Month: December 2023

2024 Epiphany Sunday

Cheri Simonet
Epiphany

January 7th

“Epiphany” is a word meaning manifestation, revelation, or showing forth. At the Epiphany of the Lord (observed on the calendar on January 6th, or the Sunday closest to it) we celebrate the manifestation of God’s saving purposes to all the nations of the world.

Just as the Magi came from a distant land to worship the Christ child, God’s covenant of grace is extended to all people who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. In Epiphany, the symbolism of light is important—not only because of the star that guided the Magi, but also as it suggests the bright dawning of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to bear Christ’s light in the world.

Our liturgical color changes from the blue of Advent to white for Epiphany, and we focus our attention on images of light and the showing forth of the Messiah in our lives. One way to celebrate the season of Epiphany is to start out the new year with a “star word.” A star word is a random word that becomes a prayer guide, a focus, a way to watch for God. God can use anything to speak to us. There is nothing magical about a star word. But a star word begins as a mystery; typically you do not choose it. And so, it invites investigation, attentiveness, waiting. A star word orients you to watch for God in a particular way, to be receptive to the Spirit who is moving right now in the world around you.

On Sunday, January 7th our worship celebration of Epiphany will include the distribution of “star words” for everyone present. Come and see what word might guide you in 2024!

2024 Cozy Kids Campaign

Cheri Simonet
Cozy Kids 2024

January 1st—31st

The Cozy Kids Campaign, formerly for the children at Tank School, will this year benefit Presbyterian Pantry guests. Our community at First Presbyterian aims to keep those kids cozy with a collection of items needed this year of:

• Hats • Mittens • Boots
• Jackets • Underwear • Socks
• Chapstick • Kleenex

Anything that will help the kids of our Presbyterian Pantry guests get through the winter would be greatly appreciated. All donations can be gently used – we’ll find a home for them. Please place the items – by January 31 – on the table at the back of the sanctuary.

Please help keep Presbyterian Pantry guest’s kids COZY this winter.

The Outreach Committee thanks you for your support!

Save-the-Date for Souper Bowl of Caring 2024

Cheri Simonet
Souper Bowl of Caring

Souper Bowl of Caring—February 11, 2024

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches that means it’s time for our 2nd annual Souper Bowl of Caring!

Since 1990, close to $193 million has been reported donated to local food charities across all fifty states with over 305,000 unique groups participating. Every dollar donated to Souper Bowl of Caring creates over $18 for food charities. The cause unites all communities to Tackle Hunger.

Our #FirstPresGB Souper Bowl of Caring is led by the Christian Education Committee along with Youth Group and is held annually on Super Bowl Sunday. The event is meant to bring an awareness to hunger and to curb hunger through soup. The cost will be $5/person and there will be 8 different soup stations for people to experience. Each soup sampler will have a chance to vote and judge our Souper Bowl winner. The awardee will receive the cherished Golden Ladle that’s passed on year over year to the awarded winner. The current Golden Ladle holder from our 2022 Souper Bowl of Caring is Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges for her Christmas Corn Chowder.

More details will follow in February’s newsletter but in the meantime, we’re looking for 8 soup chefs to help us pull this off! All you need to do is craft a crock pot full of your favorite soup.

If you’re able to be one of our 8 soup chefs, please contact Director of Children, Youth and Families, Joel Morien, at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or sign up on the bulletin board.

January 2024 Fourth Sunday Forum

Cheri Simonet
4th Sunday Forum - Internet Safety

January 28th

PART 2—“Internet Safety: How To Protect Yourself Online”

Last November’s Fourth Sunday Forum featured our very own Lisa Olson who talked to us about internet safety. It was a great opportunity for learning and there was so much content to cover that we’re continuing the conversation where we left off and offering Part 2 on January 28th at 9am.

But don’t worry if you weren’t at Part 1 because Part 2 will cover different information. We’ll discuss how to look at apps to see the Privacy and User Agreements before you load something into your phone that could put your Personally Identifiable Information in jeopardy, and refresh everyone on how to make a safe password. 

Bring your questions and your concerns—coffee and treats will be available, too.

December 19, 2023 – Did you know?

Cheri Simonet
Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

Our Name that Member! feature gave us the opportunity to learn just how well we really know each other. But how well do we know our church?

Here’s this week’s Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

From the Annual Report of January 17, 1971: Fifteen young people were able to attend the New Wilmington Conference in Pennsylvania by selling what?

A) Candy

B) Light Bulbs

C) Raffle Tickets

Answer:

B) From the Annual Report of January 17, 1971 “Fifteen young people attended the New Wilmington Conference at New Wilmington, PA in July. The young people were accompanied by Pastor Ward, Mr. Bill Sprole, and Mr. Brian Ward. Mr. Sprole served as travel coordinator of the group. The young people sold light bulbs and held an ice cream social during the year to help pay expenses for the trip.”

Thanks for playing!

