This historical page lists past sermon topics and events for the First Congregational Church of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which previously appeared on the old ForMinistry.com Co-Pastors' Page.
          Past Anthems of the Chancel Choir - Search all FCC pages

May 5, 2002

April 28, 2002

April 21, 2002

April 14, 2002

April 7, 2002

March 31, 2002

March 24, 2002

March 17, 2002

March 10, 2002

March 3, 2002

February 24, 2002

February 17, 2002

February 10, 2002

February 3, 2002

January 27, 2002

January 20, 2002

January 13, 2002

January 6, 2002

December 30, 2001

December 23, 2001

December 16, 2001

December 9, 2001

December 2, 2001

November 25, 2001

November 18, 2001

November 11, 2001

November 4, 2001

          Rev. Tom Richard, Executive Secretary of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, will be our guest preacher today, leading us to the Table of the Lord.

October 28, 2001

          Consecration Sunday! A Dixieland Jazz group will lead us in joyful song. We will also remember those who have passed from our midst to the next world, giving thanks for their lives and many gifts to us. A great Celebration Luncheon will follow the service.

October 21, 2001

          Our various ministry groups will be telling us about their work, and how our money pooled together allows us to accomplish much not just here but around the world. Jeremiah will tell us about stewardship of the heart.

October 14, 2001

          Jeremiah's words on making a home in a foreign land lead us into thoughts about how we are to be stewards of God's gifts to us who are strangers in a foreign world. A skit will challenge us to think about stewardship of every kind. And new members will be received too.

October 7, 2001

          On World Communion Sunday our children worship with us the entire hour, and join in the celebration of the Lord's Supper. A guest drummer will help us learn an exciting and uplifting song from South Africa.

September 30, 2001

          Carol will be making a pot in the chancel as Ralph talks about Jeremiah's visit to the potter's shop, and announces a startling message to the nation. Our Third Graders receive their Bibles today too! Sermon: On Clay, and Pots, and the Glory of God

September 23, 2001

          The Missions: Experiences at each of the Mission Ministries: Urban Homeworks, Oasis of Love, Streetlight Ministries, Redeemer Residence, AIDS Shelter

September 16, 2001

          Reflections: On the Week Just Past and the Weeks to Come

September 9, 2001

          Communion Meditation: When God Comes Calling

September 2, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

August 26, 2001

          9:30 am Worship. Sermon: The Bible and Time Magazine

August 19, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

August 12, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

August 5, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

July 29, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

July 22, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

July 15, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

July 8, 2001

          9:30 am Worship.

July 1, 2001

          9:30 am Worship. Sermon: The Bible and Time Magazine

June 24, 2001

          9:30 am Worship - Sandie Miller, guest Lay Minister - Sermon: Cheetos and Note Cards

June 17, 2001

          9:30 am Worship, Baptism. Sermon: The Bible and Time Magazine . . . Or Maybe Not

June 10, 2001

          9:30 am Worship - guest Minister, Jack Frohn

June 3, 2001

          9:30 am Worship, Communion Sermon: The Bible in One Hand, Time Magazine in the Other (Acts 2:1-21)

May 27, 2001

May 20, 2001

          Sermon: One Thing

May 13, 2001

          Sermon: Sing Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs

May 6, 2001

April 29, 2001

April 22, 2001

April 15, 2001

          Sermon: Wood, Nails and Colored Eggs

April 8, 2001

          Sermon: The Story of the Arrest, Trial and Death of Jesus

April 1, 2001

          Sermon: Journey to Wholeness: The Arts and Spiritual Wholeness

March 25, 2001

March 18, 2001

          Sermon: Journey to Wholeness: Mental and Spiritual Health

March 11, 2001

          Sermon: Journey to Wholeness: Growing Spirituality in God's Creation

March 4, 2001

February 25, 2001

          Sermon: Who Can You Trust These Days

February 18, 2001

          What can we say about life after death? Are we eternal beings, or mere mortals who live out our brief span and then are no more? Sermon: If I Should Die Before I Wake

February 11, 2001

          And just who is this Holy Spirit? We will think together on the Third Person of the Trinity, and what that Person has to do with faithful living. We will have special musical guests from Athens, Georgia: The Georgia Guitar Quartet! Sermon: There's a Ghost in the Church

February 4, 2001

          Who was Jesus, and what is he up to today? The "Generation to Generation Singers" will be leading our music ministry, and we celebrate the Lord's Supper. Sermon: WDJD?

