Presbytidings – December 2014 / January 2015
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
Happy Hanukkah! This year the Feast of Dedication, as it’s also called, runs from December 17th through December 24th. But I’m not just trying to be multicultural in my greeting. Hanukkah is something that even Jesus, as an observant Jew, celebrated. In fact, like most things that Jesus did, he added new and deeper meaning to it!
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated in the 2nd century BC. The story of Hanukkah is recorded in 1 Maccabees, which is part of the Deuterocanon not included in our Protestant Bibles.
Prior to the year 165 BC, the Jewish people who lived in Judea where living under the rule of the Greek kings of Damascus. During this time the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of the Lord, as well as giving up their sacred customs and reading the Torah. Antiochus made them bow down to the Greek gods. And according to historical records, Antiochus even defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture. Very un-kosher!
In response to this severe persecution, a group of four Jewish brothers, led by Judah, decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters to resist their oppressors. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God were given a surname by their countrymen: Maccabee, meaning “hammer.” The small band of warriors fought for three years with “strength from heaven” until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from foreign control.
After regaining the Temple, the Maccabees cleansed the Temple, cleared it of all idolatry, and readied it for rededication, which took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev—overlapping with our contemporary December.
So Hanukkah received its name, the Feast of Dedication, because it celebrates the Maccabees’ victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple. But Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, because immediately following the miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision.
In the Temple, the eternal flame of God was to be lit at all times as a symbol of God’s enduring presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil left in the Temple to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed and purified. But at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and lit the eternal flame with the remaining supply of oil, and God’s Holy presence caused it to burn miraculously for eight days, until the new sacred oil was ready.
This is what Jesus celebrated as the Jews remembered God’s faithfulness to his people. “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22-23 NIV) Jesus’ mere presence in the Temple made the Jewish leaders curious. This was the man whom many said was the Messiah—who healed and taught in God’s power. Previously, God’s presence was expressed through the eternal flame which burned in the Temple. But now, God’s presence was expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the Light of the world. Jesus himself became the new Temple, the place where heaven and earth overlap, where God dwells among humanity.
Even today, this is what we celebrate. Not just a miracle that God accomplished on behalf of the Maccabees long ago. But we celebrate that God has come near to us, to live among us in Jesus Christ the Lord. This time of year we observe a holy season, remembering when Jesus was born in Bethlehem to bring God’s light into the world permanently. During this time of waiting, let us also be cleansed, purified, and dedicated to the Lord our God.
- Pastor Ray
(Historical information is taken from christianity.about.com.)
SESSION
The session will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015, including the new class of ruling elders. (There will be no session meeting in December.)
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, December 7.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The UnFrozen Christmas program will be during worship on Sunday, 12/21. Rehearsals will be 12/7 and 12/14 at 9:00am, plus any additional rehearsals. Invite your grandparents, friends, and neighbors!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS
Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to light the Advent candles during worship.
FPC CHRISTMAS BAND
It is time to make arrangements for the Christmas Band. If you are able to play, please sign up on the list on the opportunity table. We may also have various ensembles. If you have questions, see Jay O’Leary.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias may be displayed in the sanctuary in honor or memory of the loved ones in your life. We will acknowledge the arrangements in the Christmas Eve program. Please inform someone in the church office of the details.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
We will go caroling to CareAge and The Oaks on Wednesday, 12/17, during supper time. Please gather at The Oaks at 5:00pm. Bring a (musical) friend! After we finish singing, we will return to our Fellowship Hall for a soup supper. Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide food for the supper.
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
Our Christmas Joy Offering will be taken on Sunday, December 21st. Whether providing financial assistance to current & former church workers and their families, or providing opportunities for deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools, your generous gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstances or spirit.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Worship Christ, the newborn King! Wednesday, December 24, at 5:30pm. Bring your loved ones for a special candle-lit service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
PAJAMA SUNDAY
Sunday, 12/28, will be Pajama Sunday! Wear your pj’s, slippers, and bathrobes to worship that day. And it’s okay to bring a favorite stuffed animal, too!
YOUTH GROUPS
High school youth group will meet on Wednesday, 12/2, from 7:30-8:30, and on Wednesday, 12/17, at 5:00pm at The Oaks for caroling.
Jr. high youth group will meet on Wednesday, 12/10, from 7:30-8:30pm for our Christmas party and Wednesday, 12/17, at 5:00pm for caroling. See you there!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
- Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6:30pm for a bible study and their annual cookie exchange.
- The January meeting will be held on the 7th at 6:00pm. This meeting will be the potluck supper, business meeting and Bible study. Judy Lindberg will be the leader.
SEWING SOULS
- Sewing Souls will not meet in December.
- The January meeting will be 1/21. Elaine Francis will be the hostess.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
Our church is scheduled to ring the bells at Pac N Save and Shopko on Friday, 12/5 between the hours of 5:00-8:00p.m. Please sign up to ring at the Opportunity Table.
WAYNE ROTARY BAKED POTATO & PIE LUNCH
This annual event will be held on Sunday, 12/7 from 11:00 a.m.-1:30pm at the Wayne City Auditorium. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 & under, and may be purchased at the door.
