Presbytidings – November 2024

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

(402) 375-2669 + http://www.fpcwayne.com

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

From the Pastor……

November, the eleventh month of the year, the month we Americans celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. This month we should pause and give thanks for the sacrifice of others as well as offer gratitude for our many blessings. Our thanks shouldn’t be limited to one day a year. As Christians our faith helps us be thankful when things go well and patient when things go against us. In his letter to the church the Apostle Paul wrote “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). The Apostle Paul notes that it is God’s will for us to be thankful “in all circumstances.” Paul isn’t saying we should be thankful for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. It is a big challenge – to look for reasons to be thankful when the going is tough. It can be hard to see God’s greater plan, to trust God and be thankful in difficulty. When things go against us it is crucial to thank God for the learning experience in front of us. Remaining patient during times of adversity allows us to retain the lesson that God is trying to teach us and be grateful that God’s hand holds us and helps us endure under the strain. 

It can be equally difficult for us to be thankful when things are going well. The very nature of human beings, even Christians, is to overlook God’s good gifts to us. Christians should reflect on everything God has placed in our lives with an emphasis on giving thanks, gratitude is never out of season. When the news and our social media feeds are full of woe, when our own lives are deeply impacted by natural disasters, illness, grief, discord in our society, war or threats of war, in these times even moments of gratitude can center us and remind us that God is with us. Psalm 46 reminds us God is our refuge and strength, that we need not fear. Let us not forget to give thanks to God, the great giver of our many and varied blessings. Take time each day to name the people, situations, and things you are grateful for, an attitude of gratitude is one of the healthiest practices we can do for ourselves physically and spiritually. 

Pastor Teresa

Prayer:

“Today we thank you God for everything you have placed in our lives. We thank you for the good and the bad. We thank you for allowing us to be patient through the bad in our life so that we may learn what it is you want us to learn from the situation. We ask that today you give us the great gift of being able to notice all of your gifts. Open our hearts to a spirit of thanksgiving we pray. Amen.”[*]

I AM THANKFUL FOR…….

Our thanks and gratitude should not be limited to one day a week. Pastor Teresa challenges the members and friends of FPC to daily count their blessings. Check out the FB page to see what Pastor is thankful for and post your own photos or messages of gratitude on our church Facebook page.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on November 10^th with Gerard Ras as the communion elder. We will celebrate Communion on December 1^st with Gail McCorkindale as the communion elder.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will meet on November 21^st in Norfolk. Worship begins at 10:00am. Pastor Teresa will attend.

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP CONTINUES ON NOVEMBER 17^th

We will meet in Fellowship Hall, coffee and refreshments will be available as desired throughout the service. We are still in need of a fellowship host for the day. This will be the last CoffeeHouse for the year.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The Session has called a congregational meeting for November 24^th. At the meeting we will elect a new class of deacons & elders and approve the terms of call for the pastor in 2024. The snow date will be December 1^st.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

The church office will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 28-29^th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

SESSION

(Please note the date change.) The Session will gather on Monday, November 18^th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall. There will be no Session Meeting in December.

PASTORAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES

Pastor Teresa will lead pastoral outreach services at the following locations throughout October:

• WAYNE COUNTRY VIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, November 17^th, and again on December 29^th beginning at 1:30pm.
• KINSHIP POINTE CHAPEL: Pastor Teresa will lead a chapel service at Kinship Pointe at 3:30pm on Wednesday, December 4^th.
• RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of December 9-13^th at 5:40am.

STEWARDSHIP REMINDER

Members and friends of the congregation should have received a year-to-date statement of giving for 2024 and a 2025 intention of giving form. If you did not receive this information please contact Anita Fuelberth.

You are asked to prayerfully review your information and return the intention of giving form to Anita Fuelberth right away. You can mail the form to Anita or drop your envelope in the offering box at church. This information is helpful to the Session in planning for 2025. Thank You for your support and dedication to FPC.

DID YOU KNOW?

            Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) have become a great way for people 70½ or older to take all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their Traditional IRA. The recent tax code changed the standard deduction for those over 65 to $26,600 for married filing jointly or $13,600 for single filers. Thus for many of us our church pledges will no longer be included in an itemized deduction. However, by making all or part of our pledge a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from the IRA custodian or trustee to the church the distribution will not be included as taxable income to the IRA owner. Qualified Charitable Distributions can also exceed one’s specific RMD amount and still not be taxed.

            While Qualified Charitable Distributions are not complex there are certain requirements and steps that should be followed so check with your tax professional.

PRAYER FOR VETERANS DAY

God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation,
who laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom…

We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war
and whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day…

We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way:
shield them from danger and bring them home, soon…

Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies
to the work of justice and a harvest of peace…

Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor!

May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us,
be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us.

Christ Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, hear our prayer!
Amen.

From – ConcordPastor.blogspot.com

Deacons Coat Giveaway a Success!

….. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

 brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’   Matthew 25:40b NIV

October 12^th the FPC Deacons hosted a coat giveaway. In total 98 coats and many accessories, such as hats, mittens, gloves, snow pants etc., were given away Saturday and throughout the following week. The Deacons were pleased to have such a good response.

The coat giveaway was a big project and the Deacons were fortunate to have the assistance of several groups. The FCCLA organization from Wayne Community Schools (WCS), Ms. Alina Surber and students, helped the Deacons move coats and racks from the basement into Fellowship Hall to set up for the event. The move to Fellowship Hall allowed more space for coats, volunteers, helpers and clients. Christa Dutcher, Spanish instructor at WCS and her students helped with Spanish translation for clients. The Deacons appreciate the assistance of KTCH in public service announcements about the event as well as the Wayne School District sending information out to families. Thanks to every individual and group who assisted in the Coat Closet giveaway in any manner and helped make it successful.

            Due to the success of the giveaway the Coat Closet stock is low. If you would like to donate we always need new children’s coats and we are in need of clean coats in good condition as well as hats, mittens and gloves for all people. The Coat Closet is one way we live into our mission as a Matthew 25 church and address the needs of people in our area.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS NEEDED

The Wayne Extension Unit of the Salvation Army will be conducting its Annual Bell Ringing Campaign beginning Friday, November 22^nd. The bell ringing campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Wayne. Bell ringers are needed for 1 or 2-hour time slots on Friday or Saturday beginning Thanksgiving weekend to December 20^th. Churches, service organizations, youth groups and others are invited to participate in the bell ringing project. The only requirements are to be friendly and welcoming, dress warmly and smile easily and say thank-you, oh yeah, a little wrist action with a bell.

Ninety percent (90%) of the funds collected in the bell ringing campaign remain in the community and assist with housing, utilities, medical, transportation and other needs of families and individuals in Wayne. In 2024 the Wayne SA Unit sponsored a back-to-school drive for school supplies for elementary children. The project was very successful and helped more than 98 children with backpacks and school supplies.

Participation in the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign is one way we can live into our commitment of being a Matthew 25 congregation; as we are reminded in Matthew 25:40; ‘… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Please see Pastor Teresa to volunteer to ring at Pac N Save or Quality Foods.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

• We will begin observing advent on the first Sunday in December, 12/1, 2024
• The Hanging of the Greens will take place after worship on November 26^th. Stick around to help decorate the interior and exterior of our building in anticipation of Christmas..
• Our Christmas Eve Service will be held at 5:30pm.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS NEEDED

Pastor Teresa is looking for couples, families or individuals who would like to assist with lighting the Advent candles during worship in December. All readings will be provided in advance. Your participation in this seasonal tradition will be appreciated. A sign-up sheet will be in Fellowship Hall or you can contact Pastor Teresa.

The dates are:

December 1^st, December 8^th, December 15^th, December 22^nd, and December 24^th

To Give Thanks…

is to remember how it feels to experience belonging,

to look long around a laden table

and be glad to claim a place among that gathered company.

To give thanks is to remember what has been-time’s bewildering recital-

and, despite so much, to look ahead with undiminished hope.

To give thanks is to recall with heartache all those absent from the assembled,

the dear departed, those, too, who never made it in the first place,

due to loss, or want, foul fortune, being born at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

To give thanks takes all that we have been, all that we are and yet might be,

and shapes it new around a fuller, richer, broader future feast.

J. Barrie Shepherd

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

               6       Brandon B.

               10     Kevin P.

               12      Mark Mc.

               13      Katherine B.

               14      Audrey H.

November 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
*9:00am Bell practice *10:00am Worship *11:00am Fellowship					1	2
3 Set your clocks back one hour   10am Worship with guest speaker, Crystal Ketelson	4	5	6	7	8	9
10   Communion	11	12	13 Pastor assisting with Presbytery business in Lincoln	14 Pastor assisting with Presbytery business in Lincoln	15 Pastor assisting with Presbytery business in Lincoln	16
17 10:00am Coffeehouse Worship   1:30pm Pastor leads chapel at CountryView	18 7:00pm Session Meeting	19	20	21 10:00am Homestead Presbytery in Norfolk	22	23
24 11:00am Congregational Meeting after Worship	25	26	27	28 Thanksgiving Day   Office Closed	29 Office closed	30

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.com; 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!

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

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

Websites:

Church: https://fpcwayne.com/

Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.com/food-pantry/

Wayne Coat Closet:

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 @ https://fpcwayne.com

*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska

FPC Online Worship Bulletins can be found at:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

FPC Account at Thrift Warehouse: #4570

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[*][*] November Monthly Devotional | God’s Protected Harbor (godsprotectedharbor.org) Accessed 11/16/2024.

Presbytidings – October 2024

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

(402) 375-2669 + http://www.fpcwayne.com

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

From the Pastor…

  We can tell from the changes in nature that summer is fading, each day the light is shortened, the temperatures drop lower overnight, even a few trees are starting to color, fall is here. The diversity and beauty of nature is a reminder of God’s creativity. From the tulips and crocus that spring up sometimes even through snow to the beautiful mums and the colorful display the trees put on in the fall, all display God’s handiwork. I enjoy working in my yard with flowers and plants, seeing the ever-changing landscape around my home over the course of the spring and summer. I find working in nature very restorative to my soul.

Sunflowers with their bright yellow heads are favorites of many people and the birds especially like the seeds from the giant sunflower heads. Did you know that a sunflower blossom will follow the sun? If a flower blossom is facing east in the morning it will follow the sun and by sunset the blossom will be facing west. Sunflowers follow the light, which reminds me of what Jesus said in the gospel of John 8:12^[*]

Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me,

and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”

Like the sunflower we need to follow the light, the “light of the World” Jesus Christ who has promised to always be with us, to never leave us. Hear the words of Isaiah 58:11 which gives us a promise-

The Lord will always guide you and provide good things to eat
    when you are in the desert. He will make you healthy.
You will be like a garden that has plenty of water
or like a stream that never runs dry.^[†]

The prophet Isaiah delivers a message of hope and assurance to the people of Israel. He speaks of the blessings that come from living in obedience to God’s Word. God is a faithful guide who will lead and protect God’s people, provide for us and that through God’s faithfulness we will thrive. The Triune God, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit–guide us in the light of love that we might have life abundant. Follow the light!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS

The Presbyterian Pealers will begin practicing on Sunday, September 29^th at 9:00am. If you are interested in joining, please talk with Jay O’Leary.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024

Sunday, October 6^th is World Communion Sunday, a day when we share the Bread of life and the Cup of salvation alongside Christians in all different traditions, around the world. The communion elder will be Mark Hammer.

PEACE & GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING TO BE RECEIVED October 6^th

Our gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering are helping our neighbors in need —

those who live next door, down the street, and across the globe.

25% of this Offering stays with our congregation to support peacemaking and reconciliation

in our own community.

25% of this Offering goes to our mid-council to join with other congregations

to support peacemaking work in our region.

50% of this Offering supports the work being done by Presbyterians across the globe.

Our neighbors need us. Please give what you can to the Peace & Global Witness Offering.

WHEN WE ALL DO A LITTLE, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT.

FPC DEACONS TO HOST COAT GIVE-AWAY: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12^TH

Saturday, October 12^th, the First Presbyterian Church Deacons will be hosting a coat give away from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Coats for all ages will be available, the selection will be limited to stock on hand. In addition to coats there is a limited selection of hats, scarves and gloves. Each “shopper” can select one coat and accessories, parents may select for their children. The event is open to all area individuals and families. The Deacons will be setting up on Friday afternoon October 11^th with help from volunteers. On October 17^th we will return the coats to the basement. If you are able to assist, please contact Pastor Teresa.  

