Presbytidings – March 2017

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.”

 

From the Pastor……..

 The Lenten season began with Ash Wednesday on March 1st.  In the early church Lent was a time of training and preparation for initiation and baptism into the church usually on Easter. Those preparing learned the creeds, Jesus’ teaching and the disciplines of the faith. In the early church the entire congregation joined those who were preparing for baptism in prayer and study.  Because of this early history Lent has come to be known as a time of repentance and introspection, a time we reflect on our sinfulness, woundedness, our need for repentance, and our dependence on God.  During Lent we are challenged to question ourselves about our faith and what God calls us to be or do.

To help in this time of repentance and introspection many people use spiritual disciplines. Disciplines range from intentional prayer, study, meditation or devotional reading, worship and fasting, from food or an activity or these days, electronics. Some people fast regularly or give-up something for Lent, so that by self-denial, by the absence of something, they will focus instead on deepening their relationship with God.  As we begin our journey through Lent I hope you’ll enjoy the following reading which gives a different insight on spiritual disciplines.  Perhaps this year you might consider not just fasting but feasting.

 True Lenten Discipline[*]

Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should also be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and feast on others.  It is a season is which we should:

FAST from judging others;

FEAST on Christ dwelling in them.

FAST from an emphasis on differences;

FEAST on the unity of all life.

FAST from apparent darkness;

FEAST on the reality of all light.

FAST from thoughts of illness;

FEAST on the healing power of God.

FAST from words that pollute;

FEAST on phrases that purify.

FAST from discontent;

FEAST on gratitude.

FAST from anger;

FEAST on patience.

FAST from pessimism;

FEAST on optimism.

FAST from worry;

FEAST on God’s providence.

FAST from complaining;

FEAST on appreciation.

FAST from negatives;

FEAST on affirmatives.

FAST from unrelenting pressures;

FEAST on unceasing prayer.

FAST from hostility;

FEAST on nonresistance.

FAST from bitterness;

FEAST on forgiveness.

FAST from self-concern;

FEAST on compassion for others.

FAST from personal anxiety;

FEAST on eternal truth.

FAST from discouragement;

FEAST on hope.

FAST from facts that depress;

FEAST on verities that uplift.

FAST from lethargy;

FEAST on enthusiasm.

FAST from suspicion;

FEAST on truth.

FAST from thoughts that weaken;

FEAST on promises that inspire.

FAST from shadows of sorrow;

FEAST on the sunlight of serenity.

FAST from idle gossip;

FEAST on purposeful silence.

FAST form problems that overwhelm;

FEAST on prayer that sustains.

Before we get to the hallelujahs of Easter we will journey together through Lent, on the other side is the glory of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection.  May the journey be one which leads each of us to renewal, change, and a deeper understanding of our relationship with our Lord and our calling as Christians.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

 

MARKING THE LENTEN SEASON

Lent is counter-cultural to our society; it is a time of examination rather than gratification, a time of hunger rather than of fullness, a time of inquiry rather than assurance.  The season is often marked by giving up something, the absence of familiar things should refocus our attention to our relationship with the Triune God. The absence of familiar or beloved things marks a change of seasons in the life of a disciple, offering space and time for introspection and reflection.

There are also changes in our life as a worshiping community. In worship we put away the alleluias and flowers until Easter morning, when they return they celebrate and testify to our risen Lord. During the Lent you will see some changes in the sanctuary which help mark our journey through the season. The candlesticks, cross and Bible you normally see on the communion table have been replaced by purple cloth, the color represents repentance.  There is a candle for each week of Lent, to help us mark the time a candle will be removed from the table each week. In addition to the purple fabric there is burlap, the rough natural fabric reminds us of our mortality and that “from dust we have come and to dust we will return.”  During our Wednesday evening prayer services we will add elements to the communion table which represent the season and Christ’s journey to the cross, which included time in the wilderness, time in solitude and prayer.

The colors, the fabrics, the natural elements which will be on the communion table  remind us that Lent is a time of soul-searching, a time of repentance, as well as preparation for our life as a disciple of Christ. Just as bulbs which have been in the cold, dark ground, dormant during the harshness of the winter, respond to the warming of the ground and sunlight showing life from what appeared to be dead, so also from our times of self-reflection, prayer and worship may we also show new growth, new strength in following Christ. May you experience a blessed Lenten season.

 

PASTOR INSTALLATION

March 5th was an exciting day in the life of the congregation of First Presbyterian Church as the Homestead Presbytery appointed commission led worship and the service of installation.  So many people did so much to make the day run smoothly and I want to thank everyone who participated in preparing and planning for the installation service. Jenny did a great job in helping design and prepare the worship bulletins for the service and with many other details. Thank you to the members of the PNC who participated; Karen, Kevin, Misty, John and Kent.  My thanks to the members of the Presbyterian Pealers and Jay for providing music for morning worship and the afternoon installation service- it was beautiful!!!  Thanks to Jane for her gifts on the piano and helping us sing joyfully to the Lord.  Thank you to the PW and others who planned, prepared, set-up and moved tables, and served the lunch after the service, it was lovely.  Thank-you also for the lovely flowers which were provided for the service and the floral arrangement that was sent home with me.  It was a special day in my life and I hope as pastor and congregation it will be the starting place of a long and blessed ministry together.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

 

LENTEN SUPPERS AND EVENING PRAYER

Join us for warm fellowship and quiet evening prayer as we journey to the cross and the empty tomb. Beginning March 8^th, we will have soup suppers at 6:00pm, followed by prayer services at 7:00pm. Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide food for our suppers.

