Find all your weekly announcements here.

WORSHIP GUIDE

THIS WEEKEND IN WORSHIP
We continue our series on Climbing the Staircase of F-A-I-T-H. The fourth step "I" is Intentions of God.
with Rev. Jeff Klein
Jesus was not a victim. God INTENDED for his Son to offer up his life as a sacrifice. Jesus's fulfillment of God's mission/will for him on the cross is the ultimate act of bravery and relinquishment.
John 10:11-21
| 1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

In-person and online at 10 am.

Announcements

ALPHA PRAYER WALL
Check out the Prayer Wall in the lobby. Write down and pray for those who you can invite to Alpha (beginning Oct 1) and who you can pray for who needs to know Jesus. Find our more at elmhurstcrc.org/alpha

ALPHA | OCT 1 - Nov 12 | 5:30 -7 PM
Who will YOU Invite? Our fall Alpha session begins Oct 1- Nov 12. We all have questions: Why am I here? Is there more to life than this? Is God real? Every Alpha has three parts: connecting, listening, discussing...and food! Free childcare available.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT | FRI SEP 29 | 6:30 PM
Come on our for a fun night at the movies! We'll be showing the family classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The weather looks great — It will be outdoors in the east lot. Bring a camp chair and/or blanket. (Garden Room if bad weather)Snacks will be served (Popcorn, Hot Chocolate, and Turkish Delight) The movie is rated PGIt is 2 hours and 23 minutes.

SUNDAY MORNING LIVE | SUNDAYS, OCT 1, 8, 15, 23
Sunday Morning Live (SML). What is it? It's a four-week adult gathering Sunday morning prior to the service. Our first SML series features Rev. Dr. Ben Ribbens and the book of Hebrew. Start your Sundays in a whole news way! There will be coffee and breakfast food.

HANDBELL CHOIR | FALL SEASON BEGINS OCT 1
Hand Bell Choir is open to new members! Rehearsals begin Oct 1. Like more info? Contact Mary Reitsma, Handbell Choir Director, and let's get ringing!

CHOIR PRACTICES | WED EVENINGS 7 PM

Join our Choir! Everyone is welcome! Rehearsals are every Wed, 7-8pm in the Garden Room

JOIN OUR TEAM | DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP
The Director of Worship at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is responsible for developing and equipping a diverse team of artists as well as for overseeing all non-preaching aspects of Sunday morning worship. This individual will lead the congregation in vibrant worship through music, prayer and other elements, fostering an atmosphere that draws our community into a deeper relationship with God. INFO & APPLY HERE.

ELDER, DEACON, SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM NOMINATION

It's the time of year when congregation members are invited to nominate Elders, Deacons, and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members to serve the community. These positions serve the church for three-year terms.
Who makes a good nominee? It's not dependent on age or tenure, but rather on an individual's personal and spiritual maturity. We seek individuals who embody qualities such as caring and compassion (deacon), shepherding and teaching (elder), and leadership and administration (SLT). Our criteria for these roles are defined by these qualifications, as well as those found in I Timothy 3:1-17. All offices are open to any active, professing member. Do you know someone who might be a good fit for these positions? Submit your nomination onlineby Sunday, October 22

SHE SINGLE MOTHER SUPPORT GROUP | OCT 8
Join the Single Mother Support Group on Sunday, Oct 8, from 12:15-2:15 p.m. for an informative talk on "Budgeting Tips."Free speaker, free childcare, and free luncheon for all attendees. Friends welcome.

JOURNEYMEN | THU OCT 12 | 6:30 AM
Men's Gathering on the second Thursday of each month for connection and walking alongside each other to follow Jesus.
Join us for our next gathering on October 12 featuring Johnny Zayas , Pastor of Grace and Peace CRC.

ENCORE | TUES OCT 24 | 7 PM

Are you within five years of a major life transition or retirement? Or thinking through what your identity is as a new retiree? Come Tuesday, October 24 to hear from David Hendricks, licensed Christian therapist and ECRC member on issues that people face going through major life changes. He will address the questions of time, identity, purpose, and legacy. There will be opportunity for dialogue, as well input on future meeting topics and direction. Questions? Contact Mike Boot or Don Van Beek.

