November 30, 2003
First in faith, freedom, fellowship, and Wauwatosa
It Is More Blessed to Give Than Receive
Each Advent/Christmas season at First Congregational Church, we are blessed with an abundance of superb music, and 2003 will not disappoint all those who look forward to that. To begin, in addition to the roving carvers serving your choice of roast beef or goose tableside, the Olde English Christmas Dinner will feature a barber shop quartet with FCC member, Jim LaBelle (bass). Other quartet members include: Rick Van Gomple- lead, Dan Fenske-baritone, and Dan Doerr-tenor. This quartet is comprised of members of the Midwest Vocal Express Barbershop Chorus, an internationally awarded organization. The quartet will share their love of the barbershop style of singing through both sacred and secular Christmas pieces, and a regular MVE (Midwest Vocal Express) song a sampling from the group's annual holiday show. This 30-minute show will most certainly enhance the evening, as well as the worship services on December 7, where they'll also be singing. Make your dinner and childcare reservations no later than noon on November 30th. Adult cost is $8.00, children under 12 are $3.00.
On December 6, our combined choirs will join with the choirs from St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church to sing with the Concord Chamber Orchestra conducted by Janet Millard. The concert will be held at St. Josaphat's Basilica at 8:00 p.m. Half-price tickets will be available for purchase at the church office through November 26. Their cost is $8/front section and $5/rear section. Regular price tickets will be available at the door the night of the performance. The traditional Christmas Concert by our choirs will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 14. This concert features not only the combined choirs, but the Jubilation Ringers and Children's Choir, as well.
Finally, on December 22, the 4th Sunday of Advent, we will enjoy the "Lessons and Carols" Worship Service. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was developed in the latter part of the nineteenth century by Archbishop Benson for use in King's College Chapel, Cambridge University. It was designed as a way to draw "town and gown" together and, traditionally, has representatives from the college and the town taking part in the service. The structure of the service is very simple. It consists of a processional hymn followed by a "bidding prayer" -- so called because it bids the hearers to enter into prayer for various people -- and the Lord's Prayer. The service continues with nine lessons or readings from the Scripture that lead us through the story of salvation, from Genesis to the coming of the Christ. Carols or other musical pieces follow each reading and emphasize the message of the preceding lesson. The service concludes with the collect prayer for Christmas and a blessing. Traditionally a Christmas Eve service, we have held the service here at First Church on the Fourth Sunday of Advent for the last two years and will do so again this year.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
"Seeing is Believing" or was that "Believing IS Seeing"? Either way we're seeing how the people of First Church believe in what's happening in our "Life at First." At the time this article was submitted, the average pledge for 2004 is about 20 percent higher than the 2003 average pledge! All I can say to that is thank YOU and thank GOD! We are hoping those pledges not yet received will reflect this same effort and commitment.
"Stewardship" is taking on a greater meaning here at First Congregational Church. This year's Stewardship Board introduced "Life at First" and "Cost of Living" through items in our newsletters. "Life at First" reminds our members of the value that our church brings to our members and the world around us. "Cost of Living" is an educational tool to let people know that it costs money to run our church and to provide programs and services that make a difference. "Life at First" is value we receive in exchange for the "Cost of Living" investment we make. I'm confident that "Life at First" will always justify the investments needed to stay well ahead of our "Cost of Living."
The Stewardship Board has been an energized and collaborative group. I'd like to recognize and thank Butch Boyd, Harry Holz, Doug Jacobson, Mark Lemke, and Nick Sgarlata for their commitment and can-do attitude. Special thanks to Cindy Payette for her dedicated support, and to Rod Schmidt, Ddg Wakefield, Barb and Ruth Dunham, the PFers, the wives of our board members, and everyone else who helped to make our Commitment Sunday Brunch such a success. In addition to the Commitment Sunday brunch, board members have given direction to the form of the Stewardship appeal, drafted and edited letters, and made follow-up phone calls. This board meets once a month throughout the year and twice a month September through November. Additionally, the board works in tandem with the Budget and Finance Committee.
It is said that "seeing is believing." But don't tell that to the blind man from Bethsaida to whom Steve referred in a recent sermon. Though blind, this man's faith enabled him to believe in Jesus and to follow him in support of his work. From a stewardship standpoint, your faith manifests itself when you get involved in the church, give of your talents, and make a financial commitment that shows that you put God and his work first in your life that's when "Believing IS Seeing."
