Click June 2023 for the June Newsletter from the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign. 

• On Sunday, June 11, we will be entertained by Jean Rene Balekita and friends during our fellowship/light brunch immediately following the 9 am service.
• Our Sign Language Classes begin for four weeks on Thursday June 8 from 11-12 noon either in-person or on zoom.  Call church office 217.356.7238 if interested.
• Rachel and Matt Matthews will lead a Covenant Bible Study for five Wednesday evenings (5:30-7:30) beginning July 19.  Contact the church office to sign up.

​​​​​​​Lots to read about in this June issue.  Happy summer!

Click May 2023 to find the May Newsletter from the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign…

• We will host the Fair Trade Rug Event sponsored by Ten Thousand Villages May 4-7.
• May 7 at 9 am is Music Sunday featuring our Chancel Choir accompanied by a brass quartet and strings.  The them for the morning is “Joy in the Lord.”
• On May 14, we will celebrate all mothers at our 2nd Sunday Brunch at 10:10 am.
• Later this Spring, we will honor graduates.  Please submit your information on a graduate in your family by May 14.
• Presbyterian Women invite you to their Spring gathering on Thursday, May 25, at 11:30 a.m.  The Executive Director of the Refugee Center will be the featured speaker.
• In June, our Community Mission Deacons are hosting a Collection Event to help you with your Spring cleaning and to benefit Habitat and Salt & Light.  If you have large items and need help with transporting, we need to know no later than May 14.

That’s just a brief summary of what you can find in our May issue.  Keep informed on what your church is doing…read the May News!

Click April 2023 for the April Newsletter from the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  This edition includes information on…

• services throughout Holy Week including a soup supper on Maundy Thursday at 6 pm and a joint worship with First Methodist Church on Good Friday at 7 pm in our Sanctuary;
• the upcoming concert by David LaMotte on Sunday, April 16, at 3 pm in our Sanctuary;
• Know anyone graduating?  We would like to honor our graduates later this Spring;
• the One Great Hour of Sharing offering which will be taken Palm Sunday and Easter;
• items being collected to take to Cuba in April;
• Celebration of Earth Day on Sunday, April 23.  Cindy Shepherd will preach.
• Music Sunday is May 7!

We are “showered” with events throughout April.  Be sure not to miss what is happening at your church this Spring!

Click March 2023 for the March Newsletter from First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  Coming up includes…

• Celebration of our relationship with the Presbyterian Church in Luyano, Cuba on Sunday, March 12.  Join us that morning for a special service followed by brunch Cuban style.  More information in this issue.
• We are in the midst of Lent.  Maundy Thursday, April 6, will be a communion service and soup supper at 6 pm.  On Good Friday we will host our neighbors the Methodist at a service in our Sanctuary at 7 pm.  Easter worship is at 9 am on April 9.
• During Lent, we will have a discussion series on Adam Hamilton’s “The Walk, Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life” Sunday mornings at 10:15.  (We will skip March 12 and go to brunch that morning.)
• Donate towards the Spring flowers that will decorate the Sanctuary on Easter.
• David LaMotte will join us Sunday, April 16, at 3 pm for a free concert followed by a reception.  Mark your calendars now!
• As you Spring clean, keep in mind our collection June 3 to support Habitat and Salt & Light.  Read more about what we can accept on their behalf in this issue.

Click February 2023 to find the February news from First Presbyterian Church in Champaign.

• This Sunday, January 29, hear from electric car owners Cindy Shepherd and Brandi & Jason Lowe on the pros and cons of owning an EV as part of our Adult Ed class immediately following the 9 am service.
• Join us for our 2nd Sunday Brunch on February 12.
• Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22.  We will have an Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm that evening.  Lenten Devotionals will be available that first Sunday of Lent.
• The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be Sunday, February 26.
• Get to know our Sabbatical Pastors Connie Bandy and Jean Oliver-Holder who are filling in while Pastor Matt is on Sabbatical.
• The Winter/Spring Small Group brochure is now available online or in the kiosks at church.
• Save the date for David Lamotte in Concert on Sunday, April 16, at 3 pm.

