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Hen House Weekly E-News
December 12, 2025
Why Hen House? The friendly chatter before Worship on Sundays reminds us of a Hen House! Since Jesus identified himself as a Mother Hen and, as an historical farm church, we enjoy being God's ‘Hen House’ and welcome everyone (town, urban, and rural) to our Worship and other programs - and invite you to even make Zwingli your Church home. The United Church of Christ values all people!
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This Sunday in Worship will focus on God's gift of Joy! I hope you will join us as we celebrate Mary's Joy (in the Magnificat, Luke 1:4b-55). Jesus came (and comes) into a world where there is much sorrow, grief, heartache, oppression, ... and Joy! A few weeks ago we reflected on how St. Paul reminded us to "Rejoice in the Lord, always" and "give thanks in all circumstances" because we are people of faith who know that even in the darkest times, God's Love, Mercy, Grace, Peace, Justice . . . are with us, bringing in the Kin-dom of God. Mary the mother of Jesus seemed to know this.
Mary was young, poor, and a woman in a world where women were 'less than'. Yet she knew that God was with her and empowered her to birth Jesus, the incarnation of God on earth. And so she courageously and boldly proclaimed her praise in song in what has become known as the Magnificat. I hope you'll join us on Sunday as we reflect more on her song. Meanwhile, I discovered the recording of this beautiful powerful song, Holy Is Your Name, which is based on The Magnificat. I share it with you today because it is a song we could each sing to God -- from our hearts. Listen to the recording and sing along:
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“Holy Is Your Name”
Based on Luke 1:46-55
Verse 1
You have seen me in my sorrow
You have heard me in my pain
You have known me in my suffering
You have loved me in my shame
Chorus
And I sing
Holy, holy, holy is your name
And I say
Glory, glory, glory to your name
The angels and the heavens sing
Of the new day that You bring
They say
Glory, glory, glory to your name
Verse 2
You have held me in my questions
You have heard me when I pray
You have looked on me with favor
You have never looked away
Chorus
Bridge
The proud will fall
And the poor will see
That all hope’s not lost
And grace flows free
(Repeat)
| | | | The above fabric art image ‘Magnificat II’ is a creation of Linda Henke who writes: "Although Mary is typically imaged as submissive, timid, and subdued, my experiences of the biblical record leave me with a very different impression. This design employs vibrant colors, a whimsical style, and a posture of unrestrained joy to portray Mary as intellectually discerning (“How can this be?”), courageous (“Let it be with me according to your word”), and exuberant (“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”). Both Mary’s person and her song challenge us to emulate these God-favored qualities. This design was executed with free-form piecing with commercial cotton fabrics, then embellished with synthetic tulle overlays, improvisational machine and hand stitching, appliqué, couched cotton and metallic fibers, woven acrylic ravelings, embroidery, beads, and a found object (a plastic bangle bracelet). http://lindahenke.com/magnificat-ii/). | |
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Prayer List
Today, we invite you to keep in prayer:
Those suffering from drought, famine, accidents, fires, storms, flooding, tornados, excessive heat, violence, homelessness, illness, war in their communities.
Nations in crisis: Nigeria, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, The Congo, Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. Prayers for those countries, farmers, companies and consumers who are affected by the escalating trade war. The people of Pine Ridge Reservation and all Native Peoples.
For wise, compassionate leadership in our Executive, legislative and judicial branches of govt, and citizen action. For Civil Servants, immigrants, international students, and others facing uncertainty under the policies of the new administration and now under this government shutdown.
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Zwingli Singers are back! Sunday, December 14!
Our group of singers returns to bless us with their music in Worship on Sunday December 14! They will be leading us in two of our songs. If you are interested in singing with them, contact Petra Streiff for more information on the music, rehearsal times and any questions you have.
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Dec. 18 - Committee Reports due to Admin. Asst.
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm
Dec. 28 - Christmas Carol Sing-a-long
No Brunch Bunch gathering in December
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Cookies for Kelsch: We would like to say “thanks” to Kelsch for allowing us to use their parking lot each week. Please bring one dozen cookies to church on December 14. If you can stay after Worship and help package the cookies, please do so. Debbie would appreciate your help! They will be delivered on the 15th.
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Sunday, Dec. 28 Worship
Christmas Carol Sing-a-long!
What are your favorite carols? And why are they special to you? Is it something in the lyrics that speaks to your heart? Or do they bring up a special memory?
On Sunday December 28, our Worship Service will highlight a Carol Sing-a-long! If you have favorite carols you'd like us to sing, please send an email to Pastor Karla (or text or call) by Tuesday December 16! Hopefully we can sing all those that are shared (but might only be able to sing a verse or two). We hope you'll join us -- and invite your friends and family!
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Thank you to the following who donated the beautiful flowers adorning the sanctuary this holiday season.
