FPC Elders approve Live Nativity for 2020 and a special Christmas Eve Event.
Shepherding the Flock: November Session Meeting Summary
Submitted by: Dianne Larson, Clerk of Session
Live Nativity is back on at FPC on Saturday, December 19 from 5-7. Safety changes have been made because of covid-19. There will be no carolers and the other groups will be family units.
FPC is also having A Charlie Brown Christmas December 24 at 5:00 in the upper parking lot. Details are still being finalized, but we will hear the Christmas story, sing Silent Night, and wave cell phone flashlights for candles.
Session has voted to have all worship services virtual starting November 29. The building remains closed. The issue of re-opening will be discussed again at the December Session meeting.
Mission Giving Trees are available for monetary or gift card donations.
Please return your stewardship pledge if you have not already done so. Session is working on the 2021 budget.
This Weekend’s Message
It’s pledge Sunday! Join us this weekend for the online message or at the Sunday outdoor worship at 10:45.
Drive Thru Blessing and Prayer
Sundays throughout Advent from 10-10:30am.
Drive to FPC on Sunday mornings during Advent to receive a Blessing and or to make a specific prayer request. You can stay in your car and Christa Schmeelk, FPC Director of Family Ministry, will be masked and will pray for you under the canopy by the front doors of the church.
Special Thanks from the Argues
As we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, November 7, we were thrilled beyond description by the outpouring of cards and messages with such warm, inspirational comments from so many of our fellow FPC friends. The car parade in front of our house was especially fun. We are still on a great high from all that you did to make this a truly special and memorable occasion.
Please accept our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Harry and Linda Argue
Begin your week with Virtual Meditation of Hope
Sundays during Advent at 4pm and 7pm
On Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec 13, or Dec 20, spend 15 minutes in a personal time of meditation with Christa Schmeelk, Director of Family Ministry, using Breath prayer. Choose the time you want to participate, connect through the zoom link, find a comfortable seated position, and ready to breathe deeply and let scripture and prayer fill you up.
Sundays at 4pm:
Zoom Meeting ID: 869 5607 0450
Passcode: fpc
Sundays at 7pm:
Zoom Meeting ID: 847 2776 6251
Passcode: fpc
or use the links below:
Pastor’s Benevolence Fund
Are you a member or friend of FPC? Are you in financial distress? Can’t make a car payment? Not sure you will be able to pay your rent or your next mortgage payment? Having a tough time buying groceries? Are you afraid you won’t be able to buy food and also pay for your medicine? Our church might be able to help you. The Session has given me a “Pastor’s Benevolence Fund” which I have used for years to assist some of our members and/or church families when they have faced some immediate need or acute financial distress. This help is confidential, comes from the giving of God’s people to FPC, and does not have to be paid back. If you could use some temporary assistance give me a call. God loves you, and so do we. – Pastor Kirk
Celebrating Advent at Home
Families with kids! Look for the Family Advent booklet in your mailbox to help your family celebrate Advent together at home this year starting on November 29!
The 2020 Giving Trees:
The Mission Team continues to help those in need this Christmas with the Giving Trees. Due to COVID, wrapped Christmas gifts cannot be distributed to families. For this reason, we will be accepting monetary donations or store gift cards for each group’s tree. All donations should be marked Attention Mission Team and can be mailed or dropped off at the church at the mailbox near the church office entrance. Any amount is appreciated. If you’d like your donation to go towards a specific group’s tree, make a note of it on your donation. All Giving Tree donations should be made by Monday, December 7.
Here are the groups we are supporting this year:
- WEB Tree – The Waunakee Ecumenical Board has 156 families and 350 children in Waunakee that need help with food and gifts. Monetary donations only. No gift cards please. Checks can be mailed directly to WEB at P.O. Box 143.
- Soar Kenya Academy Tree – After recently opening their doors to 4th-8th graders they have found that, due to COVID job loss, many families are not able to pay tuition. Hoping that that this is just a temporary situation, they are desperately in need of funds to pay for meals for students and local elderly community. Monetary donations only. No gift cards please.
- Operation Christmas Angel Tree – for the Children of active duty men and women serving outside of the Country. Walmart gift cards requested.
- Shelter from the Storm Ministry Tree – This group will purchase gifts for the children of the single homeless mothers that are being served in their facility. Walmart gift cards requested.
- *NEW THIS YEAR* Sock Tree – To benefit the homeless or needy men, women, and children of: Friends of State Street, The Beacon, Porchlight, and Waunakee Neighborhood Connection. We are collecting bagged socks at the church main entrance on Sundays. Or arrangements can be made to pick up the socks at your home.
Our FPC family is always so generous during the Giving Tree season! Thank you in advance for financially supporting these worthy groups in our community. Have any questions? Email Glenn Myers, FPC Mission Elder.
Share the peace and promise of Christmas with Our Daily Bread!
The Peace & Promise of Christmas, 10 Christmas Reflections from Our Daily Bread have been delivered. They are in a plastic tote at the front of the church under the portico on the right side as you face the church. Stop by anytime to pick one up for yourself, your friend or a neighbor, and discover how you can experience the peace and promise of Christmas!
Also available in the bin are the new December/January issues. Grab them both today.
Stephen Ministry
We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone—raising the level of fear, stress, and anxiety for people all over the world and underscoring the importance of caring ministry. As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we equip and empower lay caregivers to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care. Our commitment to this ministry is extremely important during these uncertain times.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this ministry, contact the church office.
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