Presbytidings – March 2014

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.”

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

I found this wonderful story about Billy Graham and Albert Einstein—of all people—shared by a man named John Huffman.

In January 2000, leaders of Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon. Rev. Graham initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, “We don’t expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you.” So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, “I’m reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it. Then he looked in the seat by him. He couldn’t find it. The conductor said, ‘Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.’ Einstein nodded appreciatively.

“The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, ‘Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.’ Einstein looked at him and said, ‘Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’”

Billy Graham continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am, I also know where I’m going.”

Even fourteen years later, Billy Graham is still around; he hasn’t used that suit for its second occasion. But his message is still powerful and relevant. His story invites us to ask the question of ourselves: Do we know who we are (and whose we are), and do we know where we are going?

 Pastor Ray

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

We will observe the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Please make plans to participate in our Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb! We will have soup suppers and prayer services on Wednesdays during Lent. Please sign up at the Opportunity to provide food for our suppers.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 9.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 2, the Transfiguration of the Lord.

CONFIRMATION UPDATE

Confirmation students will meet with their mentors on Sunday, March 2, from 9:00-9:45am. Our spring field trip will be on Saturday, March 15. We will meet at 5:00 at our church building and travel to St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Sioux City (1100 Jones St.) for their Great Vespers service at 6:30. Please eat a snack/supper before we leave! Also, remember that our retreat to Calvin Crest will be April 25-27.

 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Forget the snow and cold weather, it’s time to talk about VBS! We will have a planning meeting on Sunday evening, 3/2, at 7:30pm in our Fellowship Hall. Bring a friend, and bring your best ideas! Oh, and a calendar might not hurt.

 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on TUESDAY, March 4, at 6:30pm. Jackie Owens will lead the Bible study. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

PREACH THE WORD!

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about preaching, then come to Pastor Ray’s preaching workshop. Saturday, 3/15, 9:00-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall. Learn some basic skills for delivering a message during worship.

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNION WORKSHOP

It can be confusing for parents and kids who should take Communion during worship. So make plans to bring your kids to our Communion workshop on Sunday, 4/6, during church school time (9:00-9:45am).

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will not meet in March. We will be sewing again on Wednesday, April 23^rd at 6:30pm.

YOUTH GROUPS

*High School Youth: 3/5 and 3/19 @ 7:30 p.m.

*Jr. High Youth: 3/12 and 3/26 @ 7:30pm.

RENEW WAYNE

CrossPoint campus ministry is bringing an amazing event to our community! Audio Adrenaline and Kutless will be playing at the Community Activity Center on Thursday, April 24. For more information please visit www.renewwayne.com, or find them on Facebook!

 CHOOSE LIFE

The Wayne Area Right to Life group is looking for a contact in our congregation to receive updates and information about pro-life activities in our region. If you are interested, please contact Deb Dickey at debdickey@msn.com.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Happy ninth anniversary to Pastor Ray! He began his tenure at FPC on February 28, 2005. As Craig Holstedt pointed out on Facebook, Pastor Ray has now passed him and become the third longest-serving pastor at FPC Wayne, behind Oliver Proett and Bob Haas. Congratulations!

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our community
• Our schools and teachers
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS

MARCH 2014                                                                                               

2^nd – Jim C., Pat S. Karen J. and Babs M.                                                   

9^th – Jim L., Joyce R., Pat & Glenda McD.                                                 

16^th – Milton & Jackie O., The Paiges                                                             

23^{rd –} The Peitz Family                                                                                

30^th – The Peterson Family

APRIL 2014

6th – The Pulfer Family

13th – The Heese Family

20th – The Beesons, The Milton Owens

28th – The Worner Family

LECTORS

MARCH  2014                                                                          

2^nd – Beau Bowers                                                                            

9^th – Shea Abraham                                                                          

16^th – Sarah Wibben                                                                        

23^rd – Greg Worner                                                                          

30^th – Tami Worner   

APRIL 2014   

6th – Jim Curtiss   

13th – Bev Beeson 

20th – Karen Johnson

28th – Judy Lindberg                                                   

ACOLYTES

MARCH 2014                                                                                                

2^nd – Jon Worner                                                                               

9^th – Genevieve McCalla                                                                  

16^th – Bralen Murphy                                                                        

23^rd – Nina Hammer                                                                         

30^th – Andy Wibben

APRIL 2014

6th – Eleanor McCalla  

13th – Braydn McCorkindale

20th – Bo Armstrong    

 28th – Emily Worner                                                                 

March 2014 – First Presbyterian Church

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

          16     Jason Racely

          17     Jack Beeson

          19     Judy Lindberg, Ray McCalla

           24     Jacob Beair

          25     Leigh Heese

          28     Babs Middleton

          29     Madison Urbanec

 Presbytidings – February 2014

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.”

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

            We all carry our assumptions about what “church” is. What is the church? As you might guess, some images that we hold are more biblical and true, and some are less biblical and true. A preacher named Colin Smith came up with four distorted images of the church—that is ideas about church that are deformed and defective, even if they are prevalent in our culture:

• The church as a gas station. For some people today, the church is a place where you fill up your spiritual gas tank when you’re running low. Get a good sermon, and it will keep you going for the week.
• The church as a movie theater. For many people, the church is a place that offers entertainment. Go for an hour of escape, hopefully in comfortable seats. Leave your problems at the door and come out smiling and feeling better than when you went in.
• The church as a drug store. For other people, church is the place where you can fill the prescription that will deal with your pain. For many the church is therapeutic.
• The church as a big box retailer. Other people see the church as the place that offers the best products in a clean and safe environment for you and your family. The church offers great service at a low price—all in one stop. For many people, the church is a producer of programs for children and young people.

To his list I would add other distorted images of the church: the church as social group, where we find belonging, pride, and even a means to social change; the church as nostalgia, a museum where history is preserved and its primary reason is to serve as a staging for precious family moments like baptisms, weddings, and funerals; and perhaps most inaccurately and perniciously, the church as building—a place that must be maintained.

It matters how we think about “church,” because God has an opinion. And we can either be in line with God, or out of line with God.

Instead of church as building or movie theater, God calls the church the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27); the bride of Christ/wife of the Lamb (Revelation 21:9-10); the Jerusalem that is above (Galatians 4:26); the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16); a holy “temple” (but not a building! Ephesians 2:21); a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9); and the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2).

All this matters, because how we think of church plays out in how we practice our faith. For example, if we think of church as a movie theater for our entertainment, we will certainly have a strong opinion about the music and the quality of performance! If we think of church as big box retailer, we will certainly have a strong opinion about the “product” that the pastor provides for our consumption! And if we think of church as a building, then we will be unduly attached to bricks and mortar, sometimes at the expense of the people for whom Jesus died.