We want you to do more than just play Did you know?, we’d also like you to contribute! If you have some church fun facts to share, please send those to Cheri at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org and we’ll have your contribution added to an upcoming Did you know? Tuesday Trivia!

January 2024 Luncheon

Cheri Simonet
Luncheon

New Ministry Opportunity

Interested in being part of a new ministry opportunity in our congregation?

Come to a soup and sandwich lunch on Monday, January 29th at 11:30a in the Fellowship Room. 

We’ll talk about the gifts that older adults bring to our church and community as well as how our church can enhance our lives as we grow older.

Anyone is welcome–you decide if you are an “older adult” or simply want to support older adults in our midst!   

A sign up sheet will be on the bulletin board or you can call Nancy Siewert at 920-609-2051 if you would like to attend.

2024 Per Capita Sunday

Cheri Simonet
Per Capita

January 21, 2024

What is per capita? Did you check that box on your pledge card, committing to pay $37.95 for each adult member of your household this year? Why do we ask for that above and beyond your regular pledge? Are we contributing to things we don’t want to?! How can we know?

On January 21, 2024, we will answer all these questions and more!

The PC(USA) (our denomination) has invited all Presbyterians to center their worship services around the ways in which we are called into mutual support and ministry through per capita giving. Our worship on this day will focus our attention on the larger issues of our denomination and the connectional nature of being Presbyterian.

The Generosity Team will host the coffee fellowship time and engage further discussion as well.

2024 Continuing Education Event

Cheri Simonet
APCE 2024 Conference Come all who are Thirsty

In late January, Pastor Katie Estes and CE Director Joel Morien will be in St. Louis, Missouri attending the annual conference of the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE).

“Let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” from Revelation 22 is the theme of this year’s event for pastors and educators in in the PC(USA) and partner churches.

Keynote speakers and worship leaders include Mark Yaconelli, Jerry Cannon, Melanie Marsh and others. Katie and Joel will also choose from among 70 different workshops and experience Sabbath with colleagues from around the country.

Thank you for making continuing education possible for our staff!

January 2024 Rundown

Cheri Simonet
Monthly Rundown

Church Chix Socials

The Chix had an amazing social in December when we dined at Old Mexico Cantina & Grill and we had 6 Chix that attended. The service was great and the food was even better! Our January social is planned for Thursday, January 11th at 6pm at Greystone located at 3711 Monroe Road in East De Pere. To RSVP there’s a sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email office@firstpresgreenbay.org.

Advent Workshop

Our Sanctuary was beautifully decorated for the first Sunday of Advent. Following worship we all moved to Banner Hall for our traditional Advent Workshop. THANK YOU to all who attended! We packed 75 socks of love for St. John’s Shelter guests and Kevin’s chili was delicious as always. Check out our photo Gallery!

2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
2023 Advent Workshop
Advent 2023
Advent 2023
Advent 2023
Advent 2023

Christmas Toy Shop

This year’s Toy Shop on December 12th for our Pantry guests was a great success! We served 79 families and gave away toys for 345 kids! Thank you to everyone for your generous support with monetary gifts and toys, and special THANKS to our elves that were personal shoppers. Thanks to everyone’s support there’s 345 kids who found presents under the tree on Christmas morning! Check out our photo gallery!

2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop
2023 Christmas Toy Shop

Thank you Red Lobster!

A BIG thank you to Red Lobster Manager, James, for his team’s generous donation to our Toy Shop of more than 50 toys! Each year we’re blessed with their generosity and this year there was another overflowing dolly with toys. Red Lobster also donates frozen potatoes, salmon and Red Lobster biscuits on a weekly basis to our Pantry.

Red Lobster 2023 Christmas Toy Shop Donation
Red Lobster 2023 Christmas Toy Shop Donation
Red Lobster 2023 Christmas Toy Shop Donation

Christmas Prayer Baskets

Our three adopted families had a beautiful Christmas thanks to so many wonderful people! All the tags were taken from our baskets to fill each family’s wish lists. Many people within the church and several outside of our church helped make this possible. The Outreach Committee thanks everyone so much for the wonderful presents and for spreading joy! Special thanks to our family coordinators: Patti & Kevin Kabacinski for the Angel Family, Olivia Crooks for the Jesus Family and Lisa Olson for the Star Family.

Youth Lock-In

The Youth Group had their annual lock-in on the weekend of December 15th and wrapped all the Christmas Prayer Basket gifts. It was a great night of fellowship filled with games and fun plus reflection on how fortunate we are for all the gifts in our life. Special thanks to Mike Melton for providing the group with an amazing breakfast!

Rundowns will publish with our Connections issue on a monthly or bimonthly basis. To submit rundowns for consideration contact us at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org by the 15th of the month to be included in the following month’s publication. And, as always, we look forward to receiving your Rundown of what’s been Happening Now!

Worship Service December 17, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this Third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Joy and reflect on Luke 1: 46-55 https://bit.ly/3NsHxKZ, a portion of Mary’s Magnificat. Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges will sing “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant and Pastor Katie will focus on “Magnified Joy.”