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, when we “fall back” and gain an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour, or you’ll have plenty of time for solitary meditation in the sanctuary!

SESSION

The next session meeting will be held on Monday, October 28^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Meditations will be given by Mark Hammer.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: STEWARDSHIP 2025

      Like every organization the church has to plan for the coming year, estimate income and expenses, create a budget which leadership uses in making decisions. In the next few weeks, you will receive a mailing from the financial secretary and the Session. It is hoped as you reflect on the information you receive you will prayerfully consider your ongoing support of the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne.  Your financial support enables the ministries of the church, such as the Coat Closet, hosting the Wayne Food Pantry, supports staff, as well as worship, our music program and special events and education for all ages. Your financial support, as well as your participation are vitally important in the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church.  There is no church without U. 

I AM YOUR CHURCH BUDGET

I am your church budget…

Through me, families are launched in marriage,

persons are baptized, the young are trained in Christian character.

I provide a church school and youth activities for your children.

I provide music to enrich your worship,

and preaching and pastoral services to help you live nobly.

I heat your church building and keep them in repair for your comfort and use.

I do your custodial work.

I reach out to your community and country,

preaching, teaching, healing in Christ’s name.

I provide assistance to those who retire after years

of faithful service to God through the Church.

It is through me that the sick find spiritual strength,

the troubled and discouraged are steadied.

I go out into the wide world preaching the gospel in every language.

I carry the Word to people of every race, color and clan.

I am your Budget.

Believe in me; support me, that I may carry on in your name.

With your help I make possible all those services.

I am YOU at work.

But I do need your help and support.  

Without your pledges to undergird me, I am helpless.

Your pledges are my foundation, my supporting walls. 

I am your money, your prayers, your concern translated into action.

I can only do what you, through your pledges, make it possible for me to do.

All things through me are possible.

                                       …from Celtic Cross Comment

PASTORAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES

Pastor Teresa will lead pastoral outreach services at the following locations throughout October:

• WAYNE COUNTRY VIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, October 6^th beginning at 1:30pm.
• KINSHIP POINTE CHAPEL: Pastor Teresa will lead a chapel service at Kinship Pointe at 3:30pm on Wednesday, October 23^rd.
• RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of October 28^th – November 1^st at 5:40am.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER AT FPC

• CoffeeHouse will be October 20^th, Jeryl Nelson will lead the discussion. Fellowship host(s) are still needed.
• The November CoffeeHouse will be held on 11/17. A discussion leader and fellowship hosts are still needed.
• Join a friend or family member for a team approach. Please sign up in Fellowship Hall or contact Pastor Teresa. Consider sharing the gift of hospitality.
• Greeters & lectors are needed. Please volunteer or say “yes” when asked.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN FALL GATHERING 2024

Homestead Presbyterian Women invite you to Homestead Fall Gathering via Zoom.

Topic:  Homestead PW Fall Gathering 

Time: Oct 5, 2024 09:15 AM Central Time 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87972557103?pwd=3kzGorTN99BRl52VUUKgSmGknhannV.1

Meeting ID: 879 7255 7103

Passcode: 183857

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN THANK OFFERING RECIPIENT HIGHLIGHT

            Annually Presbyterian Women of the PCUSA give grants to various agencies and organizations which are making a difference in their community. The Thank Offering is one of Presbyterian Women’s two offerings. Received in the fall each year, it gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. Thank Offering grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. At least 40 percent of the offering funds health ministries.

      One recipient of the 2024 PW Thank offering was in the non-geographical Dakota Presbytery within the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. The program, Welcoming of the Child, is administered through Waniyetu Consulting. The agency received $18,000.00 from Presbyterian Women for new mothers on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.      

      Waniyetu Consulting empowers young mothers by providing teaching and direction for their role as a parent. This grant will fund a program to bring back the Welcoming of the Baby ceremony, one of the oldest and most significant ceremonies in Lakota culture. During the Oglala Lakota ceremony, new mothers are taught the traditions of protecting the baby’s fontanel (soft spot) from harm or sickness and the sacred connection to walking in balance. This ceremony celebrates the birth and provides an opportunity to teach parenting skills such as nutrition, nurturing baby care and healthy relationships. A Lakota elder is invited to speak about their traditions, which connects the generations and provides important lessons on motherhood and the sacredness of caring for the child.

      Grant requests come from a variety of national and international sources, such as PC(USA) governing bodies, health agencies, overseas churches, ecumenical councils, community groups, educational institutions and church-related groups. Each project must meet the criteria outlined in the grant application.

PASTOR’S VACATION

• Pastor Teresa will be taking time off Friday, October 18^th – Monday, October 21^st.
• Pastor Teresa will also be away on vacation Tuesday October 29^th – Monday, November 4^th., Please contact the office if you have pastoral needs.

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 J.

8          John F.

10        Brook B.

18        Ronald C.

20        Braydn McC.

21        Rob S.

SPECIAL DAYS/EMPHASIS SUNDAYS THROUGH OCTOBER

• Mental Illness Awareness Week begins (Oct. 1, 2024)
• World Communion Sunday; Peace & Global Witness Offering (Oct. 6, 2024)
• Indigenous Peoples Day (Oct. 14, 2024)
• Children’s Sabbath; Educate a Child, Transform the World (Oct. 20, 2024)
• World Food Day (Oct. 16, 2024)
• Young Adult Volunteer Program (Oct. 21, 2024)
• United Nations Day (Oct. 24, 2024)
• Reformation Sunday (Oct. 27, 2024)

October 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		1	2	3	4 5:00pm Clarinet Ensemble practice	5 PW Fall Gathering in Lincoln
6 9:00am Pealers practice   World Communion Day   1:30 Pastor leads Country View Chapel	7	8	9   10:30am WACAM Mtg.	10	11 3:45 FCCLA moves coats   5:00pm Clarinet Ensemble practice	12 10:00-1:00am Coat Closet Coat Fair
13 9:00am Pealers practice   10:00am Worship with Baptism (Story family)	14	15	16	17	18 Pastor on vacation   5:00pm Clarinet Ensemble practice	19 Pastor on vacation
20 10:00am Coffee House Worship   Pastor on vacation	21	22	23 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel	24	25 5:00pm Clarinet Ensemble practice	26
27 9:00am Pealers practice	28 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   7:00pm Session	29 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   Pastor on vacation	30 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   Pastor on vacation	30 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   Pastor on vacation	Nov. 1 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   Pastor on vacation	Nov. 2 Pastor on vacation

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.com; 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!

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

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

Websites:

Church: https://fpcwayne.com/

Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.com/food-pantry/

Wayne Coat Closet:

Wayne Coat Closet

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne Food Pantry – Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne Coat Closet – First Presbyterian Church

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[*] John 8:12 Contemporary English Version.

[†] Isaiah 58:11 Contemporary English Version

Presbytidings–September 2024

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

From the Pastor…..

“Do everything in Love.”

(1^st Corinthians 16:14)

The word love appears in the Bible hundreds of times and while it’s not the most used word in the Bible, love is one of the central themes of God’s Word. In the language of the New Testament, koine Greek, there are multiple words used for various types of love, such as agape: brotherly love, charity, the love of God for person and of person for God, eros: sexual passion, carnal love,philia: affectionate regard, friendship, usually between equals, storge: love, affection, especially of parents and children. In the English language however, there is only one word for love, so context drives the type of love being referenced in a passage. In various Biblical translations the word love appears with different frequency because of varying theories about translation.

     Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians contains a familiar Bible passage which is often used at weddings and is a description of love and charge to a couple. The passage comes from chapter 13:4-8a: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails.” Love does require all those characteristics Paul describes as well as more in individuals and communities.

“Do everything in Love” (1^st Corinthians 16:14) was the theme of a recent conference I attended where a number of wonderful speakers expounded on the theme. Rev. Cindy Kohlman challenged participants with her comments entitled, “What’s Love Got to do with it?” Kohlman linked her comments with the Tina Turer song and its words, “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” Kohlman reminded participants that often it’s God’s people who break God’s heart. We sing praises for the forgiveness of sins, remind ourselves of God’s grace and then hold onto those gifts Kohlmann said “….as  if we have a right to decide who in inside and who is outside God’s boundless mercy.” 

Love can be a powerful emotion leading to deep attachment and commitment to another person, love can also motivate one to act on behalf of others. Love is not always easy, 1 John 4:19-21 NIV helps us understand how to love one another;  ^“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  Too often we claim God’s love for ourselves and deny God’s love to others.

Jesus showed us how to love, to be open and welcoming of all people. Love should be hospitable, generous, helping others meet their basic needs. Our hearts need to be broken open to share love with all God’s children. In Matthew 25:40, the passage often called the sheep and the goats, Jesus said “ …. Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Love can be quiet and unassuming in caring for another, perhaps sharing a meal together or offering a quiet place of peace and restoration. Love may also be sharing God’s love through music and one’s personal testimony about God’s love changing their life. Love also requires us to care for ourselves in order to love our neighbors.

Love sometimes must be bold and courageous, like Queen Esther who spoke up and saved her people from annihilation (Esther, Chapters 4-9). Love may call us to action to work and speak out for justice, equity, peace, and diversity in the world. Love is multi-faceted, love unites us, helps shape and mold communities.

The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency reminded the gathering participants that we are called to be disciples who “re-present” Christ, we are to display love with skin on and do all things in love.Moffett said, “How we treat one another matters to God and marks our witness… Doing all things in love means that wherever you go and whatever you do, people sense the love of God on you.”  May our hearts be broken open in love, that we may act with compassion, charity, hospitality, courage in working for justice, diversity, equality, and peace. May all we do be done in love for God and God’s family.

– Pastor Teresa

COMMUNION

• There will be no communion for the month of September. We will celebrate World Communion on Sunday, October 6^th.

SUNDAE SUNDAY!

Join us as we begin the new church year on Sunday, September 8^th. Sunday School will resume and following the service we will have ice cream and toppings during our traditional SUNDAE SUNDAY fellowship! See you there!

COFFEEHOUSE

We are looking for CoffeeHouse discussion leaders and fellowship hosts for September, October and November. Consider joining a friend or family member for a team approach. Many hands make light work! Please see Jane O’Leary or Pastor Teresa if you can help out by filling these roles.

SESSION MEETINGS

• Monday, September 23^rd, at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.

PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS

The Presbyterian Pealers Bell Choir begin again this fall. If you are a former member, please join us again. If you have not played before and would like to try, please join us. All are welcome, and if you have a friend who would like to play, they are also welcome and encouraged. If you have questions, please contact Jay O’Leary at drjayoleary@gmail.com

QUILTS OF VALOR

Jay O’Leary (Army) was recently honored with a Quilt of Valor during Henoween in July. We offer our thanks for his years of service to our country.

Please contact Imogene Brasch at 402-369-0742 if you know of someone who would qualify to receive a Quilt of Valor. The mission at the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

THANKS A MILLION!

• Thank you to the Galles Family who mowed the church lawn this summer. Thank you also to those who planted flowers and trimmed bushes, plants and trees. Your gifts of time have made sure the church grounds were looking nice for Sunday as well as for other church and community events. Thank-you to each one who gave of their time.
• Thank you to all those who contributed to our flood relief offering for Sioux City and northwest Iowa. The special offering came to $547. 00 and will go to Siouxland Recovery Fund for Flood Relief. You can read more about their efforts at this website – Siouxland Recovery Fund | United Way of Siouxland (unitedwaysiouxland.com
• Thank you to Gerard & Ronda Ras, Kent & Jodi Pulfer, Jeryl & Rochelle Nelson and Mark & Gail McCorkindale who opened their homes and shared their culinary skills for the progressive dinner on Sunday evening 8/25! It was hot but the food and fellowship were wonderful. Thanks also for the donation of $110.00 for the backpack program. Thanks to Gail for organizing and to each host household.
• Thank you so much to everyone who assisted in setting up for and serve the Nissen funeral lunch. The family was very appreciative of your help and support. Thank you for your ministry of hospitality.

When is the next electronics recycling event?

The Wayne Green Team will host our annual electronics recycling event on Saturday, September 14, 2024, 8-10am. The event will take place in our usual spot at eastbound 3^rd Street between Lincoln and Pearl, next to City Hall and the Auditorium. Suggested donation of $10/household, $50/business load of reasonable size. Fees of $5/monitor and $10/TV (no charge for flatscreens), and $15/microwave.

For a detailed list of what’s accepted, see https://www.cityofwayne.org/594/Electronics.