[And Augustine, an early church leader, described the church as a hospital for sinners, rather than a club for healthy people—a place for healing and forgiveness, rather than a gathering of “perfect” people. Imagine how it would change our behavior if we thought of ourselves as convalescing together from the effects of sin instead of already being righteous! As the saying goes, Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.]

But if we rightly conceive church as a chosen people who belong to God, then we will (hopefully) start to treat each other the way God treats us: with love, compassion, and forgiveness. And if we conceive church as a flock being guarded by the Great Shepherd, then we might be more likely to protect each other, rather than devour each other (Galatians 5:15)!

So what do you think when you hear the word “church”? Is it distorted? Or is it in line with God? It matters!

Pastor Ray

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

 COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 2, and Sunday, March 2.

 LOOKING AHEAD TO ASH WEDNESDAY        

We will observe the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Please make plans to participate in our Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb! We will have soup suppers and prayer services on Wednesdays during Lent.

 CONFIRMATION UPDATE

Confirmation students will meet with their mentors on Sunday, February 2, and Sunday, March 2, from 9:00-9:45am. Our spring field trip will be on Saturday, March 15. Details to come! Also, remember that our retreat to Calvin Crest will be April 25-27.

 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, February 5, at 6:30pm.  Karen Johnson will lead the Bible study. Joyce Voyles will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, February 19^th at 6:30 p.m. Karen Johnson will be the hostess.

 YOUTH GROUPS

High School Youth: 2/5 and 2/19, 7:30-8:30pm.

Jr. High Youth: 2/12 and 2/26, 7:30-8:30pm. Bring a friend!

FAMILY FELLOWSHIP NIGHT!

Join us for a Fiesta Friday on February 21^st at 5:30pm!  Taco fixin’s will be provided, but we will welcome side dishes and desserts.  Afterward, we will enjoy some frost-free fun!  Sign-up sheet at the Opportunity Table or send us an email at fpcwayne@gmail.com

 BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY         

Join Pastor Ray for a Brown-Bag Bible Study, Tuesdays at 12:15, in the Goldenrod Room in the WSC Student Center.

THE 2014 LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE is available on the Opportunity Table.  As in the past, please find a replacement if you cannot make it, and contact the church office about any changes. If you would still like to be added, we would be happy to put your name on the substitute list.   Thank you!

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather at the Southern Heights Presbyterian Church in Lincoln on Saturday, 2/15, beginning at 10:00am. Our own Pastor Ray is presenting a workshop.  Please see the flyer on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall for more details.

 RENEW WAYNE

CrossPoint campus ministry is bringing an amazing event to our community! Audio Adrenaline and Kutless will be playing at the Community Activity Center on Thursday, April 24. If you would like to help out with the event planning, please contact Josh Sievers at (502) 649-1924 or joshsievers@live.com. For more information, including how to volunteer, visit www.renewwayne.com, or find them on Facebook!

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

Have you changed your phone number or moved lately?  Please use the update sheet on the Opportunity Table to make any changes to your current listing.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

TRI-COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE BREAKFAST

The Tri-County Right to Life Breakfast will be held Saturday, 2/8 at 9:30am in Holy Family Hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Their featured speaker will be Martha Hawthorne, who hosts a radio program called “Praying with Mommy” on KFHC?KOIA, 88.1 FM.  Other speakers will be Senator Dave Bloomfield, and Julie Schmit, Executive Director of  Nebraska Right to Life.  Our church has been asked to provide two 9×13 egg casseroles.  Please contact Deb Dickey debdickey@msn.com or Bonnie Hoffman bhoffman70@centurylink.net for details.

 THE ANNUAL KIWANIS PANCAKE FEED

will be held Sunday, February 16, from 9:00am – 1:00pm at the Wayne Armory (800 E. 7^th Street). Adults are $5, Children 3-12 are $3.00, and children 2 and under eat for free.

AL-ANON AND ALATEEN

Al-Anon and Alateen are committed to providing comfort and support to relatives and friends of alcoholics, and to providing understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic using the “12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous” as a spiritual guide.  Locally, Al-Anon meets on Wednesdays at 8pm at the Wayne Municipal Building, 4^th floor, 306 N. Pearl Street (southeast conference room).  For other times and locations, see the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

 FIRST LEGO LEAGUE – TEAM TWISTERS

Congratulations to Jon Worner and Henry McCalla! Their Lego League robotics team, Team Twisters, won grand champion at the South Sioux City qualifier on January 25. They will compete in the state tournament on February 22, at the SAC Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. Congrats!

 PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our community
• Our schools and teachers
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS

FEBRUARY 2014                                                                                          

2^nd – Jack & Bev Beeson, John & Anita Fuelberth                                    .

9^th – Phil & Jean Griess, Mark & Jenny Hammer                                     .

16^th – Ken & Jan Liska, Ken & Karen Marra                                            

23^rd – The McCorkindale Family                                                               

MARCH 2014     

2nd – Jim C., Pat S. Karen J. and Babs M

9th – Jim L., Joyce R., Pat & Glenda McD   

16th – Milton & Jackie O., The Paiges 

23rd – The Peitz Family 

30th – The Peterson Family                                                                                                              

LECTORS

FEBRUARY 2014                                                                              

2^nd – Solomon Peitz                                                                         

9^th – Zach Urbanec                                                                          

16^th – Layne Heese                                                                            

23^rd – Madison Stenka                                                                     

MARCH 2014 

2nd – Beau Bowers

 9th – Shea Abraham 

16th – Sarah Wibben

23rd – Greg Worner 

 30th – Tami Worner

ACOLYTES

FEBRUARY 2014                                                                              

2^nd – Emily Armstrong                                                                     

9^th – Madison Beair                                                                          

16^th – Shea Sweetland                                                                      

23^rd – Gabriel Peitz     

MARCH 2014 

2nd – Jon Worner   

9th – Genevieve McCalla   

16th – Bralen Murphy 

 23rd – Nina Hammer                                                             

30th – Andy Wibben                                                                                                            

February 2014 – First Presbyterian Church

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)

7       Karen McElwain

10     Jodi Pulfer

20     Karen Marra

25     Pat Straight, Gabriel Peitz

27     Jan Liska

 28     Amy Bowers

Editor note: This is not a full-length issue.

Presbytidings – January 2014

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska68787

(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.org

“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”

The session will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2014, including the new class of ruling elders. Welcome to Jim Curtiss, who will be ordained as a ruling elder on January 19! And many thanks to Kent Pulfer, who will be leaving the session after two terms.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 2.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School Youth: 1/8 and 1/22

Jr. High Youth: 1/15 and 1/29

Please note that, since there are five Wednesdays, we are “off” a week. Bring a friend!

