Announcements
Events
Serve
Give
Three items to note
First of all, thank you for a wonderful (and short) Annual Meeting last Sunday.
Among the items that some of you may have missed:
• We ended the year on a positive note financially: $2,700+ in the black. Thanks be to God. Pretty amazing considering all the confluence of departures and arrivals (and emotions) that you all at FPC went through.
• Session adopted a faith budget again for 2023. We know that in the past, God has met our financial needs. We have faith that as we walk into the future, God will continue to do the same. About that Parking Lot loan…
• Please note: for those who have been on staff for longer than a year, the 2023 budget contains a considerable raise in pay.
• We remarked that our 29-year-old building needs updating. Stay tuned.
I now ask each of you (FPC member and friend) to take a moment and thank each Session member for all that has been accomplished in their ministry area this past year. More work is ahead…
For those who missed the all-church breakfast with speaker Mr. Edward Wall, the breakfast was both nutritious and ample (Thanks Elder Lynda Ferris-Olson). Mr. Wall’s comments were both riveting and uplifting (Thanks Elder Scott Legwold for arranging Mr. Wall’s visit).
Secondly, please take a moment to thank all the FPC Staff. Day in and day out, they keep this church’s mission moving forward. Each one is talented in their respective areas. We are so fortunate to have them ministering WITH us.
From my perspective, this past year was emotionally a hard one for our church.
As COVID loosened its grip, the church reeled with the news that it did not have the financial resources to support all staff salaries. Session was forced to make very difficult decisions. Not everyone in the church was in the room where the sausage is made (that is why we Presbyterians elect members to govern us) which led (it seems to me) to second guessing Session. The first major emotional event.
The second major emotional event was Pastor Kirk’s announcement that he was retiring. After 32+ years of having the church flourish under his leadership, it was time. He had run the race and given his all. It was time to part ways. Never easy. There is grief here even as we celebrate all that God has done through Pastor Kirk.
So what now? Here is what I said towards the end of my Annual Report article:
There are three items to note:
1. There are no spectators in a PCUSA church, only people either waiting to get into the game or people getting a rest before reentering the game.
2. With membership comes responsibility- like regular worship attendance, pledging and serving on a committee.
3. When the good folks who will write the MIF (Ministry Information Form) ask us to participate, PLEASE do so with enthusiasm. All voices need to be heard.
To address #3 specifically:
Peace,
Pastor Glen
Wednesdays, February 8 – March 15 from 6:30-8:30 PM – ChristCare Small Group Leadership Training
FPC Waunakee is a congregation that reaches in and reaches out. We care for one another, help one another grow in faith, and equip one another for meaningful ministry. Then we carry the love we have received out into our world to bring Jesus’ care to people who are lonely and searching.
Healthy small groups are an excellent tool for those tasks. Beginning Wednesday, Feb 8, our church will begin extensive training for small group leaders. This opportunity will probably NOT come around again. It is led by Pastor Glen’s friend and colleague Cheryl Shult. The training goes for 6 Wednesdays 6:30- 8:30 pm. February 8, 15, skipping Ash Wednesday on February 22, back March 1, 8, 15 and concluding on March 22.
Video Devotional: I Am the Way
Early Christians were called “People of the Way” because they followed the way of Jesus who said, “I am the way . . .” When two great plagues hit the Roman Empire in the second and third Centuries, what did these people of the way do? What can we learn from the example of these early Christians that we should use today? Please “like,” subscribe, and share so more people can see these devotions. Soli Deo Gloria!
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.
News and Announcements
Penny War to help build a home for a family in need
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 on February 12, 19, and 26.
Family Ministry Bingo Bash
SAVE THE DATE – 2023 VBS Announced:
June 25-27 from 5:30-7:30 PM – More info to come!
MIF Committee Members Announced
Over the next 5 months, the MIF (Ministry Information Form) Committee will be leading the church in a Mission Study. Many avenues will be available to solicit FPC members’ and friends’ input as we strive to answer these basic questions:
- When pondering our FPC history, what G.E.M.S.*/trends might we discover–past and present?
- What are our current strengths? (Who are we?)
- How do we see ourselves growing (both as individuals and as a church) as a witness to what Christ is doing now in our world?
- What attributes/ gifts are we looking for in the next Head of Staff minister?
Please pray for us all as we go through this process and especially the MIF Committee: Joan Cable, John Strangfeld, Julie Cable, Joel Lewis, and Angela Himegarner.
Peace,
Pastor Glen
P.S. *G.E.M.S. stands for Generation, Engagement, Memorable Stories.
Edward Wall: Guest Speaker for All Church Breakfast
This last Sunday for the FPC All Church Breakfast, we had the honor of having Edward Wall come and speak. Mr. Wall is a law enforcement officer with a career of over three decades in law enforcement including as leader of the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation. He also served as Administrator of Wisconsin Emergency Management and as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Mr. Wall is now an executive with United Way.
Nursery Re-Opening this Sunday, February 5
Nursery Age 2 and Under Returns this Sunday, February 5, 2023 – Room 200
Nursery will be available 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.
New 3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids Sunday School begins this Sunday, February 5
3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids will now have their own Sunday School class from 9-9:50 am starting this Sunday, February 5, in the Kingdom Kids room.
4k-Kindergarteners will still be upstairs.
Are you familiar with FPC’s FOOF wall?
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!
2023 Offering Envelopes
If you requested a box of 2023 offering envelopes, they are available to be picked up on a table in the Narthex near the Sanctuary entrance. If you would like a box of offering envelopes and don’t see one there for you, please fill out one of the forms on that table and place it in either the pledge or offering box, and I will prepare a box for you. You may also send an email to Sue Gade, Church Business Administrator, at sgade@myfpc.org to request a box.
