There's something for everyone at St. John!

CHILDREN
There are always two adults present in our programming for children and youth.

Quality nursery care for children up to age three is available every Sunday during worship and Sunday School at 9:30.  Our nursery attendant, Rosie Metcalf, provides a consistent and nurturing presence to our youngest children.  Two adults are always present in our nursery.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.  Parents and children sit together in worship at the beginning of the 9:30 worship service.  Children and youth are then dismissed to Sunday School following the children's sermon at about 9:50.  Children age 4-grade 5 study one Bible story for five weeks, learning the story in different ways each week: music, games, storytelling, puppets, cooking, arts, and crafts.  Sunday School concludes at the end of worship (parents: please pick up your children from their classrooms).

Junior and Senior high youth have their own Sunday School, taught (separately) by adult church members.  On the first Sunday of the month, junior and senior high youth come to worship for communion, no Sunday School.  At St. John, junior high is grades 6-8.

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 on Easter.

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 choir.

Vacation Bible Camp is a summer highlight for children age 1 through high school.  This year's VBC was held June 22-26 with four other churches.  Be looking for information about next year's Vacation Bible Camp.

From time to time, we offer the "God and Country" program, a five-week series of one-hour classes with the pastor for children who want to earn this award for Cub Scouts, Brownies, or Camp Fire.  A "God and Family" group recently concluded.

FAMILIES

We offer family programs throughout the year.  Recent family events included potlucks, game nights, and a "pizza and movie night."  A game night will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:00 p.m.  All famillies - and singles and couples! - welcome.  Just bring a board game for everyone to share.

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.  Adults 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.). 

Senior High Fellowship meets about twice a month.  Last summer they went on a mission trip to Zanesville, Ohio to repair homes and celebrate God's love.  Last summer's trip was to Sullivan, Illinois from July 11-18.  Next summer (2010) they travel to New Castle, Pennsylvania in July.

Adult church members lead the Senior Highs.  Our kids also do activities with "Feed Your Spirit" (FYS), an area youth group.  Annual activities include a fall and spring retreat, worship, learning, and local mission projects.  Call the church office for more information.  Call the church office, (847) 255-6687, for more information. 

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 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 1:30. 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.  

JuBELLation is a handbell choir open to all youth grades 6-12.  The choir learns 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.

Sunday School is offered for junior and senior high youth (separately) at 9:30 a.m. from September 20 through the end of May (Junior and Senior Highers are encouraged to attend worship on the first Sunday of the month.)

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

MUSIC

On August 1, Stephanie Abudayeh completed her first year as our music director.  In addition to giving guidance to the overall music ministry of St. John Church, Stephanie  directs the Chancel Choir, JuBellation, Junior Choir, and leads music during Sunday School.

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 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.  The Chancel Choir performs approximately twice per month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs the Chancel Choir.

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 a month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs the Junior Choir.

JuBELLation is a handbell choir open to all youth grades 6-12.  This choir learns a variety of bell playing techniques, music reading, and will 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 a month.  Stephanie Abudayeh directs JuBELLation.

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.

ADULT STUDY

Tuesday Morning Bible Study Plus has a long history at St. John. The class of about ten meets with Pastor Jeffrey in the church library from 9:45-11:00 every Tuesday.  The class is viewing and discussing the recent Discovery Channel documentary on the life of Jesus.  It's not too late to join us.  Newcomers welcome! 

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!  Call the church for more information about our next outing.

The Friendly Circle is St. John's women's organization. The Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00.  For more information, call the church office at (847) 255-6687.

Faithful Friends (formerly Kupples Klub) meets once a month for dinner, cultural events, service, mutual support, and lots of laughs.  Newcomers welcome!  Call the church office for more information on the next gathering: (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, families, the homeless, and disaster victims.

     - working for social change in partnership with UCC-related Community Renewal Society.  For more information, see the CRS website, www.communityrenewalsociety.org.

See the Mission Project page for more information.

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 building is available for use by the community.  There are fees and requirements, but we welcome your group in our building!  We are here for you!  Call the church office for more information.

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 Ginnie Elmer at (847) 255-4319 or ginnieelmer@villagepreschoolinc.com.  Visit their website: www.villagepreschoolinc.com. 

Restoration Missionary Church worships at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in our sanctuary. For more information, contact the Rev. Young Tak Lim at (847) 679-1932, ylim1932@gmail.com.