A Weekly Newsletter of The First United Methodist Church
Thursday, August 18
Sunday Worship
Reconciling Ministries Sunday
Message: Rev. Sue Laurie
Music:  Perfect Harmony Men's Chorus; 
 Dave Woolpert, Euphonium and Steve Tweed, Tuba
 
Worship: 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary
Coffee Fellowship: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Sue Laurie 
Guest Preacher this Sunday

Rev. Sue Laurie will be our guest preacher for Reconciling Ministries/Pride Sunday. Sue earned her MDiv at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1995. Openly lesbian in that setting and process, she was denied ordination by the UMC, but continued in ministry, finding paths of service. For eight years she was the National Outreach Coordinator for Reconciling Ministries Network. Having received many affirmations and even clergy stoles as gifts over the years, Sue celebrated a grassroots ordination at the Portland General Conference in May.
Join Us for Madison ' s Pride Parade
Sunday, August 21
  • 11:30 a.m. - Light lunch in Fellowship Hall
  • 12:45 p.m. -  Gather in Parade Lineup on State Street
  • 1 p.m. - Parade Begins 
We will not have a band this year, but our entry in the parade will include a pickup truck, which will allow a few people to sit in lawn chairs in the back of the truck (bring your own lawn chair) or to ride in the cab. Even if you 're not able to "march" in the parade, you can still be part of our parade entry! Join us for a fun time as we witness to our neighbors.
Discussion with Mark Pocan
Tuesday, August 23
11:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Earlier this summer Rep. Mark Pocan went on a delegation trip to Israel/Palestine with several other members of Congress. Come spend your lunch hour with Mark and find out what he saw, heard and learned on this historic fact-finding mission.
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Backpacks-for-Food Drive
Sundays, August 21 and 28

The Food for Thought Initiative is partnering with schools in Madison to open school-based food pantries. Using backpacks reduces the stigma some students feel about needing food, allowing them to carry food home to their families without peers knowing. On our two "Backpack Sundays"please bring new or gently used backpacks suitable for high school students to the church and place in the receptacle in the Octagon. Thank you for supporting this ministry.
Bring a Symbol of Your Labor
Sunday, September 4

On Sunday, September 4 we will join many other congregations across the nation to celebrate Labor in the Pulpit Sunday. Please bring a symbol of your labor to contribute to a collection that will be recognized and blessed during worship.  Think broadly about your labor: paid employment, volunteer work or assistance offered others.
Joys & Concerns
We extend our love and sympathy to Rev. Tina Lang and her family upon the death of her mother, Leah Sailor, on Saturday, August 13. A memorial service will be held at First Church on Wednesday, August 31 at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.  Read Obituary > 
Announcements
Summer Harvest of Good Books & More
Sundays, 10:30 a.m., Chapel
This Sunday Doug Caves reviews Nathaniel Philbrook 's latest work, Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution.  More Details > 
Just Bakery
Just Bakery products will be available for purchase this Sunday in the Octagon. More Info>
Black Marigold Concert
Saturday, August 27
7 p.m., Fellowship Hall
Enjoy a free concert by this local wind quintet. More Info>
More About "Adopt-Block" Program
See how First Church is involved in our neighborhood.
Weekly Sermon Video Available
Did you know? You can listen to each week 's 9 a.m. worship service and watch a video of the sermon on the church 's website.
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203 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
608-256-9061