Presbytidings – March 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.”
Lenten Poem
by Ann Weems
Lent is a time to take time to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem
or to walk along the sea and listen to his Word,
a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder….
Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!
Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,
for thoughts come unbidden.
Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future
knowing our past.
Give us courage, O God,
to hear your Word
and to read our living into it.
Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven
and give us the faith
to take up our lives and walk.
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 evening through March.
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.
From the Pastor:
I will meditate on all your work,
and muse on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have displayed your might among the peoples.
With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
Psalm 77:12-15 NRSV
The following meditation, based on Psalm 77, is adapted from the book “Living into Lent” by Donald K. McKim.
“One part of our Lenten journey is to ponder who God is and what God has done. This had been part of the journey of faith for the people of God from the beginning. The psalmist recalls God’s mighty deeds for the people of Israel in Psalm 77. Through all the zigs and zags of Israel’s history- and the psalmist’s own history – there is the recognition that God has been there. God has been present, and God has acted. The psalmist declares: ”I will mediate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:12).
The season of Lent gives each of us opportunities to explore deeper dimensions of our faith. We meditate on the Word of God in Scripture, through which we encounter who God is and the ways God has and is acting in the world. We meditate on our faith, what we believe. We reflect on our lives and the many ways faith affects our lives every day. Our proneness to idolatry, to temptation, and to all the dangers and snares we encounter are met by the continuing “mighty deeds” of God. We can be attentive to God’s “mighty deeds” in acts and events both great and small which include helping us turn from temptations and follow as disciples. We realize, in faith, that God is with us and God sees us through the various difficulties we encounter.
God meets us in Jesus Christ, sustains us, guides us, and by grace brings us to where God wants us to be. As we meditate on the nature of faith, we will also experience the comforts and joys of faith, and a sense of God’s guidance for our lives even as we face whatever comes our way. May each of us experience as did the Psalmist: “… the God who works wonders” (Psalm 77:14).”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 5th, 2023. Gail McCorkindale will serve as the Communion Elder.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!
Spring forward one hour Sunday, March 12th. You might be caught walking into church just as worship is finishing up!
DEACONS MEETING
The Deacons will meet Wednesday, March 8th at 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, March 27th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Mark Hammer will provide the devotions.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
For more than 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work toward a better world.
The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People – all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.
First Presbyterian will be collection the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter Sunday, April 9th and April 16th.
FPC DIRECTORY UPDATE
Jenny is working on an update to the FPC Church Directory. Please submit any changes by March 31st to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!
PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS
We are very proud of our Presbyterian Pealers! This photo is from their February 29th performance during our worship service.
From left: Jenny Langdon, Anita Fuelberth, Director – Jay O’Leary, Mark Hammer, Sydney Story, Gail McCorkindale, Austin Galles, Mark McCorkindale and John Fuelberth. Not picture: Amy Woerdemann.
FREE 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 Jane and Jay O’Leary for your generosity. The keyboard has 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 Acrosonic 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 to find it a new home.
The “PAW” Fund
Continuing the legacy of Stacey Alexander, this memorial fund is used to control animal population and emergency care for lost or unwanted animals.
For more information, call Hilda Pearson at 307-214-0612. Thank you!
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./
PRAYER FOR OUR SIBLINGS AND PARTNERS
AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN SYRIA AND TURKEY
February 2023
As we watch the images and continue to receive news about the aftermath of the 7.8 on the Richter scale earthquake that hit near the border between Syria and Turkey, are invited to join us in prayer for all the communities impacted by this disaster. PDA has already reached out to our partners in the areas affected by the earthquakes. Along with our prayers, we have offered our support and will be providing initial grants to attend to immediate unmet needs.
To support our response, designate gifts to DR999999.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- Lenten Supper & Service – We will gather for weekly suppers during Lent through Wednesday, March 29th beginning at 6:00pm. The supper sign-up sheets are on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall. Afterward, we will gather for Lenten services at 7:00pm. All are welcome.
- 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, 2023.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
24 Jacob B.
25 Leigh S.
28 Babs M.
March 2023 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Every Sunday 9:00 Pealers Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship | 1 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 5 10:00am Communion Gail McCorkindale, communion elder 4:00pm Scout Den Meeting | 6 | 7 | 8 10:00am Pastor at WACAM 5:00pm Deacons Meeting 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 Daylight Savings Time Begins – Spring Forward! | 13 9:30am Wayne Family Coalition Meeting | 14 | 15 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship 4:00pm Scout Den Meeting | 20 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 21 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 22 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 23 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 24 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 25 |
| 26 | 27 7:00pm Session Meeting | 28 | 29 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 30 | 31 | |
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/
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First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
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Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 