cross in front of the Sanctuary doors on Dunton Ave. Flowers are a symbol and a reminder of the power of resurrection and rebirth.

Join us on Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16 and 23 to rehearse for the Children’s Spring Musical! Rehearsals for children ages 4 to 10 involving music, drama and artwork will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Sanctuary and CE Wing. Our rehearsals culminate with the musical on April 27, which will be performed in worship at 10:30 am. All are welcome!

Mark your calendars! Summer will be here before we know it, which means we’ll have one of the most exciting experiences of our year: Summer Mission Trips!

Middle schoolers will be going to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from June 22 through 27 with Youth Works.

See the Youth Ministries Weekly News email for more information and links to register.

If you’re interesting in joining on the Middle School or High School Mission Trip this summer, please contact Rev. Rebekah Anderson.

Mark your calendars! Summer will be here before we know it, which means we’ll have one of the most exciting experiences of our year: Summer Mission Trips!

High Schoolers will go to North Carolina to help with natural disaster relief July 20 through 26.

See the Youth Ministries Weekly News email for more information and links to register.

If you’re interesting in joining on the Middle School or High School Mission Trip this summer, please contact Rev. Rebekah Anderson.