From the Pastor……
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,
love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV.
The Bible is full of examples of God using the humble and the insignificant to accomplish God’s purposes. The familiar stories of David and Goliath, the mustard seed and the yeast, Jesus feeding the 5,000 with two fish and five loaves, are a few examples. These stories have been the subject of sermons over the last month reminding us that while we are a small congregation, small does not mean insignificant or without ability. God does not judge by appearance or size- as it says in Matthew 18:20 NIV “20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” God’s work often begins in small ways to bring about significant change, Jesus began a ministry with 12 disciples which has grown, shrunk, and lasted more than 2000 years!
Did you know that in the PC(USA) 67% of the churches are 100 members or smaller? Churches that have a membership of 51 to 100 members are 23% of the denomination. We are the norm! Small can be nimble and adaptable, a rowboat can change course faster than an ocean liner. Small can be an asset, there is always room for growth as we know from the yeast and the mustard seed.
The Session engaged Forest Walk Consultants to aid us with assessment and guidance, to give us a bird’s eye view about ourselves. The Session has received the final report from Forest Walk and will be reviewing and making a plan of action in the coming months. As I have said before, our work with Forest Walk was step one, the next steps are up to us. We have many things to consider and discuss from the report.
From our conversations with Forest Walk the consultants pointed out that we were not bold about naming our strengths and celebrating the unique gifts and talents God has given us. We shouldn’t be overly prideful but recognize our strengths and gifts. While we might mourn the days when there were more youth, or Christmas and Easter brought a full house of worshippers. Let’s not hold an attitude of lament and mourning for what we don’t have. God has gifted this congregation with unique strengths and resources, a building, people, musical talent, wisdom, to mention a few let’s embrace our strengths.
Recall the story of David and Goliath. David was just a youth, when he went to face Goliath, he was not equal to Goliath in either in size or military experience. David didn’t see himself as an underdog, didn’t try to be something he wasn’t, he rejected Saul’s armor because it wasn’t a good fit. David used familiar tools which matched his abilities, a sling and 5 stones. We may be tempted to imitate others, the Methodists, or the Lutherans, or others, or rely on methods that are not suited to us, we cannot be something we are not. David was prepared and equipped and when he stepped into action it took only one, well placed, stone to bring down Goliath.
As we think about how to reach out and engage our community, how to be a place of hope and encouragement for our members and others. I think 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV is a verse we should claim, we should say it, we should pray it, we should live into it – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” David’s courage to face Goliath didn’t come from his own strength or abilities but from his unwavering faith in God. This kind of faith is not blind optimism; it is a confident assurance based on past experiences of God’s faithfulness. The lesson we take from David facing Goliath, is to know and embrace our skills and abilities, know our resources and step forward with confidence because our Triune God promises to lead us. We may feel like we are facing a giant, however like David let us step forward in faith emboldened by the Spirit remembering God has been faithful in the past and confident of God’s continued presence with us.
Grace and peace,
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.
Help Wanted
First Presbyterian is looking for a Part time Administrative Assistant to work for/with the Church, Wayne Coat Closet, Wayne Food Pantry, and Wayne Backpack Program.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM – 1 PM
Qualifications/skills required: excellent communication/interpersonal skills and computer literacy/word processing, bilingual would be helpful.
This position also requires the highest level of confidentiality.
The range of pay, depending on experience, starts at $15 per hour.
Contact the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne office at 402-375-2669 or email a resume to fpcwayne@gmail.com.
COMMUNION
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in August at a date to be announced.
COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP
We will hold CoffeeHouse Worship on the following dates in July & August:
- Sunday, July 19th at 10:00am.
- Sunday, August 16th 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 July & August.
SESSION MEETINGS
- The Session will not meet in July.
- The Session will meet on August 24th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.
COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES
- Word in Faith Column: Pastor’s column in the Wayne Herald will appear on Thursday, July 30th.
- Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, August 5th at 3:30pm.
- Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, July 12th and Sunday, August 9th at 1:30pm.
- Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, June 29th – Friday, July 3rd and Monday, August 17th – Friday August 21st 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 STUDY LEAVE July 27th-August 2nd
- 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
August 15th, 2026
Beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Camp Calvin Crest
Fremont, NE
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
WELCOME OUR SUMMER MUSICIAN
Norah Armstrong is the daughter of Matthew and Shelly Armstrong, who teach music at Wayne State College. She just finished her freshman year studying vocal music, with an emphasis on songwriting, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While she is home for the summer, she is also teaching piano, guitar, trumpet, songwriting, and voice lessons to students from age 5 through high school. In her free time, Norah enjoys playing games with her friends and her brother, Gabriel, who will be a senior at Wayne High School in the fall. She is very excited to be able to join the congregation this summer!
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
“Persevering Toward Wholeness”
June 22 – July 2, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI
Committee meetings, plenaries, & worship will be livestreamed.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is meeting for it’s 227th General Assembly in Milwaukee, June 26th through July 2nd. Committees have been meeting on line since June 22nd, the group will meet in person beginning on the 26th. To conduct the business of the church there will be 508 commissioners and young adult advisory delegates from 164 presbyteries – along with theological student advisory delegates and partner advisory delegates –who will have the responsibility of deliberating the business that will come before the assembly and discerning the mind of Christ, in assembly committee meetings and the plenary sessions. The commissioners and leaders will worship together, reason together and layout the path they hear God calling the church to follow. To follow the workings of GA go to 227th General Assembly (2026) | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
July 2026 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00 | 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 Independence Day | ||
| 5 | 6 | 7 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 8 10:30am Pastor at WACAM | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 9:30am Wayne Family Coalition | 14 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship | 20 | 21 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 No Session Meeting | 28 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 29 | 30 Pastor’s Word in Faith Column Published | 31 |
JULY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
7 Sarah B.
10 Shea S.
11 Luke P.
21 Josephine P.
24 Mark H.
29 Marta P.
30 Melissa M.
August 2026 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship11:00 Fellowship | 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 1 | ||||
| 2 +Communion | 3 | 4 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 5 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 10 | 11 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 12 10:30 Pastor at WACAM | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 CoffeeHouse Worship | 17 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 18 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 19 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 20 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 21 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living | 22 |
| 23 | 24 7:00pm Session Meeting | 25 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | 31 | September 1 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
2 Gordon G.
3 Ken M.
8 Nina S.
12 Alissa J.
23 Hannah M.
30 Layne H.
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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*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 