For more details go to Electronics | Wayne, NE – Official Website (cityofwayne.org)

Sowing the seeds of peace.

ZECHARIAH 8:12

Peace and Global Witness offering to be collected on World Communion Sunday, October 6th.

       The prophet Zechariah casts a vision for peace. He shows forth a world where each person lives without enmity, fear and destruction. On World Communion Sunday, we celebrate that Christ’s peace extends throughout all creation. Whenever the church gathers for worship, we are assured of Christ’s peace. We celebrate that we are connected, we are loved and we are not alone. We worship together and are fed from Scripture and at Christ’s table of peace. Extending the peace of Christ is part of an active, engaged faith—a witness to what it means for us to be the Church, together. 

       Through participation in the Peace & Global Witness Offering, our church is extending Christ’s peace throughout our community and our world. We begin at the communion table, with our siblings in every time and place, and we celebrate the peace we find there and commit to building a more just and peaceful world. God is with us … and God in Christ is with us through the Sacrament of Communion, celebrated on World Communion Sunday. We are not alone. Peace begins with each of us.

QUICK FACTS

• Since 1940, World Communion Sunday is an ecumenical celebration of our oneness in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, bringing churches together in Christian unity.

• This year marks the 40th anniversary of Peacemaking: The Believers Calling approved by the 192nd General Assembly (1980).

• World Communion Sunday (October 6) is the most common Sunday for receiving the Offering, but many congregations promote the Offering throughout A Season of Peace (September 8 – October 6).

• 25% of the Offering stays with local congregations, and 25% with mid councils to unite congregations to support peacemaking in their regions. See page 5 for examples of how others have used their retained funds.

       • 50% of this Offering supports the work for peace and reconciliation being done by Presbyterians across the globe. 4 pcusa.org/peace-global

SEPTEMBER 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00 in-person or via Zoom Fellowship 11:00
1 No communion	2	3	4	5	6	7
8   No communion	9 9:30am Wayne County Family Coalition	10	11 10:30 WACAM 3:30 Kinship Pointe Chapel	12	13	14 8:00-10:00am Electronics Recycling
15   CoffeeHouse Worship	16 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	17 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	18 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	19 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	20 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	21
22	23 7:00 Session Meeting	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

                                    6          Anita F.

                                    8          Sharyn P.

            24        Misty B.

            30        Madison B.

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 ONLINE WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/fpcwayne/

YouTube: First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

Our web page: https://fpcwayne.com/media/

Worship Bulletins may be found at:https://fpcwayne.com/fpc-wayne-worship-bulletins/

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

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Presbytidings – July/August 2024

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….

^“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”    Psalm 139:14

What fills you with awe, wonder, amazement? 

Watching the ocean waves break across the sand.

Hiking in the Grand Canyon or in the Rocky Mountains.

A clear night sky filled with stars.

The first firefly.

Holding a newborn baby.

The intricacy of a spiderweb – delicate yet strong.

The miracle of the transformation of a seed of corn

into a 6-to 7-foot-tall plant bearing several ears of corn.

The power of nature whether floods, tornados or windstorms.

The raw power and intricate wisdom and beauty we see in creation arouses our senses of wonder and awe. Music and art can also inspire us. Think of an opera by Verdi or a beautiful painting by Monet. The world is full of wonderful and beautiful things.

Psalm 139 is attributed to King David, a prayer, an acknowledgement, of Gods Omnipresence – God is everywhere, God’s omniscience – God is all knowing. Psalm 139 reminds us God knows us – verse 13 says “For you created my innermost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb” God knows our thought our words our actions, inwardly and outwardly God knows us. Verse 3 says “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

We are purposefully made – Psalm 139:14 says – I praise you because I am fearfully made.”  Each of us is gifted with skills and abilities, interests and desires. Our purpose is to use our talents and abilities to bring glory to God, to care for each other and God’s creation.

We so often run from our abilities, failing to share the gifts and talents God has given us, and fall into sin. By God’s grace Jesus came to rescue, remake, ransom us from sin.

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV). We have no righteousness of our own, it is our Savior’ righteousness which covers us. Jesus’ righteousness belongs to all who believe his promises are true.  

Our creator is the source of all wisdom of all beauty, all truth and goodness. We know what justice is because God is just, we know what goodness is because our Creator is fully, entirely, steadfastly good. In contrast to God, who is all good, all powerful, always just, we human beings are not all good, all powerful or all just, often we are petty, selfish and mean. Yet we are extended grace, Isaiah 43:1 says ”…Now says the Lord, he who created you…”Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” What wonderful assurance that we are named and claimed by the very one who created the heavens and the earth, the one who set the sun and the moon in their places and knows everything about us, even the hard to love traits and loves us still. The knowledge of our Triune God’s grace, love and mercy should fill us at all times with awe, wonder and amazement. 

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

SPECIAL OFFERING FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN SIOUXLAND – June 30^th & July 7^th

At the June meeting the Session decided to receive an offering for flood relief for Sioux City and northwest Iowa regions affected by the recent flooding. The damage is tremendous and will take many months, perhaps years for people to rebuild. The initial offering will go to Siouxland Recovery Fund. You can read more about their efforts at this website – Siouxland Recovery Fund | United Way of Siouxland (unitedwaysiouxland.com) Presbyterian Disaster Funds are starting to be distributed in the area and we will watch for additional opportunities to give or volunteer in the coming days. 

SAVE THE DATE:

PRESBYTERIAN PROGRESSIVE DINNER PARTY: AUGUST 25^t

Plan to join your church family (and bring a friend!) Sunday August 25th at 5:30 for a progressive dinner. The evening will commence at 5:30 PM for appetizers at the home of Gerard and Ronda Ras. We will then mosey to the home of Kent and Jodi Pulfer for salad followed by the entrée at Jeryl and Rochelle Nelson’s home. The evening will conclude with dessert at the home of Mark and Gail McCorkindale. There will be a free-will donation to conclude the evening which will benefit the Wayne Backpack Program. We will respectfully request that participants silence or turn off their cell phones to fully enjoy Christian fellowship.

*RSVP to fpcwayne@gmail.com

OSLC-FPC GOLF OUTING

The annual golf outing with folks from Our Savior Lutheran Church is in the planning stages. The August date and details will be shared at a later time.

4^th OF JULY OFFICE CLOSURE

The FPC Office and Wayne Food Pantry will be open on Monday, July 1^st and closed on Thursday, July 4^th and Friday, July 5^th.

SUMMER COMMUNION DATES

• No communion for the month of July 2024.
• Sunday, August 4^th. Communion Elder, John Fuelberth.

COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES

Pastor Teresa will lead chapel services at the following locations through the summer:

• COUNTRY VIEW CHAPEL Pastor will lead Country View chapel on Sunday, July 14^th at 1:30pm.
  • Pastor will also lead Country View chapel on Sunday, August 25^th at 1:30pm.
• RADIO DEVOTIONS Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of August 5^th – 9^th at 5:40am.
• KINSHIP POINTE CHAPEL Please join Pastor Teresa as she leads chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, July 31^st at 3:30pm.

Runza and Wayne Salvation Army Unit join forces for “Christmas in July” Fundraiser

The Wayne Salvation Army unit is pleased to be working with our local Runza on a “Christmas in July” event said chairperson, Pastor Teresa Bartlett. Tuesday, July 16^th between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Runza will donate 15% of their sales to the Wayne Salvation Army Unit. The focus of this fundraiser is supporting the Wayne Salvation Army’s school supply give away event to be held on August 12^th.  Join us in any manner; eat in, drive through or carry out and help us meet the needs of Wayne students.

The Salvation Army reinvests donations raised from fundraising such as the seasonal Red Kettle Campaign into the community through various projects such as the Back-to-School project. The Salvation Army Unit also receives support from the Wayne Community Chest. Volunteers are always welcome if you are interested in helping please contact chair, Pastor Teresa Bartlett 402.375.2669.  

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP DATES

CoffeeHouse Worship continues this summer on the following dates:

• July 21^st at 10:00am – Jane O’Leary will lead the discussion, a host is still needed.
• August 20^th at 10:00am – Discussion and Fellowship hosts are needed.

STAFF VACATIONS & TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE

• Pastor Teresa will be out on vacation Wednesday, August 7^th – Monday, August 12^th.
• Jenny will be out Tuesday, August 6^th – Friday, August 9^th.
• The FPC Office and Wayne Food Pantry will be closed August 7 – 9^th.
• If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please check the church website for contact info.

SESSION MEETINGS

• There will be no session meeting in July.
• The next session meeting will be held on Monday, August 26^h, at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY MEETING

The Homestead Presbytery will meet at Calvin Crest on Saturday, August 17^th.

CALVIN CREST FAMILY FUN DAY – August 24th, 2024

Calvin Crest’s Fun Day on Saturday, August 24th is perfect for families, friends, children, adults, community members and grandparents!  The event offers activities for all ages including music, games, hikes, crafts, food and fellowship. 

You can find more information at https://calvincrest.org/familyfunday/

FOOD PANTRY & BACKPACK NEWS 2024

The food pantry has served over 112 requests so far this year. The Backpack Program distributed approximately 4,500 food bags in the 2023/24 academic year. We serve the Wayne Community Schools, St. Mary’s and Tower Schools. The program continues this summer. We appreciate donations such as individually wrapped packages of nutritious food & snacks or financial donations. Contact Jodi Pulfer or Jenny Hammer at the church office: fpcwayne@gmail.com or (402)375-2669 for more details.

Jon Worner is currently at basic training for the National Guard, and he would like to receive some correspondence. He will be done August 1^st. Someone will probably read what you write.  If you would like to send Jon a note, please contact the church office for his address. Do not send food.

July 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship11:00 Fellowship	1 Church office & Food Pantry open	2	3	4 Church office & Food Pantry Closed	5 Church office & Food Pantry Closed	6
7 No communion	8	9	10	11	12	13
14 1:30pm + CountryView Chapel	15 9:30am + Wayne Family Coalition	16  5-8:00pm Runza supports Salvation Army	17	18	19	20
21 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel

July Birthdays

                        10        Shea S.

                        21        Josephine P.

            24        Mark H.

            29        Marta P.

August 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1	2	3
4 10:00am + Communion	5 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	6 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	7 Church office & Food Pantry Closed   5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	8 Church office & Food Pantry Closed   5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	9 Church office & Food Pantry Closed   5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	10
11	12 8:30am All day Salvation Army set-up & give away school supplies (4:30-7:30pm)	13	14 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel	15	16	17 Homestead Presbytery Meeting @ Calvin Crest
18 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship	19	20	21	22	23	24
25 1:30pm Country View Chapel 5:30 Progressive Dinner	26 7:00pm Session	27	28	29	30	31

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

                                                2          Gordon G.

                                                3          Ken M.

                                                8          Nina S.

            27        Milton O.

            30        Layne H.

FPC WORSHIP SERVICE LIVE AND RECORDED:

This summer you can take us with you wherever you are!

            Zoom: (This option is a live broadcast.) Check your email for an invitation from Pastor Teresa.

Facebook: @ First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

Website: fpcwayne.com

YouTube: @ fpc of Wayne Nebraska

Check it out!

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.org/

Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.org/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)

GET OUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL

If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail, go to www.fpcwayne.com; 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.” 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!

Presbytidings – May/June 2024

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.”

…And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

—Ephesians 4:23

From the Pastor…..

 The signs of spring’s arrival are promising! The first tulips at my house blossomed in spite of strong wind, rain and even hail. Other tulips and phlox are responding to the warmer days and nights and beginning to open. The flowering trees on the west side of the church are putting on quite a show and their fragrance is wonderful. When I wake in the morning I hear the sound of birds chirping. Plants and shrubs have begun arriving at area stores and garden centers. The sights and sounds of spring usher in new life as winter is ushered out. Spring always arrives in God’s perfect timing.

I came across the following devotion written by Sue Monk Kidd on the Guideposts website (Renew Your Spirit This Spring (guideposts.org). I can identify with Monk’s feelings. Spring is a time of renewal for the earth and our spirits.  

Sue Monk Kidd wrote, “Today I woke up with a restless feeling pulsing inside. I want to dig in the dirt and make something grow. I want to clean out my closets and paint the bedrooms and chase butterflies. I am full of stirrings and longings born sometime during the night. Every year about this time, it happens to me. Somewhere between the last breath of winter and the first green leaf, I contract “spring fever.”

