We Are God's Beloved

From the Pastor

We begin our Fall Programming this Sunday, Sept. 8 with Worship, a potluck, and an opportunity to reconnect as a community (and welcome any visitors). We hope you can join us!

In Worship we will reflect on Jesus' first teaching after he was baptized and told by the Spirit of God that he was God's beloved Son. He returned to his hometown synagogue and shared what could be called in political language his 'platform' - through the reading of the scripture from Luke 4:18-19. Then he began his teaching and the response of his hometown people was shocking! They tried to kill him because he pushed their prejudicial buttons!

This story is a reminder to us, as followers and disciples of Jesus, that just as Jesus was identified as God's beloved, so too are we each God's beloved and that his 'platform' is our 'platform'. And so, this story is a good story to begin our Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 program - reminding us of our belovedness and our call - to bear God's Love and Liberation as Zwingli UCC. I hope you will join us on Sunday (and invite your friends)! I look forward to meeting visitors and any members I have not yet met!

Blessings,

Karla

Fall Welcome Sunday

September 8

Bring your favorite entrée, special salad, amazing dessert, or whatever you feel like making.

Bring your family and friends with you to church or invite neighbors. There is always enough food!

Donations for Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

due this Sunday, September 8

If you have questions, contact Jeanette Bossingham at 608-345-7266.

Order the book yourself, or pick one up at the church (we will be ordering a batch from Amazon -- help us know how many to order by contacting Pastor Karla asap if you would like us to order one for you so it can arrive in time for you to read the first chapter for the first gathering). The cost is $11.93 (make checks out to Zwingli UCC)

Neighbors In Need Offering

You are invited to contribute to this offering through September and early October. We will dedicate these offerings on Sunday Oct. 6.

Thank you for your contribution!

Palestinian Pastor, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb Speaks in Madison

Sept. 8, 7-8:30 pm

(or you can watch live or the recording)

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is returning to Madison and speaking on Sept. 8! He is a Palestinian Lutheran Pastor from Bethlehem, a friend of the Wisconsin Conference UCC, and the founder and President of the Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem -- investing in the future of young Palestinians. He will be giving an update on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank in the midst of the horrendous Israel-Gaza war.

If you would like to attend and missed the pre-registration, you can register at the door. It's free! You can also watch it live streamed or a recording later from the Midvale Lutheran Church Facebook page To hear his Oct. 22, 2023 two minute talk giving history and info on Christians in Gaza, go here.

Wisconsin Conference UCC offers Class on Paul!

Last Sunday in Worship we explored Church Stories and a large focus was on St. Paul who had a major role in the early church. If you are interested in learning more about St. Paul, the Wisconsin Conference UCC invites you to check out this opportunity - Faith Foundations: Reading Paul (which begins mid September so check it out now)!

Zwingli United Church of Christ

www.paoliucc.com

https://www.facebook.com/zwingliuccpaoli/

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

PO Box 530, Belleville, WI 53508

"A small church with a big

and open heart!"

Pastor

Rev. Karla Schmidt

pastor.zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

608-572-4557

Kathie Wagner, Administrative Assistant

zwingliuccpaoli@gmail.com

Phone: 608-845-5641