There's something for everyone at St. John!

CHILDREN

Quality nursery care for children up to age three is available every Sunday during worship.  Our professional nursery attendant, Rosie Metcalf, provides a consistent and nurturing presence to our youngest children.  Two adults are always present in our nursery.

Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. when children are dismissed from worship following the children's sermon.  During the summer we offer a "one room Sunday School" for our 4-year-old through fifth grade children.  Each Sunday they will be learning about a part of our worship service.  Sunday School concludes at 10:30 (parents: please pick up your children from their classrooms).  Fall Sunday School begins September 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Our church school teachers have a deep love for children and for teaching the faith through nurture, word, activity, and example. Our children participate in seasonal activities such as "Tinsel Day" (our annual Christmas pageant), a Valentines party, and an egg hunt and party on Easter.  There are always two adults present in our programming for children.

Junior Choir is a choir open to all children age four to 5th grade.  Children are encouraged to participate in singing games, traditional church music, handbell playing, movement, and playing rhythm instruments.  Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:30 p.m.  The Junior Choir performs approximately once per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs the Junior Choir.  Rehearsals start September 10. 

Vacation Bible School is a summer highlight for children age 4 through entering sixth grade.  This year's VBS, "Power Lab", ran from June 23 through 27.  Forty five children and youth participated.  Next year's VBS is June 22-26.  

From time to time, we offer the "God and Me" program, a five-week series of one-hour classes with the pastor for children in first through 3rd grades who want to earn this award for Cub Scouts, Brownies, or Camp Fire.

FAMILIES

We offer family programs throughout the year.  Recent family events include church-wide Lenten potlucks, an evening of games for all ages, and a "pizza and movie night" on January 25.  Our next family fun game night is Friday, November 14. 

YOUTH

Two adults are always present in our programs and activities for youth.

Our Junior High Fellowship meets twice a month for learning, fun, and service to others.  Adult church members lead the group.  Our junior highs participate with area junior high youth in Crew Club, a joint ministry of St. John UCC, Congregational UCC, Arlington Hts., the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Arlington Hts., and Church of the Incarnation United Methodist (Arlington Hts.).  The Junior Highs went canoeing on May 31.  Fall meetings start next month.

Senior High Fellowship meets about twice a month.  This summer they went on a mission trip to Zanesville, Ohio to repair homes July 17-Aug. 2.  They reported on their trip during 9:30 worship on Sunday, August 10.

Adult lay members lead the Senior Highs.  Our kids also do activities with "Feed Your Spirit" (FYS), an area youth group.  FYS activities can be found on their website, www.feedyourspirit.org.  Recent activities include a youth-parent Valentine party, and the "30 Hour Famine" to raise money and awareness for world hunger.

Confirmation is the rite by which young people affirm baptismal vows previously taken either by themselves or by their parents on their behalf. The day of Confirmation (May 31 next year) is preceded by two years of classes taught by Pastor.  Students are typically in the 7th and 8th grades.  Sessions are held twice a month on Sunday from noon to 1:15. There's a weekend retreat with the pastor every year in February, service projects, and opportunities to lead worship. In addition, each student selects a mentor who guides the young person to develop a personal faith.  Classes commence on Sunday, September 14, from noon-1:15.  If you are interested in enrolling your child in confirmation, contact Pastor Jeffrey: (847) 255-6687.

JuBELLation is a handbell choir open to all youth grades 6-12.  This choir will learn a variety of bell playing techniques, music reading, and will play both traditional and praise songs.  Rehearsals are twice a month on Sunday mornings from 11:00-11:45 a.m.  JuBELLation performs appproximately once per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs JuBELLation.  Rehearsals start September 14.

Sunday School is offered for junior and senior high youth (separately) at 9:30 a.m.  (Junior and Senior Highers are encouraged to attend worship on the first Sunday of the month.)  No Junior and Senior High Sunday School in the summer.  Classes begin again on September 14 at 9:30 a.m.

Call our church office, (847) 255-6687, for details on these ministries.

