News & Events

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and peace!

On Sunday, November 2nd, the PPC community will gather with family and friends to "remember" and to "celebrate" the lives of those with whom we have journeyed - who have passed away over the past year.

Family and friends will be invited to "light candles" to give thanks to God for the lives shared.

The "All Saints Sunday" worship service will be held in the sanctuary. For those who may be unable to attend "in the sanctuary" we will do our "live video" of the service.

The Harvest Dinner is Saturday, November 8th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Come and enjoy an all you can eat turkey dinner, which includes mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, squash, cranberries, rolls, beverage, and, of course, a slice of pie. All this for $15 for adults and $7 for children under 7 years of age. We will also have a silent auction of baskets that businesses have donated items for and some of our church committees. If you would like to help with the Harvest Dinner, there are sign up sheets in Parry Hall or you can call Donna Mohr.

On Sunday, November 9 - PPC will host the "Christmas Welsh Hymn Sing" (Cymanfa Ganu) - which begins @ 2:30 p.m.

At the conclusion of the Hymn Sing - there will be a "Te Bach" (fellowship time) in the Fellowship Hall.

We are looking for a few volunteers to:

• "Ushers" / "Greeters"
• Servers for the fellowship time

If you would like to volunteer for this special event, please contact Pastor Dave

On Wednesday, November 26 - @ 6:30 p.m. - Bethlehem Lutheran and Portage Presbyterian Churches will come together to offer a "Community Thanksgiving Service" - @ PPC.

This will be a "Back to the Future" Thanksgiving Service ... where we will celebrate "thanksgiving" with some of the customs and practices of early American churches.

We will have a "fellowship time" following the service.

Monetary / non-perishable food donations will be collected for the Portage Food Pantry.

There will also be a "combined choir" for those interested. Contact Pastor Dave for more information.

"Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart"

As we begin planning for our Advent and Christmas Season - we are looking for "musicians" and "readers" for worship services.

If you are an "instrumentalist" - "vocalist" - or would like to be a "reader"

Please indicate on the "sign up sheet" on the kiosk in Parry Hall.

If you would like to "read" for our "Greening of the Church" service on November 30 - please let Pastor Dave know.

If you have questions, please contact Pastor Dave

We will be "decorating the Church" for Advent - on Saturday, November 29 - beginning @ 9:00 a.m.

All ages and skill levels are encouraged to come to help get everything ready.

We will also need help bringing the decorations up from the basement.

Hope to see you there!

PV2 Foster Jarrett
B CO 832nd OD BN
7009 Quarter Master RD
Fort Lee VA 23801

We plan on doing a Scrip order, so we can have the gift cards before the holidays. Order will be due to Elaine by November 9th.

Our annual Holiday House will be Saturday, December 6th. We will have baked goods for you to purchase for your holiday entertaining. We will also have beef barley and chicken noodle soups to purchase in quart jars. Sign up sheets will be up in Parry Hall for you to donate baked goods or you can call Donna Mohr or Elaine Crammond. Please mark your calendars to join us for this event.

Our next meeting will be held at 1873 Grille on Saturday, November 1 @ 9:00 a.m. Come and join us for breakfast and fellowship with each other!

The Women's Association is collecting items to donate to Portage School students (as requested by Val Hon, the school nurse).

For the month of November we will gather donated items from the congregation.

A basket will be available in Parry Hall for donations.

Items requested include:

• Shave cream and Razors for young men
• Hair Brushes/ combs for girls
• Pony Tail holders
• Kindergarten thru 5th Grade bottoms - Jeans, sweat pants or leggings OK. (Gently used w/o holes or stains accepted)

Thank you for supporting students in need!

Included with the "Newsletter" you will find an "Updated" Wish List. The "Wish List" offers a series of items which are needed and which, when provided, help to offset expenditures for the church's operating budget.

For those who may be interested - we have also set up an "Amazon Wish List" - for those who can choose to go "online" to order and have it delivered to the church. Here is the "link":

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1EGGLKINXSV7I?ref_=wl_share

Members of the "FWG" who have volunteered to participate are John Crammond, Debby Capener, Nancy Schaper, Kathy Raimer, Julie McKibben, Mary Schneiter, Fred Taylor, Judy Taylor and Donna Mohr. Pastor Dave has been participating "ex-officio" as a resource person.

Plans are underway for the Harvest Dinner, November 8th - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

We will be looking for volunteers to help with this special event.

Sign up sheets will soon be on the kiosk in Parry Hall.

Our church is again responsible for ringing bells for the Salvation Army. We are looking for bell ringers at Festival on Saturday, November 22nd from 8:00 until 3:00. There is a signup sheet in Parry Hall to sign up or you can call Donna Mohr.

Sunday, Nov 2 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.

The 21st Sunday After Pentecost
"All Saints Sunday"
Celebration of the Lord's Supper

Sunday, Nov 9 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.

The 22nd Sunday After Pentecost
Luke 19:1-11

Sunday, Nov 16 - "Informal" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.

The 23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Luke 21:5-19

Sunday, Nov 23 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.

