Presbytidings – February 2013

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

There is a YouTube video that has been viewed 37 million times (embedded above).  At the beginning, you see the famous surfer Laird Hamilton on a surfboard, and he is being towed along by a jet ski.  Although it’s too close to see (and I assume it’s being filmed from a helicopter), you can sense that Laird is riding a massive, gathering wave.  He lets go of the tow rope, and he is on his own.  And as the camera pulls back, you see him in proper context: he is a tiny speck atop the crest of a 65-foot breaker.  And you assume that he’s not only insane, but that he’s going to die on the video.  The wave begins to curl, and Laird zooms down the tube, water crashing all around him.  He is propelled by an incomprehensible power as the wave races toward the shore.  But during the whole time, Laird remains upright—and I’m sure it was the ride of a lifetime for him.

God’s kingdom is like a wave on the move, too.  It is enormous beyond our comprehension, and it has power that we could never muster on our own.  All we can hope to do is catch the wave—as a family of believers, together—and hang on for the ride of our lifetimes.  Church is not just another human institution that relies on human cunning and planning to exist and thrive.  It is sustained by a supernatural power that can carry us along to places we never thought we could go.  If we allow him, God the Holy Spirit will propel us forward, out of the old ruts into a new and unexpected future.

I believe that God is doing some amazing things among us at FPC.  And more importantly, I believe that he is preparing to do more amazing things among us in the future.  I’ve said it before, but I believe our best days are ahead of us!  We don’t need to worry about what other churches are or are not doing.  We don’t need to make excuses about the limits of our talents and budget.  Because God in our midst is like a wave gathering far from shore: he will take us amazing places, by his own power, if we are willing to go along.

During 2012, we saw evidence of God doing something new at FPC.  Our membership grew by 10%.  And that is truly amazing, since most churches in the United States are either stagnating or declining.  Ten percent!  But this is a sign of momentum.  Our worship attendance also grew, bringing us to 55% participation (worshipers/active membership).  We could certainly do lots better, but once again, we are way ahead of the curve, since most churches average about 40%.

So this is my challenge to you as a congregation for the New Year: Let us ride the wave of God’s kingdom, enjoying the thrill of his supernatural power.  We need to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ, and we need to invite others to come and participate in what God is doing in our midst.  I can’t say for sure what lies ahead—although I have some guesses, if you want to ask me—but what I can say for sure is hang on: God’s wave is gathering.

Pastor Ray      

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

Lent is nearly upon us!  So let us fix our eyes on Calvary as we journey to the cross and the empty tomb together.

Ash Wednesday service will be on 2/13 at 6:30 p.m. Then, every Wednesday during Lent, we will have a soup supper at 6:00 and a brief worship service at 6:45 in the sanctuary.

Note: Youth groups will meet as usual at 7:30 p.m., following the Lenten activities, and Presbyterian Women will meet on Tuesday, 3/5, at 6:30 p.m.

Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide soups, sandwiches, or desserts for the suppers.

THE 2013 LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE

is available on the Opportunity Table.  As in the past, please find a replacement if you cannot make it, and contact the church office about any changes.  Thanks!

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

has begun.  Check the Opportunity Table for an update sheet if you need to make any changes to your current listing.

WINTER GREETING FROM CHURCH SCHOOL!

This year our church school children chose to donate their offerings toward a local group or charity (which will be decided in May). To date, we have collected $16.35. All of those pennies and quarters do add up!

A big thank you goes out to Rhonda Ras for organizing our Christmas Program, and to all of the volunteers who helped each Sunday with the practices. – Misty Beair

YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS

The high school youth group will meet on 2/6 and 2/20. The junior high youth group will meet on 2/13 and 2/27.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & SEWING SOULS

Presbyterian Women will meet Wednesday, February 6^th at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall.  Judy Lindberg will lead the Bible study – The Ties That Bind.  Karen Johnson will be hostess for the meeting.  All women of the church are invited to join us.  Watch for announcements on the next meeting of the Sewing Souls.

COOKBOOK PART II

We are still working on a second edition of our church cookbook.  Our goal is to have at least one recipe from every family in the church.  Have you ever been asked “is this the recipe in the cookbook?” when you brought something for one of our potluck dinners or Fellowship time?  Consider adding it to our latest edition.  Recipes can be emailed to Jane O’Leary at jane@inebraska.com OR you can leave them in the basket on the Opportunity Table.

MISSING: STEEL CHAIRS

Have you seen any extra steel folding chairs from our Fellowship Hall? We seem to be missing a few. Please send them home—no questions asked.

CHILDREN’S CHORUS

The Northeast Nebraska Children’s Chorus is starting up again, and will be accepting kids in grades 2-6. Rehearsals will be here at FPC on Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45 pm. For more information, contact Brandi Kolbeck, instructor, at brkolbe1@wsc.edu or (402) 369-6354.

THE ANNUAL KIWANIS PANCAKE FEED will be held Sunday, February 17^th from 9:00am – 1:00pm at the Wayne Armory (800 E. 7^th Street).  Adults are $5, Children 3-12 are $3.00, and children 2 and under eat for free.  The proceeds will go to Boy Scout Troop #174 and Wayne Youth.

 PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our pastor, encouragement for him!
• Our college students
• Bonnie Lund’s family
• Sandra Metz
• Denny Spangler
• Jackie Owens, recovering from shoulder surgery
• God’s Spirit to move us

 GREETERS

 FEBRUARY  2013                                                                                       MARCH 2013

3^rd – Verlin & Elaine Francis, Jim Lindau & Joyce Reeg                  3^rd  – The Worner Family

10^th – The Paiges & The Hammers                               10^th – The Beesons & The Griesses

17^th – The McCorkindales                                  17^th – Milton & Jackie Owens, The Liskas

24^th – Pat & Glenda McDonald, & The McLaughlins                           24^th – The Petersons

31^st – J. Curtiss, J. Rees, K. Johnson & Babs

LECTORS

FEBRUARY 2013                                                                             MARCH 2013

3^rd – Bev Beeson                                                                                 3^rd – Larry Heese

10^th – Phil Griess                                                                                10^th – Karen Johnson

17^th –   Jim Curtiss                                                                              17^th – Judy Lindberg

28^th –   Jack Beeson                                                                            24^th – Leigh Heese

31^st – Jan Liska

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

          7        Karen McElwain

10     Jodi Pulfer

20     Karen Marra

24     Jacob Beair

25     Pat Straight, Gabriel Peitz

27     Jan Liska

28     Amy Bowers

To view our current church calendar anytime, please visit http://www.fpcwayne.org/calendar.