This coming Sunday, December 22, 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!

Each Thursday evening during the church season of Advent, December 5, 12 and 19, I will be conducting an Advent Reflection and Communion Service.  We will gather in the sanctuary at 6:00 and be on our way by 6:30.  If you would enjoy a few moments of quiet and calm in the midst of this hectic season please come and join me.

In other news, let me remind you that we are now in the midst of our Annual Stewardship Campaign.  Every member and friend of the church is asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially in the year to come.

The Sunday following Thanksgiving, December 1, marks the first Sunday in the church season of Advent.  We light the Advent Candle of Hope and celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services.

Please come and join us as we begin our preparation for Christmas.

Looking ahead to next week, let me remind you that I will once again be offering an Advent Reflection and Communion Service each Thursday evening at 6:00.  This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the silence and beauty of the sanctuary, and to celebrate Holy Communion, as we move through this busy and often hectic time of the year.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

This coming Sunday, November 24, is Thanksgiving Sunday in the life of our church. 

We are doing something new this year!  We will celebrate another Family Service at 10:00, but the children will be with us for the entire service.  The Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing and the 8th Grade Confirmation Class will participate.  The morning Meditation will involve taking a tour of the church sanctuary.

Immediately following the 10:00 service, our Fellowship Team is hosting a Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon in Fellowship Hall.  Please plan to join us!

This past spring our church officially joined an organization called Common Ground.  Common Ground is dedicated to building relationships, identifying needs and concerns within the community, getting people organized, and bringing about change in a positive, respectful, and non-partisan way.

The Common Ground Committee at our church quickly identified Public Transit as an issue that is important to people in Ozaukee County, particularly seniors and the disabled.

Our county has a wonderful Shared Ride Taxi Service, but after talking with people throughout the county we identified a couple areas of concern: first, the lack of service on Sunday afternoons and, second, the lack of service across county lines.

Last month, Common Ground formally proposed that the Ozaukee County Board extend the Sunday hours for the Shared Ride Taxi from Noon – 6:00 on Sunday afternoons as part of the 2014 County Budget.

Over 100 people showed up at our church at the end of October to express our concern to Lee Schlenvogt, the Chair of the County Board, and then almost 40 people showed up at the Public Hearing at the beginning of November to express our concern to the entire County Board.

I am pleased to report to you that on Wednesday morning, November 6, the County Board voted to adopt a 2014 County Budget that includes the extended hours for the Shared Ride Taxi.  Congratulations to our Common Ground Committee for helping to bring about such a positive and important change!

This past spring our church officially joined an organization called Common Ground.  Common Ground is dedicated to building relationships, identifying needs and concerns within the community, getting people organized, and bringing about change in a positive, respectful, and non-partisan way.

The Common Ground Committee at our church quickly identified Public Transit as an issue that is important to people in Ozaukee County, particularly seniors and the disabled.

Our county has a wonderful Shared Ride Taxi Service, but after talking with people throughout the county we identified a couple areas of concern: first, the lack of service on Sunday afternoons and, second, the lack of service across county lines.

Last month, Common Ground formally proposed that the Ozaukee County Board extend the Sunday hours for the Shared Ride Taxi from Noon – 6:00 on Sunday afternoons as part of the 2014 County Budget.

Over 100 people showed up at our church on Thursday evening, October 24, to express our concern to Lee Schlenvogt, the Chair of the County Board and then almost 40 people showed up at the Public Hearing on Monday evening, November 4, to express our concern to the entire County Board.

I am pleased to report to you that this past Wednesday morning, the County Board voted to adopt a 2014 County Budget that includes the extended hours for the Shared Ride Taxi.  Congratulations to our Common Ground Committee for helping to bring about such a positive and important change!

The first Sunday in November is known as All Saints Sunday in the life of our church. We always take a moment to remember all those members and friends who have died in the course of the past year.

We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services, and as part of the 10:00 service, we receive New Members into our community of faith.  On the first Sunday of each month, we also host a Fellowship Hour following both services.  Please plan to join us for coffee and treats!

Last of all; let me remind you that Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend.  Please don’t forget to set your clock back one hour on Saturday night or will be early for church on Sunday morning!

This coming Sunday, October 27, we celebrate another Family Sunday in the life of our church.  Our Church School children will be joining us for the first part of the service, the Children’s Choirs will sing, and our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.

Immediately following the 10:00 service, our Sustainability Committee will be hosting a Forum in the church sanctuary to talk about the Creekside Commons park project.  They are anxious to share all that they have accomplished in the past year and to talk about their plans for the future.

I hope you are able to join us!

This coming Sunday, October 20, our Senior Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service and we listen to a wonderful little story from the Gospel of Luke, Luke 18:1-8.  It’s a story about a woman who cried out, complained, and prayed so much that she was finally granted justice.  It makes us think about our own quest for justice and peace.

Please help spread the word that on Sunday evening, at 6:00, I will host another Inquirer’s Gathering in the church Library.  This is an opportunity for folks who are new to our church to learn a little bit more about our church and to meet other people who are new to our community.

Last of all; let me remind you that next Thursday evening, October 24, our Common Ground Committee is hosting a community gathering in Fellowship Hall to talk about the issue of public transit in Ozaukee County and specifically the Shared Ride Taxi program. They are proposing that the Ozaukee County Board extend the Shared Ride Taxi service from Noon to 6:00 on Sunday afternoons as part of their 2014 County Budget. 

This is an important issue for a number of people in our church community and for seniors and the disabled throughout the county.  Your presence at the meeting can help make a difference and bring about this modest but positive change.  Please come and join us!

