This Week

Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025
Message: What Kind of God Would Do That?
Main text: Genesis 22:1-14

The Binding of Isaac
Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14 - (John 1:29)

God doesn't ask his people to do anything that God Himself is unwilling to do in full: sacrifice!. As we follow Jesus' way, we will be asked to take up our cross daily and surrender, too.

"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram^[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” -Genesis 22:13-14

BRING YOUR OWN BIBLE
As part of our Walk Through the Bible series, we encourage everyone to bring their own Bible to worship each week to follow along and make it your own. We’ll provide “Book Darts” to help mark the passages we’re focusing on. If you don’t have a Bible, feel free to take one from the credenzas at the back of the Worship Center or from the Welcome Booth—it’s our gift to you. Walk-through-the-Bible fall 2025 guide here.

Worship at 10 AM - In-Person & Online

VIBRANT MINISTRIES NEED VIBRANT VOLUNTEERS!
Opportunities to serve as we kick off for fall are available HERE.

PATFINDERS AND CADETS BOYS CLUD } WED, SEP 17
Pathfinders (1st-3rd) and Cadets Boys Club (4th-8th) begin this week for boys. Come on out —they are a great faith and fun learning experience. Information and registrations at elmhurstcrc.org/family

COFFEE BREAK BIBLE STUDY | WEDS & THUS SEP - DEC
Join us for Coffee Break Bible Study on Wednesdays (AM/PM) and Thursdays (AM) weekday mornings and Wednesday evenings. This fall, we'll dive into New Testament passages about the Holy Spirit and His powerful role in our lives. Coffee Break is a welcoming space to explore God’s Word, build community, and grow and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Details and registration HERE.

CHILDREN'S MID-WEEK MINISTRIES LAUNCH
Children’s Ministries kick-offs are just around the corner! We have Little Lambs Preschool Experience (ages 3+), GEMS and Junior GEMS for girls (1^st-6^th grade), and Pathfinders (1^st-3^rd grade) and Cadets Boys Club (4^th-8^th grade). Check out registrations for more information.

SHE SINGLE MOTHER MINISTRY | SEP 14
OUR SHE-ason starts Sunday! Check out the details here.

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP | SEP 10-DEC 10
Grief Support Group, Wednesdays this fall. Find out more here.

TASTE OF ECRC | OCT 5 | 11:15 AM
Join us right after the service for Taste of ECRC! Enjoy lunch, meet others, and take a brief tour of the building as we share more about our ministries.

ALPHA MARRIAGE COURSE | SUNDAYS OCT 5-NOV 16 | 5-6:30 PM
A supportive course for couples in all stages of marriage, offering practical tools to strengthen your relationship! Sundays, Oct 5-Nov 16 from 5-6:30 pm. Childcare available. More information and reserve your spot at elmhurstcrc.org/events.

ALPHA | OCT 2-9
If you are exploring the Christian faith or have questions regarding what you believe, the Alpha Course is for you.Alpha is for anyone; whether you consider yourself a skeptic, curious about faith, or a growing Christ-follower, this is a place to invite your friends and interact with others and learn from different perspectives.
You can find out more about Alpha here.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH | OCT 12,19,26
October 12, 19, and 26 - We will be hosting our three-part Journey to the Center of the Church membership class, also following the service on those days. We understand that committing to all of the dates may be difficult, so we do have portions of that class available online. Please complete the following form to register for the class:
https://elmhurstcrc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/474283

CHILDREN'S CHOIR THIS FALL
We are excited to announce the launch of a 1st–6th-grade children’s choir, directed by Robyn Vitson! Robyn brings a deep love for music and a passion for nurturing young voices in faith. The choir will sing once a month during worship, typically on the first or second Sunday. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday evening before, from 5:30–6:15 p.m. Fall Choir Dates; Sunday, Oct 12 (Rehearsal: Oct. 8) – Here I Am, Lord | Sun, Nov 9 (Rehearsal: Nov. 5) – Song TBD | Sun, Dec 7 (Rehearsal: Dec. 3) – Special Luke 2 Retelling

All children in 1st–6th grade are welcome! If your child would like to participate, please reach out Kara Hackert Director of Children & Family Ministries.

FALL REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN
Fall registrations are now open for fall mid-week and children’s ministries! Go to REGISTRATIONS.

