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Maintaining Our Zeal: A Season of Rest, Family, and Growth
In Romans 12:11, the Apostle Paul scribes a striking command: “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Maintaining that spiritual fervor is a collective calling, and it also requires intentional seasons of stepping back to refuel. As many of you know, I will be doing just that as I begin my first pastoral sabbatical from September 1 through December 31.
Sabbaticals are a unique blessing. I am deeply aware that not every profession, nor every pastor, receives this kind of designated time for renewal. I am profoundly grateful to session, Pastor Will, and this congregation for encouraging me to engage this policy toward keeping our mutual ministry vibrant and long-lasting.
While a sabbatical is designed for a disruption of routine and mental refreshment, this particular season also holds a deeply personal purpose. I am traveling to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to connect with and care for the needs of my 96-year-old parents. As their only son (living 900 miles away), I have intentionally saved this sabbatical for the time when they would need me most, and that day has arrived. Walking this path with them will undoubtedly further educate me firsthand on a stage of life that so many of our you and your parents navigate.
Additionally, our church policy encourages educational growth during this time away. To that end, I will be engaging in several continuing education programs over the coming months. One primary focus will be participating in leadership training for Stephen Ministry, which will help us continue building a strong culture of care within our church.
Thank you for your prayers, your partnership, and your shared zeal for the Gospel!
I look forward to what the Holy Spirit has in store for us all. Four months is simultaneously a very long time to be apart and yet a season which will pass before you know it.
To quote and paraphrase both Arnold and our Savior: “I’ll be back!”
God’s peace to you,
Pastor Ben
Special Announcements
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.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 8 – M-N-M’s Coffee House Bible Study
Please join us at M-N-M’s Coffee House on Tuesday mornings @ 7:30 A.M., beginning September 8th, with Pastor Will leading us in an 8-week study on 1 John (John’s First Epistle).
If interested in participating, please contact
Jim Fitzgerald @ jmf57022@gmail.com or you can sign up in the Narthex area of church.
Tuesday, September 8 & Saturday, September 12 – Caring for Caregivers
A space for caregivers to gather and connect with each other.
📅Date: Tuesday, September 8 & Saturday, September 12
🕒Time: 6:30 PM and 10 AM
📌Location: FPC – Room 204
Sunday, September 13 – Fall Kickoff
Save the date and join us at the FPC Fall Kickoff!
Join us for great food (Wes Ray’s fabulous BBQ and congregational wide potluck), fantastic music (All that Jazz Big Band) as well as lots of games and fun for all.
📅Date: Sunday, September 13
🕒Time: 11 AM – 1 PM
📌Location: FPC
Please sign up in the Narthex to bring a dish to pass.
Monday, September 14 – The Light Team
The Light Team is excited to kick off the fall schedule.
All women are welcome to join in fellowship and faith discussion.
📅Date: Monday, September 14
🕒Time: 1 PM
📌Location: The Gathering Space at FPC
Thursday, September 17 – American Red Cross Blood Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here
📅Date: Thursday, September 17
🕒Time: 12:30 – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 20 – Youth Group Begins
Students’ 7th – 12th grade are welcome to join Youth Group for fellowship and faith exploration.
Please note Youth Group will meet on Sunday evenings moving forward.
📅Date: Sunday, September 20
🕒Time: 6:30 – 7:45 PM
📌Location: Upstairs at FPC
Sunday, September 20 – Adult Sunday School (Life Compass)
Adult Sunday School Class (Life Compass) is excited to kick off the fall schedule.
Our first study lesson will be a six-week study called “Unbreakable Courage” by Max Lucado.
📅Date: Sunday, September 20
🕒Time: 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
📌Location: Meets in the large conference room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.
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 – Updated 8/26
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:
- Pasta Sauce
- Bagged White Rice
- Ketchup
- Yellow Mustard
- Vegetable Oil
- Canned Fruit
- Kleenex
- Toilet Paper
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 30 – September 5
This Week’s Anniversaries: August 30 – September 5
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.
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 Jamison Wendlandt at JWendlandt@myfpc.org
Upcoming Music in Worship
August 30
Blue Skies Saxophone Ensemble, guest musicians & Ying Wang, pianist
September 6
TBD
September 13
Choir & Second Century Brass Quintet
When life is hard, you need more than a cute poster.
When you or someone you know is having a tough time in life, trying to handle things like:
• Grief or loss
• Chronic or terminal illness
• Job loss or financial strain
• Loneliness or major life transitions (empty nest, relocation, etc.)
• Divorce or separation
FPC has a group of highly trained caregivers who can help out during these and other difficult situations. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who have been carefully selected and trained to support people going through a hard time. A Stephen Minister meets with a person regularly, one to one, just to listen and care and walk with that person throughout that difficult time.
Men are paired with men, and women with women. Stephen Ministers understand reflective listening, healthy boundaries, and strongly support the importance of absolute confidentiality. Since its beginning at FPC in 2016, our Stephen Ministers have helped dozens of people both from FPC and the wider community journey through tough times.
For more information about FPC’s Stephen Ministry, talk to Pastor Ben, any Deacon, or one of FPC’s Stephen Leaders, Kristy Drewry or Jamie Roberts, at anytime.
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Submit Your Announcements
To streamline event announcements in The Connector or during worship, please use our new online form.
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.
