Category: Children

Changes to Communion

Cheri Simonet
Communion

As COVID numbers continue to drop in our area and more of us return to in-person worship, we are pleased to report that May brings a welcome change to the way we have celebrated communion for the past 18 months.

Worship Committee has recommended and Session has approved a return to our “regular” method of serving the sacrament. Instead of the pre-packaged elements that were picked up by individuals on the way into the Sanctuary, we will go back to real pieces of bread and filled cups in trays that will be passed along the pews during worship. A gluten-free bread option will also be provided.

We are grateful to the Deacons who prepare the elements, the Elders who will serve it, and the Deacons who clean everything up. Please be present for the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, May 1 as we celebrate the chance to return to the table together. (And no one liked the cardboard bread bits, anyway!)

Holy Week Thanks

Cheri Simonet
Holy Week 2022

Holy Week began with a palm parade and moving Passion narrative in worship, followed by our Palm Sunday Brunch and we extend a heartfelt thanks to all those that prepared and served food making the brunch possible. We had at least 90 people in attendance and the Fellowship Room provided a personal ambience where everyone could join together with food, fun and fellowship. Donations received were very generous so thank you all for your contributions. And a special thanks for those who stuck around till the end for cleanup – your help was sincerely appreciated!

We returned to the Fellowship Room for Maundy Thursday service where we had a very intimate setting for our Holy Week journey, celebrating communion as Jesus did with his disciples at the last supper. A thank you to our readers Tom Schoffelman and Nancy Siewert, and thank you to Shirley Schoffelman who provided music on the piano and Teresa Schoffelman who played her flute.

On Good Friday we were in the Sanctuary for a very solemn Tenebrae service where all experienced increased darkness as candles were gradually extinguished with each reading symbolizing the coming of darkness of Jesus’ death. Thank you to our readers Jane Bies, Bruce Deadman, Jessica Gauthier, Pat McCormick, Joel Morien, Leah Mott, Eric Sperduto and Amy Wittman. And also, thank you to Jeffrey Verkuilen who played the organ for our service.

And our Easter Sunday morning was filled with joy as we celebrated the resurrection with over 120 people worshiping in person and reaching over 100 more via our virtual Facebook livestream. Our worship began with a beautiful slideshow presentation created by Amy Wittman showing us the beauty of all that God created. Thank you, Amy! The sanctuary was decorated with an assortment of beautiful spring flowers that were donated in honor of or memory of a loved one. Thank you Patcee and Floyd Bucher who created all that beauty for us. The children enjoyed an Easter egg hunt during Sunday School. Thank you to the Easter bunnies that made that happen. And, thank you to Micah Zuelke who provided music for our Easter service and Jill Stenson who served as reader.

Holy Week was memorable and impactful thanks to so many who volunteered their time, talents and treasures. We are truly blessed for all those in our faith community.

Palm Sunday Brunch April 10, 2022

Cheri Simonet
Palm Sunday Brunch

Please join us following 10 am worship on April 10 for Palm Sunday Brunch with a menu that includes:

  • Egg Bakes
  • Quiche
  • Muffins
  • Coffee Cake
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Assorted Cheeses
  • Smoked Salmon
  • Breakfast Sausages
  • And – fruit too!

A free will offering will be taken to offset the cost and the remaining funds will benefit the Youth Group mission trip this summer. 

To attend, please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway or send an RSVP email to office@firstpresgreenbay.org so we have an idea of how much food to prepare.

Don’t miss this great opportunity for fun, food and fellowship – we hope to see you at brunch!

Looking ahead to Vacation Bible School

Cheri Simonet
Vacation Bible School

Mark your calendars for an amazing Vacation Bible School that will take place July 11-14 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. as we explore together the “Heroes” of our faith!

We’ll consider the armor they wear, their masks, the super-powers they have, and what role models they provide to us all. Perhaps we will even recognize a few heroes among us!

Kids from Pre-K through 5th grade are welcome, and youth are always welcome as helpers. Invite your grandchildren, family members, friends, and neighbors. All are welcome! Songs, supper, crafts, games, and so much fun are all in the plans—don’t miss it! For more information, contact our Director of Children, Youth and Families, Joel Morien, at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or call 920-437-8121.

Synod School 2022

Cheri Simonet
Synod School 2022

The 2022 Synod School will take place July 24-29 at Buena Vista University – Storm Lake, Iowa. It’s an opportunity for learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages that seeks to create an environment of hospitality, healing, and hope. The week is designed for laity and clergy, and individuals and fami­lies with classes and activities for adults, youth, and children.

Come…

To participate in a unique experience of Christian community as we worship, study, play, and live together;

To grow in faith through action, relationships, and a centering of the spirit;

For continuing education, for a special family experience, or for individual growth;

To take it all in, then return home to share and serve.

The 2022 Synod School theme is:

Experiencing Belonging

“…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually, we are members one of another.” Romans 12:5

What does it mean to be a part of the body of Christ and to belong to one another? In the spirit of Christ’s community, we will walk through biblical experiences of belonging. Exploring the communities, we find member­ship within, we will discover how we can belong to one another and to Christ more fully.

To register or for more information, visit www.lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool. Contact Pastor Katie with questions at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or call the office at (920) 437-8121.

Where Your Heart Is

Cheri Simonet
Lent

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.

Your Monthly Rundown

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!

Returning to In-Person Worship

Cheri Simonet
Yes we're open

Beginning Sunday, February 6

After careful consideration, the Session has voted to re-open the Sanctuary to an in-person worship option beginning Sunday February 6, 2022.

We closed in January due to the recent surge in Covid infections in our area, and are glad to see that number beginning a downturn. We will continue to offer the livestream worship service for any who are not healthy or not yet comfortable coming in-person. It is our strong recommendation that everyone continue to wear masks while in the church building, and KN95 masks will be available at the entry doors if you need one.

The nursery will re-open as well, and Confirmation class will resume on February 6. Sunday School class will not be held that day because of communion but will resume February 13.

However, the Fellowship hour following our worship service, with coffee and treats, has been discontinued for the time being. Thank you for your understanding.

We hope to see everyone in-person or virtually via our Facebook Livesteam on Sunday mornings at 10am!

Sunday School Resumes January 9

Cheri Simonet
Sunday School

All children aged Kindergarten through 6th grade are encouraged to attend our weekly Sunday school.

During worship, children are invited to the front of the sanctuary where a children’s message is shared. Children are then dismissed to attend Sunday School during the sermon and remainder of worship. Children will return to their parents in the sanctuary once service concludes.

During class, children learn a different spiritual lesson each week and teachers of that lesson are a rotation of volunteers that generously donate their time and talents.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer teacher, please contact Joel Morien at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or call 920-437-8121 ext. 112

It’s Christmas Pageant Time!

Cheri Simonet

Updated December 13, 2021

During the in-person and livestreamed Christmas Eve 5:00 worship service, we will include a Children’s pageant in a different way this year.

No rehearsals, no memorized lines, no music to learn, no script but the Bible! This service will include an Impromptu Pageant, so anyone and everyone who would like to participate on that night is welcome and encouraged to do so.

Arrive a few minutes before the service begins, choose your part and costume or props, and just be ready to come forward when the narration calls for you. Together we will create the holy scene and include everyone in the “pageant” this year.  

Whether you join in the performance or enjoy the performance, virtually or in-person, we cannot wait to see everyone on Christmas Eve – hope to see you then!