Presbytidings – May 2013
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:
The Secret to Happiness
It’s the illusive quest for countless individuals. Just as explorers spent their lives seeking the Fountain of Youth in the New World, many people seek desperately after happiness. But maybe happiness is not “out there” to be discovered. And maybe happiness is not some destination that sits atop our ambition. But maybe happiness is something that can be attained on the inside—despite our circumstances.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychologist at the University of California, Riverside, has written extensively about happiness. Less happy people share traits like frequently comparing themselves to others (and finding personal disappointment when others succeed), making excuses, and ruminating about unhappy events. Happy people, on the other hand, have a greater tendency to store up positive moments in their memory.
Based on Lyubomirsky’s work, here are eight ways to be happier:
1. Be kind to others.
2. Live in a home that’s rented, not owned.
3. Count your blessings and practice gratitude.
4. Be thrifty and live within your means.
5. Become a parent.
6. Learn to savor positive experiences.
7. Take steps in pursuing life goals.
8. Stay healthy and live long.
Excellent advice for living and discovering happiness. And did you know that the apostle Paul knew the secret to happiness? He said so when he wrote the Christians in Philippi. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” And Paul knew about “every situation” in a way that we never will: prison, beatings, persecution, enemies. And it turns out that being content—or “happy,” to use the world’s shorthand—is not connected to circumstances. It is not a destination to be discovered. But deep-seated joy comes from knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection (Philippians 4:11-12), even if there is to be some suffering along the way.
The source of Paul’s contentment is a beautiful statement of trust: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Or, to translate his words more expansively, “I can prevail against any situation—even if it means just getting by—because of the living Jesus who empowers me.”
If we are able to put that confession of faith at the center of our lives, then we will know the secret to happiness also, without ever setting foot outside our homes.
Pastor Ray
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- Our unchurched neighbors
- Denny Spangler
- Tiffany Heese
YOUTH GROUPS
High School Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, May 1st, at 7:30pm for their final meeting of the year. It will be a scavenger hunt, so please bring a friend and a car to drive!
Junior High Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, May 8th, at 7:30pm for their final meeting of the year. It will be field day, wear comfortable shoes!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The May meeting of Presbyterian Women will be Wednesday, May 1st at 6:30pm. Joyce Voyles will be the hostess, and we will be discussing Lesson 8.
SEWING SOULS will not meet in May. We will finish our current project during the PW meeting on May 1st. On June, Sewing Souls will meet to work on projects for Calvin Crest.
COMMUNION
Sunday, May 5th, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, as well as the baptism of Piper Marie Sykes, daughter of Jeremy Sykes and Breanna Bowers (and great-granddaughter of Joann Proett).
GRADUATING SENIORS
Congratulations to our graduating Wayne High School seniors: Logan Abraham, Jaci Alexander, Austin McDonald, and Jacob Stenka. Also, congratulations to Taylor Racely, who is graduating from Wayne State College with his bachelor’s degree. We will be honoring our graduating seniors in worship on Sunday, May 19th.
Baccalaureate for Wayne High School will be Friday, May 10th, at 6:30pm in the high school gymnasium.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
VBS will be June 3 through 6, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Put it on your calendar, and don’t forget to bring a friend!
COMMUNITY PRAYER DAY
Come and pray for our community and nation!
Thursday, May 2, First National Bank Community Room; 12:00-1:00pm.
CHICKEN SHOW
Our church will be operating a bouncy house for Henoween, Friday, July 12th and the Chicken Show, Saturday, July 13th. We will need workers, so please watch for a sign-up at the Opportunity Table.
CHURCH COOKBOOK
Keep the recipes coming in! We want to have as many recipes as possible for the new edition of the cookbook. Send your recipes to Jane O’Leary by email (jane@inebraska.com) or put them in the basket on the Opportunity Table.
MISSING!
If you have borrowed the ironing board (from the back hall) or the pitcher that goes with the iced tea maker, please return them…
SUMMER CAMP
Calvin Crest has an awesome variety of summer camps for kids of all ages! Choose from horseback, mountain biking, adventure, nature education, or traditional camps that all blend camp fun with love for Jesus. Pick up a brochure at the Opportunity Table in fellowship hall or visit http://www.calvincrest.org/Summer_Camp.php for more information. Our church will pay for 50% of the cost of camp. Also, if you invite three friends who have never been to Calvin Crest before, you go for free!
NEED A SUMMER JOB?
Calvin Crest is looking for summer staff to work with campers. They need people for counselors, lifeguards, crafts, and health care. Applicants should be Christian high school graduates and preferably at least 18 years old. Visit www.calvincrest.org/job_opportunities/php for more information. If you are in grades 9-12, you can also be a CSI—camp staff intern!
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
We are now on Facebook! You can “like” us at “First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska.” Tune in for the latest updates from our church.
GREETERS
MAY 2013
5th – The Worner Family
12th – The Liskas & The Milton Owens
19th – P. Straight, K. Johnson, & The Griesses
26th – Verlin & Elaine Francis, & The Beesons
JUNE 2013
2nd – The Heese Family
9th – J. Curtiss, J. Reese & Paiges
16th – The Peterson Family
23rd – The Marras & The Hammers
30th – The Pulfer Family
LECTORS
MAY 2013
5th – Gail McCorkindale
12th – Tiffany Heese
19th – Sydney McCorkindale
26th – Angie Nelson
JUNE 2013
2nd – Glenda McDonald
9th – Candyce Peitz
16th – Kevin Peterson
23rd – Jodie Pulfer
30th – Ronda Ras
ACOLYTES
MAY 2013
5th – Jon Worner
12th – Solomon Peitz
19th – Zach Urbanec 16th – Shea Abraham
26th – Maddie Stenka
JUNE 2013
2nd – Layne Heese
9th – Beau Bowers
16th – Shea Abraham
23rd – Sarah Wibben
30th – Eleanor McCalla
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Each Sunday Morning:
|
1
6:30pm Presbyterian Women 7:30pm High School Youth |
2
National Day of Prayer |
3 | 4 | ||
| 5
Communion |
6 | 7 | 8
7:30pm Middle School Youth Group |
9 | 10
8:30am Wayne Women’s Club |
11 |
| 12
Mother’s Day |
13 | 14
7:00am-8:00pm Special Election in Fellowship Hall |
15
|
16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19
Graduation Sunday & last day of Church School |
20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27
7:00pm Session Meeting |
28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|
|
MAY BIRTHDAYS
3 Joann Proett, Dave Peitz
10 Jeryl Nelson, Bralen Murphy
11 Karen Johnson, Soloman Peitz, & Tami Worner
12 Joan Lage
14 Bo Armstrong
15 Jordan Alexander
17 Jaci Alexander
18 Jay & Jane O’Leary, Taytum Sweetland
19 Glenda McDonald
22 Marie Johnson
24 Gail McCorkindale
26 Dale Alexander
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 