Lent Begins
This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent. In church, Lent is a more somber, reflective time that prepares us for the holiest week of the year. Each Sunday, we will be reading through the Gospel of Luke and hear a call to deepen our faith. Holy Week is a time to walk with Jesus from the height of Palm Sunday to the hard road of Good Friday. Join us each Sunday in Lent!
This week, we begin by looking at Jesus' Temptation. Each of these areas overlap with our most human basic needs, desires, and wants. How did Jesus meet those temptations? What could help us as we face something similar in our lives? Come this Sunday as we begin the holy season of Lent together.
Rev. Michael Mann
Sunday, March 9th, 10am
Luke 4:1-13
It’s almost Auction Season!
Fasten your seatbelts for The Great American Road Trip as we raise funds to support our Apportionment giving and outreach. The Auction Committee has maps ready to lead the trip. Mark your calendars for the Live Auction and Dinner: Sunday, May 4, at noon. An announcement with more details will be made in church on Sunday, March 9.
We hope that you will support the auction efforts by hosting an event, donating an item or activity, or become an auction sponsor by making a financial contribution. Please use the provided pdf form below to make us aware of your support. Forms will also be available in the sanctuary.
Easter Flower Sales Continue through this Sunday, March 9th!
Fusion is sponsoring the sale and all proceeds go towards the Auction. People can purchase in honor or memory of loved ones if they choose. Their names will be in the bulletin for the 10 AM service on Easter Sunday. They are used as decor but can then be taken home after that service.
Order Forms are available before and after Sunday worship through this Sunday, March 9th. Ask Bri or a member of Fusion if you have questions. Cost of flowers are as follows: Lilies ($20), Daffodils ($10), Hyacinth ($10), and Tulips ($10).
Wednesday Night Lenten Study
On Wednesday nights during Lent, you are invited to enter into this sacred time guided by the artists at A Sanctified Art. On Wednesday nights at 7pm, we will meet at First Church UCC to read scripture and listen to art together. Rev. Dr. Jill Terpstra and Pastor Michael will lead to class.
The process is called Visio Divina. You might have heard of Lectio Divina, where we participants are invited to read a passage of scripture three times to talk about the words/images that stand out, what that image means to them, and what they feel called to do/change as a result of it. This study builds on that process by offering art in addition to scripture readings. We will read the scripture (multiple times), view a specific piece of art, and then offer our reflections together.
This study follows our focus on art in Lent, as last year we read the poetry of Mary Oliver’s Devotions. Join us on Wednesday nights at 7pm!
Ladies Lenten Weekly Bible Study Via Zoom-Starting This Thursday, March 13th (1-2:30pm)
All ladies are invited to join a Lenten Bible study. It meets via zoom on Thursdays from 1-2:30pm.
This year The Message of Jesus by Adam Hamilton will be studied. The book “explores six of the most important themes in Jesus’s teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today.” Hope to welcome you into the group.
United Women in Faith Meeting this Saturday,
March 8th
United Women in Faith will hold their upcoming meeting this Saturday, March 8th. The meeting will be held at 9:30am in the parlor. The program will be A Call to Prayer and Self Denial. All women of the church are invited to attend.
Men’s Fellowship Announcements
Upcoming Meetings:
Sat., March 8th at 8:30am (Library)
Sat., April 12th at 8:30am (Parlor)
Men’s Fellowship Union Railroad Event-Sat.. May 24th
Men's Fellowship is hosting a Union Railway Museum Memorial Weekend Event Saturday, May 24th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This is open to the entire church congregation. This is a great event for families. Pricing per person is as follows: adults ($20), seniors and youth ($18), children ($16), Veterans and Active Military Personnel and families are free with ID. We would leave the church parking lot at 9:00am if you want to travel as a group. It is about an hour drive. Please contact Steve Flint for further information.
New Weekly Prayer Group Thursdays at 9am
A new group dedicated to praying for our congregation, community and world needs will meet every Thursday morning at 9am in the church chapel at FUMC.
