Presbytidings –

December 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……

Rituals and traditions are part of every family and may include foods as well as practices and activities. What traditions does your family have? Growing up my family often had Advent calendars, colorful paper calendars with a seasonal design and small doors for each day of Advent, behind each door was a symbol or verse that related to Christ. Another tradition in my family was that after returning home from church on Christmas Eve my siblings and I were allowed to open one gift, it was always pajamas!  My brother, sister and I would wait with anticipation for Grandpa and Grandma to arrive on Christmas morning, but opening packages had to wait until after a breakfast of waffles, and not Eggo waffles either.  Another tradition my family continues, in spite of our ages, is Christmas stockings. We shop for fun and unusual items for each other’s stockings and try to outdo one another with unique gifts.

Church families also have rituals and traditions; each celebration in the church year has unique symbols and rituals. Advent is the beginning of a cycle of celebrations in the church year which represent the entire life and work of Jesus. A regular part of the Advent season for most Presbyterian Churches is the use of an Advent wreath in worship. In John 8:12 we read … Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Jesus is the “light of the world,” thus light has always been an important part of Christian celebrations.

Early Christians lit Advent bonfires as markers for the Savior’s return.  At some point the focus shifted from the returning King to the newborn one and candles replaced larger fires.  Initially one candle was lit for each day of the Advent season. The weekly lighting the Advent wreath helps us prepare for the birth of Christ reminding us of the gifts of hope, peace joy, and love that Christ brings. This year Braydn McCorkindale, Taytum Sweetland and Madison Urbanec, the Confirmation students, will be doing the Advent wreath readings and candle lighting. Each week as we draw closer to Christmas the increasing candlelight is a visible reminder that Christ, the light of the world is coming and helps mark the time until we celebrate Christ’s birth.

Candles have long been a reminder of not only Christ, but also the Star of Bethlehem which guided shepherds and the Magi to the Christ child. In addition to candles there are many other symbols associated with Advent and Christmas; stars, angels, trees, candles, wreaths even candy canes, each symbol has a unique connection to the celebration. The evergreen which retains its green color year round is often used for wreaths and reminds us of God’s unending love and eternal life. The evergreen tree often decorated with lights to remind us of Christ, the light of the world.

First Presbyterian’s Christmas tree is filled with Chrismons which help tell the story of our Triune God and the work of Jesus Christ in securing our salvation. Chrismons include a variety of crosses, stars, as well as symbols from early Christianity such as the anchor, lamb, and manager. This Advent season during worship we will be reminded of some of the significant concepts these ornaments represent.

The Jesse Tree is another Advent tradition practiced in some churches and homes. The Jesse Tree helps us to look backwards to all who were in the ancestral line of Jesus Christ remembering their part of the story and how it points forward to Jesus Christ. People in Jesus’ family tree are our spiritual ancestors; Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Boaz, Hosea, Simeon and Anna, it is good to know how their story intersects with Christ’s and our own. On December 10^th during our Super Sunday we will be talking about the Jesse Tree and other Advent practices we can do in our homes and with our families. For example, setting out a nativity set and telling the Christmas story can become a tradition as well as help children or grandchildren learn the Christmas story and build faith and understanding. Traditions or rituals bring continuity to our celebrations and help build a faith foundation in our families and churches.

During Advent we prepare our homes, our hearts, to celebrate Christ’s birth. The time may be marked by the lighting of the Advent wreath, by adding symbols to a Jesse Tree or the opening of the small doors of an Advent calendar, whatever your tradition may it help you to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ Jesus. During Advent the FPC church family will enjoy many favorite traditions such as hearing from the Bell Choir, Christmas Band, the youth as well as the regular lighting of the Advent wreath, join us in worship as we hear, sing and enact the story of God’s great love.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Teresa

 

ADVENT WREATH THEMES FOR DECEMBER

This year the Confirmation students will be leading the Advent wreath lighting.  Each week’s reading will focus on a different aspect of Advent.  Please plan to join us for worship as we explore with the youth the following Advent themes:

December 3rd -Hope

December 10th- Peace

December 17th- Joy

December 24th –Love

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 Jenny in the church office of the details.

MITTEN TREE

Please help us decorate our annual mitten tree this holiday season with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens.

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

We are expecting a very busy holiday season at the Food Pantry. With gifts from the community we were able to provide twelve baskets to Wayne families, and we hope to provide twelve more this Christmas-time. Please consider making a donation to our program. There is a great need in our community, please be generous. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.

RING AROUND WAYNE

Great job by the Presbyterian Pealers and all the bell choirs of the community that came together for an evening of beautiful music on Monday, December 10^th. Our thanks to Jay O’Leary and all the participants for sharing their talents with us.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, December 6^th at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. The annual cookie exchange will also take place.

