Finding Our Part in God’s Symphony

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Coming Events | February 9 – March 1, 2025

Mondays, from 1-2:30PM – Light Team

Monday, February 10, at 6:30PM and – FPC Care for the Caregivers Support Group

In the journey of caregiving, the road can often feel lonely and overwhelming. Recognizing this, FPC’s Care for Caregivers was created as a haven for those who provide care to others but often may forget to care for themselves. The monthly meetings are dedicated to providing emotional, mental, and spiritual encouragement to those who care for aging parents, family members with chronic illnesses, or loved ones with disabilities. 

If you’re a caregiver (current or previous), consider attending a meeting. The meetings are drop-in style. Newcomers are always welcome. You can choose to share or just listen. Meetings are in the Chapel, once on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm, and once on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00am. If one of these times do not work for you, please let us know. To learn more, contact Marcia Chase, marchase@icloud.com or call/text at cell # (334)444-6610 and leave a message during work hours. Or just drop in to a meeting.

Remember: You’re not alone, and it’s okay to take time to care for yourself too!

Wednesday, February 12 from 10AM-Noon – Active Shooter Preparedness Training

Wednesday, February 12 from 12:30-2PM – New Horizons Lunch at Spring Garden

Wednesdays, from 7-8:30PM – FPC Men’s Ministry Group

Sunday, February 16 – FPC’s Love in Action Day

Thursday, February 20, from 1-2:30PM – Quilters Meeting

Tuesdays through from February 25 through April 15 – 8-Week Bible Study: Mark Part Two – Led by Pastor Will

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Save the Date | More Info to come

Monday, March 3, at 6:30PM – Centering Prayer

The Centering Prayer group usually meets in the Chapel on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM for two 20 minute “sits.” For those who want to “learn by doing,” please come at 6 PM to get oriented. For questions, please contact Judy Fitzgerald.

Wednesday, March 5 – April 19 – Lenten Season

Friday, March 7, 12PM – Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, March 12 from 10:30-1:30PM – New Horizons: Church History Jeopardy

Get ready to test your knowledge and have some fun at Church History Jeopardy, hosted by David Healy! Join us on March 12 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM in Fellowship Hall for a day of friendly competition, laughs, and learning. Whether you’re a history buff or just love a good game, this event is for you! Don’t miss this exciting chance to learn and connect!

RSVP to Steve Doty at dotysteve2@yahoo.com

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Opportunities to Serve

California Wildfires

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the California Wildfires. FPC has sent $3000 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to aid in the recovery effort. Your giving makes it possible for our church to support the needs of our community and beyond.

If you are called to give further, you may support PCUSA’s Wildfire Relief Fund by clicking the button below.

Join FPC Waunakee as Our Full-Time Director of Children and Family Ministry!

Are you a cheerleader for God with a love for working with kids and families? Then First Presbyterian Church (FPC) is for YOU!

As our Director of Children and Family Ministry, you’ll be:
• A fun and positive leader – ready to inspire and build on an already awesome program and community.
• Enthusiastic – leading fun programs and engaging families and volunteers
• A communicator – sharing God’s love with kids in ways that make them laugh, learn, and grow.
• A multitasker – juggling volunteers, events, and goldfish crackers like a pro.
• A guardian of safety and security – because peace of mind is priceless.

You’ll thrive here if you:

✓ Love working with kids (bonus points if you know how to turn a sticky situation into a teaching moment).

✓ Are organized, self-motivated, and great at delegating.

✓ Believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration with an amazing staff and company culture.

✓ Have a knack for listening, inspiring others, and leading change with a smile.

We’re offering a chance to lead with purpose, grow in your faith, and make a lasting impact. Plus, there’s coffee in the break room and probably some leftover cookies from Sunday school.

Ready to bring your joy, energy, and vision to First Presbyterian Church Waunakee? Let’s build a ministry that kids love and parents cheer for!

Position is 40 hours, full-time, can be hybrid-other than most Sundays. Competitive salary and benefits!

Hammers with Halos

Sunday Worship House Manager

Sound Desk Assistant Needed

Agrace Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to assist customers and operate the cash register at the Doc Rock Café located inside the Agrace Madison campus or make companionship visits to local Agrace hospice patients in patients’ homes, nursing homes or assisted living centers. 

Schedules are flexible, and free training is provided. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Agrace at (608) 327-7163 or visit Agrace.org/Volunteer to apply online.

Help Needed! The Waunakee Food Pantry is looking for volunteers the last Wednesday of each month

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News and Announcements

January Session meeting

Pastor Wilson read from Philippians 4:6 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and read a piece from Institutes of the Christian Religion, written by John Calvin, on the necessity of prayer.

Jenny Jerving was introduced by Wes Ray. She recounted her faith journey and motivation to become a member at FPC. The session welcomed Jenny as a new member.

