Events
Serve
Announcements
Give
Loving God and Neighbor
Jesus summarized the law this way: love God and your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus said: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 26: 40). Why does Jesus order the commands with the love of God commanded first and then loving our neighbor second?
One might assume that Jesus’s command to love God, listed as the first commandment, indicates that loving God is more important than loving our neighbor. In this view, loving one’s neighbor is a secondary or somewhat less vital duty. Some of us live this way. We go to church, say our prayers, pay our tithes, and read our Bible. However, when it comes to our neighbors, we avoid them at best and despise them at worst. The problem with this approach is that it is impossible to love God without loving our neighbor genuinely. John wrote in his epistle that “those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20). Based on what John affirms, the command to love neighbor must not be seen as inferior to the call to love God.
Karl Barth states that loving God and loving neighbor form a single yet twofold command. It is when we love God wholeheartedly that we love our neighbor, and failing to love our neighbor indicates that we do not truly love God. I mean that loving God is the cause, and loving our neighbor is the effect. Therefore, when we do not love our neighbor, it reveals a deeper problem: our lack of love for God. The well-known Jonathan Edwards expressed it this way: “Love of God is the foundation of gracious love to men.” When we love God, as Douglas Ottati has written, we overcome our self-love and, consequently, our hearts are turned toward others. The other person, even our enemy, has been created in God’s image. When we truly love God, we love His image, which every person carries within their personhood.
In Christ,
Will
FPC Food Drive – through November 23
We’re asking FPC members and their families to consider donating items from a list of 5-6 “high demand” food types including: Diced Tomatoes w/ Green Chilies, Cereal, Strawberry or Grape Jelly, Chicken Broth, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Tomato Sauce, Canned Fruit (Peaches, Pears, Mandarin Oranges) and Canned Vegetables (Beans, Peas, Corn). Donated items must be unopened, unexpired, and in good condition to be accepted.
Donation Bins will be set up in the FPC Narthex area through 11/23/25.
Please contact Sheryll Gehrmann or Jim Fitzgerald with questions!
If you are struggling with food insecurity, please email Kathy Gundrum, the Director of the Waunakee Food Pantry at info@waunakeefoodpantry.org or call 608-850-4346. She can get you started with a simple registration.
Special Announcements:
Pledge Drive Update – Faith for the Future
Pledge numbers are coming in strong in Week #2, and it’s exciting to see! Most new pledgers are those who previously gave but didn’t make it official, but one new pledger is truly new—thank you to all new and continuing givers!
We are $77,769.00 ahead of last year—way to step up to the plate, friends!
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.
FPC Advent Study on “Mary- The Mother of Jesus”
Pastor Will Wilson will lead a four-week Advent study on Mary, the Mother of Jesus in the FPC Chapel.
📌Date: Sundays Nov. 30 – December 21
🕛Time: After 10:15 AM service – lasting 45 min
🏢Where: FPC Chapel
In “The Real Mary,” Scot McKnight presents a compelling portrayal of Mary, challenging misconceptions and advocating for a deeper understanding of her role in Christianity.
If interested in participating, please contact Jim Fitzgerald at jnj57012@gmail.com to reserve your place and to ensure we order enough study books.
We look forward to seeing you there!
“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: November 16 – 21
Monday, Nov. 17 – Thursday, Nov. 20 – Sewing Week
📌Date: Monday, Nov. 17 – Thursday, Nov. 20
🕛Time: 9AM – 4PM
🏢 Where: Room 102 & Fellowship Hall
Interested in joining – please contact Anne Frihart at annefrihart@gmail.com
Monday, November 17 – The Light Team
Calling All Women
Join the FPC Light Team for a Bible study series by Margaret Feinberg. Together, we’ll explore how to Respond to Hardship and Why it Matters.
📌Date: Mondays
🕛Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
🏢 Where: The Gathering Place at FPC – Please enter through South Entrance Door #4
Note: No Meeting November 24
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, November 19 – 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: 7:00 – 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, November 19 – 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
Note: No Meeting November 26
Thursdays, November 20 – Heavenly Stretch
Last Session – Heavenly Stretch! Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing.
📌Date: Thursday evenings through November 20
🕛Time: 5:15 – 6PM
🏢 Where: Room 305 – Enter through the south education wing door.
Recommended donation is $5 per session (unless you want to give more!) and will be given to Shelter from the Storm Ministry.
Heavenly Stretch combines slow stretching movements with scripture, prayer and Christian music. It is meant to be meditative and worshipful, and a way of praising God with our bodies. (Mark 12:30, Romans 12:1)
Heavenly Stretch is taught by Lolly Lawrence, who is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. She also has certifications in Holy Yoga, chair yoga, and Silver Sneakers Yoga. She currently teaches at the Waunakee Village Center.
Save the Date | More Info to Come
Sunday, November 23 – Gratitude Event for Waunakee Community
Peace Lutheran Church is hosting the ecumenical gratitude event celebrating Thanksgiving, the work of WEB, and other area organizations that benefit the Waunakee Community. (WEB = Waunakee Ecumenical Board, i.e. Food Pantry, etc.)
📌Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
🕛Time: 4 – 7 PM
🏢Where: Peace Lutheran Church – 701 Century Ave, Waunakee
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Nov. 28 – FPC Office Hours
The FPC office will be closed November 26 – 28 for Thanksgiving.
Friday, December 5 – Musical Pathway Foundation
MPF Annual Caroling & Cocoa
📌Date: Friday, December 5
🕛Time: 6PM
🏢Where: FPC – Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 21 – Children’s Nativity Service
Children’s Nativity Service will be 9AM on December 21 in the Sanctuary.
Please complete the sign-up form if you’re interested in your child participating.
There will only be one service this day.
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:
- Diced Tomatoes w/green chilies
- Cereal
- Strawberry or Grape Jelly
- Chicken Broth
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Tomato Sauce
- Canned Fruit (Peaches, Pears, Mandarin Oranges)
- Canned Vegetables (Beans, Peas, Corn)
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: November 16 – 21
This Week’s Anniversaries: November 16 – 21
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 – 11:30 AM throughout the month and is staffed by church staff and volunteers who love children and want to share God’s love with them.
*No Sunday School or Nursery on November 30 & December 28.
Upcoming Music in Worship
November 16
9AM – Beth Wagner, pianist
10:15AM – Choir & Ying Wang, pianist
November 23
9AM – Beth Wagner, pianist & Jessica Spicer, flutist
10:15AM – Sonia Driskill, guest harpist & Ying Wang, pianist
November 30
9AM – Beth Wagner, pianist
10:15AM – Ying Yang, pianist
December 17
9AM – Beth Wagner, pianist
10:15AM – Choir & 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!
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.
[Insert link here]
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.
