Presbytidings–August/September 2021
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…..
Thank-you for my study leave, the time was especially appreciated after the challenges we’ve all encountered the last year and a half. Synod School has been a favorite annual event of mine for more than 20 years. During my years in ministry the event has served as an excellent study leave always engaging, challenging, and refreshing.
After being cancelled last year, like so many things, this year’s event was different in many ways. Still, it had the same rhythm; worship, classes, worship, and lots of fellowship over meals. I missed many friends who chose not to attend for various reasons. My friend and roommate was a first time Synod School participant, she had a great time and plans to return next year. Synod School is a great event for families and people of all ages. As the saying goes “try it, you’ll like it!”
This year’s theme was “Called Out.” Each of our great preachers challenged us daily to think about various ways we Christians are being “Called out.” The morning convocation speaker, Rev. Jill Duffield from Greensboro, North Carolina, lifted up a variety of ways that we’re called out such as to be a blessing to others, to be prophets, neighbors and ambassadors for Christ.
The evening speaker, Rev. Samuel Son, used Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as the core of his messages to the group of 400 plus Presbyterians and a sprinkling of Methodist friends. Rev. Son, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s manager for Diversity and Reconciliation, shared many personal experiences as he reminded the group that we are “called out” to be the beloved, the church, to speak the truth in love. Rev. Son’s message on Friday was that Christians are called out as the body of Christ to the world. A part of the Confession of 1967 was included in worship the words remind us that as Christians “… prayer and Bible study are part of the church’s worship, and theological reflection. Their witness is the church’s evangelism. Their daily action in the world is the church in mission to the world…” We are the body of Christ reflecting Christ to the world in our words and actions, in everyday activities as well as times of worship.
In addition to morning and evening worship I had an opportunity to study the new PW Bible study for 2021-2022, “What My Grandmothers Taught Me,” which follows the lineage of Jesus and teaches about his grandmothers.
My two other classes related to each other remarkably well with their similar focus on the church in post Christianity soil. We are no longer living in the “golden age of Christianity” this is not the first time nor the last when the church finds itself in a time when culture and technology are changing the world rapidly. Changes and innovations have certainly impacted the church as well as other institutions and civic organizations. In addition to cultural shifts, the place of organized religion in society is also shifting. It’s not difficult to see some markers of these changes, such as changes in worship attendance and church participation, however these changes began long before COVID. Like many other institutions the church also faces distrust and anxiety. There are no easy answers for what lies ahead for the church; however, we might look to the first century church for a model of growth and doing new things.
Matthew 28:18-20 recorded Jesus’ Great Commission; Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This commission sent the disciples in a new direction; it was no longer the status quo. There were challenges in how to do things, who could be included, disagreements about leadership, but the church adapted, changed and by the power of the Holy Spirit survived. The Acts church is a model of how we are to obey Christ, care for each other and the community.
These days are no less challenging than the 1st century, it’s easy to give into anxiety and fear. We are to make disciples, not just church members, we are to be in partnership with the Spirit and others in mission in and to our communities. The following poem is a reminder that we each play a part in the life and ministry of the church.
This Is My Church
It is composed of people just like me.
It will be friendly if I am.
It will do a great work if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many
causes if I am generous.
It will bring others into fellowship
if I bring them.
Its seats will be filled if I fill them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love,
of faith, service and laughter if I,
who make it what it is, am filled with these.
Therefore, with God’s help,
I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things
I want my church to be.
The life and ministry of our church isn’t the responsibility of just the pastor, the Session, or the Deacons. It’s the responsibility of each of us, it will take each of us getting involved, building relationships, being generous, sharing time and talents, building up the church and one another with words of encouragement and love. We are indeed “called out” to be a blessing to others, to be prophets, neighbors and ambassadors for Christ. What are you being “called out to do?” Individually and as the body of Christ let us answer the call.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
FPC ONLINE WORSHIP BULLETINS
Worship Bulletins may be found online athttps://fpcwayne.com/fpc-wayne-worship-bulletins/
COMMUNION
- Sunday, August 15, 2021. Communion elder: John Fuelberth.
- Sunday, September 12,, 2021. Communion elder to be announced.
DEACONS MEETING
The Deacons will meet Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 4:30pm in Fellowship Hall.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY ZOOM – AUGUST 21, 2021
Presbytery meeting August 21 via Zoom from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pastor Teresa and Pastor Brian Johnson of Norfolk are leading the worship. The Presbytery will have a candidate for ministry preaching and to be examined by Presbytery to proceed to ordination. There is still time to register. The Homestead Presbytery website has a registration link.
CALVIN CREST FAMILY FUN DAY–August 21, 2021
We invite YOU to enjoy one of the last weekends of summer the best way possible, spending quality time with the people you love. Calvin Crest’s Fun Day is perfect for families, friends, children, adults, community members and grandparents! The event offers activities for all ages including music, games, hikes, crafts, food and fellowship. For more information, click HERE or go to Calvin Crest Family Fun Day-August 21, 2021 – Calvin Crest!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN & SEWING SOULS
- Stay tuned for updates on meeting times.
“What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus”
2021-2022 Presbyterian Women Bible Study
Have you ever thought about Jesus’ grandmothers? Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary— the gospel of Matthew names these women for a reason. How might Jesus have heard the stories of his grandmothers? What might the young Jesus have felt as he heard about his family? What might the stories of these women have added to his sense of identity, as part of a particular family in a particular time and place? What can these Grandmothers-of-the-Faith teach us? Their stories will lead us into the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ.
The Bible study author, Merryl Blair, teaches at Stirling Theological School in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and is active in the worldwide ministry of women of faith.
POTENTIAL BIBLE STUDY
As plans are being made about the upcoming church year 2021-2022 Pastor Teresa would like to know if there is an interest in the congregation for a monthly Bible Study? If so what day/evening of the week and what time would work into your schedule? There are a variety of options including the Presbyterian Women’s 2021-2022 “What My Grandmothers Taught Me” referenced above. If you have interest in Bible study please let Pastor Teresa know and indicate what day and time would fit your schedule.
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
Pastor Teresa will lead chapel services at the following locations:
- WORD IN FAITH: Pastor’s article will appear in the August 19, 2021 Wayne Herald.
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of August 16th – 20th at 5:40am.
- KINSHIP POINTE: Pastor will lead chapel on Wednesday, August 18th at 3:30pm.
SESSION MEETINGS
- Monday, August 23, at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.
- Monday, September 27 at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
GOLF OUTING
The annual OSLC/FPC Golf Outing will take place Tuesday, August 24th beginning at 5:30pm. It will be a scramble 4 person team format. You may assemble a team or be assigned to one. The $12 cost includes 9 hole green fee, cart rental, prizes and a meal. Contact Darrell Miller @ darrellmiller1218@gmail.com.
FPC GAME NIGHT! – AUGUST 29, 2021
Attention families, young and old adults: First Presbyterian is going to be having a monthly “game night” on Sundays, starting this month. August and hopefully September (and maybe October) will be outdoor activities. You can choose individual or team activities in ring toss, ladder toss, croquet, and kubb (a new “in” game becoming popular among young adults). We’ll have sidewalk chalk too. Bring your relatives and friends! Winter activities will include board games and puzzles indoors. If you’d like to be a spectator, bring a lawn chair. Mark your phones and planners for August 29! We’ll start at 6:30 and end at dusk.
SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY SUNDAE!
Join us as we begin the new church year on September 12, 2021. We’ll gather for worship and following the service we will have ice cream and toppings during our traditional SUNDAE SUNDAY fellowship!
WAYNE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
The City of Wayne’s Green Team will be hosting an electronics recycling event on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 8-10am on Third Street between Lincoln & Pearl Streets. Details will be forthcoming.
FELLOWSHIP TIME RESUMES
Currently plans are to resume Fellowship Time after worship beginning Sunday, September 19, 2021. Sign-up to host at the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.
GUEST WI-FI NETWORK
Congregation members and groups/organizations who would like to meet in our church now have access to Wi-Fi within our church. The access information has been posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
FPC CURRENT COVID PRACTICES
FPC is currently operating with mask-optional protocol. This does not mean there is no need for caution rather that each individual or family can make their own determination regarding the wearing of masks based on their health and comfort level. Hand sanitizer and masks continue to be available. The access to Zoom will continue for those who desire to worship in that manner. We will not be resuming coffee fellowship at this time; you are encouraged to visit outside following worship. The Session and Pastor Teresa thank everyone for their co-operation.
OFFERING AND GIFTS
Thank-you for your continued financial support of the church during this time. Your gifts support the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church. If you would like to simplify your life you might check at your bank for a bill pay service. This service allows you to set up reoccurring payments to businesses or the church and have the designated funds withdrawn from your account and mailed per your direction. If you find this idea worth consideration check-out your bank’s website, often you are able to set this up from your home computer. You can always call your bank for assistance. You can mail your offerings to Anita Fuelberth, our financial secretary or to the church (216 W. Third St., Wayne).
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Homestead Presbytery needs volunteers to serve on committees of the Presbytery. Currently there are openings on Disaster Response, Commission on Ministry, Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the Nominating Committee. Other positions will open on the Calvin Crest Board next year. If you are interested in serving the church as a member of one of these Committees please talk with Pastor Teresa. Your service to the wider church will be greatly appreciated.
- The Wayne Salvation Army Unit is looking for volunteers. The primary project is the November/December Bell Ringing which funds other efforts such as the back-to-school backpack project. You don’t have to be a pastor to serve on the board. The group doesn’t meet every month, but meets at least quarterly. The Salvation Army Unit would like to have a representative from every church serving on this board. If interested contact Pastor Teresa.
AUGUST 2021 FOOD PANTRY NEWS
The Wayne Food Pantry has serviced approximately 100 requests for assistance to date. The Backpack Program served approximately 5,000 food bags in the 2020/21 academic year. Please consider a donation to help our ministry to the Wayne Food Pantry and Backpack Program.
SIGN-UP FOR LAWN MOWING DIGITALLY
We are in need of volunteers to mow the church lawn for the month of August. You may sign up using the Google docs link below, calling or emailing Jenny in the church office or stop by the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall. The current list is below:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11dKAPPOOLWRDoApr87Gpqsd0PgWhkH4Ml7VB-amf1I0/edit
FPC LAWN MOWING SIGN-UP
| Week of: | Name: |
| Week of August 2, 2021 | Beau Bowers |
| Week of August 9, 2021 | Beau Bowers |
| Week of August 16, 2021 | Mark Hammer |
| Week of August 23, 2021 | |
| Week of August 30, 2021 | |
| Week of September 6, 2021 | |
| Week of September 13, 2021 | |
| Week of September 20, 2021 | |
| Week of September 27, 2021 |
CALVIN CREST CAMPER REPORT
Hello, my name is Nina H. I am in 10th grade. This last summer would have been my 9th consecutive year going to Calvin Crest if the pandemic hadn’t happened. Calvin Crest is an amazing place to spend time, grow spiritually, and connect with others. Calvin Crest helps people make so many bonds with friends, most of my best and closest friends I met through Calvin Crest. Every single year I have gone, and every week of my summer I have spent down at Calvin Crest I have felt myself grow as a person both spiritually and as a better person. Every single week of my life I have gone down to Calvin Crest. I have met some of the most amazing people, whether they’re campers, CSI’s, Counselors, or even the Directors. One of my favorite and best things about Calvin Crest is that the people there aren’t mean, they don’t judge you, they are genuinely kind, and they are amazing children of God.
This year our main topic of discussion was community. The Calvin Crest community and the even larger Presbyterian community. One thing the pandemic took away from me was camp, but that only made me appreciate the fact that I am able to go even more. It showed how special Calvin Crest is to me, and the enormous role it plays in my life and upbringing. This year I felt God in our presence when I was at camp; I could see him in everyone there. I could feel him with us as we did services for the camp and as we read the scriptures. We would start the day with straggling into breakfast at our pace and then going to work after breakfast until noon. After lunch we would swim, have F.O.B (nap time), have a snack, and then we would all have B.L.A.S.T. (Bible Learning and Study Time), as a group. We would have free time before dinner, then evening activity before campfire. We did many projects throughout the week including: fixing one of the Proett decks, replacing all the old nails with better longer nails on the Upper Area deck, digging and finishing a drain for the new pool shelter, working on the ceiling of the pool shelter, and digging down to the water main for the craft cabin. During these projects I got to use a pickaxe for the first time which was super fun. We did all of those projects between Monday and Friday to help the camp.
Thank you so much for helping me go to camp again this year and get to help fix the camp that I love and make it a better place for future generations.
THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL – MARIAN S.
We have received a letter of appreciation from Marian S. You may read it on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
August 2021 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 10:00am Worship with Rev. Kathleen Splitt 10:00 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 10:00am Worship with PW Leadership Team | 9 | 10 | 11 10:30 WACAM Meeting | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 10:00am Worship with Communion (Youth in the Church and in the World Sunday) | 16 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 9:30am Wayne Family Coalition Meeting | 17 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 4:30pm Deacons Meeting | 18 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 19 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living Word in Faith Column runs | 20 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 21 10:00am Homestead Presbytery |
| 22 10:00am Worship | 23 7:00pm Session | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 6:30pm FPC Game Night | 30 | 31 |
SEPTEMBER 2021– 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 6:30pm FPC Game Night | 6 Labor Day | 7 | 8 10:30 WACAM Meeting | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 Communion Sundae Sunday 6:30pm FPC Game Night | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 1:30pm Wayne Countryview Chapel 6:30pm FPC Game Night | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 6:30pm FPC Game Night | 27 7:00 Session Meeting | 28 11:00am Northern Covenant Pastors meet | 29 | 30 |
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
2 Gordon G.
3 Ken M.
8 Nina S.
12 Alissa B.
20 Russ U.
27 Milton O.
30 Layne H.
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
FPC ONLINE WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/fpcwayne/
YouTube: First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska
Our web page: https://fpcwayne.com/media/
Worship Bulletins may be found at:https://fpcwayne.com/fpc-wayne-worship-bulletins/
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 