Presbytidings – May 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
In case you haven’t been paying attention this past week, Donald Sterling*, owner of the L.A. Clippers has been banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5 million. In addition to being slapped with heavy sanctions, Sterling will likely be forced to sell the Clippers, even if he stands to make a ton of money on the deal—but that’s another story for another day.
What, you may ask, was Donald Sterling’s transgression? Well, in case you have been living under a rock, Sterling was recently recorded** by his mistress*** spewing offensive racist comments. A celebrity gossip Web site broke the story, and the response from basketball players to cultural commentators to even the president of the United States has been swift in rightly condemning Mr. Sterling’s comments. Actually, some of the responses have condemned Mr. Sterling himself, and not just his comments.
But what does this have to do with a church newsletter?
Follow me here for a second: 1) Mr. Sterling’s racist comments are repulsive, and they betray an apparently stable attitude and worldview that he has espoused for many years. 2) For my limited knowledge of professional basketball, the NBA was right in their disciplinary action against Mr. Sterling. 3) An accepting and multicultural society like ours needs to address poisonous attitudes and encourage mutual respect among all people.
However, I wonder if our culture hasn’t gone too far. It seems that every few months we (with cheerleading by the media and our cultural Sirens) root out another person in our midst who is unacceptable to us, we flog him or her with righteous indignance, and we throw him or her away into the garbage dump for bad people, feeling collectively better about ourselves for having exorcised some social evil embodied in that person. And it’s not just one type of person with one type of political persuasion that receives the scorn and shame of an entire nation; everyone is already on their last warning to keep their thoughts and behaviors in check, lest they, too, be cast into the outer darkness.
But as a Christian leader, I am concerned that we condemn people so readily and close out the possibility of forgiveness and restoration. Think with me another second: What if Donald Sterling were to publicly apologize for his racist attitudes and behaviors?**** And not just the politically motivated non-apology that says, “I’m sorry if you were offended by my comments.” But what would we as a society do if he had a genuine change of heart, publicly repented and turned to God,***** and asked for forgiveness? Would we accept him and give him another chance? Or is Sterling’s sin one of the many unpardonable sins we have in our culture today?
As Christians, forgiveness is at the heart of who we are. We have been forgiven of our sins, so we must be ready to forgive others for their sins (see Colossians 3:13b). It’s what we do. Even Jesus—to Peter’s dismay—told his disciples that they must keep forgiving others who offend us, because God keeps forgiving us when we offend him.
So if I can offer yet another voice to this conversation about Donald Sterling and racism, it would be this: Yes, we need to gently encourage others toward respecting and loving all people, but yes, we also need to practice humility when faced with the temptation to condemn others.
And while we’re at it, why don’t we all take a second and pray for Donald Sterling.
Pastor Ray
* Born in Chicago in 1934 as Donald Tokowitz.
** Apparently without his knowledge or consent, which is actually illegal and inadmissible as legal evidence in California.
*** That is, not his wife, Rochelle Stein. Apparently adultery is acceptable in the NBA.
**** Not to mention his adultery.
***** He’s Jewish.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on May 18.
YOUTH GROUPS
- High School Youth: 5/7 from 7:30-8:30pm.
- Jr. High Youth: 5/14 from 7:30-8:30pm.
This will be our final gatherings for this school year. We will have special games and refreshments!
CHURCH SCHOOL
The final day of church school will be May 11.
CONFIRMATION UPDATE
Confirmation students will meet with their mentors on Sunday, May 4, from 9:00-9:45am. Confirmation Sunday will be May 18, during worship. There will be a special reception after worship to honor our Confirmation students.
SESSION
The Session will not meet in May. The next session meeting will be held on Monday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
EASTER LILIES
The beautiful Easter lilies were donated by the following families: Pulfers, Beesons, Fuelberths
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Son Harvest County Fair Vacation Bible School is presented by Our Savior Lutheran and First Presbyterian Churches August 4-7 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Volunteers are needed- please let Melissa Murphy know if you can help or would like more information: (402) 499-3776 or MelissaMurphy81@gmail.com Youth sign up forms will be distributed soon. Don’t forget to like our page on Facebook- WayneVBS for updates!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 7, at 6:30pm. Karen Johnson will lead the Bible study. Joyce Voyles will be the hostess.
SEWING SOULS
The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30pm. The hostess will be Babs Middleton.
NESTFest 2014 is coming!
Sunday, May 4th noon-3:00 at the elementary track. Fun for the family, free food and games, pony rides, train rides, face painting and entertainment! Parents can get information on the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (a college savings plan).
RENEW WAYNE
Thank you to everyone who helped make the RENEW Wayne concert a success! Audio Adrenaline and Kutless rocked the Activity Center, and hundreds of fans heard the message.
SERMONS ON THE WEB
Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
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
MAY 2014
4th – The Worners
11th – The Pat McDonalds & The Griesses
18th – The McLaughlins & The Fuelberths
25th – The Liskas & The Marras
JUNE 2014
1st – J. Curtiss, Pa. Straight, K. Johnson, B. Middleton
8th – The McLaughlins & The Hammers
15th – J. Lindau, J. Reeg & The Paiges
22nd – The Peitz Family
29th – The McCorkindale Family
LECTORS
MAY 2014
4th – Mark Hammer
11th – Jack Beeson
18th – Larry Heese
25th – Phil Griess
JUNE 2014
1st – Jim Lindau
8th – Tiffany Heese
15th – Rachelle McCalla
22nd – Jan Liska
29th – Ken Marra
ACOLYTES
MAY 2014
4th – Taytum Sweetland
11th – Madison Urbanec
18th – Ethan Wibben
25th – Henry McCalla
JUNE 2014
1st – Maria Ras
8th – Emily Armstrong
15th – Madison Beair
22nd – Shea Sweetland
29th – Gabriel Peitz
May 2014 – First Presbyterian Church
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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Each Sunday Morning: o Handbell Choir 8:45 o Church School 9:00 o Worship 10:00 o Fellowship 11:00
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4 Confirmation class with mentors |
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6:00 Scout Den Meeting
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6
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7 6:30 Presbyterian Women 7:30pm High Youth |
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9 8:30am Wayne Women’s Club Brunch
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10 (WSC Commencement) |
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11 |
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6:00 Scout Pack Meeting |
13 All day – Wayne County Primary Elections
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7:30pm Jr. High Youth |
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16 Mrs. Uken recital |
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18 Communion Confirmation Day Mrs. Uken recital |
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6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
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21
6:30pm Sewing Souls |
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23 |
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25 |
26 No Session Mtg.
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28
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30 |
31 |
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MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
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 and Jane O’Leary, & Taytum Joan Sweetland
19 Glenda McDonald
22 Marie Johnson
24 Gail McCorkindale
26 Dale Alexander
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 