MUSIC

We warmly welcome Stephanie Abudayeh as our new music director.  In addition to giving guidance to the overall music ministry of St. John Church, Stephanie will be directing the Chancel Choir, JuBellation, and Junior Choir.  Glad to have you, Stephanie (see News page for more information). 

In 2003, our congregation acquired a new organ for the praise of God and the support of congregational singing.  Our three-manual Rodgers Trillium Series pipe-enhanced digital instrument is versatile and dynamic, allowing for a wide array of sounds.  

Chancel Choir is an opportunity for anyone high school and up to praise God through singing.  Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  The Chancel Choir performs approximately twice per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs the Chancel Choir.  Rehearsals start September 3.

During the summer, members and friends are recruited to play and sing for Sunday service.

Junior Choir is a choir open to all children age four to 5th grade. In Junior Choir, children are encouraged to participate in singing games, traditional church music, handbell playing, movement, and playing rhythm instruments.  Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:30 p.m.  The Junior Choir performs approximately once per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs the Junior Choir.  Rehearsals start September 10.

JuBELLation is a handbell choir open to all youth grades 6-12.  This choir will learn a variety of bell playing techniques, music reading, and wil play both traditional and praise songs.  Rehearsals are twice per month on Sunday mornings from 11:00-11:45 a.m.  JuBELLation performs approximately twice per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs JuBELLation.  Rehearsals start September 14.

BellTones is an adult handbell choir.  Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  BellTones performs approximately once per month.  Carin Zachar directs BellTones.  Rehearsals start September 8.

ADULT STUDY

Tuesday morning Bible study has long been a tradition at St. John. The class of about ten meets with Pastor Jeffrey in the church library from 9:45-11:00 every Tuesday from September through May.  Class resumes Tuesday, September 9.

FELLOWSHIP, SERVICE, AND FUN

The Soulcialites is a group for fun, learning, service, and spiritual growth for those in "middle age," defined as anywhere from 30-60!  The last Soulcialites function was on Saturday night, April 26.  Call the church office for information on the next activity.  (847) 255-6687.  New folks are always awelcome. 

The Friendly Circle is St. John's women's organization. The Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00.  They gather next on September 9.  The Circle celebrated its 70th birthday on Sunday, June 15.  For more information, call the church office at (847) 255-6687.         

Kupples Klub meets at least once a month for dinner, cultural events, service projects, and lots of laughs.  Most recent event: progressive dinner on Sat., June 21.  Call the church office for more information: (847) 255-6687.

Our Mission Team coordinates the following projects:

     - monthly sponsorship of three children through the UCC Child Sponsorship program: a boy named Muhammed in Palestine, a boy named John in the Philippines, and another boy named Godwin at Mt. Selinda Mission in Zimbabwe, where Pastor Jeffrey used to serve.

     - making food once a month for a local homeless shelter.

     - periodic collection of items for children and disaster victims.

     - working for social change in partnership with UCC-related Community Renewal Society.  The group is encouraging members and friends of our church to sign and send in cards to their state legislators encouraging reform of Illinois' criminal justice system.

The Mission Team is hosting a social justice training on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9:00-noon at St. John.  The training will be led by Alex Wiesendanger from UCC-related Community Renewal Society.

A new group, "St. John Crafters," meets from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the library on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.  The group explores all kinds of crafts, including scrapbooking.  Newcomers and non-members welcome!

OTHER

St. John Church and its staff are available for weddings, memorial services, funerals, and other services. Give us a call for more information, (847) 255-6687.

Our church also owns a cemetery on East Euclid Avenue in Arlington Hts., across the street from Memory Gardens.  Because space is limited, burial plots are available for church members only.

St. John hosts the Village Preschool which offers morning and afternoon preschool sessions throughout the regular school year. Contact director Ginny Elmer at (847) 255-4319.

Living Water Baptist Church, a Korean fellowship, worships at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in our sanctuary. For more information, contact the Rev. Youn Choung at (847) 208-3636 or (847) 577-6803.