Please join us for Lenten worship...

Ash Wednesday, March 1

Our Lenten journey begins with worship services at 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 5

On this First Sunday in Lent we will celebrate Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. using the liturgy from Lutheran Book of Worship, Setting 1. The Sanctuary Choir will sing at the 8:30 a.m. service, and special music will be offered at 10:45 a.m. Donuts & Dialogue will continue its look at “Renewing Worship.”

Wednesday, March 8

Worship will be held in the Chapel at 10:30 a.m. and in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. A Soup Supper will be offered at 5:30 p.m. in fellowship hall.

Sunday, March 12

Girl Scout recognition

Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. on this Second Sunday in Lent using the liturgy from With One Voice, featuring the Christus Choir at 8:30 a.m. , and the Sanctuary Choir at 10:45 a.m. Donuts & Dialogue will continue its study on Renewing Worship.

A Word from our Pastor: Beatitudes of Promise

Ash Wednesday is on March 1, beginning the Lenten season of the church year. This year, during our midweek services we will focus on the Beatitudes, as preached by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 5:1-12. The sermons will be in the form of a drama, as a pastor counsels a modern-day parishioner, revealing the words of Jesus’ teaching in a new light. Each service will focus on one of the Beatitudes, applying them to our Lenten journey today. Of course, Holden Evening Prayer will frame our worship services in contemplative song.

While Ash Wednesday begins with the somber words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” the period of Lent actually focuses more on the baptismal font rather than the cross. During Lent we, as the community of faith, are called back to the place where we receive forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, the place where our old, sinful selves were drowned in the waters of baptism and where we were raised up to new life. Lent is not a time to scrunch up our faces and to look somber for forty days. It is, rather, a time, to look forward to Easter, a time when we renew our baptismal vows and celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection.

Lent is a simpler time, a time when the worship space is bare and the music less celebratory. In this way, we can focus more readily on our Lenten journey and on the promises we receive every day through our baptism. It is good for us to come to worship on both Sundays and Wednesdays so that those promises can enter our hearts more frequently and that we may be nurtured on our long road to the empty tomb. Some people also choose to “give up something for Lent” in order to reflect more intentionally on the sacrifices of Jesus. I prefer to add something to my schedule, usually the reading of a devotional book, so that I can be daily reminded of Christ’s promises to us during this Lenten season.

Whatever your Lenten journey may be this year, I hope you will come and worship with us on Sundays and Wednesdays, to hear the Beatitudes of promise, that we are all blessed by Christ Jesus. Pastor Gail

Ash Wednesday Services

Ash Wednesday will be observed here at First United on Wednesday, March 1, with two worship services: one at 10:30 a.m. and the other at 7:00 p.m. Please join us for worship as we enter this season of Lent.

We offer our Christian love to the family of Deb Woodard at the death of her mother.

Lenten Soup Supper clean-up

The 7 th and 8 th grade Confirmation classes have been asked to help with clean-up after each of the Lenten Soup Suppers during Lent. Guides and students need to report to the Fellowship Hall kitchen no later than 6:00 p.m. on the night your group is scheduled.

March 8 Groups 1 & 3 8th Grade Boys & Girls

March 15 Groups 2 & 4 8th Grade Boys & Girls

March 22 Groups 5 & 7 7th Grade Boys & Girls

March 29 (Open Date - Spring Break)

April 5 Groups 6 & 8 7th Grade Boys & Girls

- 9 th Graders - - April 5 - Be there!

Because Ash Wednesday falls on the first Wednesday of the month this year (which would usually cancel out this class), we will instead MEET on this date at 6:45 p.m. So, the information in your handbook is wrong - please mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 5, at 6:45 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Gail.

Good News Deadline

The next deadline for Good News articles is Monday, March 6. This issue will be in homes on Wednesday, March 15. Thank you!

Donuts & Dialogue: Renewing Worship

We continue our study on Renewing Worship during Donuts and Dialogue this month, which is deepening our understanding of the biblical basis of worship. As the ELCA prepares to publish a new hymnal for use in worship at Lutheran churches across the country, this study is also helping us discover how worship forms us in faith and explores the relationship between worship and God’s mission in the world. Come and have your questions answered and learn more about the role of worship in our lives! Even if you missed the earlier sessions, please join us for this important church-wide conversation!

