A Word from Jeff

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December 26, 2012

Happy New Year!

December 19, 2012

This coming Sunday, December 23, marks the fourth Sunday in the church season of Advent. We light the Advent Candle of Love, and we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00.  The Carol and Chapel choirs will sing and the 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist in leading the service.

Let me remind you that we have planned three services for Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00. The 5:00 Christmas Pageant is designed especially for families with young children. The 7:00 service features the Senior Choir and Christmas Brass. At the 9:00 service we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion and enjoy special music provided by several members of the Senior Choir. All three services include candle lighting and a selection of our traditional Christmas hymns. Please invite your neighbors and friends to come and join us.

If I don't get to see you, Merry Christmas!

December 11, 2012

This coming Sunday, December 16, marks the third Sunday in the church season of Advent. We light the Advent Candle of Joy and the Senior Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service.

I am mindful that the weeks leading up to Christmas are often hectic and stressful for many of us, so I have planned something new this year to try to help us maintain a sense of focus and calm.

Each Thursday evening during the season of Advent, December 6, 13, and 20, I invite you to join me for a short time of Silent Reflection and Prayer followed by the celebration of Holy Communion.  We will gather in the church sanctuary at 6:00 and be on our way by 6:30.  Please help spread the word!

December 4, 2012

This coming Sunday, December 9, marks the second Sunday in the church season of Advent. We light the Advent Candle of Peace and the Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service.

I am mindful that the weeks leading up to Christmas are often hectic and stressful for many of us, so I have planned something new this year to try to help us maintain a sense of focus and calm.

Each Thursday evening during the season of Advent, December 6, 13, and 20, I invite you to join me for a short time of Silent Reflection and Prayer followed by the celebration of Holy Communion.  We will gather in the church sanctuary at 6:00 and be on our way by 6:30.  Please help spread the word!

November 27, 2012

This coming Sunday, December 2, we begin the church season of Advent, four weeks of waiting and watching that lead us to the celebration of Christmas.  We light the Advent Candle of Hope and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services.

I am mindful that the weeks leading up to Christmas are often hectic and stressful for many of us, so I have planned something new this year to try to help us maintain a sense of focus and calm.

Each Thursday evening during the season of Advent, December 6, 13, and 20, I invite you to join me for a short time of Silent Reflection and Prayer followed by the celebration of Holy Communion.  We will gather in the church sanctuary at 6:00 and be on our way by 6:30.  Please help spread the word!

November 21, 2012

I hope and pray that the next couple of days are quiet and restful ones for you and your family.  In the midst of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, and doing some early Christmas shopping, I hope you find time to simply enjoy all the blessings of your lives.

Looking ahead to this coming Sunday, November 25, let me remind you that we have once again planned a Family Service at 10:00.  The children will join us for the first part of the service, which includes a special Children’s Mediation.  Our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will help lead the service and our Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing.

Unlike many other years, the church season of Advent does not begin until the first Sunday in December.

In other news, let me remind you that our annual Stewardship Campaign always begins the week before Thanksgiving.  Each member and friend of the church is asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially in the year to come.  You should be receiving a letter in the mail, from the Church Council, which includes the proposed budget for 2013 along with a pledge card.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 14, 2012

This coming Sunday, November 18, is Thanksgiving Sunday in the life of our church.  We sing the traditional Thanksgiving hymns and give thanks for all the blessings of our lives.

Please don’t forget that the Fellowship Team has planned a Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon immediately following the 10:00 service in Fellowship Hall.  Please bring a dish to share and join others for a little pre-holiday cheer.

In other news, let me remind you that our annual Fall Stewardship Campaign begins this week.  Each member and friend of the church is asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially in the year to come.  You should receive a letter in the mail, from the Church Council, which includes the Proposed Budget for 2013 along with a pledge card.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

November 1, 2012

Last winter, two long-time members of our church, Don and Ginny Laubenstein, took a trip to Florida.  While they were there, they visited a church that had a hearing assistance system called The Loop.

When they came home they raved about how easy it was to hear the service.  We did a little research of our own and discovered that The Loop employs the latest wireless digital technology.  It allows people with hearing aids to hear the service directly through their hearing aids.  It also allows the use of headsets for those who need hearing assistance but do not wear hearing aids.

