Happy New Year!

We have planned three services for Christmas Eve at 4:00, 7:00 and 9:30. The 4:00 Christmas Pageant is designed especially for families with young children. The 7:00 service features the Senior Choir and Christmas Brass. At 9:30, 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.

Merry Christmas!

This coming Sunday, December 21, 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 me in leading the service.  Rev. Don Niederfrank will offer our morning Meditation and I will offer a special Children’s Meditation.

Let me remind you that we have planned three services for Christmas Eve at 4:00, 7:00 and 9:30. The 4:00 Christmas Pageant is designed especially for families with young children. The 7:00 service features the Senior Choir and Christmas Brass. At 9:30, 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 friends and neighbors to come and join us.
 
If I don't get to see you, Merry Christmas!

Joy, Joy, Joy!  This coming Sunday, December 14, 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.

Even though we are encouraged to celebrate, for many of us these Advent weeks are incredibly challenging - financially, emotionally and spiritually.  They are often some of the most hectic weeks of the year.  To help us from getting lost along the way, I am once again hosting an Advent Reflection and Communion Service each Thursday evening, at 6:00, in the church sanctuary.  If you are able, please come and join me.

This past Sunday morning, we began the church Season of Advent, four weeks of expectation and preparation for our celebration of Christmas.

For many of us, these Advent weeks are incredibly challenging - financially, emotionally and spiritually.  They are often some of the most hectic weeks of the year.  To help us from getting lost along the way, I am once again hosting an Advent Reflection and Communion Service each Thursday evening, at 6:00, in the church sanctuary.  If you are able, please come and join us.

This coming Sunday, December 7, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we light the Advent Candle of Peace.

Again, if you are able, please come and join us!

This past Sunday morning, as part of our celebration of Thanksgiving Sunday, we worked together to write a Thanksgiving Day Prayer for us to share with family and friends.  If you would like to see our notes, which you may edit in your own way, please click here.

Looking ahead to this coming weekend, let me remind you that Sunday, November 30, marks the first Sunday in the church season of Advent. We light the Advent candle of Hope as we begin our preparations for Christmas.  The Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

This coming Sunday, November 23, is Thanksgiving Sunday in the life of our church.  We sing the traditional thanksgiving hymns as we gather to give thanks for all the blessings of our lives.

At 10:00, our Church School children will join us, the Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing, and our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.

As part of both services, we will work together to write a Thanksgiving Day Prayer that we can share with family and friends later in the week.

I hope you are able to join us!

There’s a lot happening in and around the church this coming weekend. I hope that you are able to participate, in one way or another.

On Saturday morning, we’ve scheduled our annual All Church Workday, from 9:00 – Noon. We need to set up the Christmas tree lot, rake a few leaves, and prepare the grounds for winter.

Another Winter Farmers Market is being held in Fellowship Hall from 9:00 – 1:00. So, after doing a little work, you can sneak inside and grab some lunch or something to take home for dinner.

Also on Saturday, our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will be off on their annual Adventure to Habitat for Humanity in Milwaukee. They will be serving a hot chili lunch, along with homemade desserts, to about twenty-five volunteers at a Habitat work site on N. 39th Street.

On Sunday morning, the Senior Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service. The service also includes the Reception of New Members.

And then, immediately following the service, we will convene our annual Fall Congregational Meeting in the church sanctuary. Our only item of business is the presentation of the proposed 2015 Church Budget. Members and friends of the church are always encouraged to attend.

Like I said, one way or another, I hope you can join us!

Thanks go out to everyone who helped me celebrate my 25th Anniversary as minister of this church, along with my 60th birthday.  I’m grateful for all of the cards and well wishes, not to mention the pumpkin pies on Sunday morning!

Looking ahead to this coming Sunday morning, November 9, let me remind you that the Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service, which also includes another Service of Baptism.

On Sunday evening, I will be hosting another Inquirer’s Gathering for folks who are new to our church.  We will gather in the church library at 6:00.  This is an opportunity to meet other newcomers and learn a little bit more about the programs and services of our church.

See you on Sunday!

This coming Sunday, November 2, is known as All Saints Sunday in the life of our church.  We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we remember all those members and friends who have died in the course of the past year.

You might also be interested to know that the first Sunday in November marks my 25th Anniversary as the Minister of First Congregational Church and that Saturday, November 1, is my 60th Birthday.  If you are able, please come and help me celebrate.

This coming Sunday, October 26, we celebrate another Family Service in the life of our church.  All of our Church School children will join us for the first part of the 10:00 service.  The Carol and the Chapel Choirs will sing and our Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.  I will also offer a special Children’s Meditation.

The following Sunday, November 2, is known as All Saints Sunday in the life of our church.  We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we remember all those members and friends who have died in the course of the past year.

You might also be interested to know that the first Sunday in November marks my 25th Anniversary as the Minister of First Congregational Church and that Saturday, November 1, is my 60th Birthday.  If you are able, please come and help me celebrate.

Please don't forget! With the generous help and support of Norman and Sue Joplin, the Church Council has planned a fall fundraising event for this coming Saturday, October 18, from 9:00 – 3:00, in Fellowship Hall.  Norman and Sue, along with several of their colleagues, will be hosting an Appraisal Day, modeled after the wildly popular Antiques Roadshow. 

Members of the church and the community will have an opportunity to have antiques, vintage toys, and sports memorabilia evaluated and appraised.  You may bring up to three items for a $10 donation to the church.  Tickets will be available at the door and in advance from all branches of the Port Washington State Bank, the Port Washington Historical Society and the church office.  Please help spread the word!  For more information, see the Appraisal Day Brochure.

This coming Sunday, October 5, is known as World Communion Sunday.  We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering to support the outreach work of the United Church of Christ throughout the United States.

