Presbytidings – July/August 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

With all my heart I praise the Lord, and with all that I am I praise his holy name!

With all my heart I praise the Lord!  I will never forget how kind he has been.

The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death.

His kindness and love are a crown on our heads. Each day that we live, 

he provides for our needs and gives us the strength of a young eagle.

                   –   Psalm 103:1-5 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

“A kindergartner came home one day with a tape of songs to learn for the kindergarten music concert that would be taking place at school in a few weeks.  Wherever she didn’t quite know the words, she filled in in her own, singing loudly and joyfully, as she danced around the house.

When the music to “The Star-Spangled Banner” started playing, her mother felt some concern.  It wasn’t her fear that her little girl wouldn’t understand words like “perilous” and “ramparts.” The mother didn’t feel so comfortable with this sweet, innocent child singing about rockets glaring and bombs bursting, even if the song does happen to be our national anthem.

The child plowed through the song, still spinning happily. When she got to the part about “bombs bursting in air,” the words were not about bombs at all.  The little girl heard-and sang-words with quite another meaning: “and we’re twirling in prayer…”

Twirling in prayer!  What a perfect image for how God want us to live our lives.  Not dropping bombs, even though it can be argued that there are times when this is appropriate.  Twirling in prayer might be a better approach to the sorrows of the world, and without a doubt would portray a much more positive image about our role in dealing with the difficult issues of the world.

When I hear the word of Psalm 103, my spirit leaps with joy.  How can anyone hear these words without feeling some sense of the delight and gratitude the writer must have felt?  Truly, when we are aligned with God’s purposes, there can be no other response than joy.  Twirling in prayer?  That sounds like a great way to express what this psalm is all about.

I’m not sure my congregation would appreciate it if I started spinning around the chancel some Sunday during our time of prayer.  We do have liturgical dancers who could do that, but not me.  Prayer at home when nobody is around to see me?  Ah who knows?  You just might catch me twirling in prayer one of these days.”

This little story comes from a book by Kathleen Long Bostrom entitled “finding calm in the chaos.” Many of us feel we are living in the midst of “bombs bursting in air”; we receive a frightening diagnosis from the doctor, a beloved friend dies, storms sweep in and destroy in minutes what took years to build, we worry about children and crops, the national and global news can fill us with worry and fear.  We sometimes feel bombarded by life and it can be hard to find calm in our lives, perhaps we need to take a lesson from a kindergartner and try some “twirling in prayer.”   Instead of keeping our heads down and pushing through, try looking up and around and praising God, looking for beauty and joy  perhaps even doing a little twirling  as we remember God’s faithfulness.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

 

THANK_YOU FROM PASTOR TERESA

Thank you to all who remembered me for my birthday.  It was so wonderful to receive your birthday wishes and all the beautiful cards.  Thanks to Audrey Harder for the lovely birthday cake and to Ronda Ras for the ice cream cake.  I don’t remember the last time I had two cakes for my birthday!   I really appreciate the congregation’s kind words and birthday wishes.

 

BIG THANKS

We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all who took the time to attend, send cards, and help in any way with our open house and celebration for our 60th anniversary party. We had a great time, and it was because you were there. Words can’t express how it made us feel! It was great and so enjoyable. It made us feel so good. We had people from Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Wayne County, plus. Thanks again.

Jack & Bev Beeson

 

PASTOR’S VACATION AND STUDY LEAVE

• Pastor Teresa will be on vacation the week of July 3^rd – 9^th. The Front Porch Pickers will be sharing special music with us on Sunday, July 9^th.
• Pastor Teresa will be on study leave at Synod School at Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, Iowa, for the week of July 24^th -30^th. Jay O’Leary & the Clarinet Spectrum will share on Sunday, July 30^th.
• If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please contact the office at (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE

• There is a signup sheet on the table in Fellowship Hall for specific treats. These items are needed by Thursday, July 6^th: 5 boxes whale snack crackers, 2 boxes teddy grahams (any flavor), and one box of regular graham crackers.
• VBS will begin July 10^th with morning and evening sessions.

 

SESSION

There will be no session meeting in July. The next session meeting will be held on Monday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

 

DEACONS

The Deacons will meet Tuesday, July 11^th at 4:15pm in Fellowship Hall.

