Alan "Mick" McCain, ordained to the UCC ministry in our sanctuary August of 1967, will be our guest worship leader.  Retired now, and living most of the year in Turkey, Mick will bring the sermon, and lead in Communion with Ralph and Carol.  To prepare, be thinking about what "reverence" means to you, and what Mary's song in Luke 1 could mean for us today.

In Our Prayers:

Our prayers are with Ted Wojahn and his family as they grieve the passing of Ted's father this past Monday.  Plans for a service in Waupun are pending.

Nancy Norgord, recovering from a hip replacement at Evergreen.

Tom Heft as he is in treatment for cancer.

Joel Schneider recovering from surgery.

Russ Zajicek and family whose parents are having health issues.

Dennis Schlaak who is having surgery today.

TONIGHT, at 7:00, come to meet Lisa Cortes, a founder of Mazahua Mission, Mexico.  Our youth mission team is going there next June, and this is a great opportunity to meet Lisa and hear about their work.   This will be the fourth time a team from FCC has gone down to Mazahua.  Just last month, the Benevolence MG sent $3000 to support the mission.  With Lisa will be her son, Yoshi, and Norberto's sister, Elizabeth.   All are welcome!

Life Long Learning this SUNDAY December 4th (for real this time)

9:00-9:45

   DAY BY DAY WARMING SHELTER

    Presenter: Tina Haffeman

The Day by Day warming shelter opened last month and Tina Haffeman will be here to give us an update on how things are going so far, the things they’ve experienced and what needs they still have as winter gets ready to roll into Wisconsin and the Fox Valley.

HANGING OF THE GREENS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Following the worship service there will be a potluck meal in Fellowship Hall (please bring a dish to pass) and then we will decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas with our traditional Hanging of the Greens.  The congregation is urged to participate – it is a wonderful event for the entire family!

Join us in any of the following activities:  Setting up for the potluck meal; decorating trees; creating and installing pew swags; hanging garlands; crafts with children; child care; cleaning up following the potluck meal; etc.  Afterwards we gather in the choir loft and sing carols. 

Please plan to attend for a very memorable experience.

First Tuesdays Concert . . .

This Coming Tuesday!

The Encore! Handbell Ensemble will fill the sanctuary with the joyous sounds of Christmas, at noon this Tuesday!  Come and enjoy the music, and then join the crowds going downstairs for a delicious luncheon, prepared and served by our great luncheon team.  That team is always welcoming of new helpers:  just come to the kitchen Monday morning, or Tuesday morning.  The clean-up crew needs help until about 2:00.  Come join us!

December Tidings is completed and online. You can see it and print a copy of the December calendar if you  click here.  See the right hand column and click on December 2011. Below the November 2011 tidings (which is still availble on line) you will see the link for the calendar.

Day by Day Warming Shelter Donation Box for Christmas bags

ANNUAL TEEN TINSEL GIFT TREE

We kicked off our annual Teen Tinsel Tree gift project on Sunday, November 6.  Teens who are at-risk or from very low income families are often overlooked by holiday assistance programs. We’re inviting our congregation to help brighten the winter holidays for these teens by filling a stocking.  Handmade Christmas stockings, donated by the Senior Center Wisconsin Warmer Quilters, will be available in the Narthex for you to “check-out and fill-up”.  Donations will be due back by December 4.  Cash donations are also welcome. For more information contact Dorry Wilner, 236-5714.

Christmas Caroling for All Ages

Sunday, December 11th

After Church

Singers of all ages and abilities, join us for Christmas caroling to homebound members.  We will meet on Sunday, December 11 after church to eat a quick lunch.  Then go off and sing to folks who can’t make it to church very often.

 Help brighten the holiday season for those who no longer find it easy to get to church.    The more singers we have the better we sound and the more folks we will be able to sing to, so please join us if you are able for this fun inter-generational event

Becky Gratz

Becky has attended First Congregational Church since she moved to Oshkosh at the age of 16. Her mother had actually grown up in the Episcopal church across the street from FCC, but her aunt was an FCC member and introduced Becky to the church and its congregation. She can’t recall for certain when she formally joined the FCC family, but remembers her reason for doing so was to become a supportive member of a congregation that both sustained and inspired her on her faith journey.

During her time at FCC, Becky has had countless happy and memorable experiences. But the one at the top of the list, she says, was experiencing her oldest daughter’s wedding in our beautiful sanctuary in what she describes as a “breathtakingly moving ceremony.” But she also loves the inspiring group of people that make up the church, and the worship services with meaningful sermons and glorious music.

A retired early childhood special education teacher from the Oshkosh Area School District, Becky still does substitute teaching in the district, as needed. She also brings her teaching skills and love of children into the FCC community by sharing the responsibility of leading the Ready for Worship class for preschoolers thru 2nd grade students. She loves listening to and getting to know the children, and seeing them grow and develop.  Among Becky’s other involvements at FCC, she serves on the New Member Development Ministry Group and the communion team, as well as frequently serving as a greeter and doing other things to volunteer at the church.

Married with two grown daughters, one son-in-law, a baby granddaughter and two orange cats in her immediate family, Becky enjoys walking, biking, playing tennis, doing Yoga, reading, and helping with gardening projects through the master gardening group in her spare time.

ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS!

Order due date extended to Sunday December 4th!

This year we are again taking donations for general Christmas decorations. You may donate money (any amount you decide) which will be used to purchase poinsettias, wreaths and garlands. Your donation may be IN MEMORY OF or IN HONOR OF someone. These remembrances will be listed in the bulletin. If you would like to take a poinsettia home, you may do so after the 7:30 Christmas Eve worship service.

click here.

3-5 Grade and Middle School Youth Group:

We are having a mini-lock in.  Join us Friday, December 2 from 5 – 9.  We will eat supper and then be creative.  We’ll be making Christmas gifts for the adults in your life.  The gifts will include coaster, tie dye and other cool stuff.   We’ll also have time for a game or two.   Hope you can join us.  Friends are welcome.    

GALLERY WALK EVENT

The cookbook committee will be featured at the December Gallery Walk at Apple Blossom Books on Saturday, December 3rd.  We will be serving refreshments made from recipes in the cookbook to entice buyers.  Stop in and see us if you are participating in Gallery Walk.