Presbytidings – November 2020
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787
(402) 375-2669 + http://www.fpcwayne.com
“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”
From the Pastor….
For some reason Ecclesiastes 3, the familiar “…there is a time for everything…” passage, came to mind this morning. The Biblical text was inspired by God and is attributed to King Solomon. The truth of this scriptural passage is reflected in the world around us in nature as each season brings change. As the days cool the leaves turn colorful and crops ripen ready for harvest, the fall season is followed with the cold and snow of winter, which then turns to spring, bringing flowers and then summer’s growth. The Ecclesiastes passage reminds us of the changing seasons of our lives, which contain good and bad, joy and sorrow, building up and tearing down, life and death.
Do you remember Pete Seeger’s 1950’s hit, “Turn! Turn! Turn,” also known as “For Everything There Is a Season”? You can refresh your memory with this video – https://youtu.be/2zx6j4vI8lE. The song is notable for being one of the few that has a large sequence of Biblical text set to music.[*] The words of the title “Turn, Turn, Turn” are used throughout the song as a kind of bridge, most of the lyrics are adapted word for word from the King James version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, however Seeger did rearrange the sequence of the words for his popular song,
The Seeger’s song was released during the years of strife from the Vietnam War, a time when fatigue and anger with our country’s involvement in Vietnam had caused deep divisions in our country. At the end of verse four, Seeger added the following words in closing, “a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late.” The call for peace struck a chord with the American people and the desire to see the war come to an end.
As a country we are again in a time of division and polarization on many levels, economic, racial, and political. I write this on November 3rd as Americans go to polling places to cast their votes for leaders in their communities and the country. We are fortunate to be able to participate in the selection of our leaders, however; seldom is everyone happy with the results of an election. It will be true this year as in many other years that some will be elated with election outcomes; others will not be happy.
Another area where we are polarized is regarding COVID 19. COVID has had a variety of impacts in each of our lives the effects of the virus extend beyond people in our community to the world. This season of virus is not one we would have chosen but we can trust that in time we will move into a new season, a season when there will be a better understanding of the virus and a vaccine to slow the spread and we can resume more normal activities. In this season I hear many stories of broken relationships because of views about the virus or politics. In this time of challenge Seeger’s words speak again, reminding us that it is not too late to work for peace and reconciliation. 1 John 4:19-21 sets the expectation for Christians in community, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” In God’s wisdom and creativity, we each reflect the image of God and are called to honor, love and care for each other. As King Solomon wrote “…there is a season for everything” the coming days and even years will be the season for loving one another.
We don’t have to all think alike. Problems may often have more than one solution, we can only solve those problems whether in the church or our country by respecting each other, listening to one another and working together. As Christians we should be involved with planting seeds of co-operation and peace, working to mend torn relationships, gathering and building each other up rather than tearing each other down. We have faced challenging seasons before, this season will not be the last. Let us resolve to work together to usher in a new season of purpose and peace.
Blessings,
Pastor Teresa
STEWARDSHIP REMINDER
Members and friends of the congregation should have received a year to date statement of giving for 2020 and a 2021 intention of giving form. If you did not receive this information please contact Anita Fuelberth.
You are asked to prayerfully review your information and return the intention of giving form to Anita Fuelberth right away. You can mail the form to Anita or drop your envelope in the container at church. This information is helpful to the Session in planning for 2021. Thank You for your support and dedication to FPC.
DID YOU KNOW?
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) have become a great way for people 70½ or older to take all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their Traditional IRA. The recent tax code changed the standard deduction for those over 65 to $26,600 for married filing jointly or $13,600 for single filers. Thus for many of us our church pledges will no longer be included in an itemized deduction. However, by making all or part of our pledge a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from the IRA custodian or trustee to the church the distribution will not be included as taxable income to the IRA owner. Qualified Charitable Distributions can also exceed one’s specific RMD amount and still not be taxed.
While Qualified Charitable Distributions are not complex there are certain requirements and steps that should be followed so check with your tax professional.
-Ken Marra, Financial Advisor (Edward Jones)
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on November 8th with Shari Dunklau as the communion elder.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
The Session has called a congregational meeting for November 22nd following worship. At the meeting we will elect a new class of deacons and elders?, receive the budget and approve the terms of call for the pastor in 2021. The snow date will be December 6th.
