Presbytidings – April 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.”
From the Pastor
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Showing up for Church
Where is your car on Sunday mornings between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.? A drive around the community might reveal a number of cars at the local fast food restaurant getting breakfast. There might be a number of cars at the local golf club or sports arena where families gather to encourage a child and their team. You might find a number of cars still parked in the garage with the family enjoying a leisurely breakfast or reading the paper with a second cup of coffee. A drive around town will also find a number of cars at area churches. Where is your car on Sunday morning in the garage, out for fun and adventure or in front of your church?
It is easy to be distracted by all the choices we have on Sunday morning from a time of quiet at home, sleeping in, to the draw of a fast-food breakfast on the way to support the events of our children and grandchildren.
Recently I read an article by Yolanda Pierce in The Christian Century magazine (March 2024) who was frank about the challenges of showing up for church. She said in print what we might often think such as there are Sundays when it seems going to church is just one more thing on the to do list. There are plenty of Sundays when the announcements seem to take too long. Sundays when the message just goes over our head or puts us to sleep. There are Sundays when we don’t get to sing our favorite hymns. Okay that may all be true, but worship isn’t about us it is about offering praise to God, about showing up to meet God, our God is the God of the unexpected.
We just celebrated Easter and the resurrection of Christ. The disciples certainly didn’t expect Jesus to show up in their midst, but he did. Jesus showed up in the garden to Mary, in the upper room to Thomas and the disciples, he showed up on the road to Emmaus and on the beach with breakfast in Galilee. Our Triune God seeks to show up for us in unexpected ways especially when God’s people are gathered together.
In her article Pierce recounted how God showed up at church through a woman whose name she didn’t know. Pierce writes “A creature of habit, I often sit in the same pew, as do many others in my church. I had seen her many times before; we had shared a hug and passed the peace on multiple occasions. As I arrived at my familiar pew after a few Sundays of being on the road for work, this woman leans over to me and says, “I missed your smile for the past few weeks. I want you to know I’m, praying for you and miss you when you’re gone.” Pierce said “Tears welled in my eyes. The service hadn’t started. The praise and worship team hadn’t sung a single note, nor had the pastor even arrived in the pulpit. But surely God was present in that moment of deep human connection. She saw me, and she reminded me that God sees me.”
Sometimes God shows up in the passing of the peace as we share a firm handshake or a hug. Sometimes God shows up in fellowship following worship as we share around the table. Sometimes God shows up in the face of a toddler who is enthusiastically greeting everyone she sees. There are many ways to encounter God when we show up at church on a Sunday morning and many happen before the sermon has begun. God can speak to you through the Scripture and the pastor’s message, the songs of the service. God might just as easily speak to you through the person sitting next to you who hands you a mint when you get a tickle in your throat.
Not every Sunday will bring some new revelation or insight. Not every Sunday will provide a transformative change in one’s life. Not every Sunday will soothe our fears or calm our souls. Yet the effect of worship with God’s people is cumulative, like eating. We may not get our favorite food at every meal; we may not remember every meal we’ve eaten but through our lives every meal is important to our health and wellbeing. We can experience in the context of a meal with family, fellowship, community, joy, celebration and sorrow. The many stories of Jesus breaking bread with people speaks to the importance of physical and spiritual nourishment.
The author the Hebrews reminds us that we should not neglect meeting together, to assemble together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). Each Sunday one can experience joy in the simple pleasure of being present with the people of God, showing up to worship and praise God. Pierce closed her article with this statement, “May we show up for each other with the same consistency and faithfulness with which God shows up for us.”
Post COVID many churches offer an opportunity to worship via technology, sometimes that is necessary, however if you stay home in your pajamas and drink coffee, you won’t see that cute toddler greeting everyone, or be able to grasp the hand of your neighbor as you share the peace of Christ. From your sofa you can’t tell someone how much you’ve missed them or congratulate that young person on their most recent achievement from academic Honor Roll or helping their team get a chance at a state championship.
