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Rejoice in the Christmas Season
We have celebrated on Christmas Day, but the Christmas season isn’t over until Epiphany on January 6th. What exactly is the core of the theological meaning behind Christmas? Is it the birth of the messiah, the one who will sit on David’s throne forever? Yes. Is it the coming of the true King of the earth and Lord of Glory? Absolutely. But there’s a simpler answer that underlies all of these: God has become human for our salvation. In Jesus Christ, we see a God who comes to rescue us.
In the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter one, we read these words: Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son… He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being.
The writer of Hebrews claims that Jesus is the “reflection of God’s glory” and “the exact imprint of God’s very being.” The late Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson, reflecting on the Incarnational theology as seen in Hebrews, claims: “God does not, if Jesus is the Logos (Greek for “Word”), first know himself as an essence. God is not first of all an impersonal, abstract, unknowable “something,” but is with, for, and among us as a particular and specific “Someone” whom we can know Life to life, Face to face, Heart to heart.”
In other words, Jesus reveals to us that God is a person, a person who, nonetheless, comes to us in his son for our rescue, claims us, and finally redeems us. Jesus is not just the witness to God; he is God. Jesus does not just point to God’s righteousness and grace. No, he is God’s righteousness and grace in human flesh. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. That’s the Christmas hope we have received.
Grace and peace,
Will
Special Announcements
Thank you Note
Note from Mark Hensel: “I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone for all the prayers and support that has been extended to Marci and I throughout the past year. It has been comforting to know that we have such a supportive church family and is truly appreciated.
God bless you all, your prayers have been powerful.”
Pledge Drive Update
It’s gratifying to see that we are nearing our projected pledge total for 2026, based on 130 pledgers. A big thank you to those who are move the needle!
Donating Shares of Stock to FPC
Who doesn’t like a win-win situation? That’s what occurs when you donate long-term appreciated stock, mutual funds, or bonds to a nonprofit such as First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee!
You can potentially eliminate paying capital gains tax AND deduct the full fair market value from your taxes if you itemize your deductions. What this means is your donation dollars go farther (the amount that would have gone to the IRS if you had sold the investment are now going to the church) and help FPC carry out God’s work through our ministry areas.
Please check with a professional tax advisor to determine what is best for your personal situation.
FPC has an account through Thrivent that accepts stock donations. Please contact our Church Business Administrator, Kristina Maher, at 608-949-9453 or finance@myfpc.org for directions on how to transfer stock to the church. Please notify the Church Business Administrator if a stock gift is coming our way and what you’d like it to be put towards (i.e. your pledge, Endowment Fund, Pillars & Pathways, etc.).
FPC Wish List
Did you know that FPC has a Session-approved Wish List? It’s a list of things that our ministry areas are looking for but aren’t able to be funded through the church’s regular budget. If you are ever in a position to make a special donation of any amount, please check out our Wish List by clicking here and consider helping to provide an item listed.
“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 4 – 8
Monday, January 5 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for an engaging conversation of “How Your Live Matters” by Margaret Feinberg.
📌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 7 – 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 7 – 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
Saturday, January 10 & Monday, January 12 – Caring for Caregivers
Caring for others can be rewarding—but also overwhelming and isolating. That’s why FPC’s Care for Caregivers group exists: to offer emotional, mental, and spiritual encouragement for those supporting aging parents, loved ones with chronic illness, or individuals with disabilities.
Whether you’re a current or former caregiver, you’re invited to join us for drop-in style meetings—no pressure to share, just come as you are.
Monday at 6:30 PM
Saturday at 10:00 AM
Room 204 at FPC
If these times don’t work for you, let us know—we’d love to connect.
Questions? Contact Marcia Chase at marchase@icloud.com or call/text (334) 444-6610 (leave a message during work hours).
Remember: You’re not alone, and it’s okay to take time to care for yourself too!
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.
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 4 – 10
This Week’s Anniversaries: January 4 – 10
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 4
Ying Wang, pianist
January 11
Ying Wang, pianist
January 18
Ying Wang, pianist & Choir
January 25
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.
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.