Suddenly I am struck by a thought. Could spring fever actually be a spiritual phenomenon? Could my hunger to grow a flower, redecorate the house and follow the flight of a newly resurrected butterfly actually be a sign of some deeper need? Could it really be a hunger for my own growth and resurrection?

I begin to hear God speaking to me, showing me how insular, barren and static my spiritual life became through the cold winter. My prayers are frozen like the January ground and my commitment seems unfocused and neglected like a cluttered closet.

So, I decide. Yes…I will go and plant seeds in the earth…follow a butterfly…and clean my closets. But I will also take time to cultivate the “spring” burgeoning within my spirit. Beginning now.”

May each of us also experience a rebirth of our spirit during this season of renewal and new growth.

Blessings,

Pastor Teresa

Creator God, there is something wonderful stirring deep within the cocoon

 in which I have wrapped myself—unfurl new life in me.

GRADUATION SUNDAY – MAY 5^th

• Join us on Sunday, May 5^th as we recognize our FPC senior graduate Nina Hammer, who will be graduating from Wayne High School. Nina will attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in Animal Science. Following the service, there will be a time of fellowship. All are welcome!
• Congratulations to our other graduates:
  • Gabriel Peitz graduating from Wayne State College on May 4^th with a major in Chemistry – Health Science and a minor in Biology. He will be attending UNMC School of Pharmacy this fall.
  • Marta Pulfer will graduate from Texas A&M University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on May 8^th. She will work at a dairy veterinary practice in Maricopa, AZ.
  • Shea Sweetland will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business and Sports Management (dual majors) from Wayne State College on May 4^th. He is actively seeking employment.
  • Sarah Wibben will graduate on May 17^th with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from UNL. She hopes to find a job as an elementary choir teacher. She continues to teach students voice lessons in Lincoln this summer.
  • Andy Wibben will graduate from Wayne High in May and plans to attend WSC in the fall of 2024 to study Math. He plans to become a math teacher. He will be joining Ethan as a roommate and bandmate.

MOTHER’S DAY – MAY 12, 2024

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 5^th at 10:00am (Communion elder, Mark Hammer)
• Sunday, June 2^nd at 10:00am (Communion Elder, John Fuelberth)

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP

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

• Sunday, May 19^th at 10:00am.
• Sunday, June 16^th at 10:00am.
• We are in need of a discussion leaders, contact Jane O’Leary or Pastor Teresa if you are interested. We also need someone to volunteer as fellowship host for May and June.

SESSION MEETINGS

• The Session will be meeting on May 20^th at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The meeting will be a week early due to Memorial Day.
• The Session will meet on June 24^th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES

• Radio Devotions: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH Monday, May 13^th – Friday, May 17^th at 5:40am.
• Kinship Pointe: Pastor will lead chapel at Kinship Pointe on Wednesday, May 8^h at 3:30pm, and again on Wednesday, June 19^th at 3:30pm.
• Wayne Country View Chapel: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, June 2^nd at 1:30pm.
• Word in Faith Column: Pastor’s column in the Wayne Herald will appear on Thursday, June 20^th.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY MEETING

May 16^th, 2024

Beginning at 10:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Fairbury, NE

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 19^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.

Scholarships are available for FPC Men to attend

the Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest May 17-18th, 2024.

The Session at its March meeting set aside funds from our Presbyterian Foundation Funds for scholarships for this educational and inspirational event. Read the details below.  Depending on the number of applicants the scholarship will pay for the full registration fee for up to nine men to attend the event.  Please contact Pastor Teresa if you are interested in attending. The number of single rooms is limited so if you are interested please contact Pastor Teresa as soon as possible.                                    

Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest Conference & Retreat Center

May 17^th to 18^th, 2024

            Spend a little time focusing on the things that matter most. Your faith will be encouraged throughout the event. Great music by a world-renowned artist, excellent hospitality, tasty food and an encouraging and challenging speaker will help you become a better person.

            This overnight retreat is hosted by Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, located just outside of Fremont, Nebraska.

Location Information

• Date and Time: May 17th 2024 at 4:30 PM CDT
• Location Name: Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
• Address: 2870 COUNTY ROAD 13, FREMONT, NE, 68025-7951 US
• Directions: Google, Bing, MapQuest

Speaker, Rev. J.D. Georlett

            Rev. J.D. Georlett is the Senior Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska and has filled that role since 2016. With theological education from Fuller Theological Seminary and Dubuque Theological Seminary, he has over 20 years of pastoral experience. He [reaches and teaches with humor and passion, and with the Bible always at the center of his ministry and believes that the Christian Church exists for the purpose of raising up and training disciples of Jesus Christ.

            J.D. is married to Laura and together they have three children. He loves to golf, read and bake the best cinnamon rolls in the entire world. You will be challenged and encouraged by what J.D. has to share from the Bible and his experience.

Musician, Bob Bennett

            Award winning musician, Bob Bennett will be the retreat’s song leader and will also perform an acoustic coffeehouse concert Friday night at 9:30pm for retreat participants. His “Matters of the Heart” album was named Contemporary Christian Music Magazine’s 1982 “Album of the Year”, and his songs are an important legacy of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and ‘80s. He has recorded with Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Billy Crokeett. When asked if he had been to Nebraska previously, Bob replied, “I think I was in Omaha on a tour with Amy Grant and Michael Card.” We are excited to have him make a return trip.

            On his website, Bob says, “I think that accomplishing some sort of ministry by playing music is a completely faulty, frail method that God still manages to use. My primary goal is to communicate truthfully with people. If I can communicate truthfully the life of the Spirit and the always-accompanying struggle along the way, then ministry happens as a natural result of that. If something deep and profound happens, I’m as amazed and grateful as anyone else!”

            Many examples of bob’s music can be found on YouTube. Bob hosts a weekly live Facebook  stream of songs and requests that began as a response to Covid performing restriction. We are certain Bob’s music will teach, inspire and lift our spirits throughout the weekend.

Registration

            There are plenty of registration options available. Single, Double and Triple Occupancy rates in the Proett Conference Center (limited space), Cabin Occupancy, Commuter rate and the option to use the Commuter rate with finding your own accommodations at a hotel in Fremont.

            In order to ensure available space, you will pre-register with payment. When Calvin Crest confirms availability of your desired room, your card will be charged and you will receive a confirmation.

Registration Options*

• Single Occupancy ($154.00)

            Limited Availability: Single room in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.

• Double Occupancy ($114.00)

            Limited Availability: Double Occupancy Room (2 beds) in the Proett Conference Center and     includes three meals and program fees.

• Triple Occupancy ($89.00)

            Limited Availability: Triple Occupancy Room (3 single beds) in the Proett Conference Center            and includes three meals and program fees.

• Cabin Occupancy ($59.00)

            Stay in climate controlled cabins with indoor bathrooms, 4 inch foam mattresses on bunk             beds. Bring your own bedding and towels. We will fill cabins with other registrants. Includes         three meals and program fees.

• Commuter ($39.00)    

  Drive in for the event. Includes three meals and the program fees.

For more information- phone: 402.628.6455
toll free: 877.795.7635
fax: 402.628.8255
email: calvincrest@calvincrest.org

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 Jenny or Pastor Teresa for an application.

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 21-26, 2024.  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

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CHURCHWIDE GATHERING

Learn more about the PW Churchwide Gathering at   

Home (2024pwcwg.org)      

LAWN MOWING

We thank the Galles family for volunteering to mow the church lawn this summer. Hurray!

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. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon. 

May 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: Worship 10:00Fellowship 11:00			1	2	3	4
5 10:00am Worship with Communion & Graduation Reception	6	7	8 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel	9	10	11
12	13 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 9:30am Wayne Family Coalition Meeting	14 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	15 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	16 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living   10:00am Homestead Presbytery in Fairbury	17 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	18
19 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship – Pentecost Offering	20 7:00pm Session Meeting	21	22	23	24	25
26	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 and Jane O., Taytum S.

24        Gail Mc.

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 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: 10:00 Worship11:00 Fellowship						1
2 +Communion   1:30pm Country View Chapel	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12 10:30 Pastor at WACAM	13	14	15
16 CoffeeHouse Worship   * Father’s Day	17	18	19 3:30 Kinship Pointe Chapel	20 Pastor’s “Word in Faith” column runs	21	22
23	24 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 7:00pm Session Meeting	25 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	26 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	27 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	28 *5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	29
30

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

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!

Presbytidings – April 2024

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

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25  NIV

Showing up for Church

Where is your car on Sunday mornings between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.? A drive around the community might reveal a number of cars at the local fast food restaurant getting breakfast. There might be a number of cars at the local golf club or sports arena where families gather to encourage a child and their team. You might find a number of cars still parked in the garage with the family enjoying a leisurely breakfast or reading the paper with a second cup of coffee. A drive around town will also find a number of cars at area churches. Where is your car on Sunday morning in the garage, out for fun and adventure or in front of your church?

It is easy to be distracted by all the choices we have on Sunday morning from a time of quiet at home, sleeping in, to the draw of a fast-food breakfast on the way to support the events of our children and grandchildren. 

Recently I read an article by Yolanda Pierce in The Christian Century magazine (March 2024) who was frank about the challenges of showing up for church. She said in print what we might often think such as there are Sundays when it seems going to  church is just one more thing on the to do list. There are plenty of Sundays when the announcements seem to take too long. Sundays when the message just goes over our head or puts us to sleep. There are Sundays when we don’t get to sing our favorite hymns. Okay that may all be true, but worship isn’t about us it is about offering praise to God, about showing up to meet God, our God is the God of the unexpected.

We just celebrated Easter and the resurrection of Christ. The disciples certainly didn’t expect Jesus to show up in their midst, but he did. Jesus showed up in the garden to Mary, in the upper room to Thomas and the disciples, he showed up on the road to Emmaus and on the beach with breakfast in Galilee. Our Triune God seeks to show up for us in unexpected ways especially when God’s people are gathered together.

In her article Pierce recounted how God showed up at church through a woman whose name she didn’t know. Pierce writes “A creature of habit, I often sit in the same pew, as do many others in my church. I had seen her many times before; we had shared a hug and passed the peace on multiple occasions. As I arrived at my familiar pew after a few Sundays of being on the road for work, this woman leans over to me and says, “I missed your smile for the past few weeks. I want you to know I’m, praying for you and miss you when you’re gone.” Pierce said “Tears welled in my eyes. The service hadn’t started. The praise and worship team hadn’t sung a single note, nor had the pastor even arrived in the pulpit. But surely God was present in that moment of deep human connection. She saw me, and she reminded me that God sees me.”

Sometimes God shows up in the passing of the peace as we share a firm handshake or a hug. Sometimes God shows up in fellowship following worship as we share around the table. Sometimes God shows up in the face of a toddler who is enthusiastically greeting everyone she sees. There are many ways to encounter God when we show up at church on a Sunday morning and many happen before the sermon has begun. God can speak to you through the Scripture and the pastor’s message, the songs of the service. God might just as easily speak to you through the person sitting next to you who hands you a mint when you get a tickle in your throat.

Not every Sunday will bring some new revelation or insight. Not every Sunday will provide a transformative change in one’s life. Not every Sunday will soothe our fears or calm our souls. Yet the effect of worship with God’s people is cumulative, like eating.  We may not get our favorite food at every meal; we may not remember every meal we’ve eaten but through our lives every meal is important to our health and wellbeing. We can experience in the context of a meal with family, fellowship, community, joy, celebration and sorrow.  The many stories of Jesus breaking bread with people speaks to the importance of physical and spiritual nourishment.

 The author the Hebrews reminds us that we should not neglect meeting together, to assemble together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). Each Sunday one can experience joy in the simple pleasure of being present with the people of God, showing up to worship and praise God. Pierce closed her article with this statement, “May we show up for each other with the same consistency and faithfulness with which God shows up for us.” 

Post COVID many churches offer an opportunity to worship via technology, sometimes that is necessary, however if you  stay home in your pajamas and drink coffee, you won’t see that cute toddler greeting everyone, or be able to grasp the hand of your neighbor as you share the peace of Christ. From your sofa you can’t tell someone how much you’ve missed them or congratulate that young person on their most recent achievement from academic Honor Roll or helping their team get a chance at a state championship.

Pierce wrote in her article “We are often so busy expecting the word of God to come from the pastor that we miss how God’s presence arrives in other forms.” Our God is the God of the unexpected and the Spirit is likely to move in a variety of ways in worship as we are present together, as we pray together, sing together, hear God’s Word together.

