News & Events

Calendar

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

      

Thursday, October 3 -  @ 6:00 p.m.
The Columbia County Emergency Management Office offers Free Active Threat Preparedness training for Columbia County Businesses, Schools and Organizations.
What is Active Threat Preparedness?

• ATP is a combination of training from the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), Association of SWAT personnel Wisconsin, Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT), C3 Pathways, I love u guys foundation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security and the Secret Service.
• This specialized training is targeted for schools, workplace and places of worship in Columbia County.
• Since 2016, more than 1,700 people have participated in this training.

What is the cost for this training?

• FREE- there is no cost for this specialized training. This presentation is offered as a public service to every school, business, church, place of worship, workplace or organization in Columbia County.

Why this training?

• Sheriff Roger Brandner has committed resources to better prepare Columbia County and its residents in active threat preparedness events. Our goal is to keep our communities safe and empower you with survival options.
• Key concepts are: Avoid-Deny-Defend, Run-Hide-Fight or ALICE protocols.

You are invited to come and share in this training opportunity!

 

 

Come to help Cordelia "Cordy" Connor Celebrate her 100th Birthday

Where:  Columbia County Health Care Center

When:  Friday October 18th - Time:  2:00 PM

Please RSVP by October 13th to Rosemary  608-742-5812 or 608-697-4170

If you cannot make it send a card,  her Birthday is actually Nov. 2nd.
Cordelia Connor
PO Box 895
323 W, Monroe Street
Wyocena, WI  53969

 

           

    During the month of October (Oct 6-30) we will again be doing a "Terri Lynn Nut and Candy" pre-order and pay for what you would like to order.
The items will then be ordered and we should have them by Thanksgiving!
So carefully consider what you would like and order accordingly - we will not have any "extras" available.
Some of the items available: Fancy Pecan Pieces - Light Walnut Halves and Pieces - Deluxe Mixed Nuts - Giant Cashews - Sweet and Salty Trail Mix - Milk Chocolate Raisins - Milk Chocolate Bridge Mix - Milk Chocolate Malted Milk Balls - Almond Cranberry Granola Mix - Harvest Medley Mix - Milk Chocolate Peanuts - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels - and Dark Chocolate Cranberries. Also a "new item" - Pumpkin Spice Pecans!
These are some of the items we have picked out. However, you may have other items you like - so, like last year, we have a "colored brochure" available for you to go through and order what you like.
You will then add the items to your order blank.
Price lists and order blanks will be available on October 6 - you can pick them up on Sunday morning or when the office is open.
You may notice that some prices have gone up - that is due to an increase from the company.
If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Schaper.
All profits from this sale will go to the General Operating Budget of the church.

 

Here's "another option" for "online" worship experiences!
You can go to the PPC "YouTube" Channel!

                                                Here's the "web" information -                                                           https://www.youtube.com/@portagepresbyterianchurch2652

The videos on "YouTube" are not live streamed -
they are added to the PPC YouTube Channel during the following week.

Just another way to extend our worship and fellowship
to our community and world.

 

A Ministry of Hope
Whether as individuals or as a community of faith, we are called to serve those in need…not only to notice their need but also to do something about it.  Our congregation is going to have the opportunity to help those who are suffering under the weight of medical debt through donations to the Starfish Campaign.
Medical debt is all too easy to accumulate.  All it takes is getting sick or being involved in an accident.  The burden of medical debt turns people’s lives upside down.  Home foreclosures and bankruptcies are common.  A tarnished credit rating makes it next to impossible to take out a loan or rent an apartment.  In too many cases, trying to pay a medical bill can deplete a person’s savings.  Some have even become homeless.  Even worse, a lot of people carrying medical debt do not pursue the care they need or buy medications that will keep them healthy. 
October 20 is the culmination of the Starfish Campaign.  Every dollar received will be sent to an organization called “Undue Medical Debt”.  They are able to buy large bundles of medical debt for pennies on the dollar.  They then use the money we donate to eliminate as much medical debt as possible.   Every dollar they receive will be able to wipe out at least $100 of medical debt for someone.  Talk about bang for your buck!

Donating to this ministry is easy.  You may contribute through your regular Sunday offering by placing your gift in the plate during worship.  Please make your check out to our church and mark it “The Starfish Campaign”.  There is also an online giving option on the Presbytery’s website, jknox.org.  Together, we can impact a lot of families!  With their debts forgiven and their credit rating improved, it's absolutely good news to the families we’re helping.  Truly God accepts what we offer and makes it amazing!

