The Pilgrim Broadcaster

Transcription

1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC 31 W. Milwaukee Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI Church Office #: (920) Church Office Fax #: (920) Church s officefortucc@gmail.com Church s Website: Moderator (Carol Maasz) - maaszc235@yahoo.com Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor Rev. Chris r evchr isfor tfcc@gmail.com Rev. Chris Home #: (920) Like and follow us on Facebook for more updates! Dart Ball season starts Tuesday, September 25th at 6:30 pm! We are looking for individuals to join us Tuesday evenings for this fun game! For more information, please contact Larry Narkis at Broadcaster publication schedule 2018 September 26 October 10 & 24 November 7 & 28 December 12 Electronic Giving is a convenient, consistent way to help our church year round. Consider scheduling a recurring electronic contribution today. It s easy! You will no longer need to write out checks and prepare envelopes every week. Even when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, your electronic contributions will continue to be received on an uninterrupted basis. Get started today! Ask for an authorization form in the church office. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 31 W. MILWAUKEE AVE., FORT ATKINSON, WI The Pilgrim Broadcaster Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Week 37 Bi Weekly Newsletter Open and Affirming Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. " (Mark 9:37) "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (Matthew 10:40) The above scripture lessons share a common message of hospitality and welcome. Whether it is in the act of welcoming a child, (Children were often and regularly dissuaded from participating with adults) or showing hospitality to Christ's disciples-we see how important it was and is to Christ that we remain open to one and all. But what does that really mean? How far does that openness extend? At the August meeting of our Church Council it was decided that our congregation should establish a committee to begin the process of exploring Open and Affirming. Open and Affirming (ONA) is the United Church of Christ's (UCC) designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the UCC which make a public covenant of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. It is my hope and intention that through the study and engagement in this (ONA) process-regardless of whether we decide to become (ONA) or not that the result will be that as an act of sharing our (Continued on page 2)

2 views and perspectives in love that we will become a more welcoming community. But I thought that we were already a warm and welcoming community? Isn't everyone already welcome here? Those are good questions and will be a part of our discussions. WE are not entering into these potentially difficult waters of discussion to divide us but, rather, to unite us. The motto of the United Church of Christ is taken from John 17:21, That We May Be One in Christ. This may prove to be a lengthy process, and in the end, whenever that is, we may decide to be or not to be Open and Affirming. That decision, however, will be made through an open and fair process where all of our voices and thoughts will be greeted with openness and respect so that- We May BE One! We don't all have to agree on everything to be One in Christ. Being One in Christ is a covenant in which we vow to love one another in spite of our differences. He who welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me! May we all find a warm welcome here! Remember, you are loved. Pastor Chris In his final hours, Jesus prayed for you! John 17:21 21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. PEANUT NEWS Get out your calendars! Put the Peanut work days on them! The dates: September 17, 24; October 8, 15, 22, 29 (All Peanuts processed during October will be sold at the Fair); November 5, 26; and December 3, 10, 17. Get your Peanut peeling skills warmed up and ready to go. Members of our church may place orders for any of the above dates, except the October dates, on Order Sundays. There will be NO Fair pre-sales, holds, reserves, etc. Place your Peanut orders on the Order Sundays. Placing your orders by contacting the church office. The earlier you call the better your chances of getting your Peanuts in time for Christmas. This year the cost of a 12 ounce bag of Peanuts is $7.00 per bag, the same as last year. The maximum order is 5 bags per Peanut Day. At the Fair the maximum order size will also be 5 bags. We hope to see many of you at 8:00 am on Mondays. Sixteen hundred pounds of Peanuts will be processed before the season is over. Be ready! Please check out our Welcome Table in the Narthex! You will find name tags for all, Welcome packets for visitors and some general information about current happenings at our church. Please help us by wearing your name tag and direct visitors to take a Welcome packet. We welcome you all, may you may feel the Love of Christ in your life today.