In other news, I wanted to let you know that, with the generous help and support of Norman and Sue Joplin, the Church Council has planned a fall fundraising event for Saturday, October 18, from 9:00 – 3:00, in Fellowship Hall.  Norman and Sue, along with several of their colleagues, will be hosting an Appraisal Day, modeled after the wildly popular Antiques Roadshow.  Members of the church and the community will have an opportunity to have antiques, vintage toys, and sports memorabilia evaluated and appraised.  You may bring up to three items for a $10 donation to the church.  Tickets are available in advance from all branches of the Port Washington State Bank, the Port Washington Historical Society and the church office.  Please help spread the word!  For more information, see the Appraisal Day Brochure.

This coming Sunday, September 28, we celebrate another Family Service in the life of our church.  All of our children will join us for the first part of the 10:00 service.  The Carol and the Chapel Choirs will sing and we will dedicate our 2015 Confirmation Class.  Holly Ternes, our Church School Director, will offer a special Children’s Mediation.

The following Sunday, October 5, is known as World Communion Sunday.  We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering to support the outreach work of the United Church of Christ throughout the United States.

I hope you are able to join us!

Our church program year is now underway, and it looks like we are off to a good start. It was wonderful to have so many children and young families back with us last Sunday morning and the folks who came to the 8:00 service once again seemed to enjoy the calm of the early morning.

Don’t forget that it is never too late to register for our Church School program. Children are welcome to participate whenever they can. Even though there is a theme or Bible story for each month of the year, each week’s lesson or activity stands on its own. Just show up on Sunday morning!

Also, don’t forget that all of our Church Choirs began rehearsing last Monday evening so they are just now getting underway. You and your children are welcome to participate. Just show up on Monday evening!
I look forward to seeing you!

This coming Sunday, September 7, 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 refreshments in Fellowship Hall following both services.  

This coming Sunday is also the start of our Church School program. Registration begins at 9:30 in the Dennett Room and classes begin at 10:00.

Let me also remind you that our Church Choirs begin rehearsing this coming Monday evening, September 8. As many of you know, we have a wonderful choir program for both children and adults alike.

Please take a moment to read the News and Announcements to learn about other programs beginning this month.

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

As you may have heard, I was on vacation for the past couple of weeks.

Believe it or not, Jane and I drove all the way to Washington state for a wedding, visiting friends and family all along the way.  It was one of those "what the heck" kind of ideas but we are glad that we made the trip.  Driving west always clears our minds and fill our hearts for the year to come.

Even though I need a break now and then, I'm glad to be home.  I enjoy being part of the concerns and celebrations of our small community.

I know that many of you have been on vacation or traveling as well, but if you are going to be in town this Sunday and/or the next, please come and join me for the last two summer Sundays of the year.

Summer Sundays, especially during the month of August, offer some of our quietest services of the year.  It is a wonderful time to enjoy the silence and the beauty of our church sanctuary.

Sundays, August 10 and 17, I will be on vacation and Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki will lead our morning services.

Bonnie joined our church in 1990.  She attended three years of the Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy and completed her B.A. degree in Religion from Lakeland College, graduating with honors in 2006.  She then went on to get her Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in St. Paul and for the past four years served as a Lay Licensed Minister in the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference.  Bonnie and her husband Jeff recently returned to their home in Cedar Grove and it is wonderful to have them back in our church.

I hope you are able to join us!

Summer Sundays, especially at the beginning of August, offer some of our quietest services of the year.  It is a wonderful time to enjoy the silence and the beauty of our church sanctuary.

The next two Sundays, August 10 and 17, I will be on vacation and Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki will lead our morning services.

Bonnie joined our church in 1990.  She attended three years of the Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy and completed her B.A. degree in Religion from Lakeland College, graduating with honors in 2006.  She then went on to get her Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in St. Paul and for the past four years served as a Lay Licensed Minister in the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference.  Bonnie and her husband Jeff recently returned to their home in Cedar Grove and it is wonderful to have them back in our church.

I hope you are able to join us!

Summer Sundays, especially at the beginning of August, offer some of our quietest services of the year.  It is a wonderful time to enjoy the silence and the beauty of our church sanctuary.

This coming Sunday, August 3, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The two following Sundays, August 10 and 17, I will be on vacation and Bonnie Jacque-Gorecki will lead our morning services.

Bonnie joined our church in 1990.  She attended three years of the Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy and completed her B.A. degree in Religion from Lakeland College, graduating with honors in 2006.  She then went on to get her Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in St. Paul and for the past four years served as a Lay Licensed Minister in the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference.  Bonnie and her husband Jeff recently returned to their home in Cedar Grove and it is wonderful to have them back in our church.

I hope you are able to join us!

Summer Sundays at the end of July and the beginning of August offer some of our quietest services of the year, but they are always filled with lots of concerns and celebrations.  It is also a wonderful time to enjoy the silence and the beauty of our church sanctuary.

This coming Sunday, July 27, Sherri Melichar and Kai-i Tien will share a piano and organ duet for our Special Music.

The following Sunday, August 3, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

If you are able, please come and join us!

Holly Ternes, our new Church School Director, has planned a Church School Adventure Sunday for this coming Sunday, July 20, from 9:00 – 10:30.

Children are invited to come to church and explore the Creekside Commons and Sauk Creek, including doing a creek walk.  Be sure to dress to get wet and messy!  You are also invited to bring a small net or bucket to see what you might catch.

Following our morning service, the Fellowship Team will be serving coffee, lemonade and cookies in Fellowship Hall and on the patio for everyone to enjoy.

If you have friends or family in town for Fish Day, please invite them to join us as well.