Category: Worship

The Celebrations Continue for Pastor Ken Sann

Cheri Simonet
Ken Sann Ordination 2023

On Sunday, February 19, 2023 we had the great honor of hosting a service of worship for Winnebago Presbytery at which Ken Sann was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. His journey up to this point took many years, so the celebration was that much sweeter! Special thanks to all who assisted that afternoon in the worship service and in the beautiful reception following. A ministerial robe worn by the late Ted Sperduto was presented to Ken, and our church gave him a lovely green stole featuring the tree of life and streams of living water.

Ken has been called to serve part-time at two small churches in the northern region of our presbytery, Presbyterian churches in Wausaukee and Athelstane. (He has been preaching in these same churches for more than a year, but now he officially becomes their pastor.) He will be installed to this position at each church later this month, and invites us to attend these installation services as we are able. The installation at Wausaukee will be on Sunday, March 12 at 3:00 pm and at Athelstane on Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 pm. Each service will be followed by a celebration meal.

Please join our sisters and brothers in the faith as we continue this celebration of the Spirit in the life of Ken Sann.

Augusta Jeffrey 2022 Awardee

Cheri Simonet
Augusta Jeffrey Award 2022

Congrats Judy!

It is our pleasure to present this year’s well deserved Augusta Jeffrey Award to Judy Knutzen-Nerad.

Judy has been a member of First Presbyterian Church GB since 1974 and during that time has served multiple terms as Deacon and is currently serving in that role today. She also now serves as an usher and plays a leadership role in organizing ushers for all services.

Always giving of her time and talent, Judy is an active committee member having served on the CE Committee in the past, and currently serves on both the Funeral Committee and Worship Committee. For many years, you’ve received a newsletter because Judy helped in the office each month and when needed she also volunteers as a substitute for Leah.

The advent wreath we’re blessed to use in worship each year since 1977 is entirely thanks to Judy who donated this in memory of her first husband, Paul. This past year in 2021, the wreath as well as other Advent decorations in the sanctuary were updated by Judy and she also donated the Fellowship Room Christmas tree.

Each year the Augusta Jeffrey awardee designates the $600 award funds to an area of ministry in which the church is engaged and Judy has designated this year’s funds towards sanctuary beautification, with the purchase of a few new banners in mind.

Daughters, Kristin and Tammy, were in attendance at our recognition celebration on Sunday, March 27th when Judy received the 2022 Augusta Jeffrey Award. As Covid prevented us from having a reception last year, we also celebrated 2021 awardees, Lisa Olson and Amy Wittman.

We are very blessed to have Judy as a member of our church. The next time you see Judy, please take a minute to give her a big thanks for all the generosity she’s shown our community of faith.

Memorial Service for Bob Nickel

Cheri Simonet
Celebration of Life

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.

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!

Installation of Pastor Katie Estes – October 10th at 4:00pm

Cheri Simonet

Our installation of The Rev. Katie Estes as our pastor has been delayed for too many months, and at least some of us are wondering why we even need to do it at all. What’s the point of an installation when she’s already been serving among us for almost a year? But unlike the standard notification from an appliance store that “your installation is scheduled,” a pastoral installation is the occasion for great celebration, so we need to do it!

The Presbytery of Winnebago is actually the “host” for this event, though in all truth they turn all the details over to us. So what can we expect? A wonderful full service of worship, special music featuring the Griffon String Quartet, an ensemble and a soloist, scripture and sermon, a charge to the congregation and another to the pastor, and then a lovely reception in the Fellowship Room for all our guests. We will have guests here—the current moderator of Winnebago Presbytery as well as several elders and pastors representing the presbytery, plus a few family members and friends of Katie’s from her former congregation in St. Paul. While the service of installation doesn’t change anything about our call to Katie or the relationship we’ve already spent almost a year developing, it does mark the official beginning of this ministry we are doing together, and who doesn’t like an excuse for a party? Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this special occasion. The honor of your presence is requested!