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.

Mark Your Calendar!

Don't forget, our Men's Club will host their traditional Fat Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Dinner next Tuesday (2/13) at 5pm. It'll be the day before Ash Wednesday with suggested donations of $5 for adults and $3 for youth. Proceeds will support the Ministries of First United. The public is welcome, so tell your neighbors and friends to come join us!

The Lenten Season Begins Next Week

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season - the 40 days leading up to Easter. It's a solemn reminder of our human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. If you'd like to receive the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday (2/14), you can join us for a drive-through opportunity on that day from noon to 1pm. Everyone's also invited to join us for our special worship service that evening at 7pm in our sanctuary.

Plans for Sunday

Join us for worship this Sunday (2/11) at 9am, as we read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 and Mark 9:2-9 (click for links). On this last Sunday before Lent begins, we will be reminded of Jesus' Transfiguration, which revealed to some of his disciples who Jesus was all along. We will learn that, in order to experience God's fullness in our own lives, we need to simply open our minds and our hearts to God's presence.

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

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

This week, we continue our study of Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus with our focus on chapters 3 and 4 of Ephesians. Join Pastor Luke in the Koinonia Lounge at 10:30am.

Youth Group Special Event

Join us this Sunday (2/11) for a Super Bowl Party at the McPherson's house at 5pm. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. The main course will be provided. In addition to watching the game, we'll have our own fun, games, and activities. Pickup should be during or after halftime. See you there!

Book Study for the Season



You're invited to participate in a special six-week Lenten Book Study of The Prodigal God beginning next week. The book explores the story of "The Prodigal Son" found in the Gospel of Luke. The study will be offered two times each week beginning on Ash Wednesday (2/14) at 11am or on Thursday (2/15) at 7pm (you can come to either one each week). If you plan on participating, please sign up at the Welcome Center at church to receive a copy of the book or contact Pastors Luke or Meggan (see email links below). A donation of $10 is suggested to help cover the cost of the books. Thanks to 13 who've already registered!

Annual Meeting & Potluck

Our church's Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday (2/18) after worship to review our Annual Report and highlight our church's activities for 2023. Copies of the Annual Report will be sent to you electronically, and a few printed copies will be made available. Following the meeting, we'll all join together for a special Potluck Gathering in the Family Life Center. Everyone's asked to bring a dish to share. *If your last name begins with A - L, please bring a dessert, and if your last name begins with M - Z, please bring a hot dish or salad.

Presbyterian Women Update

> The P.W. Talbot Circle Gathering will take place TODAY (2/8) at noon in the Koinonia Lounge.

> The P.W. Esther Circle Bible Study will gather on Wednesday (2/21) at 9:30am in the Koinonia Lounge.

The Highlands are Calling!

Our "An Evening in the Highlands" event is coming on Saturday (2/17) at The Green Bay Distillery. The official ticket deadline has passed, but we've held back a few for late reservations! Purchase yours now online (click HERE) or contact the church office (call 920-336-1446 or email to [email protected]). Last call for tickets to this great event!

A Tasty Tradition Returns

The return of our 10th Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday (2/24) at 5:30pm. Contestants will bring crock pots of their chili recipe. Attendees can get voting and raffle tickets for only $1, then sample the entrees and choose a winner! Raffle prizes will be gift certificates from lots of great, local restaurants. Watch for more details!

Sharing the Love

Lots of church family, neighbors, and friends wrapped around the parking lot last evening to share in our monthly Agape Drive-Thru Dinner event. As always, we really thank our amazing team of volunteers who prepare the food, pack it all together, and serve it every month sharing the love on behalf of our church family. Our next Agape Drive-Thru is planned for March 6.

Dive In to V.B.S. Plans!

Mark your calendar for this year's Vacation Bible School! It's planned for this summer for the mornings of Sunday, July 21 through Thursday, July 25. Our VBS theme this year will be "Scuba Diving into Friendship with God." Watch for more details as we get closer! 

Our 175th Jubilee Moves into February

We moved into the next period of our historic celebration with a wonderful presentation last Sunday. Watch and listen all month as we'll continue to share more visual and musical highlights about our church history from 1852 through 1889.

> The Jubilee Planning Committee will meet again next Thursday (2/15) at 6:30pm in the Koinonia Lounge. We’ll begin planning for our parade float for the Memorial Day Parade, among other things. Bring your ideas. All are welcomed!

> Our goal is to create a new church family cookbook by early September - just in time for Christmas gifts! Please send us your best recipes... anything you'd like to share. Drop them off in the church office, or in the box at the Welcome Center by the front doors. We need all recipes by March 31 so we can edit and submit them. Reach out to Jen Van De Hei (920-660-0921) with questions.

> We're always looking for historic treasures to share. We'd love to borrow any old church-related photos, documents, videos, or other special memories you have. We promise to be careful and return them. Contact Mark Young (*see communications email link listed below) with any questions or church history materials. Thanks!

February

Elder of the Month

Jen Van De Hei

February

Deacons of the Month

Rick & Karen Braun

Mara Marks

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,

 and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

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

Sunday (2/4) - Rick Braun

Monday (2/5) - Lyla Steele

Tuesday (2/6) - Braeden Janssen

Wednesday (2/7) - Michelle Bredael, Caylie Duncanson, Gary Maroszek, & Violet Smale

Thursday (2/8) - Annie Spinler & Dan Paulson

Friday (2/9) - Caralyn & Zachary Blackwell, Jon Hardt, & Nancy Ruggles

Saturday (2/10) - Dale Zeimer & Grant Dzekute

NEXT WEEK

Sunday (2/11) - Brittany Shoemaker

Tuesday (2/13) - Ava Mehlberg & Mark DeCleene

Thursday (2/15) - Leo Wood & Jim France

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...