News and Announcements
A Warm Welcome
Special Thanks
Special Thanks
• To Jennifer Dimmer for hosting a Spring Card Making Workshop on Sunday afternoon, March 27. The springtime and other themed cards made by the participants were just beautiful.
• To Jane Spalding, Phil Stepanski, David Franks, Jeanne Mantsch, Ric Probst, Jane Schneider, Scott Symes and the Confirmation Class for serving as Worship Leaders in March.
• To Justin and Michelle Franke, Matthew Dimmer and family, and Gary and Joyce Briafor hosting Fellowship Hour in March.
• To Sherri Melichar for purchasing a new piece of choral music in memory of Jim.
• To Joe Rychtik for helping with garbage removal.
• To Joe Mueller, Claude Zimmerman, and Gary Tackes for replacing and installing new ceiling panels and lights in the elevator.
• To Mike Spalding for tuning the church pianos on a regular basis.
• To Jim Schmit for collecting our food pantry donations in the entryway and dropping them off at The Food Pantry here in Port Washington each and every week.
• To our dedicated Sunday Offering Counters: Phil Stepanski and Tracy Bretl and Kathy Bretl.
• To Ken Matthews for continuing to facilitate the Thursday Men's Breakfast each week.
• To Phil Stepanski and Tracy Bretl for changing out the stained glass in the Sanctuary windows for each of the church seasons.
• To Mike Spalding for selecting our hymns for each Sunday worship service.
• To Joe Mueller, Claude Zimmerman, and Gary Tackes for conducting weekly walk-throughs of the church building and grounds.
• To Brenda Shupe for filling our Little Free Library.
• To Karl Pradel for continuing to change our Christ Candle each and every week.
"Congregational Connections" E-Newsletters
Archives
December 15, 2021
December 8, 2021
November 3, 2021
October 27, 2021
October 20, 2021
October 13, 2021
September 22, 2021
September 15, 2021
March 7, 2021
February 24, 2021
February 3, 2021
January 27, 2021
January 20, 2021
January 13, 2021
January 6, 2021
December 30, 2020
December 22, 2020
November 1, 2020
October 21, 2020
October 14, 2020
HOLY WEEK
April 10, 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Palm/Passion Sunday with Handbell Choir and Children The worship begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as we pass out palms for everyone that we might celebrate like the crowds calling out, “Hosanna!” We also begin to develop some of the themes of Holy Week as Jesus speaks powerful words in response to those who would seek to bring his ministry to the poor and outcast to a close. The children will be singing, and the Handbell Choir will be ringing at the 10:00 a.m. worship. And our Fellowship Team will serve the delicious cinnamon rolls once again, after both services.
April 14, 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday service of Tenebrae is filled with meaning just in the name alone. The word “Maundy” coming from Jesus’ “command” to love one another given at the last supper and the word “Tenebrae” meaning “shadows”. This night we share communion in remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples and experience the growing shadows of the worldly powers gathering to end Jesus’ life and ministry. A powerful worship experience featuring a choral quartet, communion and readings telling the story of the disciples’ betrayal, denial and abandonment.
April 15, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday
This year’s Good Friday service will tell the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, through music, scripture, and message. We recall Jesus’ suffering, his last words from the cross and the pain of abandonment. An emotionally moving service of worship in which we contemplate Jesus’ sacrifice for his disciples and the whole world. Experiencing the services on Thursday and Friday make the joy that is to come on Easter all the more sweet and meaningful.
April 17, 6:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Easter Sunday with Chancel Choir and Brass Quartet
The 6:00 a.m. service begins in the dark and welcomes the sunrise as together we dismantle the black pall that covers the communion table to experience anew the joy of God’s resurrection power that makes a way where there had been no way. The twin services of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. feature the joyful, beautiful music of our Chancel Choir and the excitement of Brass accompaniment to our hymns. There will be Nursery care available at the 10:00 service. In each service we hear again of Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tombs and her witness to having seen the Lord! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
DONATE CLEANING ITEMS TO SUPPORT FAMILY PROMISE THROUGH APRIL 10
Our friends at Family Promise will be putting together Spring Cleaning Baskets in April and May and are in need of cleaning supplies and paper products (dish soap, kitchen cleaner, bathroom cleaner, Clorox wipes, toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towel, 13-gallon garbage bags, etc.) to put in the baskets. Please help us in supporting their efforts by donating the above listed items. You may drop off donations in the entryway. One other item that is needed is size 7 diapers. We will collect donations through April 10th.
