September 10-October 29

Spark is our exciting after-school program for 1st–5th graders, held on Wednesdays from 3:45–5:30 pm, running from early September through mid-March. This year in SPARK, our theme is “Let Your Light Shine.” We’ll be exploring how God’s light shines in us and through us—and how even the smallest spark of kindness, courage, or truth can light up the world around us. Each week, your child will hear stories from the Bible (Old and New Testament!), participate in interactive lessons, and be encouraged to live as a light in their school, home, and community. On October 29, as part of our finale for the fall, we are looking forward to a GLOW PARTY – where we will literally shine bright under black lights!! If you have any questions about Spark, please reach out to Stephanie Freemyer.

Saturday, September 20
4-5pm

Children learn to worship by being in worship. That’s why children begin each Sunday in worship—even though this can be hard for parents. While kids hang out with our children’s ministry director to do worship-related activities, parents will learn strategies for helping children engage in worship without going crazy yourself. Families will then get a behind-the-scenes look at the sanctuary and learn why worship matters (even for littles). All families with 3-year-olds–kindergartners are invited to join us for this highly interactive Welcome to Worship Milestone.

Saturday, September 27
1:30-3:45

Want to serve others while having fun? Then join us as we pack food together at Feed My Starving Children. Anyone older than 5 years old can participate. Grown-ups need to stay and pack food alongside their kids. Meet at FMSC in Aurora.

Sunday, October 19
4-4:45pm
First Pres Parking Lot

Families are invited to dress up and enjoy trunk-or-treating in the First Pres parking lot! All First Pres families can host a trunk—decorate it, pass out candy, and compete for prizes in categories like Most Creative Trunk and Best Costumes. For questions, please contact Jen Bradbury, Senior Director of Family Ministries.

Saturday, November 5 & 19
4-5:30pm

For children in grade 3 (as well as those in grades 4–5 who have not yet received a Bible from First Pres):

Starts September 7
9-10am | Room 8

All 8th graders are invited to join us for confirmation. During confirmation, students will explore their identity, purpose, and belonging as it relates to affirming their baptism (or being baptized) and becoming members of First Pres. Classes will be highly experiential and will give students the chance to grow in their relationships with God and each other while wrestling with their honest questions and doubts. Confirmation will also include a retreat (October 17–19) that students are expected to attend. Parents will be expected to participate in several classes throughout the year. We meet weekly starting September 7, from 8:45–9:45am.

Starts September 7
7-8:30pm | Youth Lounge

High School Ministry at First Pres is a place where students can be themselves, ask big questions, and find belonging in a community that feels like a weird and wonderful family. Each week, we open the Bible together and explore what God has to say about real-world issues like mental health, technology, and food insecurity.

Starts September 24
6:30-8pm

TNT is a high-energy midweek program at First Pres where middle schoolers connect through wild games, honest conversations, and real encounters with Jesus. Each night includes dinner ($5), a fun kickoff activity, large-group Bible teaching, and small-group discussions split by grade and gender. This year, we’re diving deep into the life of Jesus—and we’d love for parents to join the fun by helping serve dinner!

Saturday, September 27
1:30-3:45pm

Want to serve others while having fun? Then join us as we pack food together at Feed My Starving Children. Anyone older than 5 years old can participate. Grown-ups need to stay and pack food alongside their kids. Meet at FMSC in Aurora.

Sunday, September 28
11:45-1pm

One of the best predictors for whether a young adult attends church is whether or not they attended church as a teenager. That’s one of many reasons why we move middle schoolers out of Kids’ Church and into worship. We also know that adjustment can be challenging for all involved. So—join us for the Middle School Worship Milestone. Through activities, games, and conversations, we’ll wrestle with why worship matters and learn strategies for locking into worship.

October 17-19, 2025

Get ready for a weekend away where faith grows, friendships deepen, and adventure happens! Our high school fall retreat at Camp Timber-lee is the perfect mix of fun activities, inspiring time with God, and meaningful conversations. Students will enjoy time in nature, connect with peers and leaders, and be challenged to take the next step in their walk with Jesus—all in a safe, Christ-centered environment.

Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance for your student to recharge, refocus, and make memories that last!

Saturday, November 1

Be part of something bigger this fall at Sleep Out Saturday! We’ll join a community rally to stand with our neighbors experiencing homelessness, then come back to the church for games, food, and an unforgettable night sleeping outside. As we brave the cold together, we’ll reflect on what it means to follow Jesus’ call to love and serve others in need. Bring your sleeping bag, warm clothes, and a heart ready to live out your faith in a powerful way.

The teaching ministry of the church, “Equipped,” is vital for a dynamic and growing life in Christ. Our classes for adults are designed to help deepen your faith, engage your heart and mind, and encourage you to love and serve God and each other. Click here for class information.

Being a part of a small group provides the environment which allows God to work in our lives through relationships and learning. Click here for more information.

Starts Wednesday September 3
7:30-9pm

Starts Thursday September 4
9:30-11:30am

Faithbuilders welcomes women of all ages and stages of faith. Invite a friend to join you! Women are invited to discover the wisdom of Proverbs as an invitation to steadily walk God’s way in God’s world. We’ll consider God’s widsom through everyday topics like words, work, friendship, marriage, parenting, neighborliness, money management, leadership influence, and more. Discover how the wisdom in Proverbs leads to abundant life, healthy relationships, and a fulfilling walk with God.

Monday, September 22
6:30-8am

Thursday, September 25
8-9:30pm

Catalyst invites women and men at all stages of faith to come together to explore faith and experience community. Over the course of nine weeks, Catalyst offers the opportunity to build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations about faith and its relevance to your life. Choose the session that best fits your schedule—and register today!

