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First United Weekly Newsletter

January 19, 2023

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.

Dining Divas Deadline

Our Dining Divas would like to invite you to their next dinner out next Monday (1/23) at 6pm at the Olive Garden. If you'd like to attend, please let Pastor Meggan or Debbie Spiegel know by tomorrow (Friday 1/20) so they can reserve the right number of seats.

Church Volleyball is Back!

Our next Church Volleyball League game will be Friday (1/20) at 8:30pm at Calvary Lutheran Church (1301 S. Ridge Rd.). This week's opponent will be the team from Simply Church in Suamico. Contact Rachel O'Brien at rlswanny530@yahoo.com or 920-217-4581 to learn more or to join our team. (*You must be of high school age or older to join.)

Plans for Sunday

Join us this Sunday (1/22) at 9 am when we hit the road with Jesus' disciples and discover how God's plan for us is beyond our wildest dreams. We'll be studying 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 and Matthew 4:12-23 (click to read) as we learn why God allows us the freedom to choose if we want to follow Him. Choosing to walk with Jesus will forever change the lives of the disciples. Join us this Sunday and discover how Jesus still calls us to follow Him today.

*This week's Contemporary Christian song by our Joyful Noise group will be: "10,000 Reasons". Click on the title for a link to a YouTube video if you want to get more familiar so you can join in more easily during Sunday morning's worship.)

Sunday School at 10:30am for All Ages

*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 week, they'll continue "The Grace of Les Miserables" with a session called "When Grace and Justice Collide: The Story of Javert." As Christians, we're called to discern between right and wrong. Explore how difficult it can be to discover where justice resides and find the importance of moving beyond a simplistic, rule-keeping mindset. How can we grow into a life of holiness that grapples with the complexities of life while relying on the Holy Spirit? Join the conversation at on Sunday beginning at 10:30am.

Our CORE & JAM Youth Group will be getting together for their weekly meeting on Sunday from 6-7:30pm in the Media Room downstairs. Come and find out what's going on!

Presbyterian Women Update

> The P.W. 4th Tuesday Readers Group will meet next Tuesday (1/24) at 1pm at the Village Grille. This month, they'll be discussing The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare.

> The P.W. Papercrafting Group will be meeting on Saturday (1/28) at 10am downstairs in rooms 12/13.

"Woe-Be-Gone" Begins a New Year

Spend some time with us next Thursday (1/26) at 10am for our monthly Woe-Be-Gone Gathering in the Koinonia Lounge. We'd love to have you join us for this monthly supportive time as we read scripture, share, pray, and listen to one another. Everyone's invited!

Serving the Green Bay Community

Last Tuesday (1/17), Bruce Kilmer, Dennis Hibray, Joe Williams, Cindi Barnett, Lois Pelishek, and Lee Richardson prepared a wonderful meal for the New Community Shelter and Freedom House. Sandy Steffen, Jane Grocholski, Lynn Huebbe, Sue Renier, Cassie Griffin, Mike Kettner, and Cindi provided desserts. 197 meals were served at the shelter by Rita Kilmer, Anneliese Waggoner, Tim and Janis Toepel, Mike, and Cindi. Lee and Lois served another 40 meals to families at Freedom House.

The next meals will be prepared and served on Tuesday, February 21. If you'd like to donate a cake or a pan of brownies, contact Diane Betz (mdbetz@att.net). If you'd like to assist with preparing or serving the next meal, contact Cindi Barnett (920-737-5376 or cindi.barnett@snc.edu) the week before.

January Session Meeting Summary

by Dawn Picard, Clerk

The January Session meeting was lengthy but very productive. F.U.P.C. is financially healthy, there are exciting things planned for the year, a sermon series is coming for Lent, and fellowship is strong! The majority of the meeting was spent reviewing proposed changes to the Book of Order. Presbytery convenes later this month to vote on these changes. Our Co-Pastors and three commissioners will attend this Zoom meeting. Our annual congregational meeting is scheduled for February 12 after worship. A session retreat will be held on February 19. Your Session is active, engaged, and excited for the future of F.U.P.C.

Thanks for your support last year! This year, we're looking forward to "Building Bridges for Christ" in our community. We enter the year financially healthy, and we encourage you to generously support First United with your pledge of giving time, talent, and offerings.

How to Give:

> Drop off donations during worship

> Give electronically:

Go to www.firstunitedpc.org and

click on "Give Now"

> Mail your check to:

First United Presbyterian Church

605 N Webster Ave, De Pere, WI 54115

Please remember to officially reserve rooms you need for your 2023 events and special meetings as soon as possible. Even if it's tentative, it's good to get it on the calendar. We want to avoid conflicts and overlaps as the office is getting more and more reservations and outside rentals for space in our building.

You can always view the latest church calendar on our website (see link below). Be sure to check that calendar to see if your event is listed. If you need a room, you can fill out the Building Use Form online our website at https://www.firstunitedpc.org/facilities-request-form.html.

Stay Safe

Please remember to never respond to any emails requesting that you buy something or share personal financial information. Several members have mentioned receiving fake communications that appear to be from someone at church. Always check the email address it's from. It's often very clear that it's not actually from church. When in doubt, contact the church office directly. Be smart and stay safe!