If the blind man from Bethsaida was here among us today, I'm certain that his faith would enable him to SEE "Life at First" and he would step up to pledge everything he could to support our "Cost of Living." Thank you to all of you who have done the same. n
Marc Blazich, Chairperson Board of Christian Stewardship
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel!" The memory of Thanksgiving's abundant dinner isn't allowed to linger very long before the smell of the greens delicately scents the meeting house. The first Sunday of Advent arrives on November 30 this year and with it one of the more misunderstood times of the Christian year. For most people Christmas has been in the air for weeks and everywhere I get a living reminder of the world in which we live. As Julie and I drove home the other evening we noted decorations for everything from Halloween to Christmas. I guess my colleague and friend, Rev. Karl Schimpf, is correct in dubbing this new season 'HallowThankMass'! The Church, as it always has, stands in the middle of the commercial holiday 'desert' and calls out the real 'reason for the season': the Lord Jesus. In the midst of frenetic holiday preparations and celebrations our faith calls us back to the center, to the peace "beyond human understanding," and the hope of reconciliation which came into our world when God spoke his Word into our flesh.
Advent is a season designed to call us to our beginnings as we learn again of God's lavish compassion and mercy. We begin to understand a bit of Israel's anxious waiting for the 'day of the Lord.' And we experience afresh the tension of the "already, but not yet" of that day which we believe has arrived and yet still waits fulfillment. The Scriptures we read and the songs we sing point to the Lord's coming. After our waiting is fulfilled in the celebration of Christmas, we shouldn't let it be over in a day. Rather, we should rejoice in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" until the Lord's Epiphany even if the rest of the world is already getting ready for Valentine's Day!
One of the ways we can begin to recover the faith roots of this season is to appreciate and celebrate some of its parts. For example, Saint Nicholas is traditionally remembered on December 6. "Jolly old Saint Nick," a.k.a. Santa Claus (because early New Yorkers had difficulty in understanding their Dutch neighbors), began life simply as Nicholas the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. We know very little of his life, save that he lived sometime in the late third and early fourth century. He was imprisoned during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, though he was later released and some say he was at the Council of Nicea (311), though historians consider this highly unlikely. Nicholas is remembered for his great kindness and generosity. He is reported to have rescued three young boys from certain death and three girls from being "sold into degradation." It is very likely that these stories helped to fuel the tradition of giving gifts on his 'feast day,' which then grew into the gift giving we now do at Christmas time.
Bear with me for a moment as I try to reconstruct a story I once heard about the traditional gifts for Saint Nicholas Day: oranges, apples, nuts, and candy. Oranges were very rare in Northern Europe and came only at certain times of the year. Their bright orange skin reminded people of the sun and in the cold, dark time of winter the promise of the sun's greater warmth was welcomed. In the same way that the sun brought warmth, light and growth, so too did the Son whom Nicholas preached. So the simple orange became a reminder of Jesus, the Light of the World. Nuts were tasty and stored easily. The people watched the squirrels as they prepared for the long, cold winter and remarked how wise they were. So nuts became associated with wisdom; just as Wise Men from the East had sought the Christ child. Apples were among the few fruits that could be stored without preserving and were an important source of food. When the people looked at the apple's red skin and the pure white of the fruit they were reminded of the blood of the martyrs and the innocence of their faith. Sugar was a rare commodity in medieval Europe; honey was the most common sweet. Thus, candy was a great treat and the sign of someone's wealth. Candy, then, reminded the people that the "Lord is sweet" and that faith was a great treasure. The candy cane itself is shaped like a shepherd's crook, which bishops carry to show they are shepherds of the Lord's flock. So light, wisdom, innocence, and treasure are the gifts we should give on Nicholas' day, just as he gave them every time he preached the Lord's goodness. And when we see Santa Claus, let's remember who he really is and what this whole season is really about: God's gift of Love to us. "Rejoice! Rejoice! . . . Emanuel shall come to thee . "
With a prayer for a blessed Advent and Christmastide, I remain:
Yours in the Lord's service,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Minister
Judy Connor - Judy is a resident of West Allis and has an infant daughter, Shannon. She is a Systems Analyst with Northwestern Mutual Life and found out about our church through the phone book and our website. She is interested in study groups and women's activities.
Jeff & Laura Gray - Jeff & Laura reside in Wauwatosa and are the parents of two boys. Jonathan is a 5th grader and Paul is a 3rd grader. Laura is a Psychotherapist and Jeff is a Health Care Consultant. Carrie Sgarlata introduced them to our church.
