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Book Club Events Happening at FPC!
Book Club Discussion: Sunday, October 18 in Fellowship Hall
By now, many of you in our congregation have either read or are currently reading Ashes to Ashes, the gripping crime mystery novel, whose storyline features full-time Presbyterian Pastor, and part-time sleuth, Seth Ludington, who along with several trusted confidants from his Old Stone Church congregation, are seeking to solve a decades old mystery!
Whether you have finished the book, are still reading, or simply want to learn more about it, please plan to join us for fellowship and discussion around the book’s storyline as we meet together in Fellowship Hall after Sunday Service on October 18.
Come ready for a thoughtful conversation and share your insights on the book as we look forward to our special Meet the Authors event scheduled for Sunday, November 1st.
Meet the Authors Event: Sunday, November 1st in the FPC Sanctuary
Everyone at FPC Waunakee and from the greater Madison community is invited to participate in our special Meet the Authors and General Discussion Event we’ve planned for Sunday, November 1.
This special event and gathering will take place immediately after the morning service and will provide us the opportunity to reflect on the book and hear directly from Ashes to Ashes co-authors, Michael Lindvall and daughter Madeline Lindvall Radman, about the inspiration and message behind the book along with their other series works; Earth to Earth and Dust to Dust.
This trilogy series of books merge classic mystery fiction with a subtle exploration of moral and spiritual questions. Michael Lindvall is a New York Times Best Selling author of two novels The Good News from North Haven and Leaving North Haven, as well as several volumes of accessible theology (Westminster/John Knox and Sterling).
Michael is also Senior Pastor Emeritus of the Brick Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, NY and we are fortunate to have him in the pulpit and leading us in worship on this Sunday as he brings God’s word to us!
Madeline Lindvall Radman is a freelance writer, producer and director specializing in true crime genres and television documentaries including The Golden State Killer: It’s Not Over and The Vanishing Women for Investigation Discovery.
Please mark your calendar and plan to invite a friend to this very special event!
For additional information, please contact
Jim Fitzgerald @ jnj57012@gmail.com.
We look forward to you all joining us as we welcome our featured co-authors to FPC Waunakee!
Special Announcements
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.
Revelation 22:1-2
New Art at FPC
We would like to thank church members Liz and Mark Weller for their generous donation of Mark’s two beautiful photographs, On the Upper Yahara Trail and Sixmile Creek. These canvas prints are on display in Classroom 204, across from the staff conference room.
Mark has graciously offered to lead a session to share the inspiration and story behind these works. If you are interested in attending, please contact Angela Himegarner.
FPC Main Phone Number Change
If you have the FPC phone number saved in your phone, please update it to 608.849.4625! We upgraded our phone systems and with the change came a new number. The old number still currently works but we will be working on migrating over to the new number.
Monthly Financial Update
Please see this month’s high-level summary of our general fund actual revenue and expenses.
In August, revenue was lower than expenses during the month by $3,440.
Year to date revenue for the second time this year is lower than expenses by $6,073 during the period Jan – July. As mentioned last month, the cash carry over from last year helped cover the gap. Thanks for all considering and contributing to our faith budget. We have received $6,100 and two gold coins so far. More about the gold coins in a future article. See the tile on the donation page or write faith budget on a check if you’d like to contribute towards this. Faith budget giving 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) continues to 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 66 payments thus far (9 more than last month). If you haven’t had a chance to contribute towards the Presbytery member dues, it’s not too late. Thanks all for your generosity.
Any questions, please contact Monty Cordell, FinanceElder@myfpc.org
Student & Military Care Package Drive
The fall Care Package Drive runs through October 11.
Please send names and addresses of any package recipients to FPC.carepackage@gmail.com by Friday, October 9th.
You can donate any items between now and Sunday, October 11th by dropping them in the bin in the Narthex. If you are donating baked goods, bag them 3-4 per baggie and bring on Sunday the 11th.
Please contact Brian Wolhaupter with any questions at bpwolhaupter@gmail.com
Waunakee Food for Kidz
Waunakee Food For Kidz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to individuals and families facing hunger—both here in Dane County and around the world. Each year, they host a community‑driven meal‑packaging event, and over the past 20 years volunteers have helped assemble an incredible 4,692,778 meals.
The 21st annual meal-packaging event takes place on October 11, 2026, at Dane Manufacturing.
FPC is sponsoring three tables and seeking 8 volunteers to package meals from 12:00–2:00 PM, with sign-ups at the Mission Table.
Please contact Leslie Strangfeld with any questions at MissionElder@myfpc.org
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
Sunday, October 4 – Adult Sunday School (Life Compass)
Adult Sunday School Class (Life Compass) continues with week two of the 8-week study focused around the “Gospel in Life” by Timothy Keller.
