Presbytidings – May/June 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.”
From the Pastor……
“… 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,” (1st Peter 3:15 NIV)
April 19th was our last meeting with Forest Walk Consultants, Loren and Becky Shellabarger. The Session engaged Forest Walk to help us get a “big picture view,” to help us look at ourselves, identify our purpose, our why. Loren and Becky have spent several months getting to know the FPC congregation. Through in person gatherings, phone conversations, as well as a survey, they have gathered information about what is important to this faith community, how we see ourselves. The final document, the Mission Study, is expected in mid May. The Mission Study will be reviewed by the Session, and key elements will be shared with the congregation. The study will have the following information:
- Revised and updated Identity Document
- Primary findings, recommendations and options for next steps.
- A separate document with survey results will also be provided.
The Forest Walk report is not the final answer, but the first step. I’m not minimizing the challenges we face in the days ahead as we consider any recommendations and decide if and what changes will be implemented.
These are challenging times for churches, which can make any congregation anxious and fearful of the future. A frequent phrase in the Bible is a variation of “fear not.” Whether spoken by a prophet to a widow using the last of her oil and flour for her family’s last meal (1 Kings 17:7-16), to shepherds on a hillside (Luke 2:10) or a young woman confronted by an angel with amazing news (Luke 1:30) we are assured God is present with us and that we should not be afraid.
It is no secret that our membership and church attendance have been shrinking over the last few years, and we have had few new members. Numbers tell a story, but not always the whole story. For example, numbers can convince us that we don’t have enough, that we aren’t enough. This comes in part from the culture around us which defines success with size, tells us that bigger is better and that smaller often correlates with failure. However, let’s not automatically default to the negative, rather to the positive.
We shouldn’t tell God we don’t have enough resources, that our faith is too small, our fears too many- remember what 12 disciples did, remember what 11 charter members of this congregation did establishing this house of worship and the many who have worked and worshiped here through the years. Rather than focusing on numbers, let’s focus instead on our strengths and assets, God equips the church for ministry no matter the size. How we see ourselves shapes how we serve, either timidly or with purpose and energy.
We can actively plan for change, or we can actively plan for a legacy, let’s plan for change! Let’s vision about how we can be agents of spreading God’s hope and joy in our congregation and in our community. Working together to increase the vitality and participation of our membership. There are numerous opportunities to get more involved, volunteer as a lector or greeter for worship or for a Session team, volunteer to help at the Food Pantry or stop by and hang some coats in the Coat Closet. The energy, imagination, and participation of all members of this faith community are important for the life and flourishing of FPC. We can and should invite and welcome others to join us on this faith journey.
Scriptures tell us how God loves to do surprising things like turning water into wine, calming storms, feeding 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. I trust that our Triune God can use this congregation in surprising ways as well. We have a reason for hope, we have a reason to share that hope, offer that hope to others through, worship, outreach, teaching and sharing life together. I don’t believe God is finished with FPC, let’s continue telling God’s story, our story. Let us be people in prayer, listening to God, to each other, open to experimentation and change, continuing to be faithful.
Blessings,
Pastor Teresa
The Wayne Food Pantry Needs You!
The Wayne Food Pantry needs volunteers. Pantry hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to noon. Volunteers can set their choice of times and days, one or two days, and spending between two and four hours at the church. Some days are very busy, other days are quiet, you never know. Generally Friday’s are one of the busier days. The volunteer role is greeting pantry guests, helping with the initial paperwork, helping as needed by staff. Volunteers will also interact with people who are dropping off donations for the Food Pantry. If you are interested in learning more about being a Food Pantry volunteer, visit with Pastor Teresa.
MOTHER’S DAY – MAY 10th, 2026
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 3rd at 10:00am (Communion elder, Gerard Ras)
- Sunday, June 7st at 10:00am (Communion Elder, Brian Bowers)
COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP
We will hold CoffeeHouse Worship on the following dates in May & June:
- Sunday, May 19th at 10:00am. Discussion Leander: Gail McCorkindale
- Sunday, June 21st at 10:00am.
- We are in need of discussion leaders, contact Pastor Teresa if you are interested. We need someone to volunteer as fellowship host for May and June.
SESSION MEETINGS
- The Session will not meet in May due to Memorial Day.
- The Session will meet on June 22nd at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- Word in Faith Column: Pastor’s column in the Wayne Herald will appear on Thursday, June 4th.
- Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, May 17th at 1:30pm and again on on Sunday, June 28th at 1:30pm.
- Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, June 17th at 3:30pm.
- Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, May 11th – Friday, May 15th at 5:40am.
KINSHIP POINTE BIBLE STUDY
- The Bible Study group meets at Kinship Pointe on Tuesdays at 1:15 p.m. and will continue through the summer months.
PASTOR’S VACATION & STUDY LEAVE
- Pastor will be on vacation Tuesday, May 5th – Monday, June 11th.
- On Sunday, June 10th Rev. Bill Koeber will be the worship leader.
- If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please contact the office at (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY MEETING
May 21st, 2026
Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Panama
205 Pine Street
Panama, NE 68419
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 May 24th, 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.
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 Pastor Teresa for an application or pick one up in Fellowship Hall.
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 26-31, 2026. 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 2026 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 10:00am Worship with Communion | 4 | 5 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study Pastor on Vacation | 6 Pastor on Vacation | 7 Pastor on Vacation | 8 Pastor on Vacation | 9 Pastor on Vacation |
| 10 Mother’s Day Pastor on Vacation | 11 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 9:30am Wayne Family Coalition Pastor on Vacation | 12 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 13 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 10:30am Pastor at WACAM | 14 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 15 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 16 |
| 17 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 18 | 19 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 20 | 21 10:00am Homestead Presbytery at Panama Presbyterian Church | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 No Session Meeting | 26 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 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 O., Taytum S.
24 Gail Mc.
Clipartbest.com
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 2026 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship11:00 Fellowship | 1 | 2 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 +Communion | 8 | 9 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 10 10:30 Pastor at WACAM | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 17 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 CoffeeHouse Worship * Father’s Day | 22 7:00pm Session Meeting | 23 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 29 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 30 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 31 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 1 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 2 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living |
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:
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*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 