Presbytidings – March 2018

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.”

 

LENTEN SUPPER & SERVICE

Our church family continues to gather for weekly suppers during Lent through Wednesday, March 21st. Join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm. The supper sign-up sheets are on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall. Afterward, we will gather for Lenten services at 7:00pm. All are welcome.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

• Palm Sunday (Presbyterian Pealers play): March 25^th at 10:00am
• Maundy Thursday with communion : March 29^h at 7:00pm
• Easter Sunday brunch: April 1^st at 9:00am
• Easter Sunday Celebration with communion: April 1^st at 10:00am

 ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be collected on Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday. This offering supports ministries of the church which provide relief for people affected by natural disaster, food for the hungry and support for self-development of people in oppressed and disadvantaged communities.

 EASTER LILIES

Please help us decorate our sanctuary for Easter by bringing your Easter lilies and placing them on the chancel. If you would like to have an acknowledgment in the bulletin on Easter day, please give Jenny the information.

 A Listening

by Ann Weems

 

Going through Lent

is a listening.

When we listen

to the Word,

we hear

where we are so

blatantly

unliving.

If we listen to the Word,

and hallow it

into our lives,

we hear

how we can so

abundantly

live again.

From the book Kneeling in Jerusalem: Poetry for Lent and Easter

 

From the Pastor,

What does Easter Mean to You?

        As a child Easter meant for me a new dress and shoes, sometimes even a new hat. It meant an Easter egg hunt or two, jelly beans, marshmallow chicks and chocolate bunnies, a big dinner with family. As I got older it meant a deepening understanding of the Lenten and Easter seasons. I knew Lent was 40 days long and some Christians “gave up” things during Lent but didn’t fully understand why. Easter meant sunrise services, church breakfasts, in worship we sang some of the most beautiful and triumphant songs in the hymnbook. We heard the Gospel message of Jesus’ resurrection proclaimed by the pastor and the choir. We saw the symbols of new life in white lilies and other flowers, banners, and paraments that adorned our church.

For a significant number of Americans today, spring break, new clothes, candy, chocolate bunnies, and big family meals are the extent of their understanding of Easter. They have even less understanding of the season of Lent the 40 days which precede Easter not including Sundays. Lent reminds us of Christ’s time in the wilderness, of his sacrifice for our sins. It is a time when many Christians add spiritual disciples such as increasing their times of or types of prayer, or to be in solidarity with Christ they give up something they enjoy, a food or an activity. In recent years many Christians have focused on additional acts of kindness and generosity toward others during the Lenten season. I read of one person who decided to write a thank-you note to someone each day of Lent as a way of showing appreciation to others who guided her in her walk of discipleship.

Through the years my understanding of Lent and Easter have deepened; however, that may not be true of the general population, with the shrinking of those active in faith communities even those who profess Christianity may have a limited understanding of the seasons.

A nationwide study by the Barna Group^[*] a few years ago explored Americans definition of Easter. The study asked a representative sample of American adults how they would describe what Easter means to them, personally. Common responses included describing Easter as a Christian holiday, a celebration of God or Jesus, a celebration of Passover, a holy day, or a special time for church or worship attendance. One out of every 50 adults (2%) said that they would describe Easter as the most important holiday of their faith. The survey showed a majority of Americans indicated some type of spiritual connection with Easter. The research also showed that a minority, 42%, of Americans said the meaning of Easter was the resurrection of Jesus or that it signified Christ’s death and resurrection.

Christians find our hope and assurance in the resurrection of Christ, in fact the Apostle Paul writes the resurrection is key to our faith. In 1^st Corinthians chapter 15 the Apostle Paul discusses the importance of Christ’s resurrection; he writes “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”(vs. 17). He goes on to say; “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.” (Vs. 20-22). All that happened to Jesus Christ was in accordance to the Scriptures and to further verify the resurrection Paul cites those to whom Christ appeared after his resurrection from the dead.

The core of our celebration on Easter Sunday and throughout Easter season is the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. The good news of Easter is that through Jesus Christ sin and death have been defeated; we have the promise of eternal life with Christ. Our celebration doesn’t end when Easter Sunday has come and gone, we’ll continue to celebrate Christ’s victory over death during the fifty days of the Easter season and beyond. The fulfillment of Christ’s promises, his defeat of death and resurrection, are good news and reason to celebrate with joy this Easter, for we have been given new life through our risen Christ.

Alleluia! Amen!

Pastor Teresa

 

INVITING OTHERS TO COME AND SEE

How long has it been since you invited someone to join you for worship? Research shows that many people who would might not otherwise visit a church will do so if asked by someone they know.  Palm Sunday and Easter are wonderful times to invite friends or neighbors to join us for worship. Palm Sunday we will  hear our wonderful bell choir and journey with Jesus from his triumphant entry to the city of Jerusalem to Good Friday.

Easter Sunday is great opportunity to invite a neighbor or a friend to worship. The brunch served by the deacons will be delicious and a wonderful time of fellowship. During worship we will celebrate and proclaim Christ’s resurrection. The love of our Triune God, the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus and the presence of the Spirit with each of us, is news we should be eager to share with others.

This season is also a good time to touch base with folks you have not seen in worship for a while, tell them you miss them and invite them to worship. Think of how those Palm Sunday and Easter hymns would sound with a full house? We are called by our faith to love our neighbor as ourselves; if we know our faith to be life-living we should be inviting others to come and meet Jesus. This Lenten and Easter season let us welcome friend and stranger alike in praising our Triune God.

