Home - First Congregational United Church of Christ

From the pastor's desk--Welcome!

In the Season of Lent...

Welcome to the home of First Congregational UCC in Baraboo on the web. Whether you're a current member or friend of the congregation, found us by a search, or are just browsing, I hope you'll find the website interesting and maybe there's something that will grab your attention and make you want to spend some "real time" with us on a Sunday morning!

Lent is upon us...for those of you not "in the know"--Lent is the 40-day period on the church calendar (excluding Sundays!) from Ash Wednesday through the day before Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Lent is a time for introspection, reflection on our place in life and the world, our relationship with the Holy One and one another. Traditional disciplines include times of fasting, prayerfulness, service to others. While many see this as a personal time of "giving up" some vice--and that's all fine and good, I suppose--it can also be a time of "putting on" some positive, productive practice or character, particularly for the good of others (which, of course, often has positive repercussions in our personal lives!). Some things to do might be to support a good cause with time, talent, treasure, advocacy; help someone in need; be more conscientious in your consumption for the sake of the environment, labor, or the world; and, of course, be more purposeful in tending to the needs of your spirit. One good way, among many, is to spend time in worship--with us is always a good thing. During Lent, there's an Ash Wednesday light supper at 6 pm followed by an Ash Wednesday worship service, with optional imposition of ashes, from 6:45 - 7:15 pm. There are Wednesday night "Evening Prayer" services, 6:45-7:15 pm (until Holy Week), gathered in candlelight around the piano for quiet meditation, song, readings, sharing and prayers. Palm/Passion Sunday marks the start of Holy Week before Easter, with a Holy "Maundy" Thursday Community Communion Service at our church, at 7 pm, April 1, and then a Good Friday community service of at First United Methodist Church at 7 pm, April 2.

Whether you choose to come to one of these services, or on a Sunday, we would love to welcome you to join us on your journey through life. If you haven't been to church for a while or maybe want to check out a congregation that is progressive and open-minded (kinda like Jesus was), a congregation that embraces worship tradition but is not enslaved to it and sometimes stretches out into new words and music and thoughts--then this is a great time to join us--a rainbow people, open and affirming. We look forward to

seeing you!

—See you in church! Pastor Doug