Presbytidings – June/July 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
According to reliable sources,* back in 1970, the government of Australia imposed strict quotas on farmers in the western provinces. The government wanted to prevent farmers from harvesting all their wheat crops, thereby keeping both prices and demand high. A farmer in western Australia, Leonard Casley, wasn’t happy with the imposition, so he did what most proud, independent souls would have done: he seceded his farm from the nation of Australia.
After disputes with regional and national officials, Casley declared his 75-square-kilometer tract of land to be a sovereign nation, the Principality of Hutt River. He also proclaimed himself as Prince Leonard I of Hutt and his wife as Her Royal Highness Princess Shirley of Hutt, Dame of the Rose of Sharon. Over the next several years, and through complicated legal wrangling, Leonard kept the government at bay and even issued his own currency and stamps. Even today, Prince Leonard still rules over his micronation in western Australia.
It takes courage to stand up to the forces of tyranny, even if the Principality of Hutt is a somewhat silly example. But I believe there comes a point when it becomes necessary for every Christian to dissolve the bands which have connected them to an oppressive master. And no, I’m not advocating moving to remote parts of Montana and establishing a new micronation, separate from America. But the secession needs to happen in our hearts.
Our culture is a foreign one for Christians, and increasingly so. Like a dictator, our secular culture imposes all sorts of quotas upon us: how we should live, how we should look, how we should think, what we should believe. The American culture–in its red and blue manifestations alike–is often incongruous with the practice of following Jesus. And part of being a Christian is seceding from worldly quotas and declaring our dependence, not on ourselves, like Leonard Casley, but on a power greater than this world. We must all choose to take up our title as sons and daughters of the King of kings, rather than remain as slaves to an oppressive system.
Thankfully, our king’s dominion is not of this world (John 18:36). Following Jesus’ resurrection, he returned to the realm of God we call heaven, where he reigns in his glorified body at the Father’s right hand. Hence, our allegiance is not to any particular worldly system, but to Jesus and his kingdom which pierces the darkness of our world. Indeed, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20 NIV)
So there’s no need to engage in legal wrangling, as Leonard Casley did, and there’s no need for armed rebellion. As Christians, we simply need to be courageous and declare our loyalty to Jesus our king.
* Wikipedia, of course.
Pastor Ray
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on July 6th.
SESSION
The next session meeting will be held on Monday, June 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. There will be no meeting in July.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Summer meetings for PW begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30pm. Hostess is Jackie Owens and Judy Lindberg will lead lesson 8 of the Bible Study. The July meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 at 6:30. Elaine Francis will be the hostess. There will be no meeting in August. Meetings will begin again in September.
SEWING SOULS
In June, Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 to work on items for Calvin Crest, and to finish the catheter bag covers for Providence Medical Center. Hostess will be Judy Lindberg.
OGRETTA MORRIS
Gretta (Ogretta) Morris, a previous member of FPC, passed away May 17 in California. A service will be held in our area this fall. Condolences may be sent to: Roger Morris, 2101 North Westwood, Santa Ana, CA 92706
DR. ELAINE BENTHACK YOST
Dr. Elaine Benthack Yost died on April 18, 2014 in Minnesota. A visitation was held at the Washburn McReavy Chapel in Minneapolis. Her obituary is posted on the board in Fellowship Hall.
HENOWEEN DONATIONS
Our church will once again be hosting the teen dance at Henoween, Friday, July 11th. We will be selling pop and bottled water for the kids. Donations are needed, and may be brought to the church kitchen. Thank you for your support!
SERMONS ON THE WEB
Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.
2014 FOOD PANTRY BACKPACK NEWS
Due to the contributions and efforts of many individuals and organizations, we were able to provide over 3,500 backpacks to hungry school students for the 2013-14 school year. The program continues this summer, and we would be glad to accept donations (individually wrapped packages of nutritious food & snacks, financial donations, time…) Contact Jenny at the church office: fpcwayne@gmail.com or (402)375-2669 for more details.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE
VBS Volunteers are needed! Son Harvest County Fair Vacation Bible School, will be held August 4-7 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Please contact Melissa Murphy (402) 499-3776 or MelissaMurphy81@gmail.comif you can help or would like to sign up. Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WayneVBS
JULIE & MIKE WITH THE VICTORY BAND
This great seven piece band from Northeast Nebraska will perform at the Wayne County Fair on Wednesday, July 23rd at 8:00pm. A free will donation will benefit the Wayne Food Pantry Backpack Program. Featuring country gospel, patriotic and contemporary Christian favorites!