January 28, 2001

          Are we humans nearly divine or fundamentally sinful? What makes us distinctly "human" and how does that effect our relationship with God? Mark Bloedow will be our guest organist today. Sermon: Does Anyone Believe Anything Anymore? Fallen and Can't Get Up?
          After church there will be a potluck dinner, followed by a meeting of the congregation.

January 21, 2001

          "When Good Things Happen to Bad People." If God is good, then why is there so much sorrow and tragedy in the world? Is God to blame . . . or someone else? Sermon: Does Anyone Believe Anything Anymore? When Good Things Happen to Bad People

          On January 14 we begin a sermon series called, "Does Anyone Believe Anything Anymore?" Do Congregationalists believe anything these days? What do we affirm about the Christian faith? Or is a Congregationalist simply someone "who believes whatever they want?" Before we are Congregationalists, we are Christians. And Christians, while they have surely differed widely from one another through the ages, affirm some basic beliefs. But just what are those?

January 14, 2001

          Today we think about the sort of God Christians affirm. Sermon: Does Anyone Believe Anything Anymore? No God? Goddesses? Your God? My God? Good God!

January 7, 2001

          Sermon: What's An Epiphany?

December 31, 2000

Another informal, family service to end the year and look forward to the new year ahead.

December 24, 2000

Christmas Eve! In the morning we will have an informal worship time, singing carols and listening to a Christmas story. In the evening you may come at 5:00 for a family-oriented candlelight service, or at 7:30 for a traditional service of lessons and carols, ending with all joining in the ringing of bells in candlelight.

December 17, 2000

Today, the third Sunday of Advent, our children lead us in worship, presenting a pageant that tells us the simple story of the coming of Jesus at Bethlehem.

December 10, 2000

On this second Sunday of Advent, our Chancel Choir, led by Joanne Peterson, will be presenting several special anthems for the Christmas season.

December 3, 2000

This is the first Sunday of Advent, and we will begin our wait for Christmas by celebrating Communion together. Our theme for the day: Joy!

December 2, 2000

All ages gather this morning for a pot-luck breakfast, followed by the annual "Hanging of the Greens," as we decorate our church for the Advent season.

November 26, 2000

The subject today is the biblical figure Ruth, as we prepare for Advent the following Sunday. A baptism will be celebrated during the service as well.

November 19, 2000 - 3:30 pm

We will be hosting a presentation called The Gift of Planning, with resource persons Rev. Tom Willadsen and Doug Seefeld talking about planning for one's funeral. This is free and open to the public.

November 19, 2000

Nick Hockings, a member of the Lac du Flambeau tribe and popular speaker at schools and churches, will be leading our worship with a native American emphasis.

November 12, 2000

The first of our "Young Preachers" Sundays will feature input from two of our high school students, Renee Gratz and Daniel Riess, speaking on the topic of prayer in public schools. Also, we will receive ten new members into our fellowship.

November 5, 2000

The "Generation to Generation Singers" will be leading us in a new style of music, as we celebrate the Lord's Super and make our financial commitments to the church for the year ahead. A Celebration Luncheon follows the service. Sermon: Dayenu!

October 29, 2000

Sermon: Drawing Outside of the . . . Boat

October 22, 2000

October 15, 2000

Sermon: More Than All We Can Ask or Imagine

October 8, 2000

The theme today is "politics" and faith. In this election year, what principles might guide us as citizens and as committed Christians when we make our political decisions?

October 1, 2000

The story of Esther in the Hebrew Scriptures leads us into the celebration of World Communion Sunday, with all our children present.

September 24, 2000

Today we remember that growing in Christ means growing all our lives long, from our baptism as children, through our last days. This is Christian Education Week, and following the service there is a special reception for our new Director of Religious Education, Jeff Pommerening. We will also be saying "Thank you" to the people who filled that position for a year, and to our departing Jubilee Singers director, Jeff Dyer. Sermon: Learning for Eternity

September 17, 2000

We celebrate and dedicate the many spiritual gifts represented in our church, as we begin our various ministries for the year. Gifts and Talent Coordinator Liz Kaprelian will participate in the service, and the sermon scripture for the morning is Jeremiah 1:4-8. Sermon: The Times They Have A-Changed

September 10, 2000

Church School, Choirs, and the 10:30 worship hour resume today as we begin our year with the theme, Generation to Generation: Sharing God's Blessings This year we are emphasizing our ministry to and with and through our young people. The service includes the celebration of the Lord's Supper, starting the new church year around the sacred Table.

