First Presbyterian Church — Oregon, WI

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Text Box: THE CHURCH'S LIFE News of the First Presbyterian Church Oregon, Wisconsin Pastor: Clara D. Thompson Office: 835-3082 www.fpcoregon.org Email: karenfpc@verizon.net APRIL 2007 PASTOR’S MESSAGE Holy Week … a journey for us all. Holy Week leads us from our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the intimacy of the Last Supper with his disciples and to the garden where Jesus prayed on Maundy Thursday, to the cross of our Lord on Good Friday when he took on the sins of the world, and ultimately to the empty tomb of Easter morning. It is a journey that has been repeated for 2000 years, and now it is time for us to join the throngs once again as we witness the death and resurrection of our Lord. For over 25 years we have shared in the Holy Week services of worship with our brothers and sisters of Peoples’ United Methodist Church. This year they will host the Maundy Thursday service on April 5, and we will host the Good Friday service on April 6. Both services begin at 7:00 PM at our respective churches. I encourage you to participate in all of the services of Holy Week so that you may experience the blessings of a truly joyous Easter Sunday. The Good Friday service will be a musical prayer service after the tradition of Taize. Featuring short, uncomplicated, repetitive phrases and a variety of instrumental accompaniments, the music of Taize draws one into a meditative, contemplative quality of prayer. You are invited to experience this unique form of worship as you hear the story of our Lord’s crucifixion. In the beautiful simplicity of the musical refrains, may the mystery of God come to you and penetrate your whole being. Blessings on your Holy Week journey! Clara D. Thompson Pastor YOU ARE INVITED to a VERY SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL GATHERING!! Sunday, April 15 at 11:30 AM. The Design Committee is pleased to share with you the conceptual drawings of our new building! Meet the architects and see their work. Hear presentations on how the Design Committee arrived at the plan. Catch the Spirit! We’re Building To Reach Out! HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday 7:00 PM Worship at People’s United Methodist Church. Childcare will be available. Friday, April 6 Good Friday 7:00 PM Worship at First Presbyterian Church. This will be a musical prayer service in the tradition of Taize. Childcare will be available. Sunday, April 8 Easter Sunday 8:00 AM Family-oriented Worship Sacrament of Holy Communion 9:00 AM Easter Breakfast 10:30 AM Traditional Easter Worship Sacrament of Holy Communion Childcare will be available at both services. SUNDAY SCHOOL ON EASTER VACATION! There will be NO SUNDAY SCHOOL classes on Easter Sunday, April 8. We look forward to seeing YOU in Sunday School on April 15th. EASTER BREAKFAST at 9:00 AM It is a long standing tradition in our church to enjoy Easter Breakfast as a church family. This year breakfast will be served at 9:00 AM, between the two worship services. No reservations are necessary, just come and enjoy good fellowship together ... and the best breakfast in town! The men do the cooking, the youth do the serving. Everything is provided ... just come. Friends, relatives, and visitors are always welcome! What are YOU doing April 15? Come to the Special Congregational Gathering at 11:30 AM. See the drawings of our new building … floor plan and outside view! Learn more about what the Design Committee has been doing. Hear the presentations and catch the Spirit! We’re Building To Reach Out! MAY 5th IS SPRING CLEAN UP DAY Spring is near and the Property Committee has sprung into action to prepare for the annual church Spring Clean Up Day. We could use your help! Mark your calendars for May 5th, 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon to participate in one of the many projects to keep our church beautiful. No work experience or sign-up is needed - we will find a project you are suited for when you arrive at church. Look for more information and announcements at church for tools needed and projects to be done. May 19th will be an alternate rain date if the weather is not cooperative on May 5th. Your input regarding projects for Spring Clean Up are also welcome. If you have noticed areas of the church needing attention that the Property Committee could include in the Spring Clean Up, please send suggestions to Bob Johnston. Thanks for helping to keep our church beautiful. Refreshments will be provided. If you have questions, suggestions, or need additional information, please contact Bob Johnston at 835-7132 or by e-mail at bob.johnston@deancare.com. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL “Heroes of the Faith Called to Serve” is the theme for this year’s ecumenical Vacation Bible School. The dates are August 13-16, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon, plus an all family evening event on August 16. The cost is $12 per child, with a maximum of $30 per family. There will be Bible stories, music, crafts, games, and so much more! All three year olds (who are out of diapers) through this year’s 6th graders are encouraged to participate. There will be SPECIAL events for the 5th and 6th graders … field trips to all sorts of interesting places in and around Oregon! Watch the May Newsletter for registration information, but be sure to mark your calendars NOW for August 13 – 16. Our appeal volunteers are recruited, our Appeal Gathering is planned for after worship on Sunday, April 22 at 11:30 am, the Communication and Spiritual Emphasis Teams are bringing the appeal to our attention, and the leaders of the appeal are making their financial commitments. Our special Building To Reach Out Fund Appeal is well underway. Soon every member of our church will be asked to make a financial commitment to our building fund. As you begin to pray, think, and talk about your financial commitment to our church’s future ministry, please reflect on these words from Appeal Leadership Team member Sue McGuigan: My faith in God is the glue that keeps me