A Weekly Newsletter

of First United Methodist Church of Madison

News and Upcoming Events for Members and Friends

This Sunday @First

This Sunday promises to be an enchanting service as we welcome our children’s play and Blessed Brass. Rev. Cathy Weigand will be preaching on Luke 1:57-66. The brass repertoire, ranging from a captivating “Fantasy on a French Carol” to the festive “Feliz Navidad,” will infuse our service with joy. Additionally, we will have four carols to sing with brass and organ.

Our hymns are “ “Isn’t It Amazing,” a new text by Anna Strickland, “Love Came Down at Christmas” #242, “There’s a Song In the Air” #249 and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" #240.

Looking Ahead

Season of Advent 2023

December 17th

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Cathy Weigand preaching & Children’s Christmas program
2:00 PM Isthmus Brass Porchlight Benefit Concert in Sanctuary

December 24th

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Ran Yoo preaching
7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Rev. Cathy Weigand preaching

December 31st

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Ran Yoo preaching

January 7th

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Nancy Childress preaching (Renewal of Baptism)

January 14th

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Ran Yoo preaching (Human Relations Day)

January 21st

9:30 AM Worship - Rev. Cathy Weigand

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T u r n in You r A n nual E s t i mat e o f Givi ng

There is still time to turn in your Estimate of Giving for 2024! Giving is one of the ways we honor God. When we prayerfully consider our gifts to the church for the coming year, it allows church leaders to budget and plan. Your committed giving to First Church ensures that we not only can pay the bills, but that we continue to strive to live out God's call to First Church.

If you've already turned in your Estimate of Giving cards, thank you. If you didn't receive one or it got misplaced, we have more at church. You can also submit your Estimate of Giving online here. If you can't be at church this week, throw it in the mail or bring it in next time. Your gifts make a difference as we live and serve together.

Meet Our New Members: Brad and Jean Sherman

Brad and Jean Sherman are among the newer members of First Church but are longtime friends with Pastor Cathy. Brad grew up in Eau Claire and then attended UW there. He began his career teaching history and coaching. But his interest in athletic training grew and culminated in work at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics where with a team of others, (including FUMC member, Gordon Ridley), he helped develop a sports medicine program which became one of the top sports medicine programs in the country. Brad later became actively involved with the United Methodist Camping Ministry where he

served in several roles including site director at Camp Lucerne. Brad’s interests now include the simple things of life: a house wren nesting in a backyard pine, prairie flowers, and time with family at their lake house, but his first concern is supporting his beloved Jean.

Brad met Jean on the second day of his first job and learned they share the same birthday, May 22, 1943. Brad noted, however, that he is older than she…by one hour! They were married in August, 1967 and in the years that followed, they had three children. Jean was active in church. Pastor Cathy noted, “…she could make anything - quilts, clothing, the best raspberry pie you've ever had... She loves being

outdoors …She still swims at their lake house and loves being there.”

Due to health concerns, it is unlikely we will see Brad and Jean at church. However, it would be lovely to send greetings. For their contact information, please contact Ev Woolpert at ewoolpert@fumc.org.

2023 Poinsettia Sponsors

Click here to view the list of our 2023 Poinsettia Sponsors.

Hearts to Hands

Hearts to Hands is the children’s quarter campaign for our outreach ministry. We have at last determined a safe place to keep it for collections. It will be next to the oak donation box each Sunday.

Please bring in your quarters from the loose change you accumulate during the week! We will be purchasing hand warmers, foot warmers, socks, and anything else warm for our housing insecure. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

A new Ministry of Caring

A “new ministry” of caring is now available to any and all who want to sign cards each Sunday. There is a table set up in the octagon where you are invited to sign a “thinking of you” card. Each week the people who will receive the cards will change. A note of who receives the card will be in front of each card. Just another way to spread the arms of Christ around those who need care and comfort.

New 4 week Bible Study series

The Bible Study group recently began a new 4-week series called, Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent, by Amy-Jill Levine, (a previous lecturer for the Lyons Lecture Series.) The group meets for one hour in the Café outside the chapel on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

If you aren’t part of the current study group but would like to participate for this series, please contact Carol Oliver at carololiver1970@gmail.com so we can be sure to have a book for you.