Crossways Camping Ministries

Did you know Crossways Camping Ministries, the Lutheran camping program supported by First United, has opportunities for all ages? Whether you’re a grandmother, a first grader, a father... they have a program for you! Check out their website at www.CrosswaysCamp.org for information about their family camping opportunities, grandparent camping opportunities, or other opportunities for youth camping beyond Confirmation camp! Brochures are also available at the Youth and Family station off the gathering area. Wednesday Lenten special offerings will be designated for Crossways Camping Ministry.

Silly Olympics!

Now that the Olympic Games are over, let’s keep the spirit of fun and competition going with the Silly Winter Olympics here at First United. Kids and their friends are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March 5 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. to participate in our Silly Olympic games. Participants will be placed on teams and compete in some crazy, creative winter contests. Team T-shirts will be provided to all the kids that register (ages 3-10 year olds); 5 th, 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders are welcome to sign-up to help run the games, or be a team captain. Join the fun and bring a friend! The cost is $10 ($20 for families with more than two children). You can sign up at the Youth & Family Station located off the Gathering Area. Questions? Call Mary Gorges at 452-2401.

“Greatest Need” Offerings for March

This month’s “Greatest Need” offerings (indicated on your church envelope) will be directed toward the Household of Faith Fund (HOFF). Your gifts to this fund are used to address financial emergencies for families and individuals in need. Thanks to your generosity, last year more than $6,100 was given to help and support many people in their time of need. Your kind gifts make it possible for the ministry and mission of First United to continue to provide support and service to many.

Watch the church bulletins and Good News for further information throughout the year for special giving opportunities.

VIL Events

On Monday, March 20, the VILs are traveling to Milwaukee to tour the Milwaukee Public Museum ’s special display on St. Peter and the Vatican (the Legacy of the Popes), view an IMAX panoramic journey with Lewis and Clark, and enjoy lunch at the historic Turner Hall. A tour of the Haggerty Museum of Art and a tour of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel will follow lunch. The cost for this exciting tour is $50 per person. And the bus leaves First United at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Please call the church office to reserve your spot!

And on Monday, April 24, you can enjoy a presentation on the history of Sheboygan County given by our County Historian , Bill Wangemann, followed by a brunch in fellowship hall.

We are also taking reservations now for the December 6 Fireside Christmas Show. The cost is $69 per person, which is due to the church office before November 1.

Lenten Worship Continues

The season of Lent continues with two worship services at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel and 6:30 p.m. in the church. Services will be held on the Wednesdays of March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5. And please be sure to join us for the Soup Supper offered each Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. in fellowship hall.

Lenten Soup Suppers

All five of our Lenten worship services will be preceded by a Soup Supper. Soup, prepared by Bill and Pam Gottsacker of City Streets Restaurant, will be served along with rolls and beverages in fellowship hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. Peanut butter and jelly will also be available for the kids. (Assistance is also needed in serving and cleaning up. If you can help, please contact Lee Anne Gilson at 452-2401.)

And if you’d like to share a dessert with those attending, we’d be so grateful! So, please join us for soup during Lent. It’s a marvelous time to share food and fellowship together.

Attendance for

7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Students!

The confirmation students will not meet in large or small groups during the season of Lent (March 1-April 12) but theyare required to attend Wednesday night worship. Attendance will be taken. Ash Wednesday worship is at 7:00 PM on March 1 and worship on the subsequent Wednesdays during Lent begin at 6:30 PM . Please make it a Lenten practice for the whole family to attend worship together on Wednesdays during this season. If your student is unable to attend worship on any of the evenings, please contact the church office so they may be excused. Questions? Contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Holy Communion Preparation

Students in 2nd-4th grades, along with their parents, will prepare for their First Communion on Sunday mornings, March 5, 12, and 19 during the education hour (9:40-10:40 AM). Each class will meet separately with either Pastor Karl, Pastor Gail, or Kori Novicki and will rotate to different classrooms and different instructors on a weekly basis. These preparation classes are required for all students in 2nd-4th grades who wish to receive their First Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 13. The classroom assignments are as follows:

March 5 :

2nd graders in Fellowship Hall with Kori Novicki

3rd graders in the Chapel with Pastor Gail

4th graders in the Sanctuary with Pastor Karl

March 12 :

2nd graders in the Chapel with Pastor Karl

3rd graders in the Sanctuary with Kori Novicki

4th graders in Fellowship Hall with Pastor Gail

March 19 :

2nd graders in the Sanctuary with Pastor Gail

3rd graders in Fellowship Hall with Pastor Karl

4th graders in the Chapel with Kori Novicki

If you have any questions or concerns about Holy Communion preparation, please contact Pastor Gail (452-2401).