 

BIBLE STUDY

Join us on next Wednesday, July 12^that noon for the conclusion of our Brown Bag Bible Study “Half Truths,” what the Bible doesn’t say by Adam Hamilton. We will conclude with the phrase “Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin.”

 

DISCIPLESHIP

The Discipleship Committee will meet Wednesday, July 19^th at 7:00pm.

 

LADIES LUNCH

The women of the church are invited to join Pastor Teresa for lunch at the Coffee Shoppe on Main Street Thursday, July 20th, at noon for a time of fellowship.  If you would like to attend please email or contact Pastor Teresa so space can be reserved for the group.

 

SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BLUE, SOMETHING FUN…

How do you show your support for your favorite team, band or school? Often you wear clothing which shows your support. It’s been a while since First Presbyterian had a t-shirt but that is about to change. During July and August you will be able to sign up to purchase a newly designed church t-shirt. Look for a poster and sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall. The shirts are a poly-cotton blend and will be twelve dollars each. The hope is to have the t-shirts by the first of September. The Session and other leadership teams are working on plans for fall and hope that as members participate they will wear the shirts. Wearing a blue FPC t-shirt just might open up a conversation with someone new at a golf outing, as the confirmation students are helping with a project or serving the community. If you have any questions about the t-shirts please contact Rhonda Ras, Outreach Team leader.

 

CAREAGE CHAPEL

Pastor Teresa will be leading Careage Chapel Sunday, July 16^th at 1:30pm.

 

RADIO DEVOTIONS

Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of July 31^sth – August 4^th at 5:40am.

 

POTLUCK

Our next fellowship potluck will be held Sunday, August 13^th following worship. Please join us for a time of fellowship.

 

DISCIPLESHIP TEAM WORKDAY

Following worship and the potluck dinner on Sunday, August 13^th the Discipleship Team is requesting help to make some preparations for fall educational programing. We will be rearranging some furniture in the upstairs educational area and would appreciate some extra people power in getting the job done. If 5 to 6 folks show up to help we should be done in less than two hours. Thanks for helping as we prepare the way for new things here at FPC.

 

YOUTH SUNDAY, AUGUST 20^TH

Please plan to join us for worship on Sunday August 20^th as we hear from our Calvin Crest camper about her experience at camp this summer. Calvin Crest scholarships are an important aspect of our ministry to the youth of the congregation thank-you for your continued support of this ministry.

 

GOLF OUTING

Like to golf?  Plan on gathering for a Lutheran/Presbyterian Golf outing on Tuesday, August 22^nd at 5:30pm.  Watch for more details.  Please call Jim Curtiss with any questions.

 

SUNDAE SUNDAY!

Save the date! We will celebrate the kickoff for fall programming here at FPC with our annual Sundae Sunday tradition on September 10^th after worship.

 

CALVIN CREST QUILT AUCTION – August 26th

You can view the quilts and start the silent bidding 10:00am and the live auction begins at 1:00pm. After you’ve looked at the quilts, you can enjoy a BBQ lunch before the auction. If you can’t make it to Calvin Crest, you can bid online at www.proxibid.com/calvincrest

 

2016-17 FOOD PANTRY NEWS

The food pantry has had a very busy year, we have already served nearly 125 families.  The Backpack Program served approximately 3,800 food bags in the 2016/16 academic year. Here’s just one story about the people we see on a regular basis:

A teacher overheard one of her students telling another that Friday was his favorite day of the week. The student said it was because he receives his food backpack that day, so he won’t be extra hungry on the weekend.

Please consider a donation to help our ministry to Wayne Food Pantry and Backpack Program.

 

WAYNE GROW AN EXTRA ROW

Consider sharing your garden bounty this year with those in need in our community. Set aside a small bag of produce, and bring it to our food pantry.  The program was well received last year. You can help make a difference!  What we don’t give away will be for sale after church each Sunday, with the proceeds of the sale going to support the Pantry.

