Presbytidings – September 2012
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787
(402) 375-2669 ✙ www.fpcwayne.org
“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: That Poisonous Question
Truthfully, most of the stuff I learned in graduate school about counseling is long gone from my memory. (Or, to put a positive spin on it, everything I learned there has been “fully incorporated” into my mind, so the details have faded a bit. Or maybe not…) But regardless of what has lapsed, there is one thing that has stuck with me all these years. It was a little piece of practical advice during my intro to counseling techniques class in my first year: In interpersonal conversation, avoid “why” questions. At the time, I didn’t see the importance of that little nugget, but in the ensuing years I have experienced how “Why” is the poisonous question.
Think about it: a friend confides something to you—a decision, a thought, a feeling—maybe something that seems unreasonable and irrational to you. Maybe your friend is seeking support, sympathy, or even advice. And you respond by saying, “Why would you do a thing like that? Why would you even think that?!” And guess what? Relationship diminished; awkward space created; friend withdraws after having his or her hand figuratively slapped.
After reflecting on it, I’ve discerned why “why” is such a poisonous word in relationships: it’s a judgmental question that reveals a judgmental attitude—the opposite of humility. “Why” is a rhetorical question of sorts, because there is an implied answer behind it. “Why would you do/say/think/feel such a thing?” (Understood answer: Because you are a defective person, and your life skills are clearly impaired.) Ouch.
On the other hand, Scripture gives us a different rule book for how we should treat others—especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our inner voice may say, “What’s wrong with this person?” But the voice of God says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2 NIV) When our inner being wants to gird ourselves with belligerence, God says, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12b-13 NIV)
So the next time you feel that poisonous question forming in your mouth, stop. Swallow it. Keep the poison from spreading. Think about your attitude, and repent if you need to. Ask God to change your heart, and think of a different way to respond to others: with gentleness, humility, and love.
Pastor Ray
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Starting Tuesday, September 4, we will resume our regular church office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please feel free to call and leave a message at 402-375-2669 or e-mail the church at fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
YOUTH TRIENNIUM
Attention high school youth: The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is coming next summer! July 16-20, 2013, at Purdue University. A group from Homestead Presbytery will be traveling out. Funding from our congregation and the presbytery is available to make this amazing experience affordable. Talk to Pastor Ray with any questions, and visit www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org for all the details.
SUNDAE SUNDAY
Church school classes will resume again the Sunday after Labor Day (September 9) at 9:00 a.m.! We will also have our Sundae Sunday celebration (featuring ice cream sundaes) after worship on that day. Thanks to all the teachers who help and to the students! It will be a great year!
YOUTH GROUPS
Middle School Youth Group will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
High School Youth Group will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room, starting September 5. Bring your friends! Let’s have a great year!
BROWN-BAG BIBLE
Pastor Ray is leading a Bible study on Wednesdays at noon during the fall semester, in the WSC Student Center (Goldenrod Room). We will be digging into Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Bring a Bible, and bring your curiosity!
YOUNG WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Rachelle McCalla is contemplating a Bible study and fellowship gathering for young women. If you are interested, please call Rachelle at (402) 640-3993 or e-mail her at rachelle_mccalla@yahoo.com for more information.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & SEWING SOULS:
Presbyterian Women will kick off a new year with a potluck dinner at 6:00pm on Wednesday, September 5. We will plan the upcoming year at this meeting.
Sewing Souls will begin a new year on Wednesday, September 19, at 6:30pm. Whatever your skill level, come join us. There is something for everyone to do!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN COOKBOOK, PART II:
Work is beginning on part two of the First Presbyterian Cookbook “Thank God for Food…and Good Cooks!” We would like to include any recipes that weren’t listed in the first edition. You are also invited to resubmit any favorite recipes from the first cookbook. Recipes can either be put in the basket in Fellowship Hall, or emailed to Jane O’Leary at jane@inebraska.com. Please include any interesting information or stories about the recipes, or variations in making the recipe.
THE POAM/OWLS FALL CELEBRATION: A POTPOURRI OF FAITH:
The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry & The Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints (OWLS) Celebration at Calvin Crest will be held September 18-19, 2012. Check at the church office for details or go online at www.calvincrest.org.
A NOTE FROM MARJEAN RICHMOND: Thank you for sending the newsletter to my mom. She appreciates hearing about “home.” She is now living in a senior residence in California. Here is her new address: Greta Morris, Town & Country Manor, 555 E. Memory Lane, A227, Santa Ana, CA 92706
TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY: Our thanks for your prayers and concern while we were in the hospital and at Careage. We also were grateful for the kind expression of sympathy at the time of Rick’s brother’s death. Love and blessings – Rick & Bonnie Lund
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- Elizabeth Johnson (Karen Johnson’s mother-in-law)
- The “Darkhorse” 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines & their families fighting in Afghanistan. They lost 12 marines in four days.
- Rain and cooler weather;
- Those affected by adverse weather all over our nation.
PLEASE REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS: We will be posting a list of student addresses in Fellowship Hall in the near future. Please send them an encouraging word from time to time, and remember them in your prayers.
September 2012
First Presbyterian Church
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2 Each Sunday Morning:
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4 Regular Church Office Hours Resume T-F 8:30-11:30am |
5 Brown-Bag Bible 12pm Presbyterian Women Potluck 6:00pm High School Youth Group 7:30pm |
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9 Worship with Communion Sundae Sunday! Church School Resumes 9:00am Sundaes after worship |
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12 Brown-Bag Bible 12pm Middle School Youth Group 7:30pm |
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14 Wayne Women’s Club Potluck at 12:00 noon At FPC |
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19 Brown-Bag Bible 12pm Sewing Souls 6:30pm High School Youth Group 7:30pm |
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24 Session Meeting At 7:00pm |
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26 Brown-Bag Bible 12pm Middle School Youth Group 7:30pm
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 