 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 11^th!

 

SUPER SUNDAY SCHOOL

Super Sunday has been moved from March 11th to March 18th. Please join us as praise God with our voices, as we learn more about God through asking questions and as we deepen our fellowship by spending time together.  See you on the 18th at 9:00 a.m.

 

COMMUNION

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

• Sunday, March 4^th (Communion elder, Gail McCorkindale)
• Maundy Thursday, March 28^th at 7:00pm (Communion elder, Gail McCorkindale)
• Easter Sunday, April 1^st (Communion elder, TBA)

 

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian will meet Wednesday, March 7^th at 1:00 in Fellowship Hall.  Jackie Owens will lead us In Lesson 6 of our Bible Study.  Martha Svoboda is hostess. We will be finalizing plans for our April 7^th Spring Gathering.

Special note: If you have read 4 or more books from the Presbyterian Women’s Reading Lists or library, please let Karen Johnson know before March 15^th. You may contact her at: Email: kajohnsonso52@gmail.com or phone: 402-375-4173.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING

On Saturday, April 7^th Wayne’s Presbyterian Women will be hosting area Presbyterian women for a Spring Gathering. Each spring there are one or more Spring Gatherings in Homestead Presbytery for Presbyterian Women from different churches to worship, fellowship, and share ideas. Thurston’s Presbyterian Women will be helping us host. All women are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The theme this year is Arise and Shine, based on Isiah 60:1 “Arise, Shine; for the light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” The Coordinating Team for Presbyterian Women of Homestead Presbytery have been planning worship and meeting activities. Pastor Teresa Bartlett will be sharing on overview of the Bible study for Fall 2018.

PW is celebrating 30 years as Presbyterian Women. PW predecessor organizations began more than 200 years ago. In 1988, Presbyterian Women was born, incorporating the best in United Presbyterian Women (UPW) and Women of the Church (WOC). PW exists today because women are adaptable, determined, proactive, charitable, generous, and dedicated to God

Registration forms are available in Fellowship Hall. The cost is $8 which includes morning refreshments and lunch. Please return registration form by March 15 to Karen Johnson (402-375-4173) or the church office.

Come join us for fellowship and worship on April 7^th – registration begins at 9:00.

Mission Project: Children’s Literacy.  Bring a children’s book to be donated to women’s shelters.  This is a nationwide mission focus for Presbyterian Women.  For more information on Children’s Literacy and ides of books to be read to children:

https://www.pcusa.org/resource/pw-together-action-childrens-literacy-bulletin-ins/

 

YOUTH GROUP

Youth Group will meet Wednesday, March 14^th and 28^th this month.  Contact Gail McCorkindale or Ronda Ras for more details.

 

SEWING SOULS

On Wednesday, March 21^st at 1:00 Sewing Souls will meet to start new projects and continue projects such as pillowcases for children in the hospital. Come join us no matter what your sewing skills are.

 

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, March 26^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

 

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!

 

SYNOD SCHOOL

Make plans to attend Synod School 2018 this summer, July 22-27 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Registration is now open. You can view the extensive catalog at http://www.lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool

A NOTE FROM ANITA

To all FPC members and friends:

Thank you so much for the prayers, food, sewing, e-mails, cards and calls. Your prayers are certainly a blessing to me, as are your other acts of kindness. I look forward to your continued prayers as I travel this long journey.  God Bless you all.  Anita Fuelberth 

 

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

17      Jack Beeson

19      Judy Lindberg

24      Jacob Beair

25      Leigh Heese

28      Babs Middleton

29      Madison Urbanec

Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

Contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

 

Lector/Greeter Schedule for March 2018

3/4/2018 *	Taytum Sweetland	Jackie & Milton Owens	Jean & Phil Griess
3/11/2018 *	tba	tba	Karen Johnson
3/18/2018	Braydn McCorkindale	The McCorkindale Family
3/25/2018 *	Madison Urbanec	The Urbanecs

 

Lector/Greeter Schedule for April 2018

4/1/2018	tba	Jean & Phil Griess	Pat & Glenda McDonald
4/8/2018	Candyce Peitz	The Peitz Family
4/15/2018	Jan Liska	Ken & Jan Liska	Jim & Shari Paige
4/22/2018	Bev or Jack Beeson	The Hammer family
4/29/2018	Jim Curtiss	Milton & Jackie Owens	Jim Curtiss

 

March 2018 – 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 10:00 Worship with Communion	5 7:00 Scout Den Meeting	6	7 1:00 Presbyterian Women 3:30 Brookdale Chapel 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service	8	9	10
11 Daylight Savings – spring ahead!	12 7:00 Scout Den Meeting	13	14 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service 8:00 Youth Group	15	16	17
18   9:00 Super Sunday School!	19 5:40 Pastor has KTCH devotions	20 5:40 Pastor has KTCH devotions	21 5:40 Pastor has KTCH devotions 1:00 Sewing Souls 6:00 Soup Supper 7:00 Lent Service	22 5:40 Pastor has KTCH devotions	23 5:40 Pastor has KTCH devotions   McCorkindale-Durbin wedding rehearsal	24   McCorkindale-Durbin wedding
25 Palm Sunday Presbyterian Pealers perform	26 7:00 Session Meeting	27	28 8:00 Youth Group	29 7:00 Maundy Thursday Service with communion	30 Good Friday	31 Great Vigil of Easter

 

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[*] https://www.barna.com/research/most-americans-consider-easter-a-religious-holiday-but-fewer-correctly-identify-its-meaning/