Pillow Day-Sat., March 15th at 9am
Pillows! Pillows! Pillows! Did you know that we have made about 3,000 Pillows? They have been sent around the world to New Zealand, England, and Northern Canada! Pillows have been given from the youngest children, to the oldest adults! Recipients are often overcome with emotions of joy and gratitude! YOU can be a part of this amazing ministry! Join us Sat., March 15th at 9am to lend a hand and your love! We will be meeting downstairs at the end of the hall. Remember, you don't have to be a seamstress! We have many jobs just for you! Questions? Please contact Carol Wixson.
Feed My Starving Children Volunteer Day
Sat., March 22nd (12-2pm)
Pastor Jim is helping to organize a volunteer day with Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg on Sat., March 22nd from 12-2pm. This will be held in conjunction with other churches in our cluster. We're hoping to have 100 people turn out for this volunteer opportunity! Feed My Starving Children engages volunteers to help pack and box up mixtures of protein and calorie-rich foods for those in situations of disaster or great need. Join us in this opportunity!
Please use the following link to sign up for the outing: https://tinyurl.com/FMSC-2025.
For questions, please contact Pastor Jim at pastorjim@fumclombard.org
Volunteers Needed!
Sign Up to be a Liturgist
A liturgist stands up front and leads us all as we say our call to worship, opening prayer, and sometimes reads the scripture. They help us all do "the work of the people" on Sunday.
Sign up form is located at the back of the sanctuary or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Coffee & Sign Up
Coffee& is a special time after worship. Help us by preparing coffee and bringing a tasty treat to share. Our Men's Fellowship handles the Second Sunday of each month, and our United Women in Faith take care of the third Sunday. Could you help us by volunteering to bring something the other Sundays of the month?
Sign up form is located at on the kitchen/parlor on the counter or you can sign up by clicking on the button below.
Blanket Sunday
Thank You
United Women in Faith thanks you for your very generous donations on Blanket Sunday. We will be sending $ 861 to Church World Service to support this wonderful program!
Trans Day of Visibility-Monday, March 31st
at First Congregational in Glen Ellyn
General Information:
Date: Sundays March 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th from
Time: 2:00-5:00pm. *All class times must be attended to receive course credit.
Location: Barrington UMC (98 Algonquin Road, Barrington)
Cost: $40 (includes any textbook and resource material)
QUESTIONS? Please contact Mary Mecker at mary.mecker@gmail.com
Register Online: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=828003&
Register Online: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=828003&
Courses:
1. Basic Course: This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to consider the importance of servant leadership, developing future leaders and remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices. Instructor: Roger Curless
2. Called to Preach: This class is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training or are called upon to preach in a pastor’s absence. The class is a how-to guide to the resources, preparation process, and practice of preaching. Instructor: Rev. Becky Nocol
3. Embracing Personal Prayer: The class helps participants embrace the spiritual power of prayer. Students will examine their own prayer lives and discover tools to help in the process of entering personal prayer. Instructor: Pat Michalik
4. Discipleship Begins with Relationships: This course helps lay servant leaders understand and adopt an intentional discipleship plan for their church by creating a spiritual growth movement to See All the People. This is a new class for our district. Instructor: Rev. Norval Brown
1. Basic Course: This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to consider the importance of servant leadership, developing future leaders and remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices. Instructor: Roger Curless
2. Called to Preach: This class is designed for those who have not completed formal preaching training or are called upon to preach in a pastor’s absence. The class is a how-to guide to the resources, preparation process, and practice of preaching. Instructor: Rev. Becky Nocol
3. Embracing Personal Prayer: The class helps participants embrace the spiritual power of prayer. Students will examine their own prayer lives and discover tools to help in the process of entering personal prayer. Instructor: Pat Michalik
4. Discipleship Begins with Relationships: This course helps lay servant leaders understand and adopt an intentional discipleship plan for their church by creating a spiritual growth movement to See All the People. This is a new class for our district. Instructor: Rev. Norval Brown
Card Ministry Upcoming Meeting-Sat., March 29th
Our next meeting date will be Saturday, March 29th from 9am-12pm at the Calvary campus location. The focus will be on Easter and spring cards. All will be held in the card room in the Calvary church building until further notice. Cards are available for purchase in the racks at the back of the Sanctuary. Price is $2 per card or $3 for 2 cards. All proceeds go to support Kids Above All.
