A Beautiful Night for an Agape Meal & A Little Help for Our Neighbors in Need
Last evening's Agape Drive-Thru Dinner was a winner (no recount needed)! In fact, it was so popular that we ran out of food for the first time ever. Many members of our church family plus some new Agape visitors stopped by to pick up a wonderful, free, Thanksgiving-themed dinner to go. Thanks to everyone who donated food items or cash to help with the work of the De Pere Christian Outreach Food Pantry. Also, BIG thanks to Amy Cassidy and her great Agape volunteers for all their work sharing the love! Watch for details about our next Agape Drive-Thru Dinner on December 2!
|
|
After a long election season, let us remember that we are called to love our neighbors and strive to share the Good News with all!
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”
John 13:13
|
|
2020 Christmas Store Update
The recent spikes in COVID-19 in our area have caused the D.P.C.O. Christmas Store Committee to change the format of the store for Christmas 2020. Out of an abundance of care for everyone's safety, our committee has decided to forego the physical store and shopping set-up and instead provide the families with gift cards so they can shop for themselves for the holidays.
However, WE STILL REALLY NEED YOUR HELP to make sure that 200 low income/at risk families in De Pere have a brighter holiday! (The families we're assisting are chosen by social workers from De Pere, West De Pere, and Syble Hopp along with the DPCO Food Pantry.)
You can help by purchasing any of these gift cards:
> Amazon, Walmart, or Kwik Trip (Value $50 or less)
> De Pere Fast Food Restaurants, Culver’s, McDonald’s, Starbuck’s, or Subway (Value $25 or less)
There will be a small Christmas Tree in the Narthex with tags for the various gift cards for our church family members who would still like to take a tag. Monetary donations will also be accepted and will be used to purchase gift cards. Checks should be made out to De Pere Christian Outreach with Christmas Store in the memo line. Please mail or drop off your donation at the church office by Monday, November 30.
D.P.C.O. Member churches are: First Congregational UCC, First United Presbyterian, Hope Lutheran, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anne’s Episcopal, St. Francis Xavier, St. John Lutheran, and St. Mary Catholic
|
|
Pastors in the Family Life Center TODAY!
Co-Pastors Luke and Meggan will no longer be meeting with folks out in the parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays (it's getting a bit too cold). Beginning TODAY, they'll continue being available to visit with you every Thursday from 10 - 11am in the Family Life Center. Folding chairs will be available. Please wear a mask. As always, if you need one-on-one attention, feel free to call or email one of the pastors or the church secretary to set up a time to meet.
|
|
Calling all Parents!
Based on candid conversations with many of you, it sounds like a relaxed, "no agenda" time to chat and check in with one another might be beneficial. Coming Monday, November 23 at 8pm, you should tuck in the kids, quiet down the teens, and take some time for yourself! Grab your favorite snack and drink and see how other parents are doing during this stressful, unprecedented time (jammies are appropriate attire too). Pastor Meggan will be sending a zoom link via email soon, but let her know if you don’t get it in the near future (meggan@firstunitedpc.org).
|
|
Advent Plans
Advent is quickly approaching. We know things will be different this year with Covid-19, but know that the Christian Education and Worship & Music Ministries are working hard to come up with new and innovative ways to keep us all connected to God and to each other. Watch for information coming soon about an Advent Scavenger Hunt and Advent Devotionals for all ages to be delivered right to your door!
|
|
Sunday Worship Update
In this Sunday's (Nov. 8) worship service we will be focusing on Matthew 25:1-13 "The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids." Have you ever had to wait a long time for something you really wanted? Have you ever felt like you are always missing out on the opportunities around you? Join us as we discover how the wise are always prepared, focused, and ready to respond to God’s kingdom. See you Sunday!
How to Join Us for Worship
> In Person - Join us Sunday morning at 9:45 in the Sanctuary. For those who feel comfortable in person, we thank you for adhering to our safety protocols so we can continue to worship safely. Please wear a mask, enter through the Webster doors, use the provided sanitizer, and sit where an usher directs you. It's a blessing to socialize and fellowship with one another outside after the service.
> Live Online - You can also join us for a live stream of our service Sunday morning at 9:45 on our church Facebook page.
> Sound-only connection - You can listen by phone by calling Zoom at (312)-626-6799 around 9:35am. Enter meeting ID: 206 385 039 followed by #. You will then "enter the meeting." There's no need to enter a passcode anymore.
> Watch Service recordings anytime - If it's more convenient, you can always watch recordings of our worship service on our Facebook page (shortly after the live stream is completed) or our website (anytime after 11:30am Sunday mornings)
|
|
Discussing Mere Christianity
This Sunday at 8:30am, our Adult Zoom Sunday School class will be concluding their study of the book Mere Christianity. During the last eight weeks, they have explored how C.S. Lewis provides an imaginative and intellectually rich way of understanding our faith. Now in the final class, they'll have the opportunity to learn about the man himself as his stepson, Douglas Gresham, shares what it was like to personally know C.S. Lewis. See you Sunday at 8:30am via Zoom, and watch for information about what's next for the class!
