October 25 - November 1, 2024

Below are the weekly programs. You can find brief descriptions of these weekly programs on our website. Clickable links are in blue and italicized.

SUNDAY Choir Practice, 9 am in person, Sanctuary

Contact Tom Ludwig, if interested

SUNDAY Morning Worship, 10 am in person and via Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/97010988439 Password: betogether

SUNDAY, 11:30 a.m. Bible Study in person and on Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/262314649 Not Oct 27

MONDAY - FRIDAY, 8 am Morning Devotion

https://zoom.us/j/94276813637

Below are the upcoming non-weekly events on the calendar happening at McFarland UCC for about the next month. All events are on the McFarland UCC calendar with Zoom links and additional information in the details/description area. Click the event on the McFarland UCC calendar to see the details.

Sunday, November 3, 10:00 am, Birthday & Communion Sunday (Daylight Savings Time ends)

Sunday, November 3, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Teen Youth Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Racial Justice Care Team Monthly Meeting, (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room

Sunday, November 10, 5:30 - 6:45 pm, Younger Youth Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Healing Prayer Service (In person & Online), Sanctuary

Thursday, November 14, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, SaLT Monthly Meeting, (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room

Tuesday, November 19, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Creation Care Team Meeting, (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room

Prayer Requests? Contact Jean Duchrow or Lavon Geasland.

Thank you to this weekend's volunteers!

Greeters/Ushers:  Diane Mikelbank

Hospitality Hosts:

Sign up as Greeter/Usher Questions? Contact Becky Cohen

Sign up as Hospitality Host Questions? Contact Joan Jacobsen

MUCC - A Church With Heart

How quickly our worlds can turn upside down when Mother Nature throws us an unexpected weather event like the tremendous hurricanes recently. But just as quickly, we can feel our sense of gratitude and compassion for others burst with energy of wanting to help someone caught in the life altering event. 

 We often want to roll up our sleeves and help our neighbors but may not know the best way to do it. The Wisconsin Conference UCC has passed along a request from Church World Service for a very important need for survivors of the hurricanes: hygiene & clean up kits.

Due to the short time for turn around, we have decided at MUCC to ONLY collect monetary donations through this Sunday, Oct 27. A small group will shop on Monday and assemble the kits to deliver by Friday, Nov 1. Please consider placing even a small a donation in the basket this Sunday. Checks may be written to McFarland UCC with a note in the memo line for "disaster relief" or "hurricane fund." Similarly, you may use the online donation via the MUCC website using the general fund and write in a note that your donation is for the disaster fund. 

The Wisconsin Conference will coordinate getting our kits to Church World Service who is authorized to go into disaster areas to provide direct help. By putting together hygiene kits, we will help to minimize public health emergencies that can follow natural disasters.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them (Matthew 9:36a).  

Please contact Julie Woodward or Becky Cohen with questions.

Winter Coat and Clothing Donation Request

Now - Thanksgiving

Paul Hundt from the Madison Area Jail Ministry has a request: If you have a gently used winter coat, hat, gloves, or boots that you would like to donate to share the love of God with those less fortunate, the Dane County Jail Ministry is accepting donations for those being released from the Dane County Jail and are in immediate need for a winter jacket and winter clothing: 

Winter Coats: Men’s, Women's, and unisex sizes L, XL, XXL, 3X, 4X 

Men's and women's: pants and sweatshirts sizes Medium to 2XL.

Please drop any donations at the McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Road, McFarland at the church office during business hours Monday-Thursday 8 am-4 pm and Friday 8 am-12 pm before Thanksgiving. Donations may be left outside the office if you choose to drop off items on Saturdays 5-6 pm or Sundays 7:30-11:30 am.

If you have any questions about this need, email Paul Hundt with the Madison Area Jail Ministry.

Carpet and Chair Cleaning Next Week

The carpeting and sanctuary chairs will be cleaned next week (Oct. 28-31). Please plan accordingly as the building will have only limited access.

Anyone available on Monday, Oct. 28 at 9 am to help with preparation work is welcome.

A Research Survey - Add Your Voice!

Our congregation has been asked to participate in a national survey to gather information about churches and their congregations post-pandemic.

SaLT and Pastor Bryan encourage your participation in this survey. It is available online (click here) and paper copies are available in the Fellowship Hall on the table outside the sanctuary. Everyone is asked to complete a 10-15 minute survey. To watch a short informational video about this survey, click here. Viewing is optional. We think McFarland UCC is unique and our input would add value to the research because we are a thriving church. Next year, results will be shared with us. Click here for additional information.

Weekly Creation Care Tips

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

This week’s Tip: Reduce: Help keep our streets leaf-free this fall. Per Sustain Dane (Facebook), more than 50% of the annual amount of phosphorus in urban stormwater can come from leaves in the street! When it rains, stormwater flows through leaf piles and pushes phosphorus through storm sewers which end up in nearby water and lead to harmful algae blooms. Sign up for Ripple-Effects Wisconsin Leaf-free Street Rain Alerts (text or email) reminding you when rain is on the way and it’s time to remove street leaves this fall.

Pastor Bryan Away through October 30

Tom Ludwig to preach 10/27

If pastoral support is needed, contact

• Jean Duchrow jeanduchrow56@gmail.com (608-335-3773)
• Lavon Geasland lgeasland@yahoo.com (608-298-7094)

In case of more extreme emergencies, Pastor Kris Gorton of Memorial UCC in Fitchburg will also be available (608-438-6307).