CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

Growing in faith is a lifelong process, evolving as we experience more life, as we face more challenges, as we see more evidence of God's mercy, grace, and love. We offer a variety of ways to live and grow in faithful community with one another.

FAITH & FELLOWSHIP

WOMEN'S FALL RETREAT - OCTOBER 21

 

WOMEN'S FALL RETREAT: "NEXT"
When Everything Is Unraveling, What Comes Next?
Opening Our Hearts & Listening to God
 

MEN'S FALL RETREAT - NOVEMBER 11

Our work helps to shine light on our God given identity. Who does our work say that we are?

Who have we become through our work? This retreat will focus on work, vocation, and masculinity in the three stages of our lives- Morning (youth), Noon (middle age) and Night(senior).

Come for a 24-hour Men’s Retreat to discover your purpose, engage in some spirited conversation, get to know some Christian men and enjoy each other’s company.

A $195 fee for Friday and Saturday includes all meals and lodging in a double room ($265 for a single room). You may attend Saturday only for a $60 fee (breakfast and lunch included).
We will meet at GW Conference Center between 5 and 6:00 PM on Friday night, and close before 5:00 on Saturday. A map and other details will be provided prior to the event. Make plans to join us today!


REGISRATION OPENS SOON!


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL MIKE CASTNER (847) 650-0253, OR
GARY HOLLAND (847) 367-6254

ECUMENICAL ADVENT WORSHIP - DECEMBER 13

Do the holidays sometimes feel more hectic than holy? Grace your season with the calming effects of candles, carols and contemplation. This lovely, music-filled, contemplative Ecumenical Advent Worship service will be led by women in ministry from First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville and other local churches.

Come at 6:30 p.m. for a twinkly-lighted reception in Social Hall and then join us for worship at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel

ADULT OFFERINGS

ALL of our Adult Ed offerings are designed for dropping in whenever you can, with little or no prep. Attend all classes in a series or just one or two and still be enriched.

 

Doing The Right Thing: What Guides a Christian in Tough Moral Decisions

 

Fridays: October 6, October 13, October 20  7:00 PM-8:30 PM

Led by Christian Ethics Professor Brian Smith

 

Christians face many moral decisions daily, from small ones like “Should I tell this little white lie?” to larger and more consequential ones.  Christians ponder, along with others, questions of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust.  But what goes into the Christian decision-making process?  The Bible of course, but what other tools and resources does the modern Christian have in making those decisions? The class will not specifically look at those hot button, often controversial, moral subjects that are present in 21st Century, but rather look at guides available to the Christian when making those often tough ethical decisions.  Each session will be stand-alone and open to all.  Make a night of it - come to learn with friends and then go out for more conversation after!

(childcare provided)

 

Love Every Neighbor CARE Conversation – Exploring Filipino-American Perspectives

 

Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

 

Join us for the return of this popular event, where we will consider the perspectives of our Filipino-American neighbors—their histories, voices, culture and contributions
to our community and in Lake County today.


We will hear stories from members of our own congregation who have family roots in the Philippines.


We begin with pizza/salad and fellowship from 5:30-6 p.m. and enjoy program and conversation from 6-7 p.m. This program is best for ages 10-110, and both a children’s program and childcare are provided.


RSVP’s are encouraged for food planning purposes, but not required—drop in if you can.

Coffee & Conversation with Pastors George & Regina Moore,
Legacy Reentry Foundation

Sunday, October 29, 2023 after worship (11:15 a.m.) Fellowship Hall

 

Join us after worship to learn more about the vibrant, life-affirming ministry of these two pastors from Waukegan. Together they founded the Legacy Reentry Foundation, a not-for-profit that helps reintegrate formerly incarcerated people back into the community. The organization also works on community development, gun violence prevention, and more. Join us to welcome them and learn more! Registration is encouraged but not required—drop in if you can.

EXPLORE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Explore Our Neighborhood is modeled in part after Mister Rogers' trips to places beyond the neighborhood (i.e. crayon factory, emergency room, National Zoo, etc.).

 

From about 12:00 - 3:00, we will share a meal with folks doing good work in Lake County, learn about the work they are doing and how it ties to our lives as followers of Jesus, and then help with their service. These trips are for people of all ages, members of the congregation AND friends.

 

November 5, 2023
We will connect with an organization serving veterans and help them with the services they provide.

January 21, 2024
We will head to an organization focused on grief ministries, in conjunction with the Follow Me unit on Comfort Those Who Mourn, and then help with the services they provide.

March 10, 2024
We will head to an organization supporting underserved women to learn more about their ministry, and then  work alongside them to help them be ready to serve.


June 23, 2024
TBD

Traces of the Trade: A Story of the Deep North – Documentary Screening

Sunday, November 12, 2023, after worship (11:15 a.m.) Fellowship Hall

 

This film and the Sacred Ground study it inspired has been called life-changing by some of our First Pres members, so we’re offering another lunchtime screening. RSVP so we can plan food and join us for this powerful 90-minute documentary that was selected for inclusion in the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Visit for a trailer

First-time filmmaker Katrina Browne made a troubling discovery as an adult —her New England Ancestors were the largest-slave trading family in U.S. history. She and nine fellow descendants set off to retrace the Triangle Trade: from their old hometown in Rhode Island to slave forts in Ghana to sugar plantation ruins in Cuba. Traces of the Trade offers powerful new perspectives on race, hope and paths to healing.

Advent Conspiracy

 

Mondays: November 27, December 4, December 11, December 18
Advent Book Study in-person 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Advent Book Study Zoom 6:00 PM-7:00 PM


Using the book Advent Conspiracy, we’ll dive into four simple but powerful, countercultural concepts - Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All - to help us substitute consumption with compassion and focus on Jesus’ birth.

Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race & Faith

 

January 21 - June 2024 Small Groups

 

Kicks off January 21, 2024 and small groups meet every other week until June 2024

Past First Pres participants have been deeply moved by this 11-part study, being offered in partnership with the Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church in Gurnee and North Suburban Mennonite Church in Libertyville. This study is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on black, indigenous, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history on race and racism while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. Participants will have the option of both in-person virtual/zoom groups. The series kicks off with a screening of Traces of the Trade on November 12 (see above) and the study groups will meet every other week from January through June. Find out more about the study here. 

Lent In Plain Sight

Monday, Feb. 19 - Monday, March 25

Lent Book Study in-person 2:00 PM-3:00 PM

Lent Book Study Zoom 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

God is often at work through the ordinary: ordinary people, ordinary objects, ordinary grace. Through the ordinary, God communicates epiphanies, salvation, revelation, and reconciliation. It is through the mundane that we hear God’s quiet voice. The book, Lent in Plain Sight, will help us to focus on spiritual lessons and recognize how the seemingly ordinary can reveal the extraordinary presence of God in our lives.

FAMILY RETREAT   

Friday, February 16-Saturday, February 17


Join us for a Friday/Saturday retreat Presidents’ Day weekend open to families with children of all ages. We make time for fun, fellowship, and, of course, good food!

More details will be available in the fall but we really hope you’ll reserve the date on your family’s calendar and join us!
 

Untangling Faith

Tuesdays: April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7  7:00 PM-8:00 PM

Join us on Zoom for some or all of six weeks of Untangling Faith: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked. This Amplify study is led by Amberly Neese, and she “explores the questions Jesus asked as a way to reclaim faith. Chapters explore our own questions like Can God Be Trusted? and How Can I Grow in Faith.”

SMALL GROUPS AND BIBLE STUDIES

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

Our Women's Ministries are dedicated to bringing Women of Christ together in fellowship with one another.
 

The Women's Ministry Board sponsors spring and fall retreats, as well as seasonal worship opportunities such as the Ecumenical Advent Service led by women in ministry. Come to our retreats or join or ministry board! Reach out to Rev. Amy Heinrich to learn more.

WOMEN’S DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY

Thursdays (weekly) 9-11a.m. in the Conference Room
Contact: Jan Ellen Shawgo through the church office. 847-362-2174

 

We begin our new program year in September with a breakfast gathering and will be starting the year with Luke by Adam Hamilton. This year we’ll also be studying Mark by A.J. Levine, Apostles Creed by Adam Hamilton, and Six Decisions
by Tom Berlin

WEDNESDAY MORNING BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. on Zoom

Contact: Carol Braunschweig through the church office. 847-362-2174


This fall we are using “The Wired Word,” which is a weekly Bible lesson centered on
relevant lessons pulled from weekly news and delivered via email. The lessons
confront news events with Scripture and create a unique opportunity for robust
discussions

WOMEN'S CIRCLES

Our Women's Circles gather once a month (September through May) for a Bible or book study, fellowship, and prayer. These groups are devoted to nurturing and caring for one another. Women of all ages are encouraged to participate! 

Ruth Circle
3rd Tuesday

7:15 a.m. 

Polly Vente

Esther Circle
4th Tuesdays

7:30 p.m.

Stephanie Hamrick

Hope Circle 
2nd Fridays  

9 a.m.

Rev. Barb Peter

Hannah Circle 
2nd Fridays  

9 a.m.

Kathleen Bromley

Lydia Circle
1st Fridays  

1 p.m. 

Patti Hudak

Rebecca Circle
1st Saturdays

9:30 a.m.   

Susie Lawson

Please email Michelle for the group leaders contact information.

MEN’S SOUNDING BOARD

2nd & 4th Saturdays, 7:30 am to 9:00 a.m. on Zoom

Contact: David Heusinkveld through the church office. 847-362-2174

 

Join us for breakfast, study, conversation, and prayer as we explore passages of scripture, passages of life, contemporary issues, and literature for men. There is no homework, and the leadership rotates among participants.Our goals are fellowship, and to learn and grow in our Christian faith. 

 

For inspiration we typically rely on a book selection and cover a chapter per session with discussion leadership rotating among members. If this sounds like something you might enjoy, we’d welcome having you join our conversation and fellowship. 

MEN’S ZOOM BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Brian Tischendorf through the church office. 847-362-2174

Join the Men’s Zoom Bible Study for weekly fellowship, prayer and topical Biblebased
lessons. We are a locally-led group with members from several different states
and churches. We gather in person quarterly for a fellowship lunch. No homework!

RESOURCES

LIBRARY

The church library is a valuable resource for books and other materials used in our adult and children’s faith formation  programs. Drop by anytime the building is open and take a look at the wide range of offerings. Small groups may reserve the library for meetings through the church office.  The library is open to suggestions for books on specific topics, or by particular authors. (read more)

SPIRITUALITY ROOM 210

The Spirituality Room, located on 2nd floor of the Faith Formation Wing in Room 210, is open for individual use whenever the doors of the church are open. Small groups are encouraged to schedule the use of the room through the church office.

INQUIRER'S CLASS

Explore what Presbyterians believe, what is distinctive about our Reformed heritage, and why our church is governed the way it is.  This is a wonderful way to get to know our staff better and gain a deeper understanding for our priorities and passions, our ministries and missions.  If you are curious, this class is for you! 

 

Our classes are designed for those who are seriously considering joining the church as active members, those who need a refresher course, and those who are searching and discovering God’s leading in their lives. If at the end of the inquiring process you want to become an active member, there are simply two requirements—professing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and baptism. We recognize all Christian baptisms. However, if you haven’t been baptized, a baptism date will be scheduled during a Sunday morning worship service.