The Tower First Congregational United Church of Christ Madison, Wisconsin LXX March 9, 2014 No. 9 Who and Where is Jesus? Lent 2014 Loving God, we live in a land of winter. Not the winter of the seasons, but the bleak winter of a life lived far from You. Easter was so long ago. It has been hard to hold on to the joy of Resurrection in the constant clamor and chatter of a dark world that can only be illuminated by having more, having it now, having it loud, boisterous, colorful, unsatisfying. What we truly need is Your light to shine bright among us once more. Remind us again how You came to live among us, to share our humanity and to show us how to truly live a life in Your love. Come, O God, again to be among us. Your people wait in hope. LL Kroouze DuBreuil Only two months ago we celebrated the birth of Jesus. We were in a feverish season of preparing for and living through, Advent. And now, here we are, preparing for and living in the season of Lent. It seems we have hardly had an opportunity to celebrate Jesus birth, and soon we will experience the thing feared by all of us death. It seems appropriate for us to focus on the time Jesus spent in human form. It s not that we don t talk about Jesus throughout the church year, we do. But during this Lenten season, the staff would like to take the time to talk about the many and various roles that Jesus played during his active ministry on earth. Each Sunday, we will spend time focusing on specific ways that Jesus entered the lives of ordinary people like us. Jesus didn t enter this world in a splashy, posh home. Jesus entered in humility. And Jesus didn t leave this world in a gold casket, carried by elite soldiers and a ceremony that today would be shown on all of the networks. Jesus left in humility. So between entering and exiting this world in humility, what did his ministry look like? Where did he go? Who did he touch? What are the many different labels that could be attributed to his ministry? We hope to explore different ministries from the Gospel of John so we might have a better understanding of where Jesus spent his time, or who he spent his time with. Also, as part of Lent, Lenten vespers will be offered, focusing on the human-ness of Jesus - his suffering and pain. A special Lenten Family Devotional Quest related to this theme will be offered as well. Please join us on the path of Jesus ministry. Ask questions with us, struggle with us and most of all, join us in getting to know Jesus in new and unique ways. March 9 John 2:13-23 (Chases the sellers out of the temple, turns the tables over) March 16 John 4:46-53 (Heals the official s son) March 23 John 8:1-11 (Accusations against the woman as an adulterer) March 30 John 5:1-9 (Heals a man diseased for 38 years) April 6 John 8:12-20 (Jesus claim to be the Light of the World) April 13 John 12:12-18 Palm Sunday (The Seven Last Words by Charles Gounod) April 20 John 20:1-18 Easter ~ Eldonna Hazen
Join Us For Morning Service Sunday, March 9, 2014 Sunday Worship 10am in the Sanctuary Scripture Reading: John 2:13-23 This Sunday begins our Lenten series, Who and Where is Jesus. The Gospel of John is our focus for the series. This week we encounter Jesus in Jerusalem. He has traveled from Cana, where he changed water into wine, to Capernaum with his family and now has arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. Upon his arrival in Jerusalem he enters the temple. Jesus wreaks havoc in the temple. He makes a whip of cords and drives the sheep and cattle out, he turns over the tables of the money changers and he tells those selling doves to take them out of the temple. The disciples remember from tradition the statement, Zeal for your house will consume me (Psalm 69:9). Everyone must have been stunned by this behavior from Jesus. They ask him for some sign of why he is destroying the temple. His response seems somewhat cryptic. Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. Of course we know he is referring to his own death and resurrection, but the disciples didn t realize until after the resurrection what he meant in that moment. This encounter with Jesus must have seemed out of character at the time. Still today, we tend to think of him as a gentle, loving man. What did it mean at the time? What does this mean to us today? Who and Where is Jesus? ~ Eldonna Hazen WHERE IS JESUS? Sunday School Families, watch your mailboxes (USPS and email) for information about this year's Lenten Family Devotionals. Spring Forward!!! Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00am Sunday, March 9. Be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night, or you re going to be late for church that day!!! Dead Man Walking Extending the Stage Included in the week s Tower is a wonderful insert for the Dead Man Walking: Extending the Stage events taking place in and around Madison this month. Take a moment to review the thought provoking events that are scheduled. Kicking off the series is: Incarcera on and Inequality Panel Discussion Madison Central Library; 2012 W. Mifflin St. Monday, March 10, 5:30 7:30 p.m. Sociologist Pam Oliver and visi ng ar st Rhodessa Jones will speak with Jean Feraca about incarcera on and inequality in Wisconsin and across the na on. Part of the Extending the Stage effort of Madison Opera (see today s insert). Do you know someone who needs health insurance? HEALTH INSURANCE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace (Obamacare) BUT Enrollment for 2014 CLOSES MARCH 31 ST If you have questions about how to sign up or what is available, Mary Metz will be in the Learning Resource Center immediately after worship THIS Sunday, March 9th. She is very knowledgeable about the options. MUSICAL NOTES CANTATA CHOIR BEGINS REHEARSALS It s time for the Cantata Choir to begin rehearsals. They will present Charles Gounod s Seven Last Words during worship on Palm Sunday, April 13. The Seven Last Words is a musical depiction of the last words spoken by Jesus while hanging on the cross. Gounod depicts through his music the agony of the cross, along with the emotions of the crowds watching this horrific event. Everyone is invited to join the choir in singing this beautiful piece of music. Rehearsals are every Wednesday, from 7:30pm until approximately 8:15, beginning February 26.That s right! Rehearsals begin this week so that we will have ample time to learn the musical notes as well as work on the emotions conveyed through those notes. If you have any questions, please contact Don DeBruin at ddebruin@firstcongmadison.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Just Bakery at First Congo Did you miss Just Bakery s after-worship sale on Sunday? Do not fret. They will be here the first Sunday of each month throughout the year. The bread of life will have dual meaning for us on first Sundays. What a blessing! Change Offering $201.69 was collected during the special Change Offering at the recent Youth -led Worship service. These funds will go to the Dane County Boys and Girls Club. Thank you! Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry Requested Items You may have noticed the bin in the back of the sanctuary asking for donations for the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry. These are items that cannot be purchased with food stamps, but that are extremely helpful even essential for daily living. Some of the requests are for specific sizes, so you may want to keep this list with you when you go shopping. Many thanks. Specific sizes Kleenex, 100 sheets Laundry detergent, liquid, 32 loads Dish soap, 16 oz. Vinegar, 16 oz. Baking soda, 16 oz. Toothpaste, 6 oz. Body bar soap, 4 oz. Skin lotion, 12 oz. Shampoo, 15 oz. Conditioner, 15 oz. Diaper rash ointment, 4 oz. Baby wipes, 72 ct. Any size Toilet paper Paper towels Combs or hair picks Dental floss Toothbrushes Lip balm Razors Band aids Antibiotic cream Body wash Diapers Pull-ups Tampons, regular Sanitary pads, super Panty liners Our Adult Education Lenten Series begins this Sunday, March 9. Join leader Julie Kramer, assisted by Ann Beaty for Encountering Scripture Through Sacred Reading. Psalm 32 is the featured text and will be explored through reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. Meet in the Chapel at 8:45am. The Embracing an Adult Faith series starts March 16. A sign-up sheet is in the back of the Sanctuary. Join the Women's Book Study in discussing I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. We have two more sessions, March 15 & 29 from 8:00-9:30am in the Student Lounge. Please join us in cleaning the nursery! We are looking to get a small group together on Saturday, March 22nd at 9:00 to clean, organize, and beautify our nursery. It will likely take us about 1 1/2 hours to complete the project. We will also enjoy good conversation and light breakfast treats! Going forward, we are hoping to assemble a small group 4 or 5 times a year to assure that the nursery remains in great condition for our little ones. If you are available to join us, please contact Emily Cochran at 608-444-1395. Thank you! The NEWLYWED Game Sunday, March 16 is the date for this year s Newlywed Game. Four couples will answer questions and share stories in a celebration of love and relationships, all while earning points for the coveted Grand Prize! Audience members have chances to win prizes too! A light lunch will be served in the Dining Room followed by the Game. A suggested donation of $10/ person (kids eat free) will cover expenses and raise funds for Youth Mission Projects including the High School summer mission trip to St. Louis. Youth will work at Neighborhood House, an organization that has supported low-income families in the inner-core of St. Louis since 1913. 7 th & 8 th graders will be heading to Rockford, IL.