Let's Share Thanksgiving on Saturday

Join us this Saturday (11/18) at 4pm for our annual Thanksgiving Worship Service with our friends from First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay. The service will feature a special message from Rev. Katie Estes, music from a choir of singers from both churches, and a special offering to support the Presbyterian Pantry.

At around 5pm following worship, the whole community is invited to join us for a special Agape Thanksgiving Dinner. Our Connecting Ministry will be serving a free Thanksgiving meal for all of us to share in our Family Life Center. Invite your friends and neighbors and join us for an early Thanksgiving celebration!

Plans for This Sunday

Join us for worship at 9am this Sunday (11/19) when we'll read together 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and Matthew 24:14-30 (*click for links) and take a closer look at the Parable of the Talents. What do the talents represent, and how is Jesus calling each one of us to live our lives as his disciples? Hope you'll join us!

> Service recordings are available about an hour after the service is completed on our website and Facebook page (*find links at end of this newsletter). This week our Joyful Noise group will be playing "Whom Share I Fear," and "Soul on Fire." Click on the titles for video links to help you become more familiar with them.

Sunday School for All Ages 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) - This Sunday (11/19), Pastor Luke and Scott McPherson will continue their Adult Bible study based on the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This week will focus on the importance of treating people with dignity and respect as Jesus Christ demonstrated in his ministry. The sign George Bailey's office wall said, "All you take with you is that which you have given away." Our lives aren't measured in terms of how much money and fame we aquire, but rather in that which we can give to our fellow human beings. See you Sunday!

Youth Group This Week

Our youth will wrap up their unit on "service" this Sunday (11/19) from 6-7:30pm, This photo shows one of several blankets they tied last Sunday for our local fire department. They'll also have the chance to shop for teenager gifts for the De Pere Christian Outreach Christmas Store.

Sharing the Love

The season of Advent (four weeks preceding the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas) begins on Sunday, December 3. As we continue our tradition at First United, we're looking for individuals, couples, friends, or families who'd like to lead the congregation one Sunday in the lighting of our Advent candles. We're looking for the four Sundays in December (3, 10, 17, & 24) as well as during the Christmas Eve Service (12/24) at 5pm. If you're interested, please reach out to Pastor Meggan (pastormeggan.fupc@gmail.com or 920-246-9030) and play a part in this magical time of the year.

Giving Tuesday's Less than 2 weeks away

Giving Tuesday - the "National Day of Giving" following Thanksgiving - is coming on Tuesday (11/28). You can help make a meaningful difference by giving an extra gift to support the ministries of First United including our children and youth programs, VBS, the General Mission Fund, community outreach programs, and so much more. Help us reach our Giving Tuesday goal of $2,500. To make your donation online, click HERE or use the special pew envelopes during worship.

It's Almost Tea Time

All are invited to join us for our annual Presbyterian Women Christmas Tea coming on Sunday (12/3) at 3pm in the Koinonia Lounge. This popular, holiday celebration let's attendees enjoy fellowship, treats, and a very special program. Everyone's welcome!

Mark Your Calendar

Join us for our third annual holiday gathering called The Reason for the Season coming Saturday (12/9) from 3-6pm. This free community event will offer two soup choices, hot cocoa, wassail, cookie decorating, crafts (including wreath making), the Nativity walk, M&M Meaning of Christmas, kitchen tile ornaments, and more! We'll be crafting first, then we'll partake in a "Pop Up Pageant" involving everyone and enjoying a meal together. As always, bring your friends and neighbors!

Christmas Pageant 2023

Hey families! This year's Christmas Pageant will be a part of our 5pm Christmas Eve service. We'll plan a run through for all ages during Sunday School time on December 17. There will be a rehearsal for narrators (youth) and speaking characters (3rd - 5th grade) on Saturday, December 23, at 9am. Contact Pastor Meggan if you have any other with questions.

Dining Divas Christmas Party Plans

Our Dining Divas will be gathering at Melissa Rusk's home for their annual "Favorite Things" Christmas Party on Tuesday (12/19) from 6pm-8pm. If you're interested in carpooling (Melissa's house can be challenging to find), meet at the church at 5:30pm. Please bring a dish to share. If you want to participate in a fun gift exchange, bring three of your favorite things (valued at $10 each - the same or similar). If you have any questions or want to R.S.V.P., reach out to Pastor Meggan, Debbie Spiegel, or Rachel O'Brien.

P.W. Books are Going Fast

The Presbyterian Women Used Book Sale is well underway. During November, you'll find lots of choices in our Family Life Center on Sunday mornings and during church office hours. They're only $1 for hard covers and 50 cents for paperbacks. Find great bargains for your winter reading!

The Christmas Store Needs Your Help

We're one of the eight area churches working together to coordinate the D.P.C.O. Christmas Store which is held in our Family Life Center for the community.

> Our Giving Trees are located around the church. Please take a tag or two, purchase the item(s) listed, and return them soon. Thanks to the many who are already filling our boxes! If you’d rather make a monetary donation, make checks payable to "De Pere Christian Outreach" and put "Christmas Store" in the memo area.

> Volunteers are needed to help sort and store Christmas gifts as our donation boxes get filled. Please just show up from 10am until noon on Tuesdays (11/21 & 28) and Thursdays (TODAY & 11/23). Thanks!

> Volunteers are also needed to help set up, operate, and clean up at the actual store in December. If you can help, please click on the dates listed below for links to sign up:

Friday (12/1), Saturday (12/2), Monday (12/4), Tuesday (12/5), Wednesday (12/6), or Thursday (12/7). Thanks so much for your continuing support!

They're Back!

Our Men's Club 66th Annual Fruitcake Sale is rolling! While supplies last, you can purchase these popular holiday treats after church or in the church office Monday through Thursday from 10am-12:30pm for $15. Proceeds will support the ministries of First United.

November

Elder of the Month

 Jen Van de Hei

November

Deacons of the Month

Michele Griffith

Cassie Griffin

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)

We Offer Many Ways to Give

*Monthly Auto Bank Withdrawals

*“Bill Pay” from your Bank

*Weekly Numbered Boxed Envelopes

*White Pew Envelopes

*Blue “I Give” Monthly Pew Cards

*QR Code on Blue Pew Card

*“Give Now” button on FUPC website

*PS: We still accept cash too.



For more information,

contact our Treasurer, Ken Nyberg

THIS WEEK

Wednesday (11/15) - Tyler Bredael

NEXT WEEK

Tuesday (11/21) - Brody Mouw

Wednesday (11/22) - Karen Hanold

Saturday (11/25) - Abby Renier, Craig Cuene, & Mert Bayer

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

"Changing Lives Through God's Love in Christ"

Contact us with your needs and questions...