CALVIN CREST QUILT AUCTION
Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Quilt Auction on Saturday, August 16. Quilts will go on display at 10:00am and the live auction begins at 1:00pm. After you’ve looked at the quilts, you can enjoy a BBQ lunch before the auction. If you can’t make it to Calvin Crest, you can bid online at www.proxibid.com/calvincrest
DRIVE FOR THE KIDS
Help children in our area who are in need (Haven House, Siouxland Ronald McDonald House, Wayne Head Start, and Rainbow World). Check the large donation box in Fellowship Hall for a list of needed supplies. Every little bit helps!
WAYNE GROW AN EXTRA ROW
Consider sharing your garden bounty this year with those in need in our community. Set aside a small bag of produce, and bring it to our food pantry. The program was well received last year. You can help make a difference!
PROVIDENCE HOSPICE WORKSHOP
Providence Medical Center Home Health Care and Hospice will be holding a memorial service on Sunday, June 1st at 2:00p.m. for patients who have passed away between May 2013 – April 2014. The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Wayne. There will be a balloon release, and refreshments will follow the service.
10TH CHRISTIAN CROSS FESTIVAL
This event will be held on June 7th from 1:00-11:00pm at Skyview Lake in Norfolk, Nebraska. Go and enjoy free admission, ministry, prayer, food, fellowship, a kid’s tent, inflatables and fireworks. A fun day to fellowship in Norfolk!
RELAY FOR LIFE REMINDER
This year’s event will be held June 6th from 6:00pm to midnight at the Wayne State College indoor track.
Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
SET APART GIRL CONFERENCE
For girls of all ages, this beautiful weekend will refresh and revive your spiritual walk and give you a vision for set-apart femininity that is practical. June 6-7th at Miss Molly’s (203 Main Street). Contact Holly Torres at torresholly@yahoo.com or (402)369-0117 for more information. The outreach project for this conference is the Wayne Food Pantry.
ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
June 15th is known as “Elder Abuse Awareness Day.” Abuse in later life occurs when an older person is subjected to a pattern of coercive behaviors, used to gain and maintain power and control. Usually the victims have ongoing, trusting relationships with abusers, such as spouse/life partner, adult children, other family members and some caregivers. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, help is available. Haven House can offer crisis intervention and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Anyone requesting assistance can call the agency’s 24 hour crisis line at 1-800-440-4633.
AL-ANON AND ALATEEN
These organizations are world-wide fellowships committed to providing comfort and support to relatives and friends of alcoholics. They also provide understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic using the “12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous” as the spiritual guide. A meeting is held locally on Wednesdays at 8:00pm at the Wayne Municipal Building at 306 Pearl Street (4th floor, southeast conference room). Contact Nancy H. at (402)518-1062 for more information.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- The families of those who have recently died
- 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
Have a great (and safe) summer!
GREETERS
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
JULY 2014
6th – The Peterson Family
13th – The Pulfer Family
20th – The Heese Family
27th The Beesons & The Fuelberths
LECTORS
JUNE 2014
1st – Jim Lindau
8th – Tiffany Heese
15th – Rachelle McCalla
22nd – Jan Liska
29th – Ken Marra
JULY 2014
6th – Angie Nelson
13th – Ken Liska
20th – Gail McCorkindale
27th – Candyce Peitz
ACOLYTES
JUNE 2014
1st – Maria Ras
8th – Emily Armstrong
15th – Madison Beair
22nd – Shea Sweetland
29th – Gabriel Peitz
JULY 2014
6th – Eleanor McCalla
13th – Bradyn McCorkindale
20th – Bo Armstrong
27th – Gen McCalla
June 2014 – First Presbyterian Church
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Sunday |
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1 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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6:30pm Presbyterian Women |
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6:30pm Sewing Souls
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7:00pm Session Meeting
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JUNE BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
2 Jean Griess, Jill Sweetland
6 Connie Bargstadt
8 Brian Bowers, Carol Mosley, Austin McDonald
10 Karen Granberg
11 Emily Worner
18 Wes Beckenhauer
19 Dennis Spangler
July 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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6:30pm Presbyterian Women |
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Independence Day |
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6 Communion |
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JULY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
7 Sarah Bloom
10 Shea Sweetland
11 Luke Pulfer
15 Greg Worner
16 Verlin Francis
21 Josephine Peitz
24 Mark Hammer, Zach Urbanec
27 Cate Worner
29 Marta Pulfer
30 Melissa Murphy
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 