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Hen House Weekly E-News
February 27, 2026
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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We are now in the Church season of Lent. I remember as a child enduring the season of Lent -- it was so somber and a bit depressive (and we didn't even give up things for Lent like many do these days). But I've learned that it doesn't need to be that way. Yes, Lent's focus is on sin and on the death of Jesus but not for the purpose of our suffering! I think Steve Garnaas-Holmes gives us a valuable inspiring re-interpretation of Lent when he writes:
"Lent is about giving stuff up and generally being miserable, right?
No. Lent is about returning to delight.
Lent invites us back into the loving arms of God. Lent is about confronting all the life-draining ways we seek cheap substitutes for God’s love and grace and mercy, and chucking them and turning to the Real Stuff. It’s about giving ourselves the gift of receiving the love we crave. No matter what we may “give up for Lent,” what we’re really giving up is the habit of withholding God’s love from ourselves by seeking it elsewhere. We give up junk to receive treasure. But, yeah, sometimes the giving up is hard. Because we’re addicted. But there’s life on the other side."
I love his understanding that "Lent is about returning to delight"! If you would like to reflect more on some of the themes of Lent (such as sin, salvation, repentance, the cross, . . . ) I invite you to check out Steve's reflections on his website, Unfolding Light here.
This year our theme for Lent is Becoming Whole. Last Sunday we explored the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, and what it teaches us about temptation and the journey of becoming whole. This Sunday we will listen to the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-17) with all his questions of Jesus about being born anew (image above comes from here). Just what does that mean for us in our journey of Becoming Whole? For sure our being born anew by Spirit is an on-going process in our lives as we continue to evolve in our spiritual growth. So this prayer by Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a prayer that we could pray often as part of our spiritual practice:
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No one can see the Realm of God
without being born again from above.
—John 3.3
God, birth me anew.
Let me start again.
I surrender everything to you:
my life, my aims, my will.
Start me over, fresh,
without guilt or shame or claims.
Let my life spring from you
and you alone,
you the divine flame
and me your light,
issuing from you new each moment.
I receive this glorious life you give me,
new and awkward and still learning.
Let me be vulnerable, a baby in your arms,
utterly dependent, helpless but for you.
Water of my flesh and spirit of my God,
birth me into this good world now
and now
and now…
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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: France, Mexico, Cuba, U.S. - Iran tensions, U.S. - Venezuela tensions, Nigeria, 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.
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Weekly Lenten Readings from Bread for the World
Bread for the World, a non-profit organization seeking to end hunger, is providing an online devotional journal this Lenten season titled "Walking as Children of the Light". Check it out. We will have copies of each week's meditation at Church on Sunday for those who prefer to take a meditation home with them. The readings are short, are Biblically based, and even invite us to consider how we can take small actions that bring Christ's Light to the world.
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One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is a vital special mission offering of the United Church of Christ. It connects you to disaster relief, refugee assistance, and development efforts around the globe. When disasters strike, or when individuals are displaced due to violence or poverty, OGHS ensures immediate response and ongoing recovery.
Through your support, OGHS funds comprehensive development programs in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, food security, microfinancing, and women's empowerment. By partnering with Global Ministries and international response networks, OGHS maximizes its impact. Your contributions help meet urgent needs while addressing the root causes of vulnerability, ensuring long-term, sustainable solutions for affected communities.
More information and giving envelopes will be available in the Sunday bulletins the next three weeks. The offerings will be dedicated on March 15.
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Snack Kit Project
for
Friends of State Street Family
https://fssf.org/
This Sunday, March 1, during Friendship Time, we invite you to join us to help bag Snack Kits for the Friends of State Street Family.
If you wish to bring snacks suggested items include (individually packaged): Granola bars, candy bars, small cracker packages, cookie packages, nuts, raisins, fruit snacks, Rice Krispies bars and similar items.
Thank you so much for your help with this project!
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Winter Repair Cafe scheduled for Saturday, March 7: 10 am - Noon
We are excited to offer the Repair Cafe once again so be finding those things you have that need repairs and plan on bringing them. Tell your neighbors, friends and family about this opportunity as they might have something that needs repair too (and the purpose of the Cafe is to be a resource for the community).
Finally, we could use a few more Hospitality volunteers -- to bring goodies and to help welcome and visit with those who come. If you would like to help out or just provide some goodies for the event, please tell Petra (she is the only one of our current hospitality team that can be available that day). We could also use anyone who has sewing or technology skills to help repair. If you know of someone with these skills who is interested, please have them contact Pastor Karla.
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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!
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 (but note that they have limited information on illnesses): : 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: All God's Children Deserve Food and Healthcare. 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! | | | | |
