I recently heard a BBC broadcast in which the hosts were discussing the German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is the combination of two other German words: schaden (harm) and freude (joy). Put together, the word means to derive pleasure from someone else’s pain. I am not aware of any equivalent term in the English language, but I’ve known people who get a kick out of seeing others suffer. You might be one of those individuals who, upon seeing your enemy hit hard times, think to yourself, “That serves them right! Maybe an old boss, coworker, family member, or even an ex-spouse has wronged you in a deep way and you loathe their existence. When you see them down on luck you then begin to feel a sense of satisfaction and righteous pleasure. The Germans would say “schadenfreude!”

In the beatitudes, Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven'” (Matt 5: 44). Schadenfreude might be in the German vocabulary, but it has no place in the Christian vocabulary. According to Jesus, we are called to love our enemies, and not only love them, but also pray for them. To pray for an enemy would be the exact opposite of schadenfreude. To pray for someone, as Jesus speaks of it here, implies that you are actively seeking the good for your enemy and not deriving pleasure from their pain.

Jesus said to love your enemy so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. In other words, our love for the enemy should mirror the love that the Father has for each and every one of us. If the truth be told, we were once God’s enemies, but he loved us anyway. He loved us so much that he sent Jesus so that we might be reconciled to Him and one another. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…” (Romans 5:10).

Grace and Peace,
Will

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.

No Light Team on February 24.

Beginning on Monday, March 3, the Light Team will start a six-week series on “The Last Days of Jesus.” Walk with Jesus this Lenten season as He prepares His disciples for His death. This series includes historical and cultural background, a closer look at Biblical text, and then applying the lessons to your life. All women are invited to join for connection time. Please contact Lynda Bennin blbennin@tds.net for more info.

FPC Men’s Ministry Group has started a new video series by Max Lucado called “In the Footsteps of the Savior” – This is a six-week study as described on the video summary page:   “You and your small group are invited to come with Max through Capernaum, Galilee, Caesarea by the Sea and more.  As you learn more about the places where Jesus walked, you will come to understand Jesus himself, where he came from and why he went where he went.  You will better understand his humanity and his divinity with an enriched vision of life clarified for you.” All men are welcome and please contact David Sliwicki david.sliwicki@gmail.com for more info.

Calling all quilting enthusiasts! Our monthly quilters’ gatherings are a perfect blend of creativity, connection, and purpose. Meetings feature plenty of socializing, a fun “Show & Tell” of our latest quilt creations, and helpful discussions to tackle any quilting challenges or questions.

In addition to sharing tips and inspiration, our group supports FPC’s Deacon’s Prayer Shawl & Quilt Ministry by crafting heartfelt Prayer Quilts to bless those in need. We also host one or two Sewing Days each year for extended fellowship and focused quilting projects.

Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just curious to learn, all are welcome. Come for the creativity—stay for the community! Contact Anne Frihart for more information.

Name of Study: “Mark”- Abingdon New Testament Commentaries

Start Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Bible Study time: 7:30 am start time with hard stop @ 8:30 am

Location: M-N-M’s Coffeehouse, 509 W. Main St., Waunakee

Bible Study Leader: Pastor Will Wilson

Overview: After taking a short break over the Advent season, we wanted to let you know we will resume the second half of our 8-week study (chapters #9-16) on Mark’s Gospel led by Pastor Will Wilson at M-N-M’s Coffeehouse starting on Tuesday February 25, 2025 @ 7:30 a.m. Our 8-week study will conclude on Tuesday, April 15^th during Holy Week.

Please contact Jim Fitzgerald if you would like to join or have any questions.

What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day season of reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter. For Presbyterians and Christians worldwide, it is a time to grow closer to God by remembering Christ’s sacrifice, engaging in prayer, fasting, and acts of service. Rooted in the themes of renewal and grace, Lent invites us to examine our hearts, turn from sin, and embrace the hope of the resurrection. It’s a season to journey with Christ, deepening our faith and preparing for the joy of Easter morning.

A six-week Lenten session of Heavenly Stretch will begin on Thursday, March 6 from 5:15-6PM in the Chapel. Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing. Recommended donation is $5 per session (unless you want to give more!) and will be given to Shelter From the Storm Ministry.

Heavenly Stretch is taught by Lolly Lawrence, who is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. She also has certifications in Holy Yoga, chair yoga, and Silver Sneakers Yoga. She currently teaches Wednesday mornings at the Waunakee Village Center. 

Help save lives! The blood drive will be held down in Fellowship Hall on Friday, March 7, from 12PM-5:30PM.

Want to help others with minor household repairs, maintenance or yard work? Contact the church office or any of the Deacons. Your name will be added to a call list and you may be contacted to see if you can help when a request is received. 

FPC of Waunakee is seeking dedicated volunteers to fulfill the role of “House Manager” during our Sunday services. This position involves ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for our congregation by monitoring our facilities and surroundings. Volunteers will be attentive and proactive, keeping an eye out for any potential concerns that may arise. We value a calm and composed demeanor, as well as strong communication and observational skills. If you are passionate about contributing to a secure and peaceful worship experience, please consider joining our House Manager team.

We invite you to join our dynamic worship team as a Sound Desk Assistant! Play a crucial role in enhancing our Sunday worship services by ensuring a seamless audio/visual experience for the congregation both in-person and at home. Take turns with fellow volunteers and enjoy a unique opportunity to be part of our vibrant worship atmosphere! If you are interested or would like more information, please contact info@myfpc.org

Did you know that the food pantry serves ~200 families each month?  Our church has a long history of supporting the Waunakee food pantry.  Our FPC church has been given the last Wednesday of every month from 4-6 pm to distribute food.  This is a great way to connect with fellow members and serve the community.  If you are interested, please fill out the volunteer form on the FPC website, or talk with Sheryll Gehrmann for more details.

Unable to volunteer? Here’s the list of items most needed this month:

1. Toilet Paper
2. Kleenex
3. Mandarin Oranges
4. Canned Peaches
5. Pasta Sauce
6. Strawberry Jam
7. Ketchup
8. Cereal

The pantry is always looking for paper grocery bags as well.  Items can be placed in the shopping cart at the entrance by the Education wing.

Last weekend, 19 students from FPC attended the Student Ministry Winter Retreat at Lake Geneva Youth Camp, where they enjoyed a weekend filled with faith, fun, and fellowship. The retreat featured exciting games, uplifting worship, and engaging messages that encouraged students in their walk with Christ. Small group discussions provided meaningful opportunities to reflect on faith and connect with one another. Of course, no retreat would be complete without delicious food to keep everyone energized! It was a weekend of spiritual growth, lasting friendships, and unforgettable memories. We’re grateful for everyone who made this experience possible and can’t wait for next year’s retreat!

Nursery Age 3 and Under – Room 200

The Nursery is available on Sundays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.

This week’s praise song, Reckless Love, by Cory Asbury has permeated worship services since its release. In an article with Relevant Magazine Asbury shares that the song is the culmination of his life experiences, particularly his relationship with his father and the transformative moment when he held his son, Gabriel, for the first time. Through these experiences, Asbury’s understanding of God’s love was profoundly reshaped, viewing it as relentless, boundless, and overflowing with grace. Addressing the controversy over the term “reckless,” Asbury explains that it reflects God’s fierce and protective nature—a love that knows no bounds and is willing to go to great lengths for us. As you listen, consider how this song’s emotional depth and theological resonance might inspire you to embrace honesty and vulnerability in your relationship with our Heavenly Father.