Presbytidings – January 2021
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….
We are just a few days into the new year, each year has its share of hopes and fears, of joys and challenges. This year we are hoping and praying to see an end to the COVID 19 pandemic, as well as see our lives return to some pre-pandemic norms. It seemed like much of 2020 was lived under a dark cloud of anxiety, even fear. This world can be a beautiful place and yet we are often afraid. We fear what will happen to us tomorrow or how we will do on our new job or what someone will say about us, we afraid of losing a job, of getting a serious disease. Afraid of the crazy driver that causes a wreck, the random disease, the market crash, or a friend who turns against us for their own selfish reason; there are many things which are beyond our control and can make us anxious and afraid. We are reminded not to put our faith in our own abilities and strengths rather we should put our faith and trust in our Triune God. It’s not always easy to let go and trust God, but the Scriptures tell us repeatedly not to be afraid.
Psalm 27:1-3 reminds us; The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall, I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3)
Psalm 27 is attributed to King David who had his share of frightening experiences, from being a warrior, to being stalked by King Saul. Even as King, David had many challenges. David’s words remind us there is no reason to fear because God is in control and is working according to God’s plan. Like David look back in your life and see how God has been present and been your stronghold. Jesus Christ is often referred to as the light of the world, he is the one who dispelled the darkness of sin with the glory of his holiness, the one who bought hope into sinful world. Our hope, our help is in Jesus Christ. When we trust the Lord with all our being, there is no reason to live in fear for our Triune God is always faithful.
May God’s peace be with you today and always,
Pastor Teresa
SESSION
The Session will meet on January 16th from 9:00 to 12:30 for a time of training and planning for 2021. All Session members including the incoming class of elders should plan to attend. We will be reviewing polices of the congregation as well as planning for communion, monthly devotions and organizing Session teams.
FPC ANNUAL MEETING
Our annual congregational meeting will follow worship on Sunday, January 24th. If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Tuesday, 1/12.
SESSION & DEACON TEAM REPORTS DUE
2020 Session members & Deacons are reminded to compile a summary report for your area which will need to be sent to the office by Tuesday, January 12th.
THANK-YOU
Thank you for the wonderful gift from the congregation, your generosity is deeply appreciated. Thank-you also to each one who sent a card or remembered me in other ways. As we begin our fourth year of ministry together, I am every more grateful for your gifts of friendship, your support and encouragement as we share in the ministry of First Presbyterian Church. Grace and peace to each of you, Pastor Teresa.
Thank you to the FPC church family for your generosity this Christmas season. I am grateful for your gifts and support. Jenny
Thank-you to all who assisted during the Advent season as lectors, greeters and Advent candle lighters.
November 29th- Phil and Jean Griess
December 6th– The Peitz Family
December 13th – Gail and Mark McCorkindale
December 20th -Maria, Aaron Ras, Suzanne Sjuts.
Thank-you to Ronda, Maria Ras, Suzanne Sjuts, Jay and Jane O’Leary for sharing the gift of music for our Christmas Eve service. Thank-you to Mark, Jenny and Nina Hammer, Jim Curtiss, Ronda Ras for their participation as readers for our Christmas Eve Service.
Thank-you to Kent and Jodi Pulfer and Phil and Jean Griess who donated poinsettias for the Advent season.
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
The Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four denominational offerings, the others are One Great Hour of Sharing, The Pentecost Offering, Peace and Global Witness Offering. The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. Thank-you for your generosity to this special offering. Our collection for this year was $220.00
FILLING THE MANGER
The Filling the Manger project was a new mission project tied to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. The Giving Catalog is a part of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and allows individuals or congregations purchase or give toward a variety of projects that help people in the developing world. You can choose from a variety of projects related to water, agricultural, people, a variety of aid kits as well as livestock.
Members were encouraged to “Fill the Manger” by donating for the purchase of an animal to help a family in a third world country. The suggested gifts were a piglet ($40.00), a flock of chickens ($25.00), a pair of goats ($178.00) or a portion of a cow ($50.00-$450.00). This project is one way we can live into our pledge to be a Matthew 25 congregation. We are reminded that whenever we care for those in need, we are caring for our Lord, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 25:31-46) Thank-you for your support. FPC members purchased 2 pairs of goats, 3 piglets and 3 flocks of chickens for a total of $551. For more detailed information you can go to Presbyterian Online Giving Catalog (pcusa.org).
WAYNE COAT CLOSET
The Wayne Coat Closet opened in November with a revised procedure to protect clients and volunteers. The Coat Closet has been working on an order/appointment system. When a person contacts the office about the need for a coat, we take down the information regarding sizes and then shop for the client. If we have the items requested, we set an appointment for them to stop at the church and pick-up the items. The community has been generous with donations of coats and this year. We didn’t have a donation box at the library as in past years. Even with the altered system of coat distribution a total of 141 coats were given out in 2020.
WAYNE FOOD PANTRY AND BACKPACK PROGRAM
The numbers continue to rise at the Wayne Food Pantry. We currently have 153 children on our Backpack Program (in previous years we used to average around 100). We were able to distribute our holiday PB&J bags to all at the holiday. Nine Wayne Community School families and eight Head-start families received Thanksgiving Baskets, thirteen Wayne Community School families received Christmas vouchers and eight Head-start families received Christmas Baskets. We had over 300 visits to the Food Pantry in 2020 and distributed over approximately 4,000 backpacks to the Wayne Community Schools. We are so thankful for the many donations that were made.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
2 Larry H.
5 Terry B.
9 Jenny H.
10 Emily A.
11 Joyce V.
20 Kent P.
27 Jim P.
28 Jackie O.
31 Elaine F., Shannon P.
January 2021 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 New Year’s Day! (office closed) Pastor on vacation | 2 Pastor on vacation | |||||
| 3 Pastor on vacation No worship | 4 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 5 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 6 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 7 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 8 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 9 |
| 10 Communion | 11 | 12 Annual reports due | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 9:00-12:30 Session Retreat |
| 17 | 18 Homestead Presbytery Conversation | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 Annual Congregational Meeting | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |
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)
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 