📅Date: Sundays
🕒Time: 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
📌Location: Meets in the FPC conference room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.
Sunday, October 4 – Youth Group
Students in 7th – 12th grade are welcome to join Youth Group for fellowship and faith exploration.
📅Date: Sundays
🕒Time: 6:30 – 7:45 PM
📌Location: Meet upstairs in the FPC Youth Space
Monday, October 5 – The Light Team
All Christian women are welcome to join in fellowship and faith discussion.
📅Date: Mondays
🕒Time: 1 PM
📌Location: The Gathering Space at FPC
Tuesday, October 6 – M-N-M’s Coffee House Bible Study
Please join us at M-N-M’s Coffee House on Tuesday mornings @ 7:30 A.M with Pastor Will leading us in an 8-week study on 1 John (John’s First Epistle).
📅Date: Tuesdays
🕒Time: 7:30 AM
📌Location: M-N-M’s Coffee House
If interested in participating, please contact
Jim Fitzgerald with any questions or you can sign up in the Narthex area of church.
Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.
Wednesday, October 7 – FPC Men’s Bible Study
All men are welcome to join us for a 5-week session on “When Your Way Isn’t Working” by Pastor/Author Kyle Idleman.
Our study will focus on the scripture found in John 15:5, where Jesus tells his followers; “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can’t do anything”.
Instead of going it alone in life we are to stay connected to Him!
📅Date: Wednesdays
🕒Time: 7 PM
📌Location: Meets in the FPC conference room
Contact Jim Fitzgerald at NurtureAndGrowthElder@myfpc.org with any questions.
Thursday, October 8 – Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meets weekly on Thursdays at 7 PM in Fellowship Hall.
Saturday, October 10 – Care for Caregivers
Care for caregivers involves providing emotional support, practical resources, and self‑care strategies to help those who assist loved ones with daily tasks, medical needs, and long‑term conditions.
📅Date: Second Saturday of the Month
🕒Time: 10 AM
📌Location: Room 204
Please contact Marcia Chase with any questions. marchase@icloud.com
Tuesday, October 13 – Care for Caregivers
Care for caregivers involves providing emotional support, practical resources, and self‑care strategies to help those who assist loved ones with daily tasks, medical needs, and long‑term conditions.
📅Date: Second Tuesday of the Month
🕒Time: 6:30 PM
📌Location: Room 204
Please contact Marcia Chase with any questions. marchase@icloud.com
Thursday, October 15 – Dining Divas
Join the Dining Divas this fall!
📅 Date: Thursday, October 15
🕒 Time: Noon
📍 Location: The Cheesecake Factory (near West Towne)
Please RSVP by October 8. We hope you can join us for good food and fellowship!
Contact Alka Van Haren to RSVP or with questions:
alkavanharen@icloud.com
Sunday October 18 – FPC Book Club Discussion
Join us for a discussion of the FPC Summer Book Club selection, Ashes to Ashes by M.M. Lindvall.
📅Date: Sunday, October 18
🕒Time: 10:45 – 11:45 AM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Please mark your calendar and join us for a special opportunity to meet the authors of Ashes to Ashes on Sunday, November 1, from 11:00 AM to noon.
A potluck lunch will follow.
We look forward to sharing conversation, fellowship, and insights from this meaningful book!
Thursday, October 30 – American Red Cross Blood Drive
American Red Cross Blood Drive – Sign up here
📅Date: Thursday, October 30
🕒Time: 12 – 5 PM
📌Location: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 15 – Pack the Love Day
Join us for local service project in Fellowship Hall after Sunday morning service on Nov. 15th. The mission committee invites all to join in packing food bags to donate to two local non-profit organizations – The River Food Pantry, and Friends of the State Street Family.
The River Food Pantry is Dane County’s busiest food pantry, serving almost 4,000 people weekly. The food bags FPC assembles will be distributed to children in 20 low-income neighborhoods in Fitchburg and Madison through the River’s Munch Mobile food trucks.
Friends of the State Street Family provides hope and help to those experiencing homelessness. Food bags assembled by FPC will be distributed to the homeless in the state street area.
Save the date! Sign up and more details coming soon! This is a family friendly event and a great opportunity for children to get involved!
Any questions please contact Allison Tardif at allisonmtardif@gmail.com
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 10/1
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: October 4 – 10
This Week’s Anniversaries: October 4 – 10
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
October 4
Choir & Ying Wang, Pianist
October 11
Ying Wang, Pianist
October 18
Joyful Noise, Ying Wang, Pianist
October 25
Choir & 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 Will, any Deacon, or one of FPC’s Stephen Leaders, Kristy Drewry or Jamie Roberts, at anytime.
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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.
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.
