News & Events

December Communion offering

December's Communion Offering will benefit First Church’s Helping Hands Fund. This fund goes to help those in and around our church during times of unexpected uncertainty and hardship. With these funds immediately available, First Church will be able to provide some relief during a time of crisis.

Reusable Containers Needed

Bessie's Table is in desperate need of your clean takeout containers!

Containers can be dropped off at the church. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Make a Pledge to Give in 2024

Throughout November, we discussed “A Future with Hope,” and what God is calling us to in 2024, and how we can best use our resources towards that future. Stewardship, how we use the resources God gives us, is an important part of our spiritual life and has implication not only for us as individuals or for our families, but for the community and the whole of creation. We are asking everyone to consider how you can financially support First Church in 2024. It is not too late to submit your 2024 pledge card!

Epiphany Party!

Epiphany is a reminder that Jesus came as the light of the whole world. Let’s celebrate!

Epiphany Celebration
Saturday, January 6, 2024
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Soup, Salad & Sandwiches provided.

Invite a friend! All are welcome!
RSVP to fumcdesplaines@gmail.com
or 847-827-5561

Bessie's Table December Schecule

Join us for a hot meal
Mondays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Please note, Bessie’s Table
will not be serving on
December 25th or January 1st.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas

Be on the lookout in your email and social media for the 12 Days of Christmas Devotional Series coming December 25th - January 6th. These Christmas themed devotions will inspire you as we are exploring the gifts of our faith this Advent Season.

Special thanks to Larry Maloney for preparing these for First Church.

Save the Date

Make plans to join Pastor Hope and Committee Leaders on Saturday January 13th from 9am to 3pm for our first annual Church Planning Retreat. Details and an agenda will be shared in the new year.

Community Recycling Challenge

In conjunction with other faith communities in our area, and with Clean Up-Give Back, First Church is participating in a community recycle drive of plastic materials. There is a green recycle box in the church foyer that you can drop your plastic items in. The effort is a 6-month challenge from October 15, 2023, through April 14, 2024, and every congregation may enlist the help of friends, family, and employees to help boost the total pounds of plastics collected. But that's not all!

Once the challenge is over, any Church that has collected 500 pounds and above will receive a bench made by Trex. Bragging rights will also go to the church collecting the most plastic pounds. The plastics that we need are something that you can poke your thumb through.

Every congregation has been encouraged to enlist the help of friends, family, and community members to help boost the total pounds of plastics collected. Donations can be dropped at First Church M-F, 9:30a-3p.

Community Back Pack Program

The Community Backpack Project is an outreach program of the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Each week a backpack filled with easy-to-prepare meals such as oatmeal, canned soup, instant pasta dishes, canned protein, applesauce, snacks, and juice items will be dropped off.

Currently, First Church of Des Plaines is sponsoring up to (4) children in District 62.

There are several ways to donate to this program. Monetary donations can be given, and our Missions team will do the shopping, or you can shop and bring your items on Sundays.

Here is a list of the specific kid friendly items that are to be included in each bag. Items Needed:

Individual size snacks (cookies, granola bars, chips, pudding cups, cheese crackers, Rice Krispie bars)
Microwavable cups of macaroni & cheese • Soft side juice pouches (Capri Sun, Kool-Aid)
Small cans of meat & pasta (Vienna Sausages, Tuna, Chicken, Pork & Beans) • 8 to 8.25 oz. cans of vegetables
7oz. size microwavable kid friendly soups
Small boxes of cereal, oatmeal packets
Fruit & applesauce cups Thank you for your generous donations!

Meal and Discussion of Culture and Diversity

Join First Church and Nuevo Amanecer for a meal and discussion at 6:00pm, reflecting on the documentary, The Bronze Screen, available on YouTube. There will also be a presentation on Latinx History and Culture, by Rudolph Reyes II. The event is hosted by the NIC Anit-Racism Task Force.

Learn More about the film series here: https://www.umcnic.org/2023filmseries

Participants are encouraged to watch the film ahead of time.