Jobie Heebner - Jobie resides in Wauwatosa and has grown children. She works in technical support for Metavante. Interested in women's fellowship and senior activities, Jobie felt First Congregational was a good match when she was searching for a church.
Rebecca Haefner - Rebecca resides in Wauwatosa with her daughter Emily who is in 4th grade. Rebecca is an Anesthesiologist at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee. She discovered our church while exploring the neighborhood.
Doug & Becky Peacock - Doug & Becky recently moved back to the Wauwatosa area, closer to Becky's parents, Maurie & Susie Daigneau. They have one daughter, Grace who is 1 1/2 years old. Becky is a homemaker and is involved in Hug-a-Tot at Congregational Home. Doug is an online Marketing Manager with M&I Bank.
Photos by Kevin Miyazaki
December 7
"What your Sunday School Teacher didn't tell you about the Bible"
Phil Landis
December 14
"Education for the Common Good:
A panel discussion by Educators in the Church"
Margaret Daigneau, Mary Lou Schowalter, Roxanne Trump-Miles
December 21
"How would the Apostle Paul Celebrate Christmas?"
Dan Schowalter
(no class December 28)
If it is done unto the least of them, it is done unto me.
Christmas is a time of giving. We, as a congregation and as individuals, are very blest. Now it is our turn to give back. The Board of Benevolences has designated three recipients for the Christmas offering.
The Ministerial Aid and Enrichment Fund: This fund is a non-endowed fund that makes possible emergency grants to any Congregational minister facing some overwhelming financial crisis. Many of our clergy live on modest incomes and have limited health insurance. When they are faced with large and unexpected expenses, they often turn to this fund. It is vital we support this fund so that we are able to strengthen and support the lives and ministries of our ordained clergy.
The Milwaukee Rescue Mission: The Mission was begun in 1893 with a three-fold purpose: 1) to win the lost to Christ, 2) to edify believers in Christ, and 3) to meet physical and spiritual needs. Initially the Mission only served men, but in 1991 the Mission began to serve women and their dependent children also. Their current vision is to provide life-changing direction to the people to whom the Mission ministers. To that end, our goal for the Christmas offering is to be able to help the Mission by sponsoring families that will be on their long-term (6 month) program. The long-term program houses families and works with them on life skills, spiritual development, and job opportunities. The average family includes a mother and 2 to 3 children and the cost is about $4500 per family. In addition, we would like to contribute to the furnishing of a family room (beds, dressers, etc.) which involves about $3000 per room.
The Nehemiah Project: The third beneficiary is the Nehemiah Project, a not-for-profit corporation created in 1996. The Nehemiah Project runs two group homes in Milwaukee's inner city, each of which can accommodate eight boys, ages 13-18. Following referral from social service agencies, the Project helps these youths to adjust back into the community. The homes maintain a nurturing atmosphere and provide counseling, education and job placement, and life skills training. Over the last five years more than 400 boys have graduated from these programs. Both Dr. Peay and Bill Donaldson were impressed with the work going on at the home on 25th and Vliet during a visit in late October.
Won't you prayerfully consider a generous gift to our Christmas offering as you do your Christmas "giving"?
Spooks' Night Out
Thanks to everyone who attended this year's Spooks' Night Out. It was a wonderful fellowship activity for all family members. Kids of all ages enjoyed games, treats and prizes. The cakewalk was a huge hit as the children tried to claim the best treats. It was fun to see all the creative costumes this year. A special thanks, too, to all the PF members and adults who helped to make this event such a great success. We are already looking forward to next year...start planning those costumes now!
Mission Mazahua
On Saturday, December 27, 16 of our youth and adults, along with 7 members from North Shore Congregational Church and 2 other individuals will head to Mission Mazahua in Mexico. Mission Mazahua is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Mexico City, in the central highlands of Mexico. The Hacienda of Tepetitlan is the home of Mission Mazahua. It is located at the hub of the region occupied by the Mazahua Indians.
Mission Mazahua supports Pastoral Ministries Community Transformation Talitha Cumi (Continuing Education) and Basic Shelter Children's Recreation Center Christian Camp & Retreat Center
Many opportunities exist at the mission for volunteers.These joint mission projects provide volunteers not only with a rewarding mission ministry experience, but also a time of fellowship with the Mazahuan people and Congregationalists from other areas of the United States. The central emphasis at Mission Mazahua is upon a strategy known as "wholistic transformation." The goal of the mission is to address the needs of the whole person by seeking to touch the social, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person's life. All of this is done in the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Watch for a report upon the team's return!