together; the friend that is always available. It brings me comfort when I am sad or anxious and influences my actions and decisions. While one can practice their faith in solitude, I find mine is greatly enhanced by being a member of a church community. Meeting regularly with others who have similar beliefs reinforces my faith. Beyond merely belonging to a church, however, I am very fortunate to belong to a church family which cares deeply for God and each other. Joyous occasions bring an abundance of congratulations; sadness and loss trigger an outpouring of support and encouragement. I am blessed to have gotten to know so many dear friends through this church. It is my opinion that it is the people, not the physical structure, that make a church. I think the caring and friendliness of our members becomes quickly evident to newcomers who venture through the door. I feel that our current building, however, may be an obstacle in getting visitors TO the door. There is little parking available adjacent to our building. The flight of stairs viewed from Main Street could deter someone who is not aware of the more accessible entrance at the rear. For our current members, to whom social time is very important, our current dining hall is too small to comfortably seat everyone on special occasions, with no way to expand it. I agree it is time to look to the future and how we can better ensure our church will remain a viable force in our community and beyond. Of course I feel some fear when considering so large a project, but mostly I feel excited about the possibilities! I pray that the enthusiasm for this vision will be contagious and our appeal a great success.   STEWARD:  Why do I have a great need to give? GOD:  Because I created you that way, like me! APRIL 15 isn’t (usually) just tax day! Come to a Special Congregational Gathering at 11:30 AM. You will hear presentations from the Design Committee, meet our architects, and SEE THE DRAWINGS of our new building! Be a part of the excitement … We’re Building To Reach Out! WHO ARE OUR GRADUATES?  Do you have someone graduating from high school, college or with an advanced degree in your family? We would like to recognize all of our graduates in the May Newsletter. Please submit an article about your graduate to the church office by April 15. You are encouraged to include such things as school activities and involvements, future plans, etc. FINANCIAL UPDATE – February 28, 2007 Amount pledged year to date: $24,916.10 Pledges received year to date: $15,370.34 Per Capita bill: $6,118.40 Received to date: $2,217.10 Thank you for your financial gifts to the First Presbyterian Church! WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR NEWSLETTER ON E-MAIL? If you would prefer to receive your Church Newsletter via e-mail, the church office would be glad to provide you with that service! E-mail Karen Detra (Office Manager) at karenfpc@verizon.net and let her know. APRIL 15 IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ARTICLES FOR THE MAY NEWSLETTER "You may experience an ongoing tension within yourself between what your heart wants you to give and what your head tells you to give.  It's bad if you listen only to your heart or only to your head and ignore the other.  It's good if that tension keeps reminding you of your great need to give.” "How you feel about giving may be the best measure you have." SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL GATHERING Sunday, April 15 at 11:30 AM. Come and view the drawings for our new building! See the floor plan, and the outside view. Share the excitement, dream the dreams, catch the vision ... We’re Building To Reach Out! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS The Adult Sunday School Class continues to provide stimulating conversation and good fellowship on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:00 AM. We meet in the lounge, adjacent to the sanctuary. All adults are welcome! April 1 Easter Egg Coloring – all ages! April 8 Easter Sunday … no classes April 15 “Presbyterian Mission in Malawi,” led by Pat Gillette April 22 "Shared Values Between Islam and Christianity: Traditions, Prophets, Festivals..." led by Alperen Ozalp April 29 To be announced May 6 To be announced May 13 Year-End Evaluation HOSPITALIZED Tom Niebauer and Ryan Fahey have been in the hospital recently. The church family is asked to keep them in its prayers. SYMPATHY The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are offered to the following people who have lost loved ones in recent weeks: Dave and Char Hanson and family, on the death of his aunt Brian and Sue McGuigan and family, on the death of her aunt Lila Stone and family, on the death of her husband Jim Mike and Lori Johnson and family, on the death of her uncle   "HOW DOES FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE? With our special Appeal underway, it is especially important for each of us to think carefully about what our church means to us.  We encourage you to share your answer to this question on a special Faith Reflection Card.  These cards are available on the bulletin board in the adult Sunday school area next to the Sanctuary.  Completed cards will be displayed on the board through May 6 to provide insight and inspiration.  Your responses are important, so please share them.  You may remain anonymous if you wish. ESPN (Extra Special Preschool News) The Presbyterian Preschoolers love glue! We have so much fun with glue projects! One Sunday we made flowers. Each petal and leaf was a heart and we glued them to a paper to make a beautiful flower. In the process, we glued fingers, the table and everything else that got in the way. We also tested just how far you can crank out a glue stick before it falls off – try it sometime! This month we celebrated friends, Myla and Jace, returning for a visit and Megan’s birthday!! We sing about God’s love every week and we sing LOUD! We are sad to report an increased number of paper cuts this month; some even requiring band aids. But, we are thrilled to report an increased number of hugs and good times together in the preschool classroom!