Ordinary Holiness By Susan Palo Cherwien Wonder is at the root of praise. Wonder is at the heart of Christmas, and not for one day only but for each waking day. At the heart of Christ’s incarnation is the truth that God makes extraordinary things happen in ordinary places, that heaven and earth holy and earthly God and human are intertwined. The wonder of Christmas desires to creep into every living moment, so that we behold the glory of God. The wonder of this holy day points to the wonder in all days; the wonder of the Bethlehem stable teaches us to find the wonder in all places; the wonder of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus leads to the wonder in the faces of ordinary people. (O Mary, Life is holy . . .)

 

SUPER SUNDAY – December 10th

Our next Super Sunday will focus on Advent traditions and practices; including learning about the practice of the Advent wreath, the Jesse Tree and ways we can prepare our hearts and homes for the coming celebration of the Christ Child.  All ages are welcome to gather in the Music Room for singing and fun from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.

YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The FPC Youth will perform a special Christmas program for us during worship on Sunday, 12/10.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

We will go caroling at CareAge and then to Brookdale on Wednesday, 12/13, during their supper time. Please gather at 4:45pm at Careage. Bring a 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.

FPC CHRISTMAS BAND

It’s time to dust off your instrument and play in the First Presbyterian Band! The program will be December 17^th, and anyone who plays an instrument is welcome, including beginners and friends of our church. Please contact Jay O’Leary if you have questions.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

Our Christmas Joy Offering will be taken on Sunday, December 17^th. 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.

SEWING SOULS

There will be no Sewing Souls meeting in December.

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.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

*The church office will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, 12/25.

*The office will also be closed Monday, January 1^st.

Pastor Teresa will be on vacation Monday, December 25 – Sunday, December 31, 2017. Please, do not hesitate to leave a message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

HYMN SING SERVICE

While Pastor enjoys some rest and relaxation after a busy holiday, our congregation will enjoy a special hymn sing service on Sunday, December 31^st. Please join us then.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Misty Beair will serve as the Communion Elder.

SESSION

The Session will not meet in December. They will gather for a retreat on Saturday, January 27^th from 9am – 1pm.

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:

www.worldvision.org

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.compassion.com

www.churchworldservice.org

www.mbfoundation.org

www.heifer.org

calvincrest@calvincreat.org

specialofferings.pcusa.org/christmasjoy.html

presbyteriangifts.org

The Wayne Coat Closet

The Wayne Food Pantry

 

CHURCH RUSTIC TREASURE ACCOUNT

If you would like to donate items to the Church’s Rustic Treasure accounts, the numbers are listed below. Just take your item to the store counter, and give them the account number listed below. The proceeds will come back to us:

First Presbyterian Church #1220                Wayne Food Pantry #442

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2018

• Worship with Communion will be held Sunday, January 7, 2018.
• The Session will gather for a retreat on Saturday, January 27^th from 9am-1pm.
• The FPC Annual Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, January 28^th.

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT

The congregation of Our Savior Lutheran has invited the members of FPC to join them in writing a devotional for the season of Lent. The themes of wilderness or journey are appropriate.  The meditation should be about 300-400 words.  You are welcome to include a prayer or question for reflection in your meditation.  Pastor Teresa has a sample if you would like to review last year’s booklet.  We would like to have 6-10 writers and the meditation should be submitted to Pastor Teresa or Jenny in electronic format by January 9th, 2018.

 

Lector/Greeter Schedule for December 2017

12/3/2017	Kevin Peterson	Phil & Jean Griess	Karen Johnson
12/10/2017	Mark McCorkindale	Ken & Jan Liska	tba
12/17/2017	Ronda Ras	Pat & Glenda McDonald	Jim Curtiss
12/24/2017	Sarah Wibben	The Hammer Family
12/31/2017	Misty Beair	tba	Kevin Peterson

 

Acolytes for December Sunday worship:

12/3/2017	Taytum Sweetland
12/10/2017	Madison Urbanec
12/17/2017	Braydn McCorkindale
12/24/2017	Taytum Sweetland	(morning worship)

December 2017 – 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 9-11am Coat Closet open 11am Rick Lund Funeral
3 Communion   1:30 Pastor leads Careage Chapel	4 9:30 WCFC Meeting 7:30 Ring Around Wayne 7:00 Scout Den Meeting	5	6 6:30 PW Bible Study & Annual Cookie Exchange	7	8	9
10 9:00 Super Sunday! 10:00 Youth Christmas Program 6:30 Boy Scout Court of Honor	11 7:00 Scout Den Meeting	12	13 4:45 Caroling & Soup Supper 8:00 Youth Group	14	15	16
17 10:00 FPC Christmas Band & Christmas Joy Offering 11:00 Congregational Meeting/Officer election	18	19	20	21	22	23
24 5:30 Candlelight Christmas Eve Service		26 Pastor on vacation	27 Pastor on vacation	28 Pastor on vacation	29 Pastor on vacation	30 Pastor on vacation

12/31

10:00 Hymn Sing Service (Pastor on vacation)

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

1         Brittany P.

5        Tiffanny H.

7        Candyce P.

14         Randy D.

18         Beau B.

22        Nina H.

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

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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

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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)