Make a Difference with our Youngest Christians

Wanted: Sunday school leader for ages 2 and 3!

Due to her school activities, Miss Phoebe is only able to be here on a limited basis. We are looking for someone to consistently be with our youngest students. Lesson are provided but you will take charge of planning your presentation and activities. Please contact Laurie Peterson at your earliest convenience.

Let’s give these little ones a great start to their faith journey!

New Member Introductions; the Events Board

If you have attended worship at First Church for a while, you may know many people, or at least a few of our members. But some very interesting new people have joined our congregation in recent months!

Flower and Coffee Sponsorships

Flower and Coffee sponsorships are now available for all of 2024!

Green Team Times and Terracycle information

Click here for the December issue of the Green Team Times.

Our Terracycle recycling bin is set up and available in the narthex. You can find a current list of items we accept here.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our ministry could not flourish without our many dedicated volunteers. We are so thankful for their work!

We are always accepting volunteers! Sign up for a recurring position, or get started as a new Volunteer with First Church by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form. You may contact Raychelle in the Welcome Center, or Visit Our Volunteer Page here to get involved.

Joys and Concerns

Healing & Sympathy

Condolences to the family of Virginia Jefferds who passed away on December 5, 2023
Prayers for Paul Fritsch who is recovering from back surgery.
Celebrations for the success of surgery for Jim Reynolds.
For the family of Katherine Montgomery grieving her death after 98 years of life.
For Valerie Brown's family grieving the death of her nephew killed in a hunting accident.
For Jim Reynolds.
For Raychelle Freeman.
Sympathy cards for Mary Anne Litwiller can be mailed to her daughter: Anne Marie Streeter 2141 Rinden Rd Cottage Grove, WI 53527

For those battling cancer and long-term aging and illness issues

Mary Ann Litwiller, Shirley Blank, Jan Canty, Melissa Brotz, Kathy Carpenter, Richard Betz
Prayer of thanksgiving for a cancer free diagnosis for Lynne and Jeff Jeffries daughter, Elizabeth.
Karen Wydeven asks for prayers for her brother-in-law, Dick Kopelke who has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Prayers for the World

For those who have been injured, abducted, or killed and for those who have suddenly lost a loved one in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are mourning this Christmas. Speak tenderly to one another. The world is fragile and in need of hope, joy, love and peace.

New Ministry Opportunity: Caring Table

Hope's Home Ministries Community Breakfast Wednesday, 9 to 9:45 AM

Hot Breakfasts are served every Wednesday morning.

Sign up here to help with Wednesday breakfasts. We are always accepting more help. We are in need of volunteers who can donate baked goods to our guests!

This week had 82 guests we served 168 breakfasts and 128 bag lunches

There will be no breakfast on December 27th.

If you would like to drop off some treats, please contact the Welcome Center.

Where I'm from

- written by one of our guests at HHM breakfast-

I am from being spanked on the butt and crying like a baby.

I am from Sun Prairie corn festival, eating sweet corn, going on rides and eating French toast.

I am from getting dirty and playing in the mud.

I am from playing with GI Joes, thinker toys, Lincoln logs, and Hot Wheels.

I am from being a knucklehead, and changing to a grown man.

I am from the Army, be all that you can be.

I am from digging foxholes, setting up camouflage nets and moving through the woods with weapon in combat status.

I am from being homeless, sleeping under the bridge, homeless shelter, camper and tent.

I am from helping and doing favors for people and friends, being taking advantage of and being stabbed in the back.

I am from accomplishing my goals, working, going to school and bettering myself.

I am from having a strong back and a week mind.

I am from going from young to old.

I am from having a weaker back and a stronger mind.

I am from doing pushups to retiring from the military.

I am from my favorite music from the Beatles to all the rock and roll from the 60's and 70's.

I am going from living to living and do not look forward to dying.

Greatest Needed Items

Greatest Needed items

Our greatest need items are individually wrapped peanut butter crackers. With the cold weather on its way, we are in need of winter hats and gloves! We appreciate these Gifts in Kind can provide a receipt for your records. Call the church 608.256.9061 to schedule a drop-off time.