Presbytidings – March 2014
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
I found this wonderful story about Billy Graham and Albert Einstein—of all people—shared by a man named John Huffman.
In January 2000, leaders of Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon. Rev. Graham initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, “We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.” So he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him, Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat by him. He couldn’t find it. The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’ Einstein nodded appreciatively.
“The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’”
Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am, I also know where I’m going.”
Even fourteen years later, Billy Graham is still around; he hasn’t used that suit for its second occasion. But his message is still powerful and relevant. His story invites us to ask the question of ourselves: Do we know who we are (and whose we are), and do we know where we are going?
Pastor Ray
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT
We will observe the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Please make plans to participate in our Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb! We will have soup suppers and prayer services on Wednesdays during Lent. Please sign up at the Opportunity to provide food for our suppers.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 9.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 2, the Transfiguration of the Lord.
CONFIRMATION UPDATE
Confirmation students will meet with their mentors on Sunday, March 2, from 9:00-9:45am. Our spring field trip will be on Saturday, March 15. We will meet at 5:00 at our church building and travel to St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Sioux City (1100 Jones St.) for their Great Vespers service at 6:30. Please eat a snack/supper before we leave! Also, remember that our retreat to Calvin Crest will be April 25-27.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Forget the snow and cold weather, it’s time to talk about VBS! We will have a planning meeting on Sunday evening, 3/2, at 7:30pm in our Fellowship Hall. Bring a friend, and bring your best ideas! Oh, and a calendar might not hurt.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Presbyterian Women will meet on TUESDAY, March 4, at 6:30pm. Jackie Owens will lead the Bible study. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.
PREACH THE WORD!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about preaching, then come to Pastor Ray’s preaching workshop. Saturday, 3/15, 9:00-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Learn some basic skills for delivering a message during worship.
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
COMMUNION WORKSHOP
It can be confusing for parents and kids who should take Communion during worship. So make plans to bring your kids to our Communion workshop on Sunday, 4/6, during church school time (9:00-9:45am).
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
SEWING SOULS
The Sewing Souls will not meet in March. We will be sewing again on Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30pm.
YOUTH GROUPS
*High School Youth: 3/5 and 3/19 @ 7:30 p.m.
*Jr. High Youth: 3/12 and 3/26 @ 7:30pm.
RENEW WAYNE
CrossPoint campus ministry is bringing an amazing event to our community! Audio Adrenaline and Kutless will be playing at the Community Activity Center on Thursday, April 24. For more information please visit www.renewwayne.com, or find them on Facebook!
CHOOSE LIFE
The Wayne Area Right to Life group is looking for a contact in our congregation to receive updates and information about pro-life activities in our region. If you are interested, please contact Deb Dickey at debdickey@msn.com.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Happy ninth anniversary to Pastor Ray! He began his tenure at FPC on February 28, 2005. As Craig Holstedt pointed out on Facebook, Pastor Ray has now passed him and become the third longest-serving pastor at FPC Wayne, behind Oliver Proett and Bob Haas. Congratulations!
SERMONS ON THE WEB
Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- Our community
- Our schools and teachers
- Our unchurched neighbors
- All who are battling cancer
- All who live in care centers
- CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
- Peace in the Middle East
- Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea
GREETERS
MARCH 2014
2nd – Jim C., Pat S. Karen J. and Babs M.
9th – Jim L., Joyce R., Pat & Glenda McD.
16th – Milton & Jackie O., The Paiges
23rd – The Peitz Family
30th – The Peterson Family
APRIL 2014
6th – The Pulfer Family
13th – The Heese Family
20th – The Beesons, The Milton Owens
28th – The Worner Family
LECTORS
MARCH 2014
2nd – Beau Bowers
9th – Shea Abraham
16th – Sarah Wibben
23rd – Greg Worner
30th – Tami Worner
APRIL 2014
6th – Jim Curtiss
13th – Bev Beeson
20th – Karen Johnson
28th – Judy Lindberg
ACOLYTES
MARCH 2014
2nd – Jon Worner
9th – Genevieve McCalla
16th – Bralen Murphy
23rd – Nina Hammer
30th – Andy Wibben
APRIL 2014
6th – Eleanor McCalla
13th – Braydn McCorkindale
20th – Bo Armstrong
28th – Emily Worner
March 2014 – First Presbyterian Church
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1 Each Sunday Morning:
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1 |
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2
7:30pm VBS Planning Meeting |
3
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
4 12pm WSC Brown Bag Bible Study 6:30 Presbyterian Women
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5 6:30 Ash Wednesday Service 7:30pm High School Youth |
6
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7
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8 |
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9 1st Sunday in Lent
Daylight Savings Time begins |
10
6:00 Scout Pack Meeting |
11
12pm WSC Brown Bag Bible Study
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12 6:00pm Soup Supper 6:45 Lent Service 7:30pm Jr. High Youth |
13 |
14
2:00 Wayne Women’s Club |
15 9:00 Preaching Workshop 5:00 Confirmation Class to St. Thomas
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16 2nd Sunday in Lent
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17
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
18
12pm WSC Brown Bag Bible Study
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19 6:00pm Soup Supper 6:45 Lent Service 7:30pm High School Youth |
20 |
21
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22
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23 3rd Sunday in Lent
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24
7:00 Session Mtg |
25
12pm WSC Brown Bag Bible Study
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26
6:00pm Soup Supper 6:45 Lent Service 7:30pm Jr. High Youth |
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28
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29 |
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30 4th Sunday in Lent
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31
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
16 Jason Racely
17 Jack Beeson
19 Judy Lindberg, Ray McCalla
24 Jacob Beair
25 Leigh Heese
28 Babs Middleton
29 Madison Urbanec
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 