May 2012 Presbytidings

Posted on May 3, 2012 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: THE BUZZARD, THE BAT, AND THE BUMBLEBEE

I didn’t come up with this, but it is surprisingly insightful:

If you put a turkey vulture (a.k.a. a buzzard) in a pen that is six feet by eight feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird—in spite of its ability to fly—will be an absolute prisoner. The reason? A buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten to twelve feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The brown bat, which is a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place; it has to “drop” into flight. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

Which makes me wonder: How are we like those animals? We are all trapped and held prisoner to sin—which is a lousy master—until Christ sets us free. But sometimes we forget our freedom and think we are still trapped. But, as Scripture says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV) So what are our invisible prisons that we think we are trapped in? What do we need to reject in order to enjoy the freedom we have in Christ?

Too often we are like the bumblebee: We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! So let’s look up, and give thanks to Christ for our freedom!

Pastor Ray

MEGA SPORTS CAMP IS COMING!

Get in the game! The future of Vacation Bible School is here at FPC!

Tuesday, 5/29, through Friday, 6/1, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Choose from soccer, cheerleading, or basketball.
For kids completing kindergarten through 6^th grade.
Picnic and program for parents and grandparents on Friday, 6/1, at 11:30 a.m.
The program is free, and if you pre-register, you’ll receive a FREE t-shirt!
There will be cool giveaways for participants!
E-mail fpcwayne@gmail.com or call (402) 375-2669 to register.

Visit www.fpcwayne.org to watch a video about Mega Sports Camp! Invite a friend, and get in the game!

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, to meet with Confirmation students. Please note the time and date variance.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 16 (for a driving scavenger hunt!). The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet for its final time on Wednesday, May 9. We will also be cashing in our incentive points for goodies on our last gatherings. Both youth groups meet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Please bring your ideas for possible summer reunions!

SUMMER SCHEDULE

The last day of church school will be Sunday, May 13. Church school classes will resume again the Sunday after Labor Day (September 9)! Thanks to all the teachers who helped and to the students! It was a great year!

Summer Office Hours: Starting Tuesday, June 5^th, the church office will go back to it’s summer schedule: Tuesdays – Thursdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please feel free to call and leave a message or e-mail the church if you ever have any questions.

CHURCH SECRETARY

Sonya’s last day will be Wednesday, May 23. She will be working on the June/July Presbytidings before then and will try and get it done before she leaves. If you have any items for the June/July issue, please send it to her ASAP!

*Our church will need a new secretary, beginning Tuesday, June 5. If you know of someone who would be a good match (and want a part-time office job), please refer them to Kent Pulfer (375-2285). And God’s blessings on Pastor Tim and Sonya as they move on to a new call!

GRADUATION SUNDAY

Sunday, May 20, we will be honoring our graduating seniors and presenting scholarships. Please plan to attend and wish these students a job well done!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a short business meeting with election of officers, followed by Bible Study (Lesson 8 of our study). The leader will be Sandra Metz, and hostess will be Bonnie Lund.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. and the hostess will be Elaine Francis. Bring your projects!

INTRO TO KNITTING & CROCHETING

On Wednesday, May 23, at 7:00 p.m., there will be an Intro to Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, Etc. class. If you are interested in learning to do any or all of these techniques, please come!

SUMMER CAMP IS COMING!

It’s time to register for a life-changing week of summer camp at Calvin Crest! Choose from family, ranch, explorer, night owl, mountain biking, or adventure camps. To help make camp accessible for everyone, our elders have pledged to pay for at least half of the camp fee for all our church’s kids. We say “at least half,” because we don’t want a little thing like money to stand in the way of going to camp. So please visit confidentially with Pastor Ray if you need some extra help. The elders have also set aside a few scholarships, too: so if you have an unchurched friend who would benefit from going to camp, refer them to Pastor Ray! For schedules and registration, pick up a brochure at the Opportunity Table, or visit www.calvincrest.org.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

The Confirmation students are invited to present themselves for active membership before the session on Monday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m.
The Confirmation students will make their profession of faith during worship on Sunday, May 20.
There will be a special reception for them following worship.

FOR SALE

If you have seen the print in the secretary’s office of the lamb and the cross and like it, it’s for sale! If you are interested in buying it, please contact Sonya Pearson at (402) 369-0126 and she can give you more details!

