Presbytidings–September 2025
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787
(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.com
“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”
Save the date – September 14th:
All are invited to attend worship on September 14th. The Rev. Loren Shellenbarger of Forest Walk Consultants will bring the message. Rev. Shellenbarger along with his wife Becky are Forest Walk Consultants and will be guiding the congregation through a series of conversations to help us vision our identity and our future. Following worship there will be a potluck dinner, meat is being provided, members are asked to bring side dishes, salads and desserts. Following the meal Forest Walk will give an overview of their process and goals. The input and participation of every member and friend of the congregation is desired in this process.
From the Pastor…
Throughout our lives individuals ask who am I, what am I to do, we question and explore our identity in a variety of ways. An individual’s identity can be shaped by a variety of things, environment, relationships with parents, siblings, and others. We can be influenced by social groups, friends, family, mentors and others, as well as experiences, our beliefs, values, and memories. Our identity shifts and changes throughout life as we encounter new challenges and different experiences. One’s identity might be questioned at any age in life, but especially in times of great change, including beginning new relationships, traumatic events, divorce, moving to a new place, losing, or starting a job, or a serious health condition. Humans often struggle with being clear about who they are and what they believe, their values, the impact of change and trauma in their lives.
Reflecting on and reevaluating our individual identity is important even if we are not in a crisis. Denominations and churches also experience changes which challenge their understanding of who they are and what they are called to do as the people of God. Changes in society, changes in our community, as well as membership signal it is time that First Presbyterian take a closer look at who we are and what is important to us as a congregation.
Presbyterians in the reformed Christian tradition claim the motto of the Reformation, “Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda”: the church reformed and always reforming. The church is shaped by our theology, our heritage which informs, inspires, unites us, and continues to challenge us. What is our identity as the people of God who gather at 216 West Third St.? In order to define our identity, our relationships and mission as the people of God we will begin working with Forest Walk Consulting in September. Forest Walk Consulting will guide the congregation in thinking about our identity to our members, friends and the community. What are our relationships inside and outside the congregation? We will consider how well the things FPC does reflects what we think is important. Change is part of growth; we should not be afraid of change and new ideas, new visions. Forest Walk will guide us in listening for and how the Holy Spirit may be calling us.
The Shellabarger’s will be here on September 14th for the kickoff event which includes worship and a potluck dinner following worship. The Session and I are enthusiastic about this opportunity. There will be a variety of opportunities to share your thoughts and opinions during this process, and the input and participation of all the members and friends of the congregation is needed to be effective. The outcome of the work of Forest Walk and the congregation will help us define our identity and how we can impact our community and the world as the people of God.
Pastor Teresa
INTRODUCING FOREST WALK CONSULTING
As you know, your Session has contracted with Forest Walk Consulting to deliver a Mission Study. Forest Walk is a small consulting ministry run by Rev. Dr. Loren and Becky Shellabarger. Our website is www.forestwalkconsulting.com. Loren is a retired PC(USA) Pastor and Becky is a PC(USA) Ruling Elder. Together, our passion is to help small churches in their quest to follow God’s calling in their lives. We feel strongly that small churches are vitally important to the work of the greater church. We look forward to beginning our work with you soon!
The first step in this study is for us to explore your “Identity”. We shared some details of this step with you earlier this summer. We will meet with you on Sunday, September 14 for worship with a meal and meeting to follow that day. Come with your thoughts and hopes for the church and be ready to share them with each other and us! After we’ve gathered in September, Forest Walk will spend a couple of weeks creating our first report for your Session: your Church Identity Report. This is a ‘first impression’ of who you are and where your passions lie. As we continue to work with you, this report may be updated to reflect additional learnings.
As we continue in the Mission Study process, we will be meeting with you and asking for information from you in a variety of ways. We will create a custom survey for your church members and friends to fill out and send back to us. Look for that to arrive in late October or early November. We will also be contacting a few of you for one-on-one conversations via the phone or Zoom to learn more about your church and community. In late 2025, we will be back in Wayne to hold two small group meetings with portions of the church. We ask that you plan to attend one of these meetings. We offer two options to reduce potential calendar conflicts for you because your attendance is always very important. These meetings will discuss the history, community, challenges, and opportunities facing the church. Finally, in early 2026, we will return once more to gather with the entire church membership and friends. In this meeting, we will take the information you’ve given us over the preceding months and begin to discuss options and ways forward. We’ll also use this to ask any last questions or seek any clarifications as needed.
