Presbytidings – April 2016

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 have a bad habit of longing for the way things never were.

When my computer project self-destructs at the click of a mouse, I long for the days of my old Remington typewriter.  Of course, I forget how many bottles of White-out it took to finish a paper.  And if I spilled my diet Pepsi on the paper, I had to start all over again.

I think “rap music” is an oxymoron.  And I long for the good music of the 60’s.  Of course, a lot of it was called acid rock.  It had a way of eating away at America’s soul.

But politics were a lot different then.  We didn’t have Bernie or Donald or Ted or Hillary. Well, we did have Teddy Kennedy, Nixon and Spiro.  But the church was a lot better back then.  But if it was so much better back then, why aren’t the boomers still around?

That’s the funny thing about nostalgia or longing for the way things never were.  It’s the ‘30s without the Depression, the ‘40s without World War II, the ‘50s without the bomb, the ‘60s without drugs and riots, the ‘70s without apathy, the ‘80s without greed, and the ‘90s without Madonna, Michael Jackson and Marilyn Manson.

It’s as deluded as the fellow who said, “I don’t believe in astrology.  I’m a Sagittarian and we’re skeptical.”

The real problem with longing for the way things never were is its paralyzing effect on personal and corporate improvement.  If we really think things were better back then, there’s the temptation of giving up on praying and working and expecting to make things better right now.

Proverbs 29:18a has a word of caution for living that way: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV)

Jesus put it this way: “Who would use old wineskins to store new wine?  For the old skins would burst with the pressure, and the wine would be spilled and the skins ruined.  Only new wineskins are used to store new wine.  That way both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17, Living Bible)

While our Lord was clearly addressing the foolishly self-defeating behavior of people who don’t make room for his new blessings and opportunities for increasing Holy Communion with him and advancing his kingdom for the good of all, the main message is powerfully positive and persuading.  It means God is still alive and active and providing the way to build upon the best of the past for an even better future.

Our challenge it to stop longing for the way things never were.  We are called to grow and go with God, enlightened, encouraged and enabled by the Spirit.

Yesterday is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Change is happening all around us – it’s unstoppable!  And why would we want to keep doing things the way we did them 20 years ago, or 50 years ago?  As we await the return to our 100+year-old worship space, let us focus on new ways to be church.  As we gather to discern our pastoral needs for the future, let us call on new visions.  As we discover who God is calling our congregation to be in this 21^st century, let us be open to whatever God might have in store.

(with thanks to Rev. Robert Kopp, pastor who wrote the article that inspired this column)

Pastor Sally

 

MISSION STATEMENT AND PASTOR SEARCH PROCESS

On April 3, the congregation will be introduced to a process that will help us discern God’s desires for the future of FPC.  The process involves two weeks of daily scripture readings and prayer.  We ask that you take time each day to complete the reading and write down your reflection on the “picture” it presents for the church’s life and mission.  At the end of the two weeks, please use the summary sheet for your key ideas and impressions about the future of this church and the kind of pastoral leadership the church needs to go forward.  We will gather after church on April 17 for potluck and discussion around our discernment summaries.  The Session will then use your input to create the Church Information Form (CIF) which is the “job description” and vision for calling the next pastor.  The discernment packet was emailed to your home and is also available in print form at the church.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with those in need. Your generous gifts assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed. We received the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on both Palm & Easter Sundays and will be sending $588 to our national office, thanks to your generosity.

THANK YOU

Thank you to the deacons who served warm rolls and coffee on Easter Sunday, so that we could fellowship with all of the visitors.  We missed the brunch because of our renovation, but not the fellowship time!

CHURCH SCHOOL

Church school continues on Wednesday night at 6:30.  The last day of church school will be May 11.

MERCY MEALS

Mercy Meals of Nebraska is a non-profit organization that allows volunteers to package nourishing food that will be delivered by the Orphan Grain Train to children in need throughout the world.  Orphanages, refugee camps, feeding centers, disaster relief centers and local food pantries have been recent recipients of our food.

Misty Beair would like to take a group of our church youth (grades 3-12) to help package Mercy Meals at Grace Lutheran Church on April 5th from 6:30-8:00 PM.  If your child would like to help out, please let me know ASAP so I can give them a head count of how many will be there. mibeair1@waynebluedevils.org

YOUTH GROUPS

• High School Youth: dates to be determined 7:30-8:30pm.
• Junior High Youth: following Confirmation classes, 7:30-8:30pm.
• Confirmation: 4/6 youth to Greek orthodox service at 4:15, 4/13 and 4/20 from 6:30-7:30pm.

CONFIRMATION

Our confirmands have spent the past 3 months meeting together and learning about their faith and how it fits with the Presbyterian Church, USA.  They’ve met with mentors, interviewed elders and deacons, and been involved in service to church and community.  On April 25 they will meet with the Session, and on May 1 those who have decided to do so will join First Presbyterian Church.  Please make it a point to celebrate this special day with them.