NEBRASKA PRESBYTERIAN RENEWAL LECTURE

Come for an informative afternoon! Dr. Alister Chapman, Associate Professor of History from Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, will be the speaker at the Renewal Lecture. The event is Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at the West Hills Church in Omaha. This event is free!

BANDITS’ GOTTA HAVE FAITH NIGHT

The Sioux City Bandits stadium football team is hosting a “Gotta Have Faith Night” on Saturday, 5/26, at 7:15 p.m., for church groups in Siouxland. The promotion includes a $4 ticket price (at Tyson Events Center) and a $4 tailgate pre-game party, featuring pulled pork sandwich, chips, and soft drink. If you are interested in going as a church group, please contact Pastor Ray!

STAMP OUT HUNGER

The Wayne area letter carriers will be participating in a food drive that is being sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers with the support of the United States Postal Service and the Campbell Soup Company. The food drive will take place on Saturday, May 12^th. Anyone wishing to participate should place their non-perishable food items next to their mailbox or bring it down to the Post Office lobby. If you have any questions please call Neal Greenwald at 402-529-6762.

NATIVE AMERICAN DANCERS

A Native American dance exhibition, featuring Lewis St. Cyr, founder of Many Moccasins Dance Troupe, will be coming to Wayne on Sunday, May 6, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, at 3:30 p.m. The program is open to the public and free. It is sponsored by the Wayne Optimist Club.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

The memorial service for Sharon Thomas, who passed away on April 27, will be in our sanctuary on Friday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a lunch following, in the Fellowship Hall.

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

We will go out to clean up our adopted stretch of highway on Wednesday, May 23^rd. We’ll meet at the church Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. Bring your gloves and wear your grubby shoes! Treats will follow at the church building!

CAMP COURAGE

Hospice of Siouxland is offering Camp Courage for young people grieving the death of a loved one. June 8-10, at the Goodwill Camp in South Sioux City, Nebraska. One of the cornerstones of Camp Courage is to provide an age-appropriate environment and activities which promote healthy grieving for all campers. Camps will be divided into children ages 4-7, 7-11, and 12-17. Thanks to funds from the Carrie Mach Memorial Golf Outing, the cost for families is just $25. If you know a kid who is grieving the loss of a loved one, register by June 4 by calling (712) 233-4144 or (800) 383-4545.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

The family of Ron Lage
The family of Sharon Thomas
Elda Jones, who has moved to the Randolph care center
Our graduates – both high school and college
Our confirmation students

April 2012 Presbytidings

Posted on March 30, 2012 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: BLESSED ARE THE DOUBTERS
If you ask me, Thomas has gotten a bad rap. “Doubting Thomas.” Like he never did anything else in his life! Like doubting is always a bad thing! How about Realistic Thomas? Or Common-Sensical Thomas? Or Using-His-Brain Thomas? Or how about Believing Thomas?

We all know the story: The risen Jesus appeared to his disciples (minus Thomas) as they huddled in a locked room—for fear of meeting the same fate as their leader—and he proved to them that he was alive by showing them his pierced hands and side wound. And John tells us that “the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” But when the disciples met up with Thomas later and told him about Jesus, he was skeptical at their crazy talk. Realistic. Smart. Because dead bodies don’t ordinarily come back to life after being in the tomb! You and I would do the same; we wouldn’t immediately abandon reason just because of some story. Right? Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side”—which, by the way, were things the other disciples got to do—“I will not believe.”

A week later Jesus appeared to his disciples behind locked doors again (something else corpses aren’t supposed to do!). And Jesus directly addressed Thomas: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Or to translate it another way: “Do not become unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas believed. But it wasn’t just a mushy happiness like his friends felt when they saw the risen Jesus. He came to a firm conviction, the kind only doubters arrive at: “My Lord and my God!”

A little skepticism is healthy—there’s little worse than folks who will fall for whatever they see on TV and give their credit card information to whatever charlatan makes the best pitch! Common sense is our friend. But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We may be a bit skeptical about some of the things other Christians believe and say and do. But Jesus still comes to us by his Spirit—and through the testimony of his first followers—and he confronts us with the reality of his resurrection. (An event, by the way, that is better attested than many things we accept as historical fact!) And Jesus still invites us to check the facts for ourselves, to use our brains: an empty tomb, lives changed, history altered, civilizations transformed, his continuing living presence in the hearts of those who love him.

