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A New Creation in Christ
Galatians 2:19-20: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
A memorable chapter from C.S. Lewis’s novel The Voyage of the Dawn Treader tells the story of Eustace, a particularly unsavory and obnoxious boy, who is transformed into a dragon so that he can no longer deny his deep-seated greediness and self-centered nature. Ashamed and terrified, Eustace the dragon returns to his friends. Although they recognize him in his sad state and feel sorry for him, they cannot help him—or even begin to heal or salve the wound on one of his scaly legs. Then one night, Eustace has an encounter with Aslan, the great lion, gentle but decisively “not tame,” who represents the presence of Christ throughout Lewis’s Narnia series. Aslan tells Eustace that he must “undress” and step into a pool of water, and Eustace finds that he is able, on his own, to shed a few layers of his scaly skin, as a snake can do. Though he finds this superficial “undressing” a fairly easy and painless process, Eustace realizes to his dismay that despite his own efforts to shed his scales, he is still a dragon. Finally, the Lion says gently, “You will have to let me undress you,” and Eustace gives this vivid account of how it felt to have his dragon skin peeled off by the Lion’s determined claws:
The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began peeling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I’ve ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off. You know—if you ever picked the scab in a sore place, it hurts like billy-o, but it is such fun to see it coming away.
The lion peels off layer after layer of dragon skin until Eustace finds that he is a boy again. Still, the process is not over: Aslan picks him up by his newly exposed, very tender boy’s skin, throws him in the water, and then pulls him out and dresses him in new clothes.
Just as we who have been crucified with Christ Jesus, have put off the old self, the skin has been stripped away—we are no longer the dragons we used to be. In our baptism, through our crucifixion with Christ, we are new creations, made in Christ Jesus, and we wear a new set of clothes.
Grace and peace,
Will
Two Worship Services Starting September 14!
FPC will begin offering two Sunday services starting September 14.
- 9:00 AM – Chapel Service (similar in style to our Lenten services)
- 10:15 AM – Sanctuary Service
If attendance at the 9:00 AM service grows, we’ll move it to the sanctuary to accommodate everyone.
This decision was made with consideration for our musicians, pastors, fellowship volunteers, and Sunday School needs. While we know the new times may not suit everyone perfectly, we appreciate your flexibility and grace as we move forward together.
“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: August 17-23
Thursday, August 21 at 5PM – Dinner with Dining Divas
The Dining Divas are heading out for an evening of delicious food and fabulous fellowship—and you’re invited!
📍Join us for dinner at Biaggi’s in Greenway Station
🗓 Thursday, August 21 at 5:00 PM
It’s the perfect recipe for a memorable night: good friends, great conversation, and classic Italian cuisine.
RSVP to Alka at alkadaisy@gmail.com to save your seat at the table!
Friday, August 22, from Noon-5:30PM – Red Cross Blood Drive
Give the Gift of Life – Donate Blood!
Join us for our upcoming Blood Drive in Fellowship Hall on Friday, August 22, from 12:00–5:30 PM hosted by the Waunakee Ecumenical Board. Your donation can make a life-saving difference for someone in need.
🩸 Click the button below to sign up and help save lives!
Heads Up – Parking Lot Maintenance
FPC’s parking lot will be undergoing some much needed maintenance on August 27 & 28.
Aug. 27 – South-side of the upper and lower parking lot will be sealed and stripped. Anyone needing to access the building can park on east side off the front entrance or employee north side.
Aug. 28 – The east and north side will be sealed and parking switches over to the south side.
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Monday, September 1 – FPC Church Office will be closed
The FPC Church office will be closed for Labor Day.
Sunday, September 7 – Fall Kickoff
Mark your calendar for FPC’s annual Fall Kickoff on Sunday, September 7 from 10:30AM – 12:30PM.
The FPC Fall Kickoff is quickly approaching and we need your help!
RSVP and Volunteer sign-up sheets will be available in the narthex starting on Sunday. They are also available online here.
Sunday, September 7 – Sunday School Open House
In addition to the Fall Kickoff, Sunday School will have an open house from 10 – 10:30AM for interested families. Sunday School begins Sunday, September 14 at 9AM. If you are interested in either signing up a child(ren) please fill out this form to get started.
If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, please contact Peter Bergmann at ChildrensMinistryElder@myfpc.org
Mondays, Beginning September 8 – The Light Team
Calling All Women – The Light Team Returns This Fall!
Join the FPC Light Team as we kick off a new six-week Bible study series by Susie Larson, beginning Monday, September 8. Together, we’ll explore how to live each day in a way that honors God and strengthens your spirit.
🗓 Mondays, September 8 – October 20
🕐 1:00 – 2:30 PM
📍 The Gathering Place at FPC
Please note: No meeting on October 6.
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
Director of Children and Family Ministry
Director of Student Ministry
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:
- Toilet Paper
- Cereal
- Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides
- Chicken Broth
- Bagged Red Beans
- Snack Pack Pudding
- Ketchup
- Ritz type Crackers
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: August 17 – 23
This Week’s Anniversaries: August 17 – 23
FPC Nursery for Ages 3 and under
Nursery Age 3 and Under – Room 200
The Nursery is available on Sundays from 8:45 – 11:00 AM throughout the month of May, is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
Music in Worship
August 17 – Sonia Driskill, harp and Brooksy Beilke-Skoug, piano
August 24 – Mary Kay Burton, organ
August 31 – Beth Wagner, piano/organ
September 7 – Choir & Ying Wang, piano
September 14 – Choir & Ying Wang, piano
September 21 – Choir & Ying Wang, pianist
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.
Tryg Knutson – 608-622-9539
Jill Umlauf – 715-360-5962
FPC Stephen Ministry is here for you!
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Submit Your Announcements
To streamline event announcements in The Connector or during worship, please use our new online form.
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Questions or feedback? Email: communications@myfpc.org
The Connector is printed weekly and available at the Connection Corner. To receive a mailed copy, contact the church office to join the homebound list.
Deadlines: Submissions due by noon Wednesday. The Connector is published Fridays at 4 PM.
