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……
Christ gives to the Church all the gifts necessary to be his body. The Church strives to demonstrate these gifts in its life as a community in the world. (1 Cor. 12:27–28).
At their January meeting the Session discussed how FPC lives into the aspects of being the church described in the PC (USA) Book of Order.
The Church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life.
The Church is to be a community of hope, rejoicing in the sure and certain knowledge that, in Christ, God is making a new creation. This new creation is a new beginning for human life and for all things. The Church lives in the present on the strength of that promised new creation.
The Church is to be a community of love, where sin is forgiven, and reconciliation is accomplished, and the dividing walls of hostility are torn down.
The Church is to be a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord. [*]
2020 was certainly a unique and challenging year; however, as a body we were able exemplify aspects of faith, hope, love and witness. As a faith community we cherish the ability to gather for worship which connects us with God and each other. In 2020 despite challenging circumstances, we were a community of faith as we maintained worship, albeit in new ways. The congregation has been flexible and adaptable, willing to try new things including Zoom worship and our current format of blended worship. We also share worship and events using social media, such as Facebook, our FPC website and You Tube. Certainly, wouldn’t have thought that would be happening at the beginning of 2020! As a faith community we entrust ourselves to God seeking to be faithful disciples, which is renewed by worshiping. We all yearn for the day when we can safely return to worship and join our voices in song.
We are a community of hope through our support of local, national and global mission projects. The Wayne Food Pantry remained in operation with modified procedures to protect volunteers and patrons of Wayne County. The Coat Closet also has been open with modified procedures. The Backpack program continues to grow and we appreciate the volunteer support received from Wayne State students in packing and delivering the backpacks. We also offer referrals to Wayne Community Response which directs folks to agencies which can assist with things like rent, utilities, financial planning. We participated in denominational offerings, One Great Hour of Sharing and Christmas Joy. We also had a good response to the Filling the Manger, a special Advent offering supporting Presbyterian Mission through the Presbyterian Giving catalog. We had a good response to the Pill Bottle Project sponsored by the Homestead PW to help those in third world countries keep their medicine dry and safe.
We are a community of love as we offer care and compassion for each other, helping one another in times of need, especially during this pandemic. We hold each other, the community and the world in prayer. We offer hope and comfort in the times of illness and death through prayer and a ministry of compassion and witness to the resurrection.
Our physical building on the corner of Third and Lincoln reflects the faith of generations past and of the current congregation who worships here. The building is a part of our community of witness a link between past, present and future. The building is a silent witness to God, but it is the FPC community that moves faith into the world. As we go into the world, into our homes, workplaces, social circles we witness to our faith with our words and actions, may they reflect the love and patience God extends to us. We pray all our actions point not to ourselves but to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
We know 2021 will have its share of challenges. Like many churches we will have to reengage with our congregation once it’s safe to resume familiar worship practices. The clerk’s report reveals that we will also need to address declining membership which impacts our financial position. We face a changing landscape in our communities and in the church; however, I hope we choose to look for ways to be creative and innovative. Each of us should be pro-active, open to opportunities to invite and witness to others, in word or deed, sharing the love of Christ. Together we are the church, share your faith, witness and offer the gifts of hope and love. We have challenges ahead; however, we trust as we follow Christ we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, our ministry will be blessed and God glorified.
Your fellow servant and steward in Christ,
Pastor Teresa
FPC ANNUAL REPORT
Pastor Teresa’s letter was from the 2020 Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 24th. If you would like a copy of the report, you can pick up a copy on the Opportunity Table or contact Jenny at fpcwayne@gmail.com
ASH WEDNESDAY
We will begin our Wednesday night Lenten services on February 17th at 7:00pm. All Wednesday Lent services will be via Zoom. The link will be open at 6:30pm for fellowship. Worship will begin at 7:00pm.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 7, 2021. Kent Pulfer will serve as the Communion Elder.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & SEWING SOULS
- The Presbyterian Women meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th at 2:00pm and will be held in Fellowship Hall.
- Sewing Souls next meeting will be held on Feb. 24th at 2:00pm.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY
Homestead presbytery will gather on Saturday, February 20th, beginning at 9:00am, via Zoom. Contact Pastor Teresa for the registration link.
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Mid-Week Lenten Services Beginning February 17th at 7:00 p.m.
We will have a Wednesday evening Lenten service beginning with Ash Wednesday, February 17th. All the services will be via Zoom since we are unable to have our traditional soup supper before worship. This year’s theme will be “On the Road with Jesus.” The metaphor of journey is often used in reference to the Christian life. In a sense we are on the road from the beginning to the end of our lives. The book “On the Road Again” by James W. Moore is the basis for our Lenten services. Some of Jesus’ most powerful and poignant experiences happened on the road. Moore writes, “…in a real sense, we could say that Jesus spent his whole life on the road. He was born on a road trip, he died on a road trip. And one of his most dramatic post-resurrection appearances occurred on the road to Emmaus.”
Jesus encountered many people on the road from the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus. Jesus was on a road trip when he came upon the ten men with leprosy and healed them. In our time together we will learn more about some of the people Jesus encountered on the road and how their lives were changed. Please plan to join Wednesday evenings Zoom gathering for a brief worship service as we follow Jesus on the road.
February 17 – Ash Wednesday – Would be Disciples.
February 24 – Rich Young Ruler
March 3 – Zacchaeus
March 10th – Little Children
March 17 – The Woman Bend Double
March 24 – Pontius Pilate
April 1 – Maundy Thursday – Cleopas and friends
The link for worship will open at 6:30 p.m. so people can spend some time in fellowship with each other before worship at 7:00 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service February 17th.
- Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 10:00am.
- The Maundy Thursday service with communion will be held Thursday evening, April 1st.
- Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service with Communion at 9:00am on Sunday, April 4th, 2021.
FPC CHURCH DIRECTORY
Please submit address or phone number changes to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WAYNE
THE SESSION 2021
Elder & Class
Jean Griess (Fellowship, Worship) 2021
Jane O’Leary (Outreach, Worship) 2021
Shari Dunklau (Administration, Discipleship) 2022
John Fuelberth (Property) 2022
Mark Hammer (Fellowship, Outreach) 2023
Kent Pulfer (Administration) 2023
BOARD OF DEACONS 2021
Deacon & Class
Misty Beair, 2021
Karen Marra, 2021
Amy Bowers, 2022
Jan Liska, 2022
Connie Bargstadt, 2023
Karen Johnson, 2023
COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION 2021
Nominating Team: Connie Bargstadt, Jean Griess, Karen Johnson, Mark McCorkindale, & Kent Pulfer
Financial Review Team: Phil Griess & Gerard Ras
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION: Kent Pulfer, President; Kevin Peterson, Vice-President;
Jane O’Leary, Secretary; John Fuelberth, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Mark McCorkindale, Joan Proett, Kent Pulfer
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
10 Jodi P.
20 Karen M.
25 Pat S., Gabriel P.
27 Jan L.
28 Amy B.
February 2021 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 10:00am Communion Kent Pulfer, communion elder | 8 | 9 | 10 2:00pm Presbyterian Women | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 Via Zoom 6:30pm Fellowship 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service | 18 | 19 | 20 9:00am Homestead Presbytery via Zoom |
| 21 | 22 7:00pm Session Mtg. | 23 | 24 2:00pm Sewing Souls 7:00pm Lent Service via Zoom | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 |
Dixon County 4-H Junior Leaders Soup Take-N-Go
The Dixon County 4-H Junior Leaders will be having a Soup Take-N-Go on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at the Dixon Community from 11:00am – 1:00pm. They will be serving chicken noodle soup and chili. The desert will be a choice of a cinnamon roll or rice crispy bar. All this for only $5! The money raised will go for scholarships and Citizen Washington Focus Trips.
Need more info, check out our flyer in Fellowship Hall.
Contact Information:
First Presbyterian Church
216 W. Third Street
Wayne NE 68787
FPC Office/ Wayne Food Pantry/Wayne Coat Closet
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)
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[*] Presbyterian Book of Order, Part II 2019-2021. F-1.0301, The Church Is the Body of Christ
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 