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An open letter to our High School Graduates:
Grace and peace to you from the people of God who worship here at FPC Waunakee. We want to celebrate your graduation– this important “full of life” passage.
Your graduation is the culmination of all the effort that you have put into your life up until this point. It also celebrates the effort of your parents– the ones who have provided you with a warm house, good food, wise? counsel and many enriching opportunities.
To point out the obvious, you have not journeyed alone.
Although you will walk that stage and will shake your principal’s hand by yourself, there is, was and will always be a cloud of witnesses walking along beside you:
• teachers who have guided you,
• friends who have been there for you in times of joy and in times of pain,
• siblings, parents, grandparents and others who have loved you and believed in you, sometimes in spite of yourself.
That great cloud of witnesses also includes church people who have taught and prayed for you. Youth group leaders.
We FPCers affirm that Jesus was, is and will always be there with you as well.
No one will walk that stage for you. You will walk it by yourself, but you are not alone. Sear that fact into your hearts: you are never alone– no matter what life tosses your way.
Once you complete that walk, you will be changed. This is a hinge moment in your life. It is a time of saying “goodbye” to your childhood and facing forward into the future.
Soon, very soon it will be time for you to make your own way in the world. Oh, this great cloud of witnesses will still be there as your companion. Jesus will be with you as well. Soon you will leave this church, these friends, your family home, this community. You will go away to other places, make good friends, discover new vistas, and experience the depths of love.
This place, this church will go with you as well. The blessing of FPC Waunakee will follow you wherever you end up. You have been indelibly marked by our love and by our prayers for you. No thing, no one can ever take that away from you.
As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 8-38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ”
We celebrate this great accomplishment with you. We hold you in our hearts and in our prayers thanking God for you and for this moment in your life. We let you go into that great unknown, knowing that Jesus will be your companion. Our love surrounds you.
On behalf of the Session, Deacons, and the people of God who worship at FPC Waunakee. Love never ends. You will always be welcomed here. We bless you. Hallelujah! Amen.
Peace,
Pastor Glen
The Bethel Bible Series Mission to Kigoma
This very special edition of Scriptures for Life talks about the recently completed Bethel Bible Series New Testament Mission to Kigoma, Tanzania. 221 Tanzanian pastors and church leaders attended this amazing seminar taught by Africans to Africans. Please “like” and subscribe to this channel so more people will have access to these devotional videos. Soli Deo Gloria!
“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.
News and Announcements
VBS Donation Board is Ready
If you are unable to help during VBS but want to support in another way, the donation board is ready! Please choose a rocket ship and drop off to Patricia’s office or the main office. Thank you for all your help and support for Stellar VBS to be a success!
Quilters Sewing Days
FPC quilters Dianne Larson, Alice Honeywell, Anne Frihart, Sharon Mikkelson, and Trel Gimber (missing from the photo), worked for parts of three days to make quilts for the deacons to distribute to people in need. Contact Anne at 608-512-3620 if you’re interested in helping out in the future. We meet one afternoon a month during the school year when we love to share quilting ideas, patterns, and camaraderie!
Mother’s Day Brunch
Many fine folks came together to ensure FPC Moms had a delicious brunch on their special day! We love you Moms!
Have you ever served our country in uniform?
Each year on the Sunday before Memorial Day we recognize members of our church family who have served in the past, whether discharged or retired, as well as those who are currently serving our country in uniform. This year it will be on May 28.
If you were included in our previous listing, you will automatically be included again this year. If you would like to be included in this listing and haven’t been in the past, please contact Sue Gade in the church office at 608-949-9445 or sgade@myfpc.org by Monday, May 22. Also, if you are currently serving, please contact Sue to make sure your listing is up to date.
Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and continue to make to protect our citizens and our nation. This is a powerful, annual opportunity at FPC to thank and honor the men and women who offer themselves – in life and in death – for the good of their country.
VBS Registration and Volunteer Sign-up is now LIVE!
Registration is now live! If you hear space calling and want to explore, please register today!
Blast Off Location: FPC
Dates: June 25-27
Times: 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: $30 for the first passenger and $20 for each sibling (includes a space shirt this year)
Stellar VBS to volunteers, come in volunteers… over.
3-2-1… SPACE VBS countdown to launch has begun! Blast off is June 25-27 at FPC.
Your VBS decorating team is on a mission: To make an OUT OF THIS WORLD experience! Can you help us create the most cosmic galaxy ever? Imagine church filled with planets, stars, moon rovers, astronauts, space shuttles, mission control boards, and comets-oh my! Equipped to shine Jesus’ bright light! Whether you can build rockets, cut out stars, help with set up, or have leftover space party decorations at home you’d like to give us, we’ll take anything and everything. We have plenty of SPACE for you on our decorating crew. If you can help, contact Lori Phelps (lori.phelps@charter.net, 608-235-7899), Sheryll Gehrmann or Cheri Brisky to be a shining star!
