As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are always more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are always more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

Just when it feels like summer is finally coming to Wisconsin then it suddenly disappears and it’s cold again.  Without a doubt, this has been one of the most challenging springs in recent memory.  Hopefully, we are going to finally turn the corner into summer in the next week or so.

As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are always more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

This coming Sunday, June 9, is Graduation Sunday in the life of our church.  We will take a few moments to recognize all of our high school graduates and ask them to say a few words about their plans for the year to come.  As part of the service, we also celebrate another
Service of Baptism.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

This coming Sunday, June 2, is Confirmation Sunday in the life of our church. Nine members of our 8th Grade Confirmation Class will confirm their faith and become official members of our church. The service also includes the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Please don’t forget that the service is at 9:00.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

Please don’t forget that this coming Sunday, May 26, we move to our summer schedule with one service on Sunday mornings at 9:00.

During the summer months there is no Church School or Nursery Care, but children are more than welcome to join us for the morning service.

As many of you know, our summer services are very simple and sweet, so whenever you are able, please come and join us.

This coming Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday in the life of the church.  It’s the 50th day following Easter and the day that we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon Christ’s disciples like the rush of a violent wind. 

Both services include the dedication of our new oak offering plates handmade by Bill Greymont Sr.  The 10:00 service also includes a Service of Baptism and we are joined by the Senior Handbell Choir.

Please don’t forget that this coming Sunday also marks the end of our church program year.  We will gather at the new Kiwanis Family Pavilion in Upper Lake Park, immediately following the 10:00 service, for our 5th Annual Church Picnic.  It is a beautiful shelter with lots of picnic tables and fully accessible restrooms.  It is also located next to the Possibility Playground so the kids will have lots of room to play.

I certainly hope that you can join us for all of these end-of-the-year celebrations.

This coming Sunday, May 12, is known as Ascension Sunday in the life of the church.  It’s the day that we celebrate that Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  It also happens to be Mother’s Day. 

We celebrate with another Family Service at 10:00.  The Carol and the Chapel Choirs will sing and the 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.

The following Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday.  It’s the day that we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon Christ’s disciples like the rush of a violent wind.  It also happens to be the last Sunday of our church program year. 

The Senior Handbell Choir will join us at the 10:00 service, and then, immediately following the service, we will gather at the new Kiwanis Family Pavilion in Upper Lake Park for our 5th Annual Church Picnic.

I certainly hope that you can join us for all of these end-of-the-year celebrations.

I was driving around Chicago last week, on my way to Ohio to visit my parents, and I saw a huge billboard that read WHEN YOU DIE YOU WILL MEET GOD.

My first thought was, how depressing to think that you will not meet God until you die!

I just don’t understand that kind of thinking because I feel like I meet God, in countless different ways, every single day.

I wonder if the person who wrote those words has ever taken a walk on a beautiful spring morning, or held a new born child in their arms, or heard a beautiful piece of music.

I wonder if the person who wrote those words has ever celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion, or fallen in love, or looked another person in the eyes.

The next few weeks are busy ones at our church as we celebrate the end of another program year.

This coming Sunday, May 5, we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services and we officially receive New Members into the church.  Our annual Spring Congregational Meeting is scheduled immediately following the 10:00 service.

Come celebrate the mystery of God being with us, now and always!

The celebration of Easter is usually one of the signs of spring in Port Washington.  Even though we don’t always have flowers blooming on Easter morning, it is a sure sign of things to come.  All of the symbolism of Easter speaks to the power of light and life to overcome darkness and death.

Unfortunately, we seem to be stuck in the dark cold days of Lent.  Like the movie Groundhog Day, it seems like the same gloomy day keeps repeating itself time and time again, and I know that I am not alone!

I would encourage you to brave the freezing rain and wind and come join me on Sunday morning.  Together we can continue to commiserate about the weather and enjoy the joy and warmth of living in community.

This coming Sunday, April 21, the Senior Handbell Choir joins us at the 10:00 service and our Church School will work together to make desserts for our friends at Balance.

Let me remind you that I am hosting another Inquirer’s Gathering for those who are new to our church this coming Sunday evening, April 21, at 6:00, in the church Library.  This is an opportunity for newcomers to learn a little bit more about First Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ.

The celebration of Easter is usually one of the signs of spring in Port Washington.  Even though we don’t always have flowers blooming on Easter morning, it is a sure sign of things to come.  All of the symbolism of Easter speaks to the power of light and life to overcome darkness and death.

Unfortunately, we seem to be stuck in the dark cold days of Lent.  Like the movie Groundhog Day, it seems like the same gloomy day keeps repeating itself time and time again, and I know that I am not alone!

