Presbytidings – May/June 2025
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…..
In Jesus’ short ministry he gathered and taught disciples, sent them out to teach and share the gospel with others. Jesus laid the foundation for the church, but he didn’t establish the church. The disciples and the Apostle Paul were instrumental in establishing churches, their ministry and outreach. The Greek word translated in the New Testament as “church” is Ekklesia (or ecclesia). It comes from ek, meaning “out from and to” and kaleo, meaning “to call.” The ekklesia in the New Testament is a group of people, an assembly or a congregation who have been called out of the world to God; it is the people, not a building, that is the church.[*]
1 Peter 2:9-10 gives an overview of those who are “called out” to be God’s people; “… you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.At one time you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. In the past you had never received mercy, but now you have received God’s mercy.
Followers of Christ are “called out” to tell about God, to be bound together by their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. God’s people are all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The church universal includes Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, Baptists, and others. Different denominations may order their worship differently, differ in how they ordain and call pastoral leadership and their governance, however the common denominator is Jesus Christ.
For followers of Christ, whether in the 1st century or 21st century discipleship can be challenging, so the regular support and encouragement of other Christians is invaluable. Three important reasons to be part of a faith community are faith development, fellowship and mission or service to others.
In a community of faith, we seek to hear and understand God’s Word as a guide for our lives. The Scriptures help us understand how to live in community, care for each other and creation. We often need to be reminded that we are not God and to be humbled by God’s presence and action in our lives.
In a community of faith joys and sorrows can be shared. Being part of a faith community gives a sense of belonging and rootedness, it is a place where we are known and can know others. As we worship together, we respond with thanksgiving and praise to God in good and challenging times.
In a faith community we are challenged by Jesus’ teachings to live in a way that is often counter to the world around us. Jesus taught we are to love our neighbor as ourselves, our neighbors may be near or far away. Since the first century the church has cared for widows and orphans, for the poor, needy and sick. The church has established schools, hospitals, and other institutions to care for those in their communities and around the world.
FPC helps neighbors close by through the Coat Closet, Backpack and Pantry programs. This summer our new 5th Sunday Mission project is an outreach to neighbors who find themselves in difficult times. Read more about the 5th Sunday Mission Project elsewhere in the newsletter. Working through Church World Services we are giving assistance to people after natural disasters or other traumatic situations. Save the date and join us on June 29th.
The church is a community of believers who grow in their faith, deepen their fellowship with each other and reach out in caring ways to their community and beyond. We have been called out to be the family of God, the church in this place. sharing our faith and God’s love through our words and actions. Together, let us continue to deepen our faith, spend time in fellowship supporting and encouraging each other and reaching out in mission and service to our community and beyond. May God continue to guide us in these endeavors.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
SAVE THE DATE FOR A NEW FPC EVENT!
5th Sunday Mission Project set for June 29th
The Session invites the congregation to join them in a new summer mission project. We will be collecting personal care items and assembling Hygiene Kits for Church World Service. Church World Service is a faith-based organization whose mission is “…transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.”
The Church World Service website says CWS …was born in the wake of the devastation of World War II. Seventeen Christian denominations came together to do in partnership what none of us could hope to do as well alone. Over the decades, the specifics of our programs have shifted and evolved. The CWS family has grown. And our foundation of collaboration and welcome has remained unshakable. Reader more about CWS at their website CWS
The Presbyterian Church (USA) and Presbyterian Women have long been partners with Church World Service preparing several types of kits, including clean-up buckets and hygiene kits for disaster response. In 2024 CWS distributed 10,084 clean up buckets and 30,580 hygiene kits. CWS also does schools kits, a sturdy cloth bag containing school supplies, any of the various kits may be shipped anywhere in the world as needed. You can learn more about CWS and the various kits on their website at Take Action | CWS
Through this project we will live into our Matthew 25 commitment to care for the least among us: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35-36).
Through this project we can help those who are in need as we participate in Christ’s mandate to care for our neighbors. The Session has set a goal of 100 kits. We will begin collecting supplies in May and end on June 29th, the date planned for packing. There will be a container in Fellowship Hall for your donations, which may be the listed items or cash contributions.
The supply list follows, please purchase only the items and sizes listed; so CWS can manage packing and shipping efficiently. Start shopping now, it is estimated that to purchase all the items in one kit would be about $15.00. Watch which items need to remain in original packaging, such as toothbrushes. The bulletin board on the west wall of Fellowship Hall will show updated progress on what has been purchased and what is still needed. It will be a challenge to meet our goal of 100 kits, we have May and June to prepare.
Join us on the 5th Sunday of June at 10:00 a.m. after a brief opening and prayer we will assemble the kits. This project is suitable for all ages, in fact bring a friend. Please save the date and join your church family in this project.
SPRING 2025 GRADUATION
- Congratulations to our FPC spring 2025 graduate Maria Ras who will be graduating from Morningside University on May 10th with a degree in elementary education and an reading endorsement. Maria has signed to teach third grade at Harney Elementary School in South Sioux City.
CELEBRATING NEWS FROM THE WORNERS
- Cate Worner will be celebrating her high school graduation with an Eagle Court of Honor and graduation party on May 11th. Details are posted on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. She plans to attend MSUM for Exercise Science in hopes of becoming an Athletic Trainer.
- Jon Worner will graduate from Concordia College with Music and Business degrees and also from Army Basic Training.