• Sue Bovre – In memory of Marcus and Marques
• Lee & Becky Stilwell – in memory of our parents
• Eldon & Kriss Ace – In memory of Parents and Grandparents
• Cherry Pulver – in memory of Armin and Dodie Pulver (parents)
• Jerry Brown – in memory of George, Grace, Evelyn and Duke
• Debbie Versnik – in memory of Steve Versnik; Harold & Rachel Eichelkraut
• Dave & Katie Batker – In memory of our spouses
• Michelle Tollefson – In memory of Richard, Marly, Lance and Steve Tollefson
• Jack & Linda Everson – In memory of MacKenzie Cleary and our parents
• Faith Wittwer – In memory of parents and grandparents
• Jackie Schulting – In memory of Jan Brown & Curt Brown
• Karla Schmidt – in memory of parents
• Dale Kahl & Eileen McCormick – in memory of parents
• Larry Stuessy & Petra Streiff – In memory of our mothers: Helen McQuillen Stuessy and Marion Fredrickson Streiff
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The Village Brass invites you to
A FREE Concert to benefit THE BELLEVILLE FOOD PANTRY
Sunday, December 14 at 2 pm
First United Church of Christ
130 East Church Street
Belleville, WI
Free-will offering or non-perishable food items for the Pantry are welcome.
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Flicker Wild Church
Save the Date for our next sacred circle - Winter Solstice, Dec 21 @ Holy Wisdom Monastery. Gathering starts around 2pm with a circle start of 3pm. If you have questions or want to attend with others from Zwingli, contact Pastor Karla
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Blue Christmas Service December 22, 7 pm on ZOOM
The Wisconsin Conference Older Adult Ministry Team is making this service available for those who are grieving during the holidays. Register here for this “Blue Christmas Service”.
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Christmas Fund Special Offering
For more than a century, The Christmas Fund has been a beacon of love and care -- providing direct financial assistance to the healers in our lives: retired and active UCC ministers, faithful church workers, and their families. In 2024 alone, The Christmas Fund offered more than $1.7 million in support, touching the lives of 766 individuals across the UCC. This generosity made hope tangible. It meant: A couple could hear each other clearly again with the gift of hearing aids; A family found safety through a plane ticket out of a war-torn land, Mounting medical bills were eased during a time of deep crisis. Each gift represented more than financial relief -- they were a reminder of God's presence and the Church's love. This year, we are invited to join the Christmas Fund Community of compassion. On Dec. 21st we will dedicate your contributions to this special offering of the UCC. Please bring or mail your offerings to the Church by then if possible (although we will receive any that come later). In the subject line of your checks, write Christmas Fund.
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HEIFER PROJECT!!
The Heifer giving project is now underway. We are doing something we have done in the past which was donating towards one main item which is Water. You can put loose $$ or checks payable to: Zwingli UCC-Paoli - (put Heifer donation in the memo) in a box with a open slot on the display. All monies received will be added up at the end of December and sent in one check to HEIFER on behalf of Zwingli UCC-Paoli. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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Ways to Care for Yourself if Grieving Loved Ones this Holiday Season
The Wisconsin Conference UCC Older Adult Ministry Group has provided information to support those who are grieving a recent loss -- or a loss from years past. They also provide information for those who want to support others who are grieving. Check it out here.
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Weather Cancellations this Winter
It's winter in Wisconsin so we want to remind you that if the weather looks bad, be sure to check your email or FB (Zwingli UCC - Paoli) on Sunday mornings. We will send out an email or post a message by 8 am on Sunday. We do have a list of those who don't have access to email or FB and prefer a text or phone call (if you aren't sure if you are on this list, please contact our pastor to check).
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Respiratory Virus Season is Here!
While the Dane County Public Health Dept says respiratory illness are low right now, the UW Covid hotline says they are getting more calls since September. The Public Health Dept has limited knowledge of illnesses. So we are definitely in the season of respiratory illness. Take good care of yourselves and if you are feeling ill, take proper precautions to get the medical help you need and to prevent spreading what you have! This dashboard is updated every Thursday with the information they do have: https://publichealthmdc.com/your-health/respiratory-illness/dashboard
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Opportunities for Citizen Advocacy through letters to Congress
The United Church of Christ offers us the opportunity to learn more about bills before Congress and voice our opinions to our legislators. They make it very easy to send an email. Check out the many topics on their page: https://www.ucc.org/action-center/. The most recent one is: Provide Robust Support for Disaster Recovery and Relief Efforts. Scroll down the page to find others that you might want to express your opinion about.
| | The Southern Region of the Wisconsin Conference UCC publishes Shalom, a monthly e-newsletter featuring events and happenings within the Conference, including Zwingli. Click here to check it out! | | | | |