Report of the Clerk

The clerk reported that the closing for the land sale took place on Friday, January 17. The buyer, Don Tierney, paid all closing costs. Bernie Gerhmann and Steve Cable attended the closing, along with Lolly Lawrence. A check for the proceeds in the amount of $225K was delivered to FPC by Steve Cable. The check has been deposited in the endowment fund.

The first nominating committee meeting is planned for January 28.

Deacons Report

Pastor Ben reported that the deacons met virtually in December. They are paying particular attention to some members experiencing serious health concerns.

Pastor’s Moment

• New language has been drafted for the bulletin, for Communion Sundays, as a follow-up to discussion in the last meeting:
  • Communion at FPC is open to all who call Christ Lord, not limited by denomination or membership. Everyone is welcome to the table of Christ in this church, whether they have ever had a “First Communion” or not. The Lord’s Supper and baptism are inseparable. If you feel called by the Holy Spirit to meet Christ in communion, we believe that you were also being called to baptism. We will not turn anyone away from the Lord’s table, and we invite you to speak to the pastor about your baptism. Those who doubt or whose trust is wavering, may come to the table to be assured of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ.
• Completed the Joseph study. Shout out to Jim Fitzgerald for his support with books, room set-up, etc.
• Advent and Christmas
  • Enjoyed the first Christmas at FPC!
  • Around 700 people attended Christmas Eve services.
  • Thanks to the staff, elders, deacons, musicians, ushers, parking lot guidance and other volunteers for their support of Christmas season.
• Officiated at the funeral of Chuck Koranda. Spent time getting to know the family, who have a long history and connection with FPC.
• Aiming to be a friend to colleagues in ministry. Attended a meeting of John Knox Presbytery pastors. Would like to host the April meeting.
• Ash Wednesday is March 5. There will be an Ash Wednesday service.
• Planning Wednesday evening services alongside the Lenten dinners. The services will start at 6:00 p.m. and run for about 30 minutes. The services will be abbreviated, but full services, including hymns, a sermon and communion. The services will take place on March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2 and April 9. The Lenten dinner will follow the services, at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a Maundy Thursday service on April 17, but no dinner that evening.
• Starting to plan for Easter, which takes place on April 20
• The Mark bible study, part 2, will begin on February 25 and continue up to Easter
• Pastor Will be out for study leave at Princeton from February 26 through March 3. He will be doing sermon preparation and dissertation research.
• Pastor Will would like to do strategic/long-term planning in the fall.
• Question for session discussion: Are we asking for money too frequently and creating giving fatigue?
  • There have been a number of love offering requests, but 2024 was an unusual year with five staff turnovers. The love offerings are informal and give people a means to give money for staff recognitions.
  • Some of our members hold onto their contributions and wait for an announced opportunity to give to something that resonates with them.
  • There are many pulls on people to give money to various causes, and churches are competing with that.
  • There is a meeting this week of the trustees for the endowment. 10 years ago, at this church, there was more of an emphasis on planned giving and we may want to bring that back.
  • We have no income, other than asking our members and friends of the church for donations. We don’t have a sizable endowment like other churches.
  • We are reviewing mission spending, trying to focus on the organizations that our congregation wants to engage with the most.
  • Still considering upcoming parking lot pay off/pay down campaign. The parking lot is the only debt that we have.

Ezrah Schmeelk’s Candidacy

Pastor Will introduced Ezrah’s request to move from inquirer (“Am I called to ordained ministry?”) to a candidate (“I believe I am called to ordained ministry.”)  This progression must be reviewed and approved by session. Ezrah described why he feels called to be a candidate and described what he has learned in the inquirer process. He mentioned the 22 seminary classes he has completed and talked about his internship: the joys and challenges of working with a small church and understanding how small churches need and support each other. He appreciates seeing the Gospel in context, living out the gospel in various setting and situations. He sees himself moving from ministry with young adults to a broader ministry. The session endorsed Ezrah Schmeelk as a candidate for ordained ministry and assigned Emily Bauer to the role of Ezrah’s presbytery liaison.

Mission/Finance

Discussed the 2025 Shared Mission Support Pledge to the John Knox Presbytery, which led to a general discussion of our financial support to the presbytery, and why we have or have not encouraged per-capita giving by members. If we were to contribute the full per-capita amount to presbytery based on our 2024 membership, we would be sending about $19,200 to presbytery.  Last year we sent about $5K, sending only what members designated as per-capita giving. The 2025 Shared Mission Support Pledge is separate from per-capita. FPC has already committed to tithe 10% to missions in 2025. We will not pledge to the 2025 Mission Pledge for shared mission support with the presbytery.

Consent Action Items Approved:

• Approve updated annual pay rate changes policy.
• Approval to hire a VBS assistant (no incremental budget is required).

Finance

Reviewed notes and updates from the budget team. 2025 budget was approved, since we fell into the parameters set up for approval in the December meeting. The budget will be reviewed in the upcoming congregational meeting on January 26.

