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…
In late April there were a couple of afternoons when the wind died down and I could get to some work in the yard. I spent the afternoons raking, gathering leaves out of flower beds and adding a new layer of mulch. The days following my yard work I was reminded by various aches and pains that I’ve been a couch potato all winter and that I’m not as young as I used to be. We can be discouraged by our aches and pains, the need for bi-focals, hearing aids, or that our balance isn’t as good as it once was however, age does bring the gifts of wisdom and experience. The view of older adults and aging has changed through the years and we are living longer and better than ever.
May is Older Adults Month established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens who met to address the growing concerns of America’s 17 million individuals ages 65 and older. In 1963, one-third of all senior citizens lived in poverty with few social programs available to help support them. To raise awareness of the problems facing seniors and to honor them, President Kennedy and the Council proclaimed May as Senior Citizens Month.
Two years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Older Americans Act of 1965 and formally declared May as Older Americans Month. The Older Americans Act created the Administration on Aging, the first federal agency designed to address the struggles of older Americans, introduced nutrition programs, transportation assistance, federally funded adult day care, legal assistance and other services for seniors. The Act also paved the way to passing the Medicare program to offer health care to seniors. These programs have improved the life of millions of Americans through the years improving access to various programs and health care.
As we get older our abilities and interests change but that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to serve God. Psalm 92:12-15 ESV says, The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.The biblical narrative tells us Abraham and Sarah became parents in their old age, 100 and 90 years of age. It’s estimated that Moses was 80 years old when God called him to lead the people out of Egypt. God has given us the gift of aging, Betty Frieda wrote, “Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
We cannot turn back time, however we can live a happier, healthier life now, regardless of our age or how much time we have left. Engaging our minds and bodies are key to aging well. For decades, the Institute of Noetic Sciences team has conducted research, created educational programs, and engaged in conversations on transformations in consciousness as well as an ever-expanding appreciation for the aging process. Through research and experimentation, the team at the Institute of Noetic Sciences explores the interconnection between personal, inner spaces and the “outer space” of our shared reality. I share with you nine practices the Institute identified that can help people engage their lives fully:[*]
- Reflect on Your Assumptions. Stop long enough to reflect on your worldview, beliefs, stereotypes, and assumptions. How might they be limiting you or holding you back? What do you need to change to reflect your highest values and most noble aspirations?
- Reframe Your Inner Talk. Take note of your critical self-talk, bringing the inner critic into more conscious awareness to help reframe these internal messages as more positive and self-compassionate. As you invite equanimity and self-compassion, wonder and awe into your daily life, even the most mundane aspects of experience can become sacred.
- Shift Your Perspective. Clear a space in your life that turns away from the popular media and the weapons of “mass distraction” that shape the dominant culture’s view of aging. Find opportunities to pause and ask yourself where you find joy, goodness, and connections. Write down major moments of transformation that have led you to who you are and what gives you meaning. As philosopher Soren Kierkegaard noted, “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.”
- Practice Mindful Attention. Bring your attention toward greater self-awareness through simple activities such as meditation, contemplative prayer, journal writing, walking in nature, gardening with mindfulness, and somatic subtle-energy body practices. What do you need to surrender or leave behind? How can you conserve your energy for what has heart and meaning? What still needs healing or forgiveness?
- Set Intentions. Ask yourself, “What matters most? What values do I want to adhere to?” Based on these reflections, you can craft an intentionality statement so that when challenges and opportunities arise, you will have developed an inner compass with which to navigate and make more conscious life choices.
- Build New Habits. Challenge your brain with new learnings, explore new activities, dance often, connect with people of different generations, ask a child about his life, or do something new every day. Neuroscience offers us hope that such new habits are possible as we lay down new neural pathways that can help us see the world and ourselves in new ways. As Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
- Find Guidance. Find a skilled teacher, a study group, and/or a social network that supports your explorations. Whether in virtual or proximal social settings, connecting with others offers a way of living into new patterns and behaviors.
- Move from I to We. While aging is a personal process, conscious aging is more than a personal quest. It can infuse your life as you promote the transformation of your community. Altruism and compassion born of shared destiny, rather than duty or obligation, can emerge and add joy and purpose to your actions.
- Know That Death Makes Life Possible. An important part of positive transformation involves a reflection on one’s own cosmology of what happens after we die. There are many maps or worldviews on this question, revealing a wide range of viewpoints. In considering them, people can find comfort and a set of possibilities for their understanding. As people grow older, as they come to face their own mortality, they can bring greater awareness to the transformative process that allows a deeper experience of their life journey.
As we get older we can look back on the twists and turns of life with a more measured gaze and insight. Age brings wisdom and perspective to each of us, gifts which are a treasure to be shared with younger generations who can learn from the mistakes and successes of their elders.[†] Elders know that what lasts in life, what counts in life, and what remains in life after all the work has been completed are the relationships that sustained us, not the trophies we collected on the way.[‡] Soren Kierkegaard quote included above, “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward” reminds us as Christians, whether young or old, we live forward into God’s promises of grace, mercy and salvation.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
MOTHER’S DAY – MAY 8, 2022
Thank-you to every woman for the many roles you play whether as mother, spouse, employee, employer, mentor, grandmother, friend, role model, spiritual friend. Not all women are mothers, but all of us have a mother – if your mother has been an example of faith and grace in your life give thanks and let her know how much you appreciate her. If this Mother’s Day you are missing a special woman in your life- give thanks for all that woman was to you, whether she was a wife, teacher, grandmother, mother or friend. Each of us, women and men should do our best to reflect the love and grace of God to those around us.
God’s Helpers
God could not be in every place
With loving hands to help erase
The teardrops from each baby’s face,
And so He thought of mother.
He could not send us here alone
And leave us to a fate unknown;
Without providing for His own,
The outstretched arms of mother.
God could not watch us night and day
And kneel beside our crib to pray,
Or kiss our little aches away;
And so He sent us mother.
And when our childhood days began,
He simply could not take command.
That’s why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother’s.
The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life’s sun rose higher in the sky.
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother.
And when life’s span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again,
That ever-faithful mother.
— George W. Wiseman
SPRING GATHERING OF HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The Homestead Presbyterian Women will have their spring gathering via Zoom on May 7th beginning at 8:30 a.m. During the event new officers will be installed. The coordinating team will share about their March and April road trips to various churches. You will get to hear about the new Horizons Bible study. You will also hear about the Synod gathering in June. All those interested are welcome to join Pastor Teresa in Fellowship Hall on the 7th and we will join the meeting via our technology.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY MEETING
May 19th, 2021
Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Lincoln, NE – Westminster Presbyterian Church
Congratulations to our FPC 2022 Graduate
Taytum Sweetland
Our 2021 high school graduate is Taytum Sweetland who will graduate from Wayne High School and plans to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota, majoring in Psychology/Criminal Justice. Taytum received the Eleanor Edwards Scholarship on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Congratulations, Taytum!
Congratulations also to friend of the congregation, Ethan Wibben, who will also graduate from Wayne High. Ethan plans to study at Wayne State College this fall in Music Education.
FPC College/University Graduates:
Jacob Abraham MNSU Electrical Engineering December 2021
Beau Bowers WSC Business Admin/Ag May 2022
Josephine Peitz John Hopkins Masters, Public Health May 2022
Suzanne Ras Morningside Masters, School Admin May 2022
Madison Stenka WSC Education December, 2021
Sarah Wibben WSC Music Education May, 2022
If you have a college graduate, please let the office know so we can acknowledge their accomplishments.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the following days in May & June:
- Sunday, May 1st at 10:00am (Communion elder, Suzanne Ras)
- Sunday, June 5th at 10:00am (Communion Elder, Kent Pulfer)
SESSION MEETINGS
- The Session will be meeting on May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Devotions: Kent Pulfer
- The Session will meet on June 27th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Devotions: TBD
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, May 11th at 3:30pm, and again on Wednesday, June 29th at 3:30pm.
- Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, May 22nd at 1:30pm.
- Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, 5/30 – Friday, 6/3 at 5:40am.
- Word in Faith Column: Pastor’s column in the Wayne Herald will appear on Thursday, June 9th.
PENTECOST OFFERING
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has four annual special offerings; One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Joy, Pentecost, Peace and Global witness. FPC has participated with the One Great Hour of Sharing at Easter and Christmas Joy for many years. The Session has decided to add the Pentecost offering this year which will be collected on June 5th, Pentecost Sunday.
Each year on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit connects us with the church of the past, continues to inspire the church of today, and points us to the church of the future.
The Pentecost offering is focused on the youth of the church. Since the Pentecost Offering started in 1998, Presbyterians have raised more than $16 million for ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family. Presbyterians believe we are called to support and care for young people to help them build a solid foundation of faith. Gifts to the Pentecost Offering connect with God’s hope and future, supporting ministries with children, youth and young adults helping them grow in faith, so they may build the church of the future.
Each participating congregation keeps 40% of funds raised to initiate or support programs for young people in their communities or for events or projects that are youth related. The FPC Session decided our offering will go to Calvin Crest Camp in Fremont. The camp has been and continues to be important in the lives of many of our FPC family. The remaining 60% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adult ministries. When we all do a little it adds up to a lot, thank-you for your generosity in the Pentecost offering.
Save the date for the 2022 PW Synod Gathering
June 16-19, 2022
Hilton Garden Inn
1132 Larsen Park Rd
Sioux City, Iowa 51106
PW: Better Together Tied Together With Love
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
A cord of three strands is not easily broken
Registration Fee – $100.00 for entire gathering
Commuter fees – Thursday (includes meal) $25.00
Friday – $75.00, Saturday – $50.00, Sunday only – No charge
Enclose check payable to ‘PW-SLAP
Return completed Registration with registration fee before May 15, 2022
To: Maggie Horak, 5601 Barrington Park Dr, Lincoln, NE 68516
Homestead Presbyterian Women will be offering some scholarships to this event, watch for further details.
SYNOD SCHOOL
Want to go to camp as a family this summer? Plan to Join Presbyterians from all over the Midwest at Buena Vista College, in Storm Lake, IA July 24-29, 2022. Plan on a week of inspiring worship, educational speakers, arts and crafts, and lots of new friends for the entire family. There is programming available for every age and every interest. Want more information? Go to http://www.lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool
SIGN-UP FOR LAWN MOWING
We will need one or two people to mow each week. If you can share in this effort, please sign up via the email Google document, sign-up on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall or call the church office.
May 2022 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 10:00am Worship with Communion | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 8:30am PW Spring Gathering Via Zoom |
| 8 10:00am Worship | 9 | 10 | 11 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 10:00am Worship | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 10:00am Homestead Presbytery @ Lincoln | 20 | 21 9:30am Mobile Food Pantry Truck |
| 22 10:00am Worship 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 23 7:00pm Session Meeting | 24 | 25 | 26 9:00am Homestead Presbytery via Zoom | 27 | 28 |
| 29 10:00am Worship | 30 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 31 *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 |
MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
3 Joann P., Dave P.
10 Jeryl N.
11 Karen J., Solomon P.
12 Joan L.
14 Bo A.
18 Jay and Jane O., Taytum S.
24 Gail Mc.
What Makes a Dad?
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
By Unknown Author
June Birthdays
2 Jean G., Jill S.
6 Connie B.
8 Brian B., Carol M.
10 Karen G.
18 Wes B.
19 Dennis S.
26 Pastor Teresa
June 2022 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship | 30 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 31 *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 “Word in Faith” due | 3 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 4 |
| 5 +Pentecost Offering +Communion | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 “Word in Faith”runs In Wayne Herald | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 Pastor out | 17 Pastor out | 18 Pastor out |
| 19 * Father’s Day Pastor out guest speaker, tba | 20 Pastor out | 21 Pastor out | 22 Pastor out | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 7:00pm Session Meeting | 28 | 29 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 30 |
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
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FPC Service Recordings
can be found at:
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*Our website @ fpcwayne.com
*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska
FPC Online Worship Bulletins can be found at:
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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[*] Nine Practices for Conscious Aging | Spirituality & Health (spiritualityhealth.com) Accessed 4/27/2022
[†] What Does The Bible Say About Aging? Top Full Guide 2022 – resTORbio Accessed 4/27/2022
[‡] The Seven Blessings That Come With Aging | HuffPost Communities Accessed 4/27/2022
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 