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Come as you are, you are enough! □

͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

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 — Adult “Sunday School” in the Sanctuary (children welcome with caregiver) 11:00 am — Worship Service 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. —Saturday July 19th: The Caring Place Community Outreach Presents “The Hand of Jesus” Day of Service, 10:00am-4:00pm at the Right Spirit Baptist Church, 354 E. 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60619.  Contact the Pastors for more details. —July 27th-July 29th: Starting at 4:00pm on Sunday July 27th through noon on July 19th, all youth are welcome at the Youth Retreat. Stay tuned for more details. —SAVE THE DATE: August 23rd—All you can eat back-to-school pancake breakfast.   FBC Volunteer Opportunities: Contact Pastor Shawana at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering for: GPS Clothing & Necessities Closet. American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago (ABC-MC) or ABC-USA: —American Baptist Home Mission Society Press Release: “The Church as a Refuge: A Pastoral Response to Mass Deportations” (see below) —ABC Summer Camping: Youth Camp July 27th-Aug 2nd (see below) —ABC Policies on the separation of Church and State, Immigration and Refugees, and Human Rights (see below) Community Events & Resources (details on these further below): —LATTE Presents  "Sense and Sensibility" Th July 24th- Sat 26th at Plymouth Place —Free lunches for Kids at noon at the Brookfield Library until August 15th —See below regarding Hearts with Soles & Meals on Wheels To Tithe or give to FBC using Paypal or 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 Asking special prayers for the victims of Texas flash flooding and people affected by climate change in general, people in war torn areas everywhere, and people who fear for their safety wherever they are. Please continue to pray for our Pastors, our church, our congregation and their families, the ABC-MC Region of churches, everyone affected by severe weather, all who are sick, shut-in, and bereaved, as well as our youth, our community, and our world. Prayer changes everything! Ministries of FBC SAVE THE DATE! All you can eat pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 23rd. 9:00am - 1:00pm  with a backpack giveaway 11:00am - 1:00pm. Sponsored by the Caring Place Foundation, Western Springs Lodge #87, and First Baptist Church Outreach.  Contact Pastor Maurice at 708-796-9111 for more information. 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 12:00pm-3:00pm, 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 The Church as Refuge: A Pastoral Response to Mass Deportations OMAHA, NE (ABNS 07/02/2025)--What follows is a brief letter from three senior leaders of  American Baptist Home Mission Societies on behalf of its Board of Directors addressing recent and ongoing actions by federal authorities that are fueling the current deportation crisis. Dear American Baptist Family, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. For generations, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has responded to Christ’s call to welcome the stranger and walk with those on the margins. Our ancestors in faith sojourned vast distances, fleeing famine and war and seeking refuge in other lands. Scripture teaches us how to care for one another. “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like the native-born among you and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34) Since 1948, our Refugee Resettlement ministry has helped more than 93,000 individuals find safety, hope, and new life in the United States. We write to you now out of deep concern for the well-being of our immigrant neighbors and the sanctity of the local church. Recent actions by federal authorities have escalated mass deportation efforts, often through expedited removals that sidestep due process. These measures are sowing fear in communities across the country, placing families at risk, and undermining the fundamental values of justice and compassion that we hold dear. As American Baptists, we affirm the sacred nature of our houses of worship. Churches are places of prayer; our sanctuaries are also places of refuge, mission, and ministry. The presence of immigration enforcement officers in or near these spaces, without consent or proper legal oversight, threatens both the spiritual safety of those who gather and the religious liberty that our nation guarantees to all. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our immigrant siblings: We will continue to offer pastoral care, accompaniment, and advocacy for immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and those facing deportation. We believe churches and other sacred spaces must be protected from enforcement actions unless due process is followed, and the community consents. We urge the federal authorities to honor and expand the sensitive locations policy, which protects houses of worship.[1] We support legal advocacy groups working to uphold the rights of immigrant and refugee individuals and congregations. We call on American Baptists to speak with their elected officials and advocate for policies safeguarding families and preserving religious freedom. We also encourage pastors and church leaders to educate their congregations and to prepare for encounters with immigration enforcement in ways that reflect the gospel’s call to hospitality and courage. ABHMS will continue to monitor federal policy and enforcement developments, provide resources and guidance, and elevate these concerns through our Justice Dialogues and public witness. We are committed to ensuring that no person of faith must choose between their safety and their sanctuary. We ask for your prayers, prophetic voice, and faithful presence. We encourage our fellow American Baptist individuals and congregations to discern their particular role as a sanctuary, ally, advocate, or pastoral presence in the broader movement for immigration justice. May we live out our calling to be people of welcome, justice, and fearless love. In peace and solidarity, Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam, President, ABHMS Board of Directors Rev. Trevor Hyde, Vice President, ABHMS Board of Directors Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director, ABHMS & CEO, Judson Press On behalf of the ABHMS Board of Directors [1] The “sensitive locations” policy previously limited immigration enforcement actions in specific locations, but the Trump administration rescinded it in January 2025. This change means that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can now conduct enforcement actions, including arrests, in previously protected areas like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico. American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world. ABCUSA Lifts Up American Baptist Refugee and Immigrant,  and Human Rights Policy Statements Reprinted from ABNS communication on 1/31/25 Prayerfully shared by American Baptist Churches USA.  Click on the links to read the American Baptist Churches USA: Policy Statement on Church and State  Policy Statement on Immigration and Refugee Policy. Policy Statement on Human Rights. If you need information or resources to educate yourselves or your neighbors regarding to the rights of our neighbors who are immigrants, many organizations are making this information available on their websites.  Here is one website with immigrant rights information shared by American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago (ABC-MC) https://www.ilrc.org/resources/community/know-your-rights-toolkit.  ABC-MC has put resources for churches and immigrants regarding their rights here https://www.abcmc.org/ (in Spanish and English). 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. What does it mean to be an American Baptist? Why is Religious Liberty (the first freedom) so important to our tradition? Learn more at camp! 2025 ABC Camping Opportunities: Family "Grandily" Camp: all ages at Camp Tamarack, July 13 - 16th CIT Camp: for new leaders at Salamonie Reservoir, July 21 - 25th ​Youth Camp: for ages 6-18 at Camp Mack, July 27th-Aug 2nd Registration opens this weekend at abcmc.org/summercamp Community Resources & Events LATTE says… Find Your "Sense" and Unleash Your "Sensibility" in LATTE's hilarious Austen adventure! Bursting with humor, emotion, and energy, LATTE's fun adaptation of "SENSE & SENSIBILITY" is a whirlwind of wit, emotion, and madcap mayhem. Enjoy this laugh-out-loud romp through Georgian England, where the Dashwood sisters – composed Elinor and passionate Marianne – grapple with gossipmongers, romantic entanglement, and social absurdities. It captures the essence of Austen's masterpiece while injecting it with a playful, fresh energy that is fast-paced, bursting with humor, and heart. Adapted by Kate Hamill, Directed by Felicia Pfluger. Run time 2:10 plus 10-minute intermission. Unassigned seating.  Free Lunches for Kids this Summer! Kids aged 18 and younger can stop by the Brookfield Library every weekday from 12 to 1 p.m. for a free lunch and movie. Free summer meals are provided in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This initiative ends on Friday, August 15. 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) 2025 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