“Servants of

Jesus Christ—

Ministering

To One Another,

To Our Community,

And To Our World.”

805 Western Ave. Joliet, IL 60435

815.727.9259

FAX 815.727.9348

office@firstpresjoliet.org

firstpresjoliet.org

Sunday Morning

Schedule

Worship— 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Children’s Worship— 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Holy Hunters— 10:30 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship— 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Nursery/Preschool Care—

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

January 27, 2016

The Servants’ Light (USPS 560-720) is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church, Joliet, IL. Periodicals Postage paid at Joliet, IL

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Servants’ Light, 805 Western Ave., Joliet, IL 60435-6998.

February 10

Ash Wednesday Dinner at 5:45 p.m.

Join us for a family style dinner of Chicken Parmesan, Buttered Green Beans, Garlic Bread, Italian Salad,

Ice Cream Sundaes, Lemonade & Coffee Freewill Offering received

Worship/Communion at 6:30 p.m.

Dale Ambler is preaching on “Me, Myself and I…Shedding Self-Reliance” as we begin our new sermon series for Lent on

“Traveling Light.”

Chancel Choir and our Children’s Choir will be leading us in worship.

Ashes are available for those who desire.

(Children’s Choir will meet at 5 p.m. as usual for rehearsal.)

Chili Cook-Off & Movie Night Saturday, January 30

Set-up @ 4:30 p.m.; Tasting begins @ 5:00 p.m. Movies begin @ 6:00 p.m.

Bring a crock pot full of your favorite chili to share with others. The more people…the more chili we need!!

Here’s the lineup of movies: "War Room"—Fireside Room “Max”—Cinema “Minions”—Sanctuary “Woodlawn”—Room 201 "A Walk in the Woods”—Youth Group Room

Known to be in the Hospital: No one. Entered into Life Eternal:

Valerie Jacques (Jan. 10) Myrtle Patterson (Jan. 24)

A Memorial Service for Myrtle Patterson

will be held Sat., Jan. 31, 10 a.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home.

Visitation is Fri., Jan. 31, 3—8 p.m.

The Pastor’s Corner—

Craig Herr, Senior Pastor

Sunday, January 31. We will cele-brate the wonder of God working in and through us to extend his reign in the world this Sunday. Each one of us is gifted and given talents and resources by God. The Lord seeks to use us for his purposes, love, and

grace wherever we live, work, and play. Give thanks for God at work in you today as you anticipate worshipping with your church family this Sunday. The Chancel Choir is singing at the 9:00 a.m. worship service and the Worship Band is singing and playing at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Sermon. Bo is preaching this Sunday on “The Real You.” Bo writes, “This Sunday we are looking at Phi-lippians 4:1-9, ‘The Real You.’ As we get to explore this part of Philippians, we learn about two sisters in Christ that seem to have come to some disagreement. Paul captures this moment in the life of the church and he makes use of it by starting a much deeper conversa-tion about “Real identity.” So as we prepare for Sun-day worship, I want to encourage you to ask yourself this simple question: Who Am I? The sermon text is Philippians 4:1-9.

Lenten Wednesday Evening Worship. Join us to worship and focus on the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus in the coming Season of Lent. Starting Wednes-day, February 17 (the week after Ash Wednesday), we will meet in the Sanctuary/Worship Center from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday. We will sing, pray together, and have a short meditation on the scriptures. We are going to worship in the same way we did last year during the Wednesdays in Lent. We will be using the theme “Traveling Light” from Max Lucado’s book of the same title. See You This Saturday For Chili and Movie Night. That’s this Saturday, January 30th. Bring a pot of your favorite chili to share at 4:30 p.m. We’ll meet in Hoffman Hall for a great dinner. The Movies will begin at 6:00 p.m. January is a great, great time to enjoy the wonder and warmth of Chili. Youth Group Parent Meeting. Parents, join us at 5:45 p.m., this Sunday evening, January 31, in the Fireside Room to learn what’s going on in our youth group ministry. In Christ,

January 24, 2016 Worship Attendance — 213

Stewardship Report

2015-2016 Budget: $ 775,895

Year to Date Receipts $604,842 Year to Date Expenses $613,202

2015-2016 Bequest/Gift Income Received— $113,478 We received a bequest of $111,478 from Irma Fisher.

Growing in Christ—

Adult Education Opportunities

“Bible Perspectives” Sundays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Room 201 with Jim Mullins

We use the Common Lectionary Bible passages each week. The format basically follows a three question format: What do these words mean? What did these words mean to the original hearers? What do these words mean to us today?

B.I.B.L.E. Bible Study for Beginners Sundays, 8 to 8:45 a.m.

Fireside Room with Dale Ambler B.I.B.L.E. will turn its attention to a focus on Psalm 23 using our Bibles and Max Lucado’s book, “Traveling Light.” Anyone is welcome, even though the overall focus is a Bible study for beginners. Join Dale Ambler in the Fireside Room from 8:00-8:45 a.m.

“What Should I Do” Adult Discussion Group

Wednesdays, 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Last fall we looked at “What do I believe?”. We are now discussing “What should I do?”. The format will be the same as last fall: video and discussion as we look at what it means for us to put into action the foun-dational ideas from last fall. Join us in the Fireside Room at 5:15 p.m. each week that ZooM meets. Following our time together, you are invited to join the rest of the ZooM family as we eat dinner together at 6:15 p.m.

Daily Devotional Blog Our devotional blog will continue with “Author’s Choice.” If you are interested in joining our group of authors, just drop an email to dale.ambler@firstpresjoliet.org. It’s really not that hard—the most important thing is committing to at least one day per week and writing devotional thoughts that are foundationally biblical. After all, the primary focus of this devotional blog is knowing our Bible better.

“Traveling Light” Sermon Series & Book Study

During Lent we are basing our sermon series and study upon the book “Traveling Light” by Max Lucado. You can find copies of “Traveling Light” on the book table in Hoffman Hall. It’s just $10 for a book. It’s a great theme and study for Lent

based upon Psalm 23 and selected New Testa-ment passages. I have never learned more about Psalm 23 in any single book than this one. — Craig

Wednesday Nights During Lent Plan to worship with your church family each Wednesday in Lent in the weeks after our Ash Wednesday Worship Service. Each Wednesday night we will worship in the Sanctuary/Worship Center from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. We will sing, pray, read the scriptures and share in a short Lenten Meditation. This time of worship will be based upon Max Lucado’s book “Traveling Light.” Each week we will explore what it means to let go of those things that weigh us down as we seek to live as followers of Jesus. You are welcome to join our ZooM family for dinner at 6:15 p.m. ($4), and then stay for worship.

At its regularly scheduled meeting of January 14, 2016, the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Joliet, voted: --to elect Chris Wise as Clerk of Session for 2016; --to elect Tracy Norris as Church Treasurer for 2016 and Margaret Lucas as Assistant Treasurer; --to authorize a search for a new Youth Director; --to authorize additional hours for Office Ministry Assistant Jen Gabl to provide additional assistance with the youth education program; --to approve the removal of Hazel Rogers from membership by her request.

If you have prayer requests, please fill out the form in the pew pad and place in the offering plate, in the box on the table in the narthex, or mail to the church office. Our Pat’s Prayer Circle prays for those in the congregation, their friends and relatives, and for those in our community and in our world.

Thurs. AM Circle

2nd Thursday (Feb. 11, 9:15 a.m.)

in the Fireside Room

Mary Circle

2nd Thursday (Feb. 11) in the Fireside Room Bring a sack lunch at 12 noon; dessert &

meeting at 12:30 pm

Meal Fellowship

Men’s Breakfast—February 5, 7:30 a.m. at the Old Fashioned Pancake House on Jefferson St., Joliet. Dinner Out Group—February 16 (Tuesday), 6 p.m. at Dragon Light Restaurant, 1809 N. Larkin Ave., Crest Hill. Please call Mary Haas at 815-524-4624 or Sis Schmidt at 815-725-0544 by February 15 if you are plan-ning to join us, so a reservation can be made. Men’s Dinner Group—February 26, 6 p.m. at Katie O’connor’s Pint House, 13717 S. Route 30. RSVP to Bob Smietanski at 815-838-7616.