Amount pledged was higher than last year, while the number of pledges received was lower than last year. 129 pledges received, $577,116 pledged. We have a general fund balance of over $100K. FPC received more general fund income than we budgeted for. The congregation fulfilled their general fund pledges by 104%! Overall, FPC’s expenses were $85K under the general fund budget for 2024. General fund income minus expenses is -$20,019, which is a far cry from the -$143,297 we had budgeted for.

The intention with the endowment is to grow it over time to about $2-4M. Near timeframe goal would be $1M by 2030.

Pastor Will feels strongly that all church leaders should support the church financially.

Worship and Music

Would like to hire a paid soundboard technician to provide guidance and support to the soundboard volunteers. Working to resolve overlap of roles for some volunteers (house manager, ushers, greeters).

Pastor Will led the discussion on plans for an early second service through the Lenten season. The services would be held on March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, and April 13. The services would run from 9 to about 9:40 a.m. This is seen as a way to alleviate some congestion during a Holy/High church season. There is an upward trajectory of attendance, and we could learn some things by doing this second service as a trial. We don’t want to do anything to disrupt the main service start time now, it will continue to be 10:00 a.m. Fellowship will occur between services. The service would be short, there would be no choir or children’s sermon, but it would still be a full service. We may need help with parking and setting up seating. We discussed how the timing will work with Sunday School. We understand that this could take a while to catch on, but it could also catch on too quickly and fill up, because the early time and length of service may appeal to many. There was concern expressed about adding too much to Pastor Will’s load, with other new activities committed to in this meeting, but he believes he has the energy and capacity to handle this, will work efficiently, and will also count on Pastor Ben to help.

Children’s Ministry

Working on Sunday School timing and hiring a CFM director and Nursery leaders. A CFM Search Committee was formed and met on January 19. Also, will be looking to hire a VBS Assistant.

Building and Grounds

Thanks to the Gehrmanns and Steve Sash for doing some winter cleaning the storage areas. During the cleaning, mold was discovered in the main storage room in the basement of the education wing. There is mold remediation planned for February 3. Continuing to work with PKK lighting on a proposal for fixing our outdoor lights.

Personnel

One nursery assistant position has been filled by Michelle Malek. Her start date was Sunday, January 5. Following up with other candidates. The Children and Family Ministry Director job position has been approved and the search committee is meeting on Sunday, January 19. The search committee is energized and anxious to get started on filling this role.

Met with Pastor Will to identify key responsibilities for an administrative assistant role and working on the job description. Also looking for approval for VBS assistant. The session approved hiring a paid soundboard technician position.

The Christmas love offering resulted in $5,415 earmarked for staff. Last year’s amount was $3,700.

Stewardship

Sent a second “reminder to pledge” letter. Starting to think about the 2025 campaign.

Student Ministry

Matched four high school students with mentors for confirmation. Their meetings begin on January 19. We’re opening the February 2 Pres House dinner to the congregation and hope to recruit new members and friends to help. There are seven student spaces left for Guatemala in June and we are hoping to find two more adults to join the group.

Adult Nurture and Spiritual Growth

Reviewed 2025 study curriculum, program calendars, etc., for all (10) FPC Adult Small Group programs that have started meeting again for the 2025 Spring season. Debriefed on the “Joseph” Advent Adult Sunday School session.

Looking at curriculum and logistics for Theology on Tap, and the upcoming six-week Lenten series study. The Mark’s gospel Bible study that meets at MNM’s coffee house will resume on February 25 and end on April 15.

Mission

Continued planning for “FPC’s Love in Action Day” for February 16. Working with 3 mission partners (River Food Pantry, The Beacon, Shelter from the Storm). Will have activities that span skill levels and ages. Planning a light lunch, commissioning of volunteers before sending them out to the sites and/or doing projects at the church that will be taken to the mission partners later (e.g., meals, care packages).

Fellowship FUN Team

Working on setting up a new team with different areas of emphasis for team members (planners, doers, etc). Preparing for Lenten soup suppers.

New Member Outreach

The next “All About FPC” meeting is planned for January 26, after the service. Preparing for FPC directory photo sessions on 1/30, 1/31 and 2/1.

B-I-N-G-O!

Last Wednesday, January 29, FPC was buzzing with excitement as nearly 80 people gathered for our All-Church Bingo Night! From kids to grandparents, everyone got in on the action, competing for fun prizes while enjoying endless laughs and delicious pizza. With each round, the cheers got louder, and the thrill of calling “BINGO!” lit up the room. It wasn’t just about the prizes—it was about the joy of being together, sharing stories, and making memories. Whether you won or just had a blast trying, the night was a winner for all. Can’t wait to do it again!

This Week’s Birthdays: February 9-15

This Week’s Anniversaries: February 9-15

FPC Nursery for Ages 3 and under

Music in Worship

February 9 – FPC Choir, Ying Wang, pianist & Mary Kay Burton, guest organist
February 16 – Ying Wang, Joyful Noise
February 23 – Ying Wang, FPC Choir

Praise Song of the Week

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