First United Sunday Update August 22, 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 This morning we welcomed back the Farwells and shared a beautiful baptism. We also explored how God’s Word can help equip us for life’s struggles and how we Christians can prepare ourselves and our loved ones to meet the spiritual challenges we face every day. 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 bottom).

From This Week's "Taking Faith Home" Read: John 6:56-71 It is difficult to have a conversation about Jesus without a strong reaction. Many of these reactions are experienced in our text from John 6. Some people hear the news of Jesus as the bread of life and complain that the message is difficult or offensive. Others simply experience disbelief. Some reject the message of Jesus and others actively pursue a path of betrayal. In the midst all of these naysayers, Peter states words the church has sung throughout its history: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69). If truth be told, we have likely found ourselves in most - if not all - of those various groups. Such is the humble and challenging life of faith. At different moments of our lives, we, too, respond differently to the message and the presence of Jesus in our lives. When have you or someone you know sounded like a naysayer to Jesus as the Holy One of God? What moves us from disbelief to hope and from rejection to trust? Prayer Dear God, give us hearts of love and faith that dare to trust that Jesus is the bread of life, the Holy One of God, who brings to us the words of eternal life. 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.

You Never Know Who You Might See! Our Sunday Bike Rides provide a great way to exercise and enjoy some time with church friends! This afternoon (8/22) at 4pm, you're invited to meet at Spring Green Park in Howard to ride the Mountain Bay Trail. For all the details and the complete schedule, check our church website.

An Amazing Gift Last month, we announced that an anonymous donor had offered an amazing financial gift to build a playground for our church family and community. This week, construction was completed (with a few final touches still to come)! We greatly appreciate the donor’s generosity and are very excited for the playground to help us become an even more welcoming place for all ages.

Special Support Gathering Come spend some time with us this Thursday (8/26) at 10am for our monthly Woe-Be-Gone Gathering in the Koinonia Lounge. We'd love to have all of you join us for this monthly supportive time as we read scripture, share, pray, and listen to one another. Everyone's invited!

P.W. Plans Esther Circle will be starting up in September with a Bible Study called, "What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning From Women in Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus." Meetings will be on the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30am. You'll need to order a study book, if you don't have one. Contact Julie Mackey (920-217-8341) to order.

Important Date Coming Sunday, September 12, is the date for our Rally Day 2021 kicking off a new program year with some new start times! On that day, our worship service will begin at 9am, and Bibles will be distributed to our 4K, 3rd grade, and 6th grade students. After church and some fellowship time, Sunday School classes will begin at 10:30 for all ages preschool through adult. We're really excited for a great fall of worshiping and learning together!

Only Five Weeks Away! Our exciting, new event called Fall Fest 2021 is set for Saturday, September 25! It'll include raffles for lots of prize baskets (tickets available soon), a "Corn Hole" tournament, kids' games, a dunk tank, and MORE! Our Fall Fest will also feature an amazing pig roast plus burgers and hot dogs to feast on. Advanced meal tickets are on sale now after church and in the church office during the week. A roasted pig plate with sauerkraut dressing, and coleslaw is $15. A hamburger plate with beans and coleslaw is $10, and a kid's plate with a hot dog and chips is $5. Ordering in advance will really help us with our event planning. Keep watching for more details about how you can register your "Corn Hole" team and get raffle tickets for chances to a prize basket. If you need more information, call Amy Cassidy (336-1994) or Dawn Picard (246-3279). It's going to be quite a day!

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

Supporting Our Area Partners Ecumenical Partnership for Housing is an local organization dedicated to finding safety, stability, and permanent solutions for area homeless families. Our church has been involved with them for many years. Please help them celebrate their new program, new staff, and new friends at an Open House coming on Sunday, September 12 from 11am until 2pm. Watch for more details as the date gets closer.

THIS WEEK TODAY (8/22) - Beth Paulson & Hillary Dauffenbach-Tabb Monday (8/23) - Sue Planert & Leanne Foeller Tuesday (8/24) - Greyson Hamp Wednesday (8/25) - Eric Parks Thursday (8/26) - Julie Mackey Friday (8/27) - Jase Maroszek & Kari Jensen Saturday (8/28) - Lee Richardson NEXT WEEK Sunday (8/29) - Peg Hardt Monday (8/30) - Caylee Griffin Tuesday (8/31) - Judy Nighorn Wednesday (9/1) - Wanda Bauer & Sean Macklem Thursday (9/2) - Korbin Blahnik Friday (9/3) - Debbie Geurts Saturday (9/4) - Amanda Thorpe & Debbie Johnson Why not call, email, or send them a card?

> Sunday Bike Ride (Mountain Bay Trail, Howard) - TODAY (8/22) 4pm > Session Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (8/23) 6:30pm > P.W. 4th Tuesday Readers (Koinonia Lounge) - Tuesday (8/24) 1pm > Woe-Be-Gone Gathering (Koinoia Lounge) - Thursday (8/26) 10am > Papercrafting (Rooms 12-13) - Saturday (8/28) 10am-3pm > Sunday Worship Service - Sunday (8/29) 9:45am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website) > Christian Ed. Ministry Meeting (Middle High Room) - Sunday (8/29) 11am > Deacons Meeting (Room 11) - Monday (8/30) 6pm > D.P.C.O. Christmas Store Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Tuesday (8/31) 1pm > Agape Drive-Thru Dinner - Wednesday (9/1) 5:45pm > Dead Reformers Society (Zambaldi's) - Tuesday (9/7) 7pm *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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