The Herald Newsletter
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Issue 1 I January 2026
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Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 25 at 9:45am, Sanctuary
Our 2026 budget will be presented to the congregation and voted on at our annual meeting. All members are invited to attend. Electronic copies of the Annual Report will be available beginning January 19 by contacting lana@firstplymouth.org.
Dan Cotton (not pictured), Marcia Davis, Julie Denton, Linda K. Guill, Marilyn Kruger, Jena Lambert, Lyn Leach, Mary Jo Olds, Lora Potts, Jim Prange, Bruce Sandhorst, Jean Slieter (not pictured). Also pictured are Stephen Minister Leaders: Sharon Fenn and Bill Etmund.
Welcome First-Plymouth’s New Stephen Ministers
First-Plymouth commissioned twelve new Stephen Ministers to serve the needs of our congregation and community. We now have thirty-six Stephen Ministers ready and willing to walk alongside anyone experiencing a difficult time in life. Three of our newly commissioned ministers are already actively listening, supporting, and encouraging individuals through this confidential ministry. If you are interested in connecting with a Stephen Minister, contact Pastor KJ Langlais at kj@firstplymouth.org.
Share Your Voice in the 2026 Lenten Devotional Booklet
First-Plymouth is seeking volunteers to contribute brief reflections for the 2026 Lenten Devotional booklet. No writing experience is necessary. Contact dale.hauptmeier@gmail.com for details.
Be a Lenten Group Host
Our Lenten discussion groups are returning for 2026—and we’re looking for people to host! You can gather a few friends or new faces at your home, a coffee shop, at church, or wherever community feels right. Interested? Email addie@firstplymouth.org
St. Olaf Choir
Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
The St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Anton Armstrong, has set the gold standard for choral singing for more than a century, performing for millions around the world.
FREE Concert | abendmusik.org
Carolyn Zeisset steps down as Tuesday Morning Bible Study leader after 16 years
Sixteen years ago, Carolyn Zeisset was asked to step in as a temporary leader of the Tuesday morning Bible study group. She was to lead for just four weeks until a permanent leader could be found. But those four weeks turned into a year—and then another year—for the next 16 years. She stepped down in December after what she calls “wonderful years.”
Carolyn sees the group as a personal way for people to connect. “Every big church needs little churches within it where people are welcoming and supportive of each other. This group has been a little church within First-Plymouth,” she explained.
Finding deep meaning and contemporary relevance in Bible passages has kept the conversation lively for about 40 years.
Not a pastor but a lifelong Bible student, Carolyn has a rich history in church leadership, having served as a Christian education director for a total of 22 years.
“I like discovering what in Bible stories is timeless and universal, as well as understanding the influences on Biblical writers—socio-economic, political, cultural, and religious factors of their time and place, and of the time and place in which the story is set—knowing that stories are often written after the events, sometimes much later.”
“The more I delve into the context of Biblical stories, the more relevance I find in my own time and place in history and in my life.”
One thing she finds inspiring about the Bible is that its writers are skillful in their use of genres, literary devices, and wordplay, and they do not shy away from human reality in all its complexity and messiness.
Carolyn says the Bible presents a composite portrayal of God as a parent—steadfast in love, yet frustrated with children’s waywardness. The Bible conveys a God who disciplines, guides, protects, and desires for us to be our best selves.
A theme she sees throughout the Bible is revealed in the story of Jacob receiving the name Israel: “one who wrestles with God. Humans wrestle throughout history—and within ourselves—with who or what is the existence, essence, or mystery we call God.”
“I am in wonder that the Bible is not static, but dynamic. We can simply read and find meaning for our lives. We can study in a variety of ways and discover new meaning. We can re-read stories and find even more insight as we move through different stages of life and experience.”
“A big thank you to the people who have explored with me possible meanings in Bible stories and in what we call a life of faith.”
Tuesday Bible Study Continues
For the past sixteen years Carolyn Zeisset has been a much-loved Bible teacher for this class. Starting January 6th, Edgar Millican is excited to continue the class. Class meets on Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:00am, in Calvert Parlor. January topic: When the Bible Story Becomes Your Story.
