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Finding Our Calling Outside of the Pulpit
Dear FPC,
It has been a joy to watch my son, Odin, step into the pulpit recently. I know many of you have blessed him with kind words, prayers, and generous support as he prepares to head to Kansas for graduate school. Thank you!
Because he appears so comfortable in the pulpit, people ask him, “Are you going to be a pastor?” His answer is no—because he feels called (yes, called!) to something else. Odin is answering a distinct call to serve God’s world through the field of counseling psychology.
His journey plays out a core truth for Presbyterians, Lutherans, and most Christians: ministry belongs to all of us. You do not need a collar, a robe, or a theological degree to do Kingdom work. Our church thrives, and we contribute to the world, because of devoted, faithful members who live out their faith in classrooms, hospitals, offices, and neighborhood blocks. Every act of daily service builds the Kingdom of God.
I am happily confident that, wherever life takes him, God will be working through Odin to be a blessing to whatever church he connects with. I am likewise deeply grateful for each of you through whom God works so beautifully here.
Obviously, I like to believe pastors are of some value too! But we are not more valuable than anyone else sharing and caring as part of our ministry.
Please keep Odin in your prayers as he makes his Kansas move and starts classes in August, and let us continue to celebrate our mission together in which each of us brings a treasured contribution.
God’s peace to you,
Pastor Ben
Special Announcements
Help Us Honor Vietnam Veteran Vaughn Frye!
We are proud to share that Vaughn Frye, a Vietnam War Veteran, and his son, Derek, will be embarking on the
Badger Honor Flight on September 12th.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Honor Flight experience is Mail Call. During their service, many
Veterans looked forward to receiving letters from family and friends. On the return flight home, each
Veteran’s name is called, and they receive a packet of cards and letters expressing gratitude for their service.
For many Veterans, this is one of the most emotional and memorable moments of the entire trip.
We would love your help in making Vaughn’s Mail Call special! If you would like to participate, please write a
card or letter thanking him for his service or sharing a favorite memory.
Please keep this a secret from Vaughn!
Please address all cards and letters to:
Vaughn Frye
c/o Derek Frye
W11006 Lake View Drive
Lodi, WI 53555
Please mail your cards and letters by August 6th to ensure they arrive in time for the Honor Flight.
Thank you for helping us show Vaughn how much his service and sacrifice are appreciated.
Fill the Bus
Many families in our community struggle to afford school supplies for their children. To address this need, FPC is supporting the Fill the Bus school supply drive through the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection. Our church will be an official collection site. That means a bus will be parked in our parking lot from July 27th through August 7th.
Members of the congregation and the community are invited to bring donated school supplies to “fill the bus”. Waunakee Neighborhood Connection will then distribute the collected supplies to children in need in the Waunakee Community School District.
Official school supplies lists will be made available before the drive begins. Thanks in advance for supporting this local mission effort! If you have any questions, please contact Mission Elder Leslie Strangfeld.
“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.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, July 11 & Tuesday July 14 – Caring for Caregivers
A space for caregivers to gather and connect with each other.
📅Date: Saturday, July 11 & Tuesday, July 14
🕒Time: 10 AM and 6:30 PM
📌FPC – Room 204
Wednesday, July 15 – Dining Divas
Join the Dining Divas for a night of fellowship and good food!
RSVP to Alka Van Haren alkadaisy@gmail.com or sign-up in the Narthex one week prior to the event date.
📅Date: Wednesday, July 15
🕒Time: 5 PM
📌Lone Girl in Waunakee
Sunday, July 26 – Youth Group Volleyball Night + Root Beer Floats
📅Date: Sunday, July 26
🕖 Starts at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
🏐 Games begin at 7:15 PM (mini-game style)
📌 Root beer floats served after games (8ish)
🎉 Open to 7th–12th graders
What to Expect:
- Form a team of 3 players
- Teams must be co-ed (at least 1 male and 1 female)
- Compete for the crown in fun, fast-paced mini games
- All skill levels welcome—come ready to have fun!
Not playing? Come hang out and cheer on your friends!
Monday, July 27 – The Light Team
The Light Team welcomes all women to join them for fellowship. Drop in anytime.
📅Date: Monday, July 27
🕒Time: 10AM
📌Location: M-N-M’s Coffee House in Waunakee
Wednesday, July 29 – Men’s BBQ Dinner & Fellowship
ALL men are welcome to attend!
📅Date: Wednesday, July 29th “rain or shine!”
🕒Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
📌Location: 5240 Bishops Bay Parkway, off Highway Q between 2nd & 3rd building
Menu: Brats, Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Potato Salad & Desserts!
Sunday, August 2 – Tuesday, August 4 – Vacation Bible School
VBS Rainforest Falls – VBS Rainforest Falls!
📅Date: August 2 – 4
🕒Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
📌Participant and Volunteer link is here
Free for all children thanks to generous donors!
We warmly welcome all children. VBS is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and to connect with their faith in a fun and nurturing environment.
Whether you can volunteer one night or all three, your time and heart will make a big difference. Sign up below to be part of this faith-filled adventure!
Dinner served each evening.
Questions? Please contact Angela Himegarner at angela.himegarner@myfpc.org
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Wednesday, August 19 – Pizza and Paint Party
Nursery and Sunday School Aged Children and Families please join us for an evening of friendship.
📅Date: Wednesday, August 19
🕒Time: 5 – 7 PM
📌Upstairs of FPC
Sunday, September 13 – Fall Kick Off
Save the date and join us at the FPC Fall Kick Off!
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.
Signups coming soon!
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 7/8
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: July 12 – 18
This Week’s Anniversaries: July 12 – 18
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 through September.
Upcoming Music in Worship
July 12
Ying Wang, pianist
July 19
Brooksy Beilke-Skoug, pianist, Leah Erato & Sora Gallagher, vocalists
July 26
Ying Wang, pianist
August 2
Ruth & Paul Heinecke, piano and trumpets
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.