LENTEN DAILY PRAYER

The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 21st.  A Lenten Daily Prayer booklet has been prepared for the whole congregation’s use, to be used daily from February 21st through Holy Saturday, April 7th.  The Prayer booklet includes Scripture readings, prayer, and silent reflections, for each of the days of Lent.  It is hoped that the regular use of the Lenten Daily Prayer booklet will enrich your spiritual growth during the holy season of Lent, and help to prepare you for the incredible joy of Easter when we will celebrate together that “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!”

The Lenten Daily Prayer booklets are available at church. Please call the church office at 835-3082 if you would like to have one mailed to you.

 

 MANY THANKS!

The members of this year’s Confirmation Class would like to thank the congregation for its overwhelming support of the Homemade Candy Sales.  Over 50 plates of candy were made, delivered, and we hope enjoyed!  $668.00 was raised for game equipment for the church’s youth.

 

 THANK YOU FOR

ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

 

 

FROM THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

It has been suggested that it would be a good idea to include both the Highlights of 2006 and the Vision List for 2007 that were created at the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 21st.  For those of us who were present at the meeting, it will serve as a good reminder.  For those who were unable to attend, you’ll perhaps be interested in some of the creative ideas that were developed.

First, highlights from 2006:

New Consecration Sunday format
Session decision to go ahead with architect and fund raisers
Focus on integrating youth into church leadership
Congregation voting to create positions for youth
WOW
Listening sessions and interviews with the Design Committee
Marriage amendment forum, community listening event
Habitat for Humanity Project in Oregon
Getting involved with the Interfaith Hospitality Network
Bell choir
Choir and music
Getting involved in Sunday School
Getting youth more involved
Maundy Thursday service and supper
Lenten services on prayer
Prayer wall during Lent
Fellowship activities-Folklore Village and Tony Roma's
Youth decision not to go to Montreat, but to go to Mission Immersion in Minneapolis
Major life events in our church for non-members
Teaching Communion Service at WOW
Adult Sunday School especially good this year
Youth groups

And now, Vision for 2007 and beyond:

Involvement in new sports center, such as volunteer help
Fund raising--church wide rummage sale for new building or other causes
How to help some of members with small home chores--job jar
Continue being a leader, involved and pro-active in social issues
More mission trips like Milwaukee and Minneapolis for youth and adults
Try to incorporate WOW fellowship into Sunday morning
Trial coffee bar
Is there a way of using side room for fellowship, coffee, etc.
Decide if we are going to build or not

All of these ideas will now be taken to the Session for their discussion and possible action.

 

 

 

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

If you can help with the preparations for the Spring Recognition Dinner on Friday, March 16 (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM), please sign up on Clara’s office door.  Volunteers are needed to help provide transportation, help set up on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM, waiter/waitress the tables beginning at 11:00 AM on Friday, and to help with dishwashing and clean-up.  Thank you!

