December 2018
First Chronicles
The Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Evanston UCC
Silent Night
Into the rush of Advent comes the familiar Christmas
carol “Silent Night.” All is calm. Heavenly peace. What
more could an over-scheduled individual or family ask?
We could ask for this kind of calm and peace to last
more than a moment or two in the weeks ahead! It
would appear impossible to have an entire season of
calm, or a full year of peace. And yet when we attend to
the verses of this carol, we find that at least for a few
minutes, it is possible for an aura or blanket of serenity
to abide with us.
Holy infant… sleep in heavenly peace. Each night is
an opportunity to meditate on the image of a sleeping
infant, or the prospect of peace that is beyond this
world. Drifting off into slumber with these images
creates a holy atmosphere for our rest.
Shepherds quake at the sight. Not everything about
Christmas is silent or calm. We join the shepherds quak-
ing at the realities around us; with these flock-tenders,
we are overwhelmed by societal ills threatening to undo
us. Still, they approach the reality of a savior in the form
of a child. Their fears are overcome by the mystery of a
divine birth, and hope is born again.
Radiant beams from thy holy face. Radiance touches
us like no other source of warmth. Radiance has a
joyful intent. Radiant beams from a child’s face is all-
consuming. We are drawn into the purity of infant joy
and the newborn reflection of the smiles on our faces.
Little ones on our paths each day spark the radiance
yearning to come through our own faces.
Christ the Savior is born! The last word. No more
waiting, no more hurrying, no more preparation—the
birth has happened, the savior is among us, and we had
nothing to do with it. No matter all our efforts to be
ready, the gift of divine presence is simply a gift. Sur­
round yourself with this blanket of promise, and allow
yourself to be filled with the blessing of everlasting love.
I pray you will be with us this Advent and Christ­
mas season. Your church family always welcomes you.
Blessings,
Rev. Ann
Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 1
1:00–3:00 p.m., Christmas Party in the Sanctuary
Make a nativity set, green the sanctuary, sit and visit
with friends, put together an advent wreath, sing carols,
and sip hot chocolate. Everyone welcome!
Sunday, December 2
10:00 a.m., New Members Join
Come to welcome the newest members of our community
and to share the sacrament of communion.
10:00 a.m., Pageant rehearsal
Sunday, December 9
10:00 a.m., Pageant rehearsal
11:00 a.m., Congregational Budget Meeting
Bring your input to the budgeting process.
Saturday, December 15
10:00 a.m.–noon, Christmas Pageant dress rehearsal
All cast members will be fitted to costumes and will
rehearse in the sanctuary.
Sunday, December 16
10:00 a.m., Children’s Christmas Pageant
Children lead worship through enacting a creative
version of the Christmas story “Where Love Is, God
Is,” adapted by Andrew Biliter and Sarah Petersen.
Monday, December 24
5:00 p.m., Christmas Eve Service of Lessons
and Carols
Bring family and friends to celebrate Christ’s birth in
candlelight, scripture, and song.
No Sunday school December 23 and 30;
classes resume January 6.
This Month’s Chancel Choir Anthems
December 2 (Advent 1)
Paul Manz , “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come”
December 9 (Advent 2)
Felix Mendelssohn, “How Lovely Are the Messengers”
and “There Shall A Star Come Out of Jacob”
December 16 (Advent 3 and Christmas Pageant)
Natalie Sleeth, “Joy in the Morning”
December 23 (Advent 4)
Randall Thompson, “Magnificat”
Hugo Distler, “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
December 24 (Christmas Eve, 5:00 p.m.)
Dan Kantor, “Night of Silence”
Andrew Carter, “A Maiden Most Gentle”
Mark Shepperd, “Still, Still, Still”
James Biery, “O Holy Night”
News and Notes
Christmas Party in the Sanctuary on December 1
The whole congregation is warmly invited to our Christ-
mas Party and Greening of the Sanctuary on Saturday,
December 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be
activities and refreshments for all ages! Come make a
shadow box nativity scene, decorate the sanctuary with
greenery, sit and visit with friends, put together an
advent wreath, decorate the tree with angel tree gift tag
ornaments, sing carols, and dip a cookie into a cup of
hot chocolate. Everyone is welcome—bring a friend!
Each child will receive an advent gift to help prepare for
the season. RSVP to spetersen@firstchurchevanston.org.
Christmas Pageant, “Where Love Is, God Is”
Our pageant this year is based on a heartwarming short
story by Leo Tolstoy, adapted especially for First Congre-
gational Church by Andrew Biliter, artistic director of
Mudlark Theater. When an old cobbler learns in a dream
that Jesus will visit him on Christmas Day, he eagerly
anticipates the holy arrival. While he waits, the cobbler
helps strangers in need throughout the day and learns
that wherever there is Love, God is there. A beautiful
cast of over 25 actors ranging from infancy to adulthood
bring the heart of Christmas to life through this pageant.
Invite your friends and neighbors to join you at worship
on Sunday, December 16, at 10 a.m. to experience the
touching telling of this story.
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Come Sing with Us!
Holiday singers are invited to join the Chancel Choir for
the Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols. This
beautiful service on Monday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.
will feature scripture and carol singing, candle lighting,
and choir anthems with instrumental accompaniment.
Choir rehearsals for this service will begin on Sunday,
December 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the choir room of the
Church House. If you have never sung with our choir
and would like to take advantage of this opportunity,
contact music director David Lornson at 847-864-8332,
ext. 23, or dlornson@firstchurchevanston.org.
Family Focus—Christmas 2018
The gift requests for the Family Focus youth are now
available on the tree at the back of the Sanctuary. Call
Melia Pappas in the church office if you have any ques-
tions. Please wrap and tag your gift. Return the gifts to
church by Sunday, December 9, or to the church office
by Thursday, December 13. Thank you for your gener-
osity and for opening your hearts this busy time of year.
Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m.
Join us on Monday, December 24, for our Christmas
Eve Candlelight Service. There will be scripture and
carol singing, candle lighting, and choir anthems pre-
sented by the Chancel Choir with instrumental accom-
paniment. Please invite your family and friends to this
beautiful service!
Holiday Office Hours
December 24: office closes at noon
December 25–28: church office closed
December 31: office closes at noon
January 1: church office closed
Happy Birthday to everyone
cele­brating a birthday in December!
Megan Bauer Oscar Geracaris
Katie Bezaitis William Greene
Thomas Borst Merna Johnson
Katherine Colton Susan Lutton
Alan Cubbage Debbie Mansen
Evan DeStefano Charles Moore
Anne Doyle Andy Nelson
Sheran Fiedler Rachel Schmahl
George Gauthier Cheryl Sefton
Picture Books Full of Love
A touching story told with colorful pictures and stirring
words can help shape how young children begin to view
the world and their place in it. Seeing themselves as
lead characters in books, as well as reading about char-
acters who look different from them, can be formative