The church is open 52 Sundays a year so next Sunday, get the car out of the garage, head toward your church, bring the family, come in. When we show up to worship we’re likely to encounter God in the midst of God’s people.  See you on Sunday.

– Pastor Teresa

COMMUNITY CHAPEL SERVICES

• RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of April 1^st – 5^th at 5:40am.
• COUNTRY VIEW: Pastor will lead chapel at Wayne Country View on Sunday, April 21^st at 1:30pm.

FPC COMMUNION CALENDAR

• Sunday, April 7^th at 10:00am. The communion elder will be Gail McCorkindale.
• Sunday, May 5^th at 10:00am. The communion elder will be Mark Hammer.

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP – APRIL 21^st

The next CoffeeHouse Worship will be held on Sunday, April 21^st at 10:00am. Karen Johnson will lead the discussion. We are looking for a fellowship host.

SESSION

The Session will meet Monday, April 22^nd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

RUNZA FEEDS THE NEED

Our local Runza Restaurant is hosting a special fund-raiser for the Wayne Food Pantry & Backpack Program on Tuesday, April 23^rd. Jodi Pulfer will be representing the Wayne Food Pantry for an interview with KTCH announcer Aaron Scheffler during the 11:00am hour. Please support us by making plans to pick up Runza for lunch or dinner that day!

GRADUATION SUNDAY – MAY 5^th

• Join us on Sunday, May 5^th as we recognize our FPC senior graduate Nina Hammer, who will be graduating from Wayne High School. Nina hopes to attend Iowa State University and pursue a degree in Animal Science. Following the service, there will be a time of fellowship. All are welcome!
• Congratulations to our other graduates:
  • Gabriel Peitz graduating from Wayne State College with a degree in Chemistry Health Science. He is planning on moving to Omaha and working on a degree in pharmacy medicine.
  • Marta Pulfer will graduate from Texas A&M University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on May 8^th. She will work at a dairy veterinary practice in Maricopa, Arizona.
  • Shea Sweetland will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Business and Sports Management (dual majors) from Wayne State College on May 4^th. He is actively seeking employment.
  • Sarah Wibben will graduate on May 17^th with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from UNL. She hopes to get a job for the fall as a elementary choir teacher. She is continuing to teach students voice lessons in Lincoln into the summer.
  • Andy Wibben will graduate from Wayne High in May and plans to attend WSC in the fall of 2024 to study Math. He plans to become a math teacher. He will be joining Ethan as a roommate and bandmate.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CHURCHWIDE GATHERING

Learn more about the PW Churchwide Gathering at   

Home (2024pwcwg.org)      

Scholarships are available for FPC Men to attend

the Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest May 17-18th, 2024.

The Session at its March meeting set aside funds from our Presbyterian Foundation Funds for scholarships for this educational and inspirational event. Read the details below.  Depending on the number of applicants the scholarship will pay for the full registration fee for up to nine men to attend the event.  Please contact Pastor Teresa if you are interested in attending. The number of single rooms is limited so if you are interested please contact Pastor Teresa as soon as possible.                                    

Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest Conference & Retreat Center

May 17^th to 18^th, 2024

            Spend a little time focusing on the things that matter most. Your faith will be encouraged throughout the event. Great music by a world-renowned artist, excellent hospitality, tasty food and an encouraging and challenging speaker will help you become a better person.

            This overnight retreat is hosted by Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, located just outside of Fremont, Nebraska.

Location Information

• Date and Time: May 17th 2024 at 4:30 PM CDT
• Location Name: Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
• Address: 2870 COUNTY ROAD 13, FREMONT, NE, 68025-7951 US
• Directions: Google, Bing, MapQuest

Speaker, Rev. J.D. Georlett

            Rev. J.D. Georlett is the Senior Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska and has filled that role since 2016. With theological education from Fuller Theological Seminary and Dubuque Theological Seminary, he has over 20 years of pastoral experience. He [reaches and teaches with humor and passion, and with the Bible always at the center of his ministry and believes that the Christian Church exists for the purpose of raising up and training disciples of Jesus Christ.

            J.D. is married to Laura and together they have three children. He loves to golf, read and bake the best cinnamon rolls in the entire world. You will be challenged and encouraged by what J.D. has to share from the Bible and his experience.

Musician, Bob Bennett

            Award winning musician, Bob Bennett will be the retreat’s song leader and will also perform an acoustic coffeehouse concert Friday night at 9:30pm for retreat participants. His “Matters of the Heart” album was named Contemporary Christian Music Magazine’s 1982 “Album of the Year”, and his songs are an important legacy of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and ‘80s. He has recorded with Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Billy Crokeett. When asked if he had been to Nebraska previously, Bob replied, “I think I was in Omaha on a tour with Amy Grant and Michael Card.” We are excited to have him make a return trip.

            On his website, Bob says, “I think that accomplishing some sort of ministry by playing music is a completely faulty, frail method that God still manages to use. My primary goal is to communicate truthfully with people. If I can communicate truthfully the life of the Spirit and the always-accompanying struggle along the way, then ministry happens as a natural result of that. If something deep and profound happens, I’m as amazed and grateful as anyone else!”

            Many examples of bob’s music can be found on YouTube. Bob hosts a weekly live Facebook  stream of songs and requests that began as a response to Covid performing restriction. We are certain Bob’s music will teach, inspire and lift our spirits throughout the weekend.

Registration

            There are plenty of registration options available. Single, Double and Triple Occupancy rates in the Proett Conference Center (limited space), Cabin Occupancy, Commuter rate and the option to use the Commuter rate with finding your own accommodations at a hotel in Fremont.

            In order to ensure available space, you will pre-register with payment. When Calvin Crest confirms availability of your desired room, your card will be charged and you will receive a confirmation.

Registration Options*

• Single Occupancy ($154.00)

            Limited Availability: Single room in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.

• Double Occupancy ($114.00)

            Limited Availability: Double Occupancy Room (2 beds) in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.

• Triple Occupancy ($89.00)

            Limited Availability: Triple Occupancy Room (3 single beds) in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.

• Cabin Occupancy ($59.00)

            Stay in climate controlled cabins with indoor bathrooms, 4 inch foam mattresses on bunk beds. Bring your own bedding and towels. We will fill cabins with other registrants. Includes three meals and program fees.

• Commuter ($39.00)    

  Drive in for the event. Includes three meals and the program fees.

For more information- phone: 402.628.6455
toll free: 877.795.7635
fax: 402.628.8255
email: calvincrest@calvincrest.org

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 Jenny or Pastor Teresa for an application.

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 21-26, 2024.  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

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. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon. 

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 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Sunday Mornings: 9:00 Handbell Choir 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship	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 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	5 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	6
7 Communion	8	9	10 10:30 Pastor at WACAM mtg.	11	12	13
14 Guest Speaker –  Jane O’Leary	15	16	17	18	19	20
21 CoffeeHouse Worship   1:30 Wayne Country View Chapel	22 7:00 Session Meeting	23 Runza Feeds the Need	24	25	26	27
28	29	30

FPC Service Recordingscan 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

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

Presbytidings – March 2024

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 Poem

by Ann Weems

Lent is a time to take time to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem

or to walk along the sea and listen to his Word,
a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder….
Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!
Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,
for thoughts come unbidden.
Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future
knowing our past.
Give us courage, O God,
to hear your Word
and to read our living into it.
Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven
and give us the faith
to take up our lives and walk.

MID-WEEK LENTEN SERIES & HOLY WEEK SERVICES: “What Is the Problem with Sin?”

          The season of Lent calls us to repentance, and to recognizing Christ’s sacrifice for our sinfulness. Sin in its many forms are as present in today’s world as ever, temptations abound. We will take a look at various sins named in Christian theology and the counterpart to those sins which Paul details in Ephesians as the “fruit of the spirit.” During the Lenten season we will be reminded of the challenges of Christian living but also that God’s grace is more than sufficient for all our sins.

March 6^th                 “Killing with Kindness”

March 13^th               “Practicing Patience”

March 20^th               “The Duty of Diligence”

March 24^th (Palm Sunday) “The Help of Holiness”

March 28^th (Maundy Thursday) “The Secret of Contentment”

March 31^st               Easter Sunday

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS

Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers have begun and will continue until March 20^th. Soup suppers begin at 6:00 p.m. and are 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.

From the Pastor:

Theologian Fredrick Buechner is quoted as having said, “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” Our human experience is always a pendulum, between good and bad, beautiful and terrible. Often not an either/or, but sometimes a both/and, occasionally on the same day! Beautiful and terrible things are happening in our world ALL the time! Amid the news of events such as war, natural disasters, disease, violence, societal discord, we can feel bombarded with terrible news. We may want to cover our eyes and ears, so we don’t have to see or hear any more.

Jesus didn’t fully explain why bad things happen and neither can we. Sometimes misfortune is of our own making by our poor choices, sometimes people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes terrible things like violence and war are the result of human sin, manifest in trying to take, hold power or control others.

            Luke 13:1-6 describes a tragedy in Jesus’ day where Pilate had killed some Galileans and eighteen others were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus used the news of his day, as we can the news of our day, to remind us that life is a gift. God desires to be in relationship with each of us, thus we need to repent of our sins and trust in our Triune God at all times. As disciples of Christ, we should seek to minimize the suffering and pain of others, showing love to our neighbors as Christ taught that others might find a relationship with our Triune God.

The words of Psalm 46:1-3 offer comfort and assurance in challenging days: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. No matter the source of terrible things, God understands our suffering and is with us. God has promised to redeem all things, suffering and injustice do not have the last word in our lives and world.

I’ve heard the expression that when we feel we’ve been buried, we’ve instead been planted, it is those times God is at work growing something new in our lives.Beauty and joy can come from dark places, think of all those spring bulbs just waiting to emerge! Look to the sunrise which follows the darkness of night and know that our Triune God is at work offering the assurance that we are not alone, and that beauty can be found around us.

        None of us know the number of our days, how or when they will end, but we do know life is not to be squandered but rather spent in relationship one another and our Triune God, an ever-present help in beautiful or terrible times.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Teresa

COMMUNION

• We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 3^rd, 2024. Gerard Ras will serve as the Communion Elder.
• On April 7^th we will celebrate Communion. Gail McCorkindale will serve as the communion elder.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!

Spring forward one hour Sunday, March 10th. You might be caught walking into church just as worship is finishing up!

SESSION

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

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER

Observe a holy Lenten season this year.

• Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 24^th at 10:00am. The Presbyterian Pealers will perform.
• The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, March 28^th, 7:00pm.
• Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, March 31^st, 2024.
• We will enjoy an Easter Brunch preceding the worship service beginning at 8:45am. Watch for a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall or call the office at 402-375-2669.

EASTER BRUNCH IS BACK!

The FPC Deacons will be hosting an Easter Sunday Continental breakfast in Fellowship Hall on March 31^st from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Come and enjoy fellowship, coffee, fruit, sweet breads and other treats before worship. The Deacons welcome additional contributions for the breakfast. Please contact the office or sign up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall. The Deacons are pleased to be able to bring back the Easter morning gathering. Bring the family and join us as we fellowship together and prepare to worship God together.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

For more than 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided 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 toward a better world.

The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People – all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

First Presbyterian will be collection the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter Sunday, March 31^st.

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. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon. 

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!

YOU ARE INVITED:

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPERING GATHERING

Theme: “Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14

Homestead Presbyterian Women

Saturday, April 6^th, 2024

9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Come join us in person

At the Fremont Presbyterian Church 520 West Linden Ave.

There is no charge for this gathering, there will be

complimentary coffee and treats available in the morning

and lunch will be provided.

Hope to see you there! For questions please contact:

Maggie Horak 402-429-0523, mmhlin@outlook.com

For PW Together in Service, please bring Baby Layette Kit items to donate (sleepers, receiving blankets, onesies, bibs, wash cloths, hooded baby bath towels – all new). An offering will be collected with half going to PW Synod Native American Scholarship Fund and half to defray cost of lunch.

 

 

Men’s Retreat at Calvin Crest Conference & Retreat Center

May 17^th to 18^th, 2024

            Spend a little time focusing on the things that matter most. Your faith will be encouraged throughout the event. Great music by a world-renowned artist, excellent hospitality, tasty food and an encouraging and challenging speaker will help you become a better person.

            This overnight retreat is hosted by Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, located just outside of Fremont, Nebraska.

