The Tower March 12, 2017 Vol. LXXIII No. 11

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1 The Tower March 12, 2017 Vol. LXXIII No. 11 Prayer & Action Prayer and action...can never be seen as contradictory or mutually exclusive. Prayer without action grows into powerless pietism, and action without prayer degenerates into questionable manipulation. Henri Nouwen We are living in challenging times in our world today. Our personal values, shaped by our faith, do not always match the values of our friends and neighbors, both locally and nationally. Often we become frustrated, thinking there is nothing we can do, so we head into our closets praying that something or someone, will change. Or we recklessly head out with our passions, forgetting Jesus words to love ALL of God's children, not just the children we choose to love. Even though we may feel as though times have never been worse, history tells us differently. Henri Nouwen's words above remind us that we constantly must be in prayer, and acting out our faith. Actions are not usually difficult for our faith community, but prayer must be as constant as our actions. First Congregational will be a sponsor of a prayer vigil held on March 19th. We hope you will join us for a time of prayer & action on March 19th. Prayer Vigil March 19th at 3:00pm Capitol Rotunda Co-Sponsored by: Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice First Congregational UCC St. Dunstan's Episcopal Temple Beth El Madison-area Urban Ministry ~ Eldonna Hazen Proposed Sanctuary Pledge At the special meeting of the congregation this last Sunday, March 5th, the members voted overwhelmingly to adopt the following public statement. It is our duty as a people of faith and conscience to resist policies that target, deport or compromise the human rights of immigrants and refugees, or discriminate against marginalized communities. As a radically inclusive and welcoming Christian community, we commit to promoting the principle of sanctuary for anyone needing safety, and to working alongside friends, families, and neighbors to ensure the dignity and human rights of all people.

2 Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday March 12 at 2:00am, daylight saving time goes into affect. Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD before you go to bed Saturday night, or you'll be really late for church!! March 12 after Worship - Women's March Follow-up Where to go from here? On March 12 after worship, all are invited to the Fellowship Room for a discussion of "what next" as a follow-up to the Women's Marches that were held throughout the country on January 21. Many members of First Congregational Church participated in marches in Madison and Washington and are looking for ways to use that energy to respond to the moral and ethical challenges that are confronting America under the current administration and Congress. This will be a time to put our heads together to identify a couple actions that we can take together to make a difference. Lenten Devotionals 'Diving Lessons' is offered as the UCC's 2017 Lenten Devotional. The book offers "lessons for diving deeper into the Christian life, written by caring friends." Pick up your copy at church and take this unique daily journey with the Still Speaking Writers' Group. You may just find yourself, "refreshed, growing in the confidence of faith". Women's Shelter Donation Bin Now in Narthex Due to remodeling work, donations to the Single Women's Homeless Shelter can no longer be left in the church office. Please leave your donations in the new designated bin in the Narthex. Always needed: unopened hotel shampoos, lotions, and soaps; sheets (any size, flat or fitted); blankets; towels; t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants (especially in large sizes); tote bags; duffel bags; and suitcases. Thank you. An Invitation...

3 Are you interested in knowing more about First Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ? We have a New Member Class scheduled for WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 from 6:30-8:00pm. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend or want more information: abeaty@firstcongmadison.org Child care will be provided. Attending this class is a great way to learn more about our church! Women's Book Study We will meet twice in March to discuss Glennon Doyle Melton's book Carry On Warrior. We will meet from 8:00-9:30am on March 11 and 25, with coffee and a light snack. Since renovation may begin prior to our first meeting, please check the sign as you enter for the meeting room. Family Game Day Join the Board of Community Life in the Dining Room after worship on Sunday, March 19th for an afternoon of board/table games. A light lunch and snacks will be served followed by fun games for all ages. Bring your favorite game if you'd like or we will provide many other options as well. Hope to see you there! One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering, March 26 What is One Great Hour of Sharing? One Great Hour is a Christian effort to empower, provide water, supply food, and give relief from disasters. Look out for more information to come in the Tower, at the back of the sanctuary, and in the bulletin in the coming weeks. Or, visit: SAVE THE DATE - One Great Mile: WALK for WATER Sunday, March 26, 2017 After Worship 11:15am Join us to walk one mile in solidarity with those who have to walk for their water every day. Along the way, learn more about One Great Hour partnerships with organizations worldwide which provide access to clean water to help eradicate disease and transform communities. All ages welcome! It's time to PLAY BALL!! Ok, not quite, but it is time to register to play ball this summer on First Congo's own Pew Warmers Softball team. We are looking for a few good sports to join the team for the 2017 Spring/Summer season. Games are on Friday evenings between 6 and 9 pm, during May through July. Each game lasts 7 innings or one hour, whichever comes first. Players of all abilities are welcome (even if you haven't played since grade school!). Contact Melissa Baumann at MomChemist@gmail.com or

