Presbytidings – September 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
Fire the committee! All of them!
“You and I are not integrated, unified, whole persons. Our hearts are multi-divided. It’s like we have a board room in every heart. Imagine: a big table, leather chairs, coffee, bottled water, and a whiteboard. A committee sits around the table in your heart. There is the social self, the private self, the work self, the sexual self, the recreational self, the religious self, and others. The committee is arguing and debating and voting, constantly agitated and upset. Rarely can they come to a unanimous, wholehearted decision. We tell ourselves we’re this way because we’re so busy with so many responsibilities. But the truth is that we’re just divided, unfocused, hesitant, and unfree.”
When we follow Jesus, we have a choice. We can invite him to be a part of our committee; give him voice and vote on all decisions; allow him to be another factor in how the Self chooses to conduct our lives. The other choice is to fire the whole committee—every last member, including Almighty Self—and ask Jesus to be Lord over our whole lives.*
Sadly, we often choose the first option. And that is a major problem for Christians in America, regardless of our faith tradition. We are deplorably unformed in the Faith. Our Christian identity is not the defining factor in our lives, but just one of many. Tragically, many Christians are indistinguishable from secular people who profess no faith beyond their self-reliance. Too often there is little difference between our beliefs, convictions, and behaviors and the beliefs, convictions, and behaviors of those who don’t follow Jesus. We make Jesus a member of our committee, but nothing more. We worship him on (most) Sunday mornings and consult him when all else fails.
But that is not what being a follower of Jesus is all about. That approach lacks integrity. If we call Jesus Lord, then we need to treat him like it. We need to fire the committee in our hearts and surrender our whole lives to him. In practice, though, making Jesus Lord is not complicated. It’s actually pretty straightforward—it’s a matter of training our fleshly bodies to follow Jesus: being formed in God’s image through worship, making a habit of praying throughout the day, reading Scripture—even if it’s on your smartphone!—fasting from excessive food, serving others, and giving our money to God’s purposes in the world.
So as school starts this fall, and as our church programs start up, let’s all make a point to fire the committee in our hearts and enthrone Jesus over all parts of our lives.
Pastor Ray
*Credit for these words and ideas goes to Ray Ortund, writing for The Gospel Coalition.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together on Sunday, September 7.
CHURCH SCHOOL KICKOFF & SUNDAE SUNDAY!
This fall we will have church school during worship, for grades preschool through 7th grade and it will begin on Sunday, September 7. We will be featuring the “What’s in the Bible?” series by the creators of Veggie Tales. Church school is during worship this fall (10:00-11:00am), so you can sleep in a bit longer!
- On Saturday, September 6, at 5:00pm, join us for a Church School Kick-off! We would like to invite students and their families, as well as volunteers and teachers, to join us for a time of fellowship, food and fun! Hot dogs and fixins’, fun and games: bring a friend!
- After worship on Sunday, 9/7, we will be celebrating with our traditional ice cream sundae Sunday.
PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS
Our Hand-bell Choir will resume rehearsals on Sunday, 9/7 at 8:45am. New members are welcome! No experience is necessary.
OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND POTLUCK
We will be changing things up a bit on Sunday, September 21. We will be worship outside, in our backyard, and enjoy God’s creation. Afterwards, we will be celebrating our church family with a potluck lunch. Please bring something to share (and if you don’t remember, just pretend you did!). Also, please bring a lawn chair to sit on. The Front Porch Pickers will be leading our worship that day.
CROSSPOINT CAMPUS MINISTRY
CrossPoint is fired up and ready to go this year! But they need your help to do even more! If you would like to help with some of the CrossPoint activities, please contact the director, Josh Sievers, at (502) 649-1924 or joshsievers@live.com. To see what CrossPoint is all about, visit www.crosspointwayne.net.
BROWN-BAG BIBLE IS BACK
Pastor Ray will again be leading a Bible study in the Goldenrod Room (WSC Student Center), Wednesdays at noon while classes are in session, beginning 9/3. Bring a friend, bring your deepest questions about life and faith, bring your lunch, bring a Bible, and bring an open mind and heart!
SESSION
The next session meeting will be held on Monday, September 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The Presbyterian Women will start the new year with a potluck supper on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30pm. Following the meal we will meet to plan for the year ahead. The Bible Study this year will be Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2nd Corinthians.
SEWING SOULS
Sewing Souls will have their first meeting on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:30pm. We have unfinished projects to resume, and we need to make plans for new ones. It is never too early to start thinking about projects for the Calvin Crest Quilt Auction next year! Everyone is welcome. We need people to sew, to pin, to cut, to press, and some seam rippers as well!
CALVIN CREST QUILT AUCTION
The items sent to the quilt auction in August from the Frist Presbyterian Church and Sewing Souls raised over $150 for Calvin Crest this year. Thanks to everyone who donated items and to those who attended the auction.
YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS RESUME
The first High School group will meet on Wednesday, September 3, from 7:30-8:30pm. Jr. High Youth will meet on Wednesday, September 10, from 7:30-8:30pm. We will alternate youth groups: 1st and 3rd = High School; 2nd and 4th = Jr. High. Bring a friend!
