Presbytidings – February 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……
The prophet Isaiah served as a mouthpiece for the Lord during one of the most trying times in the history of the Israelites. The setting for the 43rd chapter of Isaiah is the captivity of the Israelites in Babylon. The people felt discouraged, defeated, deflated, and depressed. The Israelites were at their lowest point when God sent word through the prophet Isaiah. God knew the people needed some reassurance and their memory jogged that God was their Creator – the One who made them out of nothing. The Israelites were reminded that God was their Lord, the Holy One, the promise keeper. God also reminded them of the great things done for their ancestors, like being brought out of bondage in Egypt. Leaving Egypt in the middle of the Red Sea, God made a highway for the people and a graveyard for their enemies who were pursing them. God reminded the people not to be afraid for they were precious and beloved by God. God was present with them encouraging them to look forward not backward. God said to the people,
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19
“Forget about your past. Forget about the former things. Don’t think about it.” God seems to be saying “I’m about to do something brand new. Let go of the past and look forward because God is more interested in your future than your past.”
Sometimes it is a challenge to let go of the past as it holds memories both good and bad. We will be happy to release memories of a pandemic which changed all our lives. It’s harder to let go of memories of a congregation with lots of children and a full house for Sunday worship. In the current culture we can lament that faith doesn’t hold the same place that it once did. We know that some look for the support and fellowship of religious communities in other types of groups. We can feel discouraged because we’re a small congregation however, according to PC(USA) 2021 statistics the median membership of congregations in the denomination is 71 with an average attendance of 35.[*] Let’s take God’s words to the Israelites to heart, let’s look forward rather than backward, let’s see what is and what might be rather than what was.
New things are happening here at FPC. I’m happy that Sunday School has been restarted, we have a good group of teachers and volunteers. We can look forward to the fall and hopefully add some children to the roster. We had a baptism January 15th the first in quite a while. We installed a new class of deacons and elders on January 22nd. Our CoffeeHouse service will begin February 19th and will be the third Sunday of each month. The service provides a great time of thought-provoking discussion and offers each of us an opportunity to invite someone to join us for worship. Each of us is a part of this faith community and we need to encourage and invite others to reinvigorate our community in mission, and worship. We want to be sure to welcome visitors warmly whether they are coming for worship, or to use the Coat Closet or Food Pantry.
Even though we are in midwinter I feel a sense of optimism about these new and renewed activities of the congregation. A favorite hymn of mine was written by Natalie Sleeth entitled Hymn of Promise. It is a contemporary hymn composed in 1986. The last half of the first verse says.
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Bulbs planted in the fall remain out of sight until the right combination of sun, rain and warmth trigger the new growth to break through the ground exposing a small green tip. I feel a sense of anticipation and newness that perhaps like that bulb responding to the warmth of the spring sun and rain, God is at work in our midst and we are seeing the first hints of new growth. Let’s keep cultivating and planting new ideas and watch for the new growth which will be revealed in God’s time.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
FPC ANNUAL REPORT
Pastor Teresa’s letter was from the 2022 Annual Meeting held on Sunday, February 5th. 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
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 5th. John Fuelberth will serve as the Communion Elder.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY
Homestead presbytery will gather on Saturday, February 18th, in Fremont. Contact Pastor Teresa for more details..
SESSION
The Session will meet on Monday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Kent Pulfer will provide devotions.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service February 22nd beginning at 7:00pm.
- Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, April 2nd at 10:00am.
- The Maundy Thursday service with communion will be held Thursday evening, April 6th.
- Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service with Communion at 9:00am on Sunday, April 9th, 2022.
MID-WEEK LENTEN SERIES
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus
Wednesday Evening Services for Lent
The earliest Disciples of Christ were called followers of The Way. It is believed they referred to themselves as followers of the Way because of Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 that He is “the way and the truth and the life.” Peter refers to Christianity as “the way of truth” (2 Peter 2:2). The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus’ broken body is the “new and living way” for us to enter the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19–20).
Christianity is both a journey and the path you walk on. It’s not static but in constant motion; it’s not just one choice but a lifetime of choices. Not one of us have reached our destination, our best life, our God-given potential, but we are always on the way and called to make a way for others to join us. “Come follow me,” Jesus said to his first disciples, he says the same to us today (Matthew 4:19). It’s a walk with Jesus and we’re all on the way. It’s not always easy but it’s always that simple.
During this Lenten season we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism to the temptations to the heart of his ministry, including the people he loved, the parables he taught, the enemies he made, and the healing he brought. This year’s Lenten study was written by and the video excerpts narrated by Pastor Adam Hamilton. Using historical information, archaeological data, and stories of the faith, we’ll go with Hamilton to the Holy Land as he retraces the life and ministry of Jesus Christ through the footsteps of Jesus. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday beginning February 22th.
February 22nd – Ash Wednesday
March 1st – Baptism and Temptation– The Jordan River and the Wilderness
March 8th – Healing Ministry – Capernaum
March 15th – Proclaiming the Kingdom – The Mountains
March 22nd – Calming the Story – The Sea of Galilee
March 29th – Sinners, Outcasts and the Poor – Samaria
April 6th – Maundy Thursday – The final week. Jerusalem
Lenten Soup Suppers to begin March 1st.
Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers will begin on Wednesday, March 1st and continue until March 30th. Soup suppers will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by our Lenten worship service at 7:00 p.m. Sign-up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall to bring soup, sandwiches, dessert or other items for the meal.
FPC CHURCH DIRECTORY
Please submit address or phone number changes for you and for your family members to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!
POTENTIAL & POSSIBILITIES
The Session at their January meeting and set a goal for FPC to host a special event of some kind quarterly. This would be an event we could invite the community to participate in perhaps a special musical event, instrumental group, soloist or quartet, speaker or other types of event. Feel free to share with Pastor Teresa or a Session member if you know of a group or individual we might invite for these special events. The Session will make the final determination regarding quarterly events. By welcoming others into the church for these events, it will give the congregation the opportunity to meet and greet members of the community and an opening to share the mission of FPC.
FELLOWSHIP HALL PIANO
First Presbyterian has received the gift of an electric keyboard from Jay and Jane O’Leary in memory of their sons, Jed and JD. Thank you to Jane and Jay O’Leary for their generosity. The keyboard gives quite a bit of flexibility in musical styles and sounds. The Session determined with the gift of the keyboard we will no longer need the Aerosonic brand piano currently in Fellowship Hall. The piano is in good useable condition, however will likely need tuning after moving. The Session will give the piano to any member of the congregation at no charge. The recipient must remove the piano from the property. Please speak to Pastor Teresa if you are interested in the piano. If no one in the congregation claims the piano we will advertise it more widely t find it a new home.
GREAT PLAINS PILGRIMAGE
March 16-19
Camp Calvin Crest, Fremont, NE
As you travel down life’s highway, it is good to stop and rest a while. Pilgrimage is a three-day renewal . . . that lasts a lifetime. You can gather at the river with your fellow travelers, and at that oasis, you can break bread, laugh, sing, worship, listen, and be heard. After lingering at that sanctuary, you and your friends will emerge refreshed, rested, and ready to continue on your way, prepared once more to celebrate the journey of life and praise the Lord. Hey, weary traveler, Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage is waiting……for you.
For more information and to apply to be a part of the next Pilgrimage, please go to http://greatplainspilgrimage.org./
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WAYNE
THE SESSION 2022
Elder Class
Mark Hammer (Property, Fellowship) 2023
Kent Pulfer (Administration) 2023
Jane O’Leary (Worship, Outreach) 2024
Suzanne Sjuts (Worship, Outreach) 2024
John Fuelberth (Property, Fellowship) 2025
Gail McCorkindale (Administration) 2025
BOARD OF DEACONS 2021
Deacon Class
Connie Bargstadt 2023
Karen Johnson 2023
Misty Beair 2024
Tiffanny Heese 2024
Gordon Granberg 2025
Karen Marra 2025
COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION 2023
Nominating Team: Kent Pulfer, Jean Griess, Karen Johnson, Mark McCorkindale, & Gerard Ras
Financial Review: Gerard Ras
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION: Suzanne Ras, President; John Fuelberth, Vice-President;
Jane O’Leary, Secretary; Jodi Pulfer, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Shari Dunklau, Mark McCorkindale, 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 2022 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 9:00 Bells Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship | 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 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 |
| 5 10:00am Communion _________ communion elder | 6 | 7 | 8 10:30am WACAM | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 2:00pm Deacons Meeting | 16 | 17 | 18 10:00am Homestead Presbytery in Fremont |
| 19 CoffeeHouse Woship 4:00pm Cub Scout Den Meeting | 20 | 21 | 22 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service | 23 | 24 | 25 9:30am Mobile Food Pantry Truck at Journey CC |
| 26 | 27 7:00pm Session Mtg. | 28 |
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/
FPC Service Recordings can be found at:
*Facebook @ First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
*Our website @ fpcwayne.com
*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska
FPC Online Worship Bulletins can be found at:
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)
GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL
If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail (save a stamp, save a tree!), go to www.fpcwayne.org; on the home page, in the right hand column, there is a widget that says, “NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION: Enter your e-mail address to receive Presbytidings, our church’s newsletter, by e-mail.” Enter your address in the white box, and click on the button that says, “Sign me up!” You will need to confirm your subscription through an e-mail message that will be sent to your inbox; this is safe! It is designed to keep spammers out of the picture! Share our newsletter with all your friends and family. Simple!
I’m Not Just February
By Annette Wynne
I’m not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I’m Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country’s flag for you!
I’m Valentine of airy grace-
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send,
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I’m quite a big month, after all!
Accessed from https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/february-poems/
[*] PC(USA) Research Services – Church Trends (pcusa.org) Accessed 1/25, 2023.
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 