YOUTH NEWS
Regular Youth Group meetings resume on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in the ECRC Youth Room.

• Middle School: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

• High School: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Come ready for fun, fellowship, and faith-building as we start a new season together!

Volunteers Needed
We’re looking for adults who are passionate about investing in the next generation. If you’re interested in serving and mentoring our youth, please email us at [email protected].

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ELMHURST FARMERS MARKET | WEDNESDAYS JUNE-OCTOBER
The Elmhurst Farmers Market continues through the end of October! We’ve received very positive feedback about hosting the market in our parking lot. As we move into the fall, we’re looking to fill some key volunteer spots to help the market run smoothly.

Both vendors and volunteers have shared how much they enjoy the experience—vendors appreciate the quality of our volunteers, and volunteers say it’s fun to be part of the market and help out!

If you’d like to join in, email [email protected] and we’ll follow up with available dates and roles.

Volunteer Opportunities

Market Information Booth| Shifts: 7–10am or 10am–1pm

Market Ambassadors | Shifts: 7–10am or 10am–1pm

Set-Up Crew | Time: 6–7am

Clean-Up Crew | Time: 12:30–1:30pm

East Lot Counter

Lobby Security | during Little Lambs and Coffee Break AM Sessions

Sign Manager | 6:30am & 1 pm

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JUBILEE RESALE BINS | WEST SIDE ENTRANCE
Jubilee Resale BINS will be available to collect your new or lightly-worn clothing donations for resale during open business hours at ECRC! Please look for the bins marked 'Jubilee' at the entrances. The Jubilee store proceeds benefit York Outreach and Timothy Christian Schools. You can drop off clothing articles anytime at church during these new, convenient times!

NEW TO YOU RESALE | ECRC PARKING LOT
Donation pick-up the first Thursday of each month from 7:45 am-9:15 am in the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church parking lot. New to You Resale proceeds support the Bright Promise Fund which provides Chicagoland children with access to a quality Christ-center school.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter of events and activities: elmhurstcrc.org/subscribe

We're hiring! FACILITIES MANAGER
Job Description & Application ..read more here.

My Brother's Kitchen (MBK) is a collaborative ministry bringing suburban and urban people together to serve a meal to the community and eat together. We serve together on the 4th Saturday morning of the month. Sign up here!

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Take our Serve Survey! God has gifted you in a special way to serve. Let us know where you’re serving now, and identify your talents, gifts, and interests in serving here and locally. Go to elmhurstcrc.org/survey.

ON-THE-GO DEVOS EXPERIENCE
Subscribe to Sunday's Coming! Devotional Experience and receive bite-sized, 4-minute weekday daily devotionals. These inspiring devotionals will be dropped to your phone each morning (Monday through Friday) around 7 a.m. — ideal preparation for Sunday’s worship service. Text "DEVOS" to 630.748.8172

Summer Office Hours: May 30 to August 29.
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-3:30pm

We're available online 24/7.

Calvin Theological Seminary invites you for a dessert and presentation of an important new book, "The Wars of the Lord: Puritan Conquest of America's First People." Pastor Derek Buikema will lead a conversation with author Matthew Tuininga whose book chronicles the tragic story of the Puritan conquest of New England through the eyes of those who lived it. Join us at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 1, at the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church. Sign up by 9/29 and you will receive a complimentary signed copy of the book. Contact [email protected] or call (616)957-6037.

Dutch Festival at Elim
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 | 7:30 am–4 pm
13020 S. Central Ave, Crestwood, IL – Free admission & parking
Pannenkoek breakfast, Dutch food & treats, farmer’s market & kids’ fun. Proceeds support Elim’s mission with children & adults with disabilities. Information, Volunteer Opps and more HERE.

Roseland Christian Ministries annual banquet--- Join us for a fundraising banquet on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Georgios Banquets in Orland Park. There is no ticket fee but a free will offering will be taken. RSVPs are required. Call 773.264.5665. Your support helps us meet the needs of the Roseland community.

OUTREACH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES We partner with Outreach York in the Jubilee Resale in Lombard, and in the York Outreach Center with God Time and VBS. They’re seeking a Director of Community Housing and Programs at two different locations, as well as a part-time teaching position. Check out opportunities at: weareoutreach.org/about-us/careers-internships