Your New Year's Eve Church Newsletter is Here!

First United Weekly Newsletter

Thursday, December 31, 2020

A new year is God’s way of letting us know that there is still a chance for us to change for the better. Do any of your New Year’s resolutions relate to your faith or your involvement at First United? If you are looking for a way to connect or even start something new, please reach out to Pastor Luke or Pastor Meggan. Have a blessed and prosperous New Year!

This Sunday's Worship

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month so we will be partaking in the sacrament of Communion. We'll provide elements for those who are worshiping in the sanctuary. If you're joining us from home, please have your bread and juice ready.

This week we'll be reading Isaiah 60:1-6 as well as Matthew 2:1-12 as we celebrate Epiphany. Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. Join us as we discover how God makes God's self known in our lives. See you Sunday in-person or online!

Here's How to Join Us

> In Person - Join us Sunday morning at 9:45 in the Sanctuary. 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 (at a safe distance) 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 #.

> Watch Service recordings anytime - If it's more convenient, you can always watch our recent service recordings on our Facebook page (shortly after the live stream is completed) or our website (anytime after 11:30am on Sunday mornings).

Thanks to everyone who helped create our Advent and Christmas activities this year! We shared Advent Bags delivered to us including wreaths/candles for families to assemble and our "Where Is It?" Calendar with daily photo clues and devotionals. We got to enjoy a wonderful new style of Christmas Pageant with our children and youth. On Christmas Eve, we gathered virtually during the afternoon for worship and then outside for candles and "Silent Night" in the parking lot. And, of course, don't forget all the amazing music! We truly appreciate all of you who helped each of us celebrate the reason for the season!

Happy Anniversary!

We'd like to wish Pastor Meggan Farwell a happy one year anniversary as co-pastor at First United Presbyterian Church on January 1st! She first began serving our church as Director of Christian Education in September of 2014 and added the oversight our youth program in August of 2019. We thank her for all her many areas of service and help and love for our church family!

Zoom Adult Sunday School Returns

Join us this Sunday at 8:30am as we begin a new study on the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Filmed on location in Germany, "New York Times" bestselling author Eric Metaxas takes participants on a journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer to explore why he has inspired so many people’s faith. Join us as we work our way through the following thought provoking topics: “What is the Church?”... “Living in Christian Community”... “Religionless Christianity”... and “Come and Die.”

Here's how you can be a part of the class:

* For a video link on Sunday, click here .

* For a phone connection on Sunday, dial +1 (312) 626- 6799...

Meeting ID: 847 9119 8136 ... Passcode: 873976

CORE/JAM Sunday at 11am

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, so it's a time for our youth groups (6th - 12th grade) to gather at 11am in the Middle High Room. Let’s start the New Year out right with a look at God’s plan for each one of us (of course mixed with some fun and games too)!

New Youth Meetings!

Beginning on Sunday January 10, we'll also be adding two new virtual meetings for all youth on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month from 6-7pm. In the first meeting, we'll begin a four week study on the book of James. Youth will learn why the Book of James is sometimes called the “Proverbs of the New Testament.” There are so many truly wise things packed into this small book!

Agape's Back for 2021

Our monthly Agape Drive-Thru Dinner is returning next Wednesday (January 6) at 5:45pm. Everyone's invited to kick off the new year by driving past the front of our church to pick up your free meal(s) of "Tater Tot" casserole with apple slices and sour cream chocolate cherry cake for dessert. Donations are appreciated but not required. Mark your new 2021 calendar, invite your friends, and help us share the love!

Wednesday Night Zoom Check In

As daylight has gotten shorter and the weather has gotten colder, perhaps you are feeling more isolated or lonely. If that’s the case, why not join us on Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7 - 7:45pm. Stay for the whole time, or just pop on to say hello. We would love to have even more smiling faces join us.

Here's how you can join our gathering:

For a video link next Wednesday, click here .

* For a phone connection on Wednesdays, dial 1 (312) 626-6799...

Meeting ID: 740 456 986... Passcode: 120171

Contemporary Readers January Plans

Our Contemporary Readers Group book for January is Reading the Bible From the Margins written by Miguel De La Torre. The author highlights how cultural factors may affect interpretation of the Bible and understanding how differences occur. Everyone's invited to read the book and then join the group via Zoom on Sunday, January 10 at 5:30pm for a review and discussion led by Dan Hamersky. Watch for specific Zoom connection information next week.

Presbyterian Women Mission Sewing Update

Our Mission Sewing group has been working from home. We miss gathering around the big quilting frame in Koinonia Lounge each month, sitting in our “knitters’ circle, and sharing lunch. However, we know the need for our projects has not disappeared. Some Green Bay schools have accepted hats & scarves. Other service organizations are receiving our sewing/knitting/quilting supplies. If you are interested in helping FUPC’s P.W. Mission Sewing from the comfort of your home, call Susan Leiber at 337-0979.

2021 Offering Envelopes Are Here!

If you give weekly or monthly and do not use automatic withdraw or your bank's "bill pay," we suggest you use numbered envelopes. The advantages are twofold. It's beneficial to our money counters and Treasurer in recording your offerings. It also serves as a reminder throughout the year. If you have not received your 2021 envelopes and would like to use them, please contact the church office at treasurer@firstunitedpc.org or call 920-336-1446.

THIS WEEK

Tuesday (12/29) - Betsy Koltz

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

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

NEXT WEEK

Sunday (1/3) - Lucy Malcolm

Monday (1/4) - Sandra Zeimer & Alex Thorpe

Tuesday (1/5) - Lizzie Renier

Friday (1/8) - Andrew Geurts

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

> HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Friday (1/1/21)

> Adult Sunday School (Zoom) - Sunday (1/3) 8:30am

> Sunday Worship & Communion - Sunday (1/3) 9:45am (Sanctuary open to everyone with masks & safe seating - everyone else please join live stream on Facebook)

> CORE & JAM Youth Group Gathering - Sunday (1/3) 11am

> Agape Drive-Thru Dinner - Wednesday (1/6) 5:45pm

> Zoom Check In - Wednesday (1/6) 7pm

> Pastors in the Family Life Center - Thursday (1/7) 10am

> Sunday School Classes (all ages - various rooms) - Sunday (1/10) 11am

> Contemporary Readers Group (Zoom) - Sunday (1/10) 5:30pm

> NEW! Youth Bible Study (Zoom) - Sunday (1/10) 6pm

*To schedule a meeting at the church, contact Michelle in the church office. To schedule an online Zoom meeting, contact Pastor Meggan.

"Changing Lives Through God's Love in Christ"

Click for WEBSITE

Click for FACEBOOK page

Email PASTOR LUKE

Email PASTOR MEGGAN

Email CHURCH OFFICE