Church Life —

Small Groups & Special Events

Don’t Forget: All-Officer Retreat—Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon in Hoffman Hall. Current Elders, Day Deacons and Night Deacons will meet to make plans for our ministry for the coming year.

Financial Peace

February 1 — March 28, 2016

We all need to plan for our money. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. FPU will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more. The cost is $93 per household (adults and teens). Call the office to purchase your membership—we have a limited number available at this reduced rate. Scholarships are avail-able—speak to one of the pastors. Childcare is also available.

Servants of Jesus Christ —

Ministering to One Another, to Our Community, and to our World

Night Deacons Free Pancake Breakfast The Night Deacons are serving breakfast on Saturday, February 6, 8 to 10 a.m. to those in our com-munity who are spiritually or physically hungry. Come on out and help us serve and welcome our guests.

Angel House Mission Special Offering The final Sunday of January and the beginning of February we will be receiving a special offering once again for Lucia, Rhobi, and Bhoke. These are the three grade school girls we are supporting at Angel House Mission in Tanzania. Each year we raise $4,680 ($1,560 for each one) to support their education, housing, and food for the entire year. You will remember how great it was to face time and connect by live video feed to our friends at Angel House Mission. This continues to be a wonderful and exciting mission for our church to be a part of and support.

Since the inception of this ministry in October 2005, over 2,900 meals have been provided to members of our church family though your assistance. Helping Hands would like to thank the following people who over the past six months have provid-ed meals, rides, and other services to members of our congregation. We would also like to thank ZooM for providing meals as well. We can always use additional

people to help provide assistance. If you would like to be a part of this vibrant ministry, know someone who can use some temporary help, or would like more information about Helping Hands, please contact Betty Jones at 815-729-0349, Dave Steinberg at 779-234-6413, or the church office at 815-727-9259.

Dale & Tari Ambler Jean Bailey Marvin Balsley Don & Raelene Barnes Stacy Becker Al & Pat Benson Russ Brown Sherry Buffington Don & Mary Caisley Jim Chiado Pat Costion Julie Coughlen Carla DeYoung Clare Dhiman

Dale Endres Kyla & Paulie Fris Jen Gabl Caroline Gheorghiu Bob & Mary Haas Craig Herr Dave Jefferies Jeff Kasper Mary Lynn Keir Carol Kline Sue Lee Keith & Pam LeVasseur Mike & Marcia Maggio Micah Manore

Jeannette Miller Diane Milosevich Bo Mircea Donna Nelson Mandy Nolan Harriet O’Malley Henry Province Martha Sayles Carolyn Schaeffer LuAnn Stepina Emma Sticklen Art Stratemeyer Holly Tomashek ZooM

We are excited to announce the recommencing of Stephen Ministries to First Pres. With much plan-ning and preparation, soon you will be seeing details about Stephen Ministries, dates and times for information meetings and Stephen Minister Training in the near future. Stephen Ministries is a Christ centered ministry of God caring for people through people. The first Stephen Ministry information “Lunch and Learn” will be Sunday, February 28th at 11:45 a.m. We invite anyone who would like to know more about the ministry to attend, enjoy a light lunch, hear and ask questions concerning Stephen Ministries at First Pres., and prayerfully consider if God is calling you to the ministry of care giving. 1 Thessalonians 5:11—Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID

AT JOLIET IL USPS 560-720

Newsletter Deadline—The deadline for reserv-ing space in the February 24 Servants’ Light is February 10. Please e-mail to sher-ry.buffington@firstpresjoliet.org.

