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Outreach Ministry

Hurricane Sandy Relief
Hurricane Sandy relief efforts have raised more than $3200 to purchase 400 emergency blankets and 31 clean up kits assembled by 15 volunteers in December. This was made possible by financial support of the Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship as well as donations from the members of FCC. The clean up kits were shipped to the East Coast the week before Christmas in partnership with Menards and Knaack Toolbox Company of Crystal Lake.


Next Hurricane Sandy Events

First Congregational Church of Rockaway, New York

FCC –Crystal Lake is exploring partnering with FCC-Rockaway Beach including a prayer shawl, food and other supplies. Sandy Young of FCC made a first hand visit to New York to witness the devastation in the East Coast over the holidays and has developed friendships with FCC-Rockaway, New York

Christmas Giving Tree Update
Thanks to everyone who participated in another successful Christmas Giving Tree Campaign. Through the generosity of FCC members we donated 142 gifts and $3580 to those in need. Thanks to everyone
Blood Donations
Our next drive will be on Tuesday, May 21st, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Sign-up on-line at www.heartlandbc.org or call Ellen or Charlie Martin @ 815-459-9409. Sub sandwiches will be provided by Sue Davis of Jersey Mike's of CL and LITH. See you there.
3R's Project Partnership with Sheridan Correctional Center

Sheridan's librairian, Melinda Martinez, visited First Congregational on January 10th and took 16 boxes of books back to the readers in her care. With an eye to Melinda's requests (recent best sellers, informational non-fiction, Spanish language books, career-oriented reading, current computer and self-instruction books, Islam and Buddhism), FCC has been collecting from Rummage Sale and Friends of the Crystal Lake Library Sale leftovers and from FCC member direct donations. Share the excitement of a good book by recycling it with 3Rs. Magazine subscriptions to the prison (via airline miles for example) are a gift that keeps on giving. Contact Kathryn Gooding or www.3rsproject.org for more information.




UCC Coffee
In partnership with Equal Exchange and 500 other UCC congregations, we guarantee a fair price to farmers who grow organic products (coffee, tea, nuts, cranberries and cocoa) while helping support their communities. For each coffee purchase we make, UCC makes a donation to the Small Farms Ministry. All products are available in the church office during business hours. Coming soon: A new line of tea products including mint green, chamomile, vanilla rooibos, jasmine green and peppermint!

Read more at www.equalexchange.coop. The UCC Coffee Project newsletters are online at www.ucc.org/justice/coffee-project. Considering spring fundraisers for your team or group? This really is great way for our children to reach their goals while helping others. Please call Carolyn Grobe at 815-477-9252 with any questions or if you would like to help promote this worthy project!

Service People Prayer List
Lt. Derec Baxter, Navy--Cathy Baxter's son
Roger Canterbury, Marine recruit--Kathleen Canterbury's son
Lt. Commander Marc Carlson, Navy--Fred & Heidi Fitzpatrick's son-in-law
Brian Coe, Marine in Iraq--Paul King's cousin
Lt. Christopher Foss--Judy Porter's nephew
Col. Forrest Hare, PhD, Air Force--Helga and Forrest Hare's son
Greg Hastings in Afghanistan--friend of Rev. Ron Woodruff
Lt.Col. Ashley S. Hoffman - Suzanne and Robert Hoffman's daughter
Major Erin Reeder, Army--Bonnie Weck's nephew
Captain Katie Suhrhoff, Air Force—Tom & Dottie Suhrhoff’s daughter
Lance Corporal Chelsea Vance—Ray & Bev Tower’s granddaughter
Specialist Harvey Van Cleave III, 82nd Airborne in Haiti--Dave & Sue Pieplow's son-in-law
Matthew Wallace, Marine Corp--Jerry & April Knobloch's son
Paul Young, in Afghanistan--Nikki Reece's husband
Pfc Joe Zawada, Marine Corp in Afghanisthan--brother of Amy Zawada-Bills
PFC Josh Riegler Marine in Afghanistan ---Gary Riegler's Great-nephew
A1C Dennis McQueen - Deployed to South Korea - Friend of Sue Mandat
PFC Lucas Ramirez - Steve & Lynn Ramirez's son

You can also donate a telephone calling card through "Operation Uplink" a program coordinated by the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. So far, according to their web site 2 million cards to service members have been donated since 1996. More info? Check web site www.operationuplink.org for more information on how to contribute. USO Care Packages can also be donated for service members overseas. Go to the USO web site www.usocares.org
Our Church's Wider Mission
FCC participates in two of the five United Church of Christ denominational collections. This year, our intention is to contribute 4% of the church's total contributions to Our Church's Wider Mission, which uses 70% of this for support of the local denominational structure. Much of this comes back to us in parish support and denominational resources. 20% of OCWM is devoted to national and 10% to international organization and mission needs.
Aluminum Can Collection
Because of recent pilfering of cans from our trailer, we are asking people to bring cans ONLY on collection day, which is the last Sunday of each month. Contact Ken Bredemeier, 847-902-2197 for mor information. Thank you for your support.
One Great Hour of Sharing - FCC Comes Through Again
2013 One Great Hour of Sharing (April 21 - May 12)



OGHS began as a radio appeal of multiple denominations to help with the recovery after the devastation of WW II and continues today responding to disasters and providing humanitarian aid to Hurricane Sandy, Haiti Earthquake, Japan Tsunami, Syrian refugees, Pakistan floods, Zimbabwe missionaries (Westras), self-sufficient Guatemala women and more than 46 countries world-wide supported by 8 denominations



In Jesus’ last conversation with the disciples after his resurrection, He repeated the same message three times:



If you love me, take care of the people I love.

If you love me, take care of the people I love.

If you love me, take care of the people I love.



Jesus had given up everything to care for ordinary people. He called on his followers to now make a tangible difference in the lives of others. (John 21:15-17)t



When you give to OGHS you are there….. making God’s presence known to those who needed it the most ….both domestically and internationally.



First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake is one of the most generous churches in the country in support of OGHS and we hope that you will be able to support this worthwhile humanitarian relief aid organization again this year.



You can write a check to FCC with OGHS in the memo or donate on the FCC website between April 21 through Mothers Day May 12.

Thank you





Appalachian Work Tour Chronicle
FCC Adult Work Tours Announce Dates for 2013 trip to Virginia

Can you give of your time and talents to help others that are less fortunate?

FCC's Adult Work Tours will once again head for Jonesville, VA from September 22-27, 2013 for a uniquely satisfying week of helping to make the homes there "warmer, safer & drier." The Appalachian Mountains are just beautiful, and the people are even more amazing - even though they deal with considerable and ongoing adversity. Our group always leaves feeling touched by God’s hand. We guarantee there is something everyone can do to help! Even if home repair isn't your thing, you can provide such a wonderful ministry just by talking with our residents while others are improving their homes!

Attendees in 2012 included: Sandy & Mark Ehlert, Dave & Donna Eversman, Scott Cunningham, Al Cunningham, Bill Acton, Ray Tower, Karen & Bill Schmiel, Kerry & Jill Anderson, Bob & Debby Rosulek, Mike Chakoian, and Todd Christian. Any of us would be happy to tell you about our great experience and encourage you to join us. For more information about our trip to ASP, please contact Donna Eversman at deversman@ameritech.net or (815) 356-6119. You can also visit the official ASP website at www.asphome.org for more information on this very worthwhile project
Pine Ridge
Ten large boxes of coats band blankets were recently shipped full od FCC donations. We are continuing to collect donations with the goal of anaother shipment in March.