 

 VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL

We are pleased to announce that this year we will be participating in an Ecumenical Community-wide Vacation Bible School!  Mark your calendars for August 13-16, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon, plus a VBS Closing Family Event on Thursday evening, with all events taking place at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  Ages 3 (and out of diapers) through this year’s 6th graders.  (The 5th & 6th graders will not be included in the regular VBS activities for the whole morning, but rather will be going on special community field trips or participating in service projects each day.)  CRAFTS!  MUSIC!  BIBLE STORIES!  GAMES!  All children are invited to participate … watch upcoming Newsletters for more information. 

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED!

The Session acted on February 15 to receive the following people into the membership of our congregation:  Judy Green (by Reaffirmation of Faith), Sean Green (by Reaffirmation of Faith), Michael Kirch (by Affirmation of Faith), and Mike Fahey and Renee Martell (by Letter of Transfer from Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church in Stevens Point, WI).  They will be welcomed during morning worship on Sunday, March 4.  Sean, Judy, Michael, Mike, and Renee … a hearty and joyous welcome to the church family!

 

 HOSPITALIZED

Carol Robert and Ryan Fahey have been in the hospital recently.  Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

 

 

 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

The Adult Class continues to provide variety and thought-provoking conversation on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:00 AM.  Join us in the lounge, adjacent to the sanctuary, and stretch your mind!

March 4 and 11        “What do Presbyterians

believe?”  led by Clara Thompson

March 18 and 25             “Game Event” with

   Middle School Class

April 1            Easter Egg Coloring – all ages

April 8   Easter Sunday … no classes

April 15   “Presbyterian Mission in Malawi” led by Pat Gillette

April 22 and 29        To be determined

 

 EASTER LILY ORDERS

Look for the Easter Lily forms in the church bulletins during March. Please fill out the forms for the number of plants and the names of the loved ones to be remembered.  Place the forms in an envelope along with a check made out to First Presbyterian Church.  There will be a box in the entry way where the forms and check can be dropped.  Thank you for helping to make our Easter celebration a beautiful one!!

 

 SYMPATHY

The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are offered to those who have suffered loss in recent weeks:

Jim, Lisa, Jackie and RJ Mastny on the death of Lisa’s father

Michael Kirch, on the death of his grandfather

 

 DIRECTORY ADDITION/CHANGES

Martha Curless

St. Mary’s Care Center

3401 Maple Grove Drive

Madison, WI  53719

 

 Marc Gustafson & Camée Compton

2311 Gleneagles Dr.

Naperville, IL  60565

630-857-3457

 

 

 

 

 MEMORIAL RECEIVED

A very generous memorial has been received in loving memory of Brent Gerry.  The memorial will be used to help move the Jesus Shepherd stained glass window from our current building to an appropriate location in a new building.  How very, very thoughtful!! 

 

 LENTEN PRAYER WALL

This year we will once again make use of the beautiful Prayer Wall which Shirlanie Heydenrych made for us last year.  The Prayer Wall has been placed in the front of the sanctuary.  Paper, pencils, and a comfy rocking chair are available there for your use as well.  You are invited to add your prayers to the Wall at any time during Lent, as many times as you’d like.  Simply write your prayer on a piece of paper, fold the paper and insert it into any of the cracks in the Wall.  Be assured that your prayers will remain private … they are just between you and God.  At the end of Lent, Pastor Clara will remove the pieces of paper and dispose of them in an appropriate manner. 

 

 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

For those who plan ahead …

April 1   9:00 AM Easter egg coloring for all ages

10:30 AM Worship

April 5   7:00 PM Maundy Thursday worship at People’s United Methodist

Church

April 6   7:00 PM Good Friday worship at  First Presbyterian Church – a musical

prayer service in the tradition of Taize

April 8    8:00 AM Family-oriented

Worship

   9:00 AM Easter Breakfast

 10:30 AM Worship

 

 FROM THE MAILBAG

We would like to thank all of you who have sent cards and sympathy to us at this time of sadness.  Losing a parent isn’t easy and your support and concern has helped.  Many thanks, The Mastny Family

NEW NURSERY COORDINATOR

Special thanks to Rebekah Krenz for volunteering to be our new Nursery Coordinator, and to Camée Compton who has served us faithfully and well in this position for the past several years.

 

 WEDDING BELLS

Congratulations and all best wishes to the following couples who were recently married at our church:

Chris Klapoetke and Marit McDermid

January 13, 2007

Robert Stauffacher and Jessica Ebert

January 27, 2007

May God bless you with abundant joy!