GEMS OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
In conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts – filled with personal care items, clothing & accessories, toys, and crafts items. Over 189 million shoebox gifts have been delivered to children across the globe. The ECRC GEMS Girls Club will be collecting items for Christmas shoeboxes for our fall service project. Each box will be packaged in Christmas wrapping paper and labeled for an age group- ages 2-4, ages 5-9 and ages 10-14. GEMS would love some help collecting items to be donated for this project! Items needed:

  • 60 shoeboxes- any size.
  • Wrapping paper, bows and ribbon
  • Small toys- little frisbees or balls, yo-yos, puzzles, dolls, Barbies, super hero figures, fidgets, cars, trucks, small stuffed animals
  • Crafts & Activities- crayons, markers, pencils, small pads of paper, activity books, stickers
  • Personal Care- small combs/hairbrushes, band-aids, water bottles, toothbrushes
  • Clothing & Accessories- jewelry, socks, sunglasses, hair bows, hats, mittens, scarves, drawstring backpacks, fabric tote bags, small purses

The shoebox size (new or gently used) items may be placed in the boxes by the ECRC church office. Thank you so much for your generosity for kids. We'll collect through OCTOBER!

LIVING WITH HOPE WHEELCHAIR COLLECTION DRIVE OCT
We'll be collecting wheelchairs and mobility devices during the month of October for Living With Hope. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Living with Hope, serves people in countries in Eastern Africa providing wheelchairs and mobility equipment free of cost. There are 84 million people living with disabilities on the continent of Africa—35 million people require wheelchairs and lack access to them due to financial barriers. People with disabilities face exclusion from schools, workplaces and even from their own communities. A gift of a wheelchair along with a Bible brings new life and hope to these individuals and their families.Help bring HOPE and PURPOSE to those who have been unloved and neglected for far too long. Questions? Contact Jeff Klein or Laura Horner.

YOUTH NEWS
- Sunday, Oct 1: Youth Field Trip to Grace & Peace CRC in the city.9 am – 2 pm. Sign up HERE.
- Sunday, Oct 8: Big Night of Worship.

FALL MiDWEEK REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN
Find all your midweek fall registrations HERE!

FAMILY ENEWSLETTER
Join our family newsletter to receive updates about our Family Ministry and programs. Email Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries

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

STAFF NEWS

JOIN OUR TEAM! STAFF OPENINGS

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP
The Director of Worship at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is responsible for developing and equipping a diverse team of artists as well as for overseeing all non-preaching aspects of Sunday morning worship. This individual will lead the congregation in vibrant worship through music, prayer and other elements, fostering an atmosphere that draws our community into a deeper relationship with God. INFO HERE.

YOUTH MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Come alongside the Pastor of Outreach and assist in leading Youth Ministry for the 2023-2024 school year. This generation offers unique challenges and opportunities as these students make decisions about their own faith in Jesus and their present and future relationship to the church. This person will feel uniquely called to come alongside these students to offer intentional relationship, counsel, and wisdom as they navigate the waters of adolescence. INFO HERE.

YOUTH DIRECTOR JOB OPENING
Join our team! Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (ECRC) is looking for a passionate and energetic leader to walk alongside our Senior High and Middle School youth and provide visionary leadership to a team of volunteers. This dynamic individual will lead an exciting new partnership between the Church and local Young Life chapters in making disciples and engaging students with Jesus and the Gospel. INFO HERE

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.

Serve Survey

DEVOTIONALS & PODCASTS

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

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We're available online 24/7.

Church Office Summer Hours
Memorial Day through August 11
Mon -Thu: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
Fri: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
July 1 to August 11 Closed Friday.

COMMUNITY

Roseland Christian Ministries’ 8th Annual Ride for Roseland will be held on Saturday, September 30, from 8am-12pm in Palos Heights, IL. Can’t join us in person? Sponsor an RCM rider or register as an “Off-Site Rider.” For more information, visit bit.ly/RideforRoseland23or contact Lisa Thomson at [email protected] or 708.772.5381.

Roseland Christian Ministries Open House Oct 28
In gratitude for and celebration of the new renovation at Roseland Christian Ministries, please join us for an Open House Saturday, October 28, from 2pm-5pm. No RSVP required. Light hors ‘d oeuvres will be served. RCM is located at 10858 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago. Call 773.264.5665 for more information.

Trinity Christian College is hosting contemporary Christian and worship band Vertical Worship live in concert on Saturday, October 21 as part of their annual Fall Fest weekend. Tickets are general admission and can be purchased online for $20-$25 with a special VIP section that includes early entry, preferred seating, and artist Q&A. Groups of 10+ can save $5 per ticket by using the code GROUP15 at checkout.

CaringNetwork Pregnancy Resource Center is hiring. Go to caringnetwork.com/careers – Digital Marketing & Comm Asst, Wooddale Center Director, Pregnancy Consultant, and lots more.