February 2022 - First Presbyterian Church Green Bay

Ellen Smith to Speak on Russia and Ukraine

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

The drums of war are beating louder and louder each day–the current situation in Ukraine is heartbreaking. We all have brothers and sisters in Christ in both Russia and Ukraine. How do we pray? What can we do?

Ellen Smith, mission co-worker for the Presbyterian Church and member of this congregation, will share from her 20 years of experience in this part of the world with some reflections on how we have come to this moment.

Join us on Sunday, March 13 following worship in the Sanctuary for a timely presentation on the issues and a chance to join in conversation together. Pray for peace!

Ash Wednesday begins March 2

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

Wednesday, March 2 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the forty days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, and is a time set aside in the church year to reflect on our Christian walk.

The Ash Wednesday service will be at 7:00 pm on March 2 in the Sanctuary, and features candlelight, scripture, contemplative music and the imposition of ashes on each person’s forehead as a reminder of our own mortality.

We wear ashes not to brag about our humility or piety, but to mark ourselves as part of the community of faith and recognize how far we are from God’s will for us.

Please come join in the family of faith as we begin our Lenten journey together.

Where Your Heart Is

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

A Lenten Devotional and Discussion Opportunity

A devotional guide for the season of Lent is available for the congregation at the back of the Sanctuary on Sundays and in the church office during the week. This weekly reading and reflection piece is appropriate for all ages and can be used by individuals or families.

The theme for our devotion is “Where Your Heart Is”, and is drawn from Jesus’ teaching about storing up our treasures in his Sermon on the Mount. Through this season we are invited to explore the treasures of our lives and wonder deeply about what really matters to us and what God would have us do about that. The devotional is meant to be colored in or doodled on, in response to prompts in the scriptures and reflections offered. It is not a coloring book per se, but an opportunity to respond and be drawn into a new way of prayer and reflection.

Each week of Lent, we are offering a time to gather with others who are using the devotional to share our experience and get encouragement from one another. We will gather every Sunday morning before worship in the Fellowship Room at 9:00am to share—please stop in when you can to join us! This is not intended as a class or lesson, but a time of mutual sharing. Bring your own coffee or beverage and connect with others who are committing to study and grow during this holy season of Lent.

Memorial Service for Bob Nickel

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

Join us on Friday, March 25 for the memorial service for Robert Nickel, Director of Music at our church for the past five years.

Mary and her family will receive guests from noon until 1:45; the service of worship will begin at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

We are pleased to have Rt Rev. Paul Graf assisting Pastor Katie in worship and Jeffery Verkuilen with us on the organ for this service. Paul was a dear friend of Bob’s and is a Bishop in the Moravian Church. Jeff is organist and choir director at First United Methodist Church in Green Bay, teaches organ at St Norbert College in DePere, is a fellow in the American Guild of Organists and was a good friend of Bob’s as well. At the family’s request, there will not be a reception following the service.

Huehn’s Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is handling arrangements and will host a visitation on Thursday, March 24 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Mary is hopeful that by having a visitation there, the large community of friends as well as students and staff from the high school where Bob was principal will have the opportunity to gather and remember him there in Sturgeon Bay, and not feel obligated to drive to Green Bay for the memorial service. Of course, anyone is welcome at either or both events. We give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Robert Nickel.

Culture of Generosity Workshop

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

Stewardship Committee, Finance Committee and the Session are attending a workshop on Saturday, March 12 from 9:00 am to noon called “Culture of Generosity.”

This program is brought to us by the Presbyterian Foundation, and we will welcome Kyle Nolan, Ministries Relations Officer for the Upper Midwest to lead us in this learning experience. Rev. Nolan is visiting with us from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he lives with his wife and child. He will bring us new and exciting resources for how to frame our giving ministry and create a culture of generosity in our congregation. Kyle has collected some details about our financial history and current giving patterns, and he promises to help us look at the big picture and increase our stewardship of the resources God has blessed us with in this congregation.

Attendees are asked to read a book before the workshop called Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher and to come with open hearts and minds about new ways to inspire this congregation. If by chance you would interested in attending this workshop, please contact Pastor Katie at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or Ross Early at raearly@hotmail.com and we’ll be happy to reserve you a spot.

Youth Group 30-Hour Famine

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

Lent is an annual season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter. This journey for Christians begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 weekdays to Easter.

This year our youth will be participating in a 30-hour famine. From Friday, March 18th thru Saturday March 19th youth will fast with water only. We encourage all members of the congregation to join us in fasting and reflection during this time.

Our hope during the 30-hour famine is to raise awareness and advocacy for the Presbyterian Pantry. Please prayerfully consider gifts of food or monetary donations to the Pantry in support of our famine cause.

We also ask that you help us spread the word to open our mission work to other youth in the community. If you have youth family, friends or neighbors in grades 6th thru 12th, please let them know an invitation is extended for them to join us for our Lenten journey.

Our fast and reflection begins at 1pm on Friday and that evening we’ll have a lock-in. Saturday we’ll continue our fast and focus our energy on service activities for the Pantry. The fast is broken when we break bread for our meal at 7pm Saturday evening.

Please join us on our journey and pray for our youth as they pursue their 30-hour famine.

Your Monthly Rundown

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

We’re excited to tell you about our newest addition to Connections – the Monthly Rundown.

Have you wondered about the outcome of a recent event? Well, this is where you’ll find the answers!

The Rundown section of Connections features a rundown of recent events so you’ll know the outcome of our outreach efforts, ministries and more. It’s also our bulletin board to receive special messages from fellow members and committees.

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!

Visit the March Rundown NOW!

March 2022 Rundown

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Cheri Simonet

Burns Dinner & Tasting

First United Presbyterian Church’s Burns Dinner & Tasting was a great success! Over 70 attendees joined the dinner and nearly 40 attended the Scotch tasting. The fur-baby raffle basket for pups, donated by Pantry volunteers, brought in $75 and the total FUPC event proceeds reached more than $1800. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun for the Pantry’s benefit.

With heartfelt thanks from Mary Nickel

Dear Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

Thank you for the generous gift. I am beyond words! Bob did have a gift to lift our hearts and souls through his music.

Thank you,

Mary

Fun on the Slopes

This year’s ski trip was a fabulous time! There were 27 skiers who attended the journey to Ski Brule and we were fortunate to have some friends from First United along for the fun. The weather was perfect for a day on the slopes and the day was filled with fellowship and fun. We can’t wait for our return in 2023! Special THANKS to Loni McCormick! Without Loni’s efforts the trip wouldn’t have been possible. And, thanks to her team, with Bobbi Holl and Joel Morien, who supported her efforts and chaperoned for the day.

Paczki Thanks!

Thank you to all who supported the Youth Group paczki sale! There were more than 144 paczki sold that totaled nearly $350. The funds raised will go toward a youth mission trip this summer.