Jump to this week’s announcements!
Welcome Home!
From Erik Cushman, FPC Worship Elder
Welcome home! A comforting phrase many like to hear after a long journey or a tough day at school. While at church the last few weeks, I have heard a familiar story: during Covid, our members missed their friends, family, and their church. They missed their “home.”
Recently, we have returned many of the items to the Sanctuary and Chapel that you have not seen for a while. In the former, we have placed the pulpit and lectern in their respective positions upon the chancel platform. In the Chapel, one will notice the hand-crafted pulpit and communion table that was used at FPC’s original location on Fish Street in Waunakee. In the same room, upon the piano, is the large, golden cross. The pulpit and cross had been on display for a couple of years at the Waunakee Library. We felt now was a good time for the items to return to their “home.”
For illustrative purposes, there are photos of both the Sanctuary and Chapel. However, my real hope is that many of you will join us in person on Sundays so you can feel, once again, at “home.”
Wednesday, March 2 | 7:00 PM
Ash Wednesday is an ancient holy day in the Christian church calendar. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent—a time of penitence, discipline, and renewal. In the Ash Wednesday service, we are reminded of our mortality, we confess our sins, and we experience forgiveness through Christ’s death and resurrection. Join us for the Ash Wednesday service on March 2 at 7 pm in the sanctuary.
The Joyful Noise will be playing at both services on Sunday, March 6. Diane Robinson, the wife of Director Sam Robinson, will be singing in the services as well. Sam hopes that folks will see that music is still alive at FPC!
The Baptism of Lucille Henrekin
Lucille Severina Henrekin, born October 13, 2021 to parents Ellyn and Kyle Henrekin, was baptized last weekend in a private chapel service. Lucille’s grandparents are Jim & Becky DuBois and Tim and Michele Henrekin. Check out that smile and beautiful dress! God’s blessings on this little cutie and her family.
Shepherding the Flock: February Session Report
Submitted by Lolly Lawrence, Clerk of Session
- Fellowship is planning periodic Sunday morning breakfasts between services to give members opportunities to share a meal and connect with each other. This ministry area will also be moving the Sunday morning fellowship table back into a location in the narthex.
- Adult Nurture and Spiritual Growth is also planning breakfasts between services, with speakers. May is the target timeframe for the first in this series. This ministry area will also provide a Lenten devotional produced by Our Daily Bread, is setting up a Bible Study for Lent, and is working on revitalizing the church library.
- Children’s Ministry received Session approval of VBS dates for June 12-June 14, 2022. VBS will use the same format used in 2021. This ministry area is also working on CM visioning, and reintroduction of the Children’s Moment in the services. The Easter Trail will be held on Saturday, April 16. See the FPC website for more information on the Easter Trail.
- Building and Grounds and Personnel will be moving some staff and will be converting one office into a small group meeting room. B&G is also working on getting bids for repaving of the church parking lots.
- Stewardship will be enabling giving via mobile app and text. Donation cards in the pews will have a QR code to facilitate electronic giving during worship services.
- Session reviewed and approved a proposal from Personnel for the formation of the Interim Pastor Search Committee. This committee will begin to meet in March, after finalizing decisions on membership and chairperson
- The “Wish List” was reviewed and approved. Click for more information on opportunities to give to specific ministry areas via the Wish List.
- Student ministry was pleased to report that there are 6 confirmation candidates for 2022. This ministry area is also starting to do research on a mission opportunity for the students, this summer.
- Family ministry will hold a meeting for parent confirmation on February 27. This meeting is about helping parents of confirmands engage with their teens and support their confirmation faith journey. This area is also working on Lenten activities, and will be doing preschool bible presentations on March 13.
- First Presbyterian follows guidance from Dane County as it pertains to mask wearing indoors. When the current Face Covering Order expires on March 1st, masks will no longer be required in indoor public spaces. In accordance with this, starting on March 1, masks will be optional in the First Presbyterian sanctuary and throughout the building.
