In This Issue

October 2015 Volume XVI, Issue XIII

Growing Connections Page 2

PYA Schedule Page 3

Coming Up @ Church Page 4 - 5

General Information Page 6

Cares and Joys Page 6

Coming Up in Worship Page 7

October Calendar Page 8

Contact Us Page 8

1225 Fourth Street Road . Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935 . Phone 920.922.0425 . Email fdloffice@fdlpresbyterian.org

focus First Presbyterian

2

Growing Connections-Sundays 9:15am in the Parlor

What’s a body without wisdom and intelligence? Growing Connections is our ministry of learning opportunities for adults. We seek to grow in relationship, wisdom, and understanding – all of the connections that enable us to know Christ more fully and discover our mission in the world. Growing Connections will include mission opportunities, especially focusing on local opportunities such as our connection with ADVOCAP Head Start which took place on Sunday, October 11 with Pam Guiden. In future mission opportunities we will learn about “Feed My Starving Children” and this bold opportunity to provide meals in our world. Other opportunities will focus upon learning about our relationships and how we grow in faith. Pastor Jack will provide classes focusing on child development and how we can better assist our children with growing in their relationship with Christ and with the church. Other classes will focus on assist-ing new members to become a part of the church (November 1

st) and opportunities to learn about

our Presbyterian Heritage.

October

18 Children and Worship:

Preschool age

Over the coming months we will be offering a class

looking at how children experience worship and grow in faith. Using

materials from Dr. James Fowler, and other child

development experts we will look at each of the stages of childhood and their

experiences of worship, their understanding of God, and what we can do to assist in growing as healthy worship-pers. This is for parents and grandparents, but also for anyone who is interested in learning more about how children grow and interact in worship experiences. The class will be taught by Pastor Jack .

25 Introduction to Communion for All Ages

November \

1 New Members Class

We will be holding a New Member’s Class on Sunday, November 1

st,

between the services at 9:15. The class will be taught by Pastor Jack. This class is for anyone interested in learning more about what it means to be a member of First Presbyterian Church. It will cover an introduction in the Presbyterian theology and manner of fellowship together, in-formation on our history as a church and denomination, and specific information about the church today. You will have an opportunity to meet with the elders at that class as well. This class does not require joining at this time, so if you are just curious or want to learn more you are welcome to attend.

8 Feed My Starving Children

A Christian non-profit founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children tackles world hunger by sending volunteer-packed, nutritious meals to 70 countries. Come learn about this awe-some program and how we can reach out in love to children and families all over the world. Diana Tscheschlok presenter.

Talk Back -Sundays 9:15am in the Resource Room

3

PYA = Presbyterian Youth Association

Basic info: PYA is for students in the 6th-12

th grade

Purpose: To get to know Jesus Christ and have lots of fun!

Sunday October 18th

PYA 12pm-3pm SPIN (Serving People in Need)

Come and help some of our community by raking

leaves for individuals who need it. Meet in the

Fellowship Hall for lunch before we go.

Sunday October 25th

1:45pm "Inside Out" (Cost $3.00)

Meet at Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac

Sunday November 1st

PYA 5:30pm-7pm

Friday Nov 6th

-Sun Nov 8th

Winnebago Presbytery Camp

Pilgrim Center, Green Lake (see insert)

Crafts, games, worship, Habitat Shed build, challenge course.

Come join your other Presbytery friends! Cost will be $50.00

per person with supporting PYA funds. No charge for the

Confirmation Class. Any questions please ask Jennifer.

Wednesday November 11th

Loaves and Fishes - at Church of Peace

Saturday November 14th

Presbytery Meeting - Come and see what a Presbytery

Meeting is all about. Check out the article in

newsletter for more information. Meet at church at 9am.

Saturday November 14th

PYA at the Woodlands 10:45-11:45am

Sunday November 15th

PYA 12pm-2pm Planning the Happy Birthday Jesus Party

Sunday November 22nd

PYA 5:30pm-7pm

Sunday November 29th

PYA Angel Tree Shopping 1pm-2:30pm

Shopping for children and families from the Angel Tree.

Meet at Shopko at 1pm.

PYA Schedule for October and November

4

Growing in Christ Glorifying God Reach Out in Love Opening Hearts Walking with Christ

First Presbyterian Focus -

Deadlines

If there is information you, your com-

mittee or team would like published

in the First Presbyterian Focus

Newsletter, please send your sub-

missions to:

fdloffice@fdlpresbyterian.org.