 

 

Sunday, October 6 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.
The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 10:2-16

Sunday, October 13 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.
The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 10:17-31

Sunday, October 20 - "Informal" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.
The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 10:46-52

Sunday, October 27 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.
The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
II Corinithians 9:6-15
"Celebrating The Harvest"

Sunday, November 3 - "Traditional" Worship Service - 10:05 a.m.
The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
"All Saints Sunday"
We will share the "Lord's Supper" during the service.

 

 

 

We are looking for a few more folks to be "trained" to help provide the "live Sunday morning videos"!!!

            If you have questions about doing the video, please contact Pastor Dave or any of those who have been trained.
If you would like to be a part of this worship ministry, please contact Pastor Dave.

 

.

            In addition to our "Livestream" Video opportunities on Sunday mornings, we are also seeking "volunteers" who may be interested in operating the "projection screens" we use on Sundays.
You will be "trained" to use the computer which enables the screens to be used.
If this is something in which you may be interested (or would like more information) - please contact Pastor Dave.

 

The PPC Women's Association will be meeting on Saturday, October 12th - @ Canape Sandwiches - @ 9:00 a.m.! - note the change in location!

Just a reminder - all "loose offerings" (coins and cash) - on "Communion Sundays" - will be given to the Deacons to help support their ministries to and through this church
community.

"Celebrating The Harvest"

Sunday, October 27 - 10:05 a.m.
Come as we celebrate the "harvest of blessings" with which we have been blessed - and the "mission and ministry" for which God empowers us!

Upcoming dates for "Stocking Shelves @ the Food Pantry" will be Wednesday, October 16 and Wednesday, October 23 (Bellmore Family).

We usually begin @ 5:00 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..
If you would like to make donations to the "Little Food Pantry" 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 serves as the advisor for the New Directions Club.

 

Troops 70 and 7070 have some exciting news!  
We’ve been approved to be part of Scouting America’s (Boy Scouts of America)
"combined troop pilot program".  

• The pilot program was designed to test the strengths and weaknesses of a combined troop option to best determine if it should eventually become a permanent option

open to all troops going forward.

• Even if the combined troop structure is approved as a permanent program, every troop will still have the option to remain single gender if they choose to do so.  
• Scouting America’s national offices will be asking for feedback on a regular basis

from our leaders and scouts.

• We were eligible to be part of this pilot because both troops are linked by our chartered organization, Portage Presbyterian Church, and we were already participating in many meetings, service projects, activities, etc. together.
• From September 1st through July 2025 the Troops will be operating as one Troop.  
• One troop number had to be used going forward, so we opted for Troop 70 to be the operating combined troop number for now.  
• Troop 7070 is on hold to be used after the pilot is finished if we decide that is the right direction for our units.
• The first meeting after the initial start date, Troop 70 went to work planning their calendar out through July and had new elections to start out the pilot program.
• Both Troops already shared our committee members so it wasn’t a big change to combine everything, but one big advantage is that we have a bigger pool of leaders to participate in meetings and events.  

We are excited to be invited to participate in the pilot program!

Be sure to keep the Scouts and their leaders in your prayers!

     

 

Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, November 9 - for PPC's Annual "Harvest Dinner!"

We will need pumpkin and apple pies donated by our church community.

More information will be provided in our November newsletter!

 

          "Kwik Trip" Car Wash Cards are still available!
For $36.00 / card, you will receive 5 -
yes, that's right - 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!

"Together" - we continue to share God's "Good News" in many ways
and YOU are helping to make this possible!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

 

 

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

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

Alex Harvey (2024)
Rhys Brenner (2024)
Lee Roundy (2024)

Larry Day (2025)
Jarrett Foster (2025)
Nancy Schaper (2025)

Tara Bandekow (2026)
Nancy Beasley (2026)
Kathy Raimer (2026)

Deacons
Moderator of Deacons - Peggy Alf-Sechtig
Secretary - Liz Bellmore
Treasurer - Joyce Meredith

Tammy Foster (2024)
Lynne Warren (2024)

Peggy Alf (2025)
Joyce Meredith (2025)
Liz Bellmore (2025)

Glenda Day (2026)
Vickie Kastner (2026)
Joyce Oehlhof (2026)