Hi EPC Friends and Members, 

Here's my "3-2-1" for this week...

3 EPC Happenings

1. Guest preachers! It's so nice to hear different voices in our pulpit. On July 3, we will welcome Caryn Rivadeneira, who is one of the ministers at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Caryn is also a writer who has published many titles for children and grownups. Her sermon is about perfection. (Ooooh, I can't wait to catch it on the livestream) On July 10th, we'll welcome Jim Davidovich, Ruling Elder. Thank you, Jim, for agreeing to preach to our congregation. 

2. EPC Summer Wednesday -- July 20th -- Join us from 5:30 - 7:30 for Faith + Food + Fun! For the FAITH portion,  we'll talk about gratitude as a Spiritual Practice, make a gratitude wall, and take home a personal gratitude journal. For the FOOD portion, we'll eat pizza and salad and brownies for dessert and for the FUN part we're playing (guess what?) BINGO. And, yes, there will be prizes.  This event is intergenerational which means it's not for kids only or adults only it's for absolutely everyone. It's for absolutely everyone from babies to people who are 120 years old. EVERYONE IS INVITED AND WELCOME! Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Nelson-White room or respond to this email if you're coming. 

3. Blessing of the Backpacks -- Mark your calendars for August 14 when we will bless the backpacks of those children who are beginning school. This event will be open to anyone who wants to receive a blessing for their first day, and their parents, too! 

2 Interesting Links

1. I've been thinking about patience today (see quote below!) and went looking for a video to share with you on patience. I was so moved by THIS one, a time lapse of a mango tree, over a year. It's really beautiful to see how it grows, but notice the description that says it will be a minimum of 4 years before it might bear fruit. Sometimes the things we are aiming for/hoping for/waiting for/seeking take a very long time. 

2. Here is an etymological study on the word patience in English. It reminds me of the very first BOOK Clayton ever learned to read out loud. 

1 Thought 

Patience is also a form of action.
—  Auguste Rodin

There you have it! Our 3-2-1 for the week. See you Sunday! 
It's not the same without you there, 

Check out these pictures from EPC PRIDE! Thanks to everyone who helped out and made this event a success and to those who braved the rain to celebrate! 

Join us from 5:30 - 7:30 on 7/20 for Faith + Food + Fun! For FAITH, we’ll be talking about gratitude as a spiritual practice. We’ll make a gratitude wall, and take home a personal gratitude journal. For FOOD, we’ll have pizza, salad, and brownies. For FUN, we’re planning BINGO (and yes, there will be prizes). This event is intergenerational, and all are welcome. Sign up on the bulletin board in the Nelson-White Room or send us an email if you are coming! 

This Sunday, we welcome Caryn Rivadeneira to our pulpit! Caryn serves as Director of Care and Worship Planning at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church and is the author of more than twenty books for both children and adults. She holds a BA in English from Calvin College and an MA in Worship Arts from Northern Seminary. Caryn is a life-long resident of Elmhurst, where she currently resides with her husband, three kids, and beloved rescue pit bulls.

‘Cue for a Cause is the most delicious fundraiser in town! Competitors roll up their sleeves and roll out their grills to see who can deliver the winning barbecue. While teams work to prove they are the masters of the backyard grill, attendees at this family friendly event cheer them on, enjoy live music, raffles, entertainment, good food and drink. The 'cue is on Sunday, September 4 from noon - 7pm. This year we'll head over as a group after worship at noon to eat barbecue, listen to music, and support the work of the walk-in ministry. Please sign up in the Nelson White Room. Also, if you've got a really great pie or cookie recipe you'd like to enter as a part of the bake-off, check out the rules and requirements HERE. They are also looking for sponsorships. Please see THIS link to sign up and consider becoming a sponsor and THIS link for more information.

The Elmhurst Resource Collaboration is hosting a back to school fair at York High School where vendors from all around the community share resources for back to school. This fair targets the students in our district who may have substantial resource needs. Elmhurst Presbyterian Church participated last year and provided backpacks and backpack tags. Are you interested in participating this year? We are looking for 1-2 volunteers on Saturday, August 6 from 10am - noon and 1-2 volunteers from noon-2pm. If you're available or would like to learn more, please contact Pastor Traci!

Due to the 4th of July, the church office will be closed July 4 & 5.

Pastor Traci is on vacation from July 1 through July 14 and will be out of the office. The Pastor's Bible Study will also be canceled for those two weeks. In case of a pastoral emergency, please feel free to reach out to Pastor Traci via cell phone or text message at 630-643-6045.

The garden team is looking for more help, especially with watering new plantings! The garden team typically meets ​​on Tuesday and Friday mornings, but that is subject to change depending on the weather.  We also need help tending the vegetable garden through the summer. Duties include watering, weeding, harvesting, packaging, weighing, and delivering. Interested? Contact Ruth Schroeter.

Did you know our presbytery, the Presbytery of Chicago, has an email list that you can subscribe to? Presbytery Connect shares upcoming events, timely news, and resources for your community. Be sure to sign up so you know what's happening! Click here.

Be sure you check out the Earth Care display in the Nelson-White Room to learn more about what we can do to help our earth and all of creation! It's a great way to get some resources to something practical in conjunction with our sermon series on creation! 

Please visit our website and update your directory listing! You can visit the directory by following the instructions above or use

. 

The Worship Team is looking for folks to serve as Liturgists or Ushers on Sunday Mornings. Ushers are responsible for welcoming worshippers, handing out bulletins, lighting and extinguishing candles, and setting out offering plates and returning them to work room. Liturgists participate in worship by leading the congregation in the call to worship, the passing of the peace, and the prayer of dedication. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby or contact the church office. 

There will be Sunday School downstairs this Sunday! All kids are welcome to join us for a time of learning and fellowship. Tuning in online? A Zoom Link will be sent out Sunday Morning.

10:30 Sunday Worship Livestream - Click Here!

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