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 “²⁰For 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 19^th at 10:00am.
Sunday, August 16^th 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 24^th 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 30^th.
Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, August 5^th at 3:30pm.
Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, July 12^th and Sunday, August 9^th at 1:30pm.
Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, June 29th – Friday, July 3^rd and Monday, August 17^th – Friday August 21^st 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 27^th-August 2^nd
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 15^th, 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.

Presbytidings July August 2026 Download

Contact Information:

First Presbyterian Church

216 W. Third Street

Wayne NE 68787

FPC Office & Wayne Food Pantry:

402-375-2669

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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

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!

Part-time Administrative Assistant Wanted

Posted on May 26, 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Wayne Coat Closet, Wayne Food
Pantry & 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.

Posted on May 1, 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

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,” (1^st Peter 3:15 NIV)

April 19^th 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!

MOTHER’S DAY – MAY 10^th, 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 3^rd at 10:00am (Communion elder, Gerard Ras)
Sunday, June 7^st at 10:00am (Communion Elder, Brian Bowers)

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP

We will hold CoffeeHouse Worship on the following dates in May & June:

Sunday, May 19^th at 10:00am. Discussion Leander: Gail McCorkindale
Sunday, June 21^st 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 22^nd 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 4^th.
Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, May 17^th at 1:30pm and again on on Sunday, June 28^th at 1:30pm.
Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, June 17^th at 3:30pm.
Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, May 11^th – Friday, May 15^th 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 5^th – Monday, June 11^th.
On Sunday, June 10^th 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 21^st, 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 24^th, 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

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

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

Presbytidings – April 2026

Posted on March 31, 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

Presbytidings – April 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.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO EASTER

The Maundy Thursday service with Communion will be held Thursday evening, April 2^nd, at 7:00pm.
Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service with Communion at 10:00am on Sunday, April 5^h, 2026. Gail McCorkindale with be the communion elder.
A special Easter Sunday Fellowship will be hosted by our deacons following the Easter service.

An Invitation to the Final Gathering with Forest Walk Consulting

April 19th

Your Session encourages you to attend the final gathering that we will be having with Becky and Loren from Forest Walk Consulting on April 19 following worship. Becky and Loren will be leading a discussion that needs your participation. They want to ask questions of you based on information you shared with them during this process to ensure they are clear with your concerns and hopes. They also want to bring up possible options going forward for your input. Finally, they want to gather any additional information that you would like to share to ensure that you are heard. Once this meeting has concluded, Forest Walk will be putting together their Mission Study with short term and long term recommendations and sending it to the Session for their review. Please plan to attend!

From the Pastor

“We Are the Church”[*]
Refrain:
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we are the church together!
Stanza 1:
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,
the church is not a resting place, The church is a people.

The familiar “We Are the Church” was written by Presbyterian ministers Richard Kinsey Avery (1934-2020) and Donald Stuart Marsh (1923-2010) it was one of more than 150 songs of their collaborated works. “We are the Church” is an easy to sing tune with deep meaning. [†] The Greek word translated in the New Testament as “church” is Ekklesia (or ecclesia), 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 and to God; it is the people, not a building, that is the church.^[‡] In Jesus’ short ministry he gathered and taught disciples and sent them out to teach and share the gospel of Jesus with others. Jesus laid the foundation for the church, the disciples and the Apostle Paul were instrumental in establishing churches and their ministry and outreach.

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 talk 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 talk about God, to be bound together by their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It can be challenging to be a follower of Christ, so the regular support and encouragement of other Christians is invaluable.

I want to highlight three reasons to participate in a faith community, faith, fellowship, 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. Scriptures give us a mirror to see our lives, helping us learn 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.

Being a member of a faith community gives a sense of belonging and rootedness, it is a place where we are known and can know others. In a community of faith, joys and sorrows can be shared, we respond with thanksgiving and praise to God’s blessings as we worship together. As a member of faith community, we meet people of different ages, have different life experiences and backgrounds and we can learn from each other.

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 says do not live just for yourself; we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Since the first century the church has cared for widows and orphans and the poor. The church has established schools, hospitals, and other institutions to care for the needy, sick, and orphaned in their communities and around the world. First Presbyterian of Wayne is a Matthew 25 congregation, seeking to address poverty and its effects in our community, caring for our neighbors. We are community of believers who practice their faith, fellowship with each other and seek to offer hope and compassion beyond our walls through the outreach of the Coat Closet, Backpack and Pantry programs. We are the church together, sharing faith and God’s love through our actions.