September 3, 2000

Labor in Love, based on Matthew 13:1-9, 18-33

August 27, 2000 - 6:30 pm

A community wide service at this church celebrating all of our teachers as they begin a new year.

August 27, 2000

Table Full of Fools, based on Luke 14:16-24.

August 20, 2000

Keeping On Keeping On, based on Luke 18:1-8 and 11:5-13.

August 13, 2000

Today's parable: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids. (Matthew 25:1-13)

August 6, 2000

The Rev. Eric Burnard, guest preacher, will be preaching a sermon based on some questions that have come from the congregation.

July 30, 2000

Treasure Trove and Priceless Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)

July 23, 2000

The Parables of Jesus: New Wine, New Bottles (Luke 5:29-39)

July 16, 2000

Do the Right Thing (Matthew 7:21-29)

July 9, 2000

The Parables of Jesus: Lazarus in Paradise (Luke 16:19-31)

July 2, 2000

Are You Kidding, Jesus? (Luke 6:1-13)

June 25, 2000

"The Parables of Jesus: A Lesson in Humility" (Matthew 25:31-46)

June 18, 2000

A Parable Turned Inside Out (Luke 10:25-37)

June 11, 2000

"The Parables of Jesus: You Won't Believe This One!" (Matthew 20:1-16)

June 4, 2000

"Let's Be Corinthians" by Guest Minister, Rev. Jack Frohn

May 28, 2000

Memorial Day Weekend. This summer there will be videos for the children in the Video Room, 201, as the adults continue their worship in the sanctuary. Sermon: Let Our Light Shine for All the World to See! by Guest Minister, Rev. Fred R. Trost, Wisconsin Conference Minister, UCC

May 21, 2000

Confirmation Sunday. The Jubilee Singers and Bell Choir will join in celebrating our youth as several confirm the faith for themselves. "I Thank My God Every Time I Remember You"

May 14, 2000

Mothers Day. Today led by Gifts and Talents Coordinator, Liz Kaprelian, we celebrate the many spiritual gifts the members of this faith community have used this past year. The Angel Choir will sing with its usual enthusiastic joy! "Faith of Our Mothers"

May 7, 2000, 3:00 pm

In the afternoon, at 3:00, at Christ Lutheran Church, our church will be participating in the first of a series called The Gift of Planning. The topic today will be end of life directives, and the facilitator is Ann Marshall of our church, and a social worker at Mercy Medical Center.

May 7, 2000

We celebrate the Lords Supper - the first such observance on a Sunday morning since the first Sunday in Lent. "Table Talk"

April 30, 2000

"FCC: Who Are We and Where Are We Going?"

Our Lenten Theme, 2000

"How Can You Give When Your Soul is Empty? Radical Ways to Refuel" - With our church's vision for this year focusing on outreach, we are taking the weeks of Lent to remember the importance of taking care of ourselves, in order to do that outreach. Living the Christian life demands that we balance the inward and outward flows of growth for ourselves and service to others. During Lent we will look at ways of doing that.

April 23, 2000

"He is Risen!" Come and join in singing again glad "alleluias" as we celebrate the triumph of Christ over the grave! Our children of course join in the celebration too, and remain with their families through the service. Come and be inspired by the array of spring flowers, glorious Easter music, and by hearing again the story of the resurrection of Christ our Lord. Sermon: All Will Be Made Alive!

Good Friday, April 21, 2000, 1:00 pm

You are invited to join in an ecumenical Good Friday service at First United Methodist Church (On Linwood Avenue, not far from North High School). Several churches are joining together for this service of readings, music, and meditation. This year in addition to the reading of Scripture and the singing of Lenten hymns, we will be using a number of visual images - artists' interpretation of the events of Good Friday - to encourage and guide our meditation in the silence of this solemn service of remembrance. Child care is available during the service.

Maundy Thursday, April 20, 2000, 7:30 pm

This is a centuries-old traditional "Tenebrae" service in which we remember Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples (we will observe the sacrament of Holy Communion) and then his betrayal, as candles are extinguished one by one, until we are left in darkness.

