What?- Adult Education Class- A five-week Deep Dive into John Chapter 4–Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. 

When? February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26  9am- 9:45+

About 20 years ago, I was given a book by Brother John of Taizé called At the Wellspring. It is no longer in print. It is book devoted solely to John Chapter 4- Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well located in modern day Nablus, Palestine. Retired Pastor Susan and I invite you to go on a deep dive into this chapter. We will ask ourselves these questions: What is the background for this encounter? What is actually said during this meeting? How does this story connect with our life now? 

Here is a quote for us all to ponder directly out of the beginning of this book:

“At the heart of the Christian faith there is neither a philosophy of life nor a system of morality but a person, the man called Jesus of Nazareth. The world has always been fascinated by the figure; countless books have been written to try and analyze the secret of his appeal. On the basis of his human characteristics, he could be described in many different ways- as a teacher of wisdom, for instance, or a prophet, a charismatic leader, a revolutionary, a good man. Although all of these approaches undoubtedly contain part of the truth, for believers, when all is said and done, they remain insufficient. 

Starting from a different vantage point, a key phrase at the beginning of John’s Gospel states the importance of Jesus for the eyes of faith:

No one has ever seen God;
It is God the only Son,
Who is close to the Father’s heart,
Who has made God known.
John 1: 18 (NRSV)

From the perspective of faith, the key to understanding Jesus is not found solely on the level of his humanity. Jesus is the only Son, the one who has a unique relationship with the Mystery at the heart of existence that we call God.” 
Brother John of Taizé

So I along with retired Pastor Susan, we be leading all who choose to take a deep dive into Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well. She does not hold back. And neither does he. Jesus forms a unique relationship with her. How might we deepen our own relationship with “the Mystery at the heart of our existence that we call God?”

Beginning Sunday February 26^th, we hope you will join us.

Peace,
Pastor Glen

God of the whole world, hear us as we pray for lives lost and communities shattered by earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey and Syria. Be present, O Lord, our Good Shepherd, to bring comfort, relief, shelter, and human kindness. In our prayers and with our gifts, and through all those who bring aid, let us testify that Light still shines, and darkness and dust shall not overcome it. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

We have all seen the horrific images from Turkey and Syria, where a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit early Monday. As of Wednesday morning, the death toll has risen above 11,000. More than 50,000 have been injured. This earthquake is estimated to affect more than 23 million people.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (https://pda.pcusa.org/) is already on the scene, through its established global partner GOPA-DERD. They are acting first on immediate needs, distributing winterization items (blankets, mattresses), food items, and medicines. You can support PDA’s response directly by going here on their website. And this Sunday, in all of our churches, we encourage your prayers for the people of Turkey and Syria.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12

We exist as a congregation to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known:

• To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ so all may come to know and love Him;
• To nurture His people in joyful faith, fellowship, and commitment; and
• To demonstrate His way of love in service to the world.

We use the Connector to share news of the coming week and beyond, the activities that involve a wide range of ages and interests at FPC.

Children’s Ministry is going to be having some friendly competition in February! All Funds collected will be donated to the Student Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip to help build a home for a family in need.

How to participate: Bring in your spare change and vote on your favorite house or houses that the children of FPC have created. Voting will be open in the Lobby, THIS SUNDAY, February 12 as well as February 19, and 26.

Nursery Age 2 and Under – Room 200

The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. It is staffed by church volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.

3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids now have their own Sunday School class from 9-9:50 am on Sunday, in the Kingdom Kids room.

4k-Kindergarteners will still be upstairs.

Are you familiar with FPC’s FOOF wall? It’s not just a funny name! Take a walk down to the children’s education wing, and there you will see photos of many of our church members, staff and volunteers. This is our FOOF wall – the Faces Of Our Family. 

The FOOF wall is more than just a collection of photos. It helps our members recognize and get to know each other. It’s a useful tool for church leaders and staff. It’s a great connection mechanism within our congregation.  And we need your help to make our FOOF wall current again!

