Category: Adults

Annual 2024 Congregational Meeting

Cheri Simonet
Congregational Meeting

February 18, 2024

Sunday, February 18th is an important day in the life of our congregation as we hold our Annual Congregational Meeting to review 2023 and look forward to plans and dreams for 2024.

The annual report, available in print and digitally by February 11, will include reports of committees, statistics, and financials including the approved budget for 2024. As a congregation we will vote on changes in the terms of call for our Pastor.

The meeting will take place immediately following the 10:00 am worship service in the Sanctuary, and all members are encouraged to attend. Please note that while our worship service will be livestreamed as usual, we apologize that we cannot livestream the Annual Meeting due to the confidentiality of certain portions of the meeting.

If you cannot be with us in person, feel free to contact any member of the Session with any questions or concerns you may have.

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!

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.

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.

In Our Church Library

Cheri Simonet
Hostage Bound Hostage Free Bookcover

From Mike Melton —

During a recent Christian Education meeting I offered to put in a recommendation for a good book someone might want to check out in our church library.  I was perusing the shelves when I saw it; Hostage Bound Hostage Free by Ben & Carol Weir.  I remember when I got my copy of this concise book back in the early nineties because I purchased it at a Presbytery meeting where the Weirs were speaking.  

If you’re not familiar with their story, Ben had been a Presbyterian pastor in Beirut, Lebanon for over thirty years but was kidnapped off the streets by Shiite extremists in front of his wife Carol on May 8th, 1984.  Ben was a captive for over a year and the book’s chapters alternate between Ben’s horrifying ordeal with his faith sustaining him and Carol’s increasingly more public campaign seeking government action for his release.  Just a modest couple in a whirlwind of madness. Now I see all the news of Hamas and Israel.  I hear the shock and despair in the victim’s voices.  We see people kidnapped and the tears of their families.  As Christians, we pray for all these suffering today knowing their stories are yet to be told, but we can read the Weir’s story now. I recommend you read it and pray that God gives us the heart to grow ever more compassionate.      

November 2023 Fourth Sunday Forum

Cheri Simonet
4th Sunday Forum - Internet Safety

“Internet Safety: How To Protect Yourself Online”

Our new opportunity for adult enrichment and connection on the fourth Sunday of each month has been well-received! We continue this month on November 26th from 9:00 to 9:45 am in Fellowship Room with a special presentation from our own Lisa Olson on Internet Safety.

Lisa has recently retired from the Green Bay Public schools after a long career in internet technology, and she brings us a wealth of knowledge in how to stay safe and still make use of all the rich resources technology has to offer. Learn about the importance of knowing what apps to access on your phone or tablet, and how to be careful about where you give your personal information. She will also address what AI is, and why we should care. Bring your questions and your concerns—coffee and treats will be available, too.

“I’m In!”

Cheri Simonet
I'm In! Generosity 2024 Campaign

We say “I’m in!” when we have a commitment to something, when we are enthusiastic about it, when we approve of it. We say “I’m in!” when we want to be included in something, or when we feel like we are already part of it. Continuing our emphasis on the amazing generosity of our church, we want to encourage members to say “I’m in!” for the ministry and mission of this congregation with their financial commitments as well as their contributions of time and talent for the calendar year 2024.

Each week of the month, our service of worship will focus on being “in” in a different way. On October 1, World Communion Sunday, we will consider how we are invited to the Lord’s table, invited to make a commitment to our church, and invited to participate in the mission here. Other weeks will have us addressing how we are included and how we include others, how we are involved in various ways, in what ways we are inspired in this place and in our lives, how we invest in the church, what captures our hearts and makes us say that we are “in”.

Watch for a mailing toward the middle of the month that will include a “best guess” representation of where our church will spend our money in 2024, as well as a pledge card for you to use in making your own commitment. Generosity Sunday is set for October 22, when we will all say “I’m in!” and join together for a celebratory meal.

Thanks for your generosity, your involvement, your commitment to our future together in God’s good world. It is good to be “In” this together.

New Members Received October 15th

Cheri Simonet
Welcome New Members
Kris & Mike Melton
Kris & Mike Melton

On Sunday, October 15th in our service of worship at 10am, we will officially receive four new members who are already blessing our congregation.

Our coffee fellowship time following worship will be another opportunity to welcome them and express our gratitude for their presence among us in the body of Christ.

Brief biographies were shared in our September Newsletter last month for Carole Biddick, Kris and Mike Melton, and Barbara Perret (not pictured).

Carole Biddick
Carole Biddick

Please make an effort to reach out and draw them into our family of faith!