Although we may not have the luxury of touching Jesus’ risen body, we are blessed if we come to same firm conviction as Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” May you be blessed this Easter season.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:
Journey to the upper room, the cross, and the empty tomb!

Maundy Thursday, 4/5: Communion service at 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, 4/6: community service at 12:00 noon—begins at First Presbyterian Church and will end at First United Methodist Church (rain location or for non-walkers, meet at First United Methodist Church).
Easter Sunday, 4/8: Easter Brunch at 9:00 a.m. – sign up at the Opportunity Table if you would like to bring something! Worship with Communion and baptism at 10:00a.m. (There will be no church school on Easter.)

Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! Invite a friend, and come expecting to meet Jesus.

EASTER LILIES WELCOME
Please help decorate our house of worship with symbols of new life in Christ. Bring your own Easter lilies and place them on the chancel in our sanctuary for the season of Easter (4/8-5/20).

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during April: 4/4 and 4/18. The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet on 4/11 and 4/25. Invite a friend! Both youth groups meet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.
High school youth fellowship will meet for its final time on Wednesday, May 2, and middle school for its final time on Wednesday, May 9. Please bring your ideas for summer reunions!

SESSION
The Session will gather on Monday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, to meet with Confirmation students. Please note the time and date variance.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The Presbyterian Women will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a short business meeting followed by Bible Study ~ Lesson 7 of our study. The leader will be Shari Paige, and hostess will be Joyce Voyles.

SEWING SOULS
Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. and the hostess will be Babs Middleton. Bring your projects!

INTRO TO KNITTING & CROCHETING
On Wednesday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m., there will be an Intro to Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, Etc. class. If you are interested in learning to do any or all of these techniques, please come! Your hostess will be Judy Lindberg.

SUMMER CAMP IS COMING!
It’s time to register for a life-changing week of summer camp at Calvin Crest! Choose from family, ranch, explorer, night owl, mountain biking, or adventure camps. To help make camp accessible for everyone, our elders have pledged to pay for at least half of the camp fee for all our church’s kids. We say “at least half,” because we don’t want a little thing like money to stand in the way of going to camp. So please visit confidentially with Pastor Ray if you need some extra help. The elders have also set aside a few scholarships, too: so if you have an unchurched friend who would benefit from going to camp, refer them to Pastor Ray! For schedules and registration, pick up a brochure at the Opportunity Table, or visit www.calvincrest.org.

PFALTZGRAFF AND PFRIENDS
Phil Pfaltzgraff is bringing his usually humorous and always entertaining program to our church! Join Phil and his “Pfriends” for a concert on Monday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

The Confirmation retreat will be April 20-22 at Calvin Crest. We will leave Wayne at 5:15 p.m. and be back on Sunday by mid-afternoon.
The Confirmation students are invited to present themselves for active membership before the session on Monday, May 14, at 8:00 p.m.
The Confirmation students will make their profession of faith during worship on Sunday, May 20.

PRESBYTERY DAY
Homestead Presbytery is sponsoring a day of learning and spiritual growth at Calvin Crest on Saturday, May 5, from 9:00-3:00. The cost is $10 (before April 15 and $15 after that). Discover the nuts and bolts of church leadership and some fun topics like astronomy and Dr. Seuss. See the Presbytery Day packet at the Opportunity Table, or visit www.homesteadpres.org for more information.

BENEFIT FOR CANDACE JARESKE
A benefit for Candace Jareske is planned for Sunday, April 22, from 10:30-2:00 at the Wayne Armory. There will be a soup and sandwich lunch as well as a live auction, silent auction, and bake sale. If you have any items you would like to donate, please contact Ellen Heinemann at 375-1488 or Becky Longe at 402-287-9960.

March 2012 Presbytidings

Posted on February 24, 2012 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: WORRYING

“Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” I think Bernice used to say that as much to herself as she did to the other members of our Bible study. And it wasn’t just because she was a little forgetful and wasn’t sure if we had heard it before; we had. For her—a woman who had buried two husbands and who struggled perennially with anxiety and depression—it was a mantra that attempted to keep her mind at ease: “Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.”

Jesus had a few things to say about worrying, too. He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25 NIV) Our Father takes care of us so well that we can simply relax and enjoy life in his favor.

