April 2008

From the Pastor:
When I begin to think of the word sabbatical the first thing that goes through my mind is "renewal." For the past 17 years I have served the church faithfully as a minister of the word and sacrament. Throughout those seventeen years I have often wondered what it would be like to take time to rest for an extended period of time, time to play with my nine year old son with no interruptions, and to be in silence with God without having someone walk in wanting something.

As ministers our time is filled with the responsibility of caring for the souls of others as well as for ourselves. However, being able to do this effectively is quite challenging. Being able to get away from the grind and responsibility of caring for the parish God has entrusted in our care is truly a gift. Being able to renew the mind, soul, and body is what I feel I am being called to do at this moment in time. During our March Session meeting, the elders felt the same.

During my sabbatical I hope to be able to take a break from my pastoral duties and engage in a time of renewal. My plan is to take the time to rest, play, and engage in personal spiritual development. I have found that these things have been missing in my life for quite some time. And through the guidance of a pastoral care counselor as well a colleague group I have discovered that a sabbatical can give me the time I need to reclaim those things I have missed.

One of the things I will do during the sabbatical is rest. For the past six months I have discovered what it means to be chronically fatigued. And for seventeen years I have found myself wanting to not be tied down to a calendar or a schedule. I have covenanted during my sabbatical to not write a list of things to do. I have also pledged to sleep more than six hours a night. And I have promised my family that I would dedicate uninterrupted time to them.

It is my hope to fly to Rochester New York, the place I grew up at, and spend a week traveling around the city. During that time I hope to hike, walk and spend time resting with family. I hope to rediscover the joy of play.

Another goal I have is getting reacquainted with family and friends I have not seeing in almost 15 years. I want to introduce my son to my aunts, cousins, and friends from my home church. But this is not all I wish to do during my sabbatical.

During my sabbatical I will continue meeting with my pastoral counselor for spiritual development. I will engage in reading several books I have wanted to read but have not had the time to do so. I will attend two spiritual silent retreats and have been given access to a friend's home where I will engage in daily meditation.

Some are probably wondering how on earth I will be able to survive four day silent retreats. My prayer is that during this time I will be quiet in order to listen to God’s quiet still voice.

While I am gone the Session together with Dick Kreager will make sure that the daily business of the church continues. Pastors Ed Slusser and Tom Willadsen will offer four weeks of pastoral coverage. Last year I did the same for them during their sabbaticals.

During the three months I will be gone Elders will preach and share their journeys of faith with the congregation. This means that the congregation will also get a fresh and new perspective.

The word we will all focus on during my sabbatical is renewal. This will be a time in which the congregation will also replenish its spiritual batteries as it listen for the voice of God through the voices of its elders. The elders in turn will continue to uncover their call to be the spiritual leaders of the church.

My prayer is that when we reengage once again, we will have our strength and spirits renewed, and be ready to seek the will of God for the church.

A pamphlet that explains the sabbatical will be provided in next month’s Bridge.

Until next time.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Mara

LOVING GOD THROUGH WORSHIP
Worship for the Month of April

April 6, 2008
2nd Sunday in Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction

Readings: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 and Acts 2:14a, 36-41Sermon Theme: Many churches that close do so quite worthily after years of effective and faithful ministry. It’s just that they’re eventually overwhelmed by forces beyond their control. That’s simply a colony collapse, with no disorder involved whatsoever. Still, can anything be done to reverse CCD? Luke has some suggestions when he mentions Peter’s sermon.
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April 13, 2008
3rd Sunday in Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 23 and John 10:1-10
Sermon Theme: We are called to live abundantly. But how can this be done when we are not happy with our job? How does the gospel of John respond to those experiencing a miserable job?
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April 20, 2008
4th Sunday in Easter/ Jazz Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship with a children’s parade of palms is scheduled
Readings: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 and Acts 7:55-60Worship Description: Today we celebrate a long standing worship tradition as we tap our toes and snap our fingers to the sounds of jazz. Our worship through jazz music is a favorite. Join us as we listen to soloist Fred Simon and our very own choir delight us.
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April 27, 2008
5th Sunday in Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 66:8-20 and I Peter 3:13-22Sermon Theme: You can log on to the Internet to learn how to do just about anything — except how to have hope. But you can go to first Peter and find out how even in the midst of difficulty one can find hope.

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Following Christ Through Learning
Disciples in Training
April 6
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School
10:20 a.m.
-The Next Door Savior
-Parenting the Early Years

April 13
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School
10:20 a.m.
-The Next Door Savior
-Parenting the Early Years

April 20
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School
10:20 a.m.
No Adult Education

April 27
9:00 a.m.
Children’s Choir Sings
10:15 a.m.
Sunday School
10:20 a.m.
No Adult Education

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LENTEN STUDY
During the month of February, we began offering a class entitled The Next Door Savior. This is a study of what it truly means to walk with, talk with, and explore Jesus. During the study we will look at places Jesus went and the people he touched, knowing we can touch lives too. Experience an encounter with Jesus as Max Lucado clears away the clichés and confusion to reveal the full magnitude and meaning of Jesus, the God-man. The class also includes an encouraging message from Max, plus there are six testimonies from people whose lives have been touched and transformed by the Savior.

The class goes through April 13th. Join us in Fellowship Hall for this life changing class.

Moms’ Group News!
Please join us during the Sunday School hour (10:15 till 11:15) to view the video series: Parenting... The Early Years.

We will meet every Sunday in April (except for Easter Sunday) and the first two Sundays of April for this intriguing 6 week series.

During this time we will also discuss the future meeting times for this group, and
possibly throw around ideas for some fun summer meetings... Please join us!!

For more information call Julie Angell at
582-7061.

“Faith Comes By Hearing”
Bible Listening Program Continues
Let us know how listening to God's word has impacted your life. We are receiving contributions to the "Faith Comes by Hearing" ministry at this time. One hundred percent of your donation goes towards translating books of the Bible. We have asked the "Faith Comes by Hearing" ministry to put our donations towards the translation of an indigenous language in Colombia. Join us in spreading God's word. Continue listening to God’s Word.

Committees of the Church (Tell us how we are doing)
Christian Education- Maureen Streich (Elder), Pam Verkuilen (Elder), Barb Biggar, Jim and Anna Malek, and Terry Spaulding

Evangelism- Lindy Ludwig (Elder), Ruth Ann Zahn (Elder), Betty Hoytink (Elder), Dick Kreager

Personnel- Maureen Streich (Elder), Bob Lindsey (Elder), and Dennis Biggar (Elder)

Property- Dennis Biggar (Elder), Jon Stilp, Delores Luce, and Dick Kreager

Stewardship- Gail Klaeser (Elder), Bob Lindsey (Elder), and Peggy Thums (Elder)

Mission- Betty Hoytink (Elder), Milt and Lorraine Papke, Sandy Lindsey, and

Worship- Jason Harmon (Elder), Rosemary Shade (Elder), Ethan Hollenberger (Elder), and Karen Angell

Memorial- Jim LaBelle (Chair), Ethel Cowling

Sharing Our Resources Through The LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105
Book of the Month: Angels, Miracles and Answered Prayers
Author Kelsey Tyler, Category Poetry

Ever since she witnessed her young sister's miraculous recovery from cancer, Kelsey Tyler's faith in angels, miracles and answered prayers have never wavered. Kelsey dedicated her work as an investigative reporter to collecting and sharing similar amazing stories of divine intervention in order to give others courage, strength and joy.
From biblical times to the present, humankind has been fascinated by angels.
In music, art, theater, and film, angels have enriched our lives and lifted our spirits with messages of faith, hope, and love. Science has never been able to prove their existence. It is only through personal accounts of real-life angel encounters that we may learn the true meaning of this timeless phenomenon. Author Kelsey Tyler experienced her first encounter several years ago. A camp counselor told her a strange true story that intrigued her so much, she began to wonder: Does God really use angels to minister to those who believe in Him? Soon, she began to hear more accounts of modern-day miracles. Tales of heavenly messengers offering words of comfort and hope Harrowing accounts of impossible rescues by mysterious saviors Heartwarming visitations by people who did not, and could not, exist These heartwarming stories of ordinary people touched by extraordinary events will enlighten, entertain, provoke and inspire you. But most of all, they will make you believe...

