Taking Laughter Seriously
We’re just footsteps away from entering the most wonderful time of the year… but it also can be the busiest, most stressful, and most frustrating time as well! Here’s an excerpt from the article: Americans Need to Take Laughter Seriously Again by Paul Batura, to remind us about the importance of keeping a bit of levity in our lives especially when life gets crazy.
In times of stress and strain, humor and laughter are like a balm on a burn. When the writer of Proverbs suggested that laughter was “good medicine” (17:22) he wasn’t joking. Modern science confirms that laughter improves oxygen intake, relieves pain, improves the immune system, reduces depression and naturally elevates our mood, to name just a few physiological benefits.
Yet, America seems to be suffering from a serious deficit of good humor and laughter.
By “good humor” I’m talking about the kind that lifts up, doesn’t tear down. I’m referring to the clean, the wholesome and the clever.
The best humor comes when we laugh with others – and not at someone else’s expense.
Healthy people know how to laugh. They don’t take easy offense. They take issues seriously, but not themselves.
In the midst of the bloody Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s wit and good humor helped sustain both himself and the fractured country.
To a White House usher, he once replied, “If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.” Conscious of his own gangly looks, the sixteenth president once admitted, “After forty, every man gets the face he deserves.”
As tensions rise and important ideological divisions grow ever wider, we would be wise to take a big deep breath and look for the brighter side of the dark times. Make a conscious effort to find some humor in even the more difficult circumstances of life.
C.S. Lewis was right when he wrote, “Humor is the all-consoling and the all-excusing grace of life.”
Enjoy today – don’t just endure till tomorrow.
Decorate the Church, Come On!
(Sung to the tune of “Celebrate Good Times, Come On”)
Who: You
When: Saturday, November 27th, 9:00 am-Noon
Where: Meet in the Narthex/Lobby at FPC
Why: To decorate the Sanctuary, Gathering Area, Narthex, and Chapel for the season of Advent
Bonus Why: A chance for us to work together as we prepare for the birth of the Holy Child
Join us for all or just a part of the morning. If you have questions and/or if you can attend, please contact Liz Weller, Worship & Music Elder via email (eweller245@gmail.com) or text/phone (608-516-8736).
Hope you can Decorate and Celebrate with us!
Sewing Days
Attention Quilters and Sewists! Your skills are needed to make prayer quilts. Join us any time Friday or Saturday, November 19 and 20 in the Fellowship Hall. You are free to come and go as you like – if you have appointments or other commitments, no problem. Come and sew whenever, leave for your errands and come back later! Any machines left overnight will be kept safely in the Store Room.
Tables and extension cords will be provided. There will also be a large roll of batting and several bags of fabric pieces for you to use. Larger pieces of fabric for backs may not be available.
Bring your own sewing machine, accessories and electric cords, thread, scissors, cutting supplies, and other sewing notions. Also, bring your own drinks and snacks.
Prayer quilts are usually the size of lap quilts (40” to 50” by 50” to 60”). Prayer quits are most likely given to older women, so quilt styles should reflect this. However, whatever your style preference is, your artistic creations will be appreciated!
If you are planning to come, send an email Anne Frihart, the event organizer. But you don’t need to reserve your place in advance. Walk-ins throughout the day are welcome!
The Light Team
Mondays from 1:00 – 2:30 pm
FPC Gathering Place
The Light Team is a group of women who meet for fellowship and a Bible message each week on Mondays in the Gathering Place from 1-2:30. These will take place through Nov. and Dec. and start up again in Jan. through April. All are welcome. There is no required homework and refreshments are offered.
Seasonal Choir Opportunity
Music is a pillar of worship at FPC and we’re excited to announce an opportunity for our congregation to use their gift of singing! As we’re carefully navigating the waters around Covid safety, we are optimistically announcing the formation of a seasonal choir. We will be preparing to perform at the FPC Christmas worship services. If you’re interested in being a part of the seasonal choir, send an email to Nancy Groeneveld, Director of Music & Worship Arts in the link below.
Hello FPC families! We’d like to learn how many kids are interested in participating in a Children’s Nativity Service this year. We will be dressing up in costumes but this year, there will also be parts to sing, and kids can have a speaking part if they choose! If you are interested in more information, send an email to Patricia Coley, Director of FPC’s Children’s Ministry, in the link below.
We are very excited to start working on this. Rehearsals will take place during Sunday School: December 5, 12, and 19. It’s okay if you can’t make them all. The nativity performance will be December 19 at 4:00 p.m.
New Issues of Our Daily Bread
New regular-sized Daily Bread for December/January/February are ready for pick up both outside in the tote by the front door, and also inside by the front door and south door in the education wing. Large print versions will be available soon.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS | November 14, 2021
THIS SUNDAY:
Especially during COVID time when churches across the country have been struggling to find volunteers, our prayerful, eager, energetic, determined, faithful Nominating Committee here at FPC has announced that every open position of Elder, Deacon, and Nominating Committee member has been filled for 2022!
Look for an email announcement next week with all of the information that will be voted on at Sunday’s Congregational meeting.
Join us at Geeks Mania in Madison on Sunday, November 14, for UNLIMITED VIDEO GAMES! $5 per person. Students are welcome to bring their entire family or simply join us on your own for a fun time hanging together. All Student Ministry Families are invited.
FPC is looking for someone to help in the role of a nursery coordinator. We have one person already in this position, but we need two people to run the nursery. If interested, please contact Elder Melissa Schall via email or call the church office.
Help your children celebrate Jesus this Christmas with FPC’s Family Advent Kit. Inside the kit, you will find supplies for a scratch-off Advent Calendar, a nativity ornament, a DIY Advent wreath, and more!
Advent Kits can be picked up during Sunday School or at our in-person services on November 21 or 28. For our virtual attenders, we will have a drive-through pick up Sunday, November 21 between 12:30 and 1 pm. Or you can reserve a kit for pick up with Christa Schmeelk via email or by calling the church office.
Last Sunday, Milo Kasper Mohammadian (born June 23, 2021), who is the son of Katie & Mehran Mohammadian, was baptized in the Chapel by Kirk with 3 elders present. His grandparents are Larry & Cheryl Olsen and Mehdi & Diane Mohammadian. His big sister is Emilia who is 3 years old. We welcome Milo into the family of faith through the sacrament of baptism
Update: Diane & Bruce Schewe’s 4 year old grandson, CJ Decker. CJ had two stents put in instead of the planned kidney surgery. He is scheduled for a robotic procedure in February 2022 to complete repairs. Please continue to prayer for no additional complications and a speedy recovery
Cade Reddington (18) died tragically of an overdose at UW Milwaukee last week. Our prayers and condolences to his parents, David & Hope Reddington, and his brothers, Ross and Drew.
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.
Want to receive an email notification when the weekly Connector is updated? Sign up here!