3 Schedule September 16 September 23 September 30 October 7 October 14 Sydney Announcements Wayne Walker Susan Woods Zach Finch Joe Slaney Wesemann Audio Operator Steve Heitz Zach Finch Bob Buell Kevin Becker Kurt Wesemann Greeters Wayne & Albert Walker Dave & Ann Lueder Bob & Jean Prabst Julie Ankomeus Mike & Nancy Rankin Sydney Lay Reader Wayne Walker Susan Woods Sarah Brietzke Eunice Ann Slaney Wesemann Ushers Joe & Eunice Ann Slaney, Sandra Gilbert, Mike Rankin Joe & Eunice Ann Slaney, Martha Firari, Julie Ankomeus Jeff & Susan Woods, Chris & Brenda Reed Julie Ankomeus, Cora Wahl, Chris & Brenda Reed Roger & Marsha Anderson, Arthur & Nancy Nesbitt Schedule of Events Thursday, September 13 th 9 am Bulletin Article Deadline 12:30 pm Lend-a-Hand Potluck 6 pm Choral Bells Rehearsal Sunday, September 16 th 8 am Breeze Early Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 8:45 am Children s Choir 8:45 am Confirmation Class 8:45 am Adult CE Class 10 am Worship Service 11 am Fellowship Hour 11:15 am Confirmands Meet W/ Pastor Chris Monday, September 17 th 8 am Peanuts 6 pm Evangelism Mtg. 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, September 18 th 9:30 am Preschool Singing with Pastor Chris 5:30 pm Moderator Mtg. 6:30 pm Council Mtg. Wednesday, September 19 th 9 am Prayer Quilts 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 20 th 9 am Bulletin Article Deadline 6 pm Chapel Bells Rehearsal Saturday, September 22 nd 9 am 12 noon Disability, Aging & Veterans Resource Fair Sunday, September 23 rd Confirmation Covenant Signing 8 am Breeze Early Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 8:45 am Children s Choir 8:45 am Confirmation Class 8:45 am Adult CE Class 10 am Worship Service 11 am Fellowship Hour Monday, September 24 th 8 am Peanuts 9 am Broadcaster Article Deadline 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, September 25 th 9:30 am Preschool Singing with Pastor Chris 6:30 pm Dartball Home Game Wednesday, September 26 th 10 am Mail Broadcaster 7 pm Choir Rehearsal Thursday, September 27 th 9 am Bulletin Article Deadline 6 pm Chapel Bells Rehearsal Sunday, September 30 th Hoard/Nasco Luncheon 8 am Breeze Early Worship 8:30 am Sunday School 8:45 am Children s Choir Confirmation Class Service Opportunity 10 am Worship Service 11 am Fellowship Hour Monday, October 1 st Hoard/Nasco Luncheon 5:15 pm Facilities Mtg. 6:30 pm Bridge Club Tuesday, October 2 nd 9:30 am Pastor Chris Preschool Singing Dartball BYE Week

4 Prayer Concerns of our Church Family of Faith Prayer Concerns of our Extended Family & Friends of Faith Tony Ehrike, Marjorie Fenn, Lucile Lasher, Mark Miller, Mitzi DeForest, Nancy Witt Izayah Wirth, Abigail Ehlers, Kyle Huyser Gwen Strassburger (Sarah Brietzke s Sister-In-Law) Eric Jung (Harley & Pat Jung s Son) Carl (Skip) Armstrong (Carol Maasz s Brother) Bill Ratzburg, Mary Wendlandt, Clarice Fernelius Jennifer Woods, Jackie Sanders, Marsha Anderson, Carmen Hendricks Dorothy Schademann (Ann Olsen s Mother) Carolyn Taylor (Rev. Chris s Mother) Emily Klatt, Jessica Wallace Those Serving in the Military and the families they have waiting at home. Scripture Readings: September 16 - Prov 1:20-33; Ps 19; Isa 50:4-91a; Ps 116:1-9 or Wis of Sol 7:26-8:1; James 3:1-12; Mk 8:27-38 September 23 Prov 31:10-31; Ps 1 or Wis. Of Sol 1:16-2;1, or Jer 11:18-20; Ps 54; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mk 9:30-37 September 30 Est 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Ps 124 or Num 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Ps 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mk 9:38-50 October 7 Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Ps 26 or Gen 2:18-24; Ps 8; Heb 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mk 10:2-16 Our appeal for the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry during the month of Septemberis: Peanut Butter Prayer Discipline Week 1 Prayer Discipline Week 2 Mildred Lemke Wendy & Dale Lukachik, Ryan & Kyle Huyser Steven & Michelle Lemke Carol Maasz Nathan Ley Helen Macklem Amy Lueder, Emma & Ellie Norris Karen, Natalie & Abigail Macklem David & Ann Lueder Margaret Majors Jim, Leigh, Cameron & Rowan Luedtke Mona Mason Hoard-Nasco Dinners Yes, it really is that time again. It s time for our Church to play host to some 400 high school and college students who come to us from all parts of the country and who will be attending the International Dairy Exo in Madison. They all have an interest in the dairy industry and visit the Hoard s Dairyman Farm, the Hoard Historical Museum, W.D. Hoard & Son Printing Company, and Nasco during their visit to Fort Atkinson. They also have their noon meal here at First Congregational Church! Feeding all these active youth takes a lot of effort, and we hope YOU can help. Check the clipboard in the Narthex for opportunities to help with this event! Many volunteers will be needed September 28 October 1. Thank you!!!! th Help us celebrate our 50 Anniversary! What: An Open House Anniversary Party! When: Sunday September 23, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Where: The Rock River Clubhouse in Fort Atkinson Rock River Park Please no gifts, your presence will be our present. We hope to see you there! Mary & Larry Narkis