SERVING THROUGH MISSION
The Pentecost Offering/ A Letter From The General Assembly Moderator
Dear Friends,
On the Day of Pentecost, a great sound of rushing wind filled the upper room where the disciples met and tongues as of fire rested on them. In explaining this strange happening, Peter reaches back into Scripture and brings forth the words of the prophet Joel:
“‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions’” (Acts 2:17).
The Spirit of God was poured out on the church that day and is still God’s gift to all believers, unto children’s children. The Spirit is no respecter of age—it often uses children and youth to accomplish God’s purposes in this world. The stories of young Miriam, David, and Samuel remind us that God chooses people not because of age, but because of heart.
What a precious gift young people are. Yet, in today’s world, many live without hope for the future or support to meet daily needs. What better place could there be to make spiritual and financial investments than in our children and youth?
The Pentecost Offering, while the newest of the PC(USA) special offerings, is also one of the most exciting. When a congregation receives this Offering, 40 percent stays with the congregation to fund mission and ministry with children at risk. At the General Assembly level, the Pentecost Offering funds ministries with children at risk, youth, and young adults. Youth ministries provide opportunities for spiritual growth and leadership development for Presbyterian youth. Young adults explore their call to mission service through the Young Adult Volunteer program. Child advocacy ministries speak and act on behalf of those who cannot protect themselves. All of these ministries act to help bring God’s love and care to younger members of God’s family.
I say again, What better place could there be to make spiritual and financial investments than in our children and youth? I encourage you to search out the needs in your community and find ways to show Jesus’ love to these “little ones” and give generously to the Pentecost Offering. Let the Holy Spirit who moved the disciples out to the ends of the earth on that first Pentecost move you to give sacrificially. Together we can have a significant positive impact on the children and youth of our churches and of the world.Joan S. GrayModerator, 217th General Assembly (2006)

MISSION NEWS
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE AND SERVE
WAAC continues to be in need of adult volunteers to work in the distribution center at the Winneconne elementary school. The hours are Wednesdays from 5 – 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 - 10:30 a.m. If you can help, please contact Ian Livingstone 582-4085 or Helen Thomson 582-0639.

THE SALVATION ARMY office in Oshkosh, which serves all of Winnebago County, excluding Neenah & Menasha, is in need of many things which are in short supply. Items requested include:

shampoo, conditioner, disposable razors, bar soap, deodorants, toilet paper, tooth brushes and paste, condiments, canned veggies, cereal, oatmeal, and canned meats.

Please consider picking up one or more of the above items each week as you do your shopping during Lent. Remember the words of Jesus found in Matthew 25:40---“……Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
The Mission Team will have a box in the Fellowship Hall to collect your donations. All items will be delivered to the Salvation Army.

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REMINDERS

Please remember to submit your festival food receipts;
You can put them in the offering plate. Proceeds go to church programs


DON’T FORGET We are part of the Morton Drug rebate program.
Just let the cashier know you would like your purchase to go toward the First Presbyterian church rebate

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February 2008

From the Pastor:

It's incredible how quickly we have gone from Christmas to Epiphany, and now we find ourselves at the beginning of the Lenten season. It's a miracle any of us is able to catch our breath.

We are living in hurried times. We run from one place to another and we are overwhelmed with the reality that no matter how fast we are going we are barely caught up. Living this kind of existence is affecting every aspect of our daily lives. This is especially true in our spiritual lives.

More than ever before Christians are having a hard time reading their Bibles. Did you know that 500 pastors were asked why this was happening to their members? Their answer was "lack of time." The result of this is biblical illiteracy. The fact is only 40% of Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Fewer than half of American adults can name all four gospels.

Adults under the age of 30 and people who attend small churches express greater difficulties with Bible knowledge than older adults. People who attend small churches express greater difficulties with Bible knowledge than members of large churches.

Our on-the-go American lifestyle is a prime reason people feel pressed for time. With the average commute for most Americans at 23.4 minutes a day, most Americans spend more time driving to work each year (100) than they spend on vacation (80 hours). So when factored in, Americans spend on an average 21/2 hours in the car each day.

Another issue affecting Americans today that gets in the way of their growing spiritually is illiteracy. Illiteracy keeps people from knowing God's word. According to the U.S. Department of Education's 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 43% of American adults function at or below basic literacy levels. In Wisconsin alone 39% of the adult population read at or below basic levels.

Poor reading skills affect more than just job opportunities and financial prospects. Functionally illiterate Americans also face two specific challenges in receiving God's Word: 1) dependency upon others, and 2) a learning style that differs from the way most Bible teaching is done in this country. People who are functionally illiterate process information differently than people who are literate--they require story telling and dialog, not exposition, to understand and retain information.

Christian organizations are trying to be creative in how they share the word of God with those who have issues with reading. For over 30 years an organization called Faith Comes by Hearing, has embarked in the ministry of audio listening programs. Their belief is that audio listening programs empower individuals to discover the word of God for themselves -and they are highly accessible to people who may feel intimidated by a printed book.

In December Session looked at all of these realities of lack of time and illiteracy, and decided to do something about it. During Lent, each person at First Presbyterian Church will receive a CD copy of the New Testament. Children will also receive a copy of the children's New Testament.

Our hope is that you take 28 minutes a day for forty days to listen to Scripture. If you have a computer, we encourage you to copy the New Testament and listen to it from your computer. If you have an MP3 player, copy the New Testament on to your MP3. Listen to Scripture while cleaning your house, going to and from the grocery, from work, or while exercising. The opportunities are endless.

We are also asking you to team up with us as a Session and to reach into your pockets during Lent so that we can help sponsor more Bible translations for illiterate people around the world. The Faith Comes By Hearing ministry uses 100% of our donations towards translating the Bible. They provide audio Bibles and the equipment necessary for people who have never listened to God's word to do so in a powerful way. It costs $900 to translate one book of the New Testament. If fifty of our members gave $18.00, we could cove the cost of translating one book.

We have asked the ministry of Faith Comes By Hearing to use our donations towards the translation of indigenous languages in Colombia. Because our Presbytery has a partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Colombia, our prayer is that we impact that partnership by making sure the Bible is available in every language possible.

During Lent, inserts in our bulletins will provide more information regarding this ministry and what you can do to help. We at First Presbyterian Church are making our mission statement of learning and sharing come alive through this ministry. Please prayerfully consider what you will give and during this Lenten invitation.

Remember that the Bible tells us in Romans 10:17 that "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Join us during this Lenten journey and grow in faith.

Until next time.

In Peace and love,
Pastor Mara

January 2008

From the Pastor:

Happy New Year! As we begin our year at First Presbyterian Church, the session will start a book study entitled "Simple Church." The question is why?

We are in the midst of what some are calling "A Simple Revolution." Corporations like Apple Computer and Papa John's Pizza have looked at the way they do business and have decided to simplify. They have done this by looking at their mission statements and by cutting items from their businesses that make things complicated.

In the life of the church this process is called discernment. Part of what session does is engage in the process of discernment regularly. This process allows the session to take the spiritual pulse of the congregation. As spiritual leaders of this congregation, session takes this role seriously and tries to vision how it can help the church members grow in their spiritual journey.

As part of this discernment process over the last four months, the session has discovered the reality that we are called to make disciples. It was refreshing to hear the congregation articulate this too when we held two town hall meetings last September. The message for the session from you the congregation was "We must grow."

So during the next nine months the session will take time to study God's word and to evaluate the current ministry programs of First Presbyterian Church. Our hope is to develop a process that helps our members grow spiritually so that as we grow we can help new comers also grow in their spiritual journey once they come to First Presbyterian Church.

In essence we will look at how we can simply walk people through a spiritual maturity process. And this means that we will look at all that we do and say. We will ask ourselves some fundamental questions like, "How does this program help people love God, love self, and love their neighbor?" or "How does this ministry help members live out our mission statement of loving God, following his Son, learning His ways, sharing God’s grace, and serving the world."

Being a "Simple Church" means being clear about what it is we do and why we do it. It also means having a clear sense of movement or knowing where we are headed. And this means removing any congestion that gets in the way of the ministry. It's about being faithful to where God is now leading the church.

Being a "Simple Church" means engaging in a process of alignment, thus maximizing the energy of everyone. It means engaging in things that really matter and that move the church folks toward spiritual maturity and discipleship. Finally, being a "Simple Church" means focus. It means that there will be things we won't do because those things don't fit into our new vision for the church any more.

As we begin this journey, the session, together with a "Simple Church Team," will ask the congregation for prayer. Prayer is one tool God gave His church that effectively transforms lives. So please pray for us.

We will also covenant with the congregation to provide information and guidance throughout the next nine months through our monthly newsletter, sermons, and moments for mission. A copy of the Simple Church book is available in our church library. Anyone is welcome to take it and read it.

Our prayer is that as we discern God's will for First Presbyterian Church, each member encounters the transforming power of God. And thus as each person is transformed, we continue becoming the disciples Jesus called us to be, disciples who see the great commission of making disciples their true calling.

Until next time.

Peace and grace,
Pastor Mara

December 2007

From the Pastor:

Advent is a time of expectation. It is the season when people are asked to prepare themselves for the coming of the Christ child. But Advent is also a time when people are filled with mixed feelings of despair and dread over the coming holidays.
The question is why? For many, the time of Advent isn't about waiting for the birth of the Christ child. For many Advent has become a time when presents are bought and when family begins the yearly ritual of coming together for a meal or for a holiday visit. And so old family issues creep in and people begin experiencing anxiety.

Television commercials and programs add to the anxiety by displaying unrealistic images of what the culture believes the holidays are all about. So people who struggle with the pain of what the holidays have brought them through the years feel left out and disconnected from everyone else.

Some of you reading this are probably wondering why Pastor Mara is writing such depressing thoughts. Isn't the first page supposed to bring good news and good things to hear? Although there may be some truth to that, I write about this because there are many people experiencing pain during the holiday season. I also believe that the church's role is to be present to people in need.

There are folks right now wondering how they will get through the holidays. There are people wondering if they will be alone because they have no way of being with their loved ones. Yet there are others who want nothing to do with their families at all.

So how can we be good news to those in need? How do we reach out in love to those who desperately need our outstretched arms? It begins by simply being present to people.

Being present means taking the time to hear other people’s joy and pain. Being present means sharing God's love by showing compassion and understanding. And showing understanding means taking the time to listen.

Jesus made himself available to those in need. He took the time to listen, to heal, and to transform people’s lives. Following in his footsteps is what the body of Christ is being called to be about.

So ask yourself these questions: Are there people around you who are having a hard time with the holidays? Is there someone you can go out of your way to be a comfort to? Are there people you know about that are disconnected from their family either by distance or by family issues?

I am sure there are people around us that are feeling blue about the upcoming holidays. And I am also sure some want someone they can lean on. Jesus says, "Come to me all of you weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." As the hands and feet of Christ, these are the words we are to carry on his behalf.

Friends, people are waiting with great expectation for the Messiah to come into their lives. They are longing for their own Advent to take place. Perhaps they are longing for the reality of a new family. Perhaps they are longing for a family that will offer them the kind of presence you and your family can. The fact is each day Christ comes as the Babe dressed in swaddling clothes through his people's compassion. And this means that he comes through you and through me.

Will you be Christ's hands and feet this Advent and holiday season? Will you open your heart to someone else's pain? What if you who are reading this are in pain? Are you willing to let someone be Christ to you?

These are the questions we must ponder as we walk through Advent. Each day of Advent Christ offers us the opportunity to reach out in love. That's what Advent calls us to be about. Being Christ is what Christ is all about.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

November 2007

From the Pastor:

This morning as I watched the Today Show I was struck by the story of a man who tried to live as the Bible dictated for a year. During that year this man grew a beard, wore clothes that didn’t have blended materials, and went each day to the park to say prayers publicly.

At one point someone in the park asked him what he was doing. After he explained, he stated that one of the things he was supposed to do was stone someone. The Bible was clear about stoning adulterers. The gentleman responded by saying to him, "I am an adulterer." He then picked up pebbles and threw them at the strange man who was trying to follow the Bible. In turn this Moses-like figure threw pebbles at the adulterer.

During the interview he stated that there were some positives and some negatives as a result of the experience. The positive was that he had been a workaholic, and following the Sabbath had allowed him to spend time with his family and recoup his sanity after a long week at work. He also learned what it meant to be thankful. The downside was that his wife wasn't too happy when he built a tent structure in the middle of his living room.

In the interview he was asked what was the most difficult thing he had to observe. He responded by saying that not coveting was the most difficult thing. The man also stated, "Although I am an agnostic, I did learn how to live a godly existence.

With the help of religious leaders like rabbis and pastors, this man lived an interesting existence for a year. During that time he learned that no one could literally follow the teachings of the Bible. He also learned from different religious leaders that the purpose of the Bible isn’t to interpret and live it literally.

The fact of the matter is that we don't practice living the Bible literally. The ten commandments were given to us so that we could live out our lives according to God's ways. But the truth of the matter is we don't.

As a pastor I am truly aware that the only way to live faithful lives is living God's way. There is no other way that really works.

The Commandments were given to us as principles by which we are able to realize the purpose for which we were created. But they were never to be obeyed by our own strength. The same God who offers them offers us strength to live them.

That's where folks have gone wrong through the ages. Those who have tried following the commandments have broken them or have made it a point of following them on the basis of their own self justification.

It is my belief that all the commandments are part of the first commandment which is to put God first and have no other gods before Him. But this commandment is hard to follow. The fact is the world has many substitutes for God, and we are tempted every day to follow them. The rest of the commandment deals with the false gods of religion, worldly possessions, and power over people.

As you reflect on these, take time to see how you break the commandments each day. Then remind yourself that the reason you are breaking them is because you are trying to rely on your own efforts to fulfill them instead of depending on God to help you honor them.

The fact is when we take the Ten Commandmnets seriously, we realize how difficult it is not to break them in one way or another --if not in our actions, in our thoughts. As Christians we dare to live by the commandments through the power of grace through Christ.

Grace reminds us that when we fail, there is forgiveness, and the strength to begin again. This is what this young man failed to understand in his year of trying to live as the Scripture teach. Had he understood this, perhaps he would have encountered the God of love. A God who invites us to be in relationship with Him not through wearing unblended fibers or through stoning people for their sin, but raher through His Son Jesus Christ.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

October 2007

From the Pastor:

The Spirit of God moves in mysterious ways, ways which at times seem strange and unexpected. This past week I received an email with the follwing statement: "Religious leaders from several traditions invite you to join with millions of other Americans participating in interfaith events in your local community on October 7 and 8th, for the breaking of bread, fasting, and breaking our fast together as we covenant together to live out the deepest calling in each of our traditions - the desire for justice and for peace for all people."

The reason I mention the Spirit as moving in mysterious ways is that during the last two weeks of our church's life we have had two town hall meetings in which we presented the past, present, the financial picture of our church, and how churches grow from a spiritual perspective.

It was my responsibility to speak on the importance of spiritual growth for churches and how congregations that engage in spiritual practices grow numerically. One of the spiritual practices I talked about was the act of fasting.

Many folks today rarely talk about fasting unless it's Lent or unless they want to lose weight. But the act of fasting as a spiritual discipline has been around since Old Testament times.

The practice of fasting allows us to connect with God in a profound way. When hunger hits us it reminds us of our dependency on food and on the God who provides it. Hunger also reminds us that we eat to live instead of living to eat. This is especially important for those who make food their number one idol.

But fasting isn't just limited to food. We can fast of those things or activities that literally get in the way of our ability to put God first. For example, if your toys or your leisure activities like your computer, or your boat, or your television, or your fishing, or many others, take time away from your ability to serve God, then fasting from your toys and your hobbies can be a helpful thing.

Fasting can be a wonderful spiritual practice that allows us to reclaim our center in Jesus Christ. Fasting can help us focus on the needs of those who hunger because we too are experiencing hunger.

Ask yourself the following question, "What things do I need to fast from? Is it food, is it the practice of overworking, is it the act of overspending? Do I need to fast from spending money on myself and take my resources and use them to help the poor?”

On October 7 and 8 we are being invited to break bread and to fast. We are being asked to pray for justice and for peace. Would you join me and the millions of others who belong to other faith traditions and fast with me? Would you join me in donating the money you are saving that day and give it to an organization like W.A.A.C.?

I would like to extend an invitation to you to fast with me on the 8th of October. I would like for you to take the time to pray for justice and for peace in our world. Pray for our church, too. Pray that we continue to support the mission of love and justice we have been called to do. Pray that our monetary giving, as well as our time and talents, increase in the area of mission. Pray that as we eat less, our spirits might be filled with God's awesome grace.

So how will we do this? On October 7, I will circulate a sign up sheet with a schedule for prayer. I will ask for folks to sign up to pray for 30 minutes at home on the 8th. The prayer and the fast will begin at 6:00 a.m. in the morning and end at 6:00 p.m. in the evening.

My hope is to have 24 saints who will commit to this spiritual practice. My prayer is that the spiritual practice will transform the participants' soul and the hearts of our neighbors at home and all over the world. My deepest hope is that we will collect at least $200 for a mission ministry that feeds the hungry. Can we do it? I think we can. No, let me rephrase it. I know we will.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of October
October 7, 2007
Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship with Traditional Communion

Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6 and Luke 17:5-10Sermon Theme: Our best Christian efforts are just a few small steps, nothing spectacular in themselves. But when combined with the actions of others, they have a powerful impact.
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October 14, 2007
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Consecration Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 66:1-12 and Luke 17:11-19Sermon Theme: Every Christian can serve Christ better by looking at faith through the eyes of a convert. The question is why? In today’s text the reading portrays how heroes of faith have come from outside God’s chosen people. God’s power to heal and to save often works outside of established social boundaries. Indeed, God’s power to choose heroes sometimes works in direct opposition to the expectation of God’s chosen people.

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October 21, 2007
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Puerto Rico Mission Trip Celebration
9:00 a.m. Worship

Readings: Mark 12:28-32 and Hebrews 10:23-25
Sermon Theme: Today the mission trip workers will share their experiences. The worship will reflect the joy and celebrative experiences they lived while working on the island. Come and join us and experience mission through the eyes of the youth and the adults who went on the work trip. The celebration will continue with a brunch pot luck after worship. Join us and bring a dish to pass.
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October 28, 2007
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship

Readings: Psalm 65 and Romans 3:19-28
Sermon Theme: The protest of the reformers was a positive witness to the power of God. We have the privilege of making that protest today. The question is how will we do it?
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MOM’S SUPPORT GROUP - Child care provided.
You are invited to a Mom’s support group.
Come and share your experiences and the joys of parenting.
Saturday October 20th at 10:00 a.m. please contact Julie Angell at 582-7061 for more information.

Deacons Corner
The Deacons in our church have been busy all summer with new projects as well as ongoing ones, and have a few annual ones coming up we’d d like you to know about.

As you may know, we sold lemonade, water, and cookies at Marble Park on Saturday and Sunday of Sovereign State Days, raising money for our church’s youth.

At one point this summer, the local food pantry (Winneconne Area Assistance Center …. WAAC) was not giving anything out because the shelves were completely empty. Due in large part to a heartfelt plea from Betty Brown in mid-August, our church family responded generously. Deacons took the food and supplies over there, resulting in many expressions of gratitude. Thanks, folks! And thank you, Betty, for highlighting this opportunity to share God’s bounty.

Please keep the food pantry in mind, though, as this was not just a one-time need.

The Mitten Tree and the box for Coats for Kids – both for needy children – are now up at church, offering more opportunities to give. Please go through your jackets and coats, as you put away your warm-weather things and bring out the winter ones, and bring in those you no longer wear. Some people have none at all.

The annual Chili Supper is scheduled for Wednesday night, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a raffle at the end. Please come and bring a friend! We hope everyone can help us by donating chili ingredients, desserts, and/or money toward more ingredients. Also, we need volunteers to put it all together, beginning at 8:30 a.m. the day before. There are sign-up sheets in the entryway. Please consider helping us in both of these ways.

As usual, Deacons continue to visit shut-ins and those in need, and to send cards for birthdays of our “more senior” members and to those who are sick or grieving. The Shawl Ministry continues, as well as the Sewing Project. Among other ongoing ministries not already mentioned above are their special observances on certain Sundays, the Special Needs Fund, and the Circle of Concern. Being a Deacon is about caring.

Scholarship Awards Available
A Foundation Youth Award has been established in memory of Carl Blasé. Carl Blasé was a believer of education and in the importance of providing young people with the necessary resources to achieve their higher learning goals.

The award will be given to youth who are active members of the church and who have participated in the activities of the church. The award will go to teens who wish to further their education. This award is to be available to all youth of the church and not restricted to students with outstanding grade-point averages. The award will not rule out those who will be in attendance at vocational schools.

Application forms are available in the church office.
If people are interested in contributing to the fund as a memorial, please contact Pastor Mara at (920) 582-7531.

Puerto Rico Youth Trip Celebration

On Sunday, October 21, 2007, the mission trip participants will lead our congregation in a worship celebration. Music, liturgical dance, and sharing of stories will be experienced. Join us as we talk about our experiences on the island. A pot-luck will follow the service. Bring a dish to pass and help us continue the celebration.

Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise Ye the Lord. Psalm 150:6
Adult Education Class Announcement:
"JOURNEY THROUGH THE PSALMS"
Curriculum by: Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, Wesley Ministry Network
The course includes eight video lessons and a participant's guide with suggestions for personal reflection.
Location: Winneconne First Presbyterian Church- Sunday School Area

Dates: Oct 7, 14, 21 28. Nov 4, 18, 25. Dec 2. 2007
Time: 10:15 a.m.
Pre-registration appreciated.
Contact Anna Malek 582-3996
The optional textbook is by Chalice Press ISBN-10:827-14-5

Lesson One: Praying the Psalms
Lesson Two: The Synagogue, the Church, and the Psalms
Lesson Three: Your Hallelujahs Don't Have to be Hollow
Lesson Four: You Get What You Deserve, Don't You?
Lesson Five: Complaining in Faith to God
Lesson Six: Life in the Meanwhile
Lesson Seven: The Lord Reigns
Lesson Eight: I'll Never Be the Same Again

A Word of Thanks:
On behalf of the Edward Tarala Family, we would like to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, cards and memorials that we received in our father's memory. Two out of five memorials that we were able to share with others went to the First Presbyterian Church Fund and to the Deacons.

A very special thank you to Pastor Mara for her compassion shown to Dad over the years and for the beautiful funeral service she conducted.

Also a special thank you to Lay Minister Dick Kreager for officiating at our father's graveside service. To all who knew our father, he won't be forgotten!

To all who wrapped their loving thoughts around us during this difficult time in our life… we say Thank you and God bless you all.

Peace be with you- Eddie's Girls and their families-Susan (Duane) Radloff, Shelly (Mike) Cullom, Sheila Nelson and Shari Tarala

Made for Love

You are invited to our Stewardship Drive Celebration

When: Saturday October 13, 2007

Where: First Presbyterian Church

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Who: All members of the Congregation

Why: Celebrate our Ministry

Entertainment provided by the Touch of Old Barber Shop Quartet. There will be games for children. Bring a dish to pass.For more information contact church office at 582-7531.

PEACEMAKING OFFERING
What would a world living out the peace of God look like?

The theme for the 2007 Peacemaking Offering is taken from a passage in Revelation, which describes John’s vision of the new Jerusalem.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; AND THE LEAVES OF THE TREE ARE FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1-5)

The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports the efforts of Presbyterians at the local, regional, and national levels to share God’s healing and peace. Each participating congregation is allowed to retain 25% of their Peacemaking Offering to offer “leaves of healing” to persons within our church, community and around the world. This year our local portion will be used to provide food donations to WAAC (Winneconne Area Assistance Center).

Please prayerfully consider a generous donation to the Peacemaking Offering.

Lamplight Library

"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Book of the Month: A Gentle Thunder

Author Max Lucado

Under category Practical Christianity

How far do you want God to go in getting your attention? Don't answer too quickly. Give it some thought. What if God moved you to another land? (As he did Abraham.) What if he called you out of retirement? (Remember Moses?) How about the voice of an angel or the bowel of a fish? (A la Gideon and Jonah.) How about a promotion (like Daniel's) or a demotion (like Samson's)? God does what it takes to get our attention. It's the message of the Bible. It's the message of this book: the relentless pursuit of God. God on the hunt. God in the search. Peeking under the bed for hiding kids, stirring the bushes for lost sheep. Searching, wrestling, pulling us back to him, over and over again. Kind, then stern. Tender and tough. Faithfully firm. Patiently urgent. Eagerly tolerant. Softly shouting. Gently thundering. A Gentle Thunder. God is the pilot and we are the passengers. Though we may not understand his hand, we can always trust his heart. We can trust him to do what is right. If you need a reminder of his love, an assurance of his strength, an example of his kindness, you're holding the right book.

PRESBYTERY NEWS
Two final accomplishments of Winnebago Presbytery’s partnership with Urabá Presbytery in Colombia are highlighted this month. They include:

· POLITICAL IMPACT

o We have provided a couple of opportunities where, at the end of Presbytery meetings, commissioners had the opportunity to take information with them which would enable them to contact their national legislators to lobby about American policy in relationship to Colombia
o Winnebago contacted Senator Russ Feingold to secure his help in getting visas for Urabá friends. Without our intervention, and without Senator Feingold’s support, it is quite possible that those visas would not have been granted.
o We helped lobby the Colombian government to get accreditation for new degree programs offered by the Colegio Americano

· PERSONAL IMPACT AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT

o Urabá leaders have had a chance to step out beyond their normal boundaries and have discovered a sense of their own power and worth, or so they tell us!
o There is clear institutional impact in their international exposure.
o Winnebago people and churches have been invited to look beyond their own comfort zones and extend their interest and commitment quite concretely to a very different economic and political situation. We have a greater sense of the impact that we are able to have in this world. Our churches are better for it.