in children’s identity and empathy development. Books
can also offer a springboard for conversations about our
world and learning about God. If you’re looking for titles
for young ones in your life that show God and Love in
all our beautiful differences, check out these suggestions.
We’re also hoping to update and diversify our church’s
children’s library and would gratefully receive any of
these titles or donations to help us better reflect the
many beautiful faces of God all around us.
With Love,
Sarah Petersen, Director of Learning and Outreach
(Book description quotes are from Amazon.com; these
titles can be found at many local bookstores.)
Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant
“Every child wonders where God lives or what God is
like. In Maybe God Is Like That Too, a young boy asks
his grandma where God is in their city. She invites him
to pay attention to where he sees the fruit of the Spirit.
Where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are, there too
is God. The boy sees God in the kindness of a doorman
holding the door for a man using a wheelchair, in the
patience of his teacher helping him tie his shoes, and in
the love, faithfulness, and gentleness of his grandma. An
ordinary day in his city opens this young boy’s eyes to
God’s Spirit at work all around him.”
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
“From early on, children are looking to discover their
place in the world and longing to understand how their
personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that
they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big
universe is certain to help them spread their wings and
fly. Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantas-
tical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young
readers to learn about their own special gifts and how
they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and
begin to create for themselves.”
A Church for All by Gayle Pitman
“This simple, lyrical story celebrates a Sunday morning
at an inclusive church that embraces all people regardless
of age, class, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
All are welcome at the church for all!”
The Marvelous Mustard Seed by Amy-Jill Levine
“Discover the surprising potential of one small seed.
Based on Jesus’ parable of the Mustard Seed, this in-
spiring children’s book shows young readers that one
tiny seed—just like one small child—carries a world of
potential. The Marvelous Mustard Seed features ethnically
diverse characters, and it is ideal for children ages 4–8. A
special note for parents and teachers is included.”
When God Made Light by Matthew Paul Turner
“Wild and creative illustrations from top children’s
illustrator David Catrow pair with Matthew Paul Turner’s
lyrical verse in this message of a God-made light that
cuts through darkness to bring vision and hope to all
young readers. This light radiates, chasing away the
shadows, providing the wonder and fun of stargazing
or firefly chasing. Most important, this light appears in
each child—an inner God-given spark that grows and
will be used to change the world.”
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
“When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress,
her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering:
What does it mean to be kind? From asking the new
girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied,
this moving story explores what kindness is, and how
any act, big or small, can make a difference—or at least
help a friend. With a gentle text from the award-winning
author of Sophie’s Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller, and irresist-
ible art from Jen Hill, Be Kind is an unforgettable story
about how two simple words can change the world.”
LOVE by Matt de la Peña
“Love can be found in many areas of our life—in music,
in nature, in the people around us. This beautiful picture
book, created by an award-winning author-illustrator
duo, celebrates the many ways love buoys us throughout
our lives. A comforting and thoughtful book to keep on
a child’s bookshelf for years to come.”
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
“Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the
bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t
own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an
iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always
have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question
is met with an encouraging answer from Grandma, who
helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine
and the world around them. This energetic ride through
a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only
grandparent and grandchild can share.”
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 Fantastic Visions
Colorful fish meeting in a cathedral
formed from natural objects and
trash, a sleeping gardener in a cottage
featuring plant-influenced décor, and
a crowd gathered on a balcony to
celebrate emerging Luna moths are
but a small fraction of the fantastic
characters currently on view in the
Narthex Gallery. The show is a col-
lection of intricately detailed hand-
wrought sterling silver jewelry and
intensely hued colored-pencil draw-
ings by artist Rhonda Storm.
An illustration captures a frozen moment in time,
while a narrative invites the viewer into a story that is
ongoing and unfolds in a new way each time the work is
seen. The works in the show Fantastic Visions are narra-
tive. The narratives are supported by excessive attention
to detail and characters in improbable relationships. In
“The Game,” a girl in a bird costume tosses a ball to an
exotic white bird. In “The Naturalist,” three scientists of
different ages tell of the experience of lifelong learning.
Sharing in the exploration of stacks of old books, they
are joined by a bear, two tortoises, a hedgehog, a bird, a
large lizard, a saluki, a dachshund, and two omni­present
fish. All of this takes place while a quartet of birds sings
outside, butterflies swirl overhead, and a moose observes
the ongoing discoveries in an unlikely environment.
The work is joyous and playful. Nature is often over-
whelmingly beautiful, but inspiration here comes from
enjoyment of the absurd. Humor is found in the clumsy,
loopy repetitions of coral shapes and the curious situa-
tion of a fox out for a walk in an urban environment. A
deep appreciation and love of animals figures strongly
in the works. The joyful moment of coming home to a
happy collection of animals is the theme of “Welcome
Home.” Questions arise about the commute home in
a small round boat, the collection of animals, and the
decidedly agricultural environment. All of these details
contribute to the mystery, magic, and love that make up
this evolving story.
The scenarios are improbable, but not entirely so.
The familiar provides a comfortable and logical point
of entry into the world of each art work. The common-
place becomes uncommon, comic, and curious when out
of context. There is a purposeful ambiguity of indoor
and outdoor space, waking and dreaming, and unusual
friendships that contribute to the fantastic visions. Plan
to spend some time lost in these unusual stories. The
show ends on December 8.
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Over 60 people packed the Church House Dining Room on November 18 to enjoy
warm fellowship and a delicious spaghetti dinner, raising nearly $500 to benefit
Family Promise. Many thanks to Christine Cochran and Larissa Tripp for leading
this successful event with the Fellowship Committee.