TO:

Address Service

First Presbyterian Church 805 Western Ave. Joliet, IL 60435

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Craig M. Herr—Senior Pastor

Dale Ambler—Associate Pastor Bo Mircea—Associate Pastor of Children’s Ministry

and Family Ministry Dale Hammond—Pastor of Visitation

Diane Uden—Administrative Ministry Assistant Sherry Buffington—Outreach Ministry Assistant &

Newsletter Editor

Lent…What does it mean? We often hear things like, “What are you giving up for Lent?”, or “I gave that up for Lent.” So what is Lent and why do you hear these things? Let’s start with…“What is Lent?” Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays) that is traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and is a period of time of self-discipline by Christians through simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Typically, Catholics give up something in order to seek God’s blessing, but we need to re-member that God’s grace is a free gift.

Ash Wednesday…why ashes? Throughout Christian history—ashes are a sign of our mortality and repentance. The ashes we wear on our Lenten journey symbolize the dust and broken debris of our lives as well as the reality that eventually each of us will die. At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come forward to receive the ashes. The pastors will make a small cross on your forehead with the ashes. The ashes remind us of our mortality and sin…the cross reminds us of our hope in the resurrection and forgiveness. All of this is a symbolic way of realizing God’s forgiveness and renewal in Jesus Christ. This Lenten season, I would encourage you to focus on how you will grow closer to God made real in Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in your lives. Rather than simply focusing on giving up something, I would suggest that you seek to understand what will come to you in Lent through intentional prayer, Bible study or service in your journey to strengthen your relationship with the God of the universe. — Dale Ambler

Children’s Ministry …So many things can be said about it. Some might think that we need it be-cause it keeps the service nice and quiet, others might think about it and say “the kids are so cute and they bring the young families,” while some other voices might say “we need it because it is in the Bible.”

Of course, lots of things can be said about it, but one thing that keeps bubbling up in my heart

time and time again is this: We, as a church, are to pass on the faith that we cherish to the future generations, and while we might think that it starts with the kids, in reality it starts with the whole family, kids and parents alike. For the ancient Jews, that was a com-mandment that molded their faith, their customs and conduct. It speared new ideas and ways of worshiping God when the temple was destroyed.

This one belief that what we have is sacred and precious and needs to be shared with future genera-tions makes us look at the kids and the parents we see on Sunday morning, and Wednesday nights as something so important to who we are as faith people. In a way they are the future church, the witness that God is preparing in the world.

So I want to ask you something so simple and yet so hard to do:

Pray for them! Pray for the chil-dren of our church! Pray for their parents! Pray for those that teach those 20 some kids every Sunday!

Pray that faith will grow in their hearts, and who we are as a con-gregation will be blessed by see-ing the fruits of their faith in years to come.

Blessings,

Bo M.

Children’s Ministry Update

ZooM Night

@Bowling Alley We are going BOWLING to escape the winter cold. Feb 3rd -5:30 pm Pizza, bowling and lots of smiles. Bring your friends. Cost $5 a person. Crest Hill Lanes 905 Theodore St., Crest Hill, Illinois 60403

Easter Egg Hunt 2016 Mark your calendars for Easter Egg Hunt: March 19 @ 9:00 am Breakfast, pictures, story time and lots of crafts will make this egg hunt something you will not want to miss.

Vacation Bible School 2016 What will the theme be? What are we going to learn about? What adventure is in store for us? You will soon find out… Until then put this date on your calendar: June 20-24

February 2016

1. Winter Camp is coming!

High School is February 19-21.

Junior High is February 26-28. This is a

revised date.

2. Mission Trip packets are available now. High Schoolers

will be heading to Morgantown, West Virginia July 17-

23. We’ll be partnering with Habitat for Humanity there.

Pick up the info at Youth Group.

3. Don’t forget that Youth Group meets every

Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. See you there!

Parent Meeting This Sunday, Jan. 31

at 5:45 p.m. (prior to Youth Group)

Pastor Craig will share with parents where we are at with: Retreats, Summer Mission Trip, Youth Group Leader-

ship, and Searching for a new Youth Director.

Please plan to attend so you can keep up to date

on all that is happening in the Youth Ministry.

Youth Group meets this Sunday, Jan. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.