APRIL CHURCH SCHOOL ON APRIL 10
The next Church School Sunday is April 10, which also happens to be Palm Sunday. We invite all children (4k through 7th grade) to arrive early at 9:30. We will gather in Fellowship Hall to learn and rehearse two simple songs that we will sing during the first part of the 10:00 service. Our traditional "Hosanna" is one of them, and the kids will sing it during a procession into the sanctuary. (Even if you are unable to arrive early, all children are invited to be a part of the procession.) After the rehearsal, the group will greet congregants and hand out palms. The kids will return downstairs after they are done signing to learn more about the Palm/Passion Sunday story and the significance of the palms. They will then create a donkey craft to go along with the story.
EASTER GIVING
In celebration of Easter, you are invited to order flowers and/or contribute to one of the six community organizations that our church supports on an ongoing basis. Your flowers will help decorate our sanctuary for Easter and your financial contribution will help raise the spirits of those who are in need. Names of gift givers, along with those who they wish to honor or remember, will be listed in our Easter Sunday worship service bulletin. Click here for the form and for more information. Please submit to the church by April 11th.
HOLY WEEK SCAVENGER HUNT ON APRIL 13
The Church School Leadership Team is planning a Holy Week Scavenger Hunt, a weeknight event for all youth (4K-7th grade), on Wednesday evening, April 13, from 5:30 - 7:00. A meal of hotdogs and mac ‘n’ cheese will be provided. We hope all the kids of the church, and their friends, can join the fun!
ADULT LENTEN STUDY
Embracing the Uncertain: Pastor Scott is offering a weekly Adult Lenten Study at two different times. One group meets after worship on Sunday mornings in Lent from 11:15 to 12:15 in the Dennett Room (through April 10) and the other group meets via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 (through April 12). Please contact the church if you have any questions.
PLEASE FILL OUT THE "2022 MINISTRY OPTIONS LIST" SURVEY
It is not too late to complete our “2022 Ministry Options List” survey. The survey can be accessed by clicking here, and there are paper copies available here at church as well. The survey has over 65 different ministry options listed, with brief descriptions, in hope that we can do a better job at matching the gifts, talents, abilities and interests of each person with the wide assortment of ministry opportunities we offer. As you read through the list of ministry options, please take time to prayerfully consider the ways you would like to be actively involved and engaged in our mutual ministry.
APRIL E-NEWSLETTER
Click here to view the entire April "Congregational Connections" monthly e-newsletter. You can also click on specific pages:
Page 1 & 2: Pastor Scott's Lead Article & New Members
Page 3: Holy Week
Page 4: Palm Sunday Plans & Cleaning Supply Collection
Page 5: Easter Giving Form
Page 6: April Scripture Texts and Themes
Page 7: Ministry Options Survey
Page 8: Church School News
Page 9: Holy Week Scavenger Hunt Flyer
Page 10: Brat Fry & Note from Stewardship Team
Pages 11: United Church Camps
Page 12: Confirmation Class - Active Program Year Continues
Page 13: Finding Easter on Our Liturgical Wall Calendar
Page 14: Port Pre-School Event & Vacated Space Come June
Pages 15: Our Space For Lease - Flyer
Page 16: Ukraine Relief Fund & Justice Team Meeting in April
Page 17: Mac 'N' Cheese Fundraiser Results & Photos
Page 18: March Action Shots
Pages 19: Thank Yous and Prayers
Page 20 - 22: Church Council Meeting Minutes
Pages 23: April Birthdays & Anniversaries
Page 24: April Calendar
Page 25: Church Contact Information
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - BRAT FRY ON APRIL 23
On Saturday, April 23, from 10:00-2:00, our Stewardship Team will be hosting a Brat/Burger Fry at the Saukville Piggly Wiggly. The proceeds will go towards church window repair loan payments.UKRAINE RELIEF FUND
Our Ukrainian neighbors need us. Millions have been displaced, seeking shelter and basic necessities. Please take a moment now to help our partners in the region meet these needs with a gift to the UCC Ukraine Relief Fund. We can stand with those in need. Ministering with our global partners, your love of neighbor will be made tangible through a gift that will:
- Provide welcome, shelter, and respite for refugees seeking safety
- Support Hungarian Interchurch Aid, which has provided resources to 9,000 people while shipping convoys of aid into western Ukraine - delivering more food, water, and sanitation items daily
- Join humanitarian relief partners in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine through the ACT Alliance
- Attend to the most vulnerable - children, the elderly, and refugees from other countries who are now twice displaced.