FPC’s Wish List
Did you know that FPC has a Session-approved Wish List? It’s a list of things that the church needs that aren’t able to be funded through the church’s regular budget. If you are ever in a position where you would like to make a special donation of any amount, please peruse our Wish List by clicking here and consider helping to provide an item listed. Thank you!
Upcoming Music in Worship
February 5 – FPC Choir
February 12 – Joyful Noise
February 19 – Contemporary Worship Music with Audrey Manning, Cherith Brown and Brett and Jason Cable
Coming Events | Feb. 5 – Feb. 25, 2023
Sundays at 9 AM – Graceland Student Ministry
7th-12th Graders, join us each week for a time of connection, Bible discussion, and prayer.
Sundays at 9 AM – Sunday School for 4K-Adults
Sundays – During Service – Kingdom Kids
During the worship service kids can leave the worship service after the Children’s Moment and need to be picked up in room 202 after the service is over.
We offer Kingdom Kids for 3-year olds – kindergarten. Kingdom Kids offers a fun, unique time for children to explore their faith and form positive relationships with peers.
Wednesdays, Now – May 24 from 8:30-10:00 AM – Women’s Community Bible Study
The Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Group is made up of women from the surrounding community at large. All are welcome. This season we are exploring “How Much More” by Lisa Harper. Meet us on Wednesdays 8:30 -10:00 AM in the Conference Room, entering through the west side Education Wing doors. Contact Beth Stellmacher for more info: bstell122515@tds.net. We will be off Wednesdays, February 22 and March 22.
Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15 PM – Graceland Student Ministry
7th-12th Graders, join the fun upstairs in the Youth Room for a time of connection, games, message, meaningful small group discussion with students your same grade, and prayer.
Wednesday, February 8 – 11:30AM-1PM – New Horizons Lunchables at Rex’s Innkeeper
New Horizons will gather for Lunchables at Rex’s Innkeeper in Waunakee for lunch at 11:30 on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. New Horizons is a gathering of First Presbyterian Church members and friends over 55 (guests of any age are always welcome). We meet for fellowship and food each month during the school year. Email Steve Doty at dotysteve2@yahoo.com for more information.
Sunday, February 12 – 4PM – Fetters Family Tailgate Fundraiser.
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.
Mondays, February 13 from 1-2:30 PM – The Light Team Meeting
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.
Saturday, February 18 – 5-8 PM – Student Ministry Guatemala Fundraising Dinner
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.
Sunday, February 19 – Service for Healing and Wholeness
Shortly after the Sunday worship service on February 19, a Service for Healing and Wholeness will be held in the Chapel. All are welcome to attend.
Pastor Glen and Ben
Sunday, February 19 – Network 56 Bingo at Oakwood Village Retirement and Nursing Home
Save the Date | More Info to come
Sunday, March 5 – 9 AM-10AM – Donut Breakfast
Fellowship Ministry is offering a Donut Breakfast before Sunday Worship on Sunday, March 5 in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!
Friday, March 17 – 11 AM-6 PM – Red Cross Blood Drive
Sunday, March 19 – 2 PM – Organ Recital
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.
Thursday, March 23 – Network 56 Pres House Service Project
Sunday, April 9 – 8 AM and 10 AM – Easter Worship Services
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.
Opportunities to Serve
RePlanting the Nursery
We are trying to bring back FPC’s nursery! If you would like to volunteer in the Nursery approximately every 5 weeks for 2 hours, or be on the sub list, please email Christa Schmeelk. cschmeelk@myfpc.org
Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a lot people to pull together a Sunday Worship service. Pastor Glen and Pastor Ben do a great job putting Jesus front and center. But there many more in the background working hard to improve the worship experience for all of us. We need you!
Please consider signing up to volunteer to help hand out bulletins, greet folks as they come in, set up or attend the coffee table for post-service fellowship and there are many more opportunities to serve!
As Pastor Glen likes to say “There are no spectators in the Presbyterian Church, only folks on the sidelines either waiting to get into the game or who have just been subbed out.”
Shelter From The Storm Ministries Needs Volunteers
Shelter From The Storm Ministries (SFTSM), located in Sun Prairie, is currently in need of crews that can clean rooms and prepare them for their next residents. Shelter from the Storm Ministries currently has three rooms vacant and is in the process of interviewing new families to move in and welcome. A crew of four (4) people volunteering to clean one room usually takes 2-4 hours. SFTSM is extremely flexible on dates/times. For any questions or to sign up, please contact Pastor Kent Van Horn from Shelter From The Storm Ministries at kent.vanhorn@sftsm.org or call him at (608) 535-0067.
Thank you! Your FPC Mission Team
Calling Vocalists and Instrumentalists (Piano, too!)
If you’d like to sing or play an instrument at a Sunday service, please contact Sam Robinson at srobinson@myfpc.org or call 608-949-9450. We have open dates on our music calendar for January through May. You are welcome to sing/play a special song or two, no matter what your skill level is. We have open dates when the Choir and Joyful Noise are not playing and would like to fill those with students and adults from our congregation whenever possible.
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.
Doneta Chorney
608-345-1196
Tryg Knutson
608-622-9539
Jill Umlauf
715-360-5962
Want to receive an email notification when the weekly Connector is updated? Sign up here!
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.
The Connector is available in print at the Connection Corner in the Lobby for those who would like a printed copy.
The Connector comes out at 4 PM every Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon, the Wednesday prior.
