EVENING BIBLE MINISTRY PROGRAM
Wednesday, February 1, (6 PM — SOUPER PIE SUPPER — Social Hall) 7 PM — Library/Lounge
A new evening Bible Ministry will be starting at First Church on Wednesday, February 1, following a Souper Pie Supper at 6 PM. Pat Reddy will lead this group beginning with Paul's Epistle, Philippians. The group will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, from 7 - 8:30 PM. In February, they will also meet on the 5th Wednesday, the 29th. Materials needed include: a Bible, and an open heart to be able to learn how God's word in this 2,000 year old letter can be relevant to you today in 2012. The study is open to anyone who is interested. Please sign up on the Gathering Table in the Atrium and consider inviting a friend to join you.
CLASSICAL RETREAT
Saturday, February 25, 9 AM in the Lounge
Many people try to go on a retreat once a year. A non-religious retreat might be a half-day at the art museum, or the annual vacation with family, traveling with friends, turkey or deer hunting, or ice fishing. A religious retreat is a combination of communal prayer, talks, optional small group discussion, and a good amount of private prayer time.
The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa is offering a classical retreat on Saturday, February 25, beginning at 9 AM. It is sponsored by the Board of Deacons and Pastor Barry Szymanski, who is a member of the Congregational Society of Classical Retreat Guides. The day will start with morning prayer, then continue with a series of short talks based upon scripture, with ample time for private reflection and prayer.
The entire first and second floor of FCC will be available [with no other activities at the church] so you will be able to find a place to read, think, or pray. It is a ‘quiet day.’ There will be snacks throughout the day, and there will be a silent lunch. It is a time to reflect. To ponder. To just be. While it is a time for devotional silence, that should not be daunting to anyone, nor intimidating, for there will be some activities to break the day, including some optional devotional stretching time [very easy for any age]. February is a month that lends itself to putting oneself in God’s hands for a day.
No gardening.
No hunting.
No real need to shop.
It is either ice fishing or a retreat.
That is February.
Please sign up on the Gathering Table in the Atrium or contact the church office at callena@firstchurchtosa.org.
COLLECTING SODA CAN TABS FOR CHARITY
We're collecting soda can tabs to benefit the
Ronald McDonald House.
Bring the tabs from your soda cans to the
container located in the Children's Library.
GREATER TOSA INTERFAITH NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Greater Tosa Interfaith is a program sponsored by twenty one area congregations. We are in need of volunteers from each congregation and the community to provide services to older adults living in our area who lack the assistance of family, friends, or neighbors.
Volunteer opportunities include:
•Transportation and escort to doctor appointments
•Grocery shopping and banking
•Home visits
•Telephone visits
•Errands
•Minor home chores and repairs
To find out how you can be a helpful volunteer, please call the neighborhood Greater Tosa Interfaith office at 414-453-5750. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the life of our older neighbors and to help them maintain their independence. Assignments can be tailored to fit your time and talents.
RECIPES FROM OUR 2011 CHRISTMAS BRUNCH
Butternut Apple Crisp (Kathy Collis)
•2 lbs. (3 cups) butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes
•2 lbs. Granny Smith apples, cut, peeled, and cubed
Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Roast at 400 degrees, the squash for 40 minutes and the apples for 20 minutes. When this has cooled, combine:
•1/3 cup brown sugar
•1 T lemon zest
•1 t cinnamon
•1/4 t nutmeg
Drizzle over apple/squash mixture.
Crisp topping:
Combine together in a food processor or with forks:
•1 cup flour
•1 cup oats
•1/2 cup brown sugar
•6 T cold butter, cubed
Pour over apple/squash mixture and sprinkle with 1/2 cup slivered almonds. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.
Oven Scrambled Eggs (Sharon Raymond) Serves 6 - 8
•12 eggs
•1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
•1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
•6 slices medium firm white bread, no crust, cubed
•Milk, enough to cover bread
Soak bread in milk. Beat eggs, fold bread in while eggs are still quite liquid. In buttered 9 x 13" dish arrange a layer of eggs, bacon, and cheese. Refrigerate over night. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Spinach Cheese Strata (Jane Boyd)
•1 cup chopped onion
•2 T butter
•1 10 oz. pkg. frozen spinach, drained
•1 cup Wheat Chex or Grape Nuts
•3 eggs
•1 cup milk
•1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
•salt and pepper to taste
•1 t Dijon mustard
•6 oz. sausage
Saute onion in butter. Add spinach and mix well. Beat eggs in milk and mustard, combine with spinach. (This can be done the night before and the liquid mixture refrigerated.) Cook sausage until done and crumble. Store separately. The morning of the brunch: in a 9 x 13" pan layer Wheat Chex, sausage, cheese, and spinach. Option: Top with buttered panko crumbs. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes.
