Dear Faith Community Church Family,
This past week, Amy-Jo Wierenga presented us with an album and a financial gift from the church on the occasion of our daughter Vivian’s birth. We can hardly express how surprised and moved we were by both the financial gift and the thoughts, prayers, blessings, advice, and Scripture collated in the album. We have put the album in Vivian’s room for her to reference for years to come. Truly our children are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 11), and we are blessed to know that their covenant relationship to the Father is bolstered by such a rich inheritance in their church family.
Psalm 136 begins, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” The basis for our thanksgiving is the everlasting steadfast love of our God; his never-ending, covenant-keeping, sacrificial love for his people. This is why the Apostle Paul can say in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” In every circumstance—in times of plenty or in times of suffering—we can give thanks to God because he has committed himself to us, and because it is his will for us to do so. This Thanksgiving season, let’s keep our attention on the goodness and steadfast love of our Lord, who has not withheld any good thing from us (Psalm 84:11).
This Sunday: Two Ways to Worship
Beginning this Sunday, we will hold two in-person services at 8:30am and 9:45am. The 9:45am service will be livestreamed.
If you will be worshipping from home for the 9:45am service, click this link prior to the service: Faith Community Church Livestream Service.
If you have a Gmail account, please consider subscribing to our church’s YouTube channel.
Since this is our first week livestreaming our worship, there will undoubtedly be some glitches that we’ll need to smooth out over the coming weeks. If you are having problems connecting, Natalie Wierenga will be available to assist you.
Baptisms
This Sunday we have the honor of baptizing our two newest additions to Faith Community Church. The baptisms will take place at the 9:45am service. Since we want visiting members of the families to be able to sit in the Worship Center, due to the capacity limitations of twenty-five people, we’ll be providing overflow seating in the building where the service will be livestreamed. Please consider worshiping at the 8:30 am service and joining us online for the baptisms or consider worshipping with us via livestream for the 9:45 service.
Advent and Chicago Friends of Haiti
This past Sunday, Ted Powers preached from Matthew 25:31-46 and gave a powerful message on our calling to be agents of mercy in this world. He also provided information about our partnership with Chicago Friends of Haiti and the Advent bible project.
If you haven’t had a chance to watch the worship service and hear Ted’s sermon, you may do so here.
This Advent we are seeking to raise enough funds to provide 100 French bibles for children at the Cavaillon Orphanage in Cavaillon, Haiti. Each bible costs $9.00. Faith Community, along with other churches in our presbytery, are committing to purchase a total of 1200 bibles that will be placed into the hands of these children and students, giving them the Word of God in their native language.
To participate, take an ornament from the Christmas tree in the lobby (if worshipping in-person). You may make your donation by (1) placing it in the offering plate, (2) making a payment through the church website, or (3) sending a check to the church (910 Main St. West Chicago, IL 60185). If you give through our website, please help us to keep track of donations by contacting Rosa Matos in the church office, notating your intention for your gift to go toward the Advent project (630) 231-8230; [email protected]).
Adult Sunday School this Sunday at 4:00pm
This Sunday, our adult Sunday school will meet at 4:00pm in the Worship Center to discuss chapter 4 (patience) in Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit by Christopher Wright.
Men’s Bible Study
The Saturday morning men’s bible study is cancelled for the remainder of the year and will resume on the first Saturday of the new year, January 2.
Outdoor Advent Prayer Gathering on Sunday, December 13 (5:00pm-6:00pm)
On Sunday, December 13 (5:00-6:00pm), we will hold a special time of prayer at the church. During our time together we will pray for the children and staff of Cavaillon orphanage who will receive the bibles from our Advent bible project, in addition to praying for the ministry of Chicago Friends of Haiti, and the upcoming mission trip to Haiti in July 2021. There will be snacks and hot chocolate available and firepits at each prayer station. We’ll also have an area inside the building for anyone who would like to pray indoors. In the event of bad weather, we will meet in the Mission Center.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)
With thankfulness for you all,
Pastor Rhett