But the command to stop worrying is a tough sell for a chronic worrier, like Bernice. To some, “stop worrying” sounds like “stop breathing.” So let me make a humble suggestion to all the worriers out there—chronic and otherwise: Don’t just sit in the rocking chair of worry, but direct your worries to God. Some people call that meditation, and it takes practice. But the worry warts among us actually have a head start on this vital spiritual discipline! The next time you start worrying about something, start addressing your concerns to God, because He is listening and He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Instead of saying to yourself, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with my kids!” say instead, “Lord Jesus, I commend my kids to your perfect care.” Over and over again, if necessary. Don’t say to yourself, “We’re not going to make it to the next paycheck,” but say, “Father, please take care of us, as you always have.”

If you can master that subtle change, the rocking chair of worry will become the private room of prayer and meditation (Matthew 6:6). And then we may truly focus on seeking first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. And as an added bonus, all that other stuff we were worrying about will be given to us as well! (Matthew 6:33)

May you experience a blessed and holy Lent, filled with prayer and meditation.

Pastor Ray

SESSION

The Session will have its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

LENTEN ACTIVITIES

The rhythm of the church year is leading us to our annual pilgrimage to the cross and to the empty tomb. This year, you are invited and encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities for spiritual growth in our congregation! Here are some stops along the journey:

Lenten Suppers: 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28

The suppers will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come, and bring the kids! Easy supper plans! (Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide food.)

Prayer Services: 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28

The prayer services will start at 6:45 p.m. in our sanctuary. Just to create a different experience, the services will be based on the Orthodox Great Vespers. The “sermon” will be from Ed’s Story (www.edsstory.com). (Youth groups will continue to meet, as usual, at 7:30, following the service–except for 3/14, which is the Confirmation field trip.)

Maundy Thursday, 4/5: Communion service at 7:00 p.m.–details to come.

Good Friday, 4/6: community service at 12:00 noon–details to come.

Please, please, please make time in your schedule to participate in our Lenten journey! Invite a friend, and come expecting to meet Jesus.

CONFIRMATION FIELD TRIP

The Confirmation class will visit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City (900 6^th St., www.holytrinity.ia.goarch.org) to participate in their Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which starts at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14. The car pool will leave our church’s building at 4:45 p.m. and return immediately after the service.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during March: 3/7 and 3/21. The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, 3/28 (but not 3/14, due to the Confirmation field trip). Invite a friend! Both youth groups meet from7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. Please note the day change as there are Lenten Services on Wednesday. There will be a short business meeting followed by Bible Study ~ Lesson 6 of our study. The leader will be Martha Svoboda, and hostess will be Karen Johnson.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet on March 20 (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. and the hostess will be Karen Johnson. Bring your projects!

INTRO TO KNITTING & CROCHETING

On Tuesday, March 27, at 7:00p.m., there will be an Intro to Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, Etc. class. If you are interested in learning to do any or all of these techniques, please come! Your hostess will be Judy Lindberg. Please note the day change, due to the Wednesday night Lenten activities.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

It’s that time of year again to update the church directory! So, if you have any new information (address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses), please jot it down on the sheet provided at the Opportunity Table, or e-mail the church at fpcwayne@gmail.com . Sonya will be working on the 2012-2013 directory and will try and have it completed by the end of April.

CAMPUS MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY

CrossPoint Campus Ministry will be hosting two forums during March: Women in Church Leadership on March 13, and Sexuality and the Bible on March 27. Both meetings will feature a dinner at 5:00 p.m. and the discussion at 5:30 p.m. We need your help preparing and serving the meals! If you can help, please contact Pastor Ray.

WAYNE CAMPUS & COMMUNITY HEALTH, WELLNESS & RESOURCE FAIR

The Wayne Campus & Community Health, Wellness, & Resource Fair will be on Thursday, March 22, from 3:00-7:00p.m. at the Wayne City Auditorium. The Fair will include a wide variety of booths and activities to cover all areas of wellness and basic needs. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kris Hinnerichs at 402-375-7160 or krhinne1@wsc.edu .

SPRING AHEAD!

DON’T FORGET TO SPRING AHEAD ONE HOUR on Sunday, March 11! It’s time to move those clocks!

“SHE WAS ALWAYS SMILING”

On Monday, February 20, we said goodbye to Faye Peck (Anita Fuelberth’s mother) at the John Huss Presbyterian Church in Thurston. In attendance was Tim Gallagher of the Sioux City Journal. Mr. Gallagher has written a lovely tribute to Faye in the February 21 online edition of the Sioux City Journal.