WORSHIPPING DURING COVID
FPC returned to worship in the sanctuary August 9th. We are doing a blended service with folks in the sanctuary and others joining us via Zoom. The transition hasn’t been without its challenges.
It is wonderful to sit in our beautiful sanctuary and hear Jane play the prelude and hymns. However, I know acutely that changes to the service which include wearing masks, spacing, lack of singing, every other pew seating and changes to the offering and communion and the lack of Fellowship time following worship seem very strange. These measures are encouraged by the Health Department and have been agreed to and implemented by the Session to keep participants healthy especially as cases of COVID rise in our county.
While it would be great to have everyone gather in the sanctuary again each person must make their own determination if they feel comfortable returning to in person worship. Everyone’s participation in whatever form is appreciated.
Along with each of you I look forward to the day when we no longer must wear masks when we can sing out loudly, shake hands and give high fives. We don’t know when that day will be, until then let us continue to be vigilant with our practices and give thanks for the ability to gather. We will continue to pray for a vaccine and treatment for this virus which has taken so many lives in our country. I hope to see many more of your faces in person before long.
Pastor Teresa
“INTO THE LIGHT: FINDING HOPE THROUGH PRAYERS OF LAMENT” PW 2020-2021 BIBLE STUDY
The 2020–2021 PW/Horizons Bible Study is “Into The Light; Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament.” This nine-lesson study, by author Lynn Miller revives lament as a proper theological response to the difficult situations of our world. One of the foundational points of the study is that, in scripture, lament usually leads to hope. After crying out to God, the one who laments remembers God. And while that doesn’t fix things in the moment—the injustice, the loss still exists—the lamenter is strengthened to face the world and to hope. And for us as Christians, hope is not just an emotional response or an attitude of pie in the sky. Hope implies movement: both God’s inherent movement toward justice and our movement toward God. Recovering lament may be one of the church’s most timely gifts to the world.”
You can learn more about the Bible Study at https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/bible-study/
The Bible study is available for $10.00 plus shipping. You can purchase on line at www.presbyterianwomen.org/shop or call 800/533-4371, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM EST.
PRAYER FOR VETERANS DAY
God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation,
who laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom…
We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war
and whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day…
We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way:
shield them from danger and bring them home,
soon…
Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies
to the work of justice and a harvest of peace…
Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor!
May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us,
be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us.
Christ Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, hear our prayer!
Amen.
From – ConcordPastor.blogspot.com
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY
Our presbytery will meet via Zoom on November 12th at 10:00am. John Fuelberth & Pastor Teresa will attend.
To Give Thanks…
is to remember how it feels
to experience belonging, to look long
around a laden table and be glad to claim
a place among that gathered company.
To give thanks is to remember
what has been-time’s bewildering recital-
and, despite so much, to look ahead
with undiminished hope.
To give thanks is to recall with heartache
all those absent from the assembled,
the dear departed, those, too,
who never made it in the first place,
due to loss, or want, foul fortune, being born
at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
To give thanks takes all that we have been,
all that we are and yet might be, and shapes it new
around a fuller, richer, broader future feast.
J. Barrie Shepherd
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
The church office will be open on Monday, November 23rd from 9-noon and will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 26th & 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, November 23rd at 6:30pm to prepare the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas Season. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
MITTEN TREE
The Deacons request your help in decorating our annual mitten tree this holiday season with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens. The tree will be in Fellowship Hall in December.
First Presbyterian Church Modifies Wayne Coat Closet Procedures
The First Presbyterian Church Coat Closet supplies an important need in Wayne and surrounding communities by offering a variety of children’s, men’s and women’s coats and a limited number of winter accessories such as hats, gloves, snow pants and boots. FPC Deacons operate the Coat Closet and appreciate the support of the community in this outreach.
As with many areas of our lives COVID has caused significant changes, the same is true with the operations of the FPC Coat Closet. Beginning on November 1st the Coat Closet will be operating on an appointment only system. Persons who need coats are encouraged to call the church office and an order form will be completed over the phone. Clients are asked to have the gender and the size of the requested coats available to give the volunteer. Color preferences may be shared but cannot be guaranteed. A volunteer will look through the Coat Closet inventory and determine if the requested coats are available and an appointment for the client to come to the church and pick up the coats will be arranged. These changes are in response to COVID to protect clients and customers as well as volunteers who work in the Wayne Food Pantry and the Coat Closet as they share space at 1st Presbyterian. Similar procedures have been put in place with the Wayne Food Pantry.
The Coat Closet needs boys and girls coats this year especially sizes 5 to 18. Gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves are always appreciated. Donations of clean coats in good condition of all sizes can be dropped off at the church, Tuesday through Friday between 9 a.m. and Noon. Please call ahead or knock when you arrive to pick up coats or leave a donation. There will not be a drop box at the public library this year. If you need additional information, contact the church office at 402.375.2669.
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS NEEDED
The Wayne Extension Unit of the Salvation Army will be conducting its Annual Bell Ringing Campaign in November and December. The bell ringing campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Wayne. Bell ringers are needed for 2-hour time slots on Friday or Saturday. Churches, service organizations, youth groups and others have been invited to participate in the bell ringing project.
Ninety percent (90%) of the total funds collected in the Wayne bell ringing campaign remain in the community and assist with housing, utilities, medical, transportation and other needs of families and individuals in Wayne. This year the Wayne SA Unit sponsored a back to school drive for school supplies for elementary children. The project was very successful and helped more than 100 children with backpacks and school supplies.
This year First Presbyterian is scheduled on Saturday, December 6th from 11:00 to 1:00, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Quality Foods. The only requirements are to be friendly and welcoming, dress warmly and smile easily and say thank-you, oh yeah, a little wrist action with a bell. We can fill shorter time slots if we get more volunteers. There will be a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
Participation in the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign is one way we can live into our commitment of being a Matthew 25 congregation; as we are reminded in Matthew 25:40; ‘… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Please sign-up to ring the Salvation Army Bell this season. Our church is slotted for Saturday, December 6th. From 11:00-1:00pm and 1:00-3:00pm at Quality Foods. Please contact the office to sign up.
LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
Our Christmas Eve Service will be held at 5:30pm.
Thank-you!!!
Thank-you to the Session and the congregation for the beautiful flowers and gift certificate in recognition of Pastor Appreciation month in October. Thank-you also to folks for the cards, emails and to those who left surprises on my desk. 2020 has been a particularly unusual year and I really appreciate the support of the Session and the congregation as we work through the many challenges we have encountered and continue to face.
Thank-you,
Pastor Teresa
A TIP OF THE HAT
Thank-you to the many individuals who took care of the mowing of the church lawn over the course of the last several months. Thank you also to those who planted flowers and trimmed bushes, plants and trees. Your gifts of time have made sure the church grounds were looking nice for Sunday as well as for other church and community events. Thank-you to each one who gave of their time.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our best wishes to Joyce Voyles and to Martha Svoboda who have both recently moved to be nearer their families. Please contact the church office if you would like their addresses. Consider sending them a note to congratulate them on their new homes.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
6 Brandon B.
10 Kevin P.
12 Ken L.
12 Mark Mc.
13 Katherine B.
14 Audrey H.
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November 2020 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 * Set your clock back one hour * 10:00am Worship | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 10:00am Worship with Communion | 9 | 10 | 11 10:00am Pastor at WACAM | 12 Piano Tuning 10:00am Homestead Presbytery | 13 | 14 |
| 15 * 10:00am Worship | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 * 10:00am Worship – Congregational Meeting after Worship | 23 9am-12pm Office open 6:30pm Session Meeting | 24 | 25 | 26 Thanksgiving Day Office Closed | 27 Office closed | 28 |
| 29 * 10:00am Worship | 30 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 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 |
Contact Information:
First Presbyterian Church
216 W. Third Street
Wayne NE 68787
FPC Office/Wayne Food Pantry/Coat Closet
402-375-2669
Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 12 noon
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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
[*] http://singingthesonginmyheart.com/turn-turn-turn/ Accessed 11/3/2020
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 