|
Hen House Weekly E-News
December 5, 2025
Why Hen House? The friendly chatter before Worship on Sundays reminds us of a Hen House! Since Jesus identified himself as a Mother Hen and, as an historical farm church, we enjoy being God's ‘Hen House’ and welcome everyone (town, urban, and rural) to our Worship and other programs - and invite you to even make Zwingli your Church home. The United Church of Christ values all people!
| | |
This Sunday we will celebrate the second Sunday of Advent. Each Sunday we light our Advent candle and lift up one of the blessings of Jesus for our world. Last Sunday it was Hope. This Sunday it is Peace. We will also celebrate Holy Communion and, after Worship, enjoy Friendship Time with each other.
Sunday is also the John the Baptist Sunday with a focus on Matthew's telling of his story (Matthew 3:1-12). John always enters our churches on the second Sunday of Advent dressed in camel hair, eating locusts and wild honey -- and calling us to the way of repentance! He can be annoying! Yet, his message of repentance is important in Advent. He calls us into recognizing where our lives are dominated by our ego desires, fears, prejudices, . . . and to open to the way of Jesus, a change in consciousness, through the spiritual practice of repentance.
In her book, The Wisdom Jesus, theologian Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault teaches that the Greek word we translate as 'repentance' is metanoia. Meta means 'beyond' or 'large' and noia means 'mind'. So repentance/metanoia means to go 'beyond the mind' or to go 'into the larger mind'. It's about going beyond our small ego based self (all about me) and into the larger mind of Christ consciousness -- of love, compassion, justice, and peace. Go here or the above image and more reflection on this understanding of repentance,
While we often feel shame when we think of repentance, shaming is not God's intention in the call to repentance -- rather it's an opportunity to turn our lives around to ways that are life-giving for ourselves and others. Pastor Paul Dazet tells us that Romans 2:4 reminds us, “It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.” Pastor Dazet goes on to say:
"Not fear. Not punishment. Kindness. Metanoia is the Spirit’s gentle whisper after the moment, saying: 'You can still become. You can still grow. You’re being reshaped by Love.' Then it’s our turn, to either move with the rhythm of grace or resist it. The invitation is open. The music is playing."
So, in this Advent season, what change into the Larger Mind and Heart of Christ do you sense God's grace is guiding you into?
| |
|
Prayer List
Today, we invite you to keep in prayer:
Those suffering from drought, famine, accidents, fires, storms, flooding, tornados, excessive heat, violence, homelessness, illness, war in their communities.
Nations in crisis: Nigeria, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Prayers for those countries, farmers, companies and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war. The people of Pine Ridge Reservation and all Native Peoples.
For wise, compassionate leadership in our Executive, legislative and judicial branches of govt, and citizen action. For Civil Servants, immigrants, international students, and others facing uncertainty under the policies of the new administration and now under this government shutdown.
| | | | |
Dec. 7 - Worship with Holy Communion
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm
Dec. 28 - Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Worship Service
No Brunch Bunch gathering in December
| | |
Many thanks to our decorating crew for making the sanctuary festive again this year! We had two events: Kriss Ace and Michelle Tollefson brought in the poinsettias, set up the tree and started the decorating of the church. Then on Saturday morning before the storm picked up, Petra Streiff, and Larry Stuessy, finished the decorating!
| | |
Cookies for Kelsch: We would like to say “thanks” to Kelsch for allowing us to use their parking lot each week. Please bring one dozen cookies to church on December 14. If you can stay after Worship and help package the cookies, please do so. Debbie would appreciate your help! They will be delivered on the 15th.
| | |
A Big Thanks to our Heat Heroes!
Early this week the heat sensors at the church sent a message that the temperature was low. Faith and Brian checked it out and the thermostat wasn't working (new batteries weren't the answer this time). So Faith purchased a new thermostat and Larry B installed it! We now have heat again! Many thanks to Larry S for getting the sensors (provided free from our insurance company) and Faith, Brian and Larry B for fixing the problem!!
| | |
Zwingli Singers are back! Sunday, December 14!