Information that is not received by

the deadline dates, will be published

in the next issue of the Newsletter.

Deadlines for the Newsletter:

October 21, for November 1 issue

November 4, for November 15 issue

Find us at:

First Presbyterian Church, Fond du Lac

Fifty Year Member Celebration - October 25

Jean Morgan and Jeanette Morgan Pont will be recognized as fifty year members, of First Presbyte-rian Church, on Sunday October 25, at our 8:00am service. A reception, sponsored by the Dea-cons, will be held at 9:15, in Fellow-ship Hall. Please join us in honoring Jean and Jeanette.

50

Woodlands for Trick or Treat - October 31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

You and your friends are invited to

show off your Halloween costumes

for the senior citizens at Woodlands

Senior Park, on October 31, 12:15

pm to 12:45 pm. Halloween Candy

will be provided in the Dining

Room. Please share your Hallow-

een experience with us.

There are three locations in Fond du

Lac. Get more candy! Try all three!

1446 Lynn Avenue

77 Wisconsin American Dr.

87 Wisconsin American Dr.

Parents, if you have questions,

please call 922-8770.

Woodlands Senior Park is an as-

sisted living residence for senior citi-

zens.

Charlie Pratt

Activity Director

Volunteer Coordinator

Woodlands Senior Park

77 Wisconsin American Drive

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

(920) 922-8770

charliepratt@woodlandssp.com

Coming Up @ Church

The Coats for Kids drive will soon be

coming to a close. There is a box by

the Welcome Center to collect them.

The last day to donate is October 25.

The coats will be distributed at The

Salvation Army on October 31st to

low income families.

Please take a look around your

home for coats you are no longer

using. Coats for school age children

are especially needed. Monetary

donations are also appreciated.

If you are able to help with the coat

distribution please call The Salvation

Army at 922-8220 or Shin Ae Zeigler

at 923-0038.

The Outreach Team thanks you for

your support.

Coats for Kids - Through 10.25.15

Years of Membership

Cantata Rehearsals Rehearsals - Wednesdays through December 16 at 6:30pm Christmas Cantata - December 20

th at 10:30am

This year our Christmas Cantata is entitled “Sing Gloria.” It will be offered in memory of Rick Schry. Rehearsals for the cantata are on Wednesdays, at 6:30pm in the music (choir) room.

If you have any questions, please contact Kris Bartelt at:

kbartelt@fdlpresbyterian.org

5

(Continued) Coming Up @ Church

Women In Faith - November 4

A friend is someone who reaches for

your hand, but touches your heart.

Join us for fun and fellowship on

Wednesday, November 4th from 6-

8pm. We will share a light supper

together followed by a fun time of

fellowship and crafts.

This month we will be Stamping on

Candles. We’re making winter deco-

rations for the Fellowship Hall tables.

Bring a candle and you can also

stamp a candle to take home.

Baked Potatoes are on the menu for

the evening. If you have time you

can bring a dish to pass, if not just

bring yourself and join us for a fun

evening. See you there!!!

Women in Faith will meet the first

Wednesday of every month from

6pm to 8pm. Our next date is De-

cember 2nd

New Member’s Class -

November 1st

We will be holding a New Member’s

Class on Sunday, November 1st, be-

tween services at 9:15. The class will

be taught by Pastor Jack.

This class is for anyone interested in

learning more about what it means to

be a member of First Presbyterian

Church. It will cover an introduction

in the Presbyterian theology and

manner of fellowship together, infor-

mation on our history as a church

and denomination, and specific infor-

mation about the church today.

You will have an opportunity to meet

with the elders at that class, as well.

This class does not require joining at

this time, so if you are just curious or

want to learn more, you are welcome

April 9 , 2016

Today it is esti-mated that 1 out of every 9 people doesn’t have enough food to eat and is chronically

