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Easter’s Ring of Truth
With the beginning of April, we also begin a new season in the church year, Eastertide. A question: Have you noticed that Christmas gets a lot more attention in church and society than does Easter? Proportional to the pageantry of Christmas, Easter does not quite measure up. Sure, we have Easter egg hunts, little ones have occasional visits with the Easter Bunny, and there are also performances of Handel’s Messiah. However, we do not travel to family gatherings or exchange gifts, and many workplaces that recognize Christmas do not recognize Easter as a holiday for time off. In the church, we do not have the plethora of pageants, musicals, and festivals as we do at Christmas.
Why is it that Christmas gets more fanfare than Easter?
Frederick Buechner, a Presbyterian minister and novelist, suggests that the biblical account itself may explain why Easter often gets less attention. The gospel writers depict Jesus’ birth with great drama: an angel appears to Mary, angels sing, shepherds watch their flocks under a star, wise men from the East come to see Jesus in the manger, and gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are presented. In contrast, the stories of Jesus’ resurrection lack that level of high drama. Instead, they begin early in the morning in darkness. The characters experience fear, confusion, and disbelief. The disciples are not even near the tomb when the women find it empty. There are no angels singing, no wise men. Just silence and fear. “And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8).
Even though Christmas is more majestically celebrated than Easter—and perhaps more grandly narrated—nevertheless, the startling, good news of Easter is just as important as the good news of Christmas. Christmas, without the tragedy of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter, is ultimately of little significance. The gospel message is not only about God being with us in Jesus, but that this Jesus—God with us—also died in our place and God raised him from the dead so that we might be freed from death once and for all in eternity. “And if Christ has not been raised,” Paul writes, “then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain” (1 Cor 15:14). Easter matters!
So, as Fred Buechner has eloquently stated, “[While Easter] doesn’t have the ring of great drama… it has the ring of truth.”
Grace and peace,
Will
Special Announcements
Blue Hymnals
The blue hymnals are located in the corner of the Narthex (across from the library).
If you’d like to take any home, please feel free to take as many as you want. The hymnals on the black cart on the right side are hymnals that were dedicated to loved ones.
Please only take the dedicated hymnals if it has your loved one’s name on the front cover.
Thank You for the support of the Waunakee Food Pantry in 2025
- Thank you to all the volunteers that donated time serving families needing extra help once a month.
- Welcomed the 1,320 lbs of food dropped off at church and additional food directly to the Pantry. Awesome generosity!
- Thank you for the financial assistance FPC mission fund donated to cover Thanksgiving and Christmas food.
- Appreciated your prayers as we saw miracles happen when we faced many challenges this year. God provided!
Congregational Listening Session
The Session warmly invites all members of the congregation to participate in a listening session on Sunday, April 19. Please click here to review our priorities and more details about this upcoming session.
Shepherding the Flock – Click Here to View
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
We exist as a congregation to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known:
- To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ so all may come to know and love Him;
- To nurture His people in joyful faith, fellowship, and commitment; and
- To demonstrate His way of love in service to the world.
We use the Connector to share news of the coming week and beyond, the activities that involve a wide range of ages and interests at FPC.
Coming Events | Weekly Connector: April 3 – 11
Friday, April 3 – Good Friday Cantata
Please join us for our Good Friday Cantata featuring FPC Choir and other Community Voices.
📌Date: Friday, April 3
🕛Time: 7 PM
⛪ Where: FPC
Free to attend
Sunday, April 5 – Easter Service
Please join us in celebrating Easter.
We will offer two services at 8 AM & 9:30 AM. We look forward to worshiping with you.
Tuesday, April 7 – Bible Study: John 1
Pastor Will leads this study of John’s Gospel which will coincide with his Lenten sermon series through Easter Sunday. – Last Session
📌Date: Tuesday
🕛Time: 7:30 AM
⛪ Where: M-N-M’s Coffee House
Wednesday, April 8 – Youth Group
All middle school & high school students are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, and snacks! We’ll celebrate and discuss the role Jesus has in our lives!
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:15 PM
⛪ Where: – Upstairs in the Youth Group space
Wednesday, April 8 – Men’s Group Study
All men are invited to join this weekly men’s multi-generational fellowship group and discussion study.
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:30 PM
⛪ Where: FPC – Large Conference Room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald @ jnj57012@gmail.com with questions.
This faith based study and discussion is led by Jim Fitzgerald and centers around men navigating everyday life challenges we are faced with by sharing our faith/life experiences together while in turn helping men build on their spiritual growth, community support and leadership development.
Wednesday, April 8 – Waunakee Updates
Todd Schmidt, the Village Administrator for Waunakee, will present his annual update about the village.
📌Date: Wednesday
🕛Time: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
⛪ Where: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 11 – Care for Caregivers
The purpose of the group is to meet in a safe place, where there is no judgment, to discuss and pray for you as a caregiver and for your loved ones.
📌Date: Saturday, April 11
🕛Time: 10 AM
⛪ Where: FPC – Room 204
Contact Marcia Chase at marchase@icloud.com with questions.
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Sunday, April 12 – Life Compass Adult Sunday School
Join us for Session One – The Power of your Thoughts
📌Date: Sundays
🕛Time: 10:45 AM
⛪ Where: FPC Large Conference Room
Questions please contact Jim Fitzgerald at nurtureandgrowthelder@myfpc.org
**No Life Compass Session on April 5**
Sunday, April 12 – Connect & Reflect
Join FPC’s small adult group. Our topic of discussion will be on “Navigating Social Media as a Christian.”
