April 2017

First Chronicles
The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC

Part of That World

Upcoming Events
There is a common misconception that resurrection is
Events take place in the Sanctuary
the same as revival. It is true that both seek to describe
unless otherwise noted.
the process of something or someone once dead becom-
ing alive again. Reviving brings life back, but function-
Wednesday, April 5
ing a little less well than before. Despite depictions of
First Wednesday Dinner, 6:00 p.m.
television heroes experiencing near-drowning, then
Small Dining Room
jumping up to defeat the next foe, when human beings
are resuscitated or revived, it takes a toll on the body. A
Sunday, April 9
new vulnerability is present that wasnt there before. Life
Intergenerational Palm Sunday Pageant, 10:00 a.m.
is not restored fully.
Resurrection does not restore life as it once was,
Thursday, April 13
either. Resurrection is other-worldly and often not rec-
Maundy Thursday service, 7:00 p.m.
ognized. After Jesus resurrection, Mary turned around
Sanctuary Building Chapel
and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that
it was Jesus Supposing him to be the gardener (John
Sunday, April 16
20:14-15) It is not the return to a past life; it is a quan-
Easter Sunday Service, 10:00 a.m.
tum leap forward into a new way of being.
Festival Brass and Choir
Last Sunday, Kevin Siembor graced the sanctuary in
a silvery blue ball gown and 4 inch stiletto glass slip-
pers to present the Robinson Recital Cinderfella. With Confirmation Class Schedule
each aria, solo, ballad, and show tune, Kevin showed us
what resurrection might look like here and now. He sang Sunday, April 2
gloriously of change and hope and a new way of living. No class (Evanston Schools Spring Break)
Like the Little Mermaid, he invited us to wonder about
a new world as different as the sea is from the land, and Saturday, April 8
the earth is from heavenup where they walk, up where Palm Sunday Pageant rehearsal, 3:305:30 p.m.
they run, up where they stay all day in the sun wander-
ing free There, in Gods sanctuary, under the cross of Sunday, April 9
grace, Kevin embodied what is possible in the Church: Arrive to rehearse Palm Sunday Pageant, 9:00 a.m.
singing a new song, expanding our understanding of Confirmation Class, Church House, 4:005:30 p.m.
gender, sexuality and traditional voice parts, and inviting
friends and family from all parts of our lives into a sacred Sunday, April 23
and renewing space. Confirmation Class, Church House, 4:005:30 p.m.
This event was not a sign of revivallife that once was.
It was truly a sign of resurrection: abundant, new life! Sunday, May 7
Blessings, Confirmation Sunday: Youth-Led Service
Rev. Ann
This Months Chancel Choir Anthems

April 2
Paul Manz, Psalm 130

April 9, Palm Sunday

William Mathias, Lift Up Your Heads
William Billings (arr. Gwyneth Walker),
When Jesus Wept

April 16, Easter

Andrew Carter, Easter Alleluya
Gwyneth Walker, A Hymn of Resurrection
G. F. Handel, Hallelujah (from Messiah)

April 23
David Sanger, O Filii et Filiae
Charles Stanford, We Know that Christ Is Raised

April 30
Alan Bullard, Now the Green Blade Rises
William Harris, This Joyful Eastertide
Special Music for Easter
Our festival service on Sun-
day, April 16, will feature
music for brass, choir, and or-
gan and will include Handels
Hallelujah Chorus. Please
invite your family, friends,
and neighbors to this wonder-
ful celebration!
Easter Egg Hunt at Church
Following Easter Sunday worship, join us outside the
church for an Easter egg hunt for all children. Please
bring a dozen plastic eggs filled with a little surprise
(such as stickers, coins, candy, or a small toy) for each
egg hunter in your family. A team of sneaky adults will
hide them outside the church, and we will stagger the
start time of the hunt for toddlers through teens. Con-
tact Sarah Petersen (spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org)
if youd like to join the egg hiding team.
Save the Date: All-Church Retreat June 30July 2
Dreaming of brighter, warmer days ahead? Save the
dates June 30July 2 for our annual all-church retreat
at Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center near Warren
Dunes in Michigan.
Order Your Easter Flowers Now!
If you would like to help decorate the sanctuary for
Easter with Easter lilies or a pot of tulips, please contact
the church office. To ensure that the flowers will be in
bloom for Easter, the deadline for ordering is Sunday,
April 9. If you choose to keep your plant, you may pick
it up after the Easter service on April 16. Plants will
cost $12 each; please make your check payable to First
Congregational Church.
Stand Against Racism on Friday, April 28
Join the First Congregational Church of Evanston, other
places of worship, offices, schools, and community mem-
bers to participate in the annual YWCA Stand Against
Racism on Friday, April 28, 11:3011:55 a.m. Look for
our group with the Be the Church banner in front
of Alexander Park along Ridge Avenue at the corner of
Grove Street. Stand Against Racism is a movement of
the YWCA that aims to raise community awareness of
the effects of racism on all of us. Contact spetersen@
firstchurchevanston.org to join our group, or just show
up! Find out more at www.ywca.org/stand.

2
Experiencing Holy Week
Lent calls us to a time of introspection and reflection. In
worship and in Sunday School during this season, weve
been thinking about the love of God and learning more
about what it means to walk the path of Jesus. During
Holy Week at the end of this season of Lent, we move
from thinking to doing as we embody the journey of
Jesus in the days leading up to the first Easter.
On Palm Sunday, April 9, we invite youth, families,
and adults to participate in a moving and interactive
musical and theatrical service. Well create active,
narrated tableaux depicting the moments leading
up to Easter alternating with hymns calling us into
each scene. The Chancel Choir, youth, and families
will join in an intergenerational procession of palms,
and the Family Choir will offer a song.
If you would like to have a role in the service, please
join us at the rehearsal on Saturday, April 8, from 3:30
to 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Arrive at 9 a.m. on April 9
to get into costume before a final run-through. All who
want to sing with the Family Choir should meet in the
sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. for the final rehearsal. Please con-
tact Sarah Petersen (spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org)
for more information, for a copy of the Family Choirs
music to rehearse, or to sign up to participate.
Come experience the stories of Holy Week together
through this creative service.
In Peace,
Sarah Petersen
Director of Learning and Outreach

Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating

a birthday in April! Birthdays are
acknowledged at the Wednesday Fellowship
Dinners (the first Wednesday of each month).

Beth Chill Alice Lutton

Mark Clifton Corene McCollum
Travis Clifton Ian Perkins
Sarah Clutter Fawn Ring
Greg DeStefano Tommy Rorke
Lucy Fredrickson Sam Sprague
Rosa Geracaris Sarah Todd
Jillian Jarrett