hungry. This is an awful statistic. As

followers of Christ, we are called to respond. About Feed My Starving Children A Christian non-profit founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children tackles world hunger by sending volunteer-packed, nutritious meals to 70 countries, where they’re used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics and feeding programs to break the cycle of poverty. Last year, FMSC welcomed nearly 900,000 volunteers to pack more than 229 million meals. The Minnesota-based charity spends 92% of total donations directly on feeding the hungry and has earned the highest four-star rating from Charity Navigator for ten consecutive years. About FMSC MobilePack MobilePack events enable children and adults across the United States to pack FMSC’s life-giving MannaPack™ meals. Churches, businesses, community groups and schools in more than 35 states have hosted these food-packing events as a way to foster teamwork and unity, while making a real difference in the fight to prevent and reverse malnutri-tion. FMSC provides guidance and logistics. Local donors and volun-teers provide funds and labor to pack the meals. At Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Recreation Building on Saturday, April 9, 2016, our community will partner with Feed My Starving Children through a MobilePack™ event to hand-pack 150,000 life-saving, nutritious meals for children who are starving and malnourished around the world. Visit fmsc.org to learn more. Many hands and donations are needed to make FMSC successful. Please mark your calendars.

Music Ministry

Music has always

been an important

part of worship at

First Presbyterian

Church. We are

looking to enhance

our music programs

with the help of our

congregation. This is an invitation to

be a part of our music ministry.

Do you like to sing? Do you play an

instrument? How about playing

Bells? We invite you to participate in

our music program in any way you

feel comfortable. You could provide

special music, at either service –

once a month, once a quarter –

whatever would be convenient for

you. Invite your musical friends to

accompany you! Join our choir or the

Praise Team. We have wonderful

people looking forward to teaching

you how to play Bells.

As you can see, there are many op-

portunities to be a vital part of our

music ministry. We want to develop

an effective working relationship with

the musically inclined members of

our congregation, with the goal of

strengthening the ministry of music.

Won’t you become a part of our ex-

citing music program?

Contact Kris Bartelt (920.922.0425

or kbartelt@fdlpresbyterian.org) if

For those of you who have adopted

a church garden, November would

be a good time to cut back the flow-

ers and bushes.

If you have any questions or need

help, please contact Ruth Iacoviello

at 923.2750.

6

General Information

In October Ushers October 18 8:00 Jim & Judy Dassow

Larry & Carl Merrill

10:30 Lew & Carol Smith

Michael Frize, Alex Zander October 25 8:00 Bob Block, Laurie Leestma

Lynn & Judy Mellenthien

10:30 Sue Baker, Kim McCullum

Les Mier, Scott Zander

Cares and Joys

Buzzy (Marion) Seibel, Judy Schmitz, June Benson, Liam

Anderson, Randy Bacon, Silas Willey, Virginia Erdman, Sandy Johnson, Chastity Geisthardt, George Weigel, Jim Dassow and

the people devastated in the natural disasters, and prayers for peace and tolerance in our community, the

nation and the world.

Rejoice: The gift of growing together in the body of Christ.

Pray for those in the military:

Aaron Schaefer, Alex Sell and Steve Sommerfeldt.

Prayer Partners

The prayer chain is ready to offer intercessory prayer, to God, for your concerns. Prayer request cards are in the pew racks and in the Prayer Box on the small table in the Nar-thex. Put your request in either the offering plate or the Prayer Box and we will partner with you in prayer.

Names will stay on the prayers list for 6 weeks unless otherwise speci-fied. Please call the office at (920) 922-0425 if you would like to have your name added or removed.

Worship Team Request

The Worship Team is praying over

themes for a future sermon se-

ries. We would like input/response

from congregation members about

the following:

- What does it mean to you

to be Presbyterian?

- What are your questions

about being Presbyterian?

- What is your favorite part of

being Presbyterian?

- What pieces of church

theology, polity and

foundations do you wonder

about?

Responses can be sent to Cathy

Wolfe at jcwolfe@charter.net no later

than November 1st or dropped off in

the office at church.

Cathy Wolfe

Staff Seminar

The Office Staff, a Deacon member and a Generosity Team member attended a conference called “Anxiety and the Church.” It was a full day seminar. It was well organized, detailed and a wealth of information. When we took a break for lunch, we had a beautiful view of Green Lake.

Blood Drive - Thank You Many thanks to all who participated in our blood drive on October 12. Your efforts are greatly appreci-ated, and you’ve helped many in need.

Your next opportunity to donate will occur early in 2016.

Secret Sisters Kathy Gerner and Emily Batson are stepping down as coordinators of the Secret Sister pro-gram. Because there wasn’t anyone available to fill these positions, the Secret Sisters will be taking a hiatus, for a few years. Thank you to everyone who has par-ticipated in the past. We look forward to regrouping at a later date.