SESSION

The Session will gather with the Confirmation Class on Monday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 4, at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, April 20, at 6:30pm. Judy Lindberg will be the hostess.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

The Brown-Bag Bible study is starting a new study on the basics of faith – God, Jesus, Religion, the Bible, the Church, Salvation, and the Cross.  Join us for a brief video presentation from an active pastor/writer who will help us explore what we know, and what we question, about these topics.  This is an opportunity to explore our faith together.  We will meet on Tuesdays, at noon, in the Fellowship hall. We will not meet on April 5.  Then we’ll finish our study in May.

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

We will do our spring highway cleanup after worship on Sunday, April 10. Wear work cloths to worship! We will depart after worship to our stretch of Highway 35 (markers 33-35 east of Wayne). If we can get twenty people to help, the work will go very quickly. This is a great time for families to do a service project together. With plenty of help, this project takes less than one hour.  If you’d like to clean up, but not along the highway, you can stay at the church and help clean out the cupboards.  Our dumpster will be removed on April 11, so we want to be sure all of our excess “stuff” has been cleaned out.

If you have younger children in your family (too young to be out on the highway), and they want to help—don’t despair! We will have an adult located at the church to watch the kids. Our current plan is to have them do their own cleanup project in our church yard. We look forward to your help on April 10! Thanks in advance.  (Back up date is April 24 is the weather is bad on April 10)

RENOVATION UPDATE

We know this is taking longer than planned, and that we all want to be worshipping back in our beautiful sanctuary.  We think we’re entering the home stretch, with only side lights and carpeting yet to finish, and organ to be re-installed. Thank you for your support and your patience as we do this project right. If you have questions, please contact our property team leaders, Russ Urbanec and Greg Worner.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Providence Medical Center is offering a grief support group on Tuesday evenings from 6:15-8:30.  The group begins April 5.  Please call NOW if you are interested, 402-375-4288.

WAYNE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

You can save lives! Just one pint can save three lives. The next Wayne Community Blood Drive will be held Thursday, April 28, from 9am to 3pm at the Wayne Fire Department. You can make an appointment by calling 800-287-4903 or visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

The Wayne Area Habitat for Humanity is considering starting its 5th house build in Wayne. If there is support from the community, the build will start in the fall. A lot for building the house has already been obtained. If you are interested in volunteering to help build, clean up, make lunches for volunteers, help with the organization, or pray, please talk to Mark Hammer. Thanks!

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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
• Peace in the Middle East

• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

 

LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL & MAY 2016

 

GREETERS – APRIL 2016

3^rd – The Pulfer Family

10^th – The Peterson Family

17^th – Ken & Jan Liska, Ken & Karen Marra

24^{th –} Pat & Glenda McDonald, Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin

 

GREETERS – MAY 2016

1^st – Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim & Shari Paige

8^th – The Peitz Family

15^th – The Worner Family

22^nd – The Heese Family

29th – John & Anita Fuelberth, Phil & Jean Griess

 

LECTORS – APRIL 2015

3^rd – Phil Griess

10^th – Judy Lindberg

17^th – Ronda Ras

24^th – Tami Worner

 

LECTORS – MAY 2016

1^st – Mark Hammer

8^th – Larry Heese

15^th – Jodi Pulfer

29^th – Karen Johnson

 

ACOLYTES – APRIL 2016

3^rd – Cate Worner

10^th – Nina Hammer

17^th – Bo Armstrong

24^th – Braydn McCorkindale

 

ACOLYTES – MAY 2016

1^st – Madison Urbanec

8^th – Taytum Sweetland

15^th – Emily Worner

22^nd – Ethan Wibben

29^th – Cate Worner

 

 

April 2016 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: o  Handbell Choir 8:45 o  Worship 10:00 o  Fellowship 11:00					1	2
3	4	5 No Brown Bag today 6:30 Youth packing Mercy Meals	6 4:15 Confirmands to Sioux City 6:30 Church School 6:30 Presbyterian Women	7	8	9
10 11:00 Highway & Church Cleanup	11 Dumpster leaves	12 12pm Brown Bag	13 12pm Brown Bag 6:30 Church School 6:30 Confirmation Class 7:30 Jr. High Youth	14	15	16
17 11:00 Church Potluck & Discernment Discussion	18	19 12pm Brown Bag	20 6:30 Sewing Souls 6:30 Church School 6:30 Confirmation Class 7:30 Jr. High Youth Group	21	22	23
24 (Highway cleanup rain date)	25 7:00pm Session meets with confirmands	26 11:00 Presbytery Cluster	27 6:30 Church School 7:30 Youth Group	28	29	30 3:00 Abraham Eagle Scout Court of Honor

 

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)

1        Jorge Dunklau

4        Bev Beeson

6        Shari Dunklau

8        Andrew Pulfer

9        Kevin Armstrong

19      Taylor Racely

23      Jill O’Leary Scott

24      Gina McDonald

26      Phil Griess, Levi Heese

27      Stacey Alexander, Verianne McClain

29      Heidi Armstrong, Addie Murphy

30      Greg Bloom

 

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