A Word from Jeff

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From the Archives

2018 July-December

2018 January-June

2017 July-December

2017 January-June

October 31, 2019

ONE LAST WORD FROM JEFF

Dear Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that Jane and I were absolutely overwhelmed by your outpouring of love and support this past Sunday morning and afternoon.

The day was incredibly meaningful for me. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit and to share stories with so many of you.

Special thanks to the Fellowship Team and to everyone who contributed to the afternoon Open House, and to Amy and Beckie who were the masterminds of the day, without me knowing about it!

My best, as always!

Jeff

October 24, 2019

This coming Sunday morning, October 27, I will conduct my last services as your minister.

We celebrate with a Family Service at 10:00. Our Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service and our Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing.

If you are concerned about the 10:00 service being too hectic or crowded, please consider coming to the 8:00 service.

There will be a Fellowship Hour following both services.

The church is also hosting an Open House Celebration to celebrate our time together on Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 to 4:00, at the church.

Please help spread the word!

October 17, 2019

This coming Sunday, October 20, the Handbell Choir plays for the first time this fall at the 10:00 service, and Kai-i Tien will be at the piano.

Looking ahead, the following Sunday, October 27, will be my last Sunday. We celebrate with a Family Service at 10:00. Our Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service and our Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing.

If you are concerned about the 10:00 service being too hectic or crowded, please consider coming to the 8:00 service.

October 10, 2019

This coming Sunday, October 13, the Chancel Choir sings at the 10:00 service, and Sherri Melichar will be at the piano. Rev. Franz Rigert, our Wisconsin Conference Minister, will be with us at both services to offer a word of reassurance for the year to come, and a word of farewell to Jeff.

We celebrate another Church School Sunday at 10:00. Our kids will be re-creating the Liturgical Calendar that hangs in the upper narthex. This is a wonderful project that will be a visible reminder of the church seasons for years to come!

Please help spread the word that the Lighthouse Youth Group (middle and high school youth) is meeting at our church on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00. 

October 4, 2019

This coming Sunday, October 6, is known as World Communion Sunday in the life of the church. We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Pru Palecek will be at the piano.

Please don't forget that we host a Fellowship Hour following the 8:00 service on the first Sunday of each month.

I hope that you can join us!

September 26, 2019

This coming Sunday, September 29, we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism at our 10:00 service and Kai-i Tien will be at the piano.

Cathy Jones, a long-time member of our church, travelled to Germany with the Wisconsin Conference Gospellers this past summer. She will show and tell about her trip immediately following both services.

Please come and join us!

September 18, 2019

This coming Sunday, September 22, we celebrate our first Family Service of the year at 10:00. We will dedicate our 2020 Confirmation Class and our Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing.

The theme for both services will be the seasons of the year and the church year. As many of you know, our Church School will be re-creating the Liturgical Calendar, which hangs in the church entryway, when they gather in October. If you have buttons, glittery objects, etc. that might add to the creation, please bring them along with you.

I hope that you and your kids can join us!

September 5, 2019

This coming Sunday, September 8, marks the start of a new program year. We move to two services on Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:00.

Our Church School program also begins this coming Sunday morning. The kids will be learning about the seasons of the church year and creating a mini calendar of the seasons to take home with them. In October, they will be re-creating the Liturgical Calendar that hangs in the church stairway. (see photos below!)

The Fellowship Team will host a Fellowship Hour following both services.

I hope that you and your kids can come and join us!

August 29, 2019

This coming Sunday, September 1, is our last summer Sunday of the year. We have one service at 9:00.

We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Pru Palecek will be at the piano.

It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend. I hope you can join us!

August 23, 2019

This coming Sunday, August 25, Jeff will lead our morning service and Sherri Melichar will be at the piano and the organ. David Martin will provide our Special Music.

There are only two summer Sundays left on the calendar. Don’t miss the chance to experience some summer silence and peace.

August 16, 2019

This coming Sunday, August 18, Jeff will lead our morning service and Kai-i Tien will be at the piano.

There are only three summer Sundays left on the calendar. Don’t miss the chance to experience some summer silence and peace.