Additional Card Ministry dates:
Sunday, April 27, 2025: 1pm to 4pm, Calvary Campus, focus will be on Mother’s Day cards.
Sunday, April 27, 2025: 1pm to 4pm, Calvary Campus, focus will be on Mother’s Day cards.
Downers Grove FUMC 2025 Summer Camp Info
Dates: June 23rd-27th
Location:Wesley Woods Retreat Center
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Williams Bay, Wisconsin
Children who have completed grades 2 – 8 are welcome to attend our annual week-long camp held in June at Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. High school students and adults are invited to participate as counselors. This is a beautiful wooded camp with a beachfront on Lake Geneva. A day of camp is filled with many activities: games, art, Bible study, music, yoga, group building, archery, swimming, boating, and many other fun activities.
Camp lasts only a week, but what campers take home lasts a lifetime Camp lasts only one week ━ what campers take home can last a lifetime! Experience Another Way Jesus often confronted the world around him with another way of being and by his example, we are reminded that God always invites us
to reimagine who we are and how we do things..
to reimagine who we are and how we do things..
For further information and pricing, please refer to the brochure pdf below.
Lent at FUMC
Sunday School-Savior by Magre deVega
Have you ever wondered why we the cross is such an important symbol in the Christian faith? Why do we focus on Jesus’ unjust death? And why do we have Easter (apart from all the tasty candy and treats)? Why do we use the words we do for communion?
This Sunday, we’ll begin a study for Lent looking at the different ways we’ve come to understand Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It’s a great way to understand more about Christian faith as a whole and to do a deeper dive during this Lenten season. Join us at 8:30am on Sunday mornings!
Holy Week at First UMC
4/13 – Palm Sunday. Join the parade as we wave palms and remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry.
4/17 – Holy Thursday, 7pm. We’ll celebrate a reminder of Jesus’ last meal.
4/18 – Good Friday, 7pm. Join us as we walk with Jesus all the way to the cross.
4/20 – Easter, 6:30am and 10am. Join us for an early and regular service. We’ll have special music, choir, and sing the Hallelujah Chorus together!
Week at a Glance
Thursday, March 6th
9:00am Prayer Group (Chapel)
6:15pm Choir
7:15pm Bells
Saturday, March 8th
8:30am Men’s Fellowship (Library)
9:30am United Women in Faith (Parlor)
Sunday, March 9th First Sunday in Lent
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship/children’s church
11:00am Coffee&
11:00am Sermon Chats
Acolyte: Frankie & Miller
Monday, March 10th
9:00am Global Sewing Ministry (FUMC)
Thursday, March 13th
9:00am Prayer Group (Chapel)
1:00pm Ladies Lenten Bible Study Via Zoom (1st Mtg.)
6:15pm Choir
7:15pm Bells
Saturday, March 15th
9:00am Pillow Day!
Sunday, March 16th Second Sunday in Lent
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship/children’s church
11:00am Coffee&
Acolyte: Maddie & Zach
11:00am Auction Committee Meeting
1:00pm Confirmation Retreat
Online Suggestion Box for Trustees
Is something broken? Can we fix clean an area? Send us a suggestion!
email: Trustees@firstumclombard.org
Ushers Needed for Sunday Church Services
Help create a warm, welcoming environment at our church! We are currently looking for ushers to greet guests, distribute bulletins and help with seating.
If you would like to become an usher, please contact Ron at rlohman40@comcast.net.
Become an Acolyte
Acolytes bring in the light of Christ each Sunday morning, reminding us that Christ's light is always with us. Children are accompanied by an adult to help them as they perform this essential part of worship. To sign up your child or loved one, click this link to email Pam Lohman.
Please pray for:
The family of Thomas Hayes; Ellen and Mike W.; Ethel H.; Marty W.; Holly L.; Bruce B.; Rev. Ginny R.; the people of Palestine, Israel and Ukraine; our church, our country, its leaders, its Service Members; and prayers for peace.
Please note that for most requests, we only use first names and last initials in our enews prayer requests in order to respect each person's privacy. Where a request is public information (such as obituaries), full names may be used.