Tuesday, September 23
7:30-9pm

Thursday, September 25
1-2:30pm

Catalyst invites women and men at all stages of faith to come together to explore faith and experience community. Over the course of nine weeks, Catalyst offers the opportunity to build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations about faith and its relevance to your life. Choose the session that best fits your schedule—and register today!

October 5, November 2 & December 6

Our monthly Equipped Movie Nights are an opportunity to gather to watch movies, engage in meaningful conversations focused on aspects of the events and characters portrayed, and fellowship with one another as we enjoy dinner together. Our conversations encourage us to expand our understanding of the world around us by providing different points of view of events and circumstances. The evenings provide an opportunity to help us think about and discuss how our faith can inform our attitudes and better equip us to engage with others in a more meaningful and compassionate way.

October 14-November 18
4:30-6:30pm

Grief Group provides a place for those who grieve due to the loss of a loved one. While grief and loss is a part of each of our life journeys, the way it hits each of us is unique. The group setting will provide you with helpful resources as we engage in the issues and process of grief, but mostly it will allow you space to talk honestly about what grieving is like for you and allow for group members to listen and care for each other. Jonathan Hancock will facilitate the group. Please share this opportunity with others who are grieving. If you have questions or interest, please send an email to Jonathan Hancock or call the church office at 630.469.2007.

Thursday, October 23
6-8pm

Calling all FPGE women! Join us for a fun fall evening of connection, conversation, and delicious food. Bring your favorite salad or sweet treat to share! We’ll enjoy a relaxed, social evening filled with laughter and community. We’re excited to welcome Anne Garnett, Women’s Ministry Director at Wheaton Bible Church. Anne has a heart for discipling women and will share an encouraging word on finding true rest in Jesus, inspired by Matthew 11:28–30. Whether you’re brand-new to FPGE or have been here for years, this is a wonderful chance to meet other women, reconnect, and be reminded that we’re better together. Bring a friend or neighbor—or just come as you are. We can’t wait to see you there!

Saturday, October 25
7:30-9am

This year’s Fall Men’s Breakfast will be held on October 25. Enjoy a full hot breakfast along with good fellowship our speaker will be John Mulindabigwi.

Saturday, December 6
11am-1pm

FPGE women are invited to a joyful and meaningful celebration of the season. Together, we’ll prepare our hearts for Christmas as we gather around beautifully hosted tables to enjoy light food, desserts, warm tea, and heartfelt conversation.
Interested in adding a personal touch? Sign up to host a table! Hosts will decorate their table and bring their own serving ware—we’ll provide the tea and delicious refreshments. We’d love for you to invite a friend or neighbor to share in the joy of this special day. Come be refreshed, inspired, and reminded of the true joy of Christmas.

November 26
7-8pm

You’re warmly invited to this year’s Thanksgiving Eve Service in the chapel—a special evening of gratitude, reflection, and community. Bring your family and friends to share in the celebration, and stay afterward for delicious pies and heartfelt conversation in the church!

Friday, November 28
6:30-7:30pm

Just steps from the downtown tree lighting … Capture the wonder of the season at the First Pres Live Nativity. Live animals including a llama, sheep, and ducks, complete the scene, and hot cocoa and cookies will be served. The event is free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact the front office at 630.469.2007.

September 7, Regular Sunday Worship Resumes
8:45am  |  Classic Worship
10:30am  |  Modern Worship

We exist in a competitive environment for our attention. Dings, buzzes, alerts, pings, pop-ups, and breaking news constantly vie for our emotions and affections. Yet, there is a growing sense of apathy toward things most of us would admit are important: our spiritual lives, injustice, the state of society, and even relationships that we know need attention. Sometimes, our apathy is a mystery even to us. In this sermon series, we will explore the causes and cures of apathy through the story of the Exodus of Israel. God took Moses from a place of fear and disengagement and led him to being one of the most impactful leaders in the Bible. In this series, we will discover what Moses needed to know and believe to be freed from apathy and how can we benefit from these lessons in order to overcome a pervasive sense of “meh” and be awakened again to the meaningful.

God’s love for us impacts and inspires every part of our lives—our relationships, families, day-to-day experiences, and more. On the More than Sunday podcast, we will encourage, challenge, love, and listen to one another as we learn what Jesus wants for us. Come to study, connect, laugh, hope, and be inspired. Listen today on Apple, Google, Spotify, or the First Pres wesbite.

Classes start September 3 & 4 from 8:45 to 11:15am or from 12:30 to 3 pm. Classes end before Memorial Day. We follow the academic calendar of Glen Ellyn School District 41 for most holidays and school closings.

October 20 & 21
6:30-7:30pm

Families of Westminster Preschool are invited to visit the school on their assigned night for fall family fun. Explore the classroom, visit the music room, enjoy carnival-style games in the gym, get a family photo taken, and meet other families, classmates, and staff.

Meets once a month

My Brother’s Kitchen meets once a month for Saturday Brunch. They offer meaningful fellowship and serve 100+ meals to the YMEN community in Chicago. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Bonnie and Steve.

Bridge Communities is a holistic transitional housing program with the mission of helping families facing homelessness reach self-sufficiency.
We are looking for tutors to work with all ages in all subjects from elementary to college curriculums. To become a volunteer or learn more about tutoring the families Bridge serves, contact Mary Slade, Volunteer Coordinator, at mary.slade@bridgecommunities.org or 630-403-5098.

October 9-14

Join a service team from First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn as we travel to Constanza, Dominican Republic, over Columbus Day Weekend (October 9–14, 2025) to serve with Kids Alive. This meaningful experience includes hands-on projects, relationship-building with children and staff, and time spent in a beautiful mountain community. Whether it’s your first trip or you’re returning, each journey is unique, impactful, and deeply rewarding. Contact Jeff West if you’re interested in attending.