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Wishing you a blessed 2026!!

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View this email in your browser For more information about us or to Join Virtual Events, go to www.fbclagrange.com Welcome to FBC God’s Heart in the Community Pastors Revs. Maurice and Shawana McGee Please Follow us on Facebook or Instagram This Sunday at FBC:   10:00 am — “Sunday School” in the Sanctuary this week (children welcome with caregiver) 11:00 am — Worship Service for All Remote worship available On YouTube (click to watch). Please check the uploaded recordings later on the YouTube channel if the live stream isn’t working on a Sunday morning. In this week’s Announcements… FBC—Key events and “save the dates” —Sunday Church School 10:00 am each Sunday in the Sanctuary. If you know the Bible, Sunday School needs you. If you don’t know the Bible…then You need Sunday School. Children are always welcome in the Sanctuary with their parents or caregivers. —Seed of Hope Sunday Meals program most Sundays at 3:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.  All are welcome! FBC Donation and Volunteer Opportunities: —FBC is collecting gently used clean winter coats and new hats, gloves, socks, and scarfs for adults and children to provide to our neighbors who are in need. —Contact Pastor Shawana at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering for: GPS Clothing & Necessities Closet. Community Events --January 11 at 3pm: First Congregational Church of La Grange is presenting "The Ballad of the Brown King," a concert celebrating Epiphany and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   The music is by Chicago native Margaret Bonds set to words of Langston Hughes.  This concert is free to attend with a free-will offering. The FCCLG Missions team selected "The Caring Place Foundation" as a beneficiary. American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago (ABC-MC) and American Baptist Churches-USA: —American Baptist Churches-USA: see below for A New Year Message from Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain – General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. —ABC-MC: Christmas Message from our Regional Executive Ministers (see below) —ABC-MC: The ABC-MC Cabinet is requesting volunteers to choose our next Regional Executive Minister by serving on the Executive Search Committee (see details below). —American Baptist Home Mission Society Press Release: “The Church as a Refuge: A Pastoral Response to Mass Deportations” Community Events & Resources (more details on these further below): --Opportunities to help those in need:   Hearts with Soles & Meals on Wheels (flyers below) To Tithe or give to FBC using Paypal or a credit card, please click the button below: Click Here to Give What else is going on at FBC? See below & check FBC’s calendar of events: https://www.fbclagrange.com/calendar.html Please continue to pray for our Pastors, our church, our congregation and their families, the ABC-MC Region of churches, our neighbors facing oppression, all who are sick, shut-in, and bereaved, as well as our youth, neighbors, community, and world. Prayer changes everything! Ministries/Events at FBC You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone Free Small Group Grief Counseling is Available at FBC In partnership with UIC Adventist Hospital, FBC began a grief counseling ministry this month.  This will be a monthly gathering facilitated by our Pastors at FBC every 2nd Thursday, starting at 6:00 PM.  If you have experienced loss and would like more details or to  participate in these small group sessions (or someone you know would), please contact Pastor Shawana at (708) 205-9686. FBC’s Clothing & Necessities Closet FREE for all those in need is now open every Sunday from 1:00pm-4:00pm, as well as by appointment.   Those wishing to visit the GPS or donate items please leave a message by calling the FBC office phone at 708-352-2740.   News from American Baptist Churches A New Year Message from Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain – General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA Hebrews 13:8 NIV - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Dear Beloved followers of Christ, As we step into a new year together as American Baptists, we do so with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and with hope for the future. This past year has brought both joys and challenges across our churches, communities, and world. Yet in every season, God has remained present—calling, sustaining, and guiding us by the Spirit. We rejoice that Christ continues to invite us to follow Him more closely. In the coming year, may we renew our commitment to walk in the way of Jesus—in our worship and witness, our workplaces and neighborhoods, our homes and congregations. May this year deepen our sense of belonging to one another, inspiring us to listen well, serve humbly, and stand together in love and justice. As we share life, ministry, and mission, may our fellowship bear witness to the reconciling power of the Gospel. May we trust that Christ is at work bringing restoration—to hearts, families, churches, and communities. Let our congregations be places where healing is nurtured through compassion, forgiveness, hospitality, and hope. Our world knows the weight of division, grief, and hurt, and many of us carry our own burdens and wounds. As 2026 begins, may the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, the joy of the Lord strengthen you, and the love of God overflow through you. Together, as American Baptists, may we follow Jesus faithfully, care for one another deeply, and participate in God’s healing work in our congregations and across the world. Happy New Year from the American Baptist Churches USA. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain General Secretary American Baptist Churches USA Excerpts from the ABC-Metro Chicago monthly newsletter, the “EWind” A Christmas Message from the Regional Executive Ministers Revs. Carol McVetty & Douglas Harris One of my (Carol’s) all-time favorite Christmas stories is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. It tells the story of what happened when an ordinary Sunday school pageant was taken over by the Herdmans, a family of wild and disruptive children who know nothing about the birth of Jesus. During one rehearsal they learn about the Wise Men and why they avoid King Herod after visiting the Baby Jesus. They are appalled when they hear that Herod’s plot is not included in the pageant. “You mean someone’s out to kill the kid and it’s not in the play?” Someone was trying to kill the infant Jesus, but that part of the story is carefully scrubbed out of our beautifully staged Christmas celebrations. This year, we might do well to remember that Jesus was born under the oppressive rule of Empire. Our retelling of the ancient story should include that Mary, Joseph, and the Holy Child became refugees to flee a murderous king’s rage. Jesus was born into a time at least as violent and unjust as our own. And yet the angels announce “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all.” In Christ’s birth, God invades our broken, weary, sin-filled world. Divine Peace, Holy Justice, Infinite Love invaded this realm in the birth of Christ, and God is still at work to unite all things under Christ’s loving reign. Our task through-out this Advent and Christmas season is to look for signs of that holy invasion, and to live as signs of God’s reign of peace. A dear friend of ours, Rev. Norman Shanks a retired Church of Scotland pastor, put this message into poetry in his annual Christmas letter: Light and hope collide, darkness and distress dispelled in shalom-glory. The angels’ song still tells us of justice and joy forever fulfilled. So where do we stand in these troubled ‘between times’? May our lives show love. The Christmas tree in Bethlehem is lit for the first time in two years. May Christ’s peace and mercy and love invade our lives this Christmas, Carol & Doug With questions about pastoral searches, contact: Doug Harris [email protected] (773) 634-1495 ext. 1 With questions about the ordination process, contact: Carol McVetty [email protected] (773) 634-1495 ext. 10 THERE IS STILL TIME TO VOLUNTEER TO CHOOSE OUR NEW EXECUTIVE MINISTER! A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE MINISTER OF ABC-MC SEARCH COMMITTEE  As we continue the essential work of strengthening our shared mission across the Chicago Metro region, we have entered a vitally important season of discernment and leadership transition. The ABC Metro Chicago Cabinet is establishing a Search Committee tasked with identifying and recommending the next Executive Minister of our region. To faithfully serve our member churches, it is essential that this process reflects the depth, diversity, and collective wisdom of our congregations. Therefore, we are inviting nominations from our member churches for individuals who can faithfully and effectively serve on this important committee. Read the full announcement and criteria here. Please submit your nominations no later than December 31, 2025. The nominee’s name and contact information Congregation affiliation Your name and contact information (the nominator) A brief statement (3–5 sentences) describing why you or this individual would be an asset to the Search Committee Nominations may be submitted by email to Kathy Doyle, Vice President ABC Metro Chicago ([email protected]). Learn more ABC METRO CHICAGO Building Community, Justice, & Sustainability, Together ABC-Metro Chicago chose 7 Mission Table Priorities of the ABCUSA. For more details on ABC-MC’s approach, click HERE. The National and Regional Mission Priorities are: Empowering Young Adults and Youth Peacemaking in a Culture of Violence Mental Health Creation Care Building the Beloved Community through Collaboration Discipleship and Disciple-Making Claim, Distinguish, and Proclaim the Markers of American Baptists. Community Resources & Events Hearts with Soles Shoe Drive for Children FBC La Grange and The Caring Place are partnering with Hearts with Soles to collect donated gym shoes for children in need, particularly those where DCFS is involved.  We will be collecting new or very gently used gym shoes until at least the new school year starts, but please don't wait until then to donate. There is a year-round need and helps to prevent bullying, as well.  If you prefer to make a financial donation to Hearts with Soles, please donate during worship services or by clicking the button on the FBC website homepage. For additional information, contact Derrick Robinson, CEO of Hearts with Soles, at [email protected].  Thank you in advance for your generosity. ​Click here to see the NBC News story talking about this project: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/health-wellness-science-news/suburban-non-profits-team-up-to-end-sneaker-bullying/3379868/ You Can Be Part of God's Work at FBC SHARING GOD'S LOVE with EVERYONE Looking for a church home? YOU are WELCOME JUST as YOU ARE! Copyright (C) 2026 First Baptist Church of La Grange. All rights reserved. You gave your contact information to The First Baptist Church of La Grange Our mailing address is: First Baptist Church of La Grange 20 N. Ashland Ave La Grange, IL 60525 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe