First United Sunday Update July 11, 2021

Our Vision Statement: We are a welcoming community FIRST UNITED in proclaiming FAITH in Jesus Christ, sharing HOPE for the future, and inspiring LOVE of our neighbors.

Today's Sunday Update It's great to see so many returning faces (and even a few new ones!) as we continue to welcome folks back into our worship service and Coffee Fellowship after church. We also welcome those of you who joined us this morning via live stream on Facebook. During our Worship Service this morning, we read Amos 7:7-15 and Mark 6:14-29 and explored the corrupting nature of power within us and the antidote to resist it. We also celebrated the baptism of Ezra Lin Beck! If you weren't able to join us live, you can always find service recordings on our Facebook page and on our website (*see links at the end of this newsletter).

From This Week's "Taking Faith Home" Read: Mark 6:14-29 This story of the beheading of John the Baptist at a banquet hosted by King Herod presents an image of contrasts. This story comes between last week’s Gospel reading about Jesus’ disciples traveling without riches or power of their own and staying with others as guests. The Gospel reading two weeks from now is about Jesus’ own banquet of feeding hungry souls on a hillside. Jesus treated the people with compassion like a shepherd caring for the sheep. Earthly powers represented by Herod bend toward corruption, greed, violence, and impulsive actions without thought of consequences. Jesus’ rule brings people together in peace, feeds the multitudes out of love, and brings healing and an end to demonic powers. We are reminded that earthly powers and governments are not the rule that wins the day in God’s universe. We are called to an ordering of life where “love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10). How does Jesus’ power in your life influence your thoughts and actions? Prayer Shepherding God, in a world that seeks to dominate and humiliate others, we thank you for your reign of love and faithfulness that will never let us go through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our “Taking Faith Home” publication is a great resource for exploring your faith all through the week. It provides daily readings, prayers, devotions, and service opportunities following the weekly lectionary readings. Click here for this week's complete new edition.

Get Out Your Old Bike & Join Us Our 9th annual summer Sunday Bike Rides return after a holiday break. This afternoon (7/11) at 4pm, everyone's invited to meet at Green Isle Park (at the end of Greene Avenue near the playground equipment) to ride the East River Trail. For all the details and the complete schedule, check our website.

Service for Fran Hoops There will be a memorial service for Fran Hoops, a former church member, Monday (7/12) in our Sanctuary. A visitation time with the family will begin at 9am, and the memorial service will follow at 10am. The service is open to all those who would like to attend.

A Youth Adventure Returns Monday (7/12), four of our youth and two adults will head out to The Great Escape, an awesome Middle School Conference through Youth Conference Ministries held at Green Lake Conference Center. We're excited after having to miss last year. Please pray for a transformative experience for our youth as they learn more about the love of Jesus Christ and the relationship he desires from each of them. The group going includes Pastor Meggan Farwell, Scott McPherson, Mackay Campbell, Ian Farwell, Meara Marinan, and Ian McPherson. Please consider sending our participants a card while they're there, but send it early so it makes it in time. Here’s the address: (Participant’s name) -The Great Escape  First United Presbyterian Church  Green Lake Conference Center  W2511 State Road 23  Green Lake, WI 54941

"Welcome Home" to a Friend Joyce Smith moved out to Washington to be with her family when the pandemic began last year, but she's returning for a visit this week. Everyone is invited to a special "Meet & Greet" for Joyce this Thursday from 2 to 4pm in our Koinonia Lounge.

"Treasured" V.B.S. Update Only two weeks left to sign up for Vacation Bible School (click here for link). Also, please stop in the Family Life Center anytime this week and take a tag to help us gather our needed snack supplies for V.B.S. We're so grateful for our church family's help each year!

Christmas in July The churches that make up the De Pere Christian Outreach (including ours) are again planning to host a Christmas Store this year for area families in need. We ask that you begin thinking of "Christmas in July" and shop for items for the store. Watch now for great sales on toys, clothing, and household goods that will be needed. You can then bring your donated items to the church office to be safely stored until December. Thanks very much!

An Amazing Donation! A giant “Thank You” goes out to an anonymous donor who has gifted the church with an amazing financial donation to build a playground for our church family and community! The Session has gratefully received the gift with plans to have the playground installed as soon as possible. We greatly appreciate the donor’s generosity and are very excited how the playground will help make us a more welcoming place for all ages.

Thanks for Your Continuing Support > Online Giving: www.firstunitedpc.org > Smart Phone Giving: GivePlus app > Mail your checks to: First United Presbyterian Church 605 N Webster Ave De Pere, WI 54115

THIS WEEK TODAY (7/11) - Kathy Thorpe Monday (7/12) - Paul Weiss, Blair Griffith, & Paris Riggle Tuesday (7/13) - Mark Welle Wednesday (7/14) - Nirmala Mammen & Sarah Pahl Friday (7/16) - Elizabeth Chadwick Saturday (7/17) - Mackay Campbell NEXT WEEK Sunday (7/18) - Keely Dorn Monday (7/19) - William Bredael Tuesday (7/20) - Beth Menzel, Audrey Hickey, Kayla Schnitzler, & Rhett Mehlberg Wednesday (7/21) - Nancy Nusbaum Thursday (7/22) - Tom Steffen & Silas Davey Friday (7/23) - Sue Renier Saturday (7/24) - Calli Van De Hei Why not call, email, or send them a card?

> Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride (East River Trail - meet at Green Isle Park) - TODAY (7/11) 4pm > Fran Hoops Memorial Service (Santuary) - Monday (7/12) 9am - visitation / 10am - service > Leadership Ministry Meeting (Library) - Monday (7/12) 5:30pm > Deacons Meeting (Room 11) - Monday (7/12) 6pm > Worship & Music Ministry Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (7/12) 6:30pm > DPCO Christmas Store Meeting (Family Life Center) - Tuesday (7/13) 12:30pm > Finance Ministry Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Tuesday (7/13) 6pm > "Meet & Greet" for Joyce Smith (Koinoia Lounge) - Thursday (7/15) 2-4pm > Sunday Worship Service - Sunday (7/18) 9:45am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website) > Session Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (7/19) 6:30pm > "Eat, Pray, & Blossom" Devotional Gathering (Garden) - Wednesday (7/21)  *Please contact the church office to schedule a meeting or make changes so we can keep everyone up to date. Thank you!

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