WILDERNESS: SALVAGING SALVATION
Worship for the Second Sunday in Lent • February 28th

“People of faith are struggling these days as they watch unbelievable events unfold around the world…We are living in a time of wilderness and exile. Yet the wilderness is a familiar, if often uncomfortable, place for those who follow Jesus.”– Beth Richardson, Walking in the Wilderness.

Lent is a time of repentance, self-examination and reflection upon the life of Jesus and our faithful relationship with God. Worship includes prayers of confession, songs & silence and message to prepare us to follow our Christ to the cross. Based on scriptures from the gospel of Mark and Isaiah, the Rev. Dr. Bob Campbell will offer our message. Let us enter into a Holy Lent. The wilderness awaits.

 Our YouTube Sunday Worship Video Archive

In-Person/Indoor Worship and Activities at First UMC

During this time of pandemic, First UMC is providing ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP only. There will be no indoor, in-person, worship until further notice.
The FUMC Return Team, staff and pastor will continue to monitor the latest news from the Illinois Department of Health and other credible sources of information as to congregational safety and the promotion of healthy practices that can help our congregation members in this pandemic. We invite anyone needing to enter the church building to continue using masks/facial coverings, hand sanitizer stations, physical distancing and checking in procedures. For the health and welfare of our multi-generational congregation, for our care of the community at large and our call to be examples of doing good and doing no harm, we ask for your continued prayers.
Please be in touch with any questions about the ministries and mission of FUMC in this time.

Worship

Online Worship. Pre-recorded worship services are posted by 8 am on YouTube each Sunday at First UMC Park Ridge. Go to the church’s Facebook page to interact with other worshipers in a live version of our service: 9:30 am Sundays.

As the congregation continues in its mitigation efforts of the coronavirus, all current safety practices will continue through the end of March 2021 (or later). These practices include online worship only, limited in-person meetings, use of Zoom and other platforms for the majority of church meetings and activities including Sunday school and youth group. Pray for an early spring. Pray for the vaccine distribution efforts. Pray for the willingness of our US citizens near and far to be vaccinated. Pray for our staff and leaders as they continue to lead our congregation.

Learn

Online learning for Children & Youth

Virtual Sunday school is now underway for preschool to 2nd grade students, using the Cokesbury “Celebrate Wonder” curriculum. Each participating child receives a Wonder Box that contains a Celebrate Wonder Family Resource Book, an age-appropriate Celebrate Wonder activity pack, a Worship Kit, and fun crafts (no extra supplies needed).

Virtual Sunday school is now underway for 3rd to 5th graders via ZOOM at 9:30 am. We watch the Celebrate Wonder video and then discuss the lesson, have some fun and enjoy “free” chat time.
For additional learning member families can visit the church’s Family + Faith + Fun Facebook Group.

Online learning for Adults

Sunday morning ZOOM, weekly online classes, and monthly online seminars on a variety of topics for adults continue into the late summer and fall. A new Disciple FAST TRACK twelve week study has morning and evening sessions on Mondays. Contact the church office or our pastor for more information.

Serve

Ongoing activities open to all members and friends include meals to healthcare workers, cleanup of Axehead Lake, support of local food pantries, creation of face coverings for anyone in need, prayer squares for first responders, care for the clients of Avenues to Independence and outreach to the most vulnerable neighbors: the homeless, refugees, and the unemployed.

Office Hours, Staffing and Pastoral Care
The church office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Staff can be reached by their cellphones and email addresses. As always, Pastor David Aslesen can be reached for any member and for church needs at 708.441.5179 (call or text) and pastordavid@parkridgeumc.org.

Our primary calling as church in this time is to keep our congregation safe and connected to God, to one another and to the people & communities we serve. There is great love to be made known in this time – for friend and neighbor alike. My prayer is this difficult sheltering-in-place decision may reveal our church’s desire to be proactive and caring as we listen to and follow the lead of the international and local medical community on helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus in our area. It is critical that we care for each other, listen for God’s wisdom, and support the work of the church.

Rev. David Aslesen, Pastor

First UMC Park Ridge • 418 West Touhy Avenue • Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-825-3144 • office@parkridgeumc.org