Presbytidings–September 2020
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787
(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.com
“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”
From the Pastor…..
The weather was cool and crisp on Tuesday morning. I had my first pumpkin spice coffee of the season, it seemed like a normal, late summer day. Yet, we know it hasn’t been normal for several months. We continue in a pandemic that has touched each of our lives in one way or another. Thousands of people across the country are grieving and hurting from the loss of loved ones to COVID. We give thanks for those who have recovered from the virus and all the essential workers who have kept things moving, even if slowly. COVID isn’t all, bad news crashes on us like waves at the coast, hurricanes, fires, drought, flooding, violence in some of our cities, a contentious political season, racial tensions, unemployment and economic challenges, we wonder what is next. These are troubling days with the myriad of things happening which stir up fear, anger, perhaps even the desire to withdraw from society all together.
These are very unsettling times on so many levels and there are many things we don’t understand. When answers are hard to come by, we turn to the Scriptures where the stories of people who traversed wilderness, faced droughts and natural disasters, were enslaved, discriminated against and faced injustices are recorded. The stories should give us hope that others have encountered troubling times and God was with them. We must not turn our back on God or one another in these difficult times. There are no simple answers or fixes to the challenges we face. We must work together to defeat COVID, stamp out racism, work for justice for all people, and participate as citizens in our country’s political process by voting.
When we don’t know anything else, we can lean into what we do know, we know whose we are and who we trust, our Triune God. Our God is sovereign, creator of heaven and earth and loves us beyond our comprehension. We acknowledge that hope and peace are not rooted in this life, that Christians are not exempt from trials and tribulations. Our hope is rooted in Christ, His sacrifice for us, and the promise of being united with Him one day. No matter what happens in this earthly life in Christ we have the promise of salvation. In these difficult days do not give into fear and dismay. Look to our Triune God may God’s ever abiding love give you a sense of peace, even unexpected joy. The words of the Apostle Paul from Romans 15:13 (NIV) are my prayer for each of you; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” In these challenging times with so few answers look to the one who has all the answers, our Triune God.
May faith, hope, joy, and peace be yours,
Pastor Teresa
IOWA DERECHO
On August 10, severe thunderstorms with long track damaging winds (derecho) devastated Iowa, causing widespread power outages for more than 150,000 people for several days. As many as 14 million acres of farmland were also damaged by the storm.
PDA is working with the Presbyteries of North Central Iowa, Des Moines, Prospect Hill and East Iowa to respond to this storm. National Response Team members are virtually deployed to assist with the initial response.
DEACONS MEETING
The Deacons will be meeting via Zoom and in person on September 9th at 4:15 p.m.
COAT CLOSET CHANGES FOR FALL 2020
As with many things COVID has changed the manner of operation of the Coat Closet. The Coat Closet will remain closed to the public and will not be accepting any coat donations and will not have a drobox at the library this fall. The deacons are planning a special Coat event in October, stay tuned for details in upcoming weeks. We anticipate beginning to receive donations toward the end of October first of November and being open by appointment for those who are needing assistance.
COMMUNION
- Sunday, September 13, 2020 (please note this is the second Sunday in September). Kent Pulfer, Communion Elder.
- Sunday, October 4, 2020. Communion elder to be announced.
2020 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE RECOGNITION SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 27th
FPC looks forward to recognizing our 2020 High School graduates; Gabriel Peitz, Madison Beair, Shea Sweetland, and Emily Armstrong during worship on Sunday, September 27th. Hope you will join us in worship and hear of the plans of these young people and their educational goals.
SESSION
- Monday, September 28, at 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S MATTHEW 25 PROJECT
Often the pills people receive in developing countries are wrapped in paper scraps. They have no protection from moisture or the elements. They certainly are not safely out of the reach of small children, how can you safety-proof a piece of paper! The orange pill bottles we take for granted are gratefully received in many parts of the world. The Matthew 25 folks state “Our pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.” The collection of clean, empty pill bottles, with labels removed, will continue until September 20th. There is a basket in Fellowship Hall to receive the pill bottles. The PW Leadership team will be doing a Mission Caravan to collect the pill bottles in advance of the October 3rd Fall gathering.