As it turns out, Paul and Bev Tutas heard about The Loop and offered to pay for the system in honor of their grandson Max, who is hearing impaired.

The Loop was installed in our church sanctuary last Friday and is all set to go.  If you wear a hearing aid, all you need to do is to switch your hearing aid to T-coil mode when you enter the sanctuary.  We also purchased a headset for those persons who would like to give it a try.

Please help spread the word!

October 25, 2012

This coming weekend is a busy one in the life of our church.

On Saturday morning, our 8th Grade Confirmation Class is serving lunch at the Habitat for Humanity worksite on Park Street. For many years now our Confirmation Classes have served lunch at one of the Habitat worksites in Milwaukee, but this year the Ozaukee County Chapter of Habitat is working on a house right here in Port Washington.

On Sunday morning, we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00. All of the children in our Church School program will join us for the first half of the service. The Children’s Choirs will sing, the Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service, and I will offer a special Children’s Meditation.

And then, immediately following the service, we are hosting another Mission Trip Show and Tell in the church sanctuary. This past July, Lorraine Halls and her daughter Lynn Baierl accompanied ten middle school age girls on a week long YouthWorks Mission Trip to Green Bay. They had a wonderful experience and are anxious to tell others about it.

Last of all; let me remind you that during the month of October, we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering. This is one of five special offerings in the United Church of Christ and it goes to support the outreach work of our church throughout the United States. In particular, one-third of the offering goes to support the twenty American Indian congregations within the United Church of Christ. We have always given generously to Neighbors in Need. If you are able, I would encourage you to do so again this year.

October 15, 2012

Most of us can’t remember a more beautiful fall in southeastern Wisconsin.  In spite of our incredibly dry summer, or maybe because of it, the trees have really put on quite a show.  The Autumn Blaze Maple outside the Chancel window never looked so spectacular. 

As we move into the second half of the month, please don’t forget the following news and announcements.

During the month of October, we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering.  This is one of five special offerings in the United Church of Christ and it goes to support the outreach work of our church throughout the United States.  In particular, one-third of the offering goes to support the twenty American Indian congregations within the United Church of Christ.  We have always given generously to Neighbors in Need.  If you are able, I would encourage you to do so again this year.

Looking ahead, let me remind you that we have scheduled another Inquirer’s Gathering for folks who are new to our church for Sunday evening, October 21, at 6:00, in the church Library.  This is an opportunity to learn a little bit more about the way things work at First Congregational Church and what is involved in becoming an official member.  It is also a chance to meet others who are new to our community.  If you would like to officially join the church, we will be receiving New Members on Sunday, November 4.

Last of all; don’t forget that we will be celebrating another Family Sunday in the life of our church at the 10:00 service on Sunday, October 28.  The Children’s Choirs will sing, the Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service, and I will offer a special Children’s Meditation.  A Mission Trip Show and Tell will immediately follow the service.

See you on Sunday!

October 3, 2012

This coming Sunday, October 7, is known as World Communion Sunday in the life of the church.  We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at both services along with Christians throughout the world.

On Sunday morning, and throughout the rest of October, we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering.  This is one of five special offerings in the United Church of Christ and it goes to support the outreach work of our church throughout the United States.  In particular, one-third of the offering goes to support the twenty American Indian congregations within the United Church of Christ.  We have always given generously to Neighbors in Need.  If you are able, I would encourage you to do so again this year.

Looking ahead a couple of weeks, let me remind you that we have scheduled another Inquirer’s Gathering for folks to are new to our church for Sunday evening, October 21, at 6:00, in the church Library.  This is an opportunity to learn a little bit more about the way things work at First Congregational Church and what is involved in becoming an official member.  It is also a chance to meet others who are new to our community.  Please help spread the word.

See you on Sunday!

September 27, 2012

In my mind, the most exciting thing happening at church this fall is the absolutely overwhelming abundance of young families and children in the life of the church. 

It seems like we have more children participating in our Church School program than ever before led by a spirited group of parents.  We also have a whole boatload of kids, 4K – 2nd Grade, singing in our Carol Choir.