📌Date: Sunday
🕛Time: 3 PM
⛪ Where: FPC Gathering Space
Questions please contact Jim Fitzgerald at nurtureandgrowthelder@myfpc.org
Monday, April 13 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for an engaging conversation of Apostle Peter and the Last Supper – Part 1
📌Date: Monday
🕛Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
⛪ Where: The Gathering Place at FPC – Please enter through South Entrance Door #4
The Light Team is a welcoming group of Christian women who gather for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and special projects—with plenty of laughter and no homework required!
Have questions? Contact Lynda Bennin at blbennin@tds.net
**No Light Team on Monday, April 6**
Tuesday, April 14 – Care for Caregivers
The purpose of the group is to meet in a safe place, where there is no judgment, to discuss and pray for you as a caregiver and for your loved ones.
📌Date: Tuesday, April 14
🕛Time: 6:30 PM
⛪ Where: FPC – Room 204
Contact Marcia Chase at marchase@icloud.com with questions.
Wednesday, April 15 – Men’s Study Group
All men are invited to join this weekly men’s multi-generational fellowship group and discussion study.
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:30 PM
⛪ Where: FPC – Large Conference Room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald @ jnj57012@gmail.com with questions.
This faith based study and discussion is led by Jim Fitzgerald and centers around men navigating everyday life challenges we are faced with by sharing our faith/life experiences together while in turn helping men build on their spiritual growth, community support and leadership development.
Wednesday, April 15 – Youth Group
All middle school & high school students are invited to join us for fun, fellowship, and snacks! We’ll celebrate and discuss the role Jesus has in our lives!
📌Date: Wednesday evenings
🕛Time: 7 – 8:15 PM
⛪ Where: – Upstairs in the Youth Group space
Monday, April 20 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for an engaging conversation of Apostle Peter and the Last Supper – Part 2
📌Date: Monday
🕛Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
⛪ Where: The Gathering Place at FPC – Please enter through South Entrance Door #4
The Light Team is a welcoming group of Christian women who gather for fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and special projects—with plenty of laughter and no homework required!
Have questions? Contact Lynda Bennin at blbennin@tds.net
Opportunities to Serve
Sound Desk Assistant
Hammers with Halos
Want to help others with minor household repairs, maintenance or yard work? Contact the church office or any of the Deacons. Your name will be added to a call list and you may be contacted to see if you can help when a request is received.
Help Create a Safe & Welcoming Space on Sundays
FPC is looking for caring, observant volunteers to serve as House Managers during Sunday services. This role helps ensure a safe and welcoming environment by monitoring the building and surroundings during worship.
If you’re calm under pressure, attentive to detail, and enjoy supporting others behind the scenes, we’d love to have you on the team!
Agrace Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to assist customers and operate the cash register at the Doc Rock Café located inside the Agrace Madison campus or make companionship visits to local Agrace hospice patients in patients’ homes, nursing homes or assisted living centers.
Schedules are flexible, and free training is provided. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Agrace at (608) 327-7163 or visit Agrace.org/Volunteer to apply online.
Volunteer Opportunity – Waunakee Food Pantry
Serve & Support Our Community – Volunteer or Donate!
We’re looking for volunteers to help distribute food from 4 – 6 PM the last Wednesday of each month to help serve our community. It’s a great way to connect with others and make a meaningful impact.
👉 Interested? Fill out the volunteer form on the FPC website or contact Sheryll Gehrmann for details
Unable to volunteer? Here’s the list of items most-needed this month:
- Canned Chicken
- Sloppy Joe Sauce
- Dinty Moore Beef Stew
- Canned Chili
- Ketchup
- Pancake Mix
- Pancake Syrup
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
The pantry is always looking for paper grocery bags as well. Items can be placed in the shopping cart at the entrance by the Education wing.
News and Announcements
This Week’s Birthdays: April 5 – 11
Bethel Bible Series
FPC Nursery for Ages 4 and under
Nursery Age 4 and Under – Room 200
The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9 – 11:00 AM throughout the month and is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
**Please note no Sunday School or Nursery on April 5**
Attention Young Musicians
If you sing, play piano, organ, a string, woodwind or brass instrument and would like to sing or play a song during a church service, we’d LOVE to hear you!
You could play a prelude or a piece during a Sunday morning service. Please contact Sam Robinson at srobinson@myfpc.org or 608-850-9450.
Upcoming Music in Worship
April 3
Cantata, featuring FPC Choir + Community Voices
April 5
Ying Wang, pianist, FPC Choir + Joyful Noise
April 12
Ying Wang, pianist and Mitch Richards, guest organist
April 19
Ying Wang, pianist & Choir
When life is hard you need more than a cute poster.
If you are having a tough time with:
• Dealing with family problems
• Chronic or terminal illness in your family
• Grief
• Loneliness
• Divorce recovery
FPC has a group of Stephen Minister Caregivers trained to walk with you through these problems. They help you think things through, find resources available, look for a Biblical view of the problem, pray for you and with you if you wish. The 50 hours of training have provided them with an understanding of reflective listening, boundaries, and the importance of absolute confidentiality.
Since its beginning in 2017, Stephen Ministries helped hundreds of people both from FPC and the wider community journey through tough times. If you want more information, you can talk to a pastor, a deacon, or one of the active Stephen Ministers listed below.
Jill Umlauf – 715-360-5962
FPC Stephen Ministry is here for you!
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Deadlines: Submissions due by noon Wednesday. The Connector is published Fridays at 4 PM.
