New Year ~ New Officers

As our church leaders begin this new year, please keep them in your prayers!

We welcome the newly elected and appointed church officers listed below:

 

• Chair:  Norm Wise
• Vice-Chair: Debra Grenzow
• Treasurer: Monica Vechinsky
• Financial Secretary: Louise Shekels (Shared Duties)
• Financial Secretary: Diana Huckstep (Shared Duties)
• Clerk: Kim Campos
• Trustee: Brian Hoppe
• Elders: Kathy Hoppe and Andy & Sandy Pohlman
• Deaconate: Suzanne Borst, Joni Boughton, Virginia Hart, Diana Huckstep, Chris McCarthy and Barb Smith

 

It is with grateful hearts that we say thank you to our out-going church officers!

 

Church Board Highlights – January 9, 2012

Trustees are aware of some lighting issues and are working on them.  A new cleaning schedule is posted for the cleaning teams and the church has never looked better.  Thanks for your hard work.

Elders will be meeting soon and restructuring the prayer chain.  We will let everyone know the name of the contact person to get your concerns circulating on the prayer chain.  If anyone would like a visit from an elder, please contact Dee Ann or the elder of your choice.

Worship Committee is planning for Lent, Easter, and the 100^th Anniversary.  They would welcome new committee members and new ideas, so please see Kathy Pastore if this is an area of interest to you.  The committee is working hard and has an exciting weekend of food and worship planned.  The events are all scheduled for daylight hours to make it easier for our older members to participate.

There are conversations about the need for education for all the young people recently attending church.  When Debra returns this spring, she may have some ideas for activities that may follow the Children’s Moments during worship services.

Dee Ann is encouraging everyone to please let her know if there are pastoral concerns not being addressed, such as people who would benefit from a visit.  On a positive note, our attendance on Christmas Eve was as large as it has been in 14 years and we had a row and a half of visitors on New Year’s Day because they found us on Google.  The building is looking as good as it ever has.  There is a strong possibility that a new back door will be donated this January.  And there may also be lights coming to the new sign.

 

Lent 2012:The Monday Morning Connection

An Ecumenical Celebration with Faith Lutheran Church, First Christian Church,

First Congregational United Church of Christ and First Presbyterian Church

Date                                                         Theme                                                                 Preacher

2/22   Ash Wednesday                      Monday Morning Connection                      Ann Andert

2/29   Worship and Soup                  Just Doing My Job (Competency)              Wes Bixby

3/7     Worship and Soup                  Being There for Somebody (Presence)       Dee Ann Woods

3/14   Worship and Soup                  Decisions, Decisions (Ethics)                       David Andert

3/21   Worship and Soup                  The Courage to Change (Change)                Bruce Jones

3/28   Worship and Soup                  When the Rubber Hits the Road                   Laity

4/5     Maundy Thursday                   We Are All In It Together                             Dee Ann Woods

4/6     Good Friday                            Bringing Good Out of Evil (Justice)             David Andert

 

It is great to gather for worship as an ecumenical faith community, but what difference does it make in the real world on Monday morning?   What is the connection between our Christian faith and daily living? The theme of our mid-week Lenten services this year is “The Monday Morning Connection” written by William E. Diehl.  Our inspiration comes from chapter titles.  We will be looking at how our faith makes a difference in facing our fears and uncertainties, and the ongoing struggles of daily life.  The emphasis will be on practical, understandable and real examples of the ways we live our faith from day to day.

All Wednesday worship services and Good Friday will meet at the First Presbyterian Church at 12:15 and at Faith Lutheran at 6:30 PM. As in past years, soup will be offered after the noon service and about 5:30 before the evening worship.  No soup served Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday or Good Friday.

The noon time service is planned so that those who work are able to attend during their lunch break and return to work by 1 PM.  The evening services will follow the Holden Evening Service designed by Marty Haugen that we have used the last few years.

We will celebrate a more traditional Maundy Thursday Worship which will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 6:30 PM (evening only).

 

We Congratulate and Celebrate . . .

* Brad Brey and Hailey Shaw on their December 21^st engagement!   Brad and Hailey have set a July 28, 2012 wedding date and will be married in Kansas City.  An open house reception will be held here at First Christian Church sometime after the wedding so that we may all celebrate with the couple and their families.  A date will be determined later in the year.  We wish you all the best, Brad and Hailey.

( P.S.: Chris McCarthy would like to ask everyone to write down one favorite recipe that she will include in a cookbook gift for Hailey!  You can place your recipe in Chris’ mail slot at church or mail it to the church office.  Thank you so much for contributing!)

* Let’s all extend congratulations to Brian Heisz, who recently received an Independent Technical Service degree from Blackhawk Tech.   What a great example you are that hard work and dedication really will bring rewards!  We wish you continued success, Brian.

* Check out our website at www.fccjanesville.org.  Thank you, Michael Piette for your creativity and for the time you’ve dedicated to this site!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)

1909 Highland Avenue, Janesville, WI 53548

Telephone: 608-752-3847

E-Mail: fccdisciples@att.net

Web Site: www.fccjanesville.org

The Reverend Dee Ann Woods, Pastor

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With Sympathy

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally Schultz and her family as they grieve the passing of Sally’s mother, Betty Snyder on Wednesday, November 30.  May your cherished memories give you peace.  Services were held on Sunday, December 4.

NewsClips for the week of December 11, 2011

• Please join us in Fellowship Hall following worship to celebrate Christmas with good food and good people.  There is plenty for everyone, so plan to stay!
• The 100^th Anniversary Task Force will meet today after the potluck.
• Adult Bible Study will resume on Sunday, January 8 after worship.
• ECHO’s Walk-In Messiah is tonight at 7:00 PM at First Lutheran Church
• Choir Rehearsal – Monday evenings at 5:30 PM during Advent – All voices welcome.
• Fundraiser raffle tickets are available from Diana, Chris, or Louise.  Drawing will be held Sun., Dec. 18.  Proceeds will go to ECHO and to our church’s General Fund.
• Everyone is invited to meet here on Sun., Dec. 18 at 2:00 PM to go caroling to our shut-ins and the community.
• The church choir Christmas party will be Sun., Dec. 18 at 4 PM at the home of Ron Besemer & Norm Wise.  Please bring a white elephant gift and a dish to share.
• Asbury United Methodist Church invites us to join them for a free community meal followed by caroling on the streets of Janesville on Thursday, Dec. 22 from 5-7:30 PM.  Walking tacos or hot dogs will be available at 5 PM, and hot chocolate & candy canes at 7 PM.  Please gather at Asbury UMC at 1810 Kellogg Avenue.
• 100^th Anniversary Quilt – Please speak to Chris McCarthy about your square.
• December Coin Jar – Your loose change will support ECHO.

Dates to Remember

• Sun., Dec. 18 – Caroling at 2 PM / Choir Christmas Party at 4 PM
• Wed., Dec. 21 – Choir Dress Rehearsal ~ 5:30 PM
• Sat., Dec. 24 – FCC Christmas Eve Candlelight, Communion & Cantata Service ~ 5 PM
• Sun., Dec. 25 – FCC Christmas Morning Service ~ Lessons & Carols 9:30 AM

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Please join us for these special services – invite your friends and neighbors:

Christmas Eve Candlelight, Communion & Choir Cantata – Sat., Dec. 24 at 5:00 PM

Lessons and Carols during Christmas Morning Worship – Sun., Dec. 25 at 9:30 AM

The Season of Advent-The Sharing of Gifts

Gifts come in all sizes, shapes and forms so please participate in this time of giving as you are best able as we reach out beyond our doorsteps and share our abundance with the community.

In the spirit of giving, we would like to continue the tradition of helping the Rock Co. Jail chaplaincy committee bring gifts to children.  Gifts of new or gently used toys for boys and girls of all ages may be brought to our church office (unwrapped) by December 4.

Gift bins are under the coat rack in the entryway to receive these donations:

To give the gift of Warmth: Please bring hats, mittens, and scarves that will be given through Salvation Army to those in our community who need the gift of warmth.

To give the gift of Fullness: Please bring canned goods and non-perishable foods which will be distributed through ECHO, providing those in our community with the gift of nourishment.

To give the gift of Shelter: Please bring blankets (new or gently used) which may be used by the Gifts Program or House of Mercy locally.  Blankets are often used by Church World Service and Week of Compassion during natural disasters to provide temporary shelter.

To give the gift of Comfort: Please bring cold and/or cough medicine, aspirin, (they are especially in need of baby aspirin!)),Tylenol, etc. which will be donated through Health Net.  These items will bring comfort in a time of illness to those in our community who cannot afford them.

To replace the Christmas program, we are encouraging participation among the congregation through the sharing of stories, holiday traditions, poems, special music or other unique gifts during the whole season of Advent.  Please speak with Dee Ann to be included in the Sunday bulletin.