Submitted by Rosemary Shade, Elder Delegate

PW Fall Retreat, "Grace Pure andSimple: The Healing Power of Forgiveness

This women's retreat will be held on Friday 10/19/07 at 4pm to Saturday 10/20/07 at about 3p.m. The cost is $57.00 per person. Registration forms are available. Payment and registration form are due back by Sunday 10/7/07. The retreat will be held at Crossways Camp on Pine Lake near Waupaca - Saxeville. Interested parties may contact MaryJo Winkenwerder at 582-3271.

Outside the Box Thinking!
Many of you will remember back 40 years ago when the State of Wisconsin inadvertently omitted Winneconne from the official State Map of Wisconsin….but for those of you who are not familiar with those circumstances, here’s a brief summary. We understand that when our city fathers were made aware of this mistake, they formed a Navy with every conceivable water craft that was available in the Winneconne area. They designed a Winneconne State Flag, organized a parade of boats and declared war upon the State of Wisconsin. At sundown they declared victory, signed a peace treaty with the officials of the State and once again were classified as a legitimate city within the State. It seems we owe a debt of gratitude to those individuals who STEPPED OUTSIDE THE BOX and created a public relations event that has brought recognition and community pride along with the financial rewards that are immeasurable and continue to be celebrated at the yearly event. So, congratulations to those who made Sovereign State Days Weekend an event that we can celebrate each July.

September 2007

From the Pastor:

This past week our family celebrated our son’s ninth birthday. It’s unbelievable how the years have flown by. With those years have come much change. No longer is our son two feet tall with missing teeth. That’s what he looked like when we first arrived in Winneconne. Now he is almost as tall as I am. Of course some of you may think that this isn’t saying much. But coming from a family of short people, I would have to say that our son is tall. Changes are part of our daily lives. Each year we get older. We see new wrinkles. Our hair gets grayer. But we also grow in wisdom. At least we hope we do.

Churches are the same way. They grow and change in ways that reflect its people. But change is difficult because it implies loss. And let’s face it, none of us likes loss. Unless you are trying to lose weight. During the next couple of weeks the Session will begin a process of discernment with the congregation. During this process we will look at how we have grown in the last 20 years. We will celebrate the different things we have engaged in during the last seven years. We will also look at what’s next for our congregation. The congregation will be invited to join session in town hall meetings held on September 9th and 16th after worship. Our hope is to celebrate our accomplishments as well as to look toward our future. Together we will ponder what changes we will need to engage in as we continue to celebrate our promised future. But we will also lift up those things we want to remain the same. Five years ago when we engaged in a period of discernment, several recommendations came to Session. Many of those recommendations were incorporated. Some could not be. One of the recommendations was to evaluate our progress after five years. Well it’s been five years.

Now it is time to evauate where we are and where God is calling us to be. Think about it. How have you participated in the life of the church during the last five years? What things do you wish to celebrate? What things do you still wish we could incorporate? Churches that engage in self evaluation, discernment, and visioning are more likely to do what God is leading them to do. But the reality is that most churches would rather stay as they are. No evaluative or discernment process is ever done. The result is church decline and stagnation. We invite you to join us on September 9, at 10:00 a.m. to engage in this process with us. We encourage you to pray for our ministry. We invite you to share your story of First Presbyterian and to help us be a faithful witness for years to come. If you are unable to come on the 9th, a repeat town hall meeting is scheduled for September 16. I’d like to end my article with the following prayer I ran across last week. "O Faithful God, as your people we cherish our memories and our history as a sacred gift--We now need your wisdom so that we might be receptive to change, conversion and growth--We need your grace to redirect our hearts that we may be willing to offer ourselves in joyful service. Amen"

In love and peace,

Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of September
September 2, 2007
Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction

Readings: Jeremiah 2:4-13 and Luke 14:1, 7-14
Sermon Theme: What can the 50th anniversary of an epic failure teach us about learning from our mistakes? Jeremiah certainly tries to show us the mistakes of the people of God so that we can avoid the same pitfalls.
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September 9, 2007
Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Luke 14:25-33
Sermon Theme: It’s amazing what gets people bent out of shape. For some, it’s the grunters lifting weights. For Jesus, it’s the people who don’t lift the cross.
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September 16, 2007
Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship

Readings: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 and Luke 15:1-10
Sermon Theme: Did you know that any lock can be quickly picked with a credit card or paper clip? Only in the movies. The lost sheep and the lost coin, these are things that happen only in the gospel. But maybe stories from Scripture point to a deeper truth, one that is even more real than the day-to-day existence we experience. Perhaps the stories of the gospel are God’s truth, not human truth.
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September 23, 2007
Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship

Readings: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 and Luke 16:1-13
Sermon Theme: The dishonest manager in Jesus’ parable can help us see the role of initiative and drastic measures in the life of faith.
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September 30, 2007
Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship

Readings: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 and 1Timothy 6:6-19
Sermon Theme: Health and Wealth isn’t just a derogatory descriptor of Christian theology gone awry. It’s the Secret, and it’s whispering lies of happiness into our ears.

News from our Deacons:
The Deacons in our church have been busy all summer with new projects as well as ongoing ones, and have a few annual ones coming up we’d d like you to know about.

As you may know, we sold lemonade, water, and cookies at Marble Park on Saturday and Sunday of Sovereign State Days, raising money for our church’s youth.

At one point this summer, the local food pantry (Winneconne Area Assistance Center …. WAAC) was not giving anything out because the shelves were completely empty. Due in large part to a heartfelt plea from Betty Brown in mid-August, our church family responded generously. Deacons took the food and supplies over there, resulting in many expressions of gratitude. Thanks, folks! And thank you, Betty, for highlighting this opportunity to share God’s bounty. Please keep the food pantry in mind, though, as this was not just a one-time need.
The Mitten Tree and the box for Coats for Kids – both for needy children – are now up at church, offering more opportunities to give. Please go through your jackets and coats, as you put away your warm-weather things and bring out the winter ones, and bring in those you no longer wear. Some people have none at all.

The annual Chili Supper is scheduled for Wednesday night, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a raffle at the end. Please come and bring a friend! We hope everyone can help us by donating chili ingredients, desserts, and/or money toward more ingredients. Also, we need volunteers to put it all together, beginning at 8:30 a.m. the day before. There are sign-up sheets in the entryway. Please consider helping us in both of these ways.As usual, Deacons continue to visit shut-ins, those in need, etc., and to send cards for birthdays of our “more senior” members and to those who are sick or grieving. The Shawl Ministry continues, as well as the Sewing Project. Among other ongoing ministries not already mentioned above are their special observances on certain Sundays, the Special Needs Fund, and the Circle of Concern. Being a Deacon is about caring.

July 2007

From the Pastor:
The lazy, hazy, crazy hot days of summer are upon us. For years church staffs have enjoyed the summer because it gives us time to do those things we can’t do during the rest of the year. Some of us catch up on reading and other church related things.

However, for some of us the last ten years summer hasn’t been the restful, lazy, hazy, crazy times many have enjoyed in the past. Now I am not complaining, what I do want to say is that the work of Christ’s church doesn’t slow down to a snails pace during the warmer months.

The fact is the committees of the church continue meeting because they too are busy working on getting programs coordinated and off the ground during this crazy, lazy, hazy time.

Christian education for example is getting the mid week pot-lucks up and going each Wednesday evening. (By the time you receive this article they have already done three evening pot-lucks) They are also making decisions regarding curriculum and Sunday School for the fall.

The Property Committee is working with session to decide which electric company will do some updates on our electrical system. We will hopefully convert our circuit panels from fuse boxes to switches. We also hope to run independent lines for our window air conditioning units and for our multi-media equipment. Right now using the window units is baking our existing electrical wiring. And that’s something we need to avoid unless we want an electrical fire.

Evangelism is getting the directories printed and are working on advertising and other projects to help get the word out about our church and our programs. The committee is in the midst of planning a golf outing for the entire church too.

Worship is getting ready for a barber shop quartet the first Sunday of July, and then for Mary Catterton and the dedication of our new baptismal font on the 8th.

The Stewardship Committee is having Quick Books installed on our church computer so that we can produce financial reports professionally, and move into the technological age. They are also planning a huge fall celebration as a kick off to our “Made for Love” stewardship campaign.