Members reflect on the 150th year celebration...
"I thought it was a beautiful service. Very well done. Looking out the two large windows on either side of lectern/pulpit was a peaceful scene, conducive to quiet reflection and prayer." J. Fred Rennebohm
"We MUST do this again!" Eugenia Jacobus
"We rededicated the building by using it for its original purpose....and discovered that it's still a wonderful worship space!" Rev. Steve Peay
"I thought the service was great...am really enjoying the month
of services with traditional hymns and liturgy. It really gives us a sense
of our heritage to worship as our forefathers did." Nancy Fisher
Christmas Workshop will be held Sunday December 7, from 3:00 til 5:30. Children of all ages are invited to attend. Bring your friends and neighbors too. This year we will be making beaded cross necklaces, beaded book marks, glitter pens, sock snowmen, decoupage plates, painted tile recipe holders, wooly lamb ornaments, wooden soldier ornaments, and much more. Check the display case by the elevator to see everything available along with pricing. Immediately following the crafts, you are invited to attend a pizza dinner in the Social Hall. Cost is $5 for adults $2 for children.
To make sure we don't run out it is extremely important to rsvp to the office by Thursday, December 4th. Stop by the front office or call 258-7375. We are also excited that our intern Carrie Kreps will be entertaining diners with a Christmas-theme clown presentation. Please join us for part or all of this FCC Christmas family tradition and also get a head start on making some Christmas gifts that will be treasured for years to come. For more information or to volunteer your time, please contact Carla Cummings 414-774-4756.
December 7: Second Sunday of Advent
Old Testament Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm/Canticle Luke 1:68-79
New Testament Philippians 1:3-11
Gospel Luke 3:1-6
December 14: Third Sunday of Advent
Old Testament Zephaniah 3:14-20
Psalm/Canticle Isaiah 12:2-6
New Testament Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel Luke 3:7-18
December 21: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Old Testament Micah 5:2-5a
Psalm Psalm 80:1-7
New Testament Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel Luke 1:39-55
December 24: Christmas Eve
Old Testament Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm Psalm 98
New Testament Hebrews 1:1-12
Gospel Luke 2:1-20
December 28: First Sunday after Christmas
Old Testament 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm Psalm 148
New Testament Colossians 3:12-17
Gospel Luke 2:41-52
Bake a treat for ADVENT 'Sweet Treats' Coffee Hour
Sunday, Dec. 7, Social Hall
Cookies, spiced breads, cranberry goodies to celebrate the Christmas season... all baked goods welcome! Please leave them in the kitchen off of the Social Hall prior to the 8:45 service. Kindly include your name on the tray. Advance sign up is appreciated. Call Katy Champman, 262-367-2242 or Val Blazich, 414-771-0431.
Wauwatosa-MacFadyen is holding a program Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. in the church nave. The concert is free and open to the public. "Church Sounds" will feature trumpet, voice, flute, piano, organ, a string quartet and a reader in a varied Christmas program.
St. Vincent Meal Program Needs Your Help! Pam Parker has stepped down as the scheduler for volunteer servers and a replacement is needed. If this is something that interests you, please call Pam at 414-475-0044 to find out what the position entails.
The Retired Men's Club meets December 2, 9:00 a.m. in the Social Hall. Ms. Patrice Petri, Sr. Director of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Center for Education, will present, "Global Education in the 21st Century."
The deadline for submitting articles for the next issue of the Columns is
www.FirstChurchTosa.org
Editor, Beth Linscott
Communications Committee
Mary York - Chairperson, Nancy Fisher,
Barb Dunham, Rod Schmidt, Bill Edens,
Arlette Lindbergh, Bill Edens
*
Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D., Minister
Rev. Steve Godfrey, Associate Minister (Interim)
Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D., Congregational Home Chaplain
Cindy Payette, Administrator
Rani Gusho, Bookkeeper
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Sally Boyle, Secretary
Anne Callen, Office Manager
Charles Nelson, Pres./CEO, Congregational Home, Inc.
*
Congregational Columns (USPS 010-493) is published monthly by The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, 1511 Church St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2593, 414/258-7375. Periodical Postage Paid at Milwaukee, WI 53203-9998. Postmaster: Send address changes to Congregational Columns, 1511 Church St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2593.
Vol. 12, Issue 10