Location Information

• Date and Time: May 17th 2024 at 4:30 PM CDT
• Location Name: Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center
• Address: 2870 COUNTY ROAD 13, FREMONT, NE, 68025-7951 US
• Directions: Google, Bing, MapQuest

Speaker, Rev. J.D. Georlett

            Rev. J.D. Georlett is the Senior Pastor at Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska and has filled that role since 2016. With theological education from Fuller Theological Seminary and Dubuque Theological Seminary, he has over 20 years of pastoral experience. He [reaches and teaches with humor and passion, and with the Bible always at the center of his ministry and believes that the Christian Church exists for the purpose of raising up and training disciples of Jesus Christ.

            J.D. is married to Laura and together they have three children. He loves to golf, read and bake the best cinnamon rolls in the entire world. You will be challenged and encouraged by what J.D. has to share from the Bible and his experience.

Musician, Bob Bennett

          Award winning musician, Bob Bennett will be the retreat’s song leader and will also perform an acoustic coffeehouse concert Friday night at 9:30pm for retreat participants. His “Matters of the Heart” album was named Contemporary Christian Music Magazine’s 1982 “Album of the Year”, and his songs are an important legacy of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s and ‘80s. He has recorded with Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Billy Crokeett. When asked if he had been to Nebraska previously, Bob replied, “I think I was in Omaha on a tour with Amy Grant and Michael Card.” We are excited to have him make a return trip.

            On his website, Bob says, “I think that accomplishing some sort of ministry by playing music is a completely faulty, frail method that God still manages to use. My primary goal is to communicate truthfully with people. If I can communicate truthfully the life of the Spirit and the always-accompanying struggle along the way, then ministry happens as a natural result of that. If something deep and profound happens, I’m as amazed and grateful as anyone else!”

            Many examples of bob’s music can be found on YouTube. Bob hosts a weekly live Facebook  stream of songs and requests that began as a response to Covid performing restriction. We are certain Bob’s music will teach, inspire and lift our spirits throughout the weekend.

Registration

          There are plenty of registration options available. Single, Double and Triple Occupancy rates in the Proett Conference Center (limited space), Cabin Occupancy, Commuter rate and the option to use the Commuter rate with finding your own accommodations at a hotel in Fremont.

            In order to ensure available space, you will pre-register with payment. When Calvin Crest confirms availability of your desired room, your card will be charged and you will receive a confirmation.

Registration Options*

• Single Occupancy ($154.00)

            Limited Availability: Single room in the Proett Conference Center and includes three meals and program fees.

• Double Occupancy ($114.00)

            Limited Availability: Double Occupancy Room (2 beds) in the Proett Conference Center and     includes three meals and program fees.

• Triple Occupancy ($89.00)

            Limited Availability: Triple Occupancy Room (3 single beds) in the Proett Conference Center            and includes three meals and program fees.

• Cabin Occupancy ($59.00)

            Stay in climate controlled cabins with indoor bathrooms, 4 inch foam mattresses on bunk             beds. Bring your own bedding and towels. We will fill cabins with other registrants. Includes         three meals and program fees.

• Commuter ($39.00)    

  Drive in for the event. Includes three meals and the program fees.

For more information- phone: 402.628.6455
toll free: 877.795.7635
fax: 402.628.8255
email: calvincrest@calvincrest.org

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 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Every Sunday 9:00 Pealers Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship			February 28   6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service	February  29	1	2
3 10:00am Communion Gerard Ras communion elder	4	5	6   6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service	7	8	9
10 Daylight Savings Time Begins – Spring Forward!   1:30pm Pastor leads Countryview Chapel	11	12	13 10:00am Pastor at WACAM 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service	14	15	16
17 10:00am CoffeeHouse Worship	18	19	20 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lent Service	21	22	23
24   Palm Sunday	25 7:00pm Session Meeting	26	27 3:30pm Pastor leads Kinship Pointe Chapel	28 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service	29 Good Friday	30
31 Easter! 8:45-9:45am Easter Brunch

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

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!

Presbytidings – February 2024

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……

Jesus liked to teach using parables the familiar parables of the mustard seed and the yeast are found in Matthew 13:31-35. The tiny mustard seed grows into a tree offering shelter to the wildlife. If you have ever poured a package of yeast into warm milk you can see and smell the changes, and the yeast when mixed with flour and other ingredients, that yeast cause the dough to rise and multiples in size. These are just two examples of the power of small things, also consider these small things atoms, mosquitos, honeybees, bed bugs, viruses, a hummingbird, babies, words of encouragement, a hug.^[*]

               Sometimes we think it must be big to be used by God, which is not always the case. God specializes in using the small and insignificant things to accomplish great things. Scriptures give us many examples, such as young David’s encounter with Goliath. David was a boy, not a soldier, yet it took only one of his 5 smooth stones to take down the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The boy who gave his lunch of fish and bread to Jesus and in Jesus’ hands five thousand people were fed (John 6:9).

            Each Christmas we celebrate how God did a new thing by breaking into the world in the form of a baby, born to a young woman and an earthly father. A baby that needed to be swaddled, held, fed, changed, and rocked, like all babies. That baby grew into a man, who stepped into his role as the son of God and our Savior and changed the world and the lives of thousands of people. Jesus selected 12 disciples to work with him, learn from him, to take the gospel to the world. Indeed, we are still talking about Jesus and those 12 disciples more than 2000 years later. Sometimes it’s hard for us to wrap our head around the idea that even small things can make a big difference. As one theologian wrote “Never despise small things because God can use them to accomplish great things.”^[†]  

             The parable of the mustard seeds is a good reminder for us to take stock of what we have, thank God for those things, and for those before us who planted the seeds of faith and took the time to invest in a faith community and encourage others to join them. Did you know the FPC congregation was established with 11 charter members, we started small!

             Our annual statistical report shows our membership is 79, which is down from 91 last year. That change comes from loss of members through death and inactive members removed from the roles. Currently the median size of churches in the PC (USA) is 71 with an average attendance of 35, so we are not an exception to the norm. According to 2022 statistics in the PC (USA) there are 8705 churches app. 23% are churches our size, with 51 to 100 members. According to Pew Research 38% of Presbyterians are aged 65 and older. ^[‡] I’m not minimizing the challenges we face but reminding the congregation we’re not alone.

 Numbers can be important for some things, but numbers can also convince us that we don’t have enough, that we aren’t enough. Indeed, we can get anxious and fearful as we see the membership numbers decline as we see budget shortfalls. We can be fearful of the future, anxious about finances and leadership. This comes in part from the culture around us which defines success with size, that bigger is better and small often correlates to failure. Let’s join God in planting mustard seeds and sprinkling yeast in our congregation and community rather than focusing on numbers, focusing instead on our strengths and assets.

The participation of all members of the congregation is important for the life and flourishing of this faith community. We have a congregation of people with a variety of skills and interests, we should reach out reengage all members of our congregation. We should also reach out to others, invite a neighbor or someone you’ve missed in church to worship or a church activity, offer to pray for someone or a share word of encouragement with them. Give of your creativity, energy, imagination, and engagement through the faith community for God’s glory. Join in worship and our coffeehouse format worship, offer ideas to the Session for special events the congregation could host for the community. Offer to help with events like Easter brunch and Lenten Soup suppers, as lector or greeters. We shouldn’t  tell God we don’t have enough resources, our faith is too small, our fears too many- remember what 12 disciples did, remember what 11 charter members of this congregation did,  remember God can use us if we are willing. God loves to do the surprising things; scriptures bear that out. Our Triune God can use small things like mustard seeds and yeast to make an impact, God can use this congregation as well. May it be so, thanks be to God, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Teresa

FPC ANNUAL REPORT

Pastor Teresa’s letter was from the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 28^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

COMMUNION

• We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 4^th. Suzanne Sjuts will serve as the Communion Elder.
• Next month, Communion will be held on Sunday, March 3^rd. The Communion Elder will be Gerard Ras.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Homestead Presbytery will gather on Saturday, February 17th, via Zoom. Contact Pastor Teresa for more details..

SESSION

The Session will meet on Monday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER

Observe a holy Lenten season this year.

• We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service February 14^th beginning at 7:00pm.
• Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, March 24^th at 10:00am.
• The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, March 28^th, 7:00pm.
• Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, March 31^st, 2024.

Borrowed Time

J. Barrie Shepherd.

These forty days are Lent to us-

not counting Sundays-

a blessed space in time in which

to step aside, get out of line,

drop out of the mad rush toward

the six-foot drop and bring oneself

to life again. Six weeks, say-

more or less-until the note falls due,

those generous terms expire,

and the piper must be paid

under the palm branches

And dark twisted olive trees.

MID-WEEK LENTEN SERIES & HOLY WEEK SERVICES

“What Is the Problem with Sin?”

          The season of Lent calls us to repentance, and to recognizing Christ’s sacrifice for our sinfulness. Sin in its many forms are as present in today’s world as ever, temptations abound. We will take a look at various sins named in Christian theology and the counterpart to those sins which Paul details in Ephesians as the “fruit of the spirit.” During the Lenten season we will be reminded of the challenges of Christian living but also that God’s grace is more than sufficient for all our sins.

February 21^st                 “What Is the Problem with Sin?”

February 28^th                “Choosing Humility”

March 6^th                   “Killing with Kindness”

March 13^th                 “Practicing Patience”

March 20^th                 “The Duty of Diligence”

March 24^th (Palm Sunday) “The Help of Holiness”

March 28^th (Maundy Thursday) “The Secret of Contentment”

March 31^st                  Easter Sunday

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS TO BEGIN MARCH 1^st

Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers will begin on Wednesday, February 21^st and continue until March 20^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.

FPC CHURCH DIRECTORY

Please submit 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!

POTENTIAL & POSSIBILITIES

The Session has set a goal for FPC to host a special event of some kind quarterly. This would be an event we could invite the community to participate in perhaps a special musical event, instrumental group, soloist or quartet, speaker or other types of event. Feel free to share with Pastor Teresa or a Session member if you know of a group or individual we might invite for these special events. The Session will make the final determination regarding quarterly events. By welcoming others into the church for these events, it will give the congregation the opportunity to meet and greet members of the community and an opening to share the mission of FPC.

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. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon. 

2024 FPC ELDERS & DEACONS

New ruling elders and deacons were installed by Pastor Teresa Bartlett at the First Presbyterian Church in Wayne on Sunday January 21^st.  Dr. Mark Hammer was installed for a second 3-year term as ruling elder and Dr. Gerard Ras fills the vacancy of outgoing elder Dr. Kent Pulfer. They join Dr. John Fuelberth, Dr. Gail McCorkindale, Dr. Jane O’Leary, and Suzanne Sjuts on the session to guide and govern the congregation. Sydney Story and Jenny Hammer were installed as deacons to fill vacancies of outgoing deacons Karen Johnson and Connie Bargstadt. Sydney and Jenny join deacons Karen Marra, Misty Beair, Tiffany Hesse and Rev. Gordon Granberg. The ministry of the deacons is one of compassion, witness and service to congregational members or to any person in distress. The deacons also assist with the Wayne Coat Closet at the church.

 Dr. Ras is the Dean of the School of Business and Technology at Wayne State College. Dr. Hammer is a professor of biology at Wayne State College and a member of the Presbyterian Pealer Bell Choir. Sydney Story, also a Presbyterian Pealer, is an attorney at Stratton, DeLay, Doele, Carlson, Buettner & Stover, P.C., L.L.O. in Norfolk. Jenny Hammer is the ministerial assistant and secretary at the First Presbyterian Church and is the Wayne Food Pantry coordinator at the First Presbyterian Church.

The First Presbyterian Church of Wayne is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Presbyterian Church has a strong emphasis on the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. Presbyterians follow a reformed religious theology and have representational leadership by both ministers and church members. For more information about PCUSA: go to www.pcusa.org.  For more information about First Presbyterian Church go to fpcwayne.com, follow on Face Book or join in 10 AM Sunday worship at 216 W. 3^rd Street in Wayne.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WAYNE

THE SESSION 2024

Elder                                                                                                  Class                                     

Jane O’Leary, Session Clerk (Worship, Outreach)                         2024                                       

Suzanne Sjuts (Worship, Outreach, Discipleship)                            2024                                       

John Fuelberth (Property, Fellowship)                                             2025                                       

Gail McCorkindale (Worship, Discipleship, Administration)         2025                                       

Mark Hammer (Property, Fellowship)                                             2026                                       

Gerard Ras (Administration)                                                            2026                                       

BOARD OF DEACONS 2024

Deacon                                                                      Class                                     

Misty Beair                                                                2024                                       

Tiffanny Heese                                                         2024                                       

Gordon Granberg                                                     2025                                       

Karen Marra                                                              2025                                       

Jenny Hammer                                                         2026                                       

Sydney Story                                                             2026                                       

COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION 2024

Nominating Team: Jane O’Leary, Karen Johnson, Tiffanny Heese, Connie Bargstadt, Brian Bowers & Randy Dunklau

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 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.