Nursery is open
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.
New 3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids Sunday School
3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids now have their own Sunday School class from 9:00 – 9:50 AM on Sunday, 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!
Upcoming Music in Worship
May 21 – FPC Choir
May 28 – Joyful Noise; Mary Kay Burton-guest organist, Randy Massey-Bagpiper
June 4 – Brooksy Beilke, pianist & Katie Stoik, vocalist
Coming Events | May 21 – June 10, 2023
This Sunday, May 21 at 10AM – Thank you Children’s Ministry Volunteers
Thank you to all of our children’s ministry volunteers! We will be celebrating our volunteers on May 21st during the service.
Sundays at 9 AM – Graceland Student Ministry
Last day of youth Sunday school is May 21.
7th-12th Graders, join us each week for a time of connection, Bible discussion, and prayer.
Sundays at 9 AM – Sunday School
Last day of children’s Sunday school is May 21.
Sundays at 9 AM – Informal Adult Bible Study
Please join us Sunday mornings at 9am for our informal adult Bible study,
(while the children are in Sunday School). We are currently watching a David Jeremiah DVD series titled: “Christ Above All”.
The DVD is followed by a short discussion. Bring a cup of coffee or tea downstairs to the Sunday School room (next to the kitchen in Fellowship Hall).
We’d love to have you!
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 thru May 24 at 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.
Wednesday, May 24 from 11:30AM-1PM – New Horizons Potluck with Joan Cable and Pastor Glen
Joan Cable and Pastor Glen will discuss the Focus Questions in the final phase of the MIF process at 11:30 a.m. in FPC Fellowship Hall. We will have a Potluck afterwards.
Any questions? Please call Anne Frihart at 608-644-9294 or Steve Doty at 608-849-4058.
Wednesdays at 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, June 7 from 11:30AM – 2PM – New Horizons Picnic in the Outdoor Shelter
New Horizons will host an outdoor picnic in the FPC Outdoor picnic shelter on June 7 from 11:30am – 2pm.
If the weather is questionable, then we will move this potluck indoors to the Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, June 4 – All Church Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 4 – What’s Cookin’ at FPC?
Join us for a Nigerian feast in the Fellowship Hall right after the congregational meeting. Get to know the Abraham family, each other, and hear a description of the foods you can try from Nigeria!
Save the Date | More Info to come
Tuesday, June 13 from 6:30PM-7:30PM – Caregivers Group
Calling all Caregivers – New Group meeting at FPC
We are starting a new group for people who are the caregivers–caregivers for anyone, whether it be spouse, child, other family member, or a friend. The loved one doesn’t need to be cared for at home, they don’t need to be in a certain age group, as all caregivers are welcome in this group. The current “name” for this group is Caregivers Respite.
The purpose of the group is to meet in a safe place, where there is no judgment, to discuss and pray for you as a caregiver and for your loved ones. We won’t tell you what you need to do, but we will offer resources for you–and sometimes, just talking about your life as a caregiver, how it affects your outlook on life and your outlook on your faith.
If you would be interested in joining the group meetings, the proposal is to meet twice a month, one meeting for those who would feel better meeting in the evening, and another meeting for those who would feel better meeting on Saturday mornings. Loved ones are welcome to attend with you, we have activity books and colored pencils available to hopefully capture their interest.
We will be meeting in the Chapel. Coffee, tea and ice water will be provided.
If you have questions, or if these dates and times won’t work for you, please contact Marcia Chase, marchase@icloud.com or call 849-5683 and leave a message during work hours.
Friday, October 20 – Sunday, October 22 – FPC Marriage Retreat
Pastor Glen and his wife, Christine, will lead this event at the Green Lake Retreat Center. Cost is $199 per couple for 4 meals and 2 nights’ lodging. Contact Pastor Glen or Christa Schmeelk for more information.
Opportunities to Serve
Agrace Offers Grief Support Group Options in May
In May, Agrace is offering professionally led, in-person and virtual (accessible with a tablet, computer or smartphone) grief support options.
- Bridges (virtual) is for adults grieving the death of any loved one. Meetings are held every other Wednesday. In May, meeting is May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., via Zoom.
There is no fee for these programs if a participant’s family member was in hospice care in the past 12 months; fees for others can be lowered or waived, if needed. Pre-registration is required for all groups. For details, fees or to register, email griefsupport@agrace.org or call (608) 327-7110.
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
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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.