February 2012 Presbytidings

Posted on January 26, 2012 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: WHO IS YOUR CAPTAIN?

The image has become instantly iconic, seared into our minds: the huge, hulking cruise ship listing helplessly in the shallow waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Almost exactly 100 years after the sinking of the Titanic, the Costa Concordia went down in full view of the watching world.

And the story behind the ship’s demise only compounds the tragedy. Apparently, the ship’s captain, Francesco Schettino, deliberately took the $450 million ship off its assigned course—bringing the vessel dangerously close to the rocky Italian shoreline and endangering the 4,200 people on board—all for the noble purpose of allowing a crew member greet his family. During the ill-conceived maneuver, the ship hit a submerged rock, tearing a massive gash in the hull. Within seconds, the captain knew the ship was in trouble, and he ran the fast-sinking ship aground to keep it from sinking completely.

The death toll from the Costa Concordia could reach as many as 40 souls. But the calamity becomes even more unfortunate when we consider what happened in the time following the accident. Soon after the collision, Captain Schettino abandoned his post on the bridge of the ship and was riding on a rescue boat to safety. So much for the captain going down with the ship! An Italian newspaper obtained and published the recorded conversation between the cowardly captain and Gregorio De Falco, a captain in the Italian Coast Guard and leader of the rescue effort. When De Falco discovered that Schettino had abandoned his post, he was furious, and he ordered him back to the boat. “You go up that pilot ladder, get on that ship, and tell me how many people are still on board. And what they need. Is that clear? You need to tell me if there are children, women, or people in need of assistance…Listen, Schettino, you saved yourself from the sea, but I am going to…make sure you get in trouble…I am going to make you pay for this. Go on board, d*mn it!”

Captain Schettino never did return to his boat. He was later taken into custody by officials, and he remains on house arrest. He will most likely face criminal charges of manslaughter for his negligence in guiding his ship safely to its destination.

As disappointing as the captain’s behavior was, there are heartening stories of courage and selflessness that have emerged from the Concordia disaster. Manrico Giampedroni, the 57-year-old chief purser on board the ship devoted himself to rescuing passengers in the aftermath of the collision. He returned into the listing vessel over and over again, taking people to the life boats, until an airborne refrigerator broke his leg, making him one of those who needed to be rescued!

We can be thankful, though, that we have a faithful Captain who will not abandon us when we run into the rocky shores of life. We can put our trust in God, who is a steady refuge and strength in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). While selfish people will let us down—literally in the case of the Concordia—God will never let us down or forsake us. Of course, that doesn’t mean that trusting in God takes away the rocks; but it does mean that we have a Captain who steers us safely toward eternity. Scripture promises that God “will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9 NIV). Now that is a Captain we can trust!

Another story to emerge from the Costa Concordia tragedy is that of Francis and Nicole Servel, an older French couple traveling on the Concordia that fateful night. There was little direction from the crew, since the order for evacuation was never actually given. So the couple was preparing to jump off the sinking cruise ship. But there was only one life jacket between the two of them. So Francis gave the life jacket to his wife. And the two of them then leaped into the 46-degree water; Mrs. Servel managed to swim to the shore, but Mr. Servel was swept underwater and drowned. Later, she said, “I owe my life to my husband—it’s obvious he saved me.”

And that is the same image of how faithful our God is. God went the distance to rescue us from the icy waters of sin and the sinking vessel of death in this broken world—even at the cost of his own life. Jesus laid down his life at the cross for our sake, trading his life for our lives, so we could live eternally.

And so the question for us is, “Who is our captain?” Do we wish to put our lives in the hands of fallible men? Or do we want to be mastered by the false gods of money and materialism? Will we take our own chances in the sea of chaos that is this world? Or will we put our faith in Jesus Christ, our only trustworthy Captain—who will lead us safely to our destination?

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Ray

SESSION

The Session will have its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Homestead Presbytery will be gathering for its spring stated assembly on Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. If you would like to attend (or to serve as our elder commissioner), please visit with Pastor Ray. Visit www.homesteadpres.org for more information.

