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First United Weekly Newsletter

December 30, 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.

"Woe-Be-Gone" to Wrap Up December

Does the holiday season have you feeling a little blue? Spend some time with us this morning (12/30) at 10am for our Woe-Be-Gone Gathering in the Koinonia Lounge. We'd love to have you join us for this monthly supportive time as we read scripture, share, pray, and listen to one another. Everyone's invited!

Burns Night Benefit Dinner for Presbyterian Pantry

Tomorrow (12/31) is the final day to get your tickets! Don't miss this amazing evening full of fun, food, music, and festivities on January 15 at St. Norbert celebrating the great Scottish poet Robert Burns for the benefit of the Presbyterian Pantry. Seating is limited, so don't delay. Order now from our church website (www.firstunitedpc.org) or just click HERE. Be sure to get your tickets before it's too late!

Plans for This Sunday!

Are you looking for some illumination in your life? You're not alone. Join the wise men as we celebrate the Epiphany Sunday (1/2) at our 9am worship service. Our scripture passages include Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12 (*click to read). Jesus is the light of the world! Discover how God's light allows us to see the world in which we live through His eyes. We'll also share Communion as we begin a new month. Hope to see you Sunday!

You can join us live on Sunday at 9am in person or by live stream on our Facebook page (*find details later in this newsletter). You can also watch a recording whenever it's convenient for you on our website or on Facebook.

*Just a reminder that there will be no Sunday School classes this Sunday. Classes for all ages will resume on January 9 at 10:30am.

Youth Group Says Hello to 2022

After a break for the Christmas weekend, our CORE/JAM Youth Group will get together this Sunday (1/2) from 6-7:30pm in the Youth Media Room downstairs!

What A Wonderful Christmas Weekend

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! We gathered for two beautiful Christmas Eve services last Friday evening celebrating the coming of Christ with scripture, dramatic readings, a Time for Young Disciples, candles, and lots of music. Last Sunday, we joined together again for a service of Lessons & Carols, singing beloved hymns and learning the meaning behind them. If you want to revisit any of our recent services, you can watch recordings on our website or on our Facebook page whenever you want (*see links at bottom).

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

from your church staff:

Mark, Pastor Meggan, Pastor Luke, Andy, Julie, Tori, and Sue!

Thanks to everyone who played a part in the D.P.C.O. Christmas Store hosted in our Family Life Center again earlier this month. It was a wonderful success! Here's just some of the feedback from our neighbors who benefited:

"Thank you all so much! I appreciate it deeply. It actually made me cry on my way out."

"I was truly baffled by the generosity of the program and the people. It was a lot more than I expected!"

"I am so overwhelmed with gratitude, appreciation, and love."

"I am beyond thankful for what you all and Christian Outreach has done for me and my grandchildren!!!

Bible Study Group Returns Next Week

Our new Bible Study Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays each month. The goal is to not only educate, but to also provide a chance for discussion and application in today's world. Pastor Luke will lead the group next Tuesday (1/4) from 10 to 11:30am.

Dead Reformers Society in 2022

Join us at Zambaldi Brewery next Tuesday (1/4) at 7pm as the Dead Reformers Society continues to delve into the fantastic and arcane in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. There's no preparation necessary, topics vary each meeting, and everyone (over 21) is welcome. Carpe Diem!

Alert your Friends!

Our next Agape Drive-Thru Dinner is coming Wednesday (1/5) at 5:45pm. The menu will include salsbury steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, plus something sweet for dessert! Everyone's invited to drive though to pick up your free meals (*while supplies last). Monetary donations are welcomed but not required. Invite your friends and help us share the love!

Pastors in the Gathering Area

Pastors Luke and Meggan have a special time to visit with church friends on the first Thursday of each month. Their Pastors in the Gathering Area will begin the new year next Thursday (1/6) at 10am. Hope you can stop in for a visit!

Special Thanks!

We'd like to offer a special "thank you" to the people who kindly volunteered to help out in our church office during the month of December. They are Judy England, Marilyn Heim, Becky Nyberg, Melissa Rusk, and Debbie Spiegel.

