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Journey Together Through Lent
When Jesus begins his ministry in Mark’s gospel, one of his first recorded miracles is an exorcism. Jesus had gone to Capernaum on the Sabbath, and he entered the synagogue to teach. After he finished his guest preaching, a man with an unclean spirit interrupted the service: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24; italics mine). The unclean spirit recognized Jesus’ identity, both his human (Jesus of Nazareth) and divine (the Holy One of God). Curiously, though, Jesus is not very impressed with the unclean spirit’s knowledge of him. Jesus tells the spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man.
The Presbyterian New Testament scholar William Placher reminds us that “Evil spirits never have any problem knowing who Jesus is; the demons believe—and shudder (Jas 2:19).” So, why does Jesus rebuke the unclean spirit after the spirit confesses knowledge of Jesus? My theory is this: it is never enough to have just facts about God; one must also have a relationship. John Calvin said that “faith consists in assurance rather than comprehension.” The Heidelberg Catechism asks, “What is true faith?” The answer: “It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel…” While it is impossible to have true faith without the right knowledge of God, it is possible to have the correct understanding but not have true faith.
Ultimately, true faith in the saving work of Christ is a gift of the Spirit given to us through the preached word and the sacraments of baptism and communion. In other words, worship. Worshiping alongside the communion of saints empowers us not just to know about God but to build a relationship with God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. My hope and prayer for all of us is that as we begin the journey of Lent, we will go deeper and deeper into an authentic and life-giving relationship with our Savior and Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Will
Special Announcements
Easter Flower Fundraiser Begins This Sunday!
FPC Choir is hosting an Easter Flower Fundraiser beginning Sunday, March 1. Celebrate the season by purchasing beautiful flowers—including lilies, tulips, and more—which may be dedicated in honor or in memory of a loved one. These plants will help decorate our sanctuary for Easter worship and can be taken home afterward. Proceeds will support the choir’s music and guest musicians. Order forms will be available after worship services on March 1st and 8th.
Annual Congregational Notes
To view the minutes from the 2026 Annual Congregational Meeting please click here.
Join the Choir for a Special Lenten Offering
Join the FPC Choir as we journey through Lent and prepare a Good Friday Cantata, retracing Christ’s final days and journey to the cross through narration and song. This is a wonderful opportunity to sing with the choir without a long-term commitment. Singers of all experience levels are welcome, and music will be provided. The FPC Choir will also be joined by singers from other Waunakee churches as we come together in ecumenical worship.
Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings starting at 7PM, and there will also be a rehearsal the weekend of Palm Sunday. Sign-Up HERE or email jwendlandt@myfpc.org to learn more.
Shepherding the Flock – January
Click Below to View Shepherding the Flock Notes from January Session Meeting.
Special Thank You Message
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone for all the prayers, cards, calls, visits and support that has been extended to us over the last several months. It is comforting to know that we have such a supportive and caring church family. It is really appreciated.
Peace and Grace
David and Sandy
“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: March 1 – 7
Sunday, March 1 – Life Compass Adult Sunday School
Join us for Session Two – Grace for the Outcast
📌Date: Sundays
🕛Time: 10:45 AM
🏢 Where: FPC Large Conference Room
Questions please contact Jim Fitzgerald at nurtureandgrowthelder@myfpc.org
Tuesday, March 3 – Bible Study: John 1
Pastor Will leads this study of John’s Gospel which will coincide with his Lenten sermon series through Easter Sunday.
📌Date: Tuesdays
🕛Time: 7:30 AM
🏢 Where: M-N-M’s Coffee House
Pastor Will suggests we consider using the book “Interpreting The Gospel And Letters Of John- An Introduction” by Sherri Brown & Francis J. Moloney for use as an additional study reference. This accessible, comprehensive and up-to-date book is available on Amazon for $20.64 for those interested in purchasing.
Wednesday, March 4 – 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
Wednesday, March 4 – 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, March 4 – Midweek Manna and Lenten Dinners
Join us Wednesday in the Sanctuary for a brief time of worship and reflection from 6:00–6:30 PM.
Afterwards, stay for our Lenten Dinners in Fellowship Hall from 6:30–7:30 PM.
All are welcome to come for one or both parts of the evening.
Host Group – Deacons
📌Date: Wednesdays
🕛Time: 6 – 7:30PM
🏢 Where: Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
Friday, March 6 – Blood Drive
📌Date: Friday, March 6
🕛Time: Noon – 5 PM
🏢 Where: Fellowship Hall
Sign up here: Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Monday, March 9 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for an engaging conversation of “The Case for Easter.”
📌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
Tuesday, March 10 – Caring for Caregivers
📌Date: Tuesday, March 10
🕛Time: 10 AM
🏢 Where: FPC – Room 204
The purpose of the group is to meet in a safe place, where there is no judgment, to discuss and pray for you as a caregiver and for your loved ones.
Contact Marcia Chase at marchase@icloud.com with questions.
Wednesday, March 11 – Midweek Manna and Lenten Dinners
Host Group – Children’s Ministry
📌Date: Wednesdays
🕛Time: Worship and Reflection: 6 – 6:30 PM
Lenten Dinner 6:30 – 7:30PM
🏢 Where: Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 11 – New Horizons, How to Downsize
📌Date: Wednesday, March 11
🕛Time: 11:30 AM Round Table in the Chapel
with Lunch to Follow
🏢 Where: Chapel & Spring Garden
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
- Sloppy Joe Sauce
- Dinty Moore Beef Stew
- Canned Chili
- Ketchup
- Pancake Mix
- Pancake Syrup
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
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: March 1 – 7
This Week’s Anniversaries: March 1 – 7
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
March 1
Ying Wang, pianist & Choir
March 8
Ying Wang, pianist
March 15
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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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.