Pierce wrote in her article “We are often so busy expecting the word of God to come from the pastor that we miss how God’s presence arrives in other forms.” Our God is the God of the unexpected and the Spirit is likely to move in a variety of ways in worship as we are present together, as we pray together, sing together, hear God’s Word together.
The church is open 52 Sundays a year so next Sunday, get the car out of the garage, head toward your church, bring the family, come in. When we show up to worship we’re likely to encounter God in the midst of God’s people. See you on Sunday.
– Pastor Teresa
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of April 1st – 5th at 5:40am.
- COUNTRY VIEW: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, April 21st at 1:30pm.
FPC COMMUNION CALENDAR
- Sunday, April 7th at 10:00am. The communion elder will be Gail McCorkindale.
- Sunday, May 5th at 10:00am. The communion elder will be Mark Hammer.
COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP – APRIL 21st
The next CoffeeHouse Worship will be held on Sunday, April 21st at 10:00am. Karen Johnson will lead the discussion. We are looking for a fellowship host.
SESSION
The Session will meet Monday, April 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
RUNZA FEEDS THE NEED
Our local Runza Restaurant is hosting a special fund-raiser for the Wayne Food Pantry & Backpack Program on Tuesday, April 23rd. Jodi Pulfer will be representing the Wayne Food Pantry for an interview with KTCH announcer Aaron Scheffler during the 11:00am hour. Please support us by making plans to pick up Runza for lunch or dinner that day!
GRADUATION SUNDAY – MAY 5th
- Join us on Sunday, May 5th as we recognize our FPC senior graduate Nina Hammer, who will be graduating from Wayne High School. Nina hopes to attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in Animal Science. Following the service, there will be a time of fellowship. All are welcome!
- Congratulations to our other graduates:
- Gabriel Peitz graduating from Wayne State College with a degree in Chemistry Health Science. He is planning on moving to Omaha and working on a degree in pharmacy medicine.
- Marta Pulfer will graduate from Texas A&M University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on May 8th. She will work at a dairy veterinary practice in Maricopa, Arizona.
- Shea Sweetland will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business and Sports Management (dual majors) from Wayne State College on May 4th. He is actively seeking employment.
- Sarah Wibben will graduate on May 17th with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from UNL. She hopes to get a job for the fall as a elementary choir teacher. She is continuing to teach students voice lessons in Lincoln into the summer.
- Andy Wibben will graduate from Wayne High in May and plans to attend WSC in the fall of 2024 to study Math. He plans to become a math teacher. He will be joining Ethan as a roommate and bandmate.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CHURCHWIDE GATHERING
Learn more about the PW Churchwide Gathering at
Scholarships are available for FPC Men to attend
the Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest May 17-18th, 2024.
The Session at its March meeting set aside funds from our Presbyterian Foundation Funds for scholarships for this educational and inspirational event. Read the details below. Depending on the number of applicants the scholarship will pay for the full registration fee for up to nine men to attend the event. Please contact Pastor Teresa if you are interested in attending. The number of single rooms is limited so if you are interested please contact Pastor Teresa as soon as possible.
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
SUMMER CAMP @ CALVIN CREST
Summer is coming! We promise! And what better way to spend your summer than going to camp learning about Jesus with friends? Calvin Crest is officially open for summer camp registration: http://www.calvincrest.org/summer-camp/ Pick out your week of camp and register your kid(s) or grandkid(s). Our young people may apply for a scholarship to pay ½ of the cost of registration. Additional scholarships, based on financial need may be available. Please ask Jenny or Pastor Teresa for an application.
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 21-26, 2024. 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
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.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
April 4 – Bev B.
April 6 – Shari D.
April 26 – Levi H.
April 2024 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Sunday Mornings: 9:00 Handbell Choir 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship | 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 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 5 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 6 |
| 7 Communion | 8 | 9 | 10 10:30 Pastor at WACAM mtg. | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 Guest Speaker – Jane O’Leary | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 CoffeeHouse Worship 1:30 Wayne Country View Chapel | 22 7:00 Session Meeting | 23 Runza Feeds the Need | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 |
FPC Service Recordingscan 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:
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)
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