P.W. Mission Sewing Update

Our Presbyterian Women Mission Sewing Circle created many items to be used by the Green Bay Salvation Army Christmas Program. Donations included single sized quilts, fleece blankets, hats, scarves, knitted hats, scarves, mittens & a winter headband. Please consider joining our community mission. No experience? We will teach you! Join the next Mission Sewing gathering next Thursday, January 6, from 10am until noon in the Koinonia Lounge.

Happy Birthday to Us!

This December our church celebrates it’s 172nd birthday! Back in the mid-1800’s, the Presbyterian Board of Domestic Missions sent Rev. John Stewart, a young Princeton Seminary graduate, to the frontier river area of De Pere, Wisconsin to start a church. It was a growing community of roughly 200 people. The First Presbyterian Church of De Pere became the first organized church in this area on December 1, 1849. The original ten members met in the second floor courtroom of the Brown County Courthouse then located in De Pere.

Our first church building was dedicated on May 31, 1854, and remained our house of worship until it burned in 1884 along with a large part of De Pere.

Our second church building was built in 1887 near the original location at the corner of North Michigan and James Streets. Some of our current members who are now grandparents or great grandparents were baptized and went to Sunday School there when they were young children. It was know as “The Friendly Church on the Corner” and was our church home for more than 70 years.

The most recent chapter of our story began with the dedication of our current church building in 1963. Since then, we’ve continued to grow with the addition of the Koinonia Lounge, bell tower, and elevator in 1988. Most recently, we added the Gathering Area and our Family Life Center (dedicated in September 2007). We’ve certainly been blessed with a long, rich, and unique history. Remembering the thousands of people who’ve been a part of our church family through the years, we share a very loving wish for a “Happy Birthday!”

THANK YOU for sharing the light of Christ by your generosity and support of First United's Ministries this year!

>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

Here's How You Can Join Us

for Our Worship Services

> In Person - Enter only on the Webster side. A mask is recommend if you're not vaccinated. Singing is allowed only with a mask on. The right side is open seating, while the left side and balcony provide social distancing for those who want it.

> Live Online - If you're not comfortable in person yet, you can join us by live stream on our church Facebook page available ten minutes before the listed start time.

> Sound-only connection - Call Zoom at (312) 626-6799 within 10 minutes before the service start time. Enter meeting ID: 206 385 039 followed by the # symbol.

> Watch Service Recordings anytime - You can always watch recordings of our recent services on our Facebook page (right after the live stream is completed) or on our website (roughly an hour after the service is completed).

THIS WEEK

Wednesday (12/29) - Aubrey Blackwell & Betsy Koltz

Thursday (12/30) - Phil Bredael & Dave Griffin

Saturday (1/1/22) - Dennis Gusick

NEXT WEEK

Sunday (1/2) - Ava Thorpe-Brawner & Jack Planert

Monday (1/3) - Lucy Malcolm

Tuesday (1/4) - Alex Thorpe

Wednesday (1/5) - Lizzie Renier

Friday (1/7) - Joyce Nowack

Why not email, send them a card, or give them a call?

> *Church Office closed all week (12/17-31)

> Woe-Be-Gone Gathering (Koinonia Lounge) - TODAY (12/30) 10am

> Sunday Worship & Communion - Sunday (1/2) 9am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website)

> Youth Group Coffee Shop (Gathering Center) - Sunday (1/2) after worship

> *No Sunday School on Sunday (1/2)

> CORE/JAM Youth Group (Youth Media Room) - Sunday (1/2) 6pm

> Building & Grounds Ministry Meeting (Sr. High Room) - Monday (1/3) 5:30pm

> Leadership Ministry Meeting (Library) - Monday (1/3) 6pm

> Connecting Ministry Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (1/3) 6:30pm

> Morning Bible Study (Koinonia Lounge) - Tuesday (1/4) 10am

> Dead Reformers Society (Zambaldi's) - Tuesday (1/4) 7pm

> Agape Drive-Thru Dinner - Wednesday (1/5) 5:45pm

> Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) - Wednesday (1/5) 6:30pm

> "Joyful Noise" Praise Band rehearsal (Sanctuary) - Wednesday (1/5) 7:30pm

> Pastors in the Gathering Area - next Thursday (1/6) 10am