Hi EPC Friends and Members, 

Today instead of the 3-2-1, a short personal note. My family and I contracted COVID-19 at our family camp this week and are all at home recovering. Because of this, I will not be able to be in worship this Sunday.  I am incredibly grateful to the Executive Presbyter of the Chicago Presbytery, The Rev. Dr. Craig Howard, for stepping into our pulpit this Sunday. You will be blessed by his presence!  To learn more about him, please click HERE. I welcome your prayers for our family as we all heal and recover, and know that I'll be out of the office until sometime late next week. Please pass on any pastoral or other concerns to our Pastoral Assistant, Kaleigh and she will relay the message. 

As we all know, COVID-19 cases are on the rise and encourage us to wear masks and take other precautions as we adapt to the ever-changing landscape. As always, the leadership of Elmhurst Presbyterian Church will keep working and praying to keep everyone safe. 

I wish I had better news this week, but am grateful to all of you for your love and support.

Be well,

This Sunday we are excited to welcome The Rev. Dr. Craig Howard to our pulpit! Craig is a native of Chicago’s South Suburbs. He completed his undergraduate work at DePaul University, and earned the M.Div and D.Min degrees from McCormick Theological Seminary. Before coming to the Presbytery of Chicago, Craig served in St. Louis as Presbytery Leader of Giddings-Lovejoy, and Ministry Relations Officer with the Presbyterian Foundation. Craig has also served as Presbytery Executive for the Presbytery of Milwaukee. Craig’s first career was in business as an insurance executive. After being ordained to specialized ministry, Craig served as Director of Recruitment and Admissions at McCormick Seminary and later as Chief Development Officer. Craig has served several racial ethnic churches including Latinx, African American, Korean, and Euro American. Craig’s spouse is the Rev. Marilyn Gamm, who is also a pastor in the St. Louis area. Craig has two adult daughters both living in Chicago.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NEW DATE!!! 
Join us from 5:30 - 7:30 on 7/27 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!

COVID-19 transmission rates are high for DuPage County right now. The CDC recommendations are:

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

For more information, please visit the CDC website HERE.

We are looking for volunteers to help out in the church office August 1-5 from 9am-12pm. We'll need someone to answer the phones, the door, and be present in the church office during those hours! If interested, please email Cristi or call (630) 834-7750.

The Pastor's Bible Study is cancelled this coming Wednesday, July 20.

‘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!

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 this direct link.

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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