Church Office:  firstcon@tds.net

(608) 752-8716

Rev. Wesley Bixby:  firstconpastor@tds.net

Office Hours:  Monday - Thursday    9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.     Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Pastor's Corner

Message from Pastor Wes

"From the Pew to the Cubical: Why Sunday has everything to do with Monday"

On February 22, 2012 we will begin our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday.  Every year around this time as our longing for spring intensifies and our desire to stop breathing the same air in our house increases, as a church we open our whole lives to God.  Lent is the forty days before Easter, not including Sundays. Sundays, even in Lent, are still mini-Easter celebrations because we know the end of the story, we know the truth of the empty tomb.  Too often, these forty days of Lent come with heavy baggage. Stories of people giving things they love (like chocolate) up as a sacrifice to God.  Stories of people fasting in extreme ways.  Stories of guilt.  Stories of the music in church taking a turn toward what can only be described as 'funeral dirge' all culminate and we wonder, "Is this really necessary?"  After all, it is not like there is a lot of positive optimism swirling in the air right now.  To be sure, I think we still need confession as being honest about places we say and do things that don't reflect God's radical, inclusive, expansive love.  On the other hand, God's grace and love are always present to reconcile and redeem us every day, especially in Lent.

This year, as a way of emphasizing that how we live and share God's love is vital beyond the confines of the church, we will explore the connection between Sunday and Monday.  For too long, people have felt like they have to cross over a long bridge when they step over the threshold of the church doors.  People have felt like they leave their ethical concerns about their jobs and families at the church doors because the language of the prayers and sermon and coffee hour doesn't always take what we carry in our hearts seriously.  

It is my prayer that as we move through the forty days of Lent, people will feel the bridge shorten.  People will feel like what is said on Sunday morning impacts their life, informs their words, and speaks deeply to their hearts in the middle of a meeting on Wednesday afternoon.  There is an opportunity to receive a daily devotional from me if you like.  Please email me: firstconpastor@tds.net and I will put you on the list.  This devotional will be created day by day as we live into Lent. However, at the end of the week I am glad to print a copy for you of the past week's reflections so you can read a paper copy. Please consider being a part of our faith community's prayerful attempt to look at the connections of life, work, volunteering, family and faith.  All are welcome here and I hope to see you in church.

God grant you a blessed and holy Lent,

Pastor Wes

608/752-8716 (church)
firstconpastor@tds.net (email)

The Christian Century
(read the latest online edition)

That is why the CENTURY examines issues of politics and culture as well as theology, and that's why it pays attention to the challenges of faith that arise in our everyday lives as parents, friends, spouses and citizens.

We also think that faith is nurtured in community--that's why we care about handing down the rich practices of the Christian tradition as lived out in congregations and denominations."

["Our Mission" from the Christian Century web site]

Sojourners
(read the latest online edition)

In response to this call, we offer a vision for faith in public life by:

• publishing Sojourners magazine, Sojo Mail and other resources that address issues of faith, politics, and culture from a biblical perspective;
• preaching, teaching, organizing, and public witness;
• nurturing community by bringing together people from the various traditions and streams of the church;
• hosting an annual program of voluntary service for education, ministry, and discipleship.

In our lives and in our work, we seek to be guided by the biblical principles of justice, mercy, and humility."

[Mission from the Sojourners web site]