Help those in need celebrate Thanksgiving!

Everyone in our community should have a great Thanksgiving holiday! Joyful Harvest is collecting money to purchase turkey dinners for the clients of the Northern Illinois Helping Hands Food Pantry. For only $16 per dinner, you can give a family of four all the fixin's they'll need to have someting to be thankful for this year: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and pie!!

Click the donate button below and have a warm feeling about helping out someone else! Our goal? To purchase 150 dinners! Thanks for your generosity.

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Characters of Character is coming to Joyful Harvest!
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Starting September 26!

Are you looking for a unique way to teach your child(ren) character development? Joni, the creator of Characters of Character, NFP, will teach children about the nine fun and lively characters she has developed and the traits that each represents during these "Mommy & Me Painting and Art Classes." Registration is required. Cost $10.00 per couple, add $5.00 for an added sibling for an hour or so of fun, learning and exploring the meaning of good character. When you register for Tuesday and Thursday you will receive the Character Resource Book for FREE.

Characters of Character is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization whose mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values by "Making a Difference One Child at a Time." The traits that Characters of Character focus on are Behavior, Perserverance, Friendship, Healhty Habbits, Manners, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Esteem and Kindness. Characters of Character earned a National Promising Practice Award in 2005 after piloting the characters in an elementary school in Grayslake, Illinois. There were only two schools who earned the award in Illinois that year and we are excited that Characters of Character is one of them.

Find out more information about this wonderful "Mommy and Me" program or register to attend on their website: charactersofcharacter.org

St. Francis Day Pet Blessing! October 7, 10:30 a.m.

Join us on Saturday, October 7th at 10:30 am for the St. Francis Day Pet Blessing. Francis, born in the 12th century, is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He is remembered for his love for animals and nature.

Bring your pets to the Blessing of the Animals service on the Church lawn! All furry, spiky, slimy, feathery friends, great and small, are welcome. Just make sure they are on a leash or secured safely! Free and open to all. Tell your friends and neighbors!

Wednesday Evening Family Bible Study!

Be part of the Disciple Ship – don’t miss the boat!
Wednesdays, from 6-8 p.m.
Starting September 6

Join us Wednesday evenings on the Disciple Ship – Joyful Harvest’s family-time Bible Study. We gather at 6 p.m. for a potluck dinner, followed at 6:30 by Bible Study for all ages!

We will explore the bible texts from the previous Sunday's worship to come to a deeper and more thorough understanding of God's Word. What a great opportunity for family discussions later in the week!

We'll end the evening with a short worship service of Compline!

It hurts to lose someone. Find help at GriefShare.
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.

This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.

Come and find the support and help you need. Call the church office for more information - (847) 497-4569

Tuesdays evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.