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1609 University Avenue Madison, Wisconsin 53726 608-233-9751 (phone) 608-233-7180 (fax) office@firstcongmadison.org Staff: Eldonna Hazen, Senior Minister Jerry Hancock, Director of Prison Ministry Project Donald J. DeBruin, Director of Music Ministries Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education for Children & Youth Ann Beaty, Associate Minister Rob Eagle, Bookkeeper Jill Farnsworth, Office Manager Kristin Kanitz, Executive Assistant Bob Zeier, Building Manager IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES: Eldonna Hazen, 241-8117, and Jerry Hancock, 658-6630. Office Hours: M-Th 8-12:30pm, 1-4pm, Fri 8-12 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Worship attendance on Sunday, March 2, 2014, was 194. Church Calendar March 6-16, 2014 Thursday, March 6 Community Meals Day 6:00pm Confirmation Class ~ YR 7:00pm SA ~ LRC 7:00pm Mad. Area Jugglers ~ DR 8:00pm AA ~ Room 303 Friday, March 7 7:00pm UW Table Tennis ~ DR Saturday, March 8 Sunday, March 9 Daylight Savings Time Begins 8:45am Adult Ed Class Encountering Scripture Through Sacred Reading ~ C 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S 10:15am Sunday School 10:15am YBS ~ YR 11:15am Cherub Choir ~ Rm 301 Monday, March 10 Tuesday, March 11 12noon Bible Conversations ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women s ~ Room 303 5:30pm Executive Council Agenda mtg. ~ SL 7:00pm NA ~ Room 303 7:00pm UW Table Tennis ~ DR Wednesday, March 12 9:00am Staff Meeting, Worship Planning ~ SL 6:30pm Coventry Ringers ~ Rm 301 7:30pm Cantata Choir ~ Chapel 8:15pm Chancel Choir ~ Chapel Thursday, March 13 6:00pm Confirmation Class ~ YR 7:00pm SA ~ LRC 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DE 8:00pm AA ~ Room 303 Friday, March 14 7:00pm UW Table Tennis ~ DR Saturday, March 15 8:00am Women s Book Study ~ SL Sunday, March 16 8:45am Adult Ed Class Marcus Borg ~ FR 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ S 10:15am Sunday School 11:30am Newlywed Game ~ DR BK ~ Big Kitchen C ~ Chapel DR ~ Dining Room FIGS ~ Families Including God and Stuff FR ~ Fellowship Room LRC ~ Learning Resource Center MS ~ Minister s Study PiPS ~ Parents of Infants and Pre-Schoolers S ~ Sanctuary SL ~ Student Lounge SR ~ Salad Room YR ~ Youth Room YBS ~ Youth Bible Study
A no pera emiere Pr Madiso ead Man DW alking An American Masterpiece Music by Jake Heggie Libretto by Terrence McNally Based on the novel by Sister Helen Prejean April 25 & 27, 2014 Overture Hall Sung in English with projected text E X T E N D I N G T H E S TA G E Join us and our community partners for a series of events exploring issues surrounding criminal justice. On April 25 and 27, 2014, Madison Opera will present the regional premiere of Jake Heggie s Dead Man Walking. Since its premiere in 2000, Dead Man Walking has become a modern classic, one of the most important, powerful operas ever written. Based on Sister Helen Prejean s book that inspired the movie of the same name, it tells of a nun s journey as the spiritual advisor to a convicted murderer on Photo C l i f f C ole s, Eu gene O p er a Louisiana s death row. From its shocking beginning to its emotionally Because of the social issues raised by the opera, searing final scene, this opera changes everyone who encounters it. Madison Opera is partnering with a number of Its stunning score and intense story combine into a work that must Dane County organizations to present an array of be reckoned something of a masterpiece a gripping, enormously educational activities in the months leading up to the skillful marriage of words and music to tell a story of love, suffering performances. Events range from panels to previews, and spiritual redemption (San Francisco Chronicle). films to museum tours, and culminate with a discussion between Sister Helen Prejean and Jake Heggie at First Congregational Church on April 24, 2014. Madison Opera is truly extending the stage into our community for this life-changing opera, and we hope you will join us as often as you can. For more information about Extending the Stage: 608.238.8085 Photo Larr y Roberts Photo Ace Cuer vo, Tulsa Opera Photo Art & Clarity Opera tickets: 608.258.4141 madisonopera.org
Calendar of Events Conversations & Panels Incarceration and Inequality, a Humanities NOW panel presented by the Center for the Humanities at the UW-Madison Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin Street Monday, March 10, 5:30-7:30pm Sociologist Pam Oliver, who is investigating the causes and consequences of racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and Rhodessa Jones, Director of the Medea Project: Theater for Incarcerated Women, speak with Jean Feraca about incarceration and inequality in Wisconsin and across the U.S. Religious Perspectives on Criminal Justice Madison Opera Center, 335 W. Mifflin Street Sunday, March 23, 2:30-4:30pm A panel and conversation about the serious issues and challenges for our times from a variety of philosophical and religious traditions and perspectives. Panelists include John Huebscher, Wisconsin Catholic Council; Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, President, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice; Dr. Ibrahim Saeed, Islamic Center of Madison. Moderated by Pastor Michael Schuler, First Unitarian Society. Art as Social Comment A Guided Tour of the Chazen Museum of Art Chazen Museum of Art, 750 University Ave. Thursday, April 3 at 6pm The power of visual art to both reflect and influence society is universal. Artists use their individual talents to pass on and revise history, persuade observers to a point of view, and invent new ways of portraying shared human values. Participants will view examples in paintings, sculpture, and prints from the Chazen collection. Led by Maureen Kind, docent, and Anne Lambert, Curator of Education. Admission: Free, but space is limited. RSVP online by April 1, 2014. Note: If