 

 TO MY CHURCH FAMILY

It is with my deepest gratitude that I express my thanks to all who made Sunday, January 28, a very special day in my life.  Thanks to all who collaborated on the music banner, the ‘Prayer of St. Francis’ bracelet, and the flowers.  The coffee fellowship thoughtfully mirrored my personal preferences for food and beverage, and the fellowship hall looked so festive and ‘musical’.  Thanks to all who helped in preparation and clean up.  Every celebration needs to be remembered, so thanks to those who recorded and photographed the event.  Along with my deep appreciation, I offer my forgiveness for “little white lies” that needed to be told in order to maintain a secret!!! 

In Peace, Karen Baker

 

 NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY

The 2007 Church Directory is now available! Copies (standard size and large print) are on the table in the church foyer.  Feel free to pick up as many as your household needs.  If you would prefer that we mail one to your home, please contact the church office at 835-3082 and we’d be pleased to do so.  IF YOU FIND AN ERROR in the Church Directory, please call the church office promptly so that we can make any necessary corrections.  And if you move, change your phone number or e-mail address, please remember to keep the church office informed.  Thank you!

 

 ESPN - Extra Special Preschool News

The Presbyterian Preschoolers have been busy learning two important rules.

#1 – Love God.   #2 – Love others.  We filled our bulletin board with hearts naming everyone we love.  We have lots and lots of hearts!!!   One Sunday we made heart necklaces because our friends, Myla and Jace, are moving and we will miss them, but will love them wherever they live.

Our songs got even louder after we found a box of musical instruments.  The cymbals and triangles are the favorites, but we are very good at sharing.

There is always a lot to talk about in the preschool class.  Important topics discussed lately include snow, frostbite, paper cuts and wearing two shirts.

Love for God and others fills the preschool class each week!!

 

 PHLASHH

Let’s get ready for a fabulous PHLASHH March.  The First Presbyterian Youth Group PHLASHH is going slipping, sliding and knocking ‘em down.

First PHLASHH will be slipping and sliding and hitting the hills at Elver Park.  On Sunday, March 4 we will enjoy a bag lunch right after church and then we’ll bundle up and head for the hills.  Last year we had a great time and even snuck in a little ice cream before heading back.  We will plan to be back at church by 3:00 PM.

Next we are going to have the first annual FPBA Tournament.  That’s the First Presbyterian Bowling Association Tournament on Sunday, March 18th.  We will eat a bag lunch right after church and then head out to the lanes.  We will plan to be back at church by 3:00 PM.

As is always, feel free to bring a friend.  If you have any questions please contact Craig or Lisa Eyers at 835-5205 or lisakeyers@charter.net

 

 

 WOODEN BOXES, WOODEN BOXES

What are those wooden boxes for?

Well, the boxes downstairs under the coat rack are collection points for your discarded clothing. We take stuff to the local schools, to Dane County Free Clothing, St. Vincent’s, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and the Milwaukee Mission Store. You can help by bringing only clean, mended clothing, and by doing some presorting for us, such as men’s clothing and women’s clothing, kids stuff, or winter and summer sorting.

Then there is the small wooden box in the narthex.  That one is convenient for small donations for Food Pantry, or small clothing bundles.  We are happy to put everything you bring to good use, and thank you.

 

 FOOD PANTRY

We Presbyterians have charge of Food Pantry in April, so we’re looking for some willing volunteers again. We will not have as many clients in April as we had in November (Hey, we set a record, with 108 families, 347 individuals served!), but we do have the additional responsibility of receiving and shelving the contributions from the Boy Scout Food Drive, on Saturday, April 21.  People from the other churches will help, but we have to manage it. For that day, we need about a dozen people, half to work 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM, half to work 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Food Pantry is open on April 26, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  We will need to set up that week, Monday to Wednesday, probably Monday evening, Wednesday afternoon, Tuesday optional. Then Thursday afternoon, we will need some of you for Food Pantry food distribution.

To volunteer, please contact Joyce Larson, 222-3399 or joylars1@aol.com.

 

 FINANCIAL UPDATE –

January 31, 2007

Amount pledged year to date:  $12,458.05

Pledges received year to date:    $8,221.34

Per Capita bill:         $6,118.40

Received to date:      $1,775.80

Thank you for your financial gifts to the First Presbyterian Church!