As we look forward to the return of Rev. Dr. Loren Shellenberger and Becky of Forest Walk consultants, we have an opportunity to reflect further on what church means to us, what living out your faith means and how to focus on who we are and our mission in this place. How we can make connections with others. It will take all of us working together to move forward to find and plant seeds of new opportunities, to remind ourselves and others of the hope that we have (1^st Peter 3:15 NIV).

We have been called out to be the family of God in this place let us continue to worship 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 April 19th

Forest Walk Conversation

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 Session and the congregation to help us understand our identity, develop relationships, identify our strengths, focus on God’s mission, and guide us as we move forward. Forest Walk will be leading a large group conversation following worship April 19th, all members and friends are invited to participate. A brunch style lunch will follow worship. 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? The Forest Walk conversation will follow CoffeeHouse style worship on April 19th. Join the conversation, share your vision for FPC, how we can further impact our community, deepen our relationship, and continue to serve God. All members and friends of the congregation are encouraged to participate.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

The One Great Hour of Sharing is the church saying, “We’ll be there when you need us.” Since 1949, Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with people experiencing need. Your gifts support ministries of disaster response, refugee assistance and resettlement, food for the hungry, and community development that helps people find safe refuge, start new lives, and work together to strengthen their families and communities. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be collected on Easter Sunday.

COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES

COUNTRY VIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead chapel at Country View on Sunday, April 5^th at 1:30pm.
KINSHIP POINTE Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, April 29^th at 3:30pm.

FPC COMMUNION CALENDAR

Sunday, April 5^that 10:00am. The communion elder will be Gail McCorkindale.
Sunday, May 3^rd at 10:00am. The communion elder will be Gerard Ras.

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP

April 19^th CoffeeHouse – Forest Walk Consultants returns for a large group conversation. All members & friends of FPC are invited.

SESSION

The Session will meet Monday, April 27^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Homestead Presbyterian Women ‘s Spring Gathering

Saturday, April 25^th, 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

(402) 362-5176

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

mmhlin@outlook.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: https://www.calvincrest.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

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)

April 4 – Bev B.

April 6 – Shari D.

April 26 – Levi H.

April 2026 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Sunday Mornings: 9:00 Handbell Choir 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship			1	2 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service w/ Communion	3	4
5 Easter Sunday 10:00am Easter Worship 11:00am Easter Fellowship 1:30 Country View Chapel	6	7 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	8 10:30 Pastor at WACAM mtg.	9	10	11
12	13	14 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	15	16	17	18
19 CoffeeHouse: Forest Walk Consulting	20	21 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	22	23	24	25 PW Spring Gathering
26	27 7:00 Session Meeting	28 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	29 3:30 Kinship Pointe Chapel	30

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:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

Contact Information:

First Presbyterian Church

216 W. Third Street

Wayne NE 68787

FPC Office & Wayne Food Pantry:

402-375-2669

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

[†] Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns: ‘We Are the Church’ Accessed 3/31/2026.

[‡] What is the definition of ekklesia? – Compelling Truth Accessed 3/31/2026

Presbytidings – March 2026

Posted on March 12, 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

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 9^th. 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 29^th 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 29^th and April 5^th, 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 5^th 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 23^rd – 27th at 5:40am.
COUNTRYVIEW: Pastor will lead chapel service on Sunday, April 5^th 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 22^nd

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 22^nd . 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 15^th 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 24^th, 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 25^th on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:00pm.
Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 29^th at 10:00am.
The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, April 2^nd 7:00pm.
Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 5^th, 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 31^st to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!

Homestead Presbyterian Women ‘s Spring Gathering

Saturday, April 25^th, 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

(402) 362-5176

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

, mmhlin@outlook.com

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

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

PRESBYTIDINGS fEBRUARY 2026

Posted on February 3, 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

Presbytidings – February 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.”

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 25th

Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers will begin on Wednesday, February 25^th and continue until March 25^th 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.

COFFEEHOUSE STYLE WORSHIP

Please plan to join us for the first CoffeeHouse style service in 2025 on February 15^th. This casual discussion-based service helps us learn about Scripture and each other. Jane O’Leary is the discussion leader for February. A fellowship host (s) is still needed. Following CoffeeHouse a brunch style lunch will be provided by members of the Session before the conversation with Forest Walk consultants.

SAVE THE DATE – February 15^th

Forest Walk Conversation

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.

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 February 15^th, come share your vision for FPC, how we can further impact our community, deepen our relationship, and continue to serve God.