April 16, 2000, 2:00 pm

Palm Sunday - The story of Christ's arrest, trial, and crucifixion will be movingly and beautifully told through Bach's masterpiece, "The Passion According to St. John," presented by the Oshkosh Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Carl Chapman, with soloists and orhestra. Tickets are $10, and are available through the church office, or at the door.

To prepare for that event, three educational sessions have been scheduled for Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. On April 2nd Ralph DiBiasio-Snyder will look at the scriptural texts; Dr. Chapman will speak about the musical characteristics of the piece April 9th; and Dr. William Urbrock on April 16th will deal with Bach's commentary on the story as seen in the chorales within the work. All are invited to attend!

April 16, 2000

Palm-Passion Sunday is the day we remember both the "triumphal entry" by Jesus into Jerusalem, cheered by the crowds waving palm branches, and also the events that took place later that Holy Week: the arrest, trials, and crucifixion. In the service today we "strip" the chancel, symbolically remembering the betrayal of Jesus, until in the end the chancel is barren of all but a shrouded cross. "The Story of the Arrest, Trial and Death of Jesus"

April 9, 2000

Music is a way in which many of us find renewal for our souls. The Chancel Choir will present several special pieces to help us be renewed by music (Psalm Paraphrases by Jaroslav Vajda, Music by Heinrich Schuetz). "Refueling in Music"

April 2, 2000

The topic today concerns making choices in our lives. Most often our choices are not between "good and evil" but among two, or three, or more "goods." The affluence we enjoy brings us many options, and we often find ourselves exhausted, our lives too full. The decisions are hard ones, but decide we must. "Making Hard Choices"

March 26, 2000

Today will think about "sabbath" - the importance of rest in our lives, and how we might keep sabbath in these busy days. In the afternoon, at 4:30, there will be a service of healing offered for all seeking a time of quiet prayer. Sermon: Radical Ways to Refuel: Keeping Sabbath

March 19, 2000

The theme of the preaching today will be caring for our physical bodies, as an act of worship and obedience to God. Our children will be hearing about the wonderful camp opportunities at Pilgrim Center, Green Lake. "How Can You Give When Your Soul is Empty? Radical Ways to Refuel: Honoring the Body

March 12, 2000

On this first Sunday of Lent, the entire church family will worship together, including the celebration of the Lord's Supper. We'll "box up the alleluias" to be kept until we sing "Alleluia" again on Easter Sunday. "A Story: The Apprentice Juggler"

Wednesday, March 8, 2000

Ash Wednesday Fireside Worship, in the Lounge. This quiet service of reflection begins at 7:00 pm, and includes the sharing of ashes to begin the Lenten season.

March 5, 2000

Guest preacher (member of our church, and UW Oshkosh Professor of Religion) Bill Urbrock will be bringing the sermon today as pastors Carol and Ralph are out of town. "Shining Moments"

February 27, 2000

Ralph goes "out on a limb" in a sermon called "Born Again ... and Again and Again". The topic is how our "mainline" Protestant church compares to more "fundamental" or "evangelical" churches theologically and socially, and what we might learn from more conservative churches, and they from us. A sermon feedback time will follow. Sermon: Out on a Limb: Born Again. . . and Again. . . and Again

February 20, 2000

An abbreviated worship service will allow us to begin finding our Vision for the year ahead. All are encouraged to participate as we together seek God's will for us. "What Next?"

February 13, 2000

Join us for "Friendship Sunday" and bring along a friend! We celebrate the joys of friendship today, and extend the church's hospitality especially to those who may not have a church home. We will close the service by celebrating the Lord's Supper. "You've Got a Friend"

February 6, 2000

Guest preacher (and member of our church) Reverend Jack Frohn will be bringing the sermon today as pastors Carol and Ralph are out of town. "Why Do They Respond Like That?"

January 30, 2000

Carol will be telling us the story of the woman with the alabaster jar, found in Luke 7. The church school is also learning this moving story during these weeks. "Dear Miriam" We will be singing our new processional hymn, Rise Up and Sing! On this "Souper Sunday", please bring a food item to donate to the Food Pantry, and $1 to go toward hunger relief. Souper Sunday sponsored by our youth and the Benevolence Committee.

January 23, 2000

"The Once and Future Church, Part 2"

January 16, 2000

"The Once and Future Church, Part One"

January 9, 2000

"Top Story", by guest Minister, The Reverend Alan McCain

January 2, 2000

"Behold, I Make All Things New!"