First United Weekly Newsletter

December 1, 2022

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.

Mark Your Calendar


Join us for our second annual holiday gathering called "The Reason for the Season" on Saturday (12/10) from 3 to 6 pm. This free community event will offer crafts, Christmas music (featuring some of our youth and other church family members), and wreath making ($10 for small, $15 for large) going on throughout the afternoon in our Family Life Center. Various other activities will also be offered in our church sanctuary. Soups, hot cocoa, wassail, and cookies will be available free for everyone. Gather your friends and join our celebration!

We're 173 Years Old Today!


On December 1, 1849, the First Presbyterian Church of De Pere became the first organized church in our growing town of roughly 200 people. The Presbyterian Board of Domestic Missions sent a young Princeton Seminary graduate - Rev. John Stewart - to this frontier river area to start a church. He and the ten original founders began what we continue to share with each other today. Watch for more historical highlights throughout December to help remember and celebrate the thousands of church family members who came before us!

Plans for This Sunday


Join us this Sunday (12/4) at 9am when we'll continue our special Advent worship series called "Be Born In Us Today." The prophet Isaiah declared that a Holy One from God would be born into this world to bring renewal to all the faint and weary. We'll explore Isaiah 40:21-31 and Matthew 1:18-25 (click to read) and learn how Christ’s birth restores our strength so that we might serve him. See you Sunday!

> Be sure to pick up an Advent Devotional at our Welcome Center in the Narthex.

Sunday School for All Ages Returns at 10:30am


*Pre-K to 2nd grade (Room 5)

*3rd to 5th grade (Room 6)

*6th - 12th grade Youth (Middle High Room)


*Adult Class (Koinonia Lounge) - Join Pastor Luke in the Koinonia Lounge as he kicks off our Advent Sunday school series: Be Born in Us Today: Bringing Blessing and Renewal. God blesses us, now and for all eternity, through the gift of his Son. In turn, we bless his holy name and pray that his gifts would overflow in our lives to bless others. During Advent we celebrate Jesus' birth and the renewal and restoration of all creation.

Our monthly Youth Coffee Shop & Bake Sale will be happening after church this Sunday (12/4). All youth are asked to please bring a baked goodie or help make and sell drinks.


Also, our CORE & JAM Youth Group will be getting back together Sunday from 6-7:30pm after being off last week for the holiday weekend.

Everyone's Invited!


Our Presbyterian Women invite everyone to their 2022 Christmas Tea "Animals at the Nativity" coming this Sunday (12/4) at 3pm. Enjoy handmade Christmas goodies plus punch, tea, and coffee. The gathering will include the collection and dedication of the "Thank Offering" along with a hands-on mission project to benefit the Happily Ever After Animal Shelter. Hope you'll join us to enjoy this wonderful annual tradition.

Pastors in the Gathering Area


Our Pastors will be available this morning (12/1) at 10am for their monthly Pastors in the Gathering Area time. Pastors Luke and Meggan have set this time on the first Thursday of each month to visit with church friends, so stop by and share some time with our Pastors.

They're Going Fast


Our Men's Club Fruitcakes will be on sale Sunday (12/4) after worship and next Monday through Thursday in the church office from 9:30am to 12:30pm while supplies lastProceeds support New Community Shelter meals and more ministry efforts.

Christmas Store Coming Next Week


We are one of the eight area churches working together to coordinate the D.P.C.O. Christmas Store which will be held in our Family Life Center next week. Volunteers are still needed during some of the days to help set up, operate, and clean up. Click on the dates listed here for sign-up pages if you can help: Saturday (12/3), Monday (12/5), Tuesday (12/6), Wednesday (12/7), or Thursday (12/8). Thanks for helping others less fortunate.

For Your Eyes Only


You're invited to attend our next Dead Reformers Society meeting at Zambaldi Brewery on Tuesday (12/6) at 7pm. Church member Dale Zeimer will be sharing his experiences and perspective on serving in the C.I.A. during the Cold War. You won't want to miss this incredible evening! Carpe Diem!  

New Adult Bible Study


Join us for the next gathering of our new Adult Bible Study coming next Wednesday (12/7) at 10am in the Koinonia Lounge. We'll continue discussing the book of Acts and discover how the early Church navigated the trials and tribulations as it sought to bear witness to Jesus Christ. 

Sharing the Love


Our next Agape Drive-Thru Dinner is coming next Wednesday (12/7) at 5:45pm. December's menu includes ham, "company" potatoes, and cookies! Everyone's invited to drive though to pick up your free meals (*while supplies last). Monetary donations are welcome but not required. Invite your friends and help share the love!

Divas Update


This week's Dining Diva's "My Favorite Things" Christmas Party was a big success. Thanks to all who came! Looking ahead, we only have two remaining seats for our Union Hotel dinner on Sunday (12/11) at 6:15pm. Let Pastor Meggan know if you're interested in one of the last two.

Our Youth are Gettin' Busy in December


> Come this Saturday (12/3) at 8am to help carry up donations for next week's Christmas Store in our Family Life Center.


> We're looking for our youth and their families to help with a one hour shift supervising kid's crafts during our "Reason for the Season" event coming on Saturday (12/10) from 3-6pm. If your family can help, please contact Pastor Meggan soon.


> Watch for some special kettle ringers if you're shopping at the Bay Park Square on Monday (12/12) from 6-7pm. Our youth will be ringing and singing at three locations, and we'd love to see some familiar faces!

