JOIN US IN 28 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR COMMUNITY

We are sending boxes of hearts to all people who register for this meaningful exercise. You will receive a box of hearts, and each one will represent a group in our community. Read below for more about this program...

Watch Sunday's message (1/25/2026):
Pastor M. E. Eccles

Created in the image of God to be embodied

Watch the whole series as

presented in future weeks.

Audio: Created in the image of God to be embodied

You can catch the latest Sunday Live Stream by clicking on the graphic above or on this link. We also send our stream to Facebook , and here’s the Facebook Link.

Click on the QR code to sign-up for our Lent BOX OF HEARTS PRAYERS

28 Days Toward Love.

Pastor Hope Chernich,

First Church of Des Plaines

This February, First Church Des Plaines and the Des Plaines Clergy Alliance are inviting our community to join us in 28 days of prayer for our neighbors.

We're using a practice called "40 Days Toward Love." Here's how it works: participants receive a box of 40 hearts. Each heart names a different group of people in our community. Every day, you randomly pick a heart and pray for that group throughout your day.

The hearts include people like night shift workers, teachers, immigrants, police officers, small business owners, people with disabilities, artists, and many others. Some groups you might

pray for often. Others might surprise you.

Last year when I tried this practice, the first heart I pulled was "entrepreneurs and inventors." I'd never prayed for that group before. I thought about tech workers and small business owners in Des Plaines. I prayed for their wisdom and success. That simple prayer opened my eyes to people in our community I'd never noticed before.

Over the 40 days, my prayers grew wider. I started seeing our neighbors differently. I noticed people I used to overlook.

You don't need to be part of a church to join us. Prayer looks different for everyone. Maybe you call it sending good vibes or holding someone in your thoughts. Whatever words you use, you're welcome.

Sign up through this website to commit to praying for our community this February. You can receive weekly prayer reminders, join a group chat, or request a physical box of hearts to guide your prayers.

Only God knows how this will change us as individuals and as a community. I hope you'll join us.

**To learn more or talk with a pastor, email Pastor Hope at pastorhope.fumcdp@gmail.com**

May God's peace and blessing be yours,

Pastor Hope Chernich

Live streaming every Sunday at 10 a.m.

Good things:

We pray.

Each week, our prayer circle comes together to uplift the needs of those we know, and those we don’t. If you would like us to include you –and we would like to include you – use the QR code to let us know.

Your contact is confidential.

If you believe you need more than prayer support, our Pastor invites you to come in, meet her, and have a heart-to-heart. You’ll like her; she’s a good listener.

We are all lost sheep. We are finding our way. We can do this together.