As our Middle School Church School Class continues to grow I’m sure that we will see more kids participating in our Chapel Choir and then moving on into our 8th Grade Confirmation program.

Speaking of Confirmation, last Sunday morning we dedicated our 2013 Confirmation Class and presented them with their UCC Confirmation Bibles.  The members of this year’s class are: Amanda Baierl, Jarod Berger, Rebecca Beyer, Addie Bretl, Nolan Fullington, Katie Sanford, Madison Yellen and Jared Zausch.

It’s wonderful to see the future of this small church right before our eyes!

See you on Sunday!

September 20, 2012

This coming Sunday morning, September 23, we celebrate our first Family Sunday of the year at 10:00.

All of the children in our Church School will join us for the first part of the service.  The Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing and I will offer a special Children’s Meditation about the story of Noah and the Ark.  In addition, we will introduce and dedicate our 2013 Confirmation Class.  It promises to be a full and lively service!

If all of that energy and action is too much for you to bear on Sunday morning please come and join us at our 8:00 service.  Our early service is always simple and quiet, a wonderful opportunity to experience the joy of silence and prayerful reflection.

One way or another, I hope to see you on Sunday morning.

September 13, 2012

This past Sunday morning our church program year got off to a wonderful start.  It was great to see our classrooms full of kids and to hear the sanctuary filled with lively conversation.

Please don’t forget that it’s not too late to register your children or grandchildren for Church School.  Just come a few minutes early so that you can complete a registration form and help your children meet their teachers.

Missy Vierling, our new Church School Director, will once again host a Parent Orientation Session in the Dennett Room immediately following the 10:00 service.  This is an opportunity for you to hear how our church school program works and what to expect in the year to come.

Let me also remind you that it is not too late for you and your children to join one of our Church Choirs.  The Carol and Chapel Choirs for children and the Senior Choir and Handbell Choir for adults began rehearsing last Monday evening.  All you have to do is show up in time to introduce yourself.

More detailed information about all of these programs and activities is available on our church website, or you may simply call the church office at 284-2022 and speak to Beckie.

See you on Sunday!

September 5, 2012

Please don’t forget that this coming Sunday, September 9, marks the start of our church program year.  We move to two services on Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:00.  To help welcome us back the Fellowship Team is providing coffee and treats in Fellowship Hall following both services.

This coming Sunday is also the start of Church School.  As you may have heard, during the summer months we completely reworked our Church School program and are looking forward to an exciting year to come.

Church School Registration begins at 9:30 on Sunday morning and Missy Vierling, our new Church School Director, is hosting a Parent Orientation Session in the Dennett Room immediately following the 10:00 service.

Let me also remind you that this coming Monday evening, September 10, marks a new beginning for our Church Choirs.  As many of you know, we have a wonderful choir program for both children and adults alike.

More detailed information about all of these programs and activities is available by clicking on News and Announcements.

I look forward to seeing you, and your children, on Sunday morning or certainly in the weeks to come!

August 17, 2012

One of the important things happening at church this summer is that we are in the process of reworking our Church School program.

As you may have heard, Missy Vierling resigned her position as Treasurer of our church to become our new Church School Director.

Missy and I, along with Amy Gilhooly, our Communications Director, having been working hard to plan and initiate a new approach to the Christian education of our children.

In some ways the program hearkens back to something we did many years in ago in our church.  Rather than purchasing a set curriculum from the UCC we are planning our own curriculum focusing on one bible story each month taught from several different perspectives.

Structuring the program in this way allows for lots of different adults to be involved in the program serving as storytellers, craft makers, and music and drama coordinators.

You will hear more about our new program in the weeks to come, but in the meantime, if you would like to get involved please contact Missy Vierling at (262) 536-4848 or missyvierling@hotmail.com.

July 12, 2012

This coming Sunday, July 15, promises to be another quiet Sunday in the life of our church but we have the opportunity to wrestle with a rather unusual story from the Hebrew Scriptures, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19.  It challenges all of us to think theologically!

We will also celebrate another baptism as part of our morning service.

If you are able, please come and join us!

 

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