Edgar Millican was ordained 55 years ago and has dedicated his ministry to serving others. He served as a chaplain at a mental health hospital in Texas for ten years. His pastoral care professor at Texas Christian University, who earned a PhD from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, encouraged him to bring his gifts to Nebraska. Edgar has since served numerous United Methodist churches throughout the state. He retired in 2008 and subsequently worked for six years as a nurse’s aide with First Care Home Health in Lincoln. Edgar is also a member of First-Plymouth Church and the Lincoln Art Guild.
Compline
Sunday, January 11, 7:00-7:30pm, Sanctuary
Ancient Worship for the modern soul
Pre-Compline series Into the Stillness
Loving Kindness Meditation
January 11, 6:00pm, Chapel. Cultivate compassion and calm through guided Loving-Kindness Meditation with Jason Padilla of Omaha Zen Center.
Sips & Wishes: Lunch and Learn
Mon. January 26, Noon-1:00pm, Pilgrim Hall
Led by Amy Hensley, MSN, RN, educator, co-founder, owner
Registration required by Jan 21 to addie@firstplymouth.org to reserve your lunch ($10 donation).
Join this interactive workshop to learn about medical treatments and documenting end-of-life decisions. Gain practical tools to advocate for yourself and have meaningful conversations with loved ones. Sharing your wishes can reduce trauma for both you and your family, easing the burden of difficult decisions. While we can’t take away grief, this workshop helps you feel informed, empowered, and better prepared to face these conversations with confidence and care.
Not Your Ordinary Bible Study with Dr. Jim Keck
Thursdays, Noon-1:00pm, in the Choir Room.
A spiritual adventure using the Bible to launch the imagination and catapult us into far-ranging topics of real interest.
Grief Support
2nd Friday (Jan 9) 3:00pm, Calvert Parlor. Group led.
Jan 20, 6:00-7:30pm, Mayflower Hall. Led by Lisa Borchardt, LCSW. Register with addie@firstplymouth.org.
Adoption Triad Sharing Group
Meets the THIRD Thursday of each month in Calvert Parlor from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Adopted persons, parents of an adoptee, or birth parents are invited to attend to share perspectives in a welcoming group.
Plymouth Pride
Soup Potluck Jan 16. Watch your email for details.
Save dates for upcoming events – Feb 13, Mar 20, Apr 17
FP Singles Ministry
Check out the monthly events by getting on the email list. Email addie@firstplymouth.org.
Church offices and the building will be closed Jan 1 & 2.
Sponsored by First-Plymouth and Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, First-Plymouth’s sponsorship team needs walkers! Interested in walking? We hope you’ll join us! Contact addie@firstplymouth.org for details.
Sustainable tips from the Climate Action Team and Sustainable Living Ministry
Washing polyester, fleece, and other synthetic fiber clothing less often in cold water on shorter cycles reduces the microfiber plastics they shed to wastewater and the environment.
Recycle Your Holiday Lights
All broken strings of lights, extension cords, and insulated wires can be taken to any Lincoln Fire Station now through January 10. Strings without bags or boxes may be left in the containers at the stations.
Bread for the World Ministry at FP
Thank you for helping us “Stuff the Box”! Together, you made 248 contacts with our congressional delegation in support of the WIC Nutrition Program. After Rev. Juan Carlos blessed the letters, 235 were delivered to local congressional offices. Your advocacy—alongside Bread for the World partners nationwide—made a difference: WIC was fully funded for FY2026!
FP Indigenous Working Group
Join us the second Thursday of each month, 5:00–6:30pm in Pilgrim Hall, to plan activities such as supporting local tribal initiatives, hosting speakers on Native American culture, and collaborating with the Unitarian Church’s Indigenous Working Group. Contact Dan Klock at danklock16@gmail.com
Native American Winter Film Series
Jan 22, Feb 26, and Mar 26 at 5:30pm in Pilgrim Hall. IWG and VisionMaker Media will present. Free.
Reminder: The 2nd Monday of each month, the Ross Theater (313 N 13th St) screens a Native American film. Come join us!
Thank You for Your Donations
A heartfelt thank-you to the members of First-Plymouth for your generous donations to the Spirit of Giving event. Your kindness helped make this year’s celebration for the Mourning Hope Grief Center a wonderful success.
Because of you, children who have lost a loved one were able to experience the joy of choosing gifts for their caregivers—bringing smiles to the people who support them every day.
Shoe Drive for Guatemala
The Guatemala team is collecting new or gently used children’s shoes (anything smaller than size 6). A donation box will be located at the West Entrance until Jan 11.