After completing this time together, Forest Walk will create a Mission Study Document and send it to your Session approximately 4-6 weeks after our last gathering. This document varies by church and context, but usually contains both short and long term recommendations and options. We will also give the Session all of the raw data that we’ve collected. While this makes for a long report, we’ll be available to the Session to go over our recommendations and to answer any questions they (and you) may have as you move forward, seeking ways to be God’s people!
Again, we look forward to meeting everyone on September 14. Loren will be preaching that day and is excited to share God’s word with you!
Peace,
Loren & Becky Shellabarger
Forest Walk Consulting
COMMUNION
There will be no communion for the month of September. We will celebrate World Communion on Sunday, October 5th.
DEACONS MEETING
There will be a Deacons meeting following worship on September 7th in Fellowship Hall. We will gather about 11:15 for a brief meeting about fall events and plans. Please let Pastor Teresa know if you are unable to attend.
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- COUNTRY VIEW: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, September 7th at 1:30pm.
- KINSHIP POINTE: Pastor will lead Kinship Pointe chapel on Wednesday, September 17th at 3:30pm.
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of September 29 – October 3rd at 5:40am.
COFFEEHOUSE
We are looking for CoffeeHouse discussion leaders and fellowship hosts for September, October and November. Consider joining a friend or family member for a team approach. Many hands make light work! Please see Jane O’Leary or Pastor Teresa if you can help out by filling these roles.
SESSION MEETING
- Monday, September 22nd, at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.
PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS
The Presbyterian Pealers Bell Choir begin on September 28th. Please join us. all are welcome. If you have a friend who would like to play, they are also welcome and encouraged. If you have questions, please contact Jay O’Leary at drjayoleary@gmail.com
NEW ADDRESS
Jean Griess has moved to be nearer her family. Please stop by the Opportunity Table or call the church office is you would like to contact her. How about a card shower to her new home?
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT – SEPTEMBER 6th!
New Location – the FNBO parking lot located at 1100 E. 10th Street in Wayne.
The City of Wayne Green Team is hosting its annual electronics recycling collection event on Saturday, September 6th from 8am – 10am (ends earlier if the truck fills up). It will be hosted at a new location this year, the FNBO parking lot located at 1100 E. 10th Street in Wayne.
Bring your old TVs, computers, cell phones, printers, cords and more to recycle right and keep electronics out of the landfill, where they can become hazardous to our soil and groundwater. You can even bring VHS tapes, vacuums, blenders, toasters, and kitchen mixers. Sorry, no large appliances, dehumidifiers, or batteries.
Enter the FNBO Parking Lot from the west to unload your electronics and exit on the east end to 10th Street or Hillside Drive.
FEES: Suggested donation of $10 per carload or $50 per business load of reasonable size. Fees for CRTs (tube) of $5/monitor and $10/TV (no charge for flatscreens); $15/microwave.
SEASON OF PEACE
September 7 – October 5, 2025
A “Season of Peace” is the name for a period of focused activity by the PC(U.S.A.) that begins on the first Sunday in September and concludes with World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday of October with the Peace & Global Witness Offering.
Every fall, the PCUSA extends an invitation to join with people of faith from around the country and the world for A Season of Peace, a month-long pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families and individuals. This season is a time of growth, encouragement, challenge, inspiration and education that invites you to consider your own relationship to peacemaking and justice. Our connectional church is rooted in none other than Christ’s clear call to harmonious living. The apostle Paul tells the Romans that we are to pursue what makes for peace, to build each other up, and to not cast judgment on those who are different from us or have different customs or needs than our own.
Paul is inviting the Romans — and us — to break down the neat and orderly worlds we create for ourselves and experience the fullness of our diversity. This means leaving our comfort zones and seeing our neighbors, both around the corner and around the world, not as “them” but as “us,” friends and siblings in Christ. Whenever we welcome and embrace one another in this way, we respond to Paul’s invitation to pursue what makes for peace.