I’m Not Just February

By Annette Wynne

I’m not just February

With winds that blow

All day, and piled-up snow;

I’m Washington and Lincoln, too,

Who kept our country’s flag for you!

I’m Valentine of airy grace-

With golden hearts and hearts of lace

And pretty cards that people send,

Quite as a secret, to a friend.

Though I am short of days and small,

I’m quite a big month, after all!

Accessed from https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/february-poems/

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Homestead Presbytery will gather on Saturday, February 21^st, via Zoom. Contact Pastor Teresa for more details or register at the Homestead Presbytery website.

SESSION

The Session will meet on Monday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNION

Next month, Communion will be held on Sunday, March 1^st. The Communion Elder will be Jeryl Nelson.

FPC ANNUAL REPORT

Pastor Teresa’s letter was from the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 25^th. If you would like a copy of the report, you can pick up a copy on the Opportunity Table or contact Jenny at fpcwayne@gmail.com

FROM THE PASTOR……

2025 Annual Report from the Pastor

The prophet Isaiah served as a mouthpiece for the Lord during one of the most trying times in the history of the Israelites. The setting for the 43^rd chapter of Isaiah is the captivity of the Israelites in Babylon. The people felt discouraged, defeated, deflated, and depressed at their lowest point when God sent word through the prophet Isaiah. God knew the people needed reassurance and their memory jogged that God was their Creator –the One who made them out of nothing, who had been present with them through the generations. The word of the prophet helped them get unstuck from fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. There are times churches also find themselves stuck in fear, anxiety, and hopelessness.

Recently I read an article entitled “Three Ways Almost Every Church Gets Stuck”[*] by Rev. Carey Nieuwhof, a well-known author and church consultant. Nieuwhof writes that at some point most every church gets stuck, either in the past, the future, or the present. When a church gets stuck in the past, you hear voices saying let’s go back to the way it was. It can be hard to let go of memories of a time with lots of children and a full sanctuary for Sunday worship. The problem, of course, is that you can’t go back to the way it was. What worked in the past, worked because the conditions were right then and those conditions have changed. There’s a world of difference between learning from the past and living in the past. Nieuwhof says “Churches that live in the past never have much of a future.”[†]

God’s word to the Israelites is as pertinent for us as it was for them, God is encouraging us to look forward not backward. God said to the Israelites,

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43: 18-19

God is saying “I’m about to do something brand new. Let go of the past and look forward because God is more interested in your future than your past.”

Nieuwhof says churches can also get stuck in the future, as strange as that sounds. In that scenario the conversation is always about what could be, what should be, what might be, but there is no plan to get there. A vision without a plan isn’t a dream, it becomes a disappointment because it is dangled in front of people so often and for so long that no one believes it anymore.

A church can get stuck in the past, in the future, a church can also get stuck in the present. How does that happen? One indicator a church is stuck in the present is that there is no forward movement, no experimenting, not even diagnosing. We can feel discouraged because we’re a small congregation and feel we don’t have enough, enough people, enough resources, enough energy to thrive, so we quit trying and we get stuck.

How do we get unstuck? Our work with Forest Walk is one way the Session has embarked on to get us unstuck, to help us plan our next steps, to vision for the future. Forest Walk has reminded us that we have many resources that might make other churches our size envious. We want to move forward which means that we want to get unstuck, so we must learn from the past, imagine the future, and create a plan to move toward that future.

We should celebrate what we have and continue to try new things and experiment- like our 2025 5^th Sunday project preparing hygiene kits for Church World Service, extending welcome to international students, interaction with the community through Christmas Caroling, and Trunk or Treat events. CoffeeHouse service will resume on February 15^th on the third Sunday of each month. CoffeeHouse provides thought-provoking discussions lead by members of the congregation and an opportunity to invite someone to join us for worship. We continue our work with and support the Wayne Food Pantry, the Deacons Coat Closet, which support our community. We want to welcome visitors warmly whether they are coming for worship or using the Coat Closet or Food Pantry. Each of us is a part of this faith community and we need to encourage and invite others to reinvigorate our community in mission, and worship.

My favorite contemporary hymn is entitled Hymn of Promise written by Natalie Sleeth. The last half of the first verse says:

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Bulbs planted in the fall remain out of sight until the right combination of sun, rain and warmth triggers the new growth to break through the ground exposing a small green tip. I feel a sense of anticipation that like that bulb responding to the warmth of the spring sun and rain, God is at work in our midst and we need to be watching for those the first hints of new growth. Let’s keep cultivating and planting new ideas, sharing your ideas for worship, mission, local outreach with a Session member or me. Even though we are in midwinter I feel a sense of optimism about our work with Forest Walk, about what God will lead us too next. Let’s look forward rather than backward, let’s see what is and what might be rather than pine for what was. Let us watch for the new growth which will be revealed in God’s time.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

PROJECT WARM-UP

March 22^nd

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER

Observe a holy Lenten season this year.

