My wife Christine and me have begun planning the Marriage Retreat which will be held at the Green Lake Conference Center on October 20^th through the morning of the 22^nd. We are getting excited. 

How did this idea come about? Well…how does the Holy Spirit work? 

About a year ago, Jack Von Rutenberg hobbled into my office and welcomed me back here to FPC Waunakee. As we chatted that morning, he asked if my wife and I would be willing to lead another Marriage Retreat? He told me that he and Tammy had attended the previous FPC marriage retreat some 20+ years ago. It seems that retreat had a great impact on their marriage. 

I tucked that conversation into the back of my brain and let it simmer.

In January-ish, when Elder Scott Legwold expressed disappointment over not having enough people willing to go on last year’s all-church retreat, something clicked. I asked if we might offer a couples retreat? Both he and Christa Schmeelk reacted positively to that suggestion. 

When I relayed to Christine what had so spontaneously happened that morning, she was surprised.  I reminded her that we, as a couple, are still a work in progress, and this might help us deepen our own relationship. She reluctantly agreed. 

If you are anything like Christine and me, you rarely make time to focus on your marriage. The hustle and bustle of our culture just does not allow us much time to make our marriages the center of attention. That is why we have felt the need to offer this time away. 

We have 8 couples already signed up. We have space for 12 more.

Please prayerfully consider this as the best gift that you can give to your spouse.

Here is the link to sign up. CLICK HERE

Peace,
Pastor Glen

“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.

As your new Stewardship Elder, let me begin by saying that I am looking forward to these next three years, as we are in a very important time. I will be submitting some Stewardship-related articles to the Connector, and would like to focus a bit on Vacation Bible School today.

As I was growing up, we were a one-car family in a town without a Presbyterian church. We were members of Westminster Presbyterian on Madison’s west side, and made the drive each Sunday. But when VBS week rolled around in our small town, I attended whatever church was hosting it. Once or twice, it was the Baptist church, but more often it was the United Church of Christ, which my mother called the “E & R church” (Evangelical and Reformed). And, at least once that I recall, by some strategy, I was able to attend VBS in our own Westminster in Madison.

I remember singing songs and doing projects, and I recall hearing a short lesson, delivered sermon-style, by the pastor. I remember older students who helped us with the games and activities, and the mothers of the church who oversaw each grade level. Sounds a lot like FPC’s VBS, doesn’t it? FPC is blessed, because of your pledges, to be able to offer this formative and life-changing experience to many more children than attended in my little town’s churches of seventy-five years ago. Like those small churches, FPC can welcome children from many communities around Waunakee, whether their families attend here, or not. We all want our children and grandchildren to have this experience, don’t we? We can, because you give to our church!

Thank you!
Barb Cash
Stewardship Elder

Need some good summer reading? Thanks to a number of generous donors, our FPC library has some great new titles. Check them out!.

Questions? Call or email Alice Honeywell — 608-692-5496; ajhoneywell@gmail.com

Last Saturday, Theology on Tap got together at Octopi for their second meeting to discuss “What IS church community? How can we build it at FPC?”

The next Theology on Tap will take place on Saturday, August 26 at 3PM at Octopi. The topic will be “What does walking in the light mean?” From 1 John 1:7.

If you have any questions, please contact Christa Schmeelk.

Nursery Age 2 and Under – Room 200

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

No Nursery this Sunday, July 30th

3-year-olds through Kindergarten will be dismissed after the Children’s message during Sunday service throughout the Summer.

No Kingdom Kids this Sunday, July 30th

Summer Family Fire Pit, Outdoor Movie and for those who desire – a Campout at FPC! Bring your own dinner to cook over the fire at 6pm (like hotdogs!) and we’ll provide the s’mores. The movie will start at 7pm, and for those who would like to camp, please RSVP to Christa: cschmeelk@myfpc.org– and she’ll get you the details.

The Light Team is excited to announce that renowned author Margaret George has agreed to speak at FPC!

Margaret George has written several historical novels, but during this speaking engagement she will be concentrating on her novel Mary Called Magdalene.

This event will take place in Fellowship Hall.

The new FPC Library located in the corner of the Gathering Space has a copy of “Mary called Magdalene” if you’d like to check it out prior to this special speaking event.