- Attendance books will be returned to the pews after March 1
Volunteer for the Easter Trail
On Saturday, April 16 from 11 am – Noon Children’s Ministry is hosting a walk-through experience of the Easter story. To make this event a success, your help is needed! Below you’ll find links to the Amazon Wish List for supplies as well as a link to sign up to be a volunteer.
Get your Daily Bread!
New regular-sized Daily Bread for March/April/May are ready for pick up outside in the tote by the front door, and also inside by the front door and south door in the education wing. Large print versions will be available soon.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS | February 27, 2022
On March 20 & 27 our children’s ministry teachers will enjoy time off to spend Sunday with their families. We’ll be back to our regular schedule on April 3.
Connect with the Connector!
In an effort to streamline the process for submitting requests for event announcements in the Connector or spoken during the worship service, Communications has developed this easy-to-use online form to share all of your important information.
Click the link below to check out the form and if you have any feedback or questions, please send an email to communications@myfpc.org. Thanks!
Looking for Families to Greet and Usher on Sundays!
This is a fun and easy way to serve and connect deeper with your church family. When you sign up, our Worship Elder, Erik Cushman, will contact you with directions and answer any questions you might have. Sign up for whatever Sunday fits in your schedule:
The Last Days of Jesus
6-week Lenten Bible Study
Join us in the Conference Room between services for this adult Bible Study beginning next Sunday, March 6 thru Palm Sunday.
Stop at the Lent table in the Lobby this Sunday:
Pick up a free devotional book for adults and a Lent countdown sticker sheet for kids and families.
Project Connect
During Lent, you can be matched with another family or individual in our church that might need some TLC. You can send cards, drop off a care basket, pray for them – whatever might help them feel loved, cared for, and connected deeper to their family of faith. Email Christa Schmeelk, Director of Family Ministry, for more information or to let us know that your family is interested in participating in Project Connect during March and April.
40 Bags in 40 Days
This is a forty-day period (coinciding with the 40 days of Lent) where you go through your home and declutter one area or one “bag” a day. This year, the 40 Bags in 40 Days™ Challenge starts on March 2 and finishes on April 16 (with Sundays off.) During Lent people often talk about giving up something. This Challenge allows us to take away the clutter from our homes and simplify our lives. Living with less stuff and excess leaves more room for Jesus in our hearts and minds.
If you’re interested in participating, email Christa Schmeelk, Director of Family Ministry.
PreK/K Bible Presentation
Sunday, March 13
If your child has not received a Jesus Story Book Bible and they will be graduating from 4k this June (or maybe your child is new and they are under age 7), we’d love for your child to receive an age-appropriate Bible this year! Send an email to Christa Schmeelk, Director of Family Ministry.
FPC’s next blood drive is on Friday, March 18 from noon to 5 pm. Click here to make an appointment and then add it to your calendar.
FPC is looking for someone to help in the nursery. We have one person ready to help, but we need two people to run the nursery. If interested, please contact the church office.
Stephen Ministry at FPC: Providing God’s Care to Hurting People
What is this ministry about?
Extensively trained and supervised Stephen Minister Caregivers provide high-quality, one-on-one confidential Christian care to anyone in need. They provide weekly visits and ongoing support as long as the care receiver needs. Should the care receiver have needs that are beyond the scope of a Stephen Minister Caregiver, they are referred to professional caregivers.
What kind of care is offered from a Stephen Minister?
- CRISIS CARE – For people experiencing change(s) that significantly challenge their ability to cope.
- FOLLOW-UP CARE – After the crisis event.
- CHRONIC CARE – For a person whose situation is unlikely to change.
- PREVENTIVE CARE – Providing care before a crisis occurs.
- SUPPORTIVE CARE – Care for the caregiver.
How can I find out more about this ministry?
Call the church office at 608-949-9445, or reach out to a pastor or deacon. Stephen Minister Caregivers don’t replace the care of pastors and deacons. They carry it a step further.
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