LENTEN ACTIVITIES

Ash Wednesday: The Lenten season kicks off with a solemn worship service in our sanctuary—including the imposition of ashes—on Wednesday, February 22, at 6:30 p.m. (The middle school youth fellowship will meet afterwards, from 7:30-8:30, like usual.)

Lenten Supper & Service: Each Wednesday during Lent, we will gather for a supper together at 6:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 6:45. In an attempt to make these activities more accessible, the meals will be provided! Just show up and enjoy the time in community. Additionally, child care will be provided during the worship services to include families with young children. (The youth groups will continue to meet uninterrupted throughout March.)

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during February: 2/1 and 2/15. The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet on the following Wednesdays during February: 2/8 and 2/22. Invite a friend! Both youth groups meet from7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women will have their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a short business meeting followed by Bible Study ~ Lesson 5 of our study. The leader will be Jan Liska, and hostess will be Babs Middleton.

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, Presbyterian Women at First Presbyterian Church in Wayne invite you to have cake during Fellowship Hour to celebrate everyone’s birthday and to give to those in need by donating to the Birthday Offering.

Sewing Souls will meet on February 15 at 6:30 p.m. and the hostess will be Elaine Francis. Bring your projects!

On Tuesday, February 28, at 7:00p.m., there will be an Intro to Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, Etc. class. If you are interested in learning to do any or all of these techniques, please come! Your hostess will be Judy Lindberg. Please note the day change, due to the Wednesday night Lenten activities.

FOCUS ON MISSIONS:

Pastor Tim and Sonya Pearson, along with their daughter Nevaeh, will be talking about their new ministry with our church family on Sunday, February 26. (Sonya is our church secretary.) The Pearsons are on staff with the Rural Home Missionary Association (RHMA). RHMA works across denominational lines to plant and strengthen churches in small towns. Through the years the blessing of God has clearly been evident, as new churches have been established and existing churches given new life. In the process, countless have been nurtured in their Christian faith. Pastor Tim and Sonya have accepted a call to serve as a missionary pastor at New Life Bible Church in Alma, Kansas. Alma is a small town located just off of I-70, between Manhattan and Topeka. The Pearsons are in process of raising missionary support and hope to move to Alma by the end of May. If you would like to become a partner with them in their ministry, please contact RHMA at (309) 263-2350, e-mail them at info@rhma.org, or, visit with Pastor Tim and Sonya personally. Tune in on Sunday, February 26, to hear first-hand about their ministry! Visit www.rhma.org to learn about the RHMA mission.

MISSIONS OPPORTUNITY

Our presbytery is forming partnerships with churches in the Czech Republic. And since this part of Nebraska has more than its fair share of Czechs, this might be an interesting opportunity to some of you! If you would like more information on this missions endeavor, please contact Richard Wyatt at richardw@homsteadpres.org or go to http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missionconnections/moritz-karen/ for more details.

THANK YOU!

A HUGE thank you for the wonderful Christmas gift that you gave me! I appreciate the thoughtfulness & kindness that you have shown to me this past year. I take pleasure in working as your secretary and have enjoyed getting to know a lot of you! God Bless! ~Sonya Pearson

FREE FOR THE TAKING!

Do you need some Christmas lights for next year? In the Fellowship Hall, there are several bags of Christmas lights available for the taking, as well as a large, light-up snowflake decoration. Help yourself!

2012 SERVICE SCHEDULE

The 2012 Service Schedule is available—this includes those of you who signed up on your stewardship forms to help out as lector, greeters, or acolytes. There is a schedule posted in the Fellowship Hall, as well as the secretary’s office. There are several available on the Opportunity Table as well. Please check the schedule for your name and date of service! If you are not able to help that particular Sunday, please call someone and find a substitute.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

The big game is set! Maybe your team made it, and maybe it didn’t. But this year, let’s remember those in our nation and neighborhoods who don’t have enough. Please bring your non-perishable food donation and place it in the sanctuary by Sunday, February 5. If you would like to financially support the Souper Bowl effort, please make your check out to First Presbyterian Church with a memo of “Souper Bowl.” This project is being sponsored by the Wayne Blue Devils Octagon Optimist Club. Thank you!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

Homecoming: Unmasking the Orphan Spirit by Jon P. Voyles, Sr., son of Joyce and the late George Voyles.

Protecting the Princess by Rachelle McCalla (second of four books in the “Reclaiming the Crown” series; the first is Princess in Peril)

The Detective’s Secret Daughter by Rachelle McCalla (part of the Fitzgerald Bay continuity series).