 

THE FLING for YOUTH

All youth from Missouri River Valley and Homestead presbyteries are invited to an end-of-summer event at Camp Calvin Crest from the evening of August 11^th through lunch on August 12^th.  Come for games, swimming, worship, hiking, campfire, Quilt Auction and more.  Call or email the church to register.  Must be entering 7^th thru 12^th grade.  Bring a friend!

 

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls is finishing up all of their projects for the Calvin Crest.  If you have items to add to their box, or if you want to help with the projects, please call Karen Johnson for more information.

 

LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETERS FOR JULY & AUGUST 2017

 

Sunday, 7/2/2017

Lector: Sarah Wibben                      Greeters: Phil & Jean Griess & The McLaughlins

Communion Elder: Jim Paige

 

Sunday, 7/9/2017

Lector: Glenda McDonald              Greeters: The Liskas & The Paiges

 

Sunday, 7/16/2017

Lector: Candyce Peitz                     Greeters: The Peitz Family

 

Sunday, 7/23/2017

Lector: Misty Beair                          Greeters: The McDonalds & Joann Proett

 

Sunday, 7/30/2017

Lector: Jim Curtiss                           Greeters: The Fuelberths & Kevin Peterson

 

Sunday, 8/6/2017

Lector: Gordon Granberg               Greeters: The McLaughlins & Karen Johnson

Communion Elder: Ronda Ras

 

Sunday, 8/13/2017

Lector: Phil Griess                           Greeters: Phil & Jean Griess, Babs Middleton

 

Sunday, 8/20/2017

Lector: Karen Johnson                     Greeters: The Paiges & Karen Johnson

 

Sunday, 8/27/2017

Lector: Melissa Urbanec                 Greeters: The Urbanec Family

 

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First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

 

July 2017– First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: o Worship 10:00						1
2 Communion – elder, Jim Paige	3 (Pastor on vacation)	4 Independence Day – Office closed (Pastor on vacation)	5 6:30 Presbyterian Women (Pastor on vacation)	6 VBS treats due (Pastor on vacation)	7 (Pastor on vacation)	8 (Pastor on vacation)
9 Front Porch Pickers (Pastor on vacation)	10 VBS at Our Savior Lutheran	11 4:15 Deacons Meeting   VBS at Our Savior Lutheran	12 12:00pm Brown Bag Bible Study   VBS at Our Savior Lutheran	13 VBS at Our Savior Lutheran	14 VBS at Our Savior Lutheran	15
16 1:30 Pastor leads chapel at Careage	17	18	19 2:45 Launch Leadership –backpacks   7:00pm Discipleship Committee Meeting	20 12pm Ladies Lunch at Coffee Shoppe on Main Street	21	22
23	24 No Session Meeting (Pastor on study leave)	25 (Pastor on study leave)	26 (Pastor on study leave)	27 (Pastor on study leave)	28 (Pastor on study leave)	29 (Pastor on study leave)
30 The Clarinet Spectrum (Pastor on study leave)	31 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living

 

August 2017 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: o Worship 10:00 o		1 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	2 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	3 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	4 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	5
6 Communion – elder, Ronda Ras	7	8 Jenny on vacation	9 Jenny on vacation	10 Jenny on vacation	11 Jenny on vacation	12
13 Potluck following worship & Discipleship Team Workday   5:30pm Boy Scout Court of Honor	14	15	16	17	18   Homestead Presbytery Prime at Calvin Crest	19   Homestead Presbytery Prime at Calvin Crest
20   Youth Sunday	21	22 5:30pm Our Savior Golf Outing	23	24	25	26 Calvin Crest Quilt Auction
27 1:30pm Pastor leads Careage Chapel	28 7:00pm Session Meeting	29	30	31

  

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

JULY BIRTHDAYS

7      Sarah Bloom

10    Shea Sweetland

11    Luke Pulfer

15    Greg Worner

16    Verlin Francis

21    Josephine Peitz

24    Mark Hammer, Zach Urbanec

27    Cate Worner

29    Marta Pulfer

30    Melissa Murphy

 

AUGUST BIRTHDAY

2      Gordon Granberg

3      Ken Marra

8      Nina Spangler

12    Alissa Johnson

20    Russ Urbanec

23    Hannah McCorkindale

27    Milton Owens

30    Layne Heese

 

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