5 Council Highlights for August 21st 2018 First Congregational United Church of Christ of Fort Atkinson will form a committee to study the process of becoming an open and affirming congregation. All church members will be kept informed of the progress and have an opportunity to voice their beliefs and opinions. Treasurer Lauren Gray informed the council that he will be retiring from his position effective the 2019 annual meeting. The council thanks Loren for his 14 years of service and guidance. The council will be actively searching for Loren s replacement. Interested church members should contact the church office. Preschool/Childcare Director Jennifer Graf reports a total of 112 children enrolled for this fall. She feels we are in a good place with enrollment at this time. Jennifer is working with Century 21 to advertise our Preschool/Childcare center in 3000 folders they distribute to families that they are working with to purchase homes in the Jefferson County Area. Century 21 will not allow other childcare centers to advertise in the folder. C.E. Director Tammy Green reports that Sunday school and Conformation information and registration packs were sent to parents. Curriculum, class lists and schedules have been completed for Sunday School, Conformation, and Adult Christian Education classes. Facilitators for adult classes are all in place for the year and teachers and subs are in place for the children. Little is much when God is in it! The Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus said the Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sews it in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that the birds come and make their nests in their branches. (Matthew 13: 31-32) Pastor John Helt began his ministry in our church in 1994 with a sermon based on the Parable of the Mustard Seed. During his spiritual leadership we completed our Building for Christ project with a new narthex, roof, office, elevator and a completely remodeled downstairs. Little is much when God is it! Stewardship Sunday is October 21 at 8:00 and 10:00 AM st Bring your Pledge Card and Time and Talent commitments on this day of celebrations for all of God s gifts to his people of faith! Adult Christian Education Class Sundays - 8:45-9:30 am Werthmann Room DVD & Discussion September 9 - December 16, 2018 Unshakeable Hope We ve never been more educated and entertained. We have technological tools our parents could only dream of, and we are saturated with information, amusement, and recreation. Yet more than ever, we are starving for hope. School shootings are all too familiar. Depression is on the rise. And more people than ever are orchestrating their own deaths. In America alone, the suicide rate has increased 24 percent in fewer than twenty years. If a disease saw such a spike, it would be deemed an epidemic. People are dying from a lack of hope. After forty years of counseling and ministry, Max Lucado has learned that nothing lifts the desperate, weary heart like the promises of God. In a world full of despair, depression, anxiety, and instability, we do not need more opinions or hunches; we need the definitive declarations of our mighty and loving God. Unshakable Hope examines twelve of God s promises that Max has turned to over the years to encourage himself and others. Each chapter explores one significant promise and reveals how it will equip you to: Overcome challenging circumstances Live through sadness and renew hope Experience lasting security Make wise decisions What is your life built on the circumstances of life or the promises of God? The answer to that question changes everything. For every problem in life, God has given you a promise. Join Max as he takes a closer look at Scripture s unbreakable promises and shows you how to live with an Unshakable Hope. * No Class: September 30 (Hoard Dinners), November 25(Thanksgiving Break), December 23 & December 30 (Christmas Break)

6 Sunday School Classes Ages 3+ Contact the church office for more details ( ) Sunday School! Deep Blue Rotation Model The rotation model is a creative approach to Sunday school. In a traditional Sundayschool model, a different Bible story is presented each week. When using the rotation model, the same story is taught for multiple weeks. Use of the rotation model for Sunday school offers several advantages: Deeper exploration of the Bible story Since each Bible story is taught for several weeks, children have an opportunity to engage with the same story in multiple ways. Children who miss a week of Sunday school still have an opportunity to hear the story. Use of multiple learning styles Not all children (or adults) learn in the same way. The use of stations that focus on different learning styles allows children opportunities to engage with the story in a variety of ways. Ten Commandments Exodus 19:1-20:21 Spiritual Practices, Science, Missions, Games God Chooses Joshua Joshua 1:9, 2:1-24, 3:1-17, 4:1-24, 6:1-27 Storytelling/Drama, Cooking, Missions, Art Ruth Book of Ruth Spiritual Practices, Science, Missions, Games God Calls Samuel 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Storytelling/Drama, Cooking, Missions, Art David & Goliath 1 Samuel 17:1-51a Spiritual Practices, Science, Missions, Games, The Wise King 1 Kings 2:1-4, 3:1-15, 6:1-38, 8:1-66 Storytelling, Cooking, Missions, Art All youth are WELCOME!! JOIN US ANYTIME!

7 It is September - and time to start thinking about the Country Fair! We WILL hold the Basket Raffle again this year! Please start thinking about what you can donate to the Raffle. There are many opportunities for you to be a part of the Basket Raffle. We will have an information table (starting in October) in the Narthex for suggestions and donations. Please let us know you ideas and questions. Thank you so much for all of your support in the past. There were so many beautiful items last year and we are very excited to see what this year brings! Thank you to the congregation, and volunteers who made the memorial service for our father, William Starke, a lasting memory. The kind words and memories you shared before and during the service were a very nice tribute. The music and solo was beautiful, and the military presentation made us so proud of dad. The luncheon prepared by the Lend-a-Hand group was successful and enjoyable. We would like to thank all who volunteered and/or donated food. The William Starke Family Our Worship Service radio broadcast will be on KOOL on the following dates due to Packer Noon Games. September 16, 23, 30 October 7 November 11 December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 A link for KOOL is provided on our website under the Worship heading.