Presbytidings – May 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….
“Who was the most influential person in your life?” The question was asked of the participants at the Church Growth Leadership Summit which Gail McCorkindale and I recently attended. The five people at my table took a few minutes to gather their thoughts before answering; parents, teachers, employers and friends were included our answers.
Later the group was asked “Who has been the most influential person in your faith life?” For most it took a few minutes longer to answer that question. While some at my table had specific people, we also recognized there were many people along our faith journey who have helped us grow. For some the most influential person in their life and their faith development were the same person.
Jesus Christ should be every Christian’s role model however there are often people in our lives who introduce us to and help us develop our relationship with Christ. I encourage each of you to consider who has provided positive influence in your life and faith journey. Does a name(s) spring to mind? How did they help you become a disciple of Jesus Christ? Did they teach, model, or mentor, perhaps they patiently answered your questions?
We may be shaped and influenced by parents who value the importance of faith and moral formation the church offers. Teachers may play the role of model or mentor. Perhaps your influence came from a family member or friend who shared their faith without speaking a word.
Jesus challenged, encouraged, and equipped, his disciples. He ministered to those he met on the roads and in the streets as well as the temple and teaching in the synagogues. In life and in death Jesus modeled compassion, love and service. Jesus influenced not only his disciples, his influence continues today. After Jesus’ resurrection and his appearances to numerous witnesses but before he ascended into heaven he gave the disciples their mission:
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
These words, known as the Great Commission, give the church and each of us an ongoing challenge to influence others for Christ. Led by the Spirit the early church concentrated on people, on relationships, caring for one another to fulfill Jesus’ commission. Acts 2 describes that early fellowship;
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47
The early church grew not because they had the best pipe organ in town, or because they served Starbuck’s coffee, or they had a killer media set-up, the church grew because they built relationships, they cared for each other. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit the disciples were influencing people, lives were reshaped. Those outside the fellowship could see Christians were different and they wanted to learn more.
As Christians and as a church we are called and challenged to be and “…to make disciples…” that is the mission of the church, it is our purpose. A disciple trusts in and follows Jesus Christ, seeking to grow in his likeness, committing heart, mind, soul and strength to obey and serve him. A disciple is able to articulate why their faith is important, why it gives them hope and strength. A disciple becomes the hands and feet of Christ, a servant to others.
As disciples we are challenged to influence the world for Christ, to help people develop their relationship with Jesus and one another. We start making disciples by building relationships with each other, by spending time together in worship, study, fellowship. Building relationships requires that we share the reasons for our faith in words and actions. Our patterns and practices of sharing will be as unique as the individuals of this congregation and their varied skills and gifts. The mission field is outside the walls of the church; perhaps in the park, at the gas station, the Post Office, at your place of employment. In a world in need of hope, love and caring may we be a catalyst, directed by the Holy Spirit, to disciple others that they might find and proclaim Jesus Christ as the most influential figure in their lives.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on May 7, 2017. Gail McCorkindale is the communion elder.
GRADUATION SUNDAY
Following the service on Sunday, May 14th, join us as we celebrate our high school graduates. Marta Pulfer will be graduating from Wayne High, and Aaron Ras is graduating from Bancroft-Rosalie High.
YOUTH GROUP
The final gathering for the Youth Group will be announced at a later date. Please watch our Facebook page for updates.
CHURCH SCHOOL
The final day of church school will be May 7th.
SESSION
The Session will meet on Monday, May 22nd at 7:00pm. If any leadership teams have items that need action, please send those items to Judy or Pastor Teresa to be included on the docket.
DEACONS MEETING
The deacons will meet at the church Tuesday, May 9th at 4:15pm.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 3rd, at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. Glenda McDonald will be the hostess.
SEWING SOULS
The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, May 17th.
FLOWERS FOR WORSHIP
The Worship Team is encouraging members to sign up to provide flowers for worship. You might sign up to provide flowers for your anniversary, the birthday of your spouse or children or in honor of a family member. Perhaps you have beautiful flowers and want to share them. The flowers may be from your lawn and garden or purchased from an area florist or retail establishment. You may choose to provide potted plants or silk flowers rather than cut flowers. Thank-you for helping us enjoy the beauty of God’s creation while we beautify the sanctuary for worship. A sign-up sheet for May and June will be on the Opportunity Table to help us keep track and recognize those who are providing flowers. Thank-you to Jean Griess, Jackie Owens and Jodi Pulfer for helping co-ordinate flowers for worship.
EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP & BRUNCH THANK YOU
Our thanks to everyone who helped to provide for the Easter brunch, and to all those who helped to serve, and to clean-up. The church was beautifully decorated. There were over 90 people in attendance at worship that day, and it was a glorious day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING RECAP
The total Easter offering for the One Great Hour of Sharing (including the April Extra Mile gifts) was $396.17. Thank you for your support of this special Presbyterian offering.
BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY
Pastor Teresa may begin a new Bible study this summer. She is looking for in-put, and would like to know if Wednesdays at 12:15 would be a good time. Please let her know.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE
Joint VBS with Our Savior Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church will be held July 10-14th. The location will be at Our Savior, 421 N. Pearl in Wayne.
- Carol Joy Holling will be doing a Day Camp for kids in grades 1-6 (must have completed these grades in the 16/17 school year) from9:00-3:00 PM. Day Camp is Re:NEW HOPE.
- We will also have an inter-generational VBS for children ages 4-Kindergarten, their families, and any other adult that would like to attend from6:30-8:30 PM. Night camp is Splash into God’s Word.
Enrollment forms and volunteer forms can be found on the opportunity table. Volunteers are needed for crafts and refreshments for this segment.
CALVIN CREST
There is still time to register for camp! Calvin Crest scholarship forms are available from either Pastor Teresa or Jenny. Contact us at fpcwayne@gmail.com for a downloadable copy.
GRADUATION RECEPTION
Marta Pulfer and her family invite you to her graduation reception following the Wayne High School commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13th. The location is their home at 811 Brooke Drive. Congratulations, Marta!
WAYNE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE
The next community blood drive will be held Thursday, May 25th at the Wayne Fire Department (510 Tomar Drive) from 12:00pm – 6:00pm. To make an appointment, contact the LifeServe Blood Center at 800-287-4903 or visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
- Our community
- Our schools, administrators, teachers, graduates & students
- Our neighbors
- All who are battling cancer and illness
- All who live in care centers
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
God took the fragrance of a flower…
The majesty of a tree…
The gentleness of morning dew…
The calm of a quiet sea…
The beauty of the twilight hour…
The soul of a starry night…
The grace of a bird in flight…
Then God fashioned from these things
A creation like no other,
And when his masterpiece was through
He called it simply – Mother.
Herbert Farnham
WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE – MAY & JUNE 2017
MAY 7, 2017
Lector – Karen McElwain
Acolyte – Ethan Wibben
Greeters – Jim Lindau, Joyce Reeg, Babs Middleton
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
MAY 14, 2017
Lector – Milton Owens
Acolyte – Cate Worner
Greeters – The Worner Family
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – Graduation Reception
MAY 21, 2017
Lector – Ken Liska
Acolyte – Nina Hammer
Greeters – The Hammer Family
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
MAY 28, 2017
Lector – ?
Acolyte – Andy Wibben
Greeters – John & Anita Fuelberth, Jim Curtiss
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
JUNE 4, 2017
Lector – Candyce Peitz
Greeters – The Peitz Family
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
JUNE 11, 2017
Lector – Kevin Peterson
Greeters – Jim Curtiss, Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
JUNE 18, 2017
Lector – Ronda Ras
Greeters – The Ras Family
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
JUNE 25, 2017
Lector – Melissa Urbanec
Greeters – The Urbanec Family
Flowers – ?
Fellowship – ?
May 2017 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|
Each Sunday Morning: o Worship 10:00 o Fellowship 11:00 |
1 | 2 | 3
6:30 Presbyterian Women
|
4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7
Communion Last day of Sunday School |
8 | 9
4:15 Deacons Meeting |
10
7:30 Youth Group |
11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14
Graduation Sunday |
15 | 16 | 17
6:30 Sewing Souls |
18
Homestead Presbytery at Schuyler |
19 | 20 |
| 21
1:30 Chapel at Careage |
22
7:00 Session
|
23 | 24
7:30 Youth Group |
25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28
|
29 | |||||
MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
3 Joann Proett, Dave Peitz
10 Jeryl Nelson
11 Karen Johnson, Solomon Peitz, & Tami Worner
12 Joan Lage
14 Bo Armstrong
15 Jordan Alexander
17 Jaci Alexander
18 Jay and Jane O’Leary, & Taytum Joan Sweetland
19 Glenda McDonald
22 Marie Johnson
24 Gail McCorkindale
26 Dale Alexander
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne Food Pantry – Wayne, Nebraska
Contact Information:
First Presbyterian Church
216 W. Third Street
Wayne NE 68787
FPC Office & Wayne Food Pantry:
402-375-2669
Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 12 noon
Websites:
Church: https://fpcwayne.org/
Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.org/food-pantry/
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 