August 8, 2019

This coming Sunday, August 11, Rev. Don Niederfrank will conduct our service for the last time before Jeff retires.

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the morning with Don!

August 1, 2019

This coming Sunday, August 4, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Baptism.

Kai-i Tien will be at the piano and Daniel Voigt will provide our Special Music.

I hope you can come and celebrate with us!

July 25, 2019

This coming Sunday, July 28, is a typical quiet summer Sunday morning.

Jeff is back from vacation and Sherri Melichar will be at the piano.

I hope you can join us!

July 17, 2019

This coming Sunday, July 21, Ken Matthews will conduct our service. Pru Palecek will be at the piano.

I hope you can join them!

July 9, 2019

This coming Sunday, July 14, Rev. Craig Modahl will conduct our service. Sherri Melichar will be at the piano and the organ.

The following Sunday, July 21, Ken Matthews will conduct our service. Pru Palecek will be at the piano.

I hope you can join them!

June 26, 2019

This coming Sunday, June 30, we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Kai-i Tien will be at the piano.

The following Sunday, July 7, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Kai-i Tien will again be at the piano.

Summer is a wonderful time to come to church, the services are always simple and quiet.

I hope you can join us!

June 19, 2019

This coming Sunday, June 23, we begin Ordinary Time in the life of the church. Why don’t you come and see what that’s all about! Sherri Melichar will be at the piano.

As a special treat, the Search Committee will be formally introduced. They will host a Fellowship Hour after the service, so they have an opportunity to greet everyone.

I hope you can join us!

June 13, 2019

This coming Sunday, June 16, is the Trinity Sunday in the life of the church, but, more importantly, it’s Father’s Day!

Don’t forget that during the summer months we celebrate with one service on Sunday mornings at 9:00.

I hope that you can join us!

June 6, 2019

This coming Sunday, June 9, is known as Pentecost Sunday in the life of the church.  It’s the day that we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus’ disciples like wind and fire.

This coming Sunday also happens to be Graduation Sunday in the life of our church.  We take a moment to recognize our high school and college graduates.

I hope that you can join us!

May 28, 2019

This coming Sunday, June 2, is Ascension Sunday in the life of our church. We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Kai-i Tien will be with us at the piano.

Don’t forget that we have moved to our summer schedule, with one service at 9:00.

May 22, 2019

This coming Sunday, May 26, is Confirmation Sunday in the life of our church. Eleven members of our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will confirm their faith and become official members of the church. 

Don’t forget that we also begin our summer schedule. From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend we celebrate with one service on Sunday mornings at 9:00.

May 15, 2019

This coming Sunday, May 19, is the last Sunday of our church program year. We celebrate another Family Service at 10:00. The Carol, Chapel and Chancel Choirs come together to provide special music. Our 8th Grade Confirmation Class assists in leading the service.

Please help spread the word that our annual Spring Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following the 10:00 service. There are three important items of business: a review of our 2019 Church Budget, both income and expenses, the election of Church Council Officers and Team Representatives, and a Search Committee update.

I hope you can join us!

May 8, 2019

This coming Sunday, May 12, is Mother’s Day. Our Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service. Pru Palecek will be at the piano, playing all Mozart!

We celebrate our last Church School Sunday of the program year at 10:00. The kids will be making a gift for their Moms. It should be fun!

I hope you can come and join us!

May 2, 2019

This coming Sunday, May 5, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Kai-i Tien will join us at the piano.

 

April 11, 2019

This coming week is known as Holy Week in the life of the church. Please come and celebrate along with me!

Palm Sunday - April 14
Services at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Handbell Choir at 10:00

Maundy Thursday - April 18
Service at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Communion and Tenebrae

Good Friday - April 19
Service at 7:00 p.m. 
Burning Frankincense and Myrrh

Easter Sunday - April 21
Sunrise Service at 6:00 a.m. (Holy Communion)
Services at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Chancel Choir and Easter Brass

April 4, 2019

This coming Sunday, April 7, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Sherri Melichar will be with us at the piano and the organ.

