Presbytidings – November 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:                 

Sometimes the Bible is eerily relevant. Proverbs 22:1 advises: “A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold.” As I have been reading about Lance Armstrong lately, I have thought about how the quest for wealth and accolades can sometimes cloud a person’s judgment and lead to destruction.

In case you haven’t been keeping score, Lance Armstrong—the legendary bicyclist and cancer survivor—was found guilty of using steroids during his cycling career, violating the rules about performance-enhancing drugs in his sport. So now he has been stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles. He will also have to pay back nearly $4 million to the French Cycling Federation as prize money for the Tour de France, plus as much as $12 million to SCA, a promotions company. Armstrong has also lost his job with Nike, RadioShack, Oakley, and Anheuser-Busch, costing him millions in future earnings. Maybe most poignantly, Lance Armstrong has resigned from his own foundation, LIVESTRONG.

But Lance Armstrong has lost other things that are arguably more important than money and titles. Gone is the trust he had earned from countless young people who looked up to him (How many people have taken off their yellow wristbands in the past month?). Gone is the hope he inspired for many who struggle with cancer. Gone is his good reputation as a competitor. Now, Armstrong has been disgraced and labeled as a liar, a cheat, and a hypocrite. Will Rogers, the famous humorist and commentator, famously observed, “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.”

So true.

And while I don’t want to pile on Lance Armstrong during his very public scandal, he serves as a warning for all of us. We must build our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and his words, and not the shifting sands of fame, money, and human approval. We must always prize the truth and strive to practice honesty in all our affairs. And we must always prioritize God’s kingdom and his righteousness, trusting that he will faithfully provide for us according to our needs.

So join me in praying for Lance Armstrong, that he would come to terms with his dishonesty, admit his fault, and seek to start a new way of life. And while we’re at it, let’s pray for ourselves, that we would take inventory of our lives and make sure we have our priorities in order.  Because so-called “heroes” may fall, but Jesus Christ is always trustworthy.

Pastor Ray

LORD’S SUPPER

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, November 4th. We will also take Communion to the residents of The Oaks at 1:30 p.m. on November 4th.

SESSION: The Session will gather on Monday, November 26th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

 PHONE NUMBER SHUFFLE

Pastor Ray has cancelled his previous cell phone; so if you dial 518-0512, it will be defunct! But his “new” cell phone number is the McCallas’ old home phone number. You can reach him at (402) 833-5251.

GENERATION LIFE

Generation Life is a group of young men and women who commit a year or more of their lives to promote life and chastity. They are holding two separate meetings on Thursday, November 8, in the Ramsey Theater on the WSC Campus. High School Students will meet from 7:00–8:00pm. College Students will gather from 8:00-9:00pm. Visit www.generationlife.org for more information.

NATIONAL DONOR SABBATH WEEKEND

Become an organ, eye, and tissue donor! November 9-11, is the National Donor Sabbath Weekend. Please talk to your family members about becoming a donor. For more information, go to www.DonatelifeNebraksa.com or call 1-800-718-LIFE.

CELEBRATING GOD’S ABUNDANCE

After worship on November 11, we will share a potluck lunch as a church family. Please bring something to share!

 FILL A HOLIDAY FOOD BASKET FOR OTHERS

With the help of our congregation and other local organizations, we will put together many boxes of food for appreciative individuals and families from our local community this holiday season. Please help us by filling our food basket located by the opportunity table in Fellowship Hall. Many thanks for all of your help and support!

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE & SUPPER

Join Christians in the community for worship, food, and fellowship on Sunday, November 18, at Praise Assembly of God, 1000 E. 10^th Street in Wayne. The service will begin at 5:00pm, with a supper to follow. Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide soups and pies for the supper.

 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. Homestead Presbytery will pay for the travel expenses, and our session will pay for half of the registration fee, in order to make this amazing experience affordable. Talk to Pastor Ray if you have any questions, and you can  visit www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org for details.

YOUTH GROUPS     

Middle School Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, 11/14 and 11/28, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

And High School Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, 11/7 and 11/21, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. B

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

PW will meet on November 7 at 6:30pm. The lesson leader will be Judy Lindberg. Hostess will be Elaine Francis. We invite all women of the church for Bible study, fellowship, and great food!

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet Saturday, November 17 at 9:00am to clean the church kitchen. Judy Lindberg will be the hostess. Come for more great food and fellowship!

WANTED: HANDBELL CHOIR MEMBERS! 

The Presbyterian Pealers Bell Choir is looking for new members for the Christmas season. We meet on Sunday mornings at 8:45am. If you are interested, please contact a bell choir member or Jay O’Leary.

THANK YOU            

The session would like to sincerely thank our three outgoing ruling elders for their service: Sandra Metz, Tiffanny Heese, and Marilyn Yates. You have been a blessing to our church!

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS!

Please welcome the newest members of our FPC family: John Rees, Milton & Jackie Owens, and Dave & Shelly Owens.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our college students
• Terry Beair’s mother
• Mark Hammer’s family
• Hazel Roberts
• Max McElwain’s family
• Our nation and community
• Rain (and spiritual renewal!)