HOMESTEAD PW ZOOM FALL GATHERING: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2020
Fill your favorite tea cup and join us on October 3rd for a morning shared with your PW sisters. We will have an informal chat from 8:30 – 9:00 then start the program at 9:00. We should be done before we all need lunch around 11:00. We encourage you to meet together at your church if you don’t have access to Zoom. A follow up email will be sent as it gets closer with the link to use for the call. For more information please call Karen Johnson.
RUNZA FEEDS THE NEED
Our local Runza Restaurant is hosting a special fund-raiser for the Wayne Food Pantry & Backpack Program on Tuesday, September 22nd. Please support us by making plans to pick up Runza for lunch or dinner that day!
SPIRIT OF HOPE
“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” Galatians 5:5 ESV
Wall Hanging created by FPC Sewing Souls & completed by special contributor Judy Lindberg.
This wall hanging was started circa 2012-2013 as a project for Sewing Souls. The idea was brought to the group by one of the ladies of the church, who had had seen similar wall hangings while visiting another church.
The group selected a pattern, fabric was purchased. The various pieces were cut, and the project begun. The design echoes a stained-glass window and in time the group decided they did not have the skills to complete the project in the manner it deserved.
In 2020, Judy Lindberg, a founding member of the FPC Sewing Souls, took it upon herself to finish the wall hanging. Using the pieces which were already cut, she completed the beautiful wall hanging.
Judy returned the wall hanging to FPC asking it to be hung in Fellowship Hall as a salute to the women and the many projects of the Sewing Souls group.
TOMATO, BASIL AND FETA SALAD
Here is a great salad recipe by Jan Liska to use up all those veggies coming out of the garden these days. Thanks Jan!
6 dices tomatoes (Romas are best)
1 small cucumber, peeled, quartered & chopped
3 chopped green onions
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, cut in thin strips
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
Salt & Pepper to taste. Toss together in a large bowl and enjoy!
A Prayer as I put on my mask:
Creator,
As I prepare to go into the world,
Help me to see the sacrament
In the wearing of this cloth –
Let it be “an outward sign
Of an inward grace” –
A tangible and visible way of living
Love for me neighbors,
As I love myself,
Christ,
Since my lips will be covered,
Uncover my heart,
That people would see my smile
In the crinkles around my eyes.
Since my voice may be muffled,
Help me to speak clearly,
Not only with my words,
But with my actions,
Holy Spirit,
As the elastic touches my ears,
Remind me to listen carefully –
And full of care –
To all those I meet.
May this simple piece of cloth be
Shield and banner,
And each breath that it holds
Be filled with your love.
In your name and
In the name of love
I pray. May it be so, May it be so.
- Author unknown.
Love one another with brotherly affection
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10 (ESV)
SEPTEMBER 2020 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00 in-person or via Zoom | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 6 | 7 Labor Day | 8 | 9 10:30 WACAM Meeting 4:15 Deacons Meeting | 10 10:00 Salvation Army Meeting | 11 | 12 |
| 13 Communion – Kent Pulfer, elder | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 11:00 Northern Covenant Pastors Meet Runza Feeds the Need for the Wayne Food Pantry! | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 2020 High School Graduate Recognition | 28 7:00 Session Meeting | 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 PW Gathering |
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
6 Anita F.
8 Sharyn P.
24 Misty B.
29 Melissa U.
30 Madison B.
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.com
Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.com/food-pantry/
Wayne Coat Closet: https://fpcwayne.com/wayne-coat-closet/
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne Food Pantry – Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne Coat Closet – First Presbyterian Church
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL
If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail (save a stamp, save a tree!), go to http://www.fpcwayne.com; on the home page, in the right hand column, there is a widget that says, “NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION: Enter your e-mail address to receive Presbytidings, our church’s newsletter, by e-mail.” Enter your address in the white box, and click on the button that says, “Sign me up!” You will need to confirm your subscription through an e-mail message that will be sent to your inbox; this is safe! It is designed to keep spammers out of the picture! Share our newsletter with all your friends and family. Simple!
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 