Church Board Highlights – November 14, 2011

The Trustees expressed great appreciation for all the help in cleaning the church and keeping our property tidy.  If others are interested in working on a team to clean the church building, please speak with Debra Grenzow. A training session will be scheduled soon. Please note that the Food Pantry has been relocated to the room next to the sound board. Thank You Cory Smith for all your efforts to keep shelves stocked. Since we have so many families using the nursery, a speaker or monitor will be tested so those using that room may still hear the worship service.  Thanks to Deb Grenzow for painting the overflow room.

The Elders have noticed many new children in worship on Sunday.  There is a need for a Sunday school class for these children.  It could be held in conference room or in the nursery depending on the program offered and the attendance.  To make a new program happen, we need some folks to volunteer to teach this class that would happen after the Children’s moment.  Please step up if you feel called to this ministry. Elders make hospital visits to our members and are willing to make visits to extended church family upon request.  Please let us know how we can help.

The Worship Committee is concerned about meeting the needs of all who come to worship.  It is great that we feel so comfortable with each other and fellowship together before worship. Some folks would like a more worshipful atmosphere in the sanctuary before worship. They have been questioning: How do we offer silence in the church at the beginning of the service for those who desire it?  This has been an ongoing issue.  We are going to try ringing the chimes sooner and centering our hearts for worship by speaking these words from the pulpit: “Let us enter a time of silent meditation and prayer.”

We really could use someone to represent us on the ECHO board.  They meet once a month on Monday evenings. Please speak to Martin Huckstep if you can help.

A new task force is needed to help us plan for our 100th Birthday. We have already invited our Regional Minister and President, The Reverend Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker to bring the message on Sunday morning and Associate Regional Minister, The Reverend Dr. Christal Williams to lead us in a Saturday night Revival. The task force’s first meeting will be after worship on November 27 when they will select their chair and begin to share ideas. We will celebrate our 100 years of ministry on April 15, 2012. (Ron Besemer has suggested the hymn “Built on a Rock” as a theme.)

The Board set two new policies:  1. First Christian Church will be a weapon free zone.  2. It is the policy of the church to allow promotion of non-profit charitable fundraisers.  All other forms of solicitation are prohibited.

 

Annual Congregational Meeting Called for December 4 following worship.

Those on the ballot are: CHAIR-Norm Wise, VICE CHAIR-Debra Grenzow, CLERK-Kim Campos,

TRUSTEE-Brian Hoppe, Cory Smith, Tom Walker, ELDER-Kathy Hoppe (Sr), Andy Pohlman,

Sandy Pohlman, DEACONATE-Suzanne Borst, Joni Boughton, Virginia Hart, Diana Huckstep,

Chris McCarthy, Barb Smith.

 

To Be Appointed by 2012 Board: TREASURER AND TWO FINANCIAL SECRETARIES

First Christmas Card, shared by Sandy Scott

 

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas – no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About shepherds and wise men and angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say.

December 25 is just a ‘ Holiday’.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod.

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down,

At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears

You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen,

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

to eliminate Jesus in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith,

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded.

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’,

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me!

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say!

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

We Congratulate and Celebrate . . .

*  $1300 was raised for Relay for Life during their August event.  Special thanks to Martin Huckstep for organizing many aspects of FCC’s participation.  We are so appreciative of everyone who made donations of cash or baked goods, or who gave of their time to walk for this cause!

*  Six new members were received into our church family on Sunday, October 9.  Please welcome Pam, David & Leland Rucker, and Lacy & Patricia Schermerhorn. May we all be encouraged by each other as we join together and continue on our faith journey!

*  Congratulations to Jessica Daniels and Cory Cunningham!  Jessica and Cory were united in marriage here at FCC on Saturday, November 12.  Our wish for you is for many happy years together!

* Sandy and Andy Pohlman will celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary with a gathering of family and friends in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Nov. 27 from 1-5 PM.  May God bless you on your special day and always!

* Check out our website at www.fccjanesville.org.  New posts have been added!  Thank you, Michael Piette for your creativity and for the time you’ve dedicated to this site!

 

 

 

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Begin your Christmas shopping and satisfy your sweet tooth!  Come to our Holiday Crafts Bazaar and Bake Sale on Saturday, December 3 in Fellowship Hall from 9 AM – 3 PM.  Unique craft items and beautiful baked goods will be available to choose from, and there will be a Silent Auction, too!  A portion of the proceeds will go to the church’s General Fund.  See You There!!

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