This coming Sunday, October 6, 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.

As part of the service, we receive our annual Neighbors in Need offering.  This is one of five special offerings in the United Church of Christ and goes to support all of the outreach work of our denomination within the United States.  One third of the offering is dedicated to supporting our twenty-one American Indian churches.

Immediately following the 10:00 service, our Common Ground Committee will host a Forum in the church sanctuary.  They are anxious to share the work that they have been doing, and to tell us about a proposal that they will be making to the Ozaukee County Board to extend the Shared Ride Taxi hours on Sunday afternoons.  If you are able, please plan to attend.

We have begun a new practice in the life of our church, which is actually an ancient practice for many people of faith.  We have begun lighting Prayer Candles for special concerns and celebrations.

This past summer, I purchased a set of twelve votive candle holders and Mike Spalding built and installed an oak shelf directly below the Christ Candle in the sanctuary.  (Some of you might be interested to know that Mike used wood from the old chancel railing.)

Each Sunday morning during the Introit we will light candles for those we are holding in our thoughts and prayers.  We will always light one candle for all those who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries in the week to come, and one candle for all those thoughts and prayers that remain unspoken.

Members and friends of the church are invited to share concerns and celebrations with Jeff prior to the service or to come forward and light a candle on their own.  It is also possible to stop by the church to light a candle on weekday mornings.

My hope is that this ancient practice will help us to be ever more mindful of our deepest thoughts and prayers.

We have begun a new practice in the life of our church, which is actually an ancient practice for many people of faith.  We have begun lighting Prayer Candles for special concerns and celebrations.

This past summer, I purchased a set of twelve votive candle holders and Mike Spalding built and installed an oak shelf directly below the Christ Candle in the sanctuary.  (Some of you might be interested to know that Mike used wood from the old chancel railing.)

Each Sunday morning during the Introit we will light candles for those we are holding in our thoughts and prayers.  We will always light one candle for all those who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries in the week to come, and one candle for all those thoughts and prayers that remain unspoken.

Members and friends of the church are invited to share concerns and celebrations with Jeff prior to the service or to come forward and light a candle on their own.  It is also possible to stop by the church to light a candle on weekday mornings.

My hope is that this ancient practice will help us to be ever more mindful of our deepest thoughts and prayers.

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 8, 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 snacks in Fellowship Hall following both services.  

This coming Sunday is also the start of Church School. Church School Registration begins at 9:30 and Missy Vierling, our Church School Director, is hosting an Open House and Volunteer Sign Up in the Dennett Room at 11:15. For more information, please click here.

Let me also remind you that this coming Monday evening, September 9, 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. Please note that the choir rehearsal times have changed. You can click here for more information.

Please take a moment to check out News and Announcements.

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

This coming Sunday, September 1, is the last Sunday of our summer schedule.  We celebrate with one service at 9:00.  Because it is the first Sunday of the month, we also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The following Sunday, September 8, marks the start of our church program year.  We move to two services on Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:00.

Our Church School program begins the year at 10:00, and there is Fellowship Hour immediately following both services.

I know that this coming weekend is the last chance for many of you to enjoy your summer vacation but, if you are able, please come and join me on Sunday morning.

Our church program year always begins the Sunday following Labor Day, but the next couple of weeks are still quiet and peaceful.

All the busyness of September will come quickly enough, so I hope that you are able to celebrate these last days of summer.

If you are able, please come and join us on Sunday morning!

The last few weeks of August are often hot and dry in Port Washington, but this year we have been enjoying such cool weather that it has already begun to feel like fall.

All the busyness of September will come quickly enough, so I hope that you are able to celebrate these last days of summer, cool mornings and all.

This coming Sunday, August 18, Shona and Daniel Voigt will offer our Special Music. The service also includes the Sacrament of Baptism.

If you are able, please come and join us!

During the summer months, we always try to do a number of special projects both inside and outside the church.

Many of you have noticed all the work that has been done in the Creekside Commons, especially the new crushed gravel pathways and the new overlook on the corner of Webster Street and Grand Avenue. But inside the church there has been a lot happening as well.

All of the downstairs hallways, along with the Music Room and the 4K Pre-School rooms, are getting a fresh coat of paint.  The hallways have not been painted since the completion of our building and renovation project in 1999.

In addition, Missy Vierling, our Church School Director, has been busy doing a complete cleaning and reorganizing of our Church School storage cabinets and Jane Spalding has been doing the same thing with our church Library.  Amy Gilhooly, our Communications Director, has been working to establish a new office space in the church Library.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the floors will be waxed and polished and the carpets and the windows will be cleaned, so that the entire building will be bright and fresh for the start of a new program year.

In the meantime, don’t forget that our summer services are always simple and sweet.  When you are able, please come and join us!

Seven years ago this summer, our church purchased the small triangular piece of land, just to the south of the church, from the City of Port Washington for one dollar, with the understanding that we would develop it as a public green space open to the entire community.  This was the culmination of almost six years of work in which we cleaned-up the entire piece of property, cutting down trees and removing garbage and trash to reveal what a beautiful piece of land this really is. 

Although it may not look like it, our Sustainability Committee has been working hard this past year to prepare the site for the next stage of development.  Last week Forever Green Landscaping installed the first of a series of crushed gravel pathways that will make the entire green space more accessible.

The Committee is also pleased to announce that after years of calling this space our Park Development Project, the green space now has an official name.  It is called Creekside Commons.  Please stop by and take a look!

If you would like to get involved in the work of the Sustainability Committee, please contact Cathy Jones at jones.cathy29@gmail.com.