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/

February 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: 9:00 Bells Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship				1 Pastor’s “Word in Faith” column appears in the Wayne Herald	2	3
4 10:00am Communion Suzanne Sjuts, communion elder 1:30pm Pastor at CountryView	5	6	7 10:30am WACAM	8	9	10
11 11:15 Deacons meet	12	13	14 3:30 Pastor at Kinship Pointe 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Service	15	16	17 10:00am Homestead Presbytery Via Zoom
18 CoffeeHouse Woship	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 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service	22 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	23 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	24 9:30am Mobile Food Pantry Truck at Journey CC
25	26 7:00pm Session Mtg.	27	28 6:00pm Soup Supper 7:00pm Lenten Service	29

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)

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!

---

[*] The power of small things: God’s open secret | Pastor Joe McKeever  Accessed 1/9/2024.

[†] Big Lessons From Small Things. by Luther Sexton, Zechariah 4:10, Ezra 3:12 – SermonCentral.com  Accessed 1/9.2024.

[‡] Members of the Presbyterian Church USA – Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics | Pew Research Center   Accessed 1/12/2024.

Presbytidings –

December 2023/January 2024

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….

          This month Gordon wrote a lovely prayer that was printed in the November 30th edition of the Wayne Herald. Thank-you Gordon for sharing your thoughts. Gordon’s words remind us that in the transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas we must not let the culture of Christmas crowd out Christ. Preparation of our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christ Child will be more meaningful and long lasting than beautifully wrapped packages and their contents. Each of us need to prepare the way for the coming of our Lord, preparation will be different for each of us. Gordon’s prayer is a reminder of God’s greatest gift to us, the Christ Child, and the gift we can return to our Triune God which is our humble, grateful, thankful hearts.  

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Teresa  

Preparation Matters;

A Prayer for Advent.

Rev. Gordon Granberg, Deacon

Ordinarily, Lord God, I can easily glide from giving thanks on one national holiday to the next grand event, celebrating Christmas.  But I need to pause just now and pray—seeking Your presence—in order to ready myself, sharpen my focus, and attend to Your Spirit. The Bible records the humble simplicity of that early occasion: “The time came to deliver her child…and she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him bands of cloth and laid him in a manger…Luke 2:6-7). 

Matthew’s account indicates that the wealthy magi “knelt down…paid him homage…and offered him gifts (Matthew 2:11).”  What a potent contrast to our modern lavish commercial merchandising!

In our day, large crowds of people throng the streets of New York City and millions more across the country watch via television. This year we’ve already seen dozens of luxurious floats, bobbing balloons, and enthusiastic bands stream from Broadway and 34^th Street to Herald Square. Transfixed we gawked as this grant event climaxed with the tumultuous welcome for our nation’s current most popular personality Santa Claus.

Now as recent memory of expressing our thanks for Your bountiful gifts and generous grace fades God, we’d halt right now.  We earnestly invite You to intervene and discourage us from crowding You out of Christmas. We appeal to You—stop us from lavish overspending and manipulative gifting.  Because we are convinced that preparation matters, God, we urge You to help us step back from all the frenzied commotions and establish time for settled worship and quiet devotion as we await the promised gift of Your Son, Jesus the Christ.  In His name we pray, Amen.

Prepare the Way

Isaiah 40: 1-5    NIV

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare  the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert  a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: December 24^th, 5:30pm

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

COMMUNION

• We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on December 3^rd with Kent Pulfer as the communion elder.
• January 14, 2024 will be the next worship service with communion.

“A SURPRISING GOD”, AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

        An Advent devotional book entitled “A Surprising God” will be distributed on Sunday, December 3^rd to each family in worship. It is hoped you will enjoy this devotional reading during the Advent season. The readings are short, but very pertinent to today. I encourage you to read the preface from the authors, Rev. Tom Long and Donyelle McCray. We have a book for every family, if you are not in worship you can get it the following week or stop by the church office. The books are a gift to the congregation via funds from the Presbyterian Foundation for this congregation’s educational use.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING 2023

Thank you to the following who will be assisting with Advent Candlelighting:

November 26^th  Randy &Shari Dunklau

December 3^rd    Nate & Sydney Story

December 10^th  Austin & Michelle Galles & family

December 17^th  Michael & Suzanne Sjuts & family

December 24^th  Mark & Jenny Hammer

ADVENT SERIES: “The Angels Speak”

 At Christmas time, angels are a familiar sight, we have angels on our trees, wrapping paper, Christmas cards, in the nativity scene. We sing about them in our Christmas hymns. Angels are often depicted as benevolent celestial intermediaries or messengers between God and human beings, protectors and guides for humans. In both Old and New Testaments of the Bible there are various accounts of angels. Angels capture our imaginations and spark our interest in spiritual and supernatural things, but what do we know about angels?

The word angel derives from the Greek angelos, meaning “messenger.” In Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, no single word precisely corresponds to the word angel. Instead, there is a rich and varied vocabulary to describe these celestial beings including “sons of God,” “heavenly beings,” and “hosts” (see, for example, Genesis 5:22; Job 1:6; Psalm 103:21). Angels are spiritual beings that don’t have physical bodies, though they sometimes appear and interact with people.

 Angels appear throughout the Bible during significant moments in the history of God’s people. Angel’s commission people to a specific task (think of the angel of God who appears to Moses from the burning bush). Angels speak God’s words to prophets, redirect or guide someone’s actions at a critical moment, or act in ways that offer protection for God’s people. Angels provided for Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). An angel gives Christ strength in Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). Angels have been an important part of God’s dealings with humanity from Genesis to Revelation.

Angels are an integral part of the events surrounding the Christmas story. Our Advent theme this year is “The Angels Speak”. November 26^th we heard the account of the angelic encounter between Zechariah when the angel, Gabriel, announced Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s long-offered prayers for a child had been heard. On December 3^rd we will hear of another angel visitation when Gabriel brought news of another unexpected pregnancy. December 10^th we will hear of Joseph’s encounter with an angel and on December 17^th the encounter of the shepherds and the heavenly host of angels. 

Just because we don’t read stories from our own time of people seeing angels filling the night sky, or encountering men in dazzling white robes doesn’t mean God no longer sends messengers to interrupt our everyday existence. The angels in the birth narratives of Jesus were God’s messengers of hope, peace, salvation, direction, warning, telling of Jesus’s identity. The angels of Christmas came to deliver important messages to people who were hoping for God to intervene in a mighty way and God did intervene in a most remarkable way, through the birth of a baby.

THINKING ABOUT ANGELS: Angel Trivia  

• How many angels are named in the Bible? Look for the answer in the December 3rd bulletin.

• If an angel appeared to you in what are the first words you would most likely hear the angel say?  Look for the answer in the December 10th bulletin.

• Do angels have wings and halos?  Look for the answer in the December 17^th bulletin

• Is it ever recorded the Bible that angels sing? Look for the answer in the December 24^th bulletin

• What gender are angels? Look for the answer in the December 24^th bulletin

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 Jenny in the church office of the details. You can bring them anytime, you are asked to take them home after the December 24^th worship service.

PRESBYTERIAN PEALERS

The Presbyterian Pealers will be performing at the Sunday morning worship service on December 17, 2023.

PMC ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

The PMC Annual Tree Lighting Remembrance Service will be held Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00pm in the Providence Medical Center Auditorium.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. We will receive the Christmas Joy offering on Sunday, December 17^th, however you may make your gift any time before the end of the year. Please note on your check or offering envelope that the gift is for the Christmas Joy offering.

SEASON OF GIVING

        In this season of giving the Session is encouraging the congregation to support local non-profit agencies such as Salvation Army, Haven House, the Backpack Program, Wayne Food Pantry, Coat Closet, and WACAM. In Fellowship Hall you will find a box labeled for each agency. Drop your cash or check gift into the box or boxes of your choice. Even small gifts can make a big impact, and these gifts don’t need to be wrapped! Thanks to Jane for making the colorful boxes.

You can give toward an international mission of providing a family a pair of goats through your donation to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. A pair of goats cost $175.00. The final day for making an offering for the Season of Giving will be December 17^th. If you give by a check your donation will be recorded by the financial secretary.

MITTEN TREE

The Deacons request your help in decorating our mitten tree this holiday season with gloves, hats, scarves and mittens. The tree will be in Fellowship Hall.

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

We are expecting a very busy holiday season at the Food Pantry. With gifts from the community and the WACAM group we were able to provide 12 families from Wayne Community Schools and 13 Head-Start families with grocery store vouchers and hams. We hope to provide about the same number this Christmas-time. We will also be distributing nearly 140 bags with peanut butter, jelly & a loaf of bread to the children on the Wayne Schools Backpack Program. Please consider donating to the Food Pantry. 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.                            

PASTORAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES – December 2023/January 2024

• December 2023:
• WAYNE COUNTRYVIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, December 3^rd beginning at 1:30pm.
• KINSHIP POINTE: Pastor will lead chapel service on Wednesday, December 27^th, beginning at 3:30pm.
• January 2024:
• RADIO DEVOTIONS: Pastor Teresa will be giving devotions on 104.9 Big Red Country KTCH the week of January 8^th – 12^th at 5:40am.
• KINSHIP POINTE: Pastor will lead chapel service on Wednesday, January 10, beginning at 3:30pm.
• WAYNE COUNTRYVIEW CHAPEL: Pastor will lead a chapel service at Country View on Sunday, January 21^st beginning at 1:30pm.

PASTOR’S VACATION & STUDY LEAVE

• Pastor will be on vacation December 25^th, 2023 – January 7^th, 2024.
• No service will be held in the morning on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.
• The Christmas Eve service will be held at 5:30pm.
• No service will be held Sunday, December 31, 2024.
• On Sunday, January 7, 2024 Gail McCorkindale will be the worship leader.
• Communion will be held on January 14^th, 2023. John Fuelberth serving as communion elder.
• If you have a pastoral need while Pastor Teresa is away, please contact the office at (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

• The church office will be closed the week of December 25^th. We will re-open on Tuesday. January 2^nd, 2024.
• Pastor Teresa will be on leave Sunday, December 25 – Monday, January 8^th, 2024. Please leave a message if you have a need at either (402)375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com

TAX REMINDER

All donations for the 2023 calendar year need to be to Anita Fuelberth no later than Friday, December 29, 2022 for tax purposes. Any mailed donations must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 27^th, 2023.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: November 17^Th, 2023

        At the November 17^th Congregational meeting the budget for 2024 was presented which included the terms of call for the pastor. Copies of the budget are available in Fellowship Hall.

The Nominating Team presented the following slate of officers;

Elder –       Gerard Ras (1^st term)

                Mark Hammer (2^nd term)

Deacon –   Sydney McCorkindale Story (1^st term)

A nomination from the floor was received to elect Jenny Hammer (1^st term) as a Deacon.

The slate of officers was approved. Thank-you to these folks who said yes to be leaders in the congregation. The installation of officers will be January 14^th during worship.

COFFEE HOUSE TO RETURN IN 2024

CoffeeHouse Worship will return on February 18, 2024. Please contact Jane to volunteer or share ideas for topics. We will also need volunteers for treats and to make the coffee so please watch for the sign-up sheet to volunteer. We look forward to more discussion about the Scriptures’ and how they impact our lives. Coffee House begins February 18^th.

SESSION

• The Session will not meet in December.
• The Session will gather for a retreat Saturday, January 20^th, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a time of training and planning for 2024. All Session members including the incoming class of elders should plan to attend. We will be reviewing polices of the congregation as well as planning for communion, monthly devotions and organizing Session teams. 
• If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/19/2024.

FPC ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Our annual congregational meeting will follow worship on Sunday, January 28^th. If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/19/2024.

SESSION & DEACON TEAM REPORTS DUE

If you are responsible for a particular ministry (e.g., deacons, music, nominating, church school, property), please submit a brief report to the church office (fpcwayne@gmail.com) by Friday, 1/19/2024.