Christmas Pageant Plans


Mark your calendar! Our Sunday School children will be presenting their annual Christmas Pageant on Sunday (12/18) during the 9am worship service. All children from three through fifth grade are invited to join in. Reach out to Pastor Meggan if you need more information.

Presbyterian Women Meeting Update


> P.W. Mission Sewing group will be gathering in the Koinonia Lounge today (12/1) at 9am.


> The Talbot Circle will gather next Thursday (12/8) at noon in the Koinonia Lounge.

We Appreciate You!


We offer a special "thank you" to Barb Ryan, Judy England, Marilyn Heim, Melissa Rusk, and Debbie Spiegel who volunteered to help out in our church office during November. We really appreciate their time and efforts to help keep things rolling!

Our Commitment Efforts Continue


Many of our church family members have already turned in their pledges to support the work of our church during the coming year. Thanks so much for your continued giving!

If you have not returned your pledge card yet, please mail it to the church office - attention: Treasurer - or bring it to worship next Sunday. (Click HERE if you need a copy of the blank form.) Your pledge of support is important and needed to enable our Ministries and Session to confidently plan missions, programs, and activities for 2023.


"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

Burns Dinner Returns!


You're invited to join us for our second annual Burns Night Benefit Dinner: An Evening in the Highlands on Friday, January 28, at 6:30pm at the Green Bay Distillery. This year, we're raising funds to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian. The menu will include your choice of Tequila Lime Salmon or BBQ Pork Loin with potato, veggies, salad, rolls, dessert bars, and coffee. Special entertainment will include the Clan Donald Pipe Band, the Heritage Academy Irish Dancers, the Address to the Haggis, Sword Dancing, and so much more. The evening's festivities will begin at 5pm with an optional Scotch Tasting session. Dinner tickets will be $50 per person, and optional Scotch Tasting tickets will be $20 per person.

You can purchase your tickets now by clicking here or by calling the church office during business hours. Mark your calendar and purchase your tickets now!

November Session Meeting Summary

by Dawn Picard, Clerk


The November Session meeting started on a high note as Jim and Ginger France and Marti Graves were welcomed into membership at FUPC. They expressed their appreciation for

the friendliness of the Pastors and congregation. The vibrant worship services and all the activities available to members and the community were influential in them deciding to join the church. The Elders also had the opportunity (via ZOOM) to visit with the Winnebago Presbytery’s Transitional Presbyter, David Colby, to answer his questions concerning FUPC’s planned Presbytery support in 2023. Other high points were the positive financial position for 2022, the positive response (so far) to the 2023 pledge campaign, appreciation for the Thanksgiving Worship Service and wonderful Agape Community meal afterwards, and excitement over the upcoming "Reason for the Season" event on December 10. Dates were set for a Session retreat on Saturday, February 18, 2023, and for the third annual Fall Fest on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Have Any Old Christmas Cards?


We're looking for lots of old Christmas cards from our church family for use in an upcoming children's project. You can drop them in the special box in the Narthex by this Sunday (12/4). Thanks for your help!

A Special Message


Judy Nighorn has a special message she wants to share with all her church family:

"Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It has meant so much to feel your love and support during a difficult time."

THIS WEEK

Monday (11/28) - Rita Coffey-Kilmer

Wednesday (11/30) - Diane Baston

Thursday (12/1) - John Herber & Dan Thorpe

Friday (12/2) - Debbie Renier

Saturday (12/3) - Maxine Gaber & Lora Warner


NEXT WEEK

Sunday (12/4) - Barb Ryan

Tuesday (12/6) - Jamie Tank & Jennifer Wirtanen

Wednesday (12/7) - Carol Pointer

Thursday (12/8) - Cassie Griffin



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

> P.W. Mission Sewing (Koinonia Lounge) - TODAY (12/1) 9am


> Pastors in the Gathering Area - TODAY (12/1) 10am


D.P.C.O. Christmas Store Set Up (Family Life Center) - Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7am - 6:30pm


> "Joyful Noise" Rehearsal (Sanctuary) - Sunday (12/4) 8am


Sunday Worship & Communion (Sanctuary) - Sunday (12/4) 9am (*Join us in person, by live stream on Facebook, or view a recording later on our website or Facebook)


Youth Coffee Shop & Bake Sale (Gathering Area), Coffee Fellowship Time, & Fruitcake Sale (Family Life Center) - Sunday (12/4) after service


> Sunday School for all ages (various rooms) - Sunday (12/4) 10:30am


> P.W. Christmas Tea (Koinonia Lounge) - Sunday (12/4) 3pm


Youth Group Meeting (Media Room - downstairs) - Sunday (12/4) 6pm


D.P.C.O. Christmas Store (Narthex & Family Life Center) - Mon. thru Wed. (12/5-7) 7am - 6pm


> Connecting Ministry Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (12/5) 6:30pm


> Dead Reformers Society (Zambaldi's Brewery) - Tuesday (12/6) 7pm


Agape Drive-Thru Dinner (front of church) - Wednesday (12/7) 5:45pm


Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) - Wednesday (12/7) 6:30pm


> "Joyful Noise" Praise Band Rehearsal (Sanctuary) - Wednesday (12/7) 7:30pm



> Adult Bible Study (Koinonia Lounge) - next Thursday (12/8) 10am


> P.W. Talbot Circle (Koinonia Lounge) - next Thursday (12/8) noon


The Reason for the Season Event (Family Life Center & Sanctuary) - Saturday (12/10) 3-6pm


*Please contact the church office to schedule a meeting or make changes so we can keep everyone up to date. Thank you!

"Changing Lives Through God's Love in Christ"

Contact us with your questions and needs...
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