4 if you are interested in playing for the team. Realm Mobile App is LIVE! First Cong is excited to announce that our church database has gone mobile! The Realm Connect mobile app is now available for download through the itunes App Store for iphone or Play Store for Android. Search for Realm Connect to download to your mobile device. The image that accompanies the app is a white star with a swoosh on a blue field. See the image below for a screen shot of the Realm Connect app. If you have any questions about how the app works, please kkanitz@firstcongmadison.org. Amazing GRace Volunteers Needed! First Cong will again be hosting the AMAZING GRACE the afternoon of SUNDAY, APRIL 2nd. Run much like the popular TV reality show, teams of youth from churches around the area complete challenges and follow clues on a race around the Madison area to the finish line. The team that wins receives a trophy, and prize money is sent to the charity of their choosing. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to hand out clues and proctor challenges. Jeff sets everything up, you just have to show up and follow the instructions. Individuals, couples, even families are invited to help! It's a lot of fun! Sign up in the Sanctuary or see Jeff Rabe with questions. Music News Pianos on the Move! You may have noticed that we now have TWO grand pianos in our sanctuary. Our 9' Steinway concert grand has been joined by the Mason & Hamlin grand piano that normally resides in the chapel. This move was necessitated by the construction that will be starting shortly in the west end of the building. Rather than move the chapel's piano off-site, which would have involved major moving expenses plus storage fees, it was thought the best thing was to keep the piano in the building, which drastically lowered the costs involved and kept the piano in the environment that it is used to. This is actually an important consideration, pianos and organs do not changes in their environment. For instance, after the new heating

5 system was installed, our Holtkamp pipe organ took about a year to get acclimated to the new ssystem. Keeping the piano here will also give us the opportunity to hear music specifically written for two pianos. These pieces will be heard by our own piano duo, Melinda Certain and Betty Hasselkus. They will be playing in worship often during the coming months of construction. They have already played for worship twice since the piano was moved on February 13. At the conclusion of the renovation, the Mason & Hamlin will move back into the chapel. Pictures of the move can be seen in the current issue of the Reach and Renew newsletter. Madison Area Assoc. of Church Musicians Concert The Madison Area Association of Church Musicians will be hosting a concert at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Regent Street at 7:30pm on Friday, March 24. The program was planned by our own director of music ministries, Don DeBruin, and Don will also be one of eleven local organists featured on the program. Youth, Children & Family News Youth Meet 'n Pizza All Youth are invited to meet in the Youth Room following Worship on Sunday, March 12 for Pizza and a Meeting. The group will discuss upcoming events, catch up on what's happened, and STUFF EASTER EGGS for the Easter Egg Hunt coming up in April! Head to the Youth Room following Worship, event will end at 1:00 pm. Amazing GRace All Youth in grades 7-12 are encouraged to be a part of the AMAZING GRACE on Sunday, April 2. The event runs from 1-5:30ish pm. Plan to be a part of the First Cong Team!! Sign up in the Youth Room by March 12. Towering Totem of Toilet Tissue The Sunday School collection of toilet paper for The Road Home, an organization that supports homeless families, will "wrap up" on Sunday, March 12. Sunday Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1-11 Second Sunday in Lent This week we continue our Lenten sermon series titled Jesus: From Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Last week we traveled from Bethlehem to Nazareth to consider what Jesus' early life may have looked like. This week we find the adult Jesus ready for his ministry to begin. According to Matthew, two things still need to happen before Jesus is sent out: baptism and wilderness. First, we find Jesus at the Jordan River, presenting himself to John the baptizer, submitting himself to the sacramental waters where he is claimed as God's beloved Son.

6 Then, he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days. In the wilderness, he begins to understand how the ancient words of God are to take flesh in him as the living and incarnate Word of God. How do these experiences shape Jesus for his ministry? How do they help lead him on his journey toward Jerusalem? ~ Ann Beaty Member News Family and friends of Janet Chabot (Dana's mother). Janet died Tuesday, February 21st. Congratulations to Jennifer Coleman, daughter of Fred and Wendy, who recently received her first pick for Fellowship at Rush University Road Home Program for Veterans, starting in the summer. Congratulations to Fred and Wendy Coleman as they celebrate the birth of a new grandchild, Adrian James, born February 26th. Adrian is the son of Megan and Gabe McElwain, and joins Charlie at home. Our sympathies are with the family and friends of Beverly Young. Bev died March 2nd at Oakwood West. A memorial service will be held on March 29th at 10:00am at Resurrection Chapel at Oakwood West. If you have member news you would like to share, contact the office at office@firstcongmadison.org. Upcoming Events Check the bulletin board at the Lathrop Street entrance for any possible room changes. Tuesday March 7 12noon Bible Conversations ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women's ~ Room 302 6:00pm Madison Pipes and Drums ~ DR, FR 7:00pm NA ~ Room 302 Wednesday March 8 9:00am Staff meeting ~ 320 Lathrop 6:30pm New member class ~ SL Thursday March 9 6:00pm Madison Pipes & Drums ~ DR, FR 6:30pm Coventry Ringers ~ Room 303 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DR 7:00pm Sanctuary Movement meeting 7:30pm Chancel Choir ~ S 8:00pm AA ~ Room 302 Friday March 10 Saturday March 11 8:00am Women's Book Study 9:00am Perfect Harmony ~ DR, FR, Rooms 301 and 302

7 Sunday March 12 8:45am Way of Blessedness Class ~ FR 8:45am Men's Fellowship 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ Sanctuary 10:15am Sunday School 11:30am Youth Meet & Pizza ~ YR 2:00pm Girl Scouts ~ Room 302 5:00pm Zen Book Group ~ Room 302 Monday March 13 5:45pm MACH Rehearsal ~ DR 6:00pm Confirmation class ~ YR 6:30pm Executive Council ~ FR Tuesday March 14 12noon Bible Conversations 5:15pm NA Women's ~ Room 302 6:00pm Madison Pipes and Drums ~ DR, FR 7:00pm NA ~ Room 302 Worship Attendance on Sunday, March 5, 2017 was 181.