FELLOWSHIP TIME CHANGES
After experimenting with different configurations over the summer, the session has announced a new policy about Fellowship Time after worship. We will keep the sign-up sheet at the Opportunity Table and encourage people to provide refreshments for after worship to enable fellowship. The key direction for people providing snacks is this: Keep it simple! It doesn’t need to be elaborate or overly filling. Fruit, cookies (store-bought is fine), or even just coffee is great. And when no one signs up for Fellowship Time, we will ask (in advance) the greeters to put on a pot of coffee and set out a package of cookies from the freezer. Thank you for your cooperation! Our goal is to efficiently provide a reason for people to linger with each other after worship.
FOOD PANTRY/COAT CLOSET RENOVATION
The Coat Closet will return to its home in the basement this week. Many thanks to Greg and Tami Worner and the Boy Scouts. Please take a look next time you have a few minutes. This project was funded by the Monsanto America’s Farmers Grow Communities grant (The Ken & Carol Wilke Family), the Food Pantry, the Coat Closet, and the Boy Scouts. Great Work!
NORTHSTAR FOOD DRIVE
NorthStar Services will be hosting a food drive to benefit our food pantry on Thursday, 9/25, 11:00am-5:00pm at the Sinclair parking lot. Donations of two or more items will receive a free 32 oz pop refill (you must bring your own cup). Anyone who donates five or more items will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gas card to Sinclair.
GRETA MORRIS MEMORIAL SERVICE
We will celebrate the life of one of the Lord’s good and faithful servants, Orgretta Morris. Saturday, September 27, at 11:00am in our sanctuary. Committal and lunch will follow.
SERMONS ON THE WEB
Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.
SUMMER MISSION CAMP 2015?
Are you interested in joining the mission trip to Colorado in 2015? Please contact Chris Hansen at First Presbyterian in Lincoln if you have ANY questions or would like to join the group. Chris can be reached at yaya@fpclincoln.org or 402-477-6037. We would love to send some youth (grades 6-12) on a mission trip next summer! Please visit with Pastor Ray if you are at all interested.
2014 ADVENT DEVOTIONAL WRITERS NEEDED
The Homestead Presbytery is looking for anyone interested in writing devotions for their Advent Devotion booklet. The specifics are on the bulletin board in fellowship hall, or you can follow this link: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/2014-Advent-Devotional-Writers-Needed.html?soid=1109101676462&aid=CpFWSf3P8uE Assignments will be made at the end of September.
THE POAM/OWLS FALL CELEBRATION: WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?
The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry & The Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints (OWLS) Celebration at Calvin Crest will be held September 16-17, 2014. Please come and join friends and neighbors from across the Heartland for a two day celebration for older adults (50 and above). Overnight accommodations and great food are included. Check at our church office for details or go online at www.calvincrest.org
GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE
Join this local pilgrimage to enhance your walk with Christ. It is a three day renewal that will last a lifetime. This journey in a Christian community will be held at Calvin Crest , October 2-5, 2014. For an overview of the program, see http://www.gpppilgrimage.org/faq.html or check the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
MISSION AND MINISTRY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Do you have an interest in the Czech Republic? Join Karen Moritz as she speaks to the Homestead Presbytery in Clarkson, NE on Thursday, November 20. Karen works with the PC (USA) and the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB). For more information check http://www.homesteadpres.org/index.html
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 September 2014
7th – The Peitz Family
14th – Jim Curtiss, Pat Straight, Karen Johnson, & Babs Middleton
21st – Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim Lindau & Joyce Reeg
28th – The Pulfer Family
Greeters October 2014
5th – The Peterson Family
12th – The McCorkindale Family
19th – The Worner Family
26th – Jack & Bev Beeson, Mark & Jenny Hammer
Lectors September 2014
7th – Jim Curtiss
14th – Sydney McCorkindale
21st – Kent Pulfer
28th – Pat Straight
Lectors October 2014
5th – Luke Pulfer
12th – Bev Beeson
19th – Jim Curtiss
26th – Phil Griess
Acolytes September 2014
7th – Madison Urbanec
14th – Cate Worner
21st – Henry McCalla
28th – Maria Ras
Acolytes October 2014
5th – Emily Armstrong
12th – Madison Beair
19th – Shea Sweetland
26th – Gabriel Peitz
September 2014 – First Presbyterian Church
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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Each Sunday Morning:
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1 |
2 |
3 6:00 PW Potluck & Meeting
7:30 High School Youth |
4 |
5 |
6
5:00 Church School Kickoff! |
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7
11:00 Sundae Sunday! |
8 |
9 |
10 7:30pm Jr. High Youth |
11 |
12 |
13 |
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14 |
15 |
16 |
17 6:30 Sewing Souls 7:30 High School Youth
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18 |
19 |
20 |
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21 Outdoor Worship & Potluck |
22 7:00 Session |
23 |
24 7:30 Jr. High Youth |
25 |
26 |
27 |
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28 |
29 |
30 |
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
6 Anita Fuelberth
8 Sharyn Paige
14 Angie Nelson
16 Marcile Uken
18 Jordan McDonald
19 Marilyn Murray
21 Jared Peterson
24 Jacob Pulfer, Misty Beair
29 Melissa Urbanec
30 Jared Yates, Madison Beair
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 