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Welcome from FPC’s New Student Ministry Elder
Dear FPC,
I appreciate the supportive comments I have received since recently being ordained as the Student Ministry Elder. I am excited by this opportunity to partner with Joe Madsen, the Director of Student Ministries, to share the good news with 7th-12th graders in the community. I would appreciate your support in spreading the word about upcoming youth activities that are happening at FPC. I know there are many events that are competing for their time, my own experience as a dad of two teenagers has taught me that much.
Joe has provided a wide range of activities for 7th-12th graders during the summer to promote fellowship. Here are a few upcoming events:
- 7/26 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at FPC: Youth Group Volleyball Night + Root Beer Floats. No sign-up needed, just show up. See the upcoming events below for more specifics.
- 8/14 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Youth Group Lake Day. Students will meet at FPC and travel to and from the lake as a group. You can sign-up for that event here
- 8/23 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at FPC: Youth Group gathering. No sign-up needed, just show up.
These will be fantastic opportunities for students to get to know each other better. If you have children, grandchildren, or students you care about, please encourage them to attend one of the events. They are welcome to bring along friends to join the fun and fellowship.
Thank you for all of your support of the Student Ministry program at FPC!
Brice Wallace
Student Ministry Elder
Special Announcements
Welcome the newest FPC member!
Congratulations to Pastor Will Wilson and Abby on the birth of their second daughter, Cora (“CeCe”) Elaine Martha Wilson, on July 23!
CeCe weighed 10 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21¾ inches long.
A special family connection: Will, Iris, and CeCe all celebrate the same birthday!
FPC Summer Book Club
Giving Statements Sent Week of July 20th
Heads up! The FPC 2026 mid-year giving statements were sent the week of July 20th. Many folks may have already received these.
Here’s what to expect:
- If we have your email on file, you’ll receive your statement via email from notifications@onrealmmail.org with the subject line:
“Stewardship and Finance Update: Mid-Year Report.” Check your spam folder and add this email to your safe senders list.
The email will include a hyperlink to download your statement—no login required. The message will be signed by Monty Cordell, FPC’s Finance Elder. - If we do not have your email, your statement will be mailed to you.
- Please review your statement carefully. If you notice any discrepancies, contact Kristina Maher, Church Business Administrator, at Finance@myfpc.org or 608-949-9453.
Thank you for your continued generosity and support of FPC’s mission!
Any questions, please contact Finance Elder, Monty Cordell at FinanceElder@myfpc.org.
Monthly Financial Update
Please see this month’s high-level summary of our general fund actual revenue and expenses.
In June, revenue was lower than expenses during the month by $23,683.93. Year to date revenue although lower than last month, this is higher than expenses by $15,452.44 during the period Jan – June. As expected the extra funds received early in the year helped cover during the summer doldrums where we historically have seen a dip in giving. Thanks for all considering and contributing to our faith budget. This will help give a boost to the general fund and keep our ministry areas and operations running smoothly.
Also, the number of member contributions towards the presbyterian member dues (per capita) have seen a small increase. These are the $45 per member funds that are sent to the Presbytery for their support of churches, missions, and more. We have currently received 51 payments thus far (5 more than last month).
Any questions, please contact Finance Elder, Monty Cordell at FinanceElder@myfpc.org.
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.
Donation Items
24 Ct Crayola Crayons – Crayola Only
Highlighters
Large Elmer’s Glue Sticks
Multi-Colored Pens
Water Bottles – All Sizes
Zippered Pencil Pouches
Backpacks
Personal Hygiene items: Deodorant, Disinfecting Wipes,
Shampoo & Conditioner, Tissues, etc.
Thanks in advance for supporting this local mission effort!
If you have any questions, please contact Mission Elder, Leslie Strangfeld at MissionElder@myfpc.org
“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 | July 26 – August 4
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!
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!
Thursday, July 30 – Red Cross Blood Drive
Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here
📅Date: Thursday, July 30
🕒Time: Noon – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, August 2 – Tuesday, August 4 – Vacation Bible School
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. Register by Sunday, July 26!
Questions? Please contact Angela Himegarner at angela.himegarner@myfpc.org
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Saturday, August 8 & Tuesday August 11 – Caring for Caregivers
A space for caregivers to gather and connect with each other.
📅Date: Saturday, August 8 & Tuesday, August 11
🕒Time: 10 AM and 6:30 PM
📌Location: FPC – Room 204
Friday, August 14 – American Red Cross Blood Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here
📅Date: Friday, August 14
🕒Time: Noon – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Friday, August 14 – Youth Group Lake Day
📅Date: Friday, August 14
🕒Time: 10 AM – 4 PM
📌Location: Meet at FPC before heading out to the Lake!
🎉 Open to 7th–12th graders
Sign up here
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
📌Location: Upstairs of FPC
Wednesday, August 19 – Dining Divas
Join the Dining Divas for an afternoon 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, August 19
🕒Time: 11:30 AM
📌Location: El Charro in Waunakee
Saturday, August 23 – Youth Group Night
Join us for a special summer youth group night featuring Capture the Flag: Quad Style!
📅Date: Saturday, August 23
⏰Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
📍Location: FPC Yard
🎉 Open to 7th–12th graders
After the game, we’ll gather around the fire pit for snacks, great conversation, and fun summer stories.
✅ Bring a friend
✅ Wear clothes you can move in
✅ Come ready for a great night together
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎉🔥🚩
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 7/23
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 26 – August 1
This Week’s Anniversaries: July 26 – August 1
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
July 26
Ying Wang, pianist
August 2
Ruth & Paul Heinecke, piano and trumpets
August 9
Ying Wang, pianist
August 16
Beth Wagner, pianist
August 23
Ying Wang, pianist
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.
Want to receive an email notification when the weekly Connector is updated? Sign up here!
Connect with the Connector!
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.