This year’s Path of Peace takes up this call in a distinct way. Each day, we offer a vignette of a Presbyterian who contributed to the civic and spiritual well-being of our church and world and made a significant impact on the common good here or abroad. Some battled injustice; others broke down barriers and dividing walls. Many advocated for marginalized communities and made room for them within the church. Each offers us an example of how peace can be pursued in tangible ways. Here is the link: 2025 A Season of Peace.pdf
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY & THE PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING
World Communion Sunday (WCS) is a tradition that promotes Christian unity by bringing together believers from diverse cultures and denominations for Holy Communion. Initiated by Shadyside Presbyterian Church pastor Hugh Thomson Kerr in 1933, the celebration was adopted by the PC(USA) in 1936 and promoted worldwide by the Federal Council of Churches in 1940. The celebration encourages sharing cultural elements like food, clothing, and music, connecting believers in Christ across the globe.
The Peace & Global Witness Offering is collected on WCS and helps to pursue peace in a variety of ways. Gifts to the Offering are combined with others to support Presbyterian mission and ministry around the world. Our congregation and presbytery keep a portion to help us be peacemakers in our own communities by meeting needs and ensuring every person can flourish. Our participation in supporting this Offering helps us see the face of God in all people. May the offerings of our time, talent, and self be used by God and by our congregation to pursue what makes for peace today and in the future.
Homestead Presbyterian Women’s Fall Gathering
“A Cord of Three Strands is not Easily Broken, a Vision of Relationship.”
September 27, 2025
Join us for worship, inspiration, and fellowship.
Special guest speaker, Sandra Rojo, Associate Director
of the ELL Program from Lincoln Literacy Project.
Offering will go to assist the work of Lincoln Literacy.
Watch your email for additional information.
about the Homestead PW Fall Gathering.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
2110 Sheridan Blvd
Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
Phone #402.475.6702
Check-in and Coffee from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Hybrid meeting: in person and via Zoom. If you receive the Circuit, you will receive the Zoom link.
If you need the Zoom link email -tbartlett98@gmail.com by September 25th.
THE GREAT PLAINS SMALL CHURCH CONNECTION
September 22-24, 2025
Calvin Crest Conference & Retreat Center, Fremont, Nebraska
The Great Plains Small Church Connection Conference/Retreat, held annually at Calvin Crest Camp, is designed for leaders in small church ministry. Emphasizing support, fellowship, and learning, this event offers a valuable opportunity for community growth. Planned by pastors and laity experienced in small church ministry, the conference features worship, plenary sessions, and various smaller group learning sessions on relevant topics. Learn more at the Calvin Crest website under retreats or at:
Great Plains Small Church Connection | Small Church Resource | Fremont, NE, USA
2025 Session Minutes Review
We will be doing Session Minutes Review in person this year. There will be three opportunities across the state, and you may come to whichever works best for your schedule:
- September 27th at Beatrice Presbyterian Church
- October 11th at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Lincoln
- October 25th at Wayne Presbyterian Church
Each session is on a Saturday and will be from 11:00-2:00 with lunch provided. Please come prepared with 2024’s minutes. We’ll have some time for education and conversation, then clerks will pass their minutes to others to be reviewed. This is intended to be a time of community and learning.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Erica Nelson
Phone -404.477.3401
General Assembly Commissioners Needed June 22 – July 2, 2026
Milwaukee, WI
Please consider serving the larger church as a commissioner to General Assembly. Homestead Presbytery is now taking applications for General Assembly commissioners for 2026. We need one ruling elder and one teaching elder from our Presbytery. Contact Rev. Erica Nelson if interested at 404.477.3401. Applications must be submitted by September 30th.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
6 Anita F.
8 Sharyn P.
24 Misty B.
30 Madison B.
SEPTEMBER 2025 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship in-person or via Zoom 11:00 Fellowship | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 8:00-10:00am Electronics Recycling |
| 7 No communion 11:15 Deacons Meeting 1:30 Country View Chapel | 8 9:30am Wayne County Family Coalition | 9 | 10 10:30 Pastor at WACAM | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 Forest Walk Consulting & Potluck 3:30 FPC/OSLC Golf Outing | 15 | 16 | 17 3:30 Kinship Pointe Chapel | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 CoffeeHouse Worship | 22 7:00 Session Meeting | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 9:30 PW Fall Gathering Via ZOOM Or in person |
| 28 | 29 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 30 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living |
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 ONLINE WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/fpcwayne/
YouTube: First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska
Our web page: https://fpcwayne.com/media/
Worship Bulletins may be found at:https://fpcwayne.com/fpc-wayne-worship-bulletins/
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 