Many of the photos on the FOOF wall were taken years ago while putting together our church directory. Most of us look very different today! Some of us have gotten married or had babies over the past few years. Some of us may be new to the church, and did not have an opportunity to submit a picture for our wall. So we would appreciate your assistance as we update the “faces of our family.”

Do you have a family photo that you used for your Christmas card this year? Or perhaps a picture taken over the holidays? Please take a moment to send the picture to us by clicking the button below.  Thank you!

Please consider supporting the Fetters Family of Waunakee. Dana is the sister of Amy Lewis (FPC member) that we have been praying for. Dana and her family attend St. John’s Catholic Church, and Dana and her son Cole participated in one of FPC’s youth ministry mission trips to Guatemala a few years ago.

The Light Team is comprised of women who want a chance to meet for fellowship and Bible study. We pray for each other and those in our church family and community. When possible, we extend ourselves in projects to help others. There is no homework and we include humor and laughter! We meet in the Gathering Place on Mondays at 1:00 – 2:30 PM. All are welcome to attend any or all of our sessions. Starting February 20 Light Team will start a five week series for “The Longing in Me” by Shelia Walsh. February 20, 27, skipping March 6, returning March 13, 20 and 27.

Help provide the gift of a home through the Student Ministry Guatemala Fundraising Dinner! Taqueria Gonzalez is providing a taco buffet. Come for dessert, coffee, face painting, other fun activities, to hear about the trip, and a chance to give and help build the house! Tickets are $10 per person with kids 10 years and younger free. As an outreach, when you buy a ticket for yourself, you can get free tickets for your non-FPC friends. The event will take place at FPC on Saturday, February 18, from 5pm-8pm. 

WE GO TOGETHER! We are a tribe of moms desiring to become the women God has designed us to be. We meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:45-9 PM. Moms of kids 0-5 are welcome for MOPS or school-age kids for MOMSnext.

Our Ash Wednesday Service this year is on February 22 @ 6pm (please note the time change). Right after the Ash Wednesday Service is GEMS/History night from 7-8pm. Dessert will be served.

Pastor Glen along with retired Pastor Susan, will be leading all who choose to take a deep dive into Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well. She does not hold back. And neither does he. Jesus forms a unique relationship with her. How might we deepen our own relationship with “the Mystery at the heart of our existence that we call God?”

We hope you’ll join us in the Chapel

Fellowship Ministry is offering a Donut Breakfast before Sunday Worship on Sunday, March 5 in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

Please mark your calendars!  FPC will host an organ recital on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 2 PM featuring highly regarded organist Dr. Andrew Schaeffer, Director of Music at the Luther Memorial Church in Madison.  The recital will be dedicated to the life and service of Pat Ronspiez. Pat served as our organist for 46 years. She also played piano and accordion.  

Our church features an historic 1890 Schuelke organ built in Milwaukee and rebuilt by Wahl Organ Builders of Appleton in 1992. You can read about our historic organ here.

A Chicago native, Schaeffer holds degrees from St. Olaf College, Yale University and a doctoral degree from the University of Oklahoma. Andrew’s responsibilities include playing organ for Sunday services, directing the children, youth and adult choirs, various instrumental ensembles and overseeing the general music ministry of the congregation.  He has been at Luther Memorial since 2018. Schaeffer is also editor-at-large of The Diapason, a nationally published organ and church music magazine.

A free will offering will be collected at the recital. FPC will donate 90% of the free will offerings to the Waunakee High School Music Department’s grand piano purchase. The remaining 10% will go towards our church missions.

FPC will host two worship services on Sunday, April 9th for Easter. One at 8 am and another at 10 am. There will be no Children’s Sunday School, Graceland, or Kingdom Kids as volunteers will be spending Easter with their families.

We are in the middle of RePlanting the Nursery at FPC! God has given us a whole team of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer as a sub, please click below!