The youth are finishing the last minute details for their Puerto Rico Mission trip. The Mission team is coordinating the return to school program which collects school supplies for local needy children.

Our Lay Pastors Dick Kreager and Jessica Harrison are getting ready to attend a National conference for Elders in Tennesse. Both are hoping to learn new skills they can use at First Presbyterian Church.

Clint Schafer is working on his Eagle Scout project installing new landscaping and a fire pit in the back of our building.

The Deacons are getting ready with the Puerto Rico Mission team to sell lemonade and cookies at their Sovereign State days booth.

I am currently meeting with four couples for pre-marital counseling to get them ready for their upcoming weddings. I am also working on getting all worship ready for July, August, September, as well as the daily schedule and worship for the mission trip.

The crazy, lazy, hazy, days of summer are a thing of the past. Life at church continues to flourish. Life at First Presbyterian is exciting and fresh. The question is, “Are you a part of it? Or are you just a spectator?” I’d like to invite you to live life to the fullest and to be part of the excitement at First Presbyterian Church. Who knows, by joining us those crazy, lazy, hot days of summer will turn into growth opportunities for you.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of July
July 1, 2007
Six Sunday After Pentecost9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Sermon Theme: The freedom to shop on Sundays seems like a gift to many Americans, but it leads to a surprising increase in iniquity. The question is why? Perhaps too much freedom isn't freedom at all. The freedom that Christ offers us frees us to love more fully. Perhaps that's the freedom we should be promoting. Come and listen to the visiting Barber Shop Quartet.

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July 8, 2007
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Dedication of our New Baptismal Font
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 30 and Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Sermon Theme: What do heart surgeons and Christians have in common? Both need a process and procedure to fix brokenness. Join us this morning as we enjoy the beautiful voice of Mary Caterton and as we dedicate our new baptismal font. Rev. Nelson Craig will join us for the serve.
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July 15, 2007
Ecumenical Worship at Marble Park9:30 p.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with other local churches at Marble Park. An ecumenical choir will participate. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a time of singing and praising.
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July 22, 2007
Worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran
9:30 a.m. Worship
Readings: TBA
Worship Description: Today we will worship with Lord of the Lakes and Grace Lutheran. Our yearly summer worship allows our faith communities to worship together and celebrate the communion both the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has with one another.
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July 29, 2007
Commissioning of Mission Work Trip Team
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Hosea 1:2-10 and Luke 11:1-13
Sermon Theme: What do your local police department and Hosea have in common? Mug shots of criminals that show the underbelly of human nature.

LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105

Book of the Month: CHANGEPOINTS
Author Joyce Landorf Heatherley
Under category Biography
The transition times. Sometimes you look forward to them: the time you get married; the time you become a mother. Some of those times come with a devastating shock: losing the job you had for twenty years; having a crippling accident. All these times require adjustment. In Changepoints, Joyce Landorf speaks her mind on women, change and God. "The point of this book," she says, "is not to inform you that in this life you'll be squeezed beyond belief by the octopus of change. That's already an established fact of life. No, I hope to explain some of our responses to change; to perhaps learn about coping with change; and lastly to check out the real needs versus the wants of our lives." Changepoints is a spirtual road map to guide you through those turning points of your life--no matter what extremes of turmoil they present. Here, Joyce displays her extraordinary empathy and keen insight as she reminds you that life, with its multiplicity of changes, is a "neverending time of needing the Lord." Strengthening your faith and trusting in God's love when you need it most will provide guidance in all areas of change. And the real question becomes not what you will do with another "changepoint" but what God will do with it. Changepoints will touch your heart and help you round off the corners of change in your life.
Last month's trivia question: How many categories of books are in the library? Nineteen


FAIR TRADE, WHAT IS IT??
For a few months now, we have been enjoying Fair Trade Columbian coffee during fellowship time following worship. In the fall, members and friends of the congregation will have an opportunity to purchase fair trade coffee and chocolate bars for their enjoyment at home also. In the meantime, we will use the next few months to explain more about what differentiates fair trade from free trade.

In 1759, Adam Smith, an early champion of capitalism, wrote “Every business transaction is a challenge to see that both parties come out fairly.” Media reports of sweatshops and child labor used to mass produce low cost goods for affluent shoppers clearly prove that not everyone involved in business transactions is treated fairly.

The criteria for a Fair Trade transaction are:
· Pay a fair wage in the local context.
· Provide equal opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.
· Engage in environmentally sustainable practices.
· Build long-term relationships.
· Provide healthy and safe working conditions.
· Provide financial and technical assistance to workers whenever possible.
· Be open to public accountability.
· Offer opportunities for advancement.


Watch for future information on how we can all make a difference by the choices we make in our daily shopping.
The Mission Team

Mission's "Christmas in July" program
The past couple years our church has participated in the "Back to School Fair" program with the Oshkosh area WINR group. The goal is to provide the necessary supplies to enable the most needy children to return to school on a more equal level with their peers. Last year nore than 700 students were outfitted with backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items and a new set of clothes for the first day of school.
The Oshkosh Northwestern will again provide the backpacks. Businesses, churchs and service groups are being asked to help with the rest of the items.
Our church along with many others will help by doing the "Christmas is July" program. We will be asked to provide a "first day" outfit for about 30 different students. An outfit consists of socks, underwear,tee shirt and a new pair of jeans or slacks.
The first Sunday in July we will have a simulated "student" set up in the church foyer and tags provided to us by the "Back to School" committee will be pinned on the "student's" clothes. The tags will have the size or age-sex-and clothing item listed. You can pick a tag for a single item or for a whole "outfit". The new clothes will have to be at church by the last Sunday in July. The students will receive their gifts at the "Back to Scholl Fair" early in August.
Thank you for your help in this local mission effort.
PEOPLE OF FAITH HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED.

May 2007

From the Pastor:
It's interesting how the church finishes one celebration and goes on to prepare for the next. Not only have we just celebrated Easter, but we have experienced the gift of music through our Jazz Sunday, and Confirmation Sunday. So what's next?

In May we will celebrate Mother's Day and Youth Sunday, along with Graduation Sunday, and Pentecost. Pentecost is one of those Sundays people generally don't look forward to unless something special is planned. You might ask adults what the day means to them, but if you get a response, the answer is usually, "I don't know. On yeah, red."

We Presbyterians are very good about telling others about the Holy Spirit. Most adults aren't quite sure what the Holy Spirit is. They know it is mentioned in one of those confessions we read on communion Sundays. They know it is part of the Doxology. But apart from that, most adults don't get the Holy Spirit.

During the months of January and February our confirmation class discussed the Holy Spirit. The class even got to go on field trips to talk about how the Holy Spirit works in the world. Finally they turned in faith statements that articulated what they finally understood the Holy Spirit to be. It was quite impressive to see some of the statements first hand.

I would encourage us to do as the confirmands did and ponder the following questions in order to formulate our own confessions of faith. So who is the Holy Spirit to you? And what does the Spirit do in the life of the church? Why do we need the Holy Spirit, anyway?

When Jesus was ready to ascend to His Father, He reminded his disciples that although He was going, He would not leave them orphaned. Jesus said that He would send the Consoler, the Advocate, to be with us. So we can say that the Holy Spirit is Christ's presence in the world, a presence that comforts and empowers us to be the church.

The second thing we could say is that the role of the Holy Spirit is manifested in us through your gifts. In other words, the Holy Spirit gives us gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. But what are these spiritual gifts?

Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, speaks of the spiritual gifts. Some of the gifts he mentions here are the utterance of wisdom, utterance of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discernment, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. But he doesn't end there. In his letter to the church in Rome, chapter 12, verses 6-8, Paul mentions prophecy, ministering, teaching, exhortation, generosity, diligence, and cheerfulness as other gifts. In Ephesians 4, verses 1-16, the gift of being an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, and a teacher are also mentioned. Finally, in 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7-10, the author mentions the word grace as being a gift that is given to us as well.

So why are all these gifts important? They are essential for the well being of the church. The other reason they are so important is because through Christ you and I were created to do good works. But we can't do good works if we don't have gifts to serve.

The gifts we receive by the Holy Spirit equip us for servanthood. But we cannot serve unless we are willing to explore the gifts God has given us.

One of the questions I asked the confirmands in order to prepare them for their examination before the Session was, "What gifts do you bring to the church?" Some weren't sure what I was asking, but understood when I led them through gifts I saw in them. It was then clear to them that they too had been gifted by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, was working in and through them. My task was to help them discover what they had been gifted with.

It is my conviction that the role of the church is to celebrate the presence of the Spirit in its midst and to help those around us claim their gifts.