These books are available online (e.g., Amazon).

PRAYER TEAM

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 HCSB

This year, we are piloting a new, technology-enabled ministry: a prayer team. When someone hears of a prayer concern (Pastor Ray, Sonya, a ruling elder, et al), we will send out a quick e-mail message to our prayer partners, encouraging them to lift up prayer for

BOXES FOR OUR SOLDIER

Would you like to send a package to our soldier, David Buller, or other soldiers serving in Afghanistan? Here’s your opportunity! There are USPS boxes in the Fellowship Hall that you can fill up or you can go to the post office and ask for a box for the military. Please fill up these boxes with special items as a care package to our military men and women. Suggested items are: cereal/granola bars, tuna, Gatorade powder mix (or other complete drink mixes), beef jerky, crackers, snack mix, wet wipes, decks of cards, etc. Also, iTunes gift cards are another great idea! Please have these boxes packed and ready to go by Sunday, February 19.

NEW ADDRESS

Sharon Thomas, a member of our congregation, has moved from The Oaks of Wayne to a care facility in Loup City, Nebraska. She would love to hear from all of you!

Sharon Thomas c/o Rose Lane Home,1005 North 8^th St. Loup City, NE 68853

November 2011 Presbytidings Newsletter

Posted on November 1, 2011 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

“The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that it’s difficult to determine whether or not they are genuine.” – Abraham Lincoln

Well said, Mr. President, well said. I love a good, inspiring quotation as much as anybody, but it seems that most of what one finds on the Internet is rather uninspiring. But a while back I encountered a quotation on a Facebook friend’s page that actually made me stop and think: “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” Wow. What if everything we took for granted disappeared? What would go away? Our families? Our friends? Our homes?

We live in a gratitude-deficient culture, where we expect things and demand things, but take for granted the basics that many people in the world do not have. We may complain that our Internet connection isn’t fast enough, or that our smart phones don’t work right, or that our houses are not big enough or fancy enough. But by doing so, we betray our spoiled, thankless attitude that pervades our unbelieving world.

The holiday we know as Thanksgiving is not just a secular observance with nods to the food and football gods. Thanksgiving was established by Abraham Lincoln (who never owned a smart phone) on October 3, 1863, during the depth of the Civil War. Despite the bloodshed and national turmoil, the president urged Americans to change their perspective and show their gratitude for all God’s blessings. Here is a (real and honest) snippet of his proclamation:

“It has seemed to me fit and proper that they [our blessings] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

For Christians, “thanksgiving” is not just one day out of 365 when we remember our blessings while feasting on turkey. But thanksgiving is an attitude of gratitude that we cultivate each waking moment, when we—with other Christians—give thanks to our God who has given us life and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Perhaps one more Internet quotation would be helpful here, and this one is also trustworthy: “What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116:12-14 NIV

So let us give thanks to our great God, not just on November 24, but on every day.

Pastor Ray

MAKE A NOTE!

Mark your calendars! The date for moving your clocks back is Sunday, November 6. Don’t forget to fall back.

SESSION

The session will have its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, November 13, following worship for the purpose of approving the pastor’s compensation for 2012 and electing officers (deacons and elders). Elder candidates will be Greg Worner (1^st term), Jim Paige (2^nd term), and Kevin Peterson (2^nd term). Deacon candidates will be Karen McElwain (1^st term) and Misty Beair (1^st term).

STEWARDSHIP DRIVE

After our congregational meeting on November 13, all members and participants of our church will receive a stewardship packet with our finalized budget for 2012, a financial pledge form, and a time-and-talents form. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the ministry of our church and return your form either to Anita Fuelberth or the church office by December 4.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The High School Youth Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, 11/2, and Wednesday, 11/16, from 7:30-8:30p.m. The Middle School Youth Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, 11/9, and 11/23, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. Invite a friend!