You may find more details, along with their home address on the bulletin board
in Fellowship Hall.
MOTHER’S DAY – MAY 11th, 2025
Happy Mother’s Day – Thank-you to every woman for the many roles you play – whether as mother, spouse, employee, employer, mentor, grandmother, friend, role model, spiritual friend. Not all women are mothers, but all of us have a mother – if your mother has been an example of faith and grace in your life give thanks and let her know how much you appreciate her. If this Mother’s Day you are missing a special woman in your life- give thanks for all that woman was to you, whether she was a wife, teacher, grandmother, mother or friend. Each of us, women and men should do our best to reflect the love and grace of God to those around us.
God’s Helpers
God could not be in every place
With loving hands to help erase
The teardrops from each baby’s face,
And so He thought of mother.
He could not send us here alone
And leave us to a fate unknown;
Without providing for His own,
The outstretched arms of mother.
God could not watch us night and day
And kneel beside our crib to pray,
Or kiss our little aches away;
And so He sent us mother.
And when our childhood days began,
He simply could not take command.
That’s why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother’s.
The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life’s sun rose higher in the sky.
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother.
And when life’s span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again,
That ever-faithful mother.
— George W. Wiseman
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the following days in May & June:
- Sunday, May 4th at 10:00am (Communion elder, Suzanne Sjuts)
- Sunday, June 1st at 10:00am (Communion Elder, John Fuelberth)
COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP
We will hold CoffeeHouse Worship on the following dates in May & June:
- Sunday, May 18th at 10:00am. Discussion Leander: Shari Dunklau
- Sunday, June 15th at 10:00am.
- We are in need of discussion leaders, contact Jane O’Leary or Pastor Teresa if you are interested. We also need someone to volunteer as fellowship host for May and June.
SESSION MEETINGS
- The Session will be meeting on May 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The meeting will be a week early due to Memorial Day.
- The Session will meet on June 23rd at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- Word in Faith Column: Pastor’s column in the Wayne Herald will appear on Thursday, May 1st.
- Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, May 4th at 1:30pm and again on on Sunday, June 15th at 1:30pm.
- Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, May 21st at 3:30pm, and again on Wednesday, June 25th at 3:30pm.
- Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, May 26th – Friday, May 30th at 5:40am.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY MEETING
May 15th, 2025
Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
United Presbyterian Church, North Bend, NE
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has four annual special offerings; One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas Joy, Pentecost, Peace and Global witness. FPC has participated with the One Great Hour of Sharing at Easter and Christmas Joy for many years. The Pentecost offering will be collected on June 8th, Pentecost Sunday.
Each year on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit connects us with the church of the past, continues to inspire the church of today, and points us to the church of the future.
The Pentecost offering is focused on the youth of the church. Since the Pentecost Offering started in 1998, Presbyterians have raised more than $16 million for ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family. Presbyterians believe we are called to support and care for young people to help them build a solid foundation of faith. Gifts to the Pentecost Offering connect with God’s hope and future, supporting ministries with children, youth and young adults helping them grow in faith, so they may build the church of the future.
Each participating congregation keeps 40% of funds raised to initiate or support programs for young people in their communities or for events or projects that are youth related. The FPC Session decided our offering will go to Calvin Crest Camp in Fremont. The camp has been and continues to be important in the lives of many of our FPC family. The remaining 60% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adult ministries. When we all do a little it adds up to a lot, thank-you for your generosity in the Pentecost offering.
PASTOR’S VACATION & STUDY LEAVE
- Pastor will be on vacation Monday, June 2 – Monday, June 9th.
- On Sunday, June 8th Gail McCorkindale will be the worship leader.
- Pastor will be on study leave Wednesday, June 11th – Monday June 16th.
- Sunday, June 15th will be CoffeeHouse worship.
- If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please contact the office at (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com
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 20-25, 2025. 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
May 2025 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 4 10:00am Worship with Communion 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 Mother’s Day | 12 | 13 | 14 10:30 Pastor at WACAM | 15 10:00am Homestead Presbytery at North Bend | 16 | 17 |
| 18 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship | 19 7:00pm Session Meeting | 20 | 21 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 27 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 28 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 29 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 30 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 31 |
MAY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
3 Dave P.
10 Jeryl N.
11 Karen J., Solomon P.
12 Joan L.
18 Jay and Jane O., Taytum S.
24 Gail Mc.
What Makes a Dad?
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
By Unknown Author
June 2025 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship11:00 Fellowship | ||||||
| 1 +Communion | 2 Pastor Out | 3 Pastor Out | 4 Pastor Out | 5 Pastor Out | 6 Pastor Out | 7 Pastor Out |
| 8 Pentecost Offering Pastor Out | 9 Pastor Out | 10 | 11 Pastor Out | 12 Pastor Out | 13 Pastor Out | 14 Pastor Out |
| 15 CoffeeHouse Worship Pastor Out 1:30pm Country View Chapel * Father’s Day | 16 Pastor Out | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 7:00pm Session Meeting | 24 | 25 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 5th Sunday Worship Service | 30 |
June Birthdays
2 Jean G., Jill S.
6 Connie B.
8 Brian B., Carol M.
10 Karen G.
18 Wes B.
19 Dennis S.
26 Pastor Teresa
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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[*] What is the definition of ekklesia? (compellingtruth.org) Accessed 5/1/2025.
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 