HERITAGE SUNDAY: October 29^th, 2023

        Sunday, October 29^th the congregation of First Presbyterian Church was reminded of our history and encouraged to continue to look for what God is calling us to do today and into the future. Jane O’Leary shared the history of the church in a reading entitled “A Church Nail” first shared at the church’s centennial. Jane had updated and revised the reading to 2023. The congregation also recognized all those who had been members 25 or more years. There are a total of 33 people who have called FPC their church home for more than 25 years. Those who were present for worship that day posed for a photo. The photo and an entire list of 25+ members is posted in Fellowship Hall. As a congregation we are to remember the past and learn from it but move forward into new challenges and opportunities in this place and at this time. We celebrate God’s many blessings, a beautiful building as well as a variety of resources including our many faithful members.  Thanks be to God.

December 2023 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Each Sunday Morning: Pealers practiceWorship 10:00Fellowship 11:00					1	2
3 *Communion *FPC Advent Book distribution *1:30 Countryview Chapel *4pm Cub Scouts *7pm Backpacks packed	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17 *Presbyterian Pealers performance *Christmas Joy Offering	18	19	20	21	22	23 5:30pm Christmas Eve Service
24 *No morning worship service *5:30pm Christmas Eve service	25 Merry Christmas! Jesus is born!	26 Church Office closed	27 Church Office Closed *3:30 Kinship Pointe	28 Church Office closed	29 Church Office closed	30
31 No worship service

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

                                                5      Tiffanny H.

                                             7      Candyce P.

                                             14     Randy D.

                                18     Beau B.

                                22     Nina H.

January 2024 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1                     Pastor on vacation	2   Pastor on vacation	3   Pastor on vacation	4   Pastor on vacation	5   Pastor on vacation	6
7 Speaker: Gail McCorkindale	8 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	9 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	10 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living *10:30 WACAM *3:30 Kinship Pointe	11 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living *Salvation Army	12 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	13
14 Communion Installation of Elders/Deacons	15	16	17	18	19 Session Reports due	20 9:00am Session Retreat
21 1:30 Pastor leads Countryview Chapel	22	23	24	25	26	27
28 Annual Congregational Meeting	29	30	31

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

             2        Larry H.

             5        Terry B.

             9        Jenny H.

             10      Emily A.

             20      Kent P.        

             27      Jim P.

             28      Jackie O.

             31      Shannon P.

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)

Presbytidings – November 2023

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

(402) 375-2669 + http://www.fpcwayne.com

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

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS

Daylight savings ends Sunday, November 5^th at 2:00am. Set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night, November 4^th and enjoy a little extra rest!

Reflections of a Deacon…..

In the midst of a CROWDED WEEKEND

            On Friday night Fry Conference Suite was filled with guests and honorees gathered for recognition and celebration. Six or seven people circled several tables decorated with place cards and enticing slices of cheesecake. Various administrators introduced honored guests as the assembled crowd applauded. All of the tributes and remarks reached conclusion. Tableware was collected. The dinner was over.

            The next morning, throngs of people lined both sides of Main Street including many excited and energetic children. Kids eagerly scampered to collect securely wrapped candy tossed from passing floats. Adults settled into comfortable lawn chairs and marveled at the variety of colored uniforms as they were stirred by the pulsing beat of disciplined bands that marched up the street with studied precision. Eventually familiar shiny vehicles signaled the close of the parade.

            Later on dozens of individuals joined forces as a burgeoning crowd of more than 2000 spectators packed the stadium and echoed one another’s gasps, groans, and explosive cheers as teams of opposing gladiators surged back and forth on the gridiron in a competitive football contest. Eventually time ran out. The winning team was crowned. The stands emptied. The game had ended.

            Yet for all the enthusiasm that was such a vital component of varied gatherings crowded into such a tumultuous weekend, another event occurred that left an impact beyond Saturday morning. With a minimum of noise and commotion, families – grandparents, moms and dads, youngsters of all ages quietly surged into the Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church. The guests poured over myriads of coats on display and found winter attire with the perfect size, color, and fit. They also found snow pants, mittens, gloves, scarfs, and boots to compliment garments they’d already found. Accomplished Spanish speakers offered accessible assistance and recorded transaction. Bright smiles and even occasional hugs gave expression to evident joy.

            Once the sparkling trophies all have been put away, the shiny instruments and uniformed band members have left the scene – football players complete with helmets, shoulder pads and mouth guards have returned to the locker room. The outcome of the game has been logged.

            The practical warmth, lingering love, and penetrating joy found in the coat closet will last well into the chill of winter and beyond.

• Deacon Gordon Granberg

SIERRA SJUTS BABY SHOWER

Let’s celebrate Sierra Sjuts with a baby shower on Sunday, November 5^th, 5:30-7:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church – Wayne. Please RSVP to Gail McCorkindale. There will be a meal provided. The registry is at babylist.com (or diapers size 2 and up).

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on November 5^th with Gail McCorkindale as the communion elder. We will celebrate Communion on December 3^rd with Kent Pulfer as the communion elder.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will meet on November 16^th at Eastridge Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. Worship begins at 10:00am. Pastor Teresa will attend.

COFFEEHOUSE WORSHIP CONTINUES ON NOVEMBER 19^th

We will meet in Fellowship Hall, coffee and refreshments will be available as desired throughout the service. The McCorkindales will lead discussion. We are still in need of a followship host for the day. This will be the last CoffeeHouse for the year.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The Session has called a congregational meeting for November 19^th following Coffeehouse Worship. At the meeting we will elect a new class of deacons & elders and approve the terms of call for the pastor in 2024. The snow date will be November 26^th.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

The church office will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 23-24^th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, November 27^th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall.

STEWARDSHIP REMINDER

Members and friends of the congregation should have received a year to date statement of giving for 2023 and a 2024 intention of giving form. If you did not receive this information please contact Anita Fuelberth.

You are asked to prayerfully review your information and return the intention of giving form to Anita Fuelberth right away. You can mail the form to Anita or drop your envelope in the offering box at church. This information is helpful to the Session in planning for 2024. Thank You for your support and dedication to FPC.

DID YOU KNOW?

            Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) have become a great way for people 70½ or older to take all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from their Traditional IRA. The recent tax code changed the standard deduction for those over 65 to $26,600 for married filing jointly or $13,600 for single filers. Thus for many of us our church pledges will no longer be included in an itemized deduction. However, by making all or part of our pledge a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from the IRA custodian or trustee to the church the distribution will not be included as taxable income to the IRA owner. Qualified Charitable Distributions can also exceed one’s specific RMD amount and still not be taxed.

            While Qualified Charitable Distributions are not complex there are certain requirements and steps that should be followed so check with your tax professional.

PRAYER FOR VETERANS DAY

God of peace, we pray for those who have served our nation,
who laid down their lives to protect and defend our freedom…

We pray for those who have fought, whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war
and whose nights are haunted by memories too painful for the light of day…

We pray for those who serve us now, especially for those in harm’s way:
shield them from danger and bring them home, soon…

Turn the hearts and minds of our leaders and our enemies
to the work of justice and a harvest of peace…

Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor!

May the peace you left us, the peace you gave us,
be the peace that sustains, the peace that saves us.

Christ Jesus, hear us! Lord Jesus, hear our prayer!
Amen.

From – ConcordPastor.blogspot.com

To Give Thanks…

is to remember how it feels to experience belonging,

to look long around a laden table

and be glad to claim a place among that gathered company.

To give thanks is to remember what has been-time’s bewildering recital-

and, despite so much, to look ahead with undiminished hope.

To give thanks is to recall with heartache all those absent from the assembled,

the dear departed, those, too, who never made it in the first place,

due to loss, or want, foul fortune, being born at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

To give thanks takes all that we have been, all that we are and yet might be,

and shapes it new around a fuller, richer, broader future feast.

J. Barrie Shepherd

Deacons Coat Giveaway a Success!

….. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these

 brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’   Matthew 25:40b NIV

October 7^th the FPC Deacons hosted a coat giveaway. In total 100 coats and many accessories, such as hats, mittens, gloves, snow pants etc., were given away Saturday and throughout the following week. The Deacons were pleased to have such a good response.

The coat giveaway was a big project and the Deacons were fortunate to have the assistance of several groups. The FCCLA organization from Wayne Community Schools (WCS), Ms. Alina Surber and students, helped the Deacons move coats and racks from the basement into Fellowship Hall to set up for the event. The move to Fellowship Hall allowed more space for coats, volunteers, helpers and clients. Christa Dutcher, Spanish instructor at WCS and her students helped with Spanish translation for clients. The Deacons appreciate the assistance of KTCH in public service announcements about the event as well as the Wayne School District sending information out to families. Thanks to every individual and group who assisted in the Coat Closet giveaway in any manner and helped make it successful.

            Due to the success of the giveaway the Coat Closet stock is low. If you would like to donate we always need children’s coats and we are in need of men’s work coats as well as hats, mittens and gloves for all people. The Coat Closet is one way we live into our mission as a Matthew 25 church and address the needs of people in our area.

MITTEN TREE

The Deacons request your help in restocking our glove and mitten inventory. In December we will have a Mitten Tree in Fellowship Hall and ask you to donate gloves and mittens. Your donations of coats, gloves and mittens are welcome anytime.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS NEEDED

The Wayne Extension Unit of the Salvation Army will be conducting its Annual Bell Ringing Campaign beginning Friday, November 24^th. The bell ringing campaign is the primary fundraiser for the Salvation Army in Wayne. Bell ringers are needed for 2-hour time slots on Friday or Saturday beginning Thanksgiving weekend to December 23^rd. Churches, service organizations, youth groups and others are invited to participate in the bell ringing project. The only requirements are to be friendly and welcoming, dress warmly and smile easily and say thank-you, oh yeah, a little wrist action with a bell. We can fill shorter time slots if we get more volunteers.  

Ninety percent (90%) of the funds collected in the bell ringing campaign remain in the community and assist with housing, utilities, medical, transportation and other needs of families and individuals in Wayne. In 2023 the Wayne SA Unit sponsored a back to school drive for school supplies for elementary children. The project was very successful and helped more than 90 children with backpacks and school supplies.

Participation in the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign is one way we can live into our commitment of being  a Matthew 25 congregation; as we are reminded in Matthew 25:40; ‘… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Please sign-up to ring the Salvation Army Bell this season. The sign-up sheet will be on the Opportunity Table.

A TIP OF THE HAT

Thank-you to the Galles family who took care of the mowing of the church lawn over the course of the last several months. Thank you also to those who planted flowers and trimmed bushes, plants and trees. Your gifts of time have made sure the church grounds were looking nice for Sunday as well as for other church and community events. Thank-you to each one who gave of their time.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

• We will begin observing advent on the last Sunday in November, 11/26^th.
• The Hanging of the Greens will take place after worship on November 26^th. Stick around to help decorate our building in anticipation of Christmas..
• Our Christmas Eve Service will be held at 5:30pm. There will be no morning service that day.

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS NEEDED 

Pastor Teresa is looking for couples, families or individuals who would like to assist with lighting the Advent candles during worship in December. All readings will be provided in advance. Your participation in this seasonal tradition will be appreciated. A sign-up sheet will be in Fellowship Hall or you can contact Pastor Teresa.

The dates are:

November 26^h, December 3^rd, December 10^th, December 17^th, December 24^th

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

               6       Brandon B.

               10     Kevin P.

               12      Ken L.

               12      Mark Mc.

               13      Katherine B.

               14      Audrey H.

November 2023 – First Presbyterian Church

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
*9:00am Bell practice *10:00am Worship *11:00am Fellowship			1	2	3	4
5 Set your clocks back one hour 10:00am Worship & Communion 4:00pm Cub Scouts 5:00 Sjuts Baby Shower	6	7	8 10:30am Pastor at WACAM	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16 10:00am Homestead Presbytery at Eastridge Presbyterian in Lincoln	17	18
19 10:00am Coffeehouse Worship 11:00am Congregational Meeting 4:00pm Cub Scouts	20 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	21 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	22 5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living 3:30pm Kinship Pointe Chapel	23 Thanksgiving Day   Office Closed   5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	24 Office closed   5:40am KTCH 104.9 Moment for Living	25
26 First Sunday of Advent 11:00am Hanging of the Greens	27   7:00pm Session Meeting	28	29	30

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.com; 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!

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

Pastor Teresa Bartlett

402-375-2669 (office)

319-795-2911 (cell)

Websites:

Church: https://fpcwayne.com/

Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.com/food-pantry/

Wayne Coat Closet:

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 @ https://fpcwayne.com

*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska

FPC Online Worship Bulletins can be found at:

FPC Wayne Worship Bulletins:

FPC Account at Thrift Warehouse: #4570