First United Sunday Update January 16, 2022

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.

Sunday Morning Recap This morning (1/16) at 9am, Lynnee Schmidt shared a message of reflection, love, and challenge as she said goodbye to our church family due to a move to Utah after 28 years of membership. She focused on the word "united," exploring what it is that unites us and how we can be united moving forward. If you weren't able to join us, you can watch a recording whenever it's convenient for you on our website or on our Facebook page (*see links at bottom). After the service, we enjoyed Coffee Fellowship Time and Sunday School classes for all ages at 10:30am. CORE/JAM Youth Group will get together this evening (1/16) at 6pm to have their special weekly time together.

From This Week's "Taking Faith Home" Read: John 2:1-11 The wedding at Cana contains Jesus’ first public sign of his glory. The full intent of the sign is not completely disclosed for his hour has not yet come. His hour of glory that shows the depth of God’s love and mercy will happen with his death on a cross. This first sign points to a deep understanding of Jesus’ whole ministry. It is about abundance that brings joy. The amount of wine Jesus provides from the water jars was excessive, and it tasted very good. Wine in the Bible was meant to gladden the heart. It was associated with a future divine banquet as well as daily hospitality and celebration. The sign of changing water into wine at a wedding feast introduces Jesus’ ministry as overflowing with goodness, joy, and love. It turns our shame and embarrassment (like a bridegroom’s shame for running out of wine) into simple delight without limits, without measure. It leads us to long for more of what Jesus has in store for us. Discuss: When have you experienced God’s abundant love in your life? Prayer God of love, give us joy in your presence that we may be a sign of your love to others through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 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.

Funeral Plans Today This afternoon (1/16), we'll be holding a Service to the Witness of the Resurrection for Allan Russell. A visitation time will begin at 1pm followed by the service at 2pm. Join us for a celebration of his life, and please keep Allan's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Burns Night Benefit Dinner Was Served Last night (1/15) was our big event - the Burns Night Dinner at St. Norbert celebrating the great Scottish poet Robert Burns for the benefit of the Presbyterian Pantry. It was a wonderful evening full of fun, food, music, raffles, and festivities! (A few kilts were even carried over to this morning's worship service by several attendees.)

Confirmation Plans This evening (1/16) at 5:40pm, we'll be holding a brief meeting about the 2022 Confirmation Class (prior to Youth Group) in the Youth Media/Game Room. Confirmation is open to all youth Grade 9 and above who have not yet joined the church. Letters and emails were sent out to those who are eligible. If you do not receive a letter and are interested, please contact the church office or Pastor Meggan.

Group Returns This Week    Our new Bible Study Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays each month. Pastor Luke will lead the group on Tuesday (1/18) from 10 to 11:30am in the Koinonia Lounge. The goal is educate and provide a chance for discussion and application in today's world. Newcomers are always welcome!

How's Your Volleyball Game? We're forming a team again for this year's co-ed church league. We began play last week and will continue playing every Friday at 7pm at Calvary Lutheran Church (1301 Ridge Road). Please contact Steve Warner (warner@new.rr.com or 920-405-8808) for more information. You must be in high school or older.

Where's Jesus? Have you joined in our fun weekly challenge? An adorable Jesus doll will be placed somewhere within our church each week. This week, he was sitting on the shelf in our Narthex above the drop off point for the Presbyterian Women's winter clothing collection for the NEW Community Shelter! He'll be in a new spot each week, so keep looking for Jesus!

New Way to Honor a Special Date Have you ever wanted to donate flowers to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or remember a special person on a specific Sunday? You've always been able to sign up on the list in the Family Life Center or by contacting the church office. Now we've also gone digital with our sign up sheet! Click HERE (or on the link at the end of this newsletter) to reach our new electronic signup sheet. Thanks!

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

THIS WEEK Monday (1/17) - Betty Pajkos & Andrea Thorpe Tuesday (1/18) - Jill Huguet, Mark Elsenheimer, & Debby Cordova Wednesday (1/19) - Michelle Lake & Sue Lester Thursday (1/20) - Sarah Parks, Curt Ferrier, & Daniel Pointer NEXT WEEK Monday (1/24) - Nancy Rosenthal, Phyllis LaRock, & Andy Parks Thursday (1/27) - Sue Hutchison Friday (1/28) - Sandy Steffen Why not send them a card or email or call?

> Allan Russell Visitation & Funeral (Sanctuary) - Today (1/16) visitation 1pm - service 2pm > Confirmation Class Planning Mtg. (Youth Media Room) - Today (1/16) 5:40pm > CORE/JAM Youth Group (Youth Media Room) - This evening (1/16) 6pm > Session Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (1/17) 6:30pm > Bible Study Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Tuesday (1/18) 10am > "Joyful Noise" Praise Band rehearsal (Sanctuary) - Wednesday (1/19) 6:30pm > Church Volleyball Game (Calvary Lutheran Church - 1301 Ridge Road) - Friday (1/21) 7pm > Papercrafting Group (Rooms 12-13) - Saturday (1/22) 10am-3pm > Sunday Worship - next Sunday (1/23) 9am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website) > Coffee Fellowship (Family Life Center) - next Sunday (1/23) after worship > Sunday School for all ages - next Sunday (1/23) 10:30am *Please contact the church office to schedule a meeting or make changes so we can keep everyone up to date. Thank you!

"Changing Lives Through God's Love in Christ" Contact us with your questions and needs...

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