ANNUAL MEETING

Our annual congregational meeting will be after worship on Sunday, January 26. If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Monday, 1/20, at noon.

BROWN BAG BIBLE STUDY

Pastor Ray’s Bible study through First Corinthians will continue on Tuesday, 1/21, at noon in the WSC student center (room TBA). If you are interested or have questions, visit with Pastor Ray.

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

We had another busy year at the Food Pantry. We are so thankful for the many donations that were made. We had 138 visits to the Food Pantry in 2013, and distributed over 1500 backpacks to the Wayne Community Schools.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

MANY THANKS!

I would like to thank you all for the Chamber Bucks I received at Christmastime.  It is my pleasure to work with such a wonderful congregation! – Jenny

WAYNE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

The next community blood drive will be held on Thursday, 1/23 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Wayne Fire Department.  Appointments may be made by calling 800-287-4903 or visiting www.lifeservebloodcenter.org

TRI-COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE BREAKFAST

…will be held Saturday, February 8^th at 9:30am at Tacos & More.  Please contact Deb Dickey debdickey@msn.com or Bonnie Hoffman bhoffman70@centurylink.net for details.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

GREETERS

JANUARY 2014                                                                                               

5^th–The Heese Family                                                                                     

12^th-The Urbanec Family                                                                                 

19^th–The Worner Family                                                                                

26^th –The McLaughlins & The Marras                                                          

FEBRUARY 2014

 2nd–The Beesons & The Fuelberths

9th-The Griesses & The Hammers

 16th–The Liskas & The Marras

 23rd- The McCorkindales

LECTORS

JANUARY 2014                                                                                   

5^th–Kevin Peterson                                                                            

12^th–Greg Worner                                                                               

15^th–Jack Beeson                                                                                

19^th–Jodi Pulfer                                                                                  

26^th–Tiffany Heese  

FEBRUARY 2014 

 2nd–Solomon Peitz   

9th-Zach Urbanec  

 16th-Layne Heese   

 23rd–Madison Stenka

ACOLYTES

 JANUARY 2014                                                                                  

5^th–Braydn McCorkindale                                                                 

12^th–Jon Worner                                                                                

19^th–Emily Worner                                                                            

26^th–Maria Ras    

 FEBRUARY 2014                                                                                

2nd–Emily Armstrong

 9th–Madison Beair  

 16th-Shea Sweetland  

23rd–Gabriel Peitz                                

January 2014 – First Presbyterian Church

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

2      Larry Heese

5     Terry Beair

9      Jennifer Hammer

10     Emily Armstrong

11     Joyce Voyles

15     Haley McElwain

20     Kent Pulfer

24     Claudia Racely

27     Jim Paige

31     Elaine Francis, Shannon Peterson

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Presbytidings – December 2013

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska68787

(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.org

“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

 Can you believe that anyone would ever want to sneak into the notorious Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz? One man did just that.

 In September of 1940, Witold Pilecki, a Polish army captain, did the unthinkable—he sneaked into Auschwitz. That’s right, into Auschwitz. Pilecki knew that something was terribly wrong with the concentration camp, and as a committed Christian and a Polish patriot he couldn’t sit by and watch. He wanted to get information on the horrors of Auschwitz, but he knew he could only do that from the inside.

 So his superiors approved a daring plan. They provided a false identity card with a Jewish name, and then Pilecki allowed the Germans to arrest him during a routine Warsaw street roundup. Pilecki was sent to Auschwitz and assigned inmate number 4859. Pilecki, a husband and father of two, later said, “I bade farewell to everything I had known on this earth.” He became just like any other prisoner—despised, beaten, and threatened with death. From inside the camp he wrote, “The game I was now playing at Auschwitz was dangerous …. In fact, I had gone far beyond what people in the real world would consider dangerous.”

 But beginning in 1941, prisoner number 4859 started working on his dangerous mission. He organized the inmates into resistance units, boosting morale and documenting the war crimes. Pilecki used couriers to smuggle out detailed reports on the atrocities. By 1942, he had also helped organize a secret radio station using scrap parts. The information he supplied from inside the camp provided Western allies with key intelligence information about Auschwitz.

 In the spring of 1943, Pilecki joined the camp bakery where he was able to overpower a guard and escape. Once free, he finished his report, estimating that around 2 million souls had been killed at Auschwitz. When the reports reached London, officials thought he was exaggerating. Of course today we know he was right.

 This is the kind of dangerous mission that the Son of God undertook in his incarnation. Jesus Christ voluntarily gave up his divine status (Philippians 2:7) to enter the enemy-controlled territory called Earth. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14a NIV) He entered our world and became one of us—familiar with suffering and pain. And yet he never sinned; he never veered from his mission to undo the evil in the world.

 Jesus took the cup of our suffering; he shared in all the atrocities that humans have inflicted on each other—including Auschwitz. Jesus suffered and died on the cross to take away our sins. But Jesus completed his mission by rising from the dead, thereby trampling down death and starting the subversive work of spreading the kingdom in hostile territory.

 This Advent and Christmas season, let us give thanks to our Savior for entering our world in order to rescue us from sin and death. – Pastor Ray

The session will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2, and Monday, January 27, 2014, including the new class of ruling elders.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, December 2.

 ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS

Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to light the Advent candles during worship.

 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias may be displayed in the sanctuary in honor or memory of the loved ones in your life. We will acknowledge the arrangements in the Christmas Eve program.  Please inform someone in the church office of the details.

YOUTH GROUPS

The junior high (6^th through 8^th grades) youth group will meet on December 11, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The high school (9^th through 12^th grades) youth group will meet on December 4, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. These will be the last meetings of the year.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, December 4^th at 6:30pm for a bible study (lesson 3 led by Martha Svoboda) and their annual cookie exchange.

 SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will not meet in December.

WAYNE ROTARY SOUP SUPPER

This annual event will be held on Thursday, 12/5 from 5:00-7:30pm at the Wayne City Auditorium. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 & under, and may be purchased at the door. Proceeds will go toward youth projects.

FPC CHRISTMAS BAND

The Christmas Band will play during worship on December 8^th.  Rehearsals will be held on Friday, 12/6 at 5:00pm, and on Sunday, 12/8 at 8:30am.  Please sign up at the Opportunity Table if you plan to play.  Contact Jay O’Leary at(402)375-2335  or JayO@inebraska.com if you would like music in advance.

 SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING

Our church is scheduled to ring the bells at Pac N Save on Saturday, 12/14.  Please sign up to ring at the Opportunity Table.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The children’s Christmas program will be during worship on Sunday, December 15. Greg Worner is organizing the program. Our primary rehearsal will be during church school time on 12/8 (since we don’t have church school or Confirmation on 12/1, because of Thanksgiving weekend).  Greg is wondering if we could have an after-school rehearsal on either Monday, 12/2, or Wednesday, 12/4, from 3:40ish-5:00?  Please contact him (grworne1@wsc.edu; 375-4809) Scripts are available via email fpcwayne@gmail.com or on our Facebook page.

RING AROUND WAYNE

On Monday, December 16, at 7:00 pm the Presbyterian Pealers will participate in the Ring Around Wayne Bell concert at the National Guard Armory. Please come and support our Pealers!

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

• We will go caroling to CareAge and The Oaks on Wednesday, 12/18, during supper time. Please gather at The Oaks at 5:10pm. Bring a friend!
• Calvary Bible Evangelical Church is inviting all area churches to carol with them on December 14^th.  They will begin at 4:15 at Care-Age, and then travel over to the Oaks.

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1. You believe in Santa Claus.
2. You don’t believe in Santa Claus.
3. You are Santa Claus.
4. You look like Santa Claus.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

Our Christmas Joy Offering will be taken on Sunday, December 22^nd.  Whether providing financial assistance to current & former church workers and their families, or providing opportunities for deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools, your generous gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstances or spirit.

 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Worship Christ, the newborn King! Tuesday, December 24, at 5:30pm. Bring your loved ones for a special candle-lit service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

 HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

*The church office will be closed on Wednesday, 12/25.holiday.

*The office will also be closed Monday, 12/30 through Wednesday, January 1^st.

Please, do not hesitate to leave a message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

MITTEN TREE

Please help us decorate the tree in Fellowship Hall with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens.

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

We are experiencing a busy holiday season at the Food Pantry. We are so thankful for the many donations that have been made. Please consider making a donation of either your time, some food, or even a financial gift. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our community as it continues to recover from the tornado
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

 ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIVING

Here are some Web sites that will inspire you to give gifts that will make a real difference in people’s lives:

www.worldvision.org

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.compassion.com

www.churchworldservice.org

www.mbfoundation.org

www.heifer.org

calvincrest@calvincreat.org

 FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

SEASON OF LIGHT

The WSC Planetarium will begin its 2013 holiday show “Season of Light” on Sunday December 1, at 1:30 and 2:30 pm.  Season of Light traces the history and development of many of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season.  Season of Light will be presented at 6:30 & 7:30 pm on December 6, 13, 20 & 21, and at 1:30 & 2:30 pm on December 1, 8, 15 & 22.  The suggested donation for all shows is $5 for adults and $3 for children.  For more information, go to www.wsc.edu/planetarium.  Come and experience the “Season of Lights.”

GREETERS

DECEMBER 2013                                                                                           

1^st – The Liskas, Pat & Glenda McDonald                                                     

8^th-K. Johnson, B. Middleton, M & J Owens                                                 

15^th – The Pulfer Family                                                                                        

22^nd – The Hammers & The Paiges                                                                 

29^th – The McCorkindale Family

JANUARY 2014       

 5th– The Heese Family

12th-The Urbanec Family    

19th – The Worner Family 

26th – The McLaughlins & The Marras                                           

LECTORS

DECEMBER 2013                                                                             

1^st – Rhonda Ras                                                                                 

8^th – Pat Straight                                                                                

15^th – Jack Beeson                                                                              

22^nd – Ken Liska                                                                                 

29^th – Jeryl Nelson  

JANUARY 2014  

5th – Kevin Peterson 

12th – Greg Worner

 19th – Jodi Pulfer  

 26th  –Tiffany Heese                                                                      

ACOLYTES

 DECEMBER 2013                                                                               

1^st – Sarah Wibben                                                                             

8^th – Genevieve McCalla                                                                     

15^th – Bralen Murphy                                                                          

22^nd – Nina Hammer                                                                         

29^th – Andy Wibben 

JANUARY 2014   

 5th – Braydn McCorkindale 

12th – Jon Worner      

19th – Emily Worner 

 26th – Maria Ras                                                              

December 2013 – First Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

                         1        Hazel Roberts, Brittany Peterson

              5        Tiffanny Heese

              7        Candyce Peitz

            14        Randy Dunklau

            18        Beau Bowers

            19        Dorothy Stevenson

            20        Rich Murphy

            22        Nina Hammer

            31        Henry McCalla, Knox McCalla

 Presbytidings – November 2013

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska68787

(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.org

“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”

In your most private thoughts, you may wonder why the tornado had to hit our community and cause so much damage and destruction.  What good could come from such chaos?  What was God up to, anyway?  But I have a feeling that besides seeing nice, new buildings cropping up on the east side of town, we will see lasting fruit grow out of the October storm, too.

Take Stacy Keach from Fox Lake, Wisconsin, for example.  She is a random girl from a random place who read about our tornado damage.  And, most importantly, she was moved to do something to help.  A couple of weeks ago, I received a hand-written letter that is now hanging in our Fellowship Hall.  Here is what it said:

Dear First Presbyterian Church,

Hello, my name is Stacy.  Enclosed in this letter is $9.00 to help with the rebuilding of Wayne.  I hope it’s enough to cover a need for the city.  I also hope that all of the members of the church are safe and not injured.  May God bless the congregation of the church for their aid in helping to rebuild the city of Wayne.

Sincerely,  Stacy Keach

Now I don’t know Stacy Keach from Adam.  I don’t know how she found out about our town—or much less our church.  But there is a miracle here.  It is a miracle of compassion, a miracle of concern for fellow human beings who are suffering.  This is what I have seen as fruit growing in the wake of the tornado: empathy for others.  And that is what God desires from us.  Jesus himself said that the law could be boiled down to two basic commandments—to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:37-40).  And Paul summed up our responsibility to each other like this: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

In the months to come, there will undoubtedly be new, green shoots sprouting off the twisted and broken tree stumps, because nature is relentless in its growing and rejuvenating power.  And there will be new, fancy buildings rising up out of the rubble to replace the wrecked ones, because people feel challenged to rebuild.  But I hope that in addition to all that, the blossoms of compassion will continue to flourish long after the debris is cleaned up.  I pray that our hunger for compassion will drive us to permanently replace our old, callous attitudes with a spirit of generosity and kindness.

When I took Stacy’s $9 to the bank, I felt a wave of hope.  I told the story to the bank teller, and I think she was touched by the girl’s gesture, too.  Nine dollars may not seem like a lot in the world’s eyes, but it’s something.  It’s enough to cover some need.  It’s a symbol of one person’s concern for others.  And although it certainly wasn’t much out of my pocket, I decided to match Stacy’s gift and give a total of $18 to the tornado relief fund.  And maybe there is a challenge in here for all of us—the nine-dollar challenge, if you will: to keep the compassion alive, to give what we have to help others, to think of others as much as we think of ourselves.  And, to echo a wise young woman, may God bless our congregation as we rebuild, not only the physical parts of our community, but our spiritual ones, as well.

