As we enter this holiday season, First Pres offers many special events to help you prepare for the coming of the Savior…

• This Sunday, December 7, our Chancel Choir under the direction of Samuel Stephenson will present Lessons & Carols with brass at our 9 am worship service;
• Second Sunday Brunch Sunday, December 14, immediately following 9 am worship;
• This year’s Angel Tree benefits Courage Connection.  Gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 14.
• Christmas Caroling Party Tuesday, December 16, at 5 pm.  Gather at the church to carpool.  We will return afterwards for hot cocoa and cookies.
• Blue Christmas Worship Service Sunday, December 21, at 4 pm. An Advent service for those experiencing grief or for whom this season is a time of grieving.  It offers a space to express those feelings.  We will remember those who have died this past year;
• Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24) we will offer two services:  4 pm Family Service; 8 pm with choir, communion and candlelight.

Click December 2025 to read information on these events and more in this December issue.  We wish you all a blessed holiday season! 

Click November 2025  to find the November newsletter from the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.  In the coming weeks we are excited about…

• Find out what happens next now that we have concluded our Small Group Studies in connection with our recent Mission Study.
• From November 2-16 we are partnering with Immigration Services of C-U to provide warm winter clothing and pantry needs for our immigrant neighbors.  See the list of needed items in this month’s news.
• Clarinet Recital Sunday, November 9, at 3 pm in the Sanctuary featuring Gary Winder and clarinet students from the U of I;
• Coffee with Beth moves to Mondays from 10-12 noon at Coffee RX in downtown Champaign;
• Prepare for Advent with a study beginning Sunday, November 16, immediately following worship.  Your Spiritual Formation Committee has chosen the devotional “A Surprising God — Advent Devotions for an Uncertain Time.”
• Join our English Language Learners at a Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 19, from 11 am to 1 pm.  Food provided by the ELL classes and your Nurture Committee.
• The 2025 Angel Tree will support the children residing at Courage Connection.  

This and more information in this November issue.  We are grateful for exciting times ahead as we enter the holiday season.

Click October 2025  to find the October news from First Pres in Champaign.  In this issue you will find information on…

• our wrap up over the next couple of weeks of our 175th Anniversary;
• Small group mission study discussions along with the above presentation (October 3 at 7 pm) kick off in October.  Cards were mailed to all who signed up with dates, times and location.  Call church office with questions.
• the Princeton Tigertones, an all-male acapella group including our own Henry Laufenberg, will present a concert on Monday, October 13, at 5:30 pm in our Sanctuary.  No admission but donations welcome!
• Coffee with Beth in October Thursdays 10-12 noon at Good Judy’s Bagels;
• Trunk  & Treat October 26 3:30-5 pm with a soup supper. Sign up to provide a trunk. You can also donate bags of candy and young children’s books to be distributed at the event.

Read about the fall happenings along with more in this issue.

Click September 2025 to find this month’s issue of the newsletter from First Presbyterian Church of Champaign.

• We celebrate 175 years of worship and service starting this month into October.  Read about the special events coming up in the month-long celebration and plan to join us as we commemorate this time in the life of the church.
• Youth Sunday School (K-12th grade) resumes at 10:10 AM this Sunday, September 7.
• Guest speaker for this Sunday, September 7, at the Adult Discussion immediately following worship is Matthew Fletcher from Courage Connection.
• Lunch & Learn on Monday, September 8, will look into Windows 11.  Bring a sack lunch at noon and learn more about this upgrade.
• Second Sunday Brunch September 14 immediately following worship.  Brunch is free as is the fellowship.
• International Family Game Night Tuesday, September 16, 4:30 – 6 PM.  A fun family night of games, food and laughter across all cultures.
• Coffee with Beth in September Wednesdays from 10-12 noon at Espresso Royale at Robeson at the Crossing.
• Sign up to participate in  small discussion groups which is a part of the mission study required as part of the search for a new pastor.  Dates and times can be found in the September issue.  An important All-Church event will be held Friday, October 3, at 7 PM in the Sanctuary as we learn the preliminary findings from the earlier meeting in July with our Transition coach.

It’s Fall and we are gearing up after the less hectic pace of summer.  Don’t miss out…be sure to read the September issue to see what is all planned in the coming weeks.