First Congregational Church

News and Announcements

Latest Recorded Worship Service

In Our Prayers

• Jim and Sherri Melichar. Jim continues to receive hospice care at home.

In Memoriam

• Marlys Herbert, a longtime member of our church, died on Saturday, November 20, at the age of 93. Marlys served as our church secretary for 18 years. The family is planning a memorial service in May.

Special Thanks

• To the Church School Leadership Team for conducting Church School Sunday on Sunday morning, December 12: Savannah Anderson, Jennifer Dimmer, Tina Olson, Dawn Rychtik, and Shandy Roehrig.

• To Jennifer Dimmer for coordinating the Advent Craft Workshop on Sunday, December 5.

• To Ella Gilhooly, Elijah Perez, Michael Bunyan, Eva Perez, Gabe Chandler, and numerous Port Pride high school students who helped unload 468 CHRISTMAS TREES on Tuesday, November 23 in 1 hour and 10 minutes!

• To Nick Sanem and Family, Libby Holmes and Family, Grant Eslinger and Family, and Dylan Crain and Family for providing Nursery Care in November.

• To Louise Mollinger and David Franks, Avery Roehrig and Family, and our Church School kids for hosting our Fellowship Hours in November.

• To Joe Mueller, Don Niederfrank, Jane Schneider, Mike and Jane Spalding, and Carolyn Heatwole for serving as our Worship Leaders in November.

• To Mike Dimmer for cutting back all of the shrubs and perennials around the entire perimeter of the church.

• To Joe and Bev Mueller for facilitating the Brat Fry, and to everyone who supported the event!

• To Jennifer Dimmer for coordinating Christmas Cookies made by church members and friends that were served at the Stewardship Team Brat Fry.

• To the anonymous member who paid for two new water heaters that were needed!

• To Mike Spalding for selecting our hymns for each Sunday service.

• To everyone who contributed food items to support Advocates.

• To Joe Mueller and Claude Zimmerman for conducting weekly walk-throughs of the church building and grounds.

• To Brenda Shupe for filling our Little Free Library.

• To Peter Muehleis for placing the garbage carts at the curb on Mondays of each and every week.

• To Karl Pradel for continuing to change our Christ Candle each and every week.

"Congregational Connections" E-Newsletters

December 2021
November 2021

October 2021
September 2021

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

We have planned three services for Christmas Eve at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00.

Join us for one of our beautiful, celebratory Christmas Eve Worship Services. Each of the services is unique, but all use the joyful music of the season, the moving narrative scripture text and our beautiful candlelit sanctuary to retell the story of the incarnation - the birth of Jesus Christ. The three evening services are all being recorded and will be available on our church’s YouTube channel on Christmas day.

5:00pm - CONFIRMATION CLASS CHRISTMAS PAGAENT

Join Mary and Joseph as they journey toward Bethlehem. Experience the wonder of the shepherds as they encounter angel messengers and a child wrapped in swaddling cloths laying in a manger. Led by our Confirmation Class and filled with Christmas Carols, this worship service for the young, and young at heart, is a wonderful celebration of Christmas joy for the whole family.

7:00pm - SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

Beginning in prophecy and continuing through the Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth, this service tells the story of salvation in scripture text and Christmas carols. This is a beautiful and inspiring narrative, with our Chancel Choir leading the way in song. It is a classic and traditionally rich service with all the joy of the season brought forward; reminding all of us that in Christ’s birth “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

9:00pm - CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION

What could be more meaningful on a Christmas Eve than communing with one another and with Christ through sharing the simple elements of bread and juice. This service includes much of the other services, retelling the story of Jesus' birth, lighting the Advent candles, singing the beloved Christmas carols, but adds an essential element of Jesus’ ministry as we break bread together.

ONE SERVICE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26

A reminder that the Sunday morning following Christmas, December 26, we hold one service at 10:00. Ken Matthews, a life-long member of our church, will conduct the service for the 32nd year, he started this tradition back in 1989! Ken has been leading this service as a gift to our pastors after a busy season.

DECEMBER E-NEWSLETTER

Click here to view the entire December "Congregational Connections" monthly e-newsletter. If it is easier, you can click on specific pages:

Pages 1: Pastor Scott's Lead Article
Page 2: Advent Candlelight Communion
Page 3: Christmas Announcements
Page 4: Church School Plans & Tree Sale
Page 5: Christmas Eve Services
Page 6: Learn More About Advent & Liturgical Seasons
Page 7: Stewardship & Brat Fry Updates
Page 8: Worship Leaders in December
Page 9: Scripture for December Worship
Pages 10: Summary of Fall Congregational Meeting
Page 11: In Memoriam & Lighthouse Information
Page 12: Confirmation Updates
Page 13: Action Shots of Tree Sale Preparations
Page 14: Letter From New Lighthouse President
Page 15: Thanks and Prayers
Page 16-18: Council Minutes
Page 18: December Birthdays & Anniversaries
Page 19: December Calendar
Page 20: Church Contact Information Including Hours

WHEN GATHERING INSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDING...

Masks are strongly encouraged at this time.

STEWARDSHIP

Members and friends are asked to make a formal pledge to support the church financially in the year to come. Receiving pledges is the only way the Church Council can plan and execute a balanced budget. Click here to view the Stewardship materials. You may also go to the Stewardship page.

CHURCH FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH MINISTRY

Each year, for the past three years, we, as a church, have contributed $2,500 towards the ongoing ministry expenses of Lighthouse from our church budget and then sought an additional $2,500 from church members who care deeply about this youth programming effort. We are holding a fundraiser during the month of December to raise $2,500. There is a board in the Upper Narthex filled with tags in amounts of $10, $25, $100, and $250. We invite all those who are interested to take one (or two!) tags. You may place your gift in the offering plate or submit to the Church Office by December 26. If you are not able to make it to church, please email us and we will gladly take one off the board for you. You may write a check to the church or use our church’s PayPal account. If you have questions about Lighthouse’s ministry, please talk to Savannah Anderson, who is serving on the Lighthouse Board or to Pastor Scott, who is serving on the Pastoral Advisory Committee.

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 now 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 will be 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.

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 fea t u r e .

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