I would encourage you to brave the freezing rain and wind and come join me on Sunday morning.  Together we can commiserate about the weather and enjoy the joy and warmth of living in community.

This coming Sunday, April 14, the Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service and our Church School continues to learn about the story of Adam and Eve.

Looking ahead to the following week, let me remind you that I am hosting another Inquirer’s Gathering for those who are new to our church on Sunday evening, April 21, at 6:00, in the church Library.  This is an opportunity for newcomers to learn a little bit more about First Congregational Church and the United Church of Christ.

I hope to see you on Sunday morning!

Happy Easter!

As many of you have discovered, our Holy Week services are really quite dramatic.

Tomorrow evening, we gather in the sanctuary at 7:00, to celebrate Maundy Thursday with a service of Holy Communion and Tenebrae.  Tenebrae is a Latin word that means shadows.  As we read the story of Jesus’ last night together with his disciples, the sanctuary is filled with shadows, ending in almost total darkness.  Special music will be provided by Mike Spalding, Scott and Karen Oftedahl, and Tracy Greymont.

This coming Friday evening, we gather in the sanctuary at 7:00, to celebrate Good Friday.  We burn frankincense and myrrh as we listen to a reading of the Passion Story.  Special music will be provided by Kathy Bretl.

On Easter Sunday morning, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with three services at 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00.  The 6:00 sunrise service includes the sacrament of Holy Communion.  Our Senior Choir and Easter Brass join the celebration at both 8:00 and 10:00. Nursery care is provided at our 10:00 service.

If you are able, please come and join us for all of these wonderful celebrations.

This coming Sunday, March 24, is Palm Sunday in the life of the church. We celebrate with another Family Service at 10:00. The Carol and the Chapel Choirs will sing and the 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service. Everyone gets a green leafy palm branch as they enter the sanctuary, a promise of new life on the other side of cold and darkness.

Please don’t forget that this coming Sunday also marks the beginning of what is known as Holy Week. Next Thursday evening, March 28, we celebrate Maundy Thursday with a service of Holy Communion and Tenebrae. We celebrate Good Friday on March 29 with another service at 7:00 in the evening. Both of these services are quite dramatic, filled with shadows, incense, and darkness.

Then, on Easter morning, March 31, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with three services beginning with a sunrise service at 6:00. On Easter Sunday, at both our 8:00 and 10:00 services, we are joined by our Senior Choir and by Easter Brass.

Please come and join us for all of these special celebrations.

As I mentioned to you several weeks ago, the word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten.  It refers to the lengthening of the days as we move toward the celebration of Easter.

With the first day of spring less than a week away, those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere can certainly see and feel that the days are getting longer. Even though there is still snow on the ground, you can hear birds singing in the morning and it is now light until almost 7:00 in the evening.

All this stands as a reminder that winter is almost over and that spring is on its way.  We have almost completed our journey to Jerusalem and are about to celebrate all the events of Holy Week.

This coming Sunday, March 17, we celebrate the Fifth Sunday in the church season of Lent. Tracy Bretl and Phil Stepanski will offer special music at our 8:00 service and the Senior Handbell Choir will join us at 10:00.  I hope that you can join us as well.

Although there is still a lot of snow on the ground, this coming Sunday certainly brings with it the promise of spring.  We spring ahead one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins and the days continue to get longer.  The Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service to help us celebrate the Fourth Sunday in the church season of Lent.  I hope you are able to join us!

As many of you know, the church season of Lent is a time for study, reflection and prayer, a time to wrestle with some of the deepest questions of life and faith.

As a way of helping us with our Lenten journey, I am continuing to offer simple services of Silent Reflection and Prayer, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion, each Thursday evening in the church sanctuary.  We will gather at 6:00 and I promise that we will all be on our way by 6:30.

This coming Sunday, March 3, is the third Sunday in the church season of Lent.  We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services.  I hope you are able to join us.

As many of you know, the church season of Lent is a time for study, reflection and prayer, a time to wrestle with some of the deepest questions of life and faith.

As a way of helping us with our Lenten journey, I am offering five simple services of Silent Reflection and Prayer, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion, each Thursday evening during February and March.  We will gather in the sanctuary at 6:00 and I promise that we will all be on our way by 6:30.

This coming Sunday, February 24, we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00.  The Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing and all of the children who are present will be able to come up to the front of the sanctuary to witness a service of baptism.  It promises to be a wonderful service!

As many of you know, the church season of Lent is a time for study, reflection and prayer, a time to wrestle with some of the deepest questions of life and faith.

As a way of helping us with our Lenten journey, I am offering five simple services of Silent Reflection and Prayer, followed by a celebration of Holy Communion, each Thursday evening, February 21, 28, and March 7, 14, and 21.  We will gather in the sanctuary at 6:00 and I promise that we will all be on our way by 6:30.