We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service on February 18^th beginning at 7:00pm.
Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 29^th at 10:00am.
Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 5^th, 2026.

FPC CHURCH DIRECTORY

Please submit any address or phone number changes for you and for your family members to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!

FELLOWSHIP HALL PIANO

The Fellowship Hall piano is available to anyone who would like it and will move it. The Aerosonic piano is in good useable conditions, however would likely need tuning after moving. Please speak to Pastor Teresa if you are interest in the piano.

2026 CLASS OF ELDERS AND DEACONS INSTALLED

January 18^th ruling elders and deacons were installed by Pastor Teresa Bartlett at the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne. Jeryl Nelson was installed as ruling elder, replacing outgoing elder John Fuelberth and Gail McCorkindale was installed to her second term on the Session. These elders join Dr. Mark Hammer, Dr. Gerard Ras, Suzanne Sjuts, Brian Bowers in visioning, guiding and governing the congregation. Karen Marra and Gordon Granberg are the incoming class of deacons and join Karen Johnson, Sydney Story, Jenny Hammer, Tiffanny Heese. The ministry of the deacons is one of compassion, witness and service to members or persons in distress. The deacons manage the Coat Closet at FPC.

The First Presbyterian Church of Wayne is located at 216 West Third Street and was organized in 1881. First Presbyterian is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyterians are in the reformed theological tradition, with a strong emphasis on the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The church has representational leadership by both ministers and church members.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WAYNE

THE SESSION 2026

Elder Class Phone

Mark Hammer (Property, Fellowship) 2026

Gerard Ras (Administration) 2026

Brian Bowers (Property) 2027

Suzanne Sjuts (Worship, Outreach, Discipleship) 2027

Jeryl Nelson (Administration) 2028

Gail McCorkindale (Worship, Discipleship, Administration) 2028

Jane O’Leary, Session Clerk

BOARD OF DEACONS 2026

Deacon Class Phone

Jenny Hammer 2026

Sydney Story 2026

Tiffanny Heese 2027

Karen Johnson 2027

Gordon Granberg 2028

Karen Marra 2028

COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION 2026

Nominating Team: Mark Hammer, John Fuelberth, Jay O’Leary, Karen Johnson & Sydney Story

Financial Review: Jeryl Nelson & Mark McCorkindale

OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION: Suzanne Sjuts, President; John Fuelberth, Vice-President;

Jane O’Leary, Secretary; Jodi Pulfer, Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Shari Dunklau, Mark McCorkindale, Kent Pulfer

February 2026 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	2 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	3 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	4 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	5 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	6 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	7
8 10:00am Communion Mark Hammer, communion elder Presbyterian Pealers perform	9	10 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	11 10:30 Pastor at WACAM	12	13	14
15 CoffeeHouse Worship – Forest Walk Consulting to follow	16	17 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	18 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service	19	20	21 10:00am Homestead Presbytery Via Zoom
22 1:30pm Country View Chapel	23 7:00pm Session Mtg.	24 1:15pm Kinship Bible Study	25 6:00pm Lenten Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service	26	27	28
Each Sunday Morning: 9:00 Bells Practice	10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)

10 Jodi P.

20 Karen M.

25 Pat S., Gabriel P.

27 Jan L.

28 Amy B.

Contact Information:

First Presbyterian Church

216 W. Third Street

Wayne NE 68787

FPC Office/ Wayne Food Pantry/Wayne Coat Closet

402-375-2669

fpcwayne@gmail.com

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/

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:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne Food Pantry – Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne Coat Closet – First Presbyterian Church

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

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[*] 3 Ways Almost Every Church Gets Stuck Accessed 1/8/2026.

[†] 3 Ways Almost Every Church Gets Stuck Accessed 1/8/2026.

First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.

Author Archives: First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

November 2026

October 2026 Newsletter

September 2026 Presbytidings Newsletter

July & August 2026 Presbytidings Newsletter

Part-time Administrative Assistant Wanted

God’s Helpers

What Makes a Dad?

Presbytidings – April 2026

Presbytidings – March 2026

PRESBYTIDINGS fEBRUARY 2026

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