* For a video link on Sunday, click here.
|
|
It's Christian Education Sunday
Sunday School classes for all ages will be meeting this Sunday at 11am (the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month). We'll plan on all classes meeting outside since the forecast looks pretty nice, so dress appropriately. If the weather changes by Sunday, we'll move inside. IF that happens, please enter through the doors near the office on the Waubaunuqua Trail side. The “Coping With Covid” adult class will go to the Media Room downstairs, the 6th - 12th grade class will meet in the Middle High Sunday School room, and the preschool - 5th grade class will meet in the Family Life Center. See you Sunday!
|
|
2021 Sharing the Light of Christ
There is a pathway to our goal of $300,000 for our campaign, and it includes your estimate of giving.Thanks to those of you who have turned in your 2021 Estimate of Giving form and Talent/Volunteer list. Your commitments so far total $245,070 towards our goal. If you haven't returned yours yet, please drop your 2021 estimate in the mail today! You can make a difference in the life of First United and its ministries by your financial commitment to share the light of Christ during 2021. Thank you!
|
|
To Auto Withdraw or Use Offering Envelopes? That is the Question
Thank you to those who have authorized bank withdrawals or requested offering envelopes with your account number on them for 2021. Let the office know if you need envelopes or forms. 920-336-1446.
Authorize Monthly Automatic Bank withdrawal or use your bank’s automatic bill pay:
· Don’t have to remember to write check or have cash.
· Don’t have to mail or attend to give.
· Consistent monthly giving, Helps First United with cash flow.
· Electronic transaction and record: Does not have to be manually counted.
Numbered Offering Envelopes. If you did not request offering envelopes and plan to give weekly or monthly by check or cash, we suggest requesting a box of envelopes with your account number on them.
· Physical act of giving during worship.
· Serves as a weekly reminder to give.
· Helps money counter record offering.
· Saves treasurer time in recording your account number and confirms offering.
· Pew offering envelopes do not have to be weekly replaced.
Forgot your checkbook? You can always give through our website or your smartphone with the “GivePlus” app.
|
|
Contemporary Readers Go Virtual
Due to some issues trying to combine in person and online participants last month, it's been decided to change the next Contemporary Readers group meeting to a Zoom-only gathering. The next book they're reading is called The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism by Katherine Stewart. Lee Richardson will lead a group discussion this Sunday (11/8) at 5:30pm via Zoom.
* For a video link on Sunday, click here.
|
|
Wednesday Night ZOOM Check In
What happens in your home after dinner but before bed on Wednesday evenings? If you didn’t answer "a time for fellowship with First United Presbyterian Church members," then you should join us on Wednesday evenings anytime from 7-7:45pm via Zoom. Hope to see you there!
For a video link on Wednesday, click here.
Meeting ID: 740 456 986... Passcode: 120171
|
|
THIS WEEK
Sunday (11/1) - Danielle Pahl
Monday (11/2) - Elaine Farwell
Wednesday (11/4) - Jan Nelson
Thursday (11/5) - Eric Renier & Alex Foeller
Friday (11/6) - Joan Melcher, Marilyn Heim, & Mark Young
Saturday (11/7) - Casey Siegler & Ryan Bredael
NEXT WEEK
Sunday (11/8) - Karen Hanold
Monday (11/9) - Sue Goral & Sydney Lindow
Tuesday (11/10) - Lavon Scott
Wednesday (11/11) - David Malcolm
Why not call, email, or send them a card?
|
|
> Pastors in the Family Life Center - TODAY (11/5) 10am
> Adult Sunday School (Zoom) - Sunday (11/8) 8:30am
> Worship Service - Sunday (11/8) 9:45am (Sanctuary open to everyone with masks & safe seating. Others can join by live stream on Facebook)
> Sunday School Classes (all ages - outside) - Sunday (11/8) 11am (2nd & 4th Sundays)
> Contemporary Readers (Zoom) - Sunday (11/8) 5:30pm
> Finance Ministry Mtg. (Zoom) - Monday (11/9) 6pm
> Winnebago Presbytery Meeting (Zoom) - Tuesday (11/10) 4-6pm
> Christian Education Ministry Meeting (Zoom) - Tuesday (11/10) 6pm
> Zoom Check In - Wednesday (11/11) 7pm
> Pastors in the Family Life Center - next Thursday (11/12) 10am
> Book Study "Paddle for a Purpose" (Zoom) - Wednesday (11/18) 6:30pm
> Parents Zoom Check In - Monday (11/23) 8pm
|
|
Did you know that EPH is a volunteer partnership of 20 area churches (including ours) and the Salvation Army? EPH provide homeless families with stable and secure transitional housing as they seek to regain structure. Our church assists EPH by making sure the upper part of the duplex we sponsor is ready when a new client moves in. On average this occurs once or twice a year. It's almost time!
We could use your help during the next month or two to help clean the apartment for the next clients. We'll be super safe by wearing masks and assigning separate rooms for each individual to clean. We can be super flexible, so just call Martha "Mert" Bayer at 655-8360 to arrange a time that works with your schedule. Thanks so much for any help you can offer!
|
|
"Changing Lives Through God's Love in Christ"
Contact us with your questions and needs...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