ECUMENICAL LENTEN SERVICES

Ecumenical Lenten prayer services will be held on the first four Wednesdays (after Ash Wednesday) of Lent (March 8, 15, 22 & 29). The services will be hosted at a different area church each week and will begin at 12:00pm; followed by a light lunch. The service will be about 20 minutes—so anyone coming who only has an hour off for lunch will be able to attend the service and have lunch in under an hour. A free-will offering will go to WACAM (Wayne Association of Congregations and Ministries). All are welcome!

FPC will be holding the service on Wednesday, March 22^nd. Volunteers are welcomed to assist helping to serve and by providing soup, sandwiches and/or cookies/bars. There will be a sign-up sheet on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall. If you have questions please contact Pastor Teresa or Jenny if you can assist.

The order and location of the services will be as follows:

• March 8—Our Savior Lutheran Church
• March 15—St. Mary’s Catholic Church
• March 22—First Presbyterian Church
• March 29—First United Methodist Church

 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 12^th!

 

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the following days:

• Sunday, April 2^nd at 10:00am (Communion elder, Kevin Peterson)
• Maundy Thursday, April 13^th at 7:00pm (Communion elder, TBA)

 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on TUESDAY, March 7^tht, at 6:30pm. Jackie Owens will lead the Bible study, lesson 7. Joyce Voyles will be the hostess.

 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING

The 2017 Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering will be held on Saturday, April 1^st at the First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk.  Please see the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall for more details.

 

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, March 21^st, at 6:30pm. Judy Lindberg will be the hostess. All are welcome, sewing for all skill levels!

 

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, March 27^tht, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

DEACONS

The deacons will be meeting Tuesday, March 14^th at 4:15pm in Fellowship Hall.

 

YOUTH GROUPS

Youth Group will meet Wednesday, March 8^th and 22^nd this month.  Contact Greg Worner or Ronda Ras for more details.

 

SUMMER CAMP @ CALVIN CREST

The warm weather is coming! We promise! And what better way to spend your summer than going to camp with friends and Jesus! Calvin Crest is officially open for summer camp registration: www.calvincrest.org/summer-camp. Please visit with Pastor Teresa or Misty Beair regarding scholarships from the church. Hope to see you there!

 

2017 CHURCH GROWTH SUMMIT

Join a two-day summit to discover practical strategies to grow our church! A diverse group of successful church leaders will share strategies. April 24-25 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. Featured speakers include: Susan Forshey, Ross Thompson and Richard Brown. Cost for the seminar is $95 plus hotel accommodations. Contact Pastor Teresa if you are interested in attending this event.

 

GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE

Presbyterian Pilgrimage is coming, the evening of March 30 – April 2, 2017 at Camp Calvin Crest. What is it?  Pilgrimage is a journey in Christian community, designed to nurture Christians in their spiritual growth and to provide them with a renewed foundation for individual and community living. A Pilgrimage is not designed to convert anyone to Christianity. It is a renewal, meant for those who are already faithful and committed to Christ and His church. Pilgrimage is open to all denominations.

Why attend a Pilgrimage? You will change the horizons of your Christian walk. Pilgrimage will help you see your life journey differently. For those that are seeking growth and answers and for those that are content – all will come away with something greater in their walk with God.

For more information, speak with Gail McCorkindale, and go to www.gpppilgrimage.org

 

SYNOD SCHOOL

Make plans to attend Synod School 2017 this summer, July 23-28 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Registration is now open. You can view the extensive catalog at http://www.lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool

 

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

 

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

17 Jack Beeson

19      Judy Lindberg

24      Jacob Beair

25      Leigh Heese

28      Babs Middleton

29      Madison Urbanec

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Here is our Holy Week schedule:

• Palm Sunday celebration: April 9^th at 10:00am
• Maundy Thursday : April 13^th at 7:00pm
• Easter Sunday celebration: April 16^th at 10:00am

 

 

LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE – March & April 2017

 

3/5/17		Karen Johnson	Cate Worner		Glenda McDonald	Jackie Owens
3/12/17		Gordon Granberg	Madison Urbanec		The Urbanec Family
3/19/17		Mark McCorkindale	Braydn McCorkindale		The Ras Family
3/26/17		Mark Hammer	Nina Hammer		The Hammer Family
4/2/17		Karen Johnson		Cate Worner	The Worner Family
4/9/17	Palm Sunday	Jim Lindau	Andy Wibben		Jim & Shari Paige	Kevin Peterson
4/16/17	Easter	Glenda McDonald		Braydn McCorkindale	Jan & Ken Liska	Jean & Phil Griess
4/23/17		Judy Lindberg	Emily Worner		Pat & Glenda McDonald	Joann Proett
4/30/17		Jan Liska	Madison Urbanec		Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin	Karen Johnson

 

 

March 2017 – First Presbyterian Church

 

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: o  Handbell Choir 8:45 o  Sunday School 9:00 o  Worship 10:00 o  Fellowship 11:00			1 6:30 Ash Wednesday Service	2	3	4
5 10:00 Worship with Communion   3:00 Pastor Teresa Bartlett Installation Service with Reception	6	7 6:30 Presbyterian Women	8 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service 7:30 Youth Group	9	10	11
12   Daylight Savings – spring ahead!	13	14 4:15 Deacons Meeting	15 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service	16	17	18
19	20	21 6:30 Sewing Souls	22 12:00 Ecumenical Service with Lunch 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service 7:30 Youth Group	23	24	25
26	27 7:00 Session Meeting	28	29 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service

 

 

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[*] Author unknown