Pastor Ray

Daylight Saving Time ends the first weekend of November. Don’t forget to set your clock back one hour this weekend!

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, November 3.

STEWARDSHIP DRIVE

Each fall our church conducts a stewardship campaign and asks our members to complete both a Financial and a Time-and-Talents pledge. Your gifts and talents are vital to the health of our church. Anita Fuelberth will hand out stewardship packets Sunday, November 3. Pledges should be returned the following Sunday, November 10, when we will celebrate with a church potluck after worship. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

CHURCH STEWARDSHIP POTLUCK

After worship on November 10, we will share a potluck lunch as a church family.  Please bring something to share!

RAKE AND BAKE

High school youth from all over Wayne will be doing a service project together on Sunday, 11/3, from 1:30-3:30. Meet at St. Mary’s parking lot, and wear work clothes!

FRONT PORCH PICKERS BENEFIT CONCERT The Front Porch Pickers will perform a benefit concert for the Wayne Tornado Relief Fund on Sunday, 11/10 at 5:oo pm here at FPC. Then you may join them for soup and sandwiches. This is a freewill benefit. The Pickers are Alan Bruflat, Brenda Nissen, and Jim Lindau. (Joyce Reeg would appreciate the donation of a few pans of bars for this event.)

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Come and pray with our community Thursday, 11/7, 12:00-1:00pm at First Nebraska Bank’s community room. Hear the compelling, first-hand testimony of a mission worker who has been serving in eastern Asia.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE & SUPPER

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1 NIV) Join Christians from our community as we praise God together for his indescribable gifts (2 Corinthians 9:15): Sunday, 11/24, at Calvary Bible Evangelical Free Church (502 Lincoln St.). The service will be at 5:00pm, and the supper will be immediately following (at 6:00) in their fellowship hall. As a congregation, we are responsible for providing 4 pots of soup and 4 pies. Please sign up for that at the Opportunity Table.

CHILDREN OF THE COVENANT

We rejoice with the families who are presenting their little ones for baptism in our church:

Mason Mark Richter, son of Brian and Kristina (and nephew of Ray and Rachelle McCalla) will receive the sacrament of baptism on Sunday, 11/3. And Cooper Steven McLaughlin, son of Scott and Lindsay, will receive the sacrament on Sunday, December 1. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” (1 John 3:1a NRSV)

THANKSGIVING DAY

The church office will be closed both Thursday and Friday of this Thanksgiving holiday. Please, do not hesitate to leave if message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

CHURCH SCHOOL

Church school for preschool through 6^th grade meets from 9:00-9:45 every Sunday morning. If you would like to serve as a teacher, please contact Misty Beair (375-3773).

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, November 6^th at 6:30pm.  Judy Lindberg will lead the Bible study.  Elaine Francis will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet to clean the church kitchen on Saturday, November 16^th at 9:00 a.m.  Judy Lindberg will be the hostess.

YOUTH GROUPS

The junior high (6^th through 8^th grades) youth group will meet on November 13 and 27, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The high school (9^th through 12^th grades) youth group will meet on November 6 and 20, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a friend!

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

The final gathering of the Brown-Bag Bible Study for this semester will be on Wednesday, 11/20, at noon in the Goldenrod Room in the WSC Student Center.

HOLIDAY FOOD BASKET PROGRAM

We are expecting a very busy holiday season at the Food Pantry.  Food stamps are expected to be cut as of November 1. We are so thankful for the many donations that have been made. Please consider making either a food or financial donation to our Holiday Food Basket Program. A collection basket will be located in Fellowship Hall. There is a great need in our community, please be generous. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather at Calvin Crest on Thursday, 11/21, beginning at 10:00am. Pastor Ray will be attending. If you would like to participate, please let him know.

AN INVITATION FROM THE STEPHENS MINISTRY

The Stephens Ministers from Grace Lutheran Church & Our Savior Lutheran Church are joining together to invite anyone affected by the tornado to attend a Prayer, Care and Share Meeting hosted in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Lutheran Church, Monday, 11/4 at 7:30 pm.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

HERE SHE IS: MRS. ELKHORN VALLEY

Our own Rachelle McCalla will be representing our community as she competes in the Mrs. Nebraska pageant as Mrs. Elkhorn Valley. To learn more about the contest, including ticket information, visit www.mrsnebraska.net. Please pray for her—and all the contestants—as they do their best to represent themselves and their families.

NATIONAL DONOR SABBATH WEEKEND

Become an organ, eye and tissue donor. November 15-17 is National Donor Sabbath Weekend. Please talk to your family members about becoming a donor.  For more information, call 1-800-718-LIFE or go to www.DonatelifeNebraska.com

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

• The Christmas/Advent Decoration Party will be held Monday, 11/25 at 6:30pm.
• The children’s Christmas program will be during worship on Sunday, December 15. Greg Worner is organizing the program. If you would like to help, please contact him (grworne1@wsc.edu; 375-4809).
• We will go caroling to CareAge and The Oaks on Wednesday, 12/18, during supper time.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our community as it continues to recover from the tornado
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS

NOVEMBER 2013                                                                                         

3^rd – The Heese Family

10^th – Joann Proett & The Beesons

17^th – The Francises, J. Rees, J. Curtiss

24^th – The Urbanec Family

DECEMBER 2013

1st – The Liska & Pat & Glenda McDonald

8th – Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton, Milton & Jackie Owens

15th – The Pulfers

22nd – The Paiges & The Hammers

29th – The McCorkindales

LECTORS

NOVEMBER 2013                                                                             

3^rd – Gail McCorkindale

10^th – Glenda McDonald

17^th – Angie Nelson

24^th – Candyce Peitz

DECEMBER 2013

1st – Ronda Ras

8th – Pat Straight

15th – Jack Beeson

22nd – Ken Liska

29th – Jeryl Nelson

ACOLYTES

NOVEMBER 2013                                                                             

3^rd – Layne Heese

10^th – Maddie Stenka

17^th – Beau Bowers

24^th – Shea Sweetland

DECEMBER 2013

1st – Sarah Wibben

8th – Gen McCalla

15th – Bralen Murphy

22nd – Nina Hammer

29th – Andy Wibben

November 2013 – First Presbyterian Church

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

              2        Phyllis Hix

6         Brandon Beair

7        Rick Lund

10        Kevin Peterson

12        Ken Liska, Mark McCorkindale

13        Katherine Butler, Tillie Jones, & Rachelle McCalla

14        Audrey Harder

18        John Gradwohl

28        David McElwain

 Presbytidings – October 2013

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska68787

(402) 375-2669 + www.fpcwayne.org

“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”

It’s an awkward situation. What do you do when your daughter and her fiancé decide to call of their wedding, when all the plans have already been made? And just 40 days before the blessed event!? It happened to Carol and Willie Fowler, a couple from Atlanta, Georgia. But instead of griping and trying to cancel all the vendors, the Fowlers decided to turn a potential disaster into a blessing.

