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A Heartfelt Thank‑You for Your Encouragement and Support
Happy New Year!
As I reflect on this year’s Children’s Nativity Program, my heart is full of gratitude. Thank you for the wonderful feedback, kind words, and thoughtful comments you shared. Your encouragement means more than you know. It was truly a blessing to watch our children and youth retell the story of the birth of Christ with such sincerity, and joy. Hearing their musical talents and listening to them narrate the story was also a gift—one that highlighted the beauty and simplicity of the Christmas message.
Seeing our young people step forward in this way is a joy to witness—and also a reminder of the important work ahead.
As we move into the new year, we are called to continue nurturing their understanding of Christ, helping them grow in faith, confidence, and discipleship. This is not something accomplished by one program or one season, but through the steady, loving presence of a whole church family.
There are many ways to support this mission: volunteering your time, showing up to encourage them, sharing your gifts, leading by example, and praying for their continued growth. Every act of support—big or small—helps shape the spiritual foundation of the next generation.
Together, we can and will create spaces where our children and youth feel seen, valued, and inspired to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
As I look back on my first four months in this position, I am deeply grateful. It has been a blessing to work with our children, their parents, our dedicated volunteers, the staff, and this wonderful congregation. Thank you for this opportunity, your feedback, and support. I am truly enjoying this journey with all of you, and I look forward to what God has in store for us in the new year.
Angela Himegarner
Special Announcements
Message from Stewardship Elder, Barb Cash
To view the entire message please click here.
Student Winter Retreat
If your student is interested in registering for the Winter Retreat that runs January 30 – February 1, please contact Student Ministry Elder Emily Bauer at studentministryelder@myfpc.org
Registration can be found at www.lgyc.org and use Group Code: FPCAB2026
Shepherding the Flock
To view December’s Session notes, please click here.
Thank you Note
Thank you for the support and donations for the Guatemala mission trip.
Lost & Found
Are you missing glasses, hats, mittens, cups etc.? Please check the lost and found bin located in the Narthex.
“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: January 9 – 15
Sunday, January 11 – Life Compass Adult Sunday School
Join us as well kick-off Life Compass Adult Sunday School Class. In our first meeting we’ll do a brief welcome/introduction session and preview the calendar of three separate study lessons we’ll cover during the 2026 Winter/Spring semester.
📌Date: Sundays
🕛Time: 10:45AM
🏢 Where: FPC Large Conference Room
Questions please contact Jim Fitzgerald at nurtureandgrowthelder@myfpc.org
Monday, January 12 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for an engaging conversation of “What Happens Next” by Max Lucado
📌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.
Wednesday, January 14 – New Horizons Lunch
Join New Horizons for fellowship and lunch.
📌Date: Wednesday, January 14
🕛Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🏢 Where: M-N-M’s in Waunakee
Wednesday, January 14 – 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, January 14 – 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
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Monday, January 19 – Church Office Closed
Please note the Church Office will be closed on January 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Wednesday, January 28 – Bingo & Pizza
Friday, January 30 – Blood Drive
The American Red Cross will host a Blood Drive at FPC! Please consider donating.
📌Date: Friday, January 30
🕛Time: 12:30PM – 5:30PM
🏢 Where: – Fellowship Hall
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
- Bagged White Rice
- Strawberry or Grape Jelly
- Creamy Peanut Butter
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Canned Tuna
- Canned Fruit (Peaches, Pears, Mandarin Oranges)
- Canned Chili
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: January 11 – 16
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 Sam Robinson at srobinson@myfpc.org or 608-850-9450.
Upcoming Music in Worship
January 11
Ying Wang, pianist
January 18
Ying Wang, pianist & Choir
January 25
Ying Wang, pianist
February 1
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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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.