you are unable to attend the docent-led tour, the Chazen will also have materials available for a self-guided tour of these works throughout the month of April. Ask for them at the front desk! Sister Helen Prejean and Jake Heggie in Conversation First Congregational Church, 1609 University Ave. Thursday, April 24 at 7pm with the co-sponsorship of The Prison Ministry Project of First Congregational United Church of Christ and Edgewood College Join composer Jake Heggie and Sister Helen Prejean in conversation about the opera Dead Man Walking, Sister Helen s work, and their collaboration that has shared her story with opera companies around the world. Renowned mezzosoprano Susanne Mentzer, who is singing Mrs. DeRocher in Dead Man Walking, will sing Heggie s song cycle The Deepest Desire, set to Sister Helen s poetry, accompanied by the composer. Previews and Behind-the-Scenes Opera Novice: American Opera Madison Opera Center, 335 W. Mifflin Street Friday, March 28, 6-7pm First-time opera-goer? Passionate about Puccini, but not sure if you would like an American opera? Join General Director Kathryn Smith for a short, fun, and informative evening exploring American opera, from John Philip Sousa to George Gershwin to Jake Heggie. It s the perfect jump-start for the opera curious. Admission: Free. Reservations encouraged; reserve online. Dead Man Walking Previews Join Madison Opera staff for an entertaining multimedia preview of the opera Dead Man Walking. Waunakee Public Library Wednesday, March 19, 6:30-7:30pm Madison Central Library Tuesday, April 8, 7-8pm Sun Prairie Public Library Wednesday, April 9, 6:30-7:30pm Capitol Lakes Retirement Community Thursday, April 10, 2-3pm Opera Up Close: The Dead Man Walking Preview Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State Street, Madison Sunday, April 13, 1-3pm Join us for a behind-the-scenes preview of Madison Opera s production of Dead Man Walking. With multimedia presentations, a roundtable discussion with the stage director and leading singers, and more, there is no better way to get up close to this wonderful opera. Admission: $20. Free for full-season subscribers and full-time students with ID; $10 for two-show subscribers. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Madison Opera at 608.238.8085. Tickets available at the door. Films Dead Man Walking, the 1995 Oscar-winning film based on the novel by Sister Helen Prejean, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Sun Prairie Public Library Thursday, March 6 at 6:30pm Madison Central Library Thursday, March 27 at 6:30pm Fitchburg Public Library Wednesday, April 9 at 6pm Film is rated R. Unlikely Friends, a documentary about victims of brutal crimes who, through forgiveness, unexpectedly become friends with their perpetrators. Sun Prairie Public Library Thursday, March 13 at 6:30pm A post-film discussion will be led by Rev. Scott Carlson, Sun Prairie United Methodist Church. Madison Central Library Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30pm A post-film discussion will be led by Rev. Jerry Hancock, The Prison Ministry Project. Fitchburg Public Library Wednesday, April 16 at 6pm A post-film discussion will be led by Rev. Phil Haslanger, Memorial United Church of Christ. Not suitable for children. Race to Execution, a documentary that follows the stories of two Death Row inmates while exploring the deep and disturbing link between race and the death penalty in America. Sun Prairie Public Library Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm A post-film discussion will be led by Rev. Scott Carlson, Sun Prairie United Methodist Church. Madison Central Library Thursday, April 10 at 6:30pm A post-film discussion will be led by Dr. Carolyn Field, Associate Professor of Sociology, Edgewood College. Fitchburg Public Library Wednesday, April 23 at 6pm A post-film discussion will be led by Rev. Phil Haslanger, Memorial United Church of Christ. Not suitable for children. Compulsion, the 1959 film starring Orson Welles that is a fictionalized account of the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder trial. Cinematheque, 4070 Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave., Madison Saturday, April 19 at 7pm A post-film discussion will be led by Jim Healy, director of Cinematheque, and Rev. Jerry Hancock, The Prison Ministry Project Not suitable for children. Recommended Readings Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty by Sister Helen Prejean The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, by Sister Helen Prejean A Note for Book Clubs: Are you interested in having your book club read Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean? The Madison Public Library and the Dane County Libraries will have book club kits available. Contact your local library for more information. A Madison Opera Premiere Jake Heggie Dead Man W alking Friday, April 25, 8pm Sunday, April 27, 2:30pm Overture Hall Tickets start at just $18. Tickets: madisonopera.org 608.258.4141 RSVP at madisonopera.org Unless otherwise noted, admission to any Extending the Stage event is on a first-come, first-served basis. All events subject to change. Stay up-to-date by signing up for our Extending the Stage email list at madisonopera.org