World Communion Sunday and Global Foods Potluck

World Communion Sunday

Sunday – October 1, 2023

This Sunday we will join Christian churches all over the world to celebrate World Communion Sunday as we gather at Christ’s table for the sacrament.

Following worship that day, all are invited to continue the celebration at a global foods-themed potluck in the Fellowship Room.

Plan to try out a new recipe or bring a favorite from your own ethnic background, but the point is to have a wide variety of foods from around the world as our lunch together.

All items should be labelled with ingredients listed, and we’ll enjoy fellowship around the tables as we sample foods we may have never tasted before!

Please join us!

“I’m In!”

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.

Generosity Sunday – Grazie, Grazie, Molte Grazie!

Commitment Sunday Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinner October 22nd

Imagine red-and-white checked tablecloths, wine bottle centerpieces with dripping candles, and waiters in berets and mustaches…what?

Sunday, October 22nd is Generosity Sunday, the conclusion of our “I’m In!” pledge campaign toward the 2024 budget for our congregation.

The Generosity Team wants to say “grazie” to all who have contributed to make it happen, from video participants to pledgers to volunteers throughout our church, so we’re hosting an Italian dinner to thank you all.

Following our service of worship, everyone is invited to Banner Hall for a spaghetti dinner featuring marinara and Bolognese sauce, garlic bread, and salad. Dessert is a special Italian surprise!

Please sign up on the bulletin board so we know how much food to prepare!

New Members Received October 15th

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!

October 2023 Bible Study

Harvest of Righteousness Book Cover

New Bible Study Begins October 25th & 26th

Harvest of Righteousness by Rebecca Bradburn Langer will be our next Bible study, beginning Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 via Zoom and Thursday, October 26 at 11am in person.

After finishing up Theology for Presbyterians we’ll be taking a different approach and focusing on the spiritual discipline of devotional reading of scripture for five weeks.

The workbook draws on the rich treasure of biblical passages, devotional readings, prayers, and helpful exercises to develop or redevelop this ancient discipline for its readers.

Less a “study” and more a “plunge into the text,” it will be a new experience for some and a refreshing change for others. Please come join us! In mid October, books are available from Pastor Katie for $10.

All are welcome!

Break Every Chain Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Program

Human Trafficking Awareness Zoom Event

Covenant Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC) is inviting the churches in Winnebago Presbytery to watch the Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Program on Oct. 21, 2023 at First United Presbyterian Church of DePere located at 605 N Webster Avenue in DePere from 9:30am till 11:30am.

Human Trafficking happens in every county in Wisconsin and involves the exploitation of children, women, and men for the purpose of commercial sex or compelled labor. We believe that knowledge of the trafficking Red Flags and how children and adults are groomed and deceived can make our communities safer. We believe that awareness of this crime may save a life and prevent a child, women, or man from becoming a victim of the horrific crime of Human Trafficking.

The Program includes: Awareness, Prevention and Local Professionals speaking about what is happening in our area.

More details are below – please join us!

End Human Trafficking Awareness Program

Annual Fall Clean-up 2023

Church Work Day

Saturday, October 21 from 9am to 11am

It’s that time of year when summer has faded into the crisp air of fall. And you know what that means? It’s time again for our annual fall clean-up!

We can’t do it without you. Work isn’t work when you’re surrounded by friends in fellowship. We have a FUN-filled day planned for you! Spread the word, bring family, friends and neighbors. All are welcome! Tell everyone about the FUN we have in store. Help us out in the yard with:

Raking  •  Bush Trimming  •  Pruning Perennials and Garden Beds

Or, you could do what absolutely everyone LOVES doing— window washing!

There’s something for everyone. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board or call us at 437-8121 or email office@firstpresgreenbay.org to reserve your spot.

Don’t miss out on this FUN filled day or you’ll risk experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out).

October 2023 Fourth Sunday Faith Forum

New Community Shelter Logo

A new opportunity for adult enrichment and connection from the Christian Education Committee, the Fourth Sunday Faith Forum featured International Peacemaker Noemi Sanchez from El Salvador last month and will feature a representative from New Community Shelter this month.