The Fowlers’ daughter, Tamara, was scheduled to be married at the Villa Christina hall, a very swanky place in Atlanta. And I mean, swanky. At first, when Tamara and her fiancé called off the expensive and lavish event that the Fowlers had planned and paid for, Carol and Willie were dismayed and upset. What to do?

Instead of letting it all go to waste, the Fowlers had an inspired idea. They decided to have the banquet anyway—and invite 200 of the city’s homeless people as the honored guests.

The Fowlers called Elizabeth Omilami from Hosea Feed the Hungry, an international Christian aid organization headquartered in Atlanta, to see if she could help make the feast happen. At first, Omilami thought the phone call was a prank, because no one is that generous. But after she was convinced of the Fowlers’ sincerity, she was able to invite 200 homeless people—including children—to the four-course gala.

Even Tamara—the jilted bride—attended the festivities that were originally meant for her!

And speaking of children, the Fowlers hired a clown to keep the kids entertained. And the Fowlers have apparently caught a vision for generosity: They titled the event “The First Annual Fowler Family Celebration of Love,” anticipating a second annual celebration next year.

And that kind of generosity blows your mind. Would you do something like that? Sure, maybe once—if a wedding fell through. But to schedule another one, just out of unselfish hospitality?

It reminds me of a parable that Jesus taught that is recorded in Luke 14. A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. When the time came, he sent out his servant to remind the guests that everything was ready.

But to a person, they all made excuses why they couldn’t attend.

And when the master found out about it, he was angry. He commanded his servant to go out into the streets and alleys of the city to bring in the poor, the blind, and the handicapped. And when that was done, there was still room. So the owner of the house sent out his servant again—this time outside the city, into the countryside and the remote places. “Compel them to come in,” he commanded, “So that my house will be full.”

It’s a stark reminder that God’s hospitality is more like the Fowlers’ of Atlanta than a lot of our own hospitality. Would we host a four-course feast for the filthy? Would we go out and round up the scum of society to come to a party at our house? Or is our hospitality more at arm’s length?

The amazing news is that we have been welcomed into God’s household, even if we are broken, poor, unclean, and spiritually blind. God has opened his feast to all who will respond, regardless of background or station. The question is whether we will respond with excuses or with faith.

Pastor Ray

The Session will gather on Monday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, October 6.

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

We will do our fall highway clean-up after worship on Sunday, October 6. Wear work clothes! We will depart after worship to our stretch of Highway 35 (markers 33-35, east of Wayne). This is for everyone, but it is especially a service project for Confirmation students, who should be present.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, October 13, following worship (about 11:00am), for the purpose of voting on Pastor Ray’s compensation for 2014. All active members are encouraged to participate.

POTLUCK LUNCH

Following the congregational meeting on October 13, we will share a potluck lunch together as a church family. Bring food to share. Drinks and service are provided.

CHURCH SCHOOL

Church school for preschool through 6^th grade meets from 9:00-9:45 every Sunday morning. If you would like to serve as a teacher, please contact Misty Beair (375-3773).

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, October 2^nd at 6:30pm.  Karen Johnson will lead the Bible study for Lesson 1 in “An Abiding Hope.”  Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet to work on a variety of projects on Wednesday, October 16^th.  Joyce Reeg will be the hostess.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

YOUTH GROUPS

The junior high (6^th through 8^th grades) youth group will meet on October 9 and 23, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The high school (9^th through 12^th grades) youth group will meet October 2 and 16, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a friend! Please note: there are five Wednesdays in October, so there will be no youth groups on the fifth Wednesday. All youth are encouraged to participate in the Mercy Meals event that evening.

MERCY MEALS OF NEBRASKA

Join the fight against hunger! We will be packing meals at the Orphan Grain Train facility (601 W Phillip Ave, Norfolk) on Wednesday, October 30, from 7:30-8:45pm. We will meet at our church building to car pool at 6:45pm. This is for everyone, but it is also a service project for Confirmation students.

CONFIRMATION FIELD TRIP

The Confirmation class will worship at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sioux City (1421 Geneva Street) on Sunday, October 27. We will meet at 9:00am in the Youth Room for briefing. Then we will car pool to the church building. Everyone is welcome to join our Confirmation group!

MILITARY BIBLE STICKS

On Sunday, September 22, we received an offering to provide Bible Sticks for our active military personnel. Twenty-five dollars provides one service man or woman with a Bible Stick—a dedicated MP3 player with the New Testament and Psalms recorded on it. If you would like to contribute to this military outreach, visit www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military to learn how you can support our troops.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Pastor Ray is leading an in-depth Bible study this fall through First Corinthians. WSC Student Center, Goldenrod Room, Wednesdays at noon. Bring your Bibles, bring your lunch, and bring your biggest questions!

FOOD PANTRY & BACKPACK PROGRAM

We are having a very busy year at the Food Pantry.  We have already surpassed last year’s numbers by 25 requests!  We are so thankful for the many donations that have been made.  And the Backpack Program is also a great success.  We have given out nearly 500 backpacks so far this fall.  There is a great need in our community.  Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com for more information on how you can help.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

NEW CHURCH SIGN

If you haven’t already seen it, stop by the front (south) façade of our building and behold our new church sign. The structure is the same (given in memory of Pat Straight’s mother, Lenora Hook), but the insert is new and improved. Thank you to Rick Lund for his generous gift in memory of Bonnie. It is a blessing to our church.

2013-14 COLLEGE STUDENT LIST

We are in the process of updating our college student list for the current academic year.  Parents or students, please contact either Ray or Jenny with any new or updated contact information.  Thanks!

FPC SCRAPBOOKS

Do you have a gift for scrapbooking?  We have some church memorabilia that should be preserved.  Contact Jenny at the church office if you are interested in helping.  We can supply any materials needed.

HERE SHE IS: MRS. ELKHORN VALLEY

Our own Rachelle McCalla will be representing our community as she competes in the Mrs. Nebraska pageant as Mrs. Elkhorn Valley. To learn more about the contest, including ticket information, visit www.mrsnebraska.net.

A reminder from the Secretary:

Pastor Appreciation Sunday is October 13^th!

