Presbytidings – March 2026
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.”
Lent/Easter Poem
By Mary Taylor
Based on Matthew 21:1-11, 26, 27, 28:1-10.
We want to share your resurrection glory.
We want to be part of the resurrection story.
But the cost for us seems much too high.
We don’t want to suffer and die.
You overcame temptations and hate.
Your love for us determined your fate.
How can we understand love so strong?
Love that brought death for doing no wrong.
Hosanna were heard when they came to greet you.
Palm branches waved as they came to meet you.
But this earthly praise would not last long.
And soon they’d sing a very different song.
Your blood was spilled. Your body broken
“King of the Jews,” in derision spoken.
They nailed you to a cross on a hill.
You died. The heavens roared. Then it was still.
They placed you in a tomb that day.
But angels rolled the stone away.
And when the women sought you there,
They were distraught and in despair.
When you were not found in the tomb that morn.
The disciples scattered, lost and forlorn.
Then they saw you, but didn’t understand.
Not even when they touched your wounded hand.
You suffered and died that we might live.
You gave everything you had to give.
But hatred and death would not triumph o’er love.
You were resurrected and returned to God above.
Now let us remember all the year through.
That you love was not meant just for a few.
It’s our duty and privilege to share it with all.
Until that day when we receive heaven’s call.
We get weighed down with our own stones and crosses.
We make money and possessions our lords and bosses.
Free our hearts for love as we tell everyone.
We have been saved by the resurrection of God’s Son.
LENTEN WORSHIP THROUGH March 25th
The Lenten theme of worship is “Encounters with Jesus.” We will begin with a soup supper at 6:00pm and the service to follow at 7:00pm. All are welcome to join us. Look for the soup signup sheet on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.
During Lent we will be learning about people who encountered Jesus, some disciples, and others. We will hear from a variety of the Gospel writers about these various encounters between Jesus and others.
March 4th – “ Sons of Thunder”
March 11th –“A Rich Young Man”
March 18th- “The Widow of Nain”
March 25 –“Simon’s Mother in Law”
March 29th – Palm Sunday
April 2 – Maundy Thursday
April 5th – Easter Sunday, with Communion.
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers continue until April 9th. 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.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING
March 29th and April 5th
Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) disaster, hunger, poverty, climate change, and immigration/migration and refugees —serves individuals and communities in need. This work provides people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Received during the season of Lent, at FPC we will receive the offering on March 29th and April 5th, each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The Offering provides 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 for a better world. Thank you for supporting One Great Hour of Sharing, an Offering that responds directly to the call to do justice in Micah 6:8.
IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT!
Save the Date-
Forest Walk Conversation
April 19th
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV.
Forest Walk consultants, Dr. Loren and Becky Shellabarger, are working with the church to help us understand our identity, develop relationships, identify our strengths, focus on God’s mission, and guide us in moving forward. In the Church Identity Document provided to the Session the consultants commented about FPC, “Your identity flows around being a gathering place that shares God’s hope for each other and your surrounding community.” What do you think, do you agree? How are we building, sustaining hope in our community? Come and share your thoughts. All members and friends of the congregation are encouraged to participate. Forest Walk will be leading a large group conversation following worship April 15th, come share your vision for FPC, how we can further impact our community, deepen our relationship, and continue to serve God. Members and friends of the congregation are all welcome.
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 to 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 ways faith affects our lives in many ways, 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 of faith 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 endure whatever comes our way. May each of us experience as did the Psalmist: “… the God who works wonders” (Psalm 77:14).”
Peace be with you,
Pastor Teresa
COMMUNION
- On April 5th we will celebrate Communion with Gail McCorkindale serving as the communion elder.
PASTORAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES – March 2026
- RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of March 23rd – 27th at 5:40am.
- COUNTRYVIEW: Pastor will lead chapel service on Sunday, April 5th beginning at 1:30pm.
KINSHIP POINTE BIBLE STUDY
- The Bible Study group meets at Kinship Pointe on Tuesdays at 1:15 p.m.
PROJECT WARM-UP
March 22nd
The Session has approved a special project of making fleece blankets for area emergency services. This will be our project during the worship hour for March 22nd . We will gather and work on making tied fleece blankets. Each blanket requires 1 ½ to 2 yards of fleece. If you have fleece at home, you would like to donate that would be appreciated. You can often find fleece by the yard at big box stores. If you want to donate fleece, please have it at the church March 15th This is a project that our youngest to our oldest folks can participate in. Let’s see if we can complete six blankets on our first try.
SESSION
- The Session will gather on Monday, March 24th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- Lent Soup and Services continue until March 25th on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:00pm.
- Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 29th at 10:00am.
- The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, April 2nd 7:00pm.
- Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 5th, 2026. The communion elder will be Gail McCorkindale.
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!
Homestead Presbyterian Women ‘s Spring Gathering
Saturday, April 25th, 2026
10:00 to 10:30 Coffee and refreshments
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of York,
Nebraska.
414 N Delaware Ave, York, NE 68467
Come and hear about mission efforts inside and outside the Presbytery.
There is no charge for this gathering, no reservations are needed.
The gathering Includes lunch. Coffee and treats will be available prior to the meeting
and lunch will be provided.
Hope to see you there.
For questions, please contact
Pastor Teresa Bartlett, 319.795.2911, tbartlett98@gmail.com
or Maggie Horak 402.429.0523
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 2026 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 10:00am Communion Jeryl Melson communion elder | 2 | 3 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 4 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 Daylight Savings Time Begins – Spring Forward! | 9 9:30am Wayne County Family Coalition Meeting | 10 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 11 10:30am Pastor at WACAM 3:30pm Kinship Chapel 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship | 16 | 17 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 18 6:00pm Soup Supper w/WSC students 7:00pm Lent Service | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 Project Qarm-Up 7:00pm WSC SAAC students pack backpacks | 23 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 7:00pm Session Meeting | 24 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 25 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service | 26 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 27 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 28 |
| 29 Palm Sunday | 30 | 31 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | Every Sunday 9:00 Pealers Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship |
Contact Information:
First Presbyterian Church
216 W. Third Street
Wayne NE 68787
FPC Office – Wayne Food Pantry – Coat Closet
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)
GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL
If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail (save a stamp, save a tree!), go to www.fpcwayne.org; on the home page, in the right hand column, there is a widget that says, “NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION: Enter your e-mail address to receive Presbytidings, our church’s newsletter, by e-mail.” Enter your address in the white box, and click on the button that says, “Sign me up!” You will need to confirm your subscription through an e-mail message that will be sent to your inbox; this is safe! It is designed to keep spammers out of the picture! Share our newsletter with all your friends and family. Simple!
First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 