Category: General

Gestures of Generosity, July 2023

Cheri Simonet
Gestures of Generosity

Thank you for your Gesture!

We are blessed with so much generosity in our family of faith that it is hard to recognize it all!

In the past month the church has received special gifts from members to help pay for the new softball jerseys our team wears, a very generous contribution to help cover the cost of the new server for the computer system in the office, and several very helpful gifts to the Emergency Assistance fund that allows us to purchase gas cards and provide rent assistance to those in need.

The Outreach Committee reports that our response to the Pentecost offering, one of the four annual special offerings we receive for the PC(USA), was the largest in recent years by a huge margin!

This offering is divided, with 60% going to denominational programs that support children and youth especially, and 40% remaining in our local community to be given to a program or agency that also supports young people in our midst. The committee decided to divide this portion of the offering between a new YMCA program for children on the autism spectrum and sponsorship of Fly A Kite Fest 2023 with Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W. That event was held on Saturday, June 24 and celebrated its tenth year. Our church name was included in advertising and flew on a flag at the event grounds. Your generosity to the Pentecost offering allowed us to be generous with both these excellent programs in our community.

Presbyterian Pantry & Brown County United Way
Presbyterian Pantry & Brown County United Way

Also, the Presbyterian Pantry was given thirteen cases of canned veggies from Brown County United Way. This is a gift of their annual campaign to help all the pantries in the area. A special thanks to Sierra who serves as the co-coordinator for this event.

If you have a Gestures of Generosity story to share, please contact Cheri at communications@firstpresgreenbay.org and tell us your story.

Worship Service June 25, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this last Sunday of June, we will consider what Jesus has to say about fear as we read Matthew 10: 26-31 https://bit.ly/3Jppx21 and Psalm 27: 1-4, 11-14 https://bit.ly/44cdmOg. Pastor Katie will reflect on “Fear and Faith.” We are pleased to have Kris Melton providing our piano accompaniment.

2023 Youth Pool Party

Cheri Simonet
Pool Party July 20, 2023

Calling all #FirstPresGB Youth!

Youth Group may have started their summer hiatus but why go the whole summer without seeing each other? Join us for our annual Youth Pool Party!

Bring your friends – the more the merrier!

Our hostess, Loni McCormick, invites all youth to her home on Thursday, July 20th from 1p till 4, 4:30p. Loni will provide the beverages, but youth are asked to bring a snack to share.

We’re hoping for a warm summer day to relax in or by the pool to have some fun, play some games, splash around and take time to reconnect over the summer. So, grab your sunglasses, swimsuit, pool toys and a snack to share and join the fun at Loni’s pool!

For questions please contact Loni at (920) 655-8258 or pmccormick1@new.rr.com or contact Joel Morien at (920) 437-8121 or email ce@firstpresgreenbay.org.

We hope to see you poolside!

July 2023 – Faith Facts:

Cheri Simonet
Faith Facts

Our Name that Member! feature gave us the opportunity to learn just how well we really know each other, our Did you know? Tuesday Trivia! shows us how well we know our church but we’re pleased to ask yet another question—How well do we know our faith?

Well, we’re excited to tell you that our newest newsletter feature is Faith Facts: which aims to tell us just how well we know our faith. Our July Faith Facts is courtesy of Russ Christensen. Thank you, Russ, for your contribution!

Are you ready to play?

QUESTION:

Why do Presbyterian Churches have names like “First”, “Second” or are named after a street, or are named after a city?
(choose one or more of the following answers)

A) Presbyterians lack imagination so they stay with names of numbers, streets or perhaps a name such as “Memorial” or the town which it is located in

B) A) Presbyterians are known for “keeping things in order”. If a Presbyterian congregation is chartered first in a town, they have naming rights to using the word “First”, the second one in town then becomes “Second” and so on. Or perhaps if the “Second” congregation doesn’t like being second, they will name their church after the street they are located on or another non-competitive ranking name. 

C) Sometimes its just best to keep things simple. If the name of the church is “Main Street” or named after the city it’s located in, it’s easier to find.

D) Both A & B

E) ALL of the above

F) None of the above

E – ALL of the above

Did you guess correct, or did you learn something new?

