Happy New Year!

Please join us for worship.. .

Sunday, January 8

On this Baptism of our Lord Sunday we will celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School, Youth Forum, and Donuts & Dialogue will resume at 9:40 a.m. At Donuts & Dialogue we will hear from members Patty Aker, Wade Botsford and George Dippold about their experiences with the Red Cross hurricane relief efforts this past fall.

Sunday, January 15

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. on this Second Sunday after Epiphany. Donuts & Dialogue will begin a new series called “With the Whole Church: A Study Guide for Renewing Worship.”

A Word from our Pastor: What’s In a Name?

In William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks the now-famous question, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.” She is telling her lover, Romeo, that a name is artificial and meaningless, that it should not doom their relationship just because their families are at war. Romeo and Juliet love each other for who they are as individuals, not for the name that they carry because of blood.

In the Christian faith, however, a name holds a very important meaning. We are commanded in the Old Testament not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Throughout the Bible people’s names are changed in order to better reflect their character. Abram became Abraham which means “the father of many.” Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter which means “the rock,” for it was upon Peter that Jesus would build His church. In the Bible, a name is as important as the person.

The new year will begin with a Sunday called “The Name of Jesus,” illustrating the importance of our names. Jesus’ name was given by the angel Gabriel before he was even conceived and it means, “Savior.” His name itself describes who Jesus would become, what Jesus would do, that is, save people from their sins. His name also holds power. When we pray, we pray in Jesus’ name, assuring us that God will hear our prayers. When we begin our worship services, we begin in the name of Jesus Christ, affirming His presence with us and with all that we do in our time together as the church.

Each one of us who has been baptized was baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Through those words we become part of God’s family, members of the body of Christ, and we carry Jesus’ name with us throughout our lives. This is incredibly good news in that, if we carry Jesus’ name we also carry Jesus’ promise of salvation! So as we gather together as a community of faith in this new year, may God bless us with God’s answer to the question, “What’s in a name?” Life, Light, and Salvation for all who believe! Pastor Gail

Annual Meeting - Part II

The second part of the annual meeting of our congregation will take place on Sunday, January 29, at 9:40 a.m. in the Genszler Room. The purpose of the meeting will be to adopt a budget for 2006. Reports from the ministry committees will be available. Your attendance as a voting member is most important!

Donuts & Dialogue

Red Cross Hurricane Relief Presentation

On Sunday, January 8, three members of our congregation will give a presentation about their experiences with the Red Cross relief effort after Hurricane Katrina this past fall. Join us between worship services for this insider’s perspective on the ministry the Red Cross provided for people displaced by this natural disaster.

On January 15 we will begin a new study which the ELCA developed as part of the process towards producing a new hymnal. This study, entitled, “With the Whole Church,” will deepen our understanding of the biblical basis of worship, help us discover how worship forms us in faith, and explore the relationship between worship and God’s mission in the world. Please join us for this important church-wide process as we move towards having a new hymnal for use in worship.

January 8: Red Cross Hurricane Relief

January 15: Renewing Worship

January 22: Renewing Worship

January 29: Annual Meeting, Part 2 - No Donuts & Dialogue

We offer our Christian love to the family of Ron and Emma Tipple at the death of their nephew who was killed in Iraq.

Crossways Camping Retreats

Register now for the Crossways Camping Ministries annual Men’s Retreat on February 3-5 at Imago Dei Village. During this weekend participants will explore their own faith journeys as they hear the faith journey of one man who grew up as an adopted black son in a pastor’s home in Communist East Germany.

Crossways is also holding its first Art and FaithRetreat for those who want to explore their faith through the visual arts. From February 24-26, participants will discover ways to connect faith and the arts through art instruction and faith-based discussions.

Visit www.CrosswaysCamps.org for registration information for both of these retreats.

Parents Night Out

Does a movie or a dinner out without the kids sound appealing to you? Parents’ Night Out will be offered again on January 21 to the families of First United. Youth volunteers of the congregation will be available (along with adult supervision) to care for your children from 5:30-9:00 p.m. on that Saturday evening. Pre-registration for this event is required. Registration forms can be picked up in the office, or on several bulletin boards throughout the church. A free-will offering will go towards the children and youth programs here at First United. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Gorges at 452-2401.

Great Beginnings: WE CARE

Please help support our preschool by enrolling in the WE CARE program sponsored by Pick & Save, by simply shopping. All you need do is sign up for a WE CARE card and ask to have Great Beginnings designated as your organization. If you already have a card, stop by the Customer Service Desk and have Great Beginnings added. The Great Beginnings number is: 292900.

Good News Deadline

The next deadline for Good News articles is Monday, January 9. This issue will be in homes on Wednesday, January 18. Thank you!

Soup Luncheon

All VILs and guests are invited for Pastor Truby’s famous soup and bread on Monday, January 23, at 12:00 noon, in fellowship hall, complete with beverages and desserts. Following lunch we’ll all enjoy the movie, “March of the Penguins.” If you need a ride, be sure to call the church office and we’ll arrange a ride for you. And please call the church office for reservations so that Pastor Truby has an idea as to how much soup he needs to prepare!

Help Is Needed at Bridgeway

We are in need of two volunteers on Saturday, January 7, and Tuesday, February 7, to help prepare an evening meal at Bridgeway, a transitional housing facility for women with children. Bridgeway is located at 1251 Geele Avenue, and is run by the Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO). First United is a member of SCIO, and has agreed to help with their evening meal program on the seventh of every month. This may include helping the moms prepare, serve and clean up the evening meal, or it might be playing with the children so the moms can make dinner. The food is provided by Bridgeway, and the volunteers are invited and asked to stay for dinner to eat with the family. Can you help? Please sign up on the kiosk or call the office (452-2401). Thank you!

Congregation Council: Election of Officers

Congratulations to the following officers who will lead the Congregation Council for 2006: President - Cathy Britton; Vice-President - Jon Bemis; Secretary - Eric Stuart; Treasurer - Jim Maxon. Council officers will be installed at both services on Sunday, January 8.

Adopt-a-Chair

The choirs of First United need new chairs! The cost is $80 for each chair, and we need a total of 50 chairs. If you are willing to “adopt” one, please make your check payable to First United. Thank you!

Monday Night Books

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Seen the movie? Now read the book! Monday Night Books will meet on February 6 at 6:30 PM in order to discuss C.S. Lewis’ classic, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” We will focus on the Christian themes in the book and perhaps make some comparisons to the movie during our conversation. All ages are welcome to attend this special session of Monday Night Books. A book description and sign-up sheet are on the kiosk in the gathering area.

All Committee Night

Attention Committee Chairpeople

All chairpersons of the various committees of First United are asked to please have their annual reports to Debbie in the church office by NO LATER than January 10, following All Committee Night which meets on Monday, January 9. All are encouraged to come and get involved in the leadership of First United. The evening begins with dinner at 6:15 p.m. in the gathering area. After dinner, the various committees will meet.

Do You Knit or Crochet?

Join the Holy Knitters from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Room 8 on Monday, January 9! Because of recent donations, there is yarn available for anyone interested in making a prayer shawl or lap blanket. Take time to relax and knit (or crochet) with friends, and then stay for the All Committee night dinner that is served in the Gathering area at 6:15!

If you know of someone in need of a prayer shawl or lap blanket, please contact Deaconess Deb. Thank you!

Sheboygan Area Lutheran Singles

The January 2006 calendar for the Sheboygan Area Lutheran Singles is available at the kiosk in the Gathering Area. This group exists to support Christian singles of all denominations and includes those who are widowed or divorced. Questions? Call 457-6336 or 458-6605.

Sunday School Teachers Meeting

The Guardian Angels and traditional Sunday School teachers will meet again on Thursday, January 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Genszler Room, for those who could not attend the first meeting.