Our Lenten Study Series entitled Woke! A Community Conversation about Racial Justice continues on Sunday afternoon at 3:00. I hope you can join us!

March 27, 2019

This coming Sunday, March 31, our Chancel Choir joins us at the 10:00 service. Kai-i Tien will be with us at the piano.

A Special Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for immediately following the 10:00 service. There are two important items of business: a review of our 2019 Church Budget, both income and expenses, and a report on the Transition and Search Process for the year to come.

Our Lenten Study Series entitled Woke! A Community Conversation about Racial Justice continues on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in our church sanctuary.

I hope you can join us!

March 21, 2019

This coming Sunday, March 24, we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00. Our Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing and our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.

Our Lenten Study Series entitled Woke! A Community Conversation about Racial Justice continues on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in our church sanctuary.

I hope you can join us!

March 14, 2019

This coming Sunday, March 17, we celebrate the second Sunday in the church season of Lent. The Handbell Choir plays at the 10:00 service.

Please help spread the word that our Lenten Study Series continues this coming Sunday evening at Parkside Community UCC in Saukville. All of our presenters are incredibly knowledgeable and engage us in conversation from a variety of perspectives. 

March 5, 2019

March 6, is known as Ash Wednesday in the life of the church, the beginning of the church season of Lent.

We celebrate with a special service at 7:00 in the evening. It is a lovely service that encourages us to think about how fragile life really is and about our own mortality.

The service includes the imposition of ashes along with the words from the Book of Genesis, Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

If you are able, please come and join me!

February 20, 2019

This coming Sunday, February 24, we celebrate another Family Service in the life our church at 10:00. The Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing and our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist in leading the service.

February 14, 2019

This coming Sunday, February 17, the Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service, and Pru Palecek will be at the piano.

Our Community Outreach Team will conduct the last of three Doctrine of Discovery Study Sessions immediately following the 10:00 service. For more information, please check our News and Announcements.

I hope you can join us!

February 7, 2019

This coming Sunday, February 10, we celebrate another Church School Sunday in the life of our church. The Chancel Choir will sing at the 10:00 service, and Sherri Melichar will be at the piano.

Our Church School kids will be walking to the new Family Promise Day Center, on the corner of Grand Avenue and Milwaukee Street, to deliver the paper products that have been donated by members and friends of the church. Please be sure to have your kids wear warm winter clothes and boots

Our Community Outreach Team will conduct the second of three Doctrine of Discovery Study Sessions immediately following the 10:00 service. For more information, please check our News and Announcements.

I hope you can join us!

January 30, 2019

This coming Sunday, February 3, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Pru Palecek will be at the piano. After a week of snow and cold, please come and enjoy the warmth and beauty of our sanctuary.

Our Community Outreach Team will conduct the first of three Doctrine of Discovery Study Sessions immediately following the 10:00 service. For more information, please check our News and Announcements.
I hope you can join us!


January 24, 2019

Please don't forget that this coming Sunday, January 27, we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00. Our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will help me lead the service, and the Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing.

Also, don't forget that our annual Winter Congregational Meeting will be helpd in the sanctuary immediately following the service.

There are lots of things happening at the church in the weeks to come, including a Chili Dinner on Wednesday evening, February 6.

Please come and join us!

January 17, 2019

This coming Sunday, January 20, Rev. Don Niederfrank, a member of our Ministry Team, will conduct our Sunday services.  The Handbell Choir plays at 10:00 and Pru Palecek will be the piano.

I hope you can join them!

January 10, 2019

This coming Sunday morning, January 13, we celebrate another Church School Sunday at 10:00. Our Chancel Choir will join us and Sherri Melichar will be at the piano.

I will be hosting an Inquirers Gathering for those who are new to our church, immediately following the 10:00 service. This is an opportunity to get to know one another and to learn more about the life and work of First Congregational Church.

I hope to see you!

January 3, 2019

This coming Sunday, January 6, is known as Epiphany in the life of the church, the twelfth day following Christmas. We celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men from the East. We also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services. Kai-i Tien will be with us at the piano.  

I hope you can join us!

 

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