Thanks for playing!

If you have Presbyterian faith facts to share, please contact Pastor Katie at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org and become a contributor to an upcoming Faith Facts:

June 20, 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 minutes of the Young People’s Association on September 30, 1889 “…as there was no particular business before the Society the remainder of the evening was spent playing cards.”

TRUE or FALSE

Answer:

FALSE: From the minutes of Young People’s Association, September 30, 1889 “….as there was no particular business before the Society the Program Committee were called upon and during the remainder of the evening entertained us with some very fine charades. The charades numbered five and were of high order. Mr. Charles Kerr carried off the honors as his acting was so original and funny. Miss Clara Austin did some acting and carried our her part exceedingly well. Last, but not least, was Miss Jennie Dunn, who acted her part well notwithstanding she is very bashful. She showed much talent and with practice in time will make her mark.”

Has your Committee or Session played charades when you were done with your meeting business? Something to think about…be sure to put that in your meeting minutes if you do!

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!

Worship Service June 11, 2023

Cheri Simonet

On this Second Sunday after Pentecost, we reflect on “Healing Mercy” with Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26 https://bit.ly/3NixYyL. Matthew Thorne continues as our guest organist, and Kris and Mike Melton will provide a special music arrangement of “There Is A Balm In Gilead.”

June 6, 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!

What year were hitching posts placed around the church property?

  • 1899
  • 1903
  • 1897

Answer:

On July 6, 1897 at the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees it was moved that the committee on repairs order hitching posts placed around the church property.

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!

Worship Service June 4, 2023

Cheri Simonet

It’s Trinity Sunday this week, so our scriptures are Matthew 28: 16-20 https://bit.ly/3oDJif8 and Psalm 8 https://bit.ly/3oNnrls and Pastor Katie will help us consider the doctrine of the Trinity with the reflection “A Dance Lesson.” We recognize our high school graduate Eric Sperduto in worship and also celebrate the sacrament of Communion.

Worship Service May 28, 2023

Cheri Simonet

This Sunday, May 28th, is the Festival of Pentecost. We wear colors of the Spirit – Red, Yellow or Orange and we celebrate the birthday of the Church with Acts 2: 1-21 https://bit.ly/3WzeLvN and a story sermon entitled “The Day When God Made Church.” Expect balloons, wind, fire, and much more! Jeff Verkuilen returns to play the organ for us, and our fellowship hour includes a birthday cake and ice cream.

Congratulations Class of 2023!

Cheri Simonet
Congratulations Class of 2023

Graduation Sunday June 4, 2023

Join us on Sunday June 4th as we recognize during 10am worship this year’s high school graduate, Eric Sperduto, and award him a scholarship. The fellowship hour following worship will be a chance to congratulate Eric and continue the celebration.

Eric Sperduto
Eric Sperduto, 2023 Graduate

Eric graduated May 31st from Pulaski High School and has plans to attend UW-Platteville where he’ll study Mechanical Engineering.

Eric has received:

  • Platteville Renewable Merit Scholarship
  • Butch Reimer Memorial Scholarship
  • Ray Nitschke Memorial Scholarship
  • Pulaski Education Association Scholarship
  • College Ready Scholarship
  • Mike and Jean Berken Mathematics Scholarship
  • Red Raiders Sports Boosters Scholarship

While in high school, Eric participated in football, wrestling, tennis, track and field, concert band, wind ensemble, marching band, pep band, served as Officer/Editor on the yearbook and was Senior Class President. Eric also received numerous academic honors throughout his high school years.

Eric’s favorite high school memory was his first game starting on varsity football.

CONGRATULATIONS, Eric! Blessings to you as you continue your journey beyond high school!

Congratulations College Graduates!

We extend our love and congratulations to the following graduates of higher education programs this spring:

  • Elizabeth Paag graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources
  • Brandt Schoffelman graduated from Bradley University with an Engineering degree
  • Wyatt Stenson completed his Emergency Medical Technician certificate at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

(If there are other higher education graduates that we missed, please send information to the church office at office@firstpresgreenbay.org)