Click January 2023 2 to receive News from First Presbyterian Church of Champaign….

• Pastor Matt gives a brief outline of upcoming events in his article.  Mark your calendars and watch for more information on each.
• Why not consider sharing your enthusiasm for music and join our choir or bell choir this year?  Joe Grant tells you how.
• Pastor Matt will be on Sabbatical January 23 to February 20, 2023.  The Revs. Connie Bandy and Jean Oliver-Holder will be filling in while he is gone.
• C-U at Home’s One Winter Night February 3 along with a celebratory concert on February 4.
• Mission updates include communications from Cuba, Mission Co-Worker Mark Adams and DREAAM.
• ELL (English Language Learners ) news.

Click November 2022 for the November newsletter for the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  Be sure to read about…

• This Sunday, October 30, we will remember church members who have died this past year.
• Dr. Don Wuebbles, professor emeritus of atmospheric science at the U of I, is our guest speaker this Sunday, October 30, at the 10:15 am Faith in the Real World series;
• Trunk or Treat this Sunday, October 30, from 5-6 pm in the church parking lot.
• Welcomed & Affirmed Zoom series to be held in November.  Join us online for a safe Christian space to better understand how to communicate sensitively and to welcome and affirm all people.
• Join us for our next Second Sunday Brunch on November 14.
• “Surviving the Holidays” offered throughout the coming holiday season will help those who have lost a loved one.
• Mission updates include a list of items that our Cuba delegation would like to take to our sister church in Luyano in November; Environmental Team updates; and news from our ELL (English Language Learners) class;
• The Angel Tree is back this year.  Gifts for Kemmerer Village are needed by December 11, 2022.

Click October 2022 to find news from the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  Fall is exciting around the church…

• Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering Saturday, October 1, 11 am.
• “A Celebration Through Song” honoring Hispanic Heritage Month Saturday, October 1, 5 pm.
• Sunday School for our youth begins Sunday, October 2, at 10 am.
• World Communion/Cuba Sunday this Sunday, October 2.  Special refreshments served after 9 am service.
• Second Sunday Brunch October 9!
• Quilt Display Sunday, October 23.
• Trunk or Treat October 30, 5-6 pm.  Volunteers needed to provide trunks, candy and help with games.

Get further details on all these events as well as Mission News and Finance updates in this October issue.

Click September 2022 to find the September Newsletter from First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  Highlights in this issue include…

• Our next Second Sunday Brunch is Sunday, September 11, immediately following the 9 am service;
• “Rooted Together” Watch Party from the Green Team Summit 2022 featuring Katharine Hayhoe, noted Climate Scientist.  Join us in the chapel on September 11 at 4:45 pm.
• Fall updates from Choir; Small Groups; Children, Youth and Family; and Presbyterian Women.
• Mission News includes information on the upcoming Cuba Forum; a winter trip to Cuba; International Taste of First Pres coming September 18 at 4 pm; English Language Learners news; and an upcoming fundraiser for Restoration Urban Ministries.

It’s fall…join us as we fall back into routines and begin new and exciting programs in the life of the church.

Click August 2022 to find the August Newsletter from First Presbyterian Church of Champaign. Hard to believe it is August already…the lazy days of summer are behind us! Be sure to read about…

• 2nd Sunday Brunch August 14 at 10:10 am in Centennial Hall.
• Fun in the Sun August 14 at Centennial Park and Sholem Pool from 6-10 pm. Open to all with games, food and swimming.
• Worship services will combine in August at 9 am. Join us for a blended service with Sora Shepherd, our new church musician, and our Gathering Band led by Kelsey Stremplewski.
• Updates from our Mission Team including your chance to travel to Cuba this February with a group going from the church.
• ESL News.
• Children, Youth and Family Updates. Sunday School resumes September 11 and volunteers are needed to help lead our youth.