17^TH ANNUAL LIFE CHAIN

You are invited to join the annual Life Chain on Sunday, 10/6 from 2:30-3:30pm.  Signs may be picked up at the corner of 7^th & Main prior to the event.  Afterward, Martha Hawthorne (host of “Tuesdays with Mommy”) will speak, and refreshments will be served.

ABIDING HOPE: A RETREAT FOR WOMEN OF THE CHURCH

This retreat will be held at Camp Calvin Crest October 11-12^th.  The keynote speakers are Mary Cook-Jorgensen and Marilyn Stone.  To preregister: krisp@homesteadpres.org or 402-489-5781.

MOPS: MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS

Mops is a place for encouraging relationships, practical help and support.  The local MOPS group meets at Journey Christian Church on the 1^st & 3^rd Tuesdays of each month.  A.M. sessions from 9:30-11:30am, and P.M. sessions are from 6:30-8:30pm.

WAYNE COMMUNITY CROP HUNGER WALK

The annual CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, October 13^th.  The CROP Walk is the original charitable walking event to end hunger both locally and internationally (i.e. the Wayne Food Pantry and WACAM).  For information please go to www.crophungerwalk.org or contact Deb Hammer at debhammer@huntel.net 402-518-0423.

NORTHEAST NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The NNCC is an auxiliary choir of the Wayne State College Chorale. This free program will help your kids (grades 2-6) learn to sing better and have the opportunity to sing with the WSC “big kids.” Tuesdays, 3:50-4:45. Contact Jackie Keller for more information: (402) 750-0637; jaquelynfkeller@gmail.com.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our unchurched neighbors
• Dawn Fuelberth as she undergoes chemotherapy
• All who are battling cancer
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS

OCTOBER 2013                                                                                             

6^th – The Peitz Family

13^th – P. Straight, B. Middleton, Pat & Glenda McDonald

20^th – The Paiges & The Hammers

27^th – The Urbanec Family

NOVEMBER 2013

3rd – The Heese Family

10th – The McLaughlins & The Beesons

17th – Jim Curtiss, John Rees, Verlin & Elaine Francis

LECTORS

OCTOBER 2013                                                                                  

6^th – Jan Liska

13^th – Tami Worner

20^th – Ken Marra

27^th – Rachelle McCalla

NOVEMBER 2013

3rd – Gail McCorkindale

10th – Glenda McDonald

17th – Angie Nelson

24th – Candyce Peitz

ACOLYTES

 OCTOBER 2013                                                                                 

6^th – Gabriel Peitz

13^th – Jon Worner

20^th – Solomon Peitz

27^th – Zach Urbanec

NOVEMBER 2013

3rd – Layne Heese

10th – Maddie Stenka

17th – Beau Bowers

24th – Shea Sweetland

October 2013 – First Presbyterian Church

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

             5         Dale Johnson

8         John Fuelberth

10        Brook Bowers, Jon Worner

14        Sydney McCorkindale

15        Reggie Yates

15        Pat McDonald

16        Marilyn Yates

18        Ronald Clark

20        Braydn McCorkindale

21        Rob Sweetland

22        Eleanor McCalla

23        Stephanie Racely

 Presbytidings – September 2013

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska68787

(402) 375-2669 Ë www.fpcwayne.org

“Our chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever.”

“We have a problem,” he said gravely in his thick British accent. We McCallas were on our eleventh day in the United Kingdom. We had checked out of our place in the Highlands of Scotland and had been traveling all day in order to make it to England so we could check into our guest house in Whitley Bay. We were tired. We were carrying all our luggage. But there was a problem with the house, as he announced to us.

Fleas.

Yes, fleas. And the young man who was our host assured us that we couldn’t stay there that night—tired or not. Apparently while his family had been on holiday (a.k.a. vacation), their housecat had introduced an infestation of fleas throughout the whole house, including the beds and living room. They had returned earlier that same day and discovered that the whole house was hopping with the little biting critters. The young man physically blocked us from entering the house as he explained the situation. He and his family were busy feverishly cleaning, vacuuming, and using flea powder on everything.

And when we heard this news, we were suddenly not that tired, and not quite so eager to check in.

Take your time, really. Make sure it’s good and clean. That’s what was running through my mind.

And as I reflect on that experience in England, my mind wanders across Scripture to an obscure section of the book of Leviticus. In chapters 13 and 14, there are extensive rules and procedures for dealing with diseases of the skin, fabrics, and houses. Yes, houses. No mention of fleas there, but still some good advice for the people of Whitley Bay, at least in concept.

Leviticus counsels that a priest come to a house if there is a spreading mold. If the mold continues to spread after a week-long quarantine, then the plaster needs to be scraped off, the affected stones removed, and both thrown outside of town. If the spreading mold returns, then the whole house must be pronounced unclean and it must be torn down and deposited outside of town in an unclean place.

Pretty drastic, especially for a time when building a house was a big, expensive deal.

Would you tear down your house because of mold? Or fleas? How far would you go to correct a problem like that?

How about when it comes to your spiritual life? The truth is that sometimes our lives become like a guest house infested with fleas: fine on the outside, but filthy inside. And sometimes our souls can pick up a spreading mold of unchecked sin. So the question is, what will we do with our sin and filth? Will we take drastic measures to correct it—with vacuuming, scrubbing, and powder? Will we tear down the house, just to save our lives? Or will we tell ourselves that everything is okay and leave all as it is?

There was a silver lining to our stay in England. We didn’t stay in the flea house, but miraculously God provided another house a block over (which is another adventure story for another time). And there is a silver lining for all of us who have infestation in our souls. God has miraculously provided a way to be cleansed and forgiven. Jesus has taken all our sins and sicknesses into his body on the cross, so that we can be completely healed. So let us all pause and take a good look at our inner lives, to diagnose our sin. And then, let us take the steps necessary to address the problems we find there, knowing that God is able and willing to heal us.

 Pastor Ray

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, September 23^rd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

 COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, September 8.

 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Beginning Tuesday September 3^rd, we will resume our regular church office hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30-11:30am. Otherwise, feel free to contact us anytime at 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

CHURCH SCHOOL

Church school for preschool through 6^th grade will start on Sunday, September 8, 2013. For more information, please contact Misty Beair at (402) 375-3773; mibeair1@wayneschools.org.

SUNDAE SUNDAY

To celebrate the kick-off for church school and confirmation, we will have ice cream sundaes following worship on Sunday, 9/8. Yum!

WANTED: CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS

We looking for Church School teachers for the 2013-14 school year. Church School will begin on September 8, 2013, and run through May 18^th, 2014. If you would like to help, please contact Misty Beair at (402) 375-3773, mibeair1@wayneschools.org

CONFIRMATION MENTORS

Confirmation is a discipleship program for 7^th and 8^th grade students. If you would like to be a mentor, please contact Pastor Ray at 402-833-5251 or raydemccalla@gmail.com. Mentoring involves meeting with a youth 8 times during the school year, during class time (9:00-9:45 Sundays).

 PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS HANDBELL CHOIR

Rehearsals will resume on Sunday, 9/8 at 8:45am.  New members are welcome!

YOUTH GROUPS

The junior high (6^th through 8^th grades) youth group will meet on September 11 and 25, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The high school (9^th through 12^th grades) youth group will meet September 4 and 18, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a friend! Check out the new-and-improved youth room!

 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women will start their new year with a potluck dinner on Wednesday, September 4^th at 6:00pm.  All women are invited to come and enjoy fellowship.  We will plan the upcoming year.

 SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet Wednesday, September 18^th at 6:30pm.  We will be planning new projects, and working on those already in progress.  Please come, whatever your sewing skills!

 YOUTH BULLETIN BOARD

We now have a dedicated way to share our youth news.  The bulletin board in the southwest corner of fellowship hall will become the Youth Bulletin Board.  Look for youth events and updates there while you are at church.

FAMILY FUN FELLOWSHIP NIGHT

Our next Family Fun Fellowship night will be Saturday, September 14^th at 5:30 p.m.  Weather permitting, we will be grilling and playing out on the church lawn.  Bring a side dish or dessert, your lawn chair and some ideas for outdoor games. 

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Pastor Ray will be leading an in-depth Bible study this fall through First Corinthians. WSC Student Center, Goldenrod Room, Wednesdays at noon, starting September 4. Bring your Bibles, bring your lunch, and bring your biggest questions!

FPC SCRAPBOOKS

Do you have a gift for scrapbooking?  We have some church memorabilia that should be preserved.  Contact Jenny at the church office if you are interested in helping.  We would supply the materials needed.

 SUPPORT OUR MILITARY

Faith Comes by Hearing distributes Bible Sticks—personal MP3 players with recordings of the New Testament and Psalms—to hundreds of thousands of our military personnel. And they need our help to continue. Please consider contributing $25 to send a Bible Stick to a service member. We will be having a special offering on Sunday, 9/15. For more information, check out: www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military.

NORTHEAST NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The NNCC is an auxiliary choir of the Wayne State College Chorale. This free program will help your kids (grades 2-6) learn to sing better and have the opportunity to sing with the WSC “big kids.” Tuesdays, 3:45-4:45, starting 9/3. Contact Jackie Keller for more information: (402) 750-0637; jaquelynfkeller@gmail.com.

 BACKPACK PROGRAM

The Wayne Food Pantry backpack program is in full swing.  Currently, we have 109 students enrolled. We are currently in need of individually packaged foods and juices, or monetary donations that will enable us to purchase what is needed. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com for more information on how you can help.

SERMONS ON THE WEB

Pastor Ray’s sermons can be heard on our Web site: www.fpcwayne.org/media.

 THE POAM/OWLS FALL CELEBRATION: PRAYER AND MEDITATION

The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry & The Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints (OWLS) Celebration at Calvin Crest will be held September 17-18, 2013.  Please come and join friends and neighbors from across the Heartland for a two day celebration for older adults (50 and above).  Overnight accommodations and great food are included.  Check at our church office for details or go online at www.calvincrest.org

NEW CHURCH SIGN

If you haven’t already seen it, stop by the front (south) façade of our building and behold our new church sign. The structure is the same (given in memory of Pat Straight’s mother, Lenora Hook), but the insert is new and improved. Thank you to Rick Lund for his generous gift in memory of Bonnie. It is a blessing to our church.

DIVERSITY OF CULTURES:

Please join the WSC Campus & Community Collaborations & Conversations for a discussion of cultures.  Hosted by WSC President Curt Frye on Tuesday, 9/10 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Frey Conference Suite on the WSC Campus.

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

Saturday, 9/28/2013 at Victor Park in Wayne.  Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m.  Sign up at: act.alz.org/wayne2013 or contact Cathy at cenoviso@alz.org

 INTERNET-SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY

This event is sponsored by the Community Partnership for Youth.  Come and learn to recognize the dangers which come with using social media and the internet.  Wednesday, 9/4 at 6:30pm at the Majestic Theater.

2013-14 COLLEGE STUDENT LIST

We are in the process of updating our college student list for the current academic year.  Parents or students, please contact either Ray or Jenny with any new or updated contact information.  Thanks!

AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE SUNDAY

Each year, the American Red Cross sponsors a Safe Sunday Disaster Preparedness Day.  The purpose of Safe Sunday is to provide individuals and families with information to prepare their families for a personal or community-wide disaster.  Please see the news release on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. 

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

We are on Facebook! You can “like” us at “First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska.” Tune in for the latest updates from our church.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our unchurched neighbors
• Dawn Fuelberth as she undergoes chemotherapy
• All who are battling cancer
• CrossPoint Campus Ministry and our college students

GREETERS

SEPTEMBER 2013                                                                                          

1^st – The Peterson Family                                                                 

8^th – The Hammers, J. Curtiss & J. Rees                         

15^th – The Griesses & The Marras                                                                              

22^nd – The McCorkindales                                                                             

29^th – The Sweetlands                                                                                    

OCTOBER 2013                                                                                                                     6th – The Peitz Family  

13th – P. Straight, B. Middleton, Pat & Glenda McDonald                                                 

20th – The Paiges & The Hammers

27th – The Urbanec Family                                                                                            

LECTORS

SEPTEMBER 2013                                                                             

1^st – Karen Johnson                                                                           

8^th – Greg Worner                                                                              

15^th– Mark McCorkindale                                                                  

22^nd – Judy Lindberg                                                                          

29^th – Marta Pulfer  

 OCTOBER 2013                                                                                                  

 6th – Jan Liska 

 13th – Tami Worner

 20th – Ken Marra

27th – Rachelle McCalla

ACOLYTES

SEPTEMBER 2013                                                                              

1^st – Andy Wibben                                                                             

8^th – Nina Hammer                                                                           

15^th – Emily Armstrong                                                                       

22^nd – Maddie Beair                                                                           

29^th – Shea Sweetland 

OCTOBER 2013      

6th – Gabriel Peitz  

13th – Jon Worner

 20th – Solomon Peitz

 27th – Zach Urbanec                                                  

September 2013 – First Presbyterian Church

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

                6         Anita Fuelberth

             8         Sharyn Paige

            14        Angie Nelson

            16        Marcile Uken

            18        Jordan McDonald

            19        Marilyn Murray

            21        Jared Peterson

            24        Jacob Pulfer, Misty Beair

            29        Melissa Urbanec

            30        Jared Yates, Madison Beair