Please join us on Sunday, October 22nd in the Fellowship Room from 9:00 to 9:45am for a presentation about the ministry and outreach of this social service organization just down the street from our church.

At our Advent Festival last year, we stuffed socks with personal care products for unsheltered people and our youth group delivered them to the shelter and got to tour the facility and hear a little more about what they do. Now they are coming to us to share their ministry!

Don’t miss this chance to learn about a ministry in our community.

Trunk-or-Treat 2023

Has your neighborhood ‘aged out’ of trick-or-treating? Do you buy too much candy and then get stuck eating it all on your own? Or, are you happy enough to turn off your lights and hide in the basement on Halloween?

We have a deal for you!

It’s time for our 2nd annual Trunk-or-Treat when we seek to meet our neighbors and community where they are.

Trunk-or-Treat will happen in our church parking lot from

4:00—5:00 pm on Sunday, October 29th

The trunks of our cars will be open and decorated for the Halloween season, parked around the perimeter of the lot. Each car needs to be hosted by its owner. Children of this church and those from the neighborhood are invited to come trick-or-treat at our trunks, moving from one car to the next collecting treats and perhaps play a game or otherwise interact with each trunk host.

Sounds like fun, right? Now we need the trunks to make it happen!

With your trunk open and your heart wide, please volunteer to join us!

To participate, sign up on the bulletin board or call the church office at 920-437-8121 or email office@firstpresgreenbay.org to get on the list.

Check out a few trunks from our 2022 Trunk-or-Treat!

October 2023 Rundown

Monthly Rundown

Church Chix Socials

The Chix had an amazing social in September when our outstanding hostess, Sue Russell, welcomed everyone into her home. The weather was chilly so we ate inside but the food was fabulous! Our October social is planned for Thursday, October 12th at 6pm at Nakishima’s located at 2200 Holmgren Way in Green Bay. To RSVP there’s a sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email office@firstpresgreenbay.org.

Tank Back to School 2023 Campaign

Tank Back-to-School

The Tank Back-to-School Drive was so successful! Many kids will benefit from the backpacks and school supplies and a check was also given which will allow the staff to purchase whatever else is needed. Members of First Presbyterian were once again very generous as we filled Stephanie Fahringer’s jeep and delivered everything before school started. THANK YOU to everyone for your generosity!

Carpenter Local 1146 Pantry Donation

Thank you Carpenters Local 1146!

On August 25th the Carpenters Local 1146 hosted their summer picnic and asked union members to bring a donation for the Presbyterian Pantry. Two full flatbeds of groceries were donated but the generosity didn’t stop there. More than $300 was collected from the event. Bartenders donated their tips, there were cash donations and there was a 50/50 raffle. A special thank you to union representative, Steve Dorvinen, who helped make it all possible!

Blessings of the Backpacks

Due to rain and cool temps, our outdoor worship had to be moved inside on September 10th, but we still blessed more than 20 backpacks and celebrated God’s marvelous creation with a fun story sermon and great guitar music. The ice cream social following the service was also a big hit.

Fourth Sunday Forum recap

We were delighted to host International Peacemaker Noemi Sanchez and her interpreter Leslie Vogel on September 24 for an informative presentation on her ministry in El Salvador. Noemi also visited Spanish classes at UWGB, Memorial Presbyterian Church in Appleton, Covenant Community Church in Schofield, and presented at the Winnebago Presbytery meeting in Marshfield. Special thanks to Al and Ellen Smith for all their work in coordinating the visit and hosting our guests.

2 for 2 @ the U

Our event for UWGB students held annually at the Mauthe Center was a huge success! We served sloppy joes (including vegan) and the roasters were empty by the end of the evening. Thank you to all the volunteers who provided all the side dishes and desserts too! The students were all very kind, appreciative and happy to see us. We had approximately 40 students in attendance. A big thank you and shout out to our servers: Mark, Georgiana, Lori, Lisa, Joel, Stephanie, Donna and Leslie! And, thank you to the Mauthe Center for inviting us. We look forward to seeing you in February when our next 2 for 2 @ the U will take place. Check out our photo gallery from the event!


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!