November 1

Elder of the Month

Barb Mitchell

Deacon of the Month

Joanne Marchionda

Coffee Hour Hosts

Stewardship / Endowment

7

Coming Up in Worship

We are the Body of Christ, and All Members of the Same Body!

This series will take us through the fall and elements of this series will be an important part of

the entire year. We are the body of Christ, our hands reach out to the world. Our feet take us to

the places where people are hungering for God’s presence. Our diversity is what makes us

10/18/2015 Brain (What You Think About) Sermon: "Thinking for Peace" Theme: We have to choose to direct our mind and thoughts towards forgiveness and peace.

Purpose: The congregation will pay attention to their thoughts and focus towards peace. Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Wisdom that comes from God versus wisdom of the world. James 3:13-18 The wisdom of God is peaceable and gentle. Questions: How do we share the wisdom of our relationship with God, especially in a world that is oriented around a completely different set of values? In what ways does being wise and understanding as Christians put us out of step with people whose values are oriented around personal gain or self-importance? Are there ways in which we try and compromise, holding onto the wisdom of personal gain and self-importance, while still trying to live by the wisdom of holiness and relationship with Christ? How do we develop the humble wisdom of living in Christ? 10/25/2015 Foot (Humbly going to others) Sermon: "Running to Share Christ's Peace" Theme: We are equipped to take peace to people who are troubled and afraid, in need of peace.

Purpose: The congregation will become aware of the need to carry Christ to people who are

struggling with conflict and fear. Scriptures: Isaiah 52:7-10 How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace and brings the gospel. Ephesians 6:10-18 For shoes, put on what will make you ready to share the gospel of peace. Questions: Are we enthusiastic to serve by sharing God’s word and peace? Are we more interested in being the center of attention and being noticed or are we more invested in seeing that the message gets to people who are struggling and in need? How do we become more invested in sharing the love of Christ than in our own status or significance? How do we deal with those who are more concerned about their per-sonal importance than about being a part of serving Christ? In what ways is humility necessary for reaching out in love? How do we learn and grow to share that humility together?

Complete information about the church and church activities can be viewed on our website: www.fdlpresbyterian.org

8

October 2015

Rev. Jack Harrison

Pastor

revjharrison@fdlpresbyterian.org

Jennifer Zander

Director of Christian Education

jzander@fdlpresbyterian.org

Kris Bartelt

Worship Coordinator

kbartelt@fdlpresbyterian.org

Teen Praise Becky Frize

Terri Wilke

Bell Choir Director Joanne Marchionda

Angel Choir Director Cheryl Clarenbach

Angel Choir Assistant Alyssa Sabel

Financial Assistant Sheryl Brown

Custodian Assistant Dave Weber

Phone 920.922.0425 Office Email fdloffice@fdlpresbyterian.org

Mary Robotka

Financial Assistant

mrobotka@fdlpresbyterian.org

Deb Zorn

Communications Coordinator

dzorn@fdlpresbyterian.org

Daliborka Koncos

Custodian

Volunteer Staff Church Staff Church Staff

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8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Edu-cation Hour 10:30a-11:30a Worship 12p-3p PYA - SPIN

19

2:30p-4p Staff 6:30p-7:30p Cub Scouts 6:30p-8p Session with Confirmands

20 10:30a-12p Tues-day Morning Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts

21 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry (Pump and Pantry) 12p-1p Prayer 6:30p-8p Cantata Practice 6:30p-7:30p Confir-mation Class 6:30p-9:30p Table Tennis

22

23

24 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal

25 Coats for Kids - Last Day 8a-9a 50 Year Member Celebra-tion 8a-9a Worship 9:15a-10:15a Education Hour 10:30a-11:30a Worship 1p-4p Eagle Scout Court of Honor 1:45p-4:45p PYA kids to "Inside Out" (Horace Mann High School\, 325 McKinley St\, North Fond Du Lac\, WI)

26 2:30p-4p Staff 6:30p-7:30p Cub Scouts

27 10:30a-12p Tues-day Morning Bible Study 6p-7p AA Meeting (Resource Room) 6:30p-8p Boy Scouts

28 8a-9a Breakfast at Pump and Pantry (Pump and Pantry) 12p-1p Prayer 6:30p-8p Creative Arts Team 6:30p-8:30p Just Fare Board 6:30p-8p Cantata Practice 6:30p-7:30p Confir-mation Class 6:30p-9:30p Table Tennis

29

30

31 9a-10a Tech Rehearsal