Please help me spread the word and, if you are able, come and join me!

This coming Sunday, February 17, marks the first Sunday in the church season of Lent, forty days (not counting Sundays) that lead us to the celebration of Easter.  Some of you may recall that the name of this season comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which refers to the lengthening of the days that lead us to springtime.

Traditionally, Lent has been a time for study, reflection and prayer, a time to wrestle with some of the deepest questions of life and faith.

As a way of helping us with our Lenten journey I am offering five simple services of Silent Reflection and Prayer, followed by the celebration of Holy Communion, each Thursday evening, February 21, 28, and March 7, 14, and 21.

We will gather in the sanctuary at 6:00 and I promise that we will all be on our way by 6:30.

Please help me spread the word and, if you are able, come and join me!

This coming Sunday, February 10, is known as Transfiguration Sunday in the life of the church.  It marks the last Sunday in the church season of Epiphany, and the Sunday before we start the church season of Lent.  We always read the story of Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountaintop which this year is taken from the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke.  It is a dramatic story that describes how the appearance of Jesus’ face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 

Looking ahead to next week let me remind you that the Fellowship Team is hosting a Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner on Tuesday evening, February 12.  They will be serving from 5:30 – 7:00 in Fellowship Hall.  The Fellowship Team is providing the entire meal so all you have to do is show up!

And then, on Wednesday, February 13, we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the church season of Lent.  Our Ash Wednesday service is scheduled for 7:00 in the evening in the church sanctuary.  It includes the traditional imposition of ashes accompanied by the words from the Book of Genesis, Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.

I hope that you are able to join me for all of these celebrations!

This coming Sunday, February 3, Craig Modahl will lead our morning services.  You might be interested to know that Craig celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday, February 9, so please come and celebrate along with him.  We also receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services.

This coming Sunday, January 27, we celebrate another Family Service at 10:00.  The Carol and Chapel Choirs will sing, and the 8th Grade Confirmation Class will assist me in leading the service.  I will also offer a special Children’s Meditation.  If you are able, please come and join us!

The following Sunday, February 3, Craig Modahl will lead our morning services.  You might be interested to know that Craig celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday, February 9, so please come and celebrate along with him.  We also receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services.

In other news, I’m pleased to share with you that we have had a great response to this year’s Stewardship Campaign.  Nonetheless, we are still waiting to hear from a number of families and individuals.  We cannot reach our goal without everyone’s support, so if you have not yet made a pledge to support the church financially in 2013 I would encourage you to give this your thoughtful consideration and return your pledge card by this coming Sunday morning.

Our Winter Congregational Meeting, where we vote to approve the 2013 Church Budget, is scheduled for this coming Sunday, January 27, immediately following the 10:00 service.

This coming Sunday, January 20, is the second Sunday in the church season of Epiphany.  We read a wonderful story from the Gospel of John about the wedding at Cana, and the Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service. If you are able, please come and join us!

In other news, I’m pleased to share with you that we have had a great response to this year’s Stewardship Campaign.  Nonetheless, we are still waiting to hear back from a number of families and individuals.  We cannot reach our goal without everyone’s support, so if you have not yet made a pledge to support the church financially in 2013 I would encourage you to give this your thoughtful consideration and return your pledge card as soon as possible.

Our Winter Congregational Meeting, where we vote to approve the 2013 Church Budget, is scheduled for Sunday, January 27, immediately following the 10:00 service.

This coming Sunday, January 13, is known as The Baptism of Christ Sunday in the life of the church.  We mark the first Sunday in the church season of Epiphany by reading the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River.  The Senior Choir joins us at the 10:00 service, which also includes the Sacrament of Baptism.  If you are able, please come and join us!

In other news, let me remind you that we are in the process of trying to wrap-up our annual stewardship campaign.  If you have not yet made a pledge to support the church financially in 2013 I would encourage you to give this your thoughtful consideration and return your pledge card as soon as possible.

Our Winter Congregational Meeting, where we vote to approve the 2013 Church Budget, is scheduled for Sunday, January 27, immediately following the 10:00 service.

This coming Sunday, January 6, is known as Epiphany Sunday in the life of the church.  It’s the day that we celebrate the arrival of Wise Men from the East to visit the newborn child of God.  We also celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion at both our morning services.  If you are able, please come and join us!

In other news, let me remind you that we are in the process of trying to wrap-up our annual stewardship campaign.  If you have not yet made a pledge to support the church financially in 2013 I would encourage you to give this your thoughtful consideration and return your pledge card as soon as possible.

Our Winter Congregational Meeting, where we vote to approve the 2013 Church Budget, is scheduled for Sunday, January 27, immediately following the 10:00 service.