United in prayer, action, and giving, we stand as a people of faith in love and compassion with all affected and with our global partners who are welcoming those driven from their homes.
SUMMER CAMP
Our congregation is fortunate to have three different church camp locations to camp at and retreat to as part of the United Church Camps in the state of Wisconsin. Daycholah Center, Moon Beach, and Cedar Valley are outdoor ministry programs associated with the United Church of Christ, the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC, and Outdoor Ministry Association UCC. You may learn more about all of the camps, retreats, classes and events of the United Church Camps by visiting ucci.org. Our church offers camp scholarships to individuals and families who sign up for camp. There are also scholarship opportunities through the Southeast Association UCC and UCCi. If you are interested, please contact Amy Gilhooly, Communication Director, at amyg@portucc.org, and she will email you the forms.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR
The Carol and Chapel Choirs are condensed into one Children's Choir at this time, led by Sherri Melichar. The choir rehearses from 5:45-6:30 on Monday evenings, in the Sanctuary, and performs on the 4th Sunday of every month.
All elementary and middle school kids are invited to participate! 7th and 8th graders can choose between the Children’s Choir and the Chancel Choir. Invite your neighbors and friends! Come as you are able - no long-term commitment required. Join at any time!
HANDBELL CHOIR
Come join Handbells! The Handbell Choir is under the direction of Lydia Clough. The choir rehearses for an hour at 7:00 on Wednesday evenings in the Music Room and performs on the third Sunday of every month.
CHANCEL CHOIR
The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Brett Dimmer, rehearses for an hour at 6:30 on Monday evenings in the Sanctuary and performs on the second and fifth Sunday of every month. The choir is open to anyone 7th/8th grade and up. No experience is necessary, just a desire to sing! You do not need to know how to read music. Come as you are able - no long-term commitment required. Join at any time!
WORSHIP LEADERS
Pastor Scott has enlisted a team of Worship Leaders who help with either the 8:00 or 10:00 worship services on Sunday mornings and maybe an occasional special service. Worship leaders lead the congregation in responsive readings (Call to Worship), unison prayers and read scripture passages before the sermon. He has recruited over a dozen folks, but hopes to build a roster of 30-35 people who are willing to help lead worship on a rotating basis, so that no one will do it more than 3 or 4 times a year.
Would you like to help with the Sunday morning worship? Please send Pastor Scott an email at pastorscott@portucc.org and let him know if you prefer the 8:00 or 10:00 worship.
WEDNESDAY LUNCH GROUP
You are invited to come to church on Wednesdays at noon for lunch and Bible study. The group meets in Fellowship Hall and everyone brings their own bag lunch and beverage. After they eat together they read through the Bible passages that will be used in worship on the next Sunday. Pastor Scott provides some Biblical background materials and some questions for discussion and then the conversation begins. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to participate, just a curiosity to explore and reflect on the text. The conversation is always interesting and there is usually laughter and sharing of stories, opinions and an insight or two. Give it a try, there is always room for more around the table.
THURSDAY MORNING MEN'S BREAKFAST
Every Thursday morning at 8:00, a dedicated group of gentlemen from the church gather at The Beacon restaurant, which is located downtown on the first floor of The Harborview hotel. The Thursday Morning Men’s Breakfast Group is open to all the men of the church. Everyone places their own order and pays their own bill. It is a great way to spend an hour (or two) and begin your day. You are welcome to join the group at any time!
FELLOWSHIP HOUR
There is a Fellowship Hour following our 8:00 service on the first Sunday of each month, and following our 10:00 services on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Fellowship Hour is a time for coffee and conversation, and often includes a snack or sweet treat.
STEWARDSHIP
Members and friends are asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially each Fall. However, you may pledge at any point during the year. Stewardship page
RECORDINGS OF WORSHIP SERVICES
Our Sunday worship services will continue to be recorded each week; if you would like to view the service as soon as it is uploaded, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel ("First Congregational Church of Port Washington"). This allows you to receive immediate notification.
PAYPAL ONLINE GIVING
If you are interested in giving to the church through PayPal, please look for the PayPal button on the home page. Please contact us if you have any questions or any problems using this giving feature.