RING AROUND WAYNE
The Wayne community handbell concert will be Monday, 12/8, at the Armory at 7:30pm. Our own Presbyterian Pealers will be performing alongside the other local groups. Please show your support!
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
*The church office will be closed on Thursday, 12/25.
*The office will also be closed Monday, January 1st.
Please, do not hesitate to leave a message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com
MITTEN TREE
Please help us decorate the tree in Fellowship Hall with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens.
WAYNE FOOD PANTRY
We are experiencing a busy holiday season at the Food Pantry. We are so thankful for the many donations that have been made. Please consider making a donation of either your time, some food, or even a financial gift. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.
SERMONS ON THE WEB
Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- Our community as it continues to recover from the tornado
- 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
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIVING
Here are some Web sites that will inspire you to give gifts that will make a real difference in people’s lives:
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
SEASON OF LIGHT
The WSC Planetarium will begin its 2014 holiday show “Season of Light” on Friday December 5, at 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Season of Light traces the history and development of many of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season. Season of Light will be presented at 6:30 & 7:30 pm on December 5, 12, 19 & 20, and at 1:30 pm on December 7, 14, & 21st. The suggested donation for all shows is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, go to www.wsc.edu/planetarium. Come and experience the “Season of Lights.”
* Please join us as we gather as a congregation at the planetarium show on 12/14 at 1:30.
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2015
- Worship with Communion will be held Sunday, January 11, 2015.
- The Session will meet on Monday, January 7th at 7:00pm.
- The FPC Annual Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, January 25th. A church potluck will follow.
- Stewardship drive part 2 will begin in January.
GREETERS – DECEMBER 2014
7th – Jim Curtiss, Pat Straight, Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton
14th– The McCorkindale Family
21st – The Peitz Family
24th – The Peterson Family
28th – The Pulfer Family
GREETERS – JANUARY 2015
4th– The McDonalds & The McLaughlins
11th-The Worner Family
18th – The Beesons & The Hammers
25th – The McCorkindale Family
LECTORS – DECEMBER 2014
7th – Tiffanny Heese
14th – Judy Lindberg
21st – Jim Lindau
24th –(sign-up sheet)
28th – Jan Liska
LECTORS – JANUARY 2015
4th – Ken Marra
11th – Rachelle McCalla
18th – Gail McCorkindale
25th –Ken Liska
ACOLYTES – DECEMBER 2014
7th – Bralen Murphy
14th – Andy Wibben
21st – Braydn McCorkindale
24th – Eleanor McCalla
28th – Bo Armstrong
ACOLYTES – JANUARY 2015
4th – Emily Worner
11th Taytum Sweetland
18th – Madison Urbanec
25th – Ethan Wibben
December 2014 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning:
o Handbell Choir 8:45 o Church School 9:00 o Confirmation Class 9:00 o Worship 10:00 o Fellowship 11:00
|
1
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
2 | 3
6:30 PW Cookie Exchange & Bible Study 7:30 High School Youth |
4 | 5 | 6
Afternoon: Uken Piano Recitals |
| 7
9:00 Kids’ program practice 11:00 Worship with Communion 6:45 Boy Scout Court of Honor |
8
Ring Around Wayne 7:30pm |
9 | 10
7:30pm Jr. High School Youth |
11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14
9:00 Kids’ program practice |
15
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
16 | 17
5:00 Christmas Caroling 6:30 Soup Supper |
18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 Christmas Joy Offering
9:00 Kids’ program practice |
22 | 23 | 24
5:30 Christmas Eve Service |
25
Christmas Day Church Office Closed |
26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1
New Years Day Church Office Closed |
2 | 3 |
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
1 Brittany Peterson
5 Tiffanny Heese
7 Candyce Peitz
14 Randy Dunklau
18 Beau Bowers
19 Dorothy Stevenson
20 Rich Murphy
22 Nina Hammer
31 Henry McCalla, Knox McCalla
January 2015 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning:
o Handbell Choir 8:45 o Church School 9:00 o Confirmation Class 9:00 o Worship 10:00 o Fellowship 11:00
|
1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 4 | 5
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
6 | 7
6:00 PW Potluck & Bible Study 7:30 High School Youth Group |
8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1
Worship with communion |
12 | 13 | 14
7:30 Jr. High Youth Group |
15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19
6:00 Scout Den Meeting |
20 | 21
6:30 Sewing Souls 7:30 High School Youth Group |
22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25
11:00 FPC Annual Meeting & Potluck |
26
7:00 Session |
27 | 28
7:30 Jr. High Youth Group |
29 | 30 | 31 |
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
2 Larry Heese
5 Terry Beair
9 Jennifer Hammer
10 Emily Armstrong
11 Joyce Voyles
15 Haley McElwain
20 Kent Pulfer
24 Claudia Racely
27 Jim Paige
28 Jackie Owens
31 Elaine Francis, Shannon Peterson
GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL
If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail (save a stamp, save a tree!), go to www.fpcwayne.org; on the home page, in the right hand column, there is a widget that says, “NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION: Enter your e-mail address to receive Presbytidings, our church’s newsletter, by e-mail.” Enter your address in the white box, and click on the button that says, “Sign me up!” You will need to confirm your subscription through an e-mail message that will be sent to your inbox; this is safe! It is designed to keep spammers out of the picture! Share our newsletter with all your friends and family. Simple!
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 