In church, we talk about the wonder of being forgiven by God and forgiving others (“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”), but what does that actually look like, sound like, feel like? This Sunday, the sermon will be on the very practical and difficult process of Forgiveness.

Here are some quotes from the book Forgiveness is a Choice by Robert Enright. 

(I highly recommend this book–three copies of it are in the FPC library): 

• If you are willing to go through the forgiveness process, I believe that you may be able to find freedom from anger, resentment, bitterness and the self-destructive patterns that accompany them.

• Sometimes, forgiveness involves facing not a single incident but a long series of hurts. Sometimes we forgive one person only to discover that there are others whom we need to forgive.

• Forgiveness does not remove all the pain, but after forgiving, the remaining pain is bearable. After forgiving, we realize that anger and bitterness have made bad situations worse.

• People who talk to me about forgiveness often say that their resentment was a way of keeping the one who hurt them in a kind of emotional prison. As long as they held onto the anger and bitterness, the other stayed in the jail cell. Over time they began to realize that it was they themselves who were imprisoned by their hatred and not the other person. Our hatred affects us emotionally more than it affects the one who hurt us.

• Forgiving begins with acknowledging that we are people who have a right to be treated with respect. Forgiving does not require denying that we have been hurt. On the contrary, to forgive we have to admit that we have been hurt and that we have a right to feel hurt, angry, or resentful. Forgiving does not require denying our feelings. In fact, as we will see, unwillingness to admit that we have been hurt is one of the major impediments to forgiving… the forgiving process does not produce amnesia.

• Forgiving is an act of mercy toward an offender, someone who does not necessarily deserve our mercy.

• If we find that our anger hasn’t passed away in a reasonable amount of time or if weeks, months or years after the hurtful event, we are still ruminating over the injury, plotting revenge, or feeling the same level of pain, our anger has turned into a smoldering resentment. 

• Reconciliation is the act of two people coming together following separation. Forgiving, on the other hand, is the action of one individual that starts as a private act, an unseen decision within the human heart.

Some people take notes during this sermon; others want a copy to take home to study. After worship, 10 copies will be available for those who want them. I am happy to email anyone their own electronic copy of my sermon. See you on Sunday. Remember Christ is with us and leads us into healing and wholeness. 

Be not afraid.

Peace,
Pastor Glen

God of the whole world, hear us as we pray for lives lost and communities shattered by earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey and Syria. Be present, O Lord, our Good Shepherd, to bring comfort, relief, shelter, and human kindness. In our prayers and with our gifts, and through all those who bring aid, let us testify that Light still shines, and darkness and dust shall not overcome it. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

We have all seen the horrific images from Turkey and Syria, where a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit early Monday. As of February 17th, the death toll has risen above 43,000. Tens of thousands have been injured. This earthquake has affected millions.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (https://pda.pcusa.org/) is already on the scene, through its established global partner GOPA-DERD. They are acting first on immediate needs, distributing winterization items (blankets, mattresses), food items, and medicines. You can support PDA’s response directly by going here on their website or by clicking the button below. And this Sunday, in all of our churches, we encourage your prayers for the people of Turkey and Syria.

“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.

Children’s Ministry is going to be having some friendly competition in February! All Funds collected will be donated to the Student Ministry Guatemala Mission Trip to help build a home for a family in need.

How to participate: Bring in your spare change and vote on your favorite house or houses that the children of FPC have created. Voting will be open in the Lobby, THIS SUNDAY, February 19 as well as February 26.

Nursery Age 2 and Under – Room 200

The Nursery is available on Sundays from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. It is staffed by church volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.

3-4-year-old Kingdom Kids now have their own Sunday School class from 9-9:50 am on Sunday, in the Kingdom Kids room.

4k-Kindergarteners will still be upstairs.

Are you familiar with FPC’s FOOF wall? It’s not just a funny name! Take a walk down to the children’s education wing, and there you will see photos of many of our church members, staff and volunteers. This is our FOOF wall – the Faces Of Our Family. 

The FOOF wall is more than just a collection of photos. It helps our members recognize and get to know each other. It’s a useful tool for church leaders and staff. It’s a great connection mechanism within our congregation.  And we need your help to make our FOOF wall current again!

Many of the photos on the FOOF wall were taken years ago while putting together our church directory. Most of us look very different today! Some of us have gotten married or had babies over the past few years. Some of us may be new to the church, and did not have an opportunity to submit a picture for our wall. So we would appreciate your assistance as we update the “faces of our family.”

Do you have a family photo that you used for your Christmas card this year? Or perhaps a picture taken over the holidays? Please take a moment to send the picture to us by clicking the button below.  Thank you!

The Light Team is comprised of women who want a chance to meet for fellowship and Bible study. We pray for each other and those in our church family and community. When possible, we extend ourselves in projects to help others. There is no homework and we include humor and laughter! We meet in the Gathering Place on Mondays at 1:00 – 2:30 PM. All are welcome to attend any or all of our sessions. Light Team’s current five week series for “The Longing in Me” by Shelia Walsh is running from February 20, 27, skipping March 6, returning March 13, 20 and 27.

WE GO TOGETHER! We are a tribe of moms desiring to become the women God has designed us to be. We meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:45-9 PM. Moms of kids 0-5 are welcome for MOPS or school-age kids for MOMSnext.

Our Ash Wednesday Service this year is on February 22 @ 6pm (please note the time change). Right after the Ash Wednesday Service is GEMS/History night from 7-8pm. Dessert will be served.

Pastor Glen along with retired Pastor Susan, will be leading all who choose to take a deep dive into Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the Well. She does not hold back. And neither does he. Jesus forms a unique relationship with her. How might we deepen our own relationship with “the Mystery at the heart of our existence that we call God?”

We hope you’ll join us in the Chapel

Fellowship Ministry is offering a Donut Breakfast before Sunday Worship on Sunday, March 5 in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

Please mark your calendars!  FPC will host an organ recital on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 2 PM featuring highly regarded organist Dr. Andrew Schaeffer, Director of Music at the Luther Memorial Church in Madison.  The recital will be dedicated to the life and service of Pat Ronspiez. Pat served as our organist for 46 years. She also played piano and accordion.  

Our church features an historic 1890 Schuelke organ built in Milwaukee and rebuilt by Wahl Organ Builders of Appleton in 1992. You can read about our historic organ here.

A Chicago native, Schaeffer holds degrees from St. Olaf College, Yale University and a doctoral degree from the University of Oklahoma. Andrew’s responsibilities include playing organ for Sunday services, directing the children, youth and adult choirs, various instrumental ensembles and overseeing the general music ministry of the congregation.  He has been at Luther Memorial since 2018. Schaeffer is also editor-at-large of The Diapason, a nationally published organ and church music magazine.

A free will offering will be collected at the recital. FPC will donate 90% of the free will offerings to the Waunakee High School Music Department’s grand piano purchase. The remaining 10% will go towards our church missions.

FPC will host two worship services on Sunday, April 9th for Easter. One at 8 am and another at 10 am. There will be no Children’s Sunday School, Graceland, or Kingdom Kids as volunteers will be spending Easter with their families.

We are in the middle of RePlanting the Nursery at FPC! God has given us a whole team of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer as a sub, please click below!