On Wednesday evening, November 21, First Congregational Church

hosted Evanston’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service. David
Lornson directed the multi-congregational choir, our quartet sang,
and we learned about the Shorefront Legacy Center, dedicated
to preserving African American history on the North Shore.

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 Nativity Show

The Nativity Show is our first group show of the church year. It will open on December 16 and will continue until
January 20. The show will feature Nativity Scenes loaned to us from your collections and Nativity Scenes made at
our Christmas Party on December 1. You may also pick up materials to make a nativity at home or use your own
materials. This is an opportunity to share your traditions or create something that will be part of your Christmas
celebration for years to come.

We need your submissions for the show!

To participate, please fill out the form below and attach it to your Nativity Set. Please indicate any special display
instructions on the form. Take your Nativity Set to the Gibson Parlor. There will be a sign up sheet in the parlor.
Add your name to the sheet, along with a brief description of your Nativity. Your submission will remain in the
parlor until the show set-up and will be returned to the parlor at the end of the show if not picked up at the closing
on January 20.
Your art work and Nativity Sets will be treated with utmost respect and care. All work will be displayed in the
best way possible. We do not have security at the church for our art shows, and accidents may happen. Nonetheless,
the Narthex Gallery is a welcoming place to show your work, and we welcome and encourage you to participate in
this interesting show.

Entry Form

Name _______________________________________________ Telephone number ____________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

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Information about your Nativity, such as why you chose it, how you made it, what it tells us about you, where it is
from, how you acquired it, materials used, what makes it special, or any other information you choose to share.

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