"Christ The King" Sunday
Luke 18:9-14

Wed, Nov 26 - "Community Thanksgiving Service" - 6:30 p.m.

@ PPC

Sunday, Nov 30 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.

The First Sunday of Advent
"Greening of the Church"

Each Sunday, after worship, we share a time of "fellowship" in Parry Hall.

This is an "informal" gathering - coffee and juice are set out.

And if "anyone" wants to bring a "treat" to share - that's good too!

If you are interested in "hosting" a "Fellowship time" - please indicate on the "sign up sheet" in the kiosk in Parry Hall

The communion table invites all to participate. The Deacons would like to expand on that idea by inviting congregational members to bring a dish with special meaning to the communion table.

If you have a pitcher, cup/mug, and plate/platter that you are willing to share during the communion service, please bring that item to church by 9:45 a.m. so the Deacons have time to prepare it.

If you would like to volunteer an item for November or December, please call the office or sign up on the sheet in the back of Perry Hall

As always - all "loose offerings" (coins and cash) - on "Communion Sundays" - will be given to the Deacons to help purchase communion supplies and the Upper Room devotionals. Again, that "loose change" is always welcome! Thank you for your generosity.

Upcoming dates for "Stocking Shelves @ the Food Pantry" will be Wednesday, Nov 19 and by the Bellmore Family on Wednesday, Nov 26.

We usually begin @ 4:00 p.m. Volunteers are always welcome to come and help this community resource provide a necessary program for those in need in our community. Please contact Pastor Dave if you are planning to come and help, in case there is a change in the schedule. Come and help make a difference in the community!

Just a reminder - there is a "Little Food Pantry" in front of Westminster Center. Anyone can place items in this box - and we receive donations from PPC folks as well as those from the community. Please feel free to provide dry goods and non perishables not affected by the temperature.

New Directions 4-H club is a very active group of young people from the area that meet together to share ideas, work on projects and learn great leadership skills.

The New Directions 4-H club meets @ PPC on the 3rd Sunday of each month, beginning @ 4:00 p.m.

PPC is pleased to be able to support the efforts of 4-H and the New Directions Club by offering a meeting space and support for their good work.

Jen Martens and Julie McKibben serve as the advisors for the New Directions Club.

Scout Activities / Events

Scout Activities / Events

• The Cub Scout Pack had their "new recruitment" event - and have a number of new "Cubs" in the pack.
• The Troop has been involved in many activities this Fall.
• The Scouts have a busy Fall season.
• Be sure to keep the Scouts and their leaders in our prayers that they have an exciting and safe Fall season!

"Kwik Trip" Car Wash Cards are still available!
For $36.00 / card, you will receive 5 "Ultimate" car washes (normally a cost of $50.00)
If you would like to purchase a "Kwik Trip Car Wash Card" - contact Pastor Dave.

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To Contact The Portage Presbyterian Church
Phone: 608-742-6006
Church Office email: office@portagepresbyterian.com
Pastor Dave email: pastordave@portagepresbyterian.com
Website: www.portagepresbyterian.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Portage-Presbyterian-Church-155581354519952
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@portagepresbyterianchurch2652

It is "easy" to make a "financial" offering
for the work and ministry here @ Portage Presbyterian Church

You may choose to Mail it to the Church Office

or Drop it in the "mail slot"

or Use the "online giving" option on "PPC's Website"

or scan the "QR Code" which will take you to the "Online Giving" Portal

Your financial support for the work and ministry of God in and through the Portage Presbyterian Church is greatly appreciated!

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Serving God and God's People
With "Energy, Intelligence, Imagination and Love"

Ruling Elders / Session
Moderator - Pastor Dave Hankins
Clerk of Session - Alex Harvey

Jarrett Foster (2025)
Nancy Schaper (2025)
Tara Bandekow (2026)
Nancy Beasley (2026)
Kathy Raimer (2026)
John Crammond (2027)
Jean Oren (2027)

Deacons
Moderator of Deacons - Peggy Alf-Sechtig
Secretary - Liz Bellmore
Treasurer - Vickie Kastner

Peggy Alf (2025)
Joyce Meredith (2025)
Liz Bellmore (2025)
Vickie Kastner (2026)
Joyce Oehlhof (2026)
Alex Harvey (2027)
Debby Capener (2027)

Each month we will include a few "questions"
about the Portage Presbyterian Church

"Answers" from October

In how many "buildings" has the congregation worshipped?
5 total - the "school" at Fort Winnebago (1849-1851)
The "First" church building - (1851-1856)
The "Second" church building (1856-1891)
The "basement" of the Courthouse (1891-93) - because of a fire
And the "Third" (and present" church building (1893- NOW)

What year was the city of Portage incorporated?
1854

In what year was the Presbyterian Church in Portage formed?
1850

What year did PPC go on their first "mission trip?"
2000 - to Chattanooga, TN

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Now for November's "Trivia" ...

How many "Presbyterian Churches" have been built in Portage?

How many of the "church buildings" are still standing?

How many "charter members" did the church have in 1850?

Who is one of the more famous officers who served at Ft. Winnebago?

("Answers" will be provided in the December Newsletter)