BETTER TOGETHER

Last I checked, the Bible and the Creed speak of one church, not many. So let’s start living like it! The high school youth from the congregations in Wayne are coming together to make a difference through a Community Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, November 9. Everyone wishing to participate should meet at the Wayne Community Activity Center by 7:00 p.m. Each group will be assigned an area of town to go out soliciting food for the Wayne food pantry, and we will finish by 8:00 p.m. We might even mix up the youth groups, just for fun! Everyone will then meet back at the food pantry to drop off collected items. Refreshments provided by each group involved will follow in FPC’s Fellowship Hall. Let’s get together!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women will meet Wednesday, November 2, at 6:30p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bible Study will be led by Marilyn Yates and the Hostess this month is Elaine Francis. Sewing Souls will meet on Saturday, November 19 at 9:00a.m. to do some cleaning in the kitchen as well as other projects! Your Hostesses for this are Judy Linberg and Sandra Metz.

RED CROSS

Northeast Nebraska Red Cross offers several opportunities to become involved. If anyone or any group is interested contact Shalle Wolff at

(402) 371-0393. Current needs are:

Office support volunteers
Hand-made quilts for disaster clients
Plastic totes for storage of blankets/bedding/quilts
Shelving in disaster supply storage areas
Items for comfort kits given to disaster clients
Replenish supply of bottled water and snacks
Office supplies collection
Disaster Response Volunteerism

BIRTHDAYS!

There will be a birthday list on the Opportunity Table…please check it out! If your birthday is on there, make sure we have the right date, if it isn’t and you would like it to be, please add it to the list! Happy Birthday!

FESTIVAL OF TREES

The American Association for Women in Community Colleges presents its 11^th Annual Festival of Trees at Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Friday-Sunday, November 11-13. Hours are Friday from 2-8 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center. Enjoy holiday displays by retailers, non-profit groups, student organizations, and private collections not on public display elsewhere. If you are interested in participating in the Festival of Trees, please contact Deb Ferris at 402-844-7101 or register online at www.northeast.edu/Organizations/AAWCC/. You may get tickets for this event at the door.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Wayne Community Thanksgiving Service will be Sunday, November 20, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Soup and pie dinner to follow. Our church is responsible for bringing 4 soups and 4 pies. There is a sign-up sheet on the Opportunity Table if you would like to participate!

THANKSGIVING BREAK

The Church Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We will also not have Confirmation class or church school on Sunday, November 27.

PRAYER GROUP

Several Christians from the community are organizing an inter-denominational prayer group to humbly make petitions to God. They will meet for the first time on Friday, November 4, from 12:00-12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Holy Family Hall (in the basement). This prayer group will continue to meet on Fridays from 12 noon to 12:30 and is open to and welcomes all people of any faith and age. God has promised that where two or three are gathered He will be there in our midst. So let us seek Him together! For any additional information please call St. Mary’s Church at 375-2000.

SUPPORT OUR SOLDIER!

Please pray for David Buller, our soldier who is serving in Afghanistan. If you would like to contact him or send him gifts (please refer to the soldiers’ wish list in the Fellowship Hall), his address is:

SPC Buller David
181 Eng Det FFTM
Camp Deh Dadi II
APO AE 09368

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather at Calvin Crest on Thursday, November 17, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Come away to camp for a day of refreshment and worship!

COAT CLOSET AND FOOD PANTRY

The Coat Closet and Food Pantry need your help! You may bring your donations to the church office during regular office hours. The Coat Closet will take not only winter coats for all ages (especially kids), but snow pants and snow boots, hats, gloves, and mittens as well. The Food Pantry is in need of such things as canned fruit, canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.), soups, pasta, Hamburger Helper, and macaroni & cheese. Also, if you would like to donate diapers, all sizes, it would be appreciated! Thanks for your help!

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

It’s time to decorate the church building for the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons! We will be decorating on Wednesday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. Please bring Christmas snacks and music to share as we work together!

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!

October 2011 Presbytidings

Posted on October 1, 2011 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: NO MORE AWKWARD

Chances are that if you told your friends about a new restaurant that you tried and liked, they would be grateful to hear your appraisal and to know that you served as a guinea pig for them. And chances are that if you told your friends about getting a good deal at a store—or about how you scored some sweet coupons for something you use anyway—they would be ecstatic to get in on the action. And chances are that if you recommended a car or a major appliance to your friends, they would be all ears, thankful to have the real-life, tested feedback so they will be equipped to make similar choices in the future.

But chances are that if you told your friends about how much you like your church—how you feel spiritually satisfied by the worship and fellowship there—and suggested that they visit some time, awkwardness would immediately descend on the conversation. They would tense up and assume that you and your churchy friends are trying to steal their eternal souls and their wallets at the same time, while brainwashing them and their children with your scary doