Presbytidings – March 2024
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 & HOLY WEEK SERVICES: “What Is the Problem with Sin?”
The season of Lent calls us to repentance, and to recognizing Christ’s sacrifice for our sinfulness. Sin in its many forms are as present in today’s world as ever, temptations abound. We will take a look at various sins named in Christian theology and the counterpart to those sins which Paul details in Ephesians as the “fruit of the spirit.” During the Lenten season we will be reminded of the challenges of Christian living but also that God’s grace is more than sufficient for all our sins.
March 6th “Killing with Kindness”
March 13th “Practicing Patience”
March 20th “The Duty of Diligence”
March 24th (Palm Sunday) “The Help of Holiness”
March 28th (Maundy Thursday) “The Secret of Contentment”
March 31st Easter Sunday
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers have begun and will continue until March 20th. Soup suppers begin at 6:00 p.m. and are 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:
Theologian Fredrick Buechner is quoted as having said, “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” Our human experience is always a pendulum, between good and bad, beautiful and terrible. Often not an either/or, but sometimes a both/and, occasionally on the same day! Beautiful and terrible things are happening in our world ALL the time! Amid the news of events such as war, natural disasters, disease, violence, societal discord, we can feel bombarded with terrible news. We may want to cover our eyes and ears, so we don’t have to see or hear any more.
Jesus didn’t fully explain why bad things happen and neither can we. Sometimes misfortune is of our own making by our poor choices, sometimes people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes terrible things like violence and war are the result of human sin, manifest in trying to take, hold power or control others.
Luke 13:1-6 describes a tragedy in Jesus’ day where Pilate had killed some Galileans and eighteen others were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus used the news of his day, as we can the news of our day, to remind us that life is a gift. God desires to be in relationship with each of us, thus we need to repent of our sins and trust in our Triune God at all times. As disciples of Christ, we should seek to minimize the suffering and pain of others, showing love to our neighbors as Christ taught that others might find a relationship with our Triune God.
The words of Psalm 46:1-3 offer comfort and assurance in challenging days: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. No matter the source of terrible things, God understands our suffering and is with us. God has promised to redeem all things, suffering and injustice do not have the last word in our lives and world.
I’ve heard the expression that when we feel we’ve been buried, we’ve instead been planted, it is those times God is at work growing something new in our lives.Beauty and joy can come from dark places, think of all those spring bulbs just waiting to emerge! Look to the sunrise which follows the darkness of night and know that our Triune God is at work offering the assurance that we are not alone, and that beauty can be found around us.
None of us know the number of our days, how or when they will end, but we do know life is not to be squandered but rather spent in relationship one another and our Triune God, an ever-present help in beautiful or terrible times.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Teresa
COMMUNION
- We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. Gerard Ras will serve as the Communion Elder.
- On April 7th we will celebrate Communion. Gail McCorkindale will serve as the communion elder.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!
Spring forward one hour Sunday, March 10th. You might be caught walking into church just as worship is finishing up!
SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, March 25th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 24th at 10:00am. The Presbyterian Pealers will perform.
- The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, March 28th, 7:00pm.
- Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, March 31st, 2024.
- We will enjoy an Easter Brunch preceding the worship service beginning at 8:45am. Watch for a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall or call the office at 402-375-2669.
EASTER BRUNCH IS BACK!
The FPC Deacons will be hosting an Easter Sunday Continental breakfast in Fellowship Hall on March 31st from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Come and enjoy fellowship, coffee, fruit, sweet breads and other treats before worship. The Deacons welcome additional contributions for the breakfast. Please contact the office or sign up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall. The Deacons are pleased to be able to bring back the Easter morning gathering. Bring the family and join us as we fellowship together and prepare to worship God together.
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, March 31st.
FELLOWSHIP HALL PIANO
The Fellowship Hall piano is available to anyone who would like it and will move it. The Aerosonic piano is in good useable conditions, however would likely need tuning after moving. Please speak to Pastor Teresa if you are interest in the piano. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon.
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!
YOU ARE INVITED:
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPERING GATHERING
Theme: “Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:14
Homestead Presbyterian Women
Saturday, April 6th, 2024
9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Come join us in person
At the Fremont Presbyterian Church 520 West Linden Ave.
There is no charge for this gathering, there will be
complimentary coffee and treats available in the morning
and lunch will be provided.
Hope to see you there! For questions please contact:
Maggie Horak 402-429-0523, mmhlin@outlook.com
For PW Together in Service, please bring Baby Layette Kit items to donate (sleepers, receiving blankets, onesies, bibs, wash cloths, hooded baby bath towels – all new). An offering will be collected with half going to PW Synod Native American Scholarship Fund and half to defray cost of lunch.
Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest Conference & Retreat Center
May 17th to 18th, 2024
Spend a little time focusing on the things that matter most. Your faith will be encouraged throughout the event. Great music by a world-renowned artist, excellent hospitality, tasty food and an encouraging and challenging speaker will help you become a better person.
This overnight retreat is hosted by Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, located just outside of Fremont, Nebraska.
Location Information
- Date and Time: May 17th 2024 at 4:30 PM CDT
- Location Name: Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
- Address: 2870 COUNTY ROAD 13, FREMONT, NE, 68025-7951 US
- Directions: Google, Bing, MapQuest
Speaker, Rev. J.D. Georlett
Rev. J.D. Georlett is the Senior Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska and has filled that role since 2016. With theological education from Fuller Theological Seminary and Dubuque Theological Seminary, he has over 20 years of pastoral experience. He [reaches and teaches with humor and passion, and with the Bible always at the center of his ministry and believes that the Christian Church exists for the purpose of raising up and training disciples of Jesus Christ.
J.D. is married to Laura and together they have three children. He loves to golf, read and bake the best cinnamon rolls in the entire world. You will be challenged and encouraged by what J.D. has to share from the Bible and his experience.
Musician, Bob Bennett
Award winning musician, Bob Bennett will be the retreat’s song leader and will also perform an acoustic coffeehouse concert Friday night at 9:30pm for retreat participants. His “Matters of the Heart” album was named Contemporary Christian Music Magazine’s 1982 “Album of the Year”, and his songs are an important legacy of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and ‘80s. He has recorded with Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Billy Crokeett. When asked if he had been to Nebraska previously, Bob replied, “I think I was in Omaha on a tour with Amy Grant and Michael Card.” We are excited to have him make a return trip.
On his website, Bob says, “I think that accomplishing some sort of ministry by playing music is a completely faulty, frail method that God still manages to use. My primary goal is to communicate truthfully with people. If I can communicate truthfully the life of the Spirit and the always-accompanying struggle along the way, then ministry happens as a natural result of that. If something deep and profound happens, I’m as amazed and grateful as anyone else!”
Many examples of bob’s music can be found on YouTube. Bob hosts a weekly live Facebook stream of songs and requests that began as a response to Covid performing restriction. We are certain Bob’s music will teach, inspire and lift our spirits throughout the weekend.
Registration
There are plenty of registration options available. Single, Double and Triple Occupancy rates in the Proett Conference Center (limited space), Cabin Occupancy, Commuter rate and the option to use the Commuter rate with finding your own accommodations at a hotel in Fremont.
In order to ensure available space, you will pre-register with payment. When Calvin Crest confirms availability of your desired room, your card will be charged and you will receive a confirmation.
Registration Options*
- Single Occupancy ($154.00)
Limited Availability: Single room in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.
- Double Occupancy ($114.00)
Limited Availability: Double Occupancy Room (2 beds) in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.
- Triple Occupancy ($89.00)
Limited Availability: Triple Occupancy Room (3 single beds) in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.
- Cabin Occupancy ($59.00)
Stay in climate controlled cabins with indoor bathrooms, 4 inch foam mattresses on bunk beds. Bring your own bedding and towels. We will fill cabins with other registrants. Includes three meals and program fees.
- Commuter ($39.00)
Drive in for the event. Includes three meals and the program fees.
For more information- phone: 402.628.6455
toll free: 877.795.7635
fax: 402.628.8255
email: calvincrest@calvincrest.org
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.
March 2024 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Every Sunday 9:00 Pealers Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship | February 28 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service | February 29 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 3 10:00am Communion Gerard Ras communion elder | 4 | 5 | 6 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 Daylight Savings Time Begins – Spring Forward! 1:30pm Pastor leads Countryview Chapel | 11 | 12 | 13 10:00am Pastor at WACAM 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship | 18 | 19 | 20 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 Palm Sunday | 25 7:00pm Session Meeting | 26 | 27 3:30pm Pastor leads Kinship Pointe Chapel | 28 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service | 29 Good Friday | 30 |
| 31 Easter! 8:45-9:45am Easter Brunch |
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 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:
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 