Our group of singers returns to bless us with their music in Worship on Sunday December 14! They will be leading us in two of our songs. If you are interested in singing with them, contact Petra Streiff for more information on the music, rehearsal times and any questions you have.
| | |
Sunday, Dec. 28 Worship
Christmas Carol Sing-a-long!
What are your favorite carols? And why are they special to you? Is it something in the lyrics that speaks to your heart? Or do they bring up a special memory?
On Sunday December 28, our Worship Service will highlight a Carol Sing-a-long! If you have favorite carols you'd like us to sing, please send an email to Pastor Karla (or text or call) by Tuesday, December 16! Hopefully we can sing all those that are shared (but might only be able to sing a verse or two). We hope you'll join us -- and invite your friends and family!
| | |
The Village Brass invites you to
A FREE Concert to benefit THE BELLEVILLE FOOD PANTRY
Sunday, December 14 at 2 pm
First United Church of Christ
130 East Church Street
Belleville, WI
Free-will offering or non-perishable food items for the Pantry are welcome.
| | |
Scam Alert for Churches!
Local churches are reporting this scam is once again active in our area (one we experienced last year). So this is a reminder that if you receive a text or email from our pastor asking for gift cards, email info, contact info, etc., please do not respond. We appreciate your open hearts willing to help out but Pastor Karla and Zwingli will never ask for gift cards money or sensitive information by email or text. If there is a ministry need, we will contact you in person or by phone (and you will recognize it is us). Not everyone may read this message so please share this information with others from Zwingli.
| | |
Flicker Wild Church
Save the Date for our next sacred circle - Winter Solstice, Dec 21 @ Holy Wisdom Monastery. Gathering starts around 2pm with a circle start of 3pm. If you have questions or want to attend with others from Zwingli, contact Pastor Karla
| | |
Christmas Fund Special Offering
For more than a century, The Christmas Fund has been a beacon of love and care -- providing direct financial assistance to the healers in our lives: retired and active UCC ministers, faithful church workers, and their families. In 2024 alone, The Christmas Fund offered more than $1.7 million in support, touching the lives of 766 individuals across the UCC. This generosity made hope tangible. It meant: A couple could hear each other clearly again with the gift of hearing aids; A family found safety through a plane ticket out of a war-torn land, Mounting medical bills were eased during a time of deep crisis. Each gift represented more than financial relief -- they were a reminder of God's presence and the Church's love. This year, we are invited to join the Christmas Fund Community of compassion. On Dec. 21st we will dedicate your contributions to this special offering of the UCC. Please bring or mail your offerings to the Church by then if possible (although we will receive any that come later). In the subject line of your checks, write Christmas Fund.
| | |
HEIFER PROJECT!!
The Heifer giving project is now underway. We are doing something we have done in the past which was donating towards one main item which is Water. You can put loose $$ or checks payable to: Zwingli UCC-Paoli - (put Heifer donation in the memo) in a box with a open slot on the display. All monies received will be added up at the end of December and sent in one check to HEIFER on behalf of Zwingli UCC-Paoli. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
| | |
Weather Cancellations this Winter
It's winter in Wisconsin so we want to remind you that if the weather looks bad, be sure to check your email or FB (Zwingli UCC - Paoli) on Sunday mornings. We will send out an email or post a message by 8 am on Sunday. We do have a list of those who don't have access to email or FB and prefer a text or phone call (if you aren't sure if you are on this list, please contact our pastor to check).
| | |
Respiratory Virus Season is Here!
While the Dane County Public Health Dept says respiratory illness are low right now, we have heard of some folk getting sick so the season is beginning. Take good care of yourselves and if you are feeling ill, take proper precautions to prevent spreading what you have! This dashboard is updated every Thursday: https://publichealthmdc.com/your-health/respiratory-illness/dashboard
| | |
Opportunities for Citizen Advocacy through letters to Congress
The United Church of Christ offers us the opportunity to learn more about bills before Congress and voice our opinions to our legislators. They make it very easy to send an email. Check out the many topics on their page: https://www.ucc.org/action-center/. The most recent one is: Provide Robust Support for Disaster Recovery and Relief Efforts. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
| | The Southern Region of the Wisconsin Conference UCC publishes Shalom, a monthly e-newsletter featuring events and happenings within the Conference, including Zwingli. Click here to check it out! | | | | |
