Stewardship Campaign Kick-Off

 This year’s Stewardship Theme is “Building Bridges for Christ” and celebrates the fact that our Lord, Jesus Christ, brings us together through Him so that we can draw closer to each other. From its founding, First United Presbyterian Church has been a place that has faithfully served as a bridge for those in our community who need God’s love and grace. We look forward to 2023 and how God will continue to use our church family to be a bridge for Christ and our community as we build bridges together. You'll be receiving your Pledge letter in the next few weeks. Please prayerfully consider how you can generously help support the work of First United as we serve God together, building bridges for Christ and a brighter future for the community in which we live for years to come.

Do You Have a Favorite Hymn (or Two)?

You're invited to join us right before church on Sunday (9/25) at 8:45am for our next Hymn Sing. Be thinking about your favorite hymns, then you can call them out that morning, and we'll sing as many as we have time for. We've had some of great monthly gatherings so far, so join us for the next one this weekend!

Plans for Sunday Worship

Join us Sunday (9/25) at 9am when we'll kick-off our 2023 Stewardship Campaign at First United Presbyterian Church. Our focus will be on the necessity for building firm foundations and the maintenance of divine worship as a critical component for building bridges in our relationships with our family, friends, and neighbors. We'll be focusing on two scripture passages from Isaiah 6:1-10 and Matthew 16:13-20 (click to read). Looking forward to seeing you at church on Sunday!

> This week's Joyful Noise Contemporary Christian songs will be "House of the Lord" and "Soul on Fire". Click on the title for YouTube links if you'd like to get more familiar with the songs to make it easier to join in Sunday morning.

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) - Join Pastor Luke in the Koinonia Lounge Sunday at 10:30am. This week they'll discuss John Calvin's understanding of the Church and its role in the world. They'll also consider the question of what constitutes a "true Church" and what does not. How can we take Calvin's idea of the purpose of church - to nurture God's people - and apply it to our lives today? Hope to see you there!

Calling All Young People!

All youth are invited to join us this Sunday (9/25) at 6pm in the Media Room downstairs for our CORE (6th-8th grade) and JAM (9th-12th grade) Youth Group Meeting. They'll get together for fellowship and fun as they continue their month learning about friends - both being a good friend as well as finding good friends.

Want S'More Fun?

Tomorrow (Friday, 9/23) at 6:30pm, you're invited to our final Friday Night Fire Flies gathering. It should be a nice, cool evening to enjoy s'mores around our fire pit (s'more supplies provided) plus yard games and our playground, swing set, and Gaga Ball Pit. Please bring your own lawn chairs and beverages and join the fun! 

Presbyterian Women Update

> The P.W. 4th Tuesday Readers will meet at the Village Grill (801 Hoffman Rd.) Tuesday (9/27) at 1pm. Come for lunch or just enjoy dessert with the discussion.

> The Papercrafting group will be meeting for their "off site" weekend from next Friday (9/30) through Sunday (10/2). Contact Amy Nelson for more details.

> Join the crafters of the P.W. Mission Sewing group on Thursday (10/6) at 9am in the Koinonia Lounge. Bring a bag lunch for fellowship time. September donations included knitted/fleece winter hats for children at Webster, Tank, and Nicolet Elementary Schools. Art teachers were given yarn scraps and felt squares.

Last Weekend Was a Great One!

Last Saturday (9/17), our second annual FALL FEST was a great success! Members of our church family plus neighbors and friends enjoyed lots of kids games, live music, bingo, a bake sale, karate demonstrations, great food, and our VERY popular dunk tank! Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make it happen and supported the efforts. We're already looking forward to 2023!

Last Sunday (9/18), we recognized and honored our De Pere First Responders during our Worship Service. We also featured bagpiper Dan Fulton, an Ice Cream Social after worship, and tours of a De Pere firetruck and ambulance.

September "Woe-Be-Gone" Group



Spend some time with us next Thursday morning (9/29) at 10am for our monthly Woe-Be-Gone Gathering in the Koinonia Lounge. We'd love to have all of you join us for this monthly supportive time as we read scripture, share, pray, and listen to one another. Everyone's invited!

Helping Feed Those in Need

Our long tradition of serving those in need continues. Last Tuesday (9/20) Dennis Hibray, Cindi Barnett, Joe Williams, and Lee Richardson prepared meals to serve at the New Community Shelter and Freedom House. Meggan Farwell, Julie Mackey, Sandy Steffen, Diane Betz, Mike Kettner, and Cindi provided the desserts. Rita Kilmer, Tim and Janis Toepel, Diane, Mike, and Cindi served 283 meals that night. Lee Richardson and Lois Pelishek also served meals to the residents of Freedom House. 

We'll be preparing/serving our next dinner on Tuesday, October 18. If you'd like to donate a dessert or assist with preparing or serving the next meal, please contact Cindi Barnett at 920-737-5376 or [email protected] at least a week before. Thanks volunteers!

Here's How You Can Join Us for Sunday Worship

> In Person - Seating is open. The use of masks is optional. Anyone who prefers to wear one is certainly welcome to do so.

> Live Online - If you can't be with us in person, you can join us by live stream on our church Facebook page starting at 8:50am with pre-service music on Sunday morning.

> Service Recordings Anytime - You can always watch recordings of several of our most recent services on our Facebook page and on our website (posted soon after the service is completed each week).

Donations Needed

Our church is a part of the Presbyterian Pantry at First Presbyterian, Green Bay. FUPC volunteers “pack” grocery bags (Mondays prior to 2nd & 4th Tuesdays) and set up for the Tuesday client pick-up. *Our donation request for September is canned spaghetti sauce with meat, and October is spaghetti noodles and egg noodles. You can drop off your donations in our Family Life Center donation cabinets.

Also, our church is one of the founding members of the De Pere Christian Outreach organization. Their Thrift Store and Food Pantry are currently in need of paper bags. Again, you can drop off bags and other donations in our Family Life Center. Thanks for your ongoing support of both groups!

Have You Checked It Out?

Our “Taking Faith Home” publication is a great resource for exploring your faith all through the week. It provides you with daily readings, prayers, and devotions following the lectionary readings. Click here for next Sunday's new edition to get a preview of what it has to offer your family.

THIS WEEK

Sunday (9/18) - Kevin Mackey

Monday (9/19) - Steve Marks & Melanie Ferrier

Tuesday (9/20) - Amanda Beck & Amber Conway

Wednesday (9/21) - Loree Maroszek & Tori England

Thursday (9/22) - Matthew Foeller & Marisa Depke

Friday (9/23) - Mark Betz, Tom Bayer, & Annette Kinchen

Saturday (9/24) - Mark Riggle & Frank Petiniot

NEXT WEEK

Monday (9/26) - Colton Blahnik & Marilyn Knuth

Tuesday (9/27) - Carol Walter

Wednesday (9/28) - Nan Cuene

Thursday (9/29) - Debbie Pahl

Friday (9/30) - Pat Schock, Sandy Kufahl, & Ian Farwell

Saturday (10/1) - Sany Khabbaz

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