Hi EPC Friends and Members, 

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

1. I'm really excited about finally getting together for a Summer Wednesday at EPC. We'll have some dinner together, play Bingo, and do a gratitude practice together. Next Wednesday, July 27, at EPC (see the article below!) 

2. Blessing of the Backpacks! It's hard to believe it's almost time for Back to School, but I hope you'll want to encourage your favorite students to attend the Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday, August 14th. 

3. Name Blessing Ceremony -- On Sunday, August 7th, we'll celebrate the Lord's Supper and also have a special name blessing ceremony. See more below! 

2 Interesting Links

1. The Bittersweet Story of the Real Life Peaceful Bull Who Inspired Ferdinand. 

2. How Art Helps Improve Mental Health! 

1 Thought 

"It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture.
It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult."
-- Seneca

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

THIS WEDNESDAY!! 
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!

On Sunday, August 7th, we'll celebrate the Lord's Supper and also have a special name blessing ceremony for the transgender community. Changing names can be one of the most meaningful steps for a transgender person in expressing who they are. This name blessing ceremony will be a celebration of who and whose you are and all are welcome! Click HERE to sign up to have your name blessed.

Sunday, August 14 – Can you believe it’s almost time for back to school? Bring your backpack to worship on the 14th and get a special blessing before the start of school.

Vegetable harvesting has begun!  Please bring in your plastic fruit and tomato containers to use for packaging and delivery to the food pantry.  We'll collect them in a box in the Nelson-White room.  Thank you from the garden team!

NEW SIGN UP! The worship team has a new way to sign up to be a liturgist or usher for Sunday mornings.  Please use this link which will take you to an online sign up form. All are welcome to volunteer. Unable to access the form for some reason or need help? Contact Carol Ewert or Cheryl Turek to sign up. 

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.

‘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!

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. 

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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