Lenten Event Meeting

A Lenten Event planning meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone in the congregation who is interested in helping to plan, organize a mini-drama, or run activity tables for this event. This year’s Lenten Event will be held on Sunday, April 9, during the education hour between services. We are looking for new ideas and also be revisiting things that we have done in the past. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Mary Gorges, or attend this meeting.

Special Offerings for the Lenten Season

A special offering on Ash Wednesday will be designated for “Lutheran Social Services” (LSS). Lutheran Social Services is the social ministry arm of ELCA congregations. Each year, LSS touches the lives of over 100,000 people through a variety of compassionate social services from adoption to counseling to older adult services.

As a non-profit agency, LSS relies on the generous support of churches, corporations, foundations and thousands of individuals to continue its mission. Thanks to your compassion and giving hearts, last year more than $3400 was given to LSS to support its very important services right here in our local community.

Medical Supplies are needed

 “Bread of Healing” is a medical clinic that is organized and run by Cross Lutheran Church , Milwaukee , one of our Partner congregations. This clinic offers free primary medical care to people in the Milwaukee area who can’t afford health insurance. This care includes medical exams, lab tests, and follow-up care. The Bread of Healing Clinic is about 5 years old, and is open 4 half-days a week. It is non-profit; everyone, including the doctors and nurses, volunteer their time and services.

The Bread of Healing Clinic is in need of medical supplies. Please help by donating the following items:

+ Accu-Chek Active Strips (for use with

Accu-Chek diabetic glucose meters)

+ Hydrocortisone Cream

+ Antibiotic Ointment

+ Band-Aids

+ Ace Bandages

+ Gauze Bandages

+ Tylenol

+ Ibuprofen

+ Alcohol Pads

Please check expiration dates, and donate only new items that are in sealed packages. Please bring items during the month of March to the Bread of Healing Display in the Gathering Area. Thank you! - The Social Ministry Committee

Christian Befriending ... It’s So Simple!

When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he said that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12: 28 -31).

Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that God’s work is done only by pastors, or others who are stronger in their faith than we are. We forget that Christ does the selecting, and He chose ordinary people to follow Him.

Befrienders are ordinary people, like you, who have been trained, and who commit time to be available as listening and supportive friends. They provide friendship and love to people who are experiencing any of life’s many transitions by being available through visits, phone calls, and conversations at church, at work or in their homes. All visits are kept strictly confidential. Befrienders often reach out to others through one or two conversations. But some Befrienders have made regular visits to our home-bound members for several years. Befrienders offer a call when they see a need and also respond to formal requests from Pastor Karl, Pastor Gail, or Deaconess Deb. Would you like a Befriender to contact you? Please call Deaconess Deb at 452-2401.

All Committee Night

Plan to attend All Committee Night on Monday, March 13. Dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. in the Gathering Area, after which all committees will hold individual meetings. Anyone interested in getting involved in any of the church committees is encouraged to attend.

Join the Holy Knitters!

This is the perfect time of year to unwind at the end of the day by knitting or crocheting a soft, warm prayer shawl or lap blanket!

If you knit or crochet (or would like to learn how), and enjoy doing things for others, join the Holy Knitters! We meet on the second Monday of every month, and would love to have you join us! Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 13, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. , in Room 8. Because of generous donations from some of our members, we have yarn available, if you need it. Yarn is always needed so that we can continue this important ministry. Each shawl and lap blanket uses three skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn, so financial donations given to the Holy Knitters are very much appreciated.

Please contact Deaconess Deb if you know someone who would benefit from receiving a prayer shawl or lap blanket. Thank you for your support!

Before you leave on Spring Break...

Please check your Worship Responsibility Book to be sure that you are not scheduled while you’re gone! And, if you are, please find a replacement and call the church office before you leave. Thank you!