So how do we discover those gifts? Begin by asking yourself, "What am I good at? And, what is it that I do that brings joy and passion in my life?” The reality is there may be lots of things I could be good at, but where joy and passion lie is where I need to be. That's where I should develop my gifts. If your passion lies in building things, then build things and lift them up to the glory of God. If you are a gymnast, then do gymnastics for the glory of God. If you are an organizer, then help us messy people stay organized. The gifts you have been given are precious. Develop them and celebrate them on the day of Pentecost. For it was on that day that the Spirit of God descended on His church to equip it for building the Kingdom of God.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of May
May 6, 2007
Fourth Sunday of Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction
Readings: Psalm 148 and John 13:31-35
Sermon Theme: Jesus told his followers that the world would know they were Christians because of their love for one another. Why is it, then, that we sometimes fail to recognize each other?

______________________________________

May 13, 2007
Fifth Sunday of Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 67 and Acts 16:9-15Sermon Theme: A high percentage of women today fear a life of destitution, despite good jobs and healthy bank accounts. The cure for this condition might be more spiritual than financial.
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May 20, 2007
Youth Sunday/ Celebration of Graduating Seniors
9:00 p.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 8, Proverbs 8:1-9, and Romans 5:1-5
Sermon Theme: Today our worship service will be led by our youth. Our preacher for this morning is Ethan Hollenberger. Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors.

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May 27, 2007
Day of Pentecost
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b and John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Sermon Theme: In a world where Hallmark holidays abound, Pentecost gets no love in the greeting card rack.

LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
THE BIBLE on cassette
With Bible listening, you can listen to God's Spoken Word almost anywhere and at any time - driving to work, at the office, at home, or at play. Almost any minute of the day can be used for effective Bible study. Just half a tape per day will get you through the entire New Testament in only three weeks and through the entire Bible in three months. Even times, that would be impractical for reading are ideal for Bible listening. Dramatically increase your time in God's Word with the Bible on Cassette.


Pentecost Offering: for children at risk, youth, and young adults
We will celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 27th. Pentecost is an amazing, life-giving day in the faith community. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to transform human life and all of creation. Through our participation in the Pentecost Offering, we will be helping to bring the transforming love of God to children at risk, youth and young adults.

This year’s offering theme, “That very Spirit!” is from Romans 8:16. The passage describes the Spirit of God’s persistent proclamation to us that we are God’s children. With that assurance, we can know that God’s love and care for us know no bounds!

The Pentecost Offering is a tangible way to demonstrate that Spirit within us. It gives us the opportunity to use 40 percent of the amount we receive to minister in our own area on behalf of children at risk. Through General Assembly ministries, the Pentecost Offering also makes an astonishing impact as it guides and nurtures the faith of Presbyterian young people, calls forth a new generation of church leadership and advocates for children at risk on a national level.

A message from Joan Gray, 217th General Assembly Moderator, expresses it this way….”What a precious gift young people are. Yet, in today’s world, may live without hope for the future or support to meet daily needs. What better place could there be to make spiritual and financial investments than in our children and youth?”

Please prayerfully consider a generous gift to the Pentecost Offering.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING UPDATE
As of Sunday, April 15th, the total receipts for the OGHS Offering were $894. Thank you to all who contributed. We exceeded the total for last year by about forty dollars.

PRESBYTERIAN COFFEE PROJECT
During Fellowship Time, following the jazz service, we introduced Fair Trade coffee to support small farmers, their families and the environment. Several persons asked about purchasing coffee for personal use. That opportunity will be made available later in the year. Stay tuned for more information in future issues of the Bridge and minutes for mission during worship.

April 2007

From the Pastor:
As you receive this newsletter we will be in the midst of orchestrating the last minute details of our observances for Holy week.

The choir will be preparing its Seven Last Words, the communion stewards will be making sure the communion bread and juice are plentiful, and the worship committee will be making sure the Easter morning balloons stay inflated for their big release on Easter Sunday.

Year after year we find ourselves getting things ready for the big day to arrive. The day when our savior was raised from the dead.

But last year I found myself with pneumonia during Holy week and worrying about those things I couldn't control. A guest preacher had to come in to do the service on Palm Sunday. And the worship committee had to pick up some of the responsibilities I could not fulfill.

It was during that time that I learned an invaluable lesson. I learned that no one is irreplaceable. Easter was going to go on with or without me. I also learned the importance of being still during Holy Week.

The process of being still is a spiritual discipline we Christians struggle with. Our tendency during the holy week is to busy ourselves with the details of orchestrating long standing traditions. And we do those things without much thought or reflection.

As I think about this, I can truly say that the tendency to do things automatically and without much thought or reflection is symptomatic of our world today. We go to the grocery on Friday because that's when we have always gone. We clean the house on Saturday because that's when it's always done. We watch television on Monday nights because that's when our favorite shows go on.

We are creatures of habit. And because we are creatures of habit when we do things long enough, we don't stop long enough to think about why we do things the way we do them anymore. Simply put, we have a tendency to do things a certain way because we have always done them that way.

The problem with this is that life becomes monotonous. And in the life of a believer this can mean death. As followers of Christ we are called to be renewed into the image of Christ each and every day. Paul said it best when he wrote to the Romans and said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)”

In this passage Paul tells the church that the process of spiritual growth is an ongoing process. In other words, don't settle or be conformed to the things of this world that cause you to fall asleep spiritually. But rather, allow the spirit of God to continue to renew your mind, to transform all that you are so that Christ can live in you.

But none of this can happen unless we take the time to be still and allow the quiet still voice of God to penetrate deep inside of us. And none of this can happen if we stop discerning how God was and is working in our midst through the many liturgical experiences we are offered during our walk with God.

This Holy Week I believe we are being called to stop and listen. This holy season we are being called to take time and reflect on how God is trying to reach out to us. It's time for us to really listen for God's quiet still voice through the voices of our choir when they sing those last seven words. It's time for us to stop long enough on Good Friday and reflect on what the day truly means for us as Christians.

It's time for us to pick up our hymnals and read hymns like "Were You There?" or "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," and then reflect on what the message really means to us.

Only when we stop long enough to be still can we experience the powerful outstretched arms of a loving savior who says to us, "Come all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest."

This is the message of the cross. It is a message we should never take for granted. It is a message we should stop long enough to hear.

Join me during Holy Week and discover it once again. I guarantee you will never be the same.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of April
April 1, 2007
Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship with Traditional Communion
Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40
Sermon Theme: Jerusalem rocks and rolls when Jesus makes his Palm Sunday entrance, a shaking that is still being felt today. Today we continue to follow Jesus because we find ourselves intensely attracted to his mission and his message, deeply drawn to his work of salvation, reconciliation, and peace.
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April 5, 2007
Maundy Thursday
7:00 p.m. Worship
Worship Description: This will be a service of lights and sacred music. Prepare to be moved as the choir recounts Jesus’ last words through music. Readings, music, and mime will guide us through this powerful service of lights. At the end of the worship, the only light shining will be the Christ candle. Worshipers will then leave the sanctuary in darkness. This is symbolic of the darkness that fell on the earth when Jesus died on the cross.
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April 6, 2007
Good Friday
2:00 p.m. Worship
Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and John 19:17-37
Sermon Theme: If to imitate Christ on Good Friday means to suffer, perhaps to follow Christ on Good Friday means to stand near the cross and witness. On Good Friday we follow by standing still.
Worship Description: This will be a service of penitence and reflection. There will be communion in Fellowship Hall. The worshipers will be encouraged to write their own confessions and nail them to the cross. After the service the written confessions will be burned along with palm branches from Palm Sunday.
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April 8, 2007
Easter Sunday with Traditional Communion
8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, and John 20:1-18 Sermon Theme: How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? Just one, and that’s no joke. John called Jesus “the light that shines in the darkness” and “the true light which enlightens everyone.” Now we are being called to be light to others. How does your light reflect the resurrected Christ? That's the challenge for us as followers of the resurrected Christ.
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April 15, 2007
Jazz Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 150 and Revelation 1:4-8
Worship Description: Today we will enjoy the sights and sounds of the most anticipated worship service of the year. The jazz service will uplift our spirits and allow us to celebrate God’s great gift of music through John Harmon’s musical group. Come and enjoy the melodic voice of Fred Simon (Si). Come and experience the celebration!
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April 22, 2007
Confirmation Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 30 and John 20:19-31
Sermon Theme: The journey of faith takes on many forms. Some look for faith in isolation.
Others find it in community. As a connectional church, we in the Presbyterian Church choose the latter. The question is why? Why is the community of faith such an important part of our faith journey? Thomas the disciple, known as doubting Thomas, discovers the answer in the midst of his disbelief.

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April 29, 2007
Third Sunday After Easter
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30
Sermon Theme: We live in a changing new world of computer-raised sheep, but there’s still just one Shepherd to follow. Whom do you follow? When we follow Christ, the Shepherd, we are protected and provided for. And when he calls us we hear his clear voice that bids us to follow toward soul-satisfaction.


ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LENTEN STUDY
Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People: Nancy and John Oberg share their spiritual journey in six video presentations. They discuss spirituality, spiritual disciplines, and living spiritually transformed lives. The presenters discuss how personal challenges are issued for us to develop our own spiritual disciplines through our prayer life, Bible study, and servanthood. In April we will be presenting sessions (4) Meditating on Scripture - Washing our Minds with God's Word; (5) Living the Spiritual Life - The Action Side of Spirituality; (6) Developing a Rule for Life - Having a Well-Ordered Heart.The classes will take place April 1, 15, 22. Pastor Mara will teach this awesome study. Join us for this insightful study as we journey through Lent. The class will meet in Fellowship Hall at 10:20 a.m.

March 2007

From the Pastor:
In January our session voted to ask the congregation to approve a motion to ask Presbytery for permission to make the Rev. Nelson Craig Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church. The vote was unanimous at session. We then asked the congregation at the annual meeting that if they agreed with this motion to endorse it so that it could go to the Committee on Ministry and ultimately to the Presbytery. Once again the vote was unanimous. On February 10th the motion came to the floor of Presbytery and the governing body concurred with the church's request. Today we are planning to celebrate the gift Pastor Nelson was to this congregation.

Some of you have asked what Pastor Emeritus means. The book of order states, "When any pastor or associate pastor retires, and the congregation is moved by affection and gratitude to continue an association in an honorary relationship, it may, at a regularly called congregational meeting, elect him or her as pastor emeritus or emerita, with or without honorarium, but with no pastoral authority or duty." (G-14.605)

Pastor Nelson served this congregation faithfully from 1985 until 1999. Many of you have shared your own personal stories of Pastor Craig with me over the years. I too have experienced his gentle pastoral compassion when I had surgery in 2003 and have continued a collegial relationship with him over the years.

Making him Pastor Emeritus is a wonderful way to celebrate his imprint on the lives of so many here at First Presbyterian Church. On March 11th during the worship service we will recognize Pastor Craig and celebrate the gift he was to so many of you. I have asked him to preach and he has accepted.

On that day the moderator of our presbytery, Barbara Jordanger, and our executive presbyter, Rev. Dr. Lucy Rupe, will join us during the worship celebration. A potluck brunch will follow the service. The deacons have been asked to coordinate the brunch.

On February 12, 2007, our session also recommended that we purchase a memorial gift in honor of Pastor Craig. We have purchased the gift and although it will take up to eight weeks for it to arrive, we will present Pastor Craig with a picture of the gift. At a later date we will dedicate the gift and invite Pastor Craig and his wife Bev to join us too.

As pastor of First Presbyterian I am in awe and thankful for the opportunity to share in this celebration. As Presbyterians we bring a long history to this community, a history that is worth celebrating from time to time.

Celebrations mark a special time in the life of the church. For many they not only lift the past, but these celebrations open the door to dreaming about our future as a church.

On behalf of the session I would like personally to invite you to this special day. I encourage you to invite those we haven't seen in a long time.

Friends, we have been gifted by Pastor Craig and his wife Bev. Let us celebrate and lift our voices in thanksgiving and praise.

In love and peace,
Pastor Mara

Worship for the Month of March
March 4, 2007
Second Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in the Sanctuary
Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 and Philippians 3:17-4:1
Sermon Theme: Are you giving up something for Lent? If it’s true that you are what you eat, what does rodent stew say about you? Lent gives us a different way of looking at who we really are. Lent reminds us that what goes into our bodies is less important than what we take into our spirits.
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March 11, 2007
Third Sunday in Lent/ Pastor Emeritus Celebration
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7
Sermon Theme: When confronted by evidences of the Holy in our midst, we are forced to confront the contrast between the holiness of God and our own unworthiness. Isaiah confronts us by reminding us that worship is not about us, it’s about God. Worship affects us by calling us to do the work of Christ in the world.
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March 18, 2007
Fourth Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Joshua 5:9-12 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sermon Theme: God’s love is as light as a feather and burden lifting ... until we try to run away from it. Then it becomes a burden in its own right. No one knew this better than the prodigal son. And like the prodigal son we too try to run, not realizing, that in the end, we can’t live without the Father.

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March 25, 2007
Fifth Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 126 and John 12:1-8
Sermon Theme: “What’s that fragrance in the air? Is that Christian we smell?” Jesus had a reputation — an aroma — that people clearly knew. When people smell the aroma of our faith, do they smell Jesus? Do those around us know there is something different about us? Does our life make them curious as to what, or who, lurks in our distinctiveness? Do they inquire about that difference?


ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LENTEN STUDY
Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People: Nancy and John Oberg share their spiritual journey in six video presentations. They discuss spirituality, spiritual disciplines, and living spiritually transformed lives. The presenters discuss how personal challenges are issued for us to develop our own spiritual disciplines through our prayer life, Bible study, and servanthood. The sessions are (1) The Spiritual Life - Experiencing God in the Here and Now; (2) Spiritual Disciplines - Helping Ordinary People Grow Spiritually; (3) Quiet Time With God - Communicating With God Through Prayer; (4) Meditating on Scripture - Washing our Minds with God's Word; (5) Living the Spiritual Life - The Action Side of Spirituality; (6) Developing a Rule for Life - Having a Well-Ordered Heart.
The classes will take place February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1. Pastor Mara will teach this awesome study. Join us for this insightful study as we journey through Lent. The class will meet in the old green kitchen at 10:20 a.m.

LAMPLIGHT LIBRARY
"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
There are now talking books available for your use.
Book of the Month and tapes: The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life by Suze Orman
Under category Financial
For years, Suze has anticipated what you need to know and want to know about your money. Her books, radio and television shows about personal finance have helped millions of people turn their financial lives around. Suze is known for her unique brand of financial savvy, tell-it-like-it-is honesty, and dynamic motivational style, which propels her readers to change the course of their financial destiny. You will learn to assess your current spending, savings, investments, and acquire a sure sense of what you can do with the money you have and the money you want to have.

Session Highlights
Pastor Mara called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. The session began with its second study of the Peace, Unity, and Purity report of the General Assembly.

Clerk's Report- Don Hale's membership was transferred to Trinity Lutheran.

Deacon’s Report: The deacons have brought their sewing ministry to a start by getting the green kitchen ready.

Christian Education Committee: The committee met with a representative of Lord of the Lakes to talk about the possibility of doing vacation bible school together. A questionnaire with possible times and dates will be circulated to the families of young children.

Evangelism- The committee is getting ready to go to print with its new Church Directory. Evangelism continues to look for new members; if interested contact Lindy Olson or Jessica Harrison.

Personnel- The committee brought Bob Lindsey on board. Bob will be moderating the committee in the near future. Evaluation forms for our secretary and treasurer have gone out. Both will have a job review at the end of February.

Property- The committee continues to ensure that the building is in good shape. They asked session members to inform them of any needs that might come up regarding the building.

Stewardship- The committee expressed some concern that per capita has not come in as they expected. An article and notice will be in the next Bridge to remind the members that per capita needs to be in by the 15th of March.

Worship- Worship welcomed Karen Angell to the committee. It is still looking for people to sign up to usher, read, greet, do the nursery, and serve communion. The committee informed session that Omro will not be joining us for the Ash Wednesday service.
Memorials- Session recommended that the Memorials Committee purchase a new baptismal font in honor of service of the Rev. Nelson Craig.


Happy March Birthdays!!!
BUSER,Tyler James
1-Mar

LUCE,William
2-Mar

VERKUILEN, Pam
5-Mar

JONES, Steve
7-Mar

SCHAFER, Dawn
8-Mar

SWICK, Jean
10-Mar

MICKELSON,Kaitlyn
11-Mar

BROOKS, James
14-Mar

HOELZEL,Maureen
16-Mar

WEIDEMANN, Marcia
16-Mar

GRINNELL,Jim
17-Mar

ANGELL, Carly Ann
20-Mar

HARRISON, Jessica
22-Mar

KRINGS,Jessica
LA BELLE, James
23-Mar

PAPKE, Lorraine
ROSENKRANZ,Jack
31-Mar