Presbytidings –
December 2022/January 2023
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….
This year’s online devotional from Presbyterians Today is entitled “Kindling the Flame of Love-A Celtic Advent Devotional.” The devotional was written by the Rev. Dr. Maureen Paterson, associate pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Rev. Dr. Paterson has a keen interest in Christian spirituality and thus Celtic spirituality is the focus of this year’s devotional.
Rev. Dr. Patterson writes in the introduction to the devotional “Many don’t realize anymore, but Advent used to be longer. In the fifth century, the Celts began observing the holy season on Nov. 15, which gave them 40 days to Dec. 24 to prepare to welcome the Christ Child. The 40 days also mirrored the Lenten time of journeying — and repentance and reflection. Forty is a significant number in Scripture. In Genesis, we remember the 40 days and nights of rain that flooded the earth before God’s promise was revealed. In Deuteronomy, we read of Moses pleading with God on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and nights. The wilderness journey from captivity to the Promised Land took 40 years. In the New Testament, we see Jesus being tempted in the desert for 40 days. There are also 40 days between the resurrection and the accounts of Jesus’ ascension. It is not difficult then to see why the earliest Christians took the number 40 as an appropriate number of days to be in preparation for life-changing events—whether that was preparing for Easter or Christmas or the consecration of a new religious order. In our modern times, it also seems appropriate that we take a little more time on our spiritual journey during one of the most hectic and stressful parts of the year. In the context of the U.S., where Thanksgiving typically occurs just a few days before the start of traditional Advent, it seems like we finish with that holiday celebration and then sprint toward the finish line of Christmas. Beginning the practice of Advent on Nov. 15 gives us more breathing room, space to allow God’s presence and the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. It allows us to begin our own spiritual practices a little earlier to center ourselves in God’s Word and open ourselves up to God’s call upon our lives.” You are encouraged to use this devotional material for personal growth the link is Advent-Calendar-2022.pdf. Other seasonal materials include the quarterly devotional magazine “These Days” available in Fellowship Hall or at the back of the sanctuary. Online sites noted in the newsletter include d365.org or Biola University’s Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts. It is hoped you might find one or more of these devotional materials helpful during this season.
The following is Paterson’s devotional from November 25th entitled “Seeing Christ in All” and based on Matthew 25:44-4-Then they will also answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”
Paterson writes, “When I was training for ministry within the Church of Scotland, one of the requirements was a number of church and community internships. One of mine was in the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, which was built in 1729 and had carved above two doorways, “I was a stranger and ye invited me in” and “I was sick and ye visited me.” It was sobering every time I walked through those doors to be reminded of this Scripture and the reality that not only was I a representative of the church when I visited patients, but more importantly I should be approaching each bedside as if I was visiting Christ himself. If we truly live this passage from Matthew’s Gospel, we will find ourselves challenged how we look at everyone we meet and every encounter we have. It doesn’t allow us to be nice to the people we like and rude to others. It forces us to look at everyone with the eyes of Christ and not make value judgments based on their race, gender, economic status or any kind of personal preferences. And that is often difficult. It is hard to hold onto this principle when we are busy, or tired or having a bad day. It is all too easy to take our frustrations and anger out on the first person we come across and not recognize the Christ that dwells within them. Who are the “least of these” in your life? Who do you have a hard time recognizing the Christ within? How might you be more mindful of this scriptural mandate and be more intentional in your daily activities when encountering strangers or those people you find most difficult? May we each try to slow down enough during this busy holiday season, to look within the other to see Christ and recognize each person as made in God’s image. Imagine how different our world would be if we did.”
Prayer:
Creator God, we know you made all of us in your image and call us to extend your love and grace to one another. We confess that often we are too busy or self-obsessed to truly notice the Christ in one another. Open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to your presence and teach us to love as you loved. Amen
Blessings,
Pastor Teresa
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: December 24th, 5:30pm
Worship Christ, the newborn King! Saturday, December 24, at 5:30pm. Bring your loved ones for a special candle-lit service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on December 4th with Suzanne Ras as the communion elder. On January 8th the communion elder will be John Fuelberth.
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING 2022
Thank you to the following who will be assisting with Advent Candlelighting:
November 27th Candle of Hope: The Ras Family
December 4th Candle of Peace: The Galles Family
December 11th Candle of Joy: Larry & Tiffanny Heese
December 18th Candle of Love: Jeryl & Rochelle Nelson
December 24th Love – Christ Candle: The Hammer Family
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias may be displayed in the sanctuary in honor or memory of the loved ones in your life. We will acknowledge the arrangements in the Christmas Eve program. Please inform Jenny in the church office of the details. You can bring them anytime, you are asked to take them home after the December 24th worship service.
PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS
“We are going to try to have the bell choir play some Christmas music. Our first rehearsal will be at 9:00am, December 4th. If you would like to play this year, please let me know and join us on December 4th. We are in need of several new players. – Jay O’Leary
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING
Thank -you to Mark and Jenny Hammer, John Fuelberth, Gordon Granberg and Pastor Teresa Bartlett for volunteering to ring bells for the Salvation Army on Saturday December 3rd. Thank- you for your gifts of time and compassion.
PMC ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
The PMC Annual Tree Lighting Remembrance Service will be held Sunday, December 4th at 2:00pm in the Providence Medical Center Auditorium.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Presbyterians Today’s Advent devotional embraces the observance of the Celtic Advent, which began NOVEMBER 15 (earlier than our traditional Advent), encompassing a full 40-days which mirrors the season of Lent. The 2022 theme for the devotional is “Kindling the Flame of Love, A Celtic Advent Devotional “The devotional is available for download and or print for personal use at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/presbyterians-today-celtic-advent-devotional/
In addition other online Advent devotionals include Biola University’s Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts which hosts an Advent devotional which features music & art at https://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2022/
You are encouraged to look at these options for your Advent devotions.
MITTEN TREE
The Deacons request your help in decorating our mitten tree this holiday season with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens. The tree will be in Fellowship Hall.
WAYNE FOOD PANTRY
We are expecting a very busy holiday season at the Food Pantry. With gifts from the community we were able to provide 14 baskets to Wayne Community School families. 14 Head-Start families received grocery store vouchers. We hope to provide about the same number this Christmas-time. We will also be distributing nearly 140 bags with peanut butter, jelly & a loaf of bread to the children on the Wayne Schools Backpack Program. Please consider donating to the Food Pantry. There is a great need in our community, please be generous. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.
ALTERNATIVE GIFT GIVING IDEAS TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER
- Local Gifts for Kids: Help area children have a Merry Christmas through the Gifts for Kids program. Select a tag from the Gifts for Kids tree at Bomgaars. There are a variety of ages of children and requests. Once you’ve selected a tag(s), leave the bottom of the tag with a cashier. Shop for the items and return the unwrapped gifts with the tag to Bomgaars.
- Here are some Web sites that will inspire you to give gifts that will make a real difference in people’s lives:
https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/oghs/
presbyteriangifts.org
The Wayne Coat Closet
The Wayne Food Pantry
CHRISTMAS JOY 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. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. We will receive the Christmas Joy offering on Sunday, December 18th, however you may make your gift any time before the end of the year. Please note on your check or offering envelope that the gift is for the Christmas Joy offering.
PASTORAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES – December 2022/January 2023
Pastor Teresa will lead pastoral outreach services at the following locations throughout December:
- WAYNE COUNTRYVIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, December 4th beginning at 1:30pm.
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of December 12th – 16th at 5:40am.
- KINSHIP POINTE CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, January 11th beginning at 3:30pm.
- WAYNE COUNTRYVIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, January 22nd beginning at 1:30pm.
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of January 30th – February 3rd at 5:40am.
PASTOR’S VACATION & STUDY LEAVE
- Pastor will be on vacation December 25th, 2022 – January 7th, 2023.
- No service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022.
- No service will be held Sunday, January 1, 2023.
- Communion will be held on January 8th, 2023. John Fuelberth serving as communion elder.
- If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please contact the office at (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
- The church office will be closed the week of December 26. We will re-open on Tuesday. January 3rd, 2023.
- Pastor Teresa will be on leave Sunday, December 25– Saturday, January 7, 2023. Please, do not hesitate to leave a message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com
TAX REMINDER
All donations for the 2022 calendar year need to be to Anita Fuelberth no later than Friday, December 30, 2022 for tax purposes. Any mailed donations must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 28th, 2022.
COFFEE HOUSE TO RETURN IN 2023
The Session was pleased with the reception that Coffee House worship received over the course of our three services. The response from many in the congregation has been positive. At the November Session meeting it was decided that we would hold Coffee House worship once a month, with the exception of December, on the 3rd Sunday. The first Coffee House in 2023 will be January 15th. Jane has already been in contact with people about topics and leadership for the discussion portion of Coffee House. Please contact her to volunteer or share ideas for topics. We will also need volunteers for treats and to make the coffee so please watch for the sign-up sheet to volunteer. We look forward to more discussion about the Scriptures’ and how they impact our lives. Coffee House begins January 15th.
SESSION
- The Session will not meet in December.
- The Session will gather for a retreat **Saturday, January 28th**(please note date change), 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a time of training and planning for 2023. 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.
- If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/13/2023.
FPC ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Our annual congregational meeting will follow worship on Sunday, January 29th. If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/13/2023.
SESSION & DEACON TEAM REPORTS DUE
If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/13/2023.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
5 Tiffanny H.
7 Candyce P.
14 Randy D.
18 Beau B.
22 Nina H.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
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.
December 2022 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00 | 1 | 2 | 3 10am-2pm Salvation Army Bell Ringing | |||
| 4 9:00am Pealers Practice *Communion *FPC Christmas Surprise! *Countryview Chapel *4pm Cub Scouts | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 9:00am Pealers Practice | 12 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 13 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 14 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 15 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 16 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 17 |
| 18 9:00am Pealers Practice *Christmas Joy Offering | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 5:30pm Christmas Eve Service |
| 25 Merry Christmas! Jesus is born! No worship service today | 26 Church Office closed | 27 Church Office closed | 28 Church Office closed | 29 Church Office closed | 30 Church Office closed | 31 |
January 2023 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 New Year’s Day! Pastor on vacation – No Sunday Worship | 2 Pastor on vacation | 3 Pastor on vacation | 4 Pastor on vacation | 5 Pastor on vacation | 6 Pastor on vacation | 7 |
| 8 Communion Downing of the Browns 4:00 Cub Scouts | 9 | 10 | 11 3:30 Kinship Pointe Chapel | 12 | 13 2022 Annual Reports due | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 1:30 Pastor leads Countryview Chapel 4:00 Cub Scouts | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 9:00-12:30 Session Planning Meeting |
| 29 Annual Congregational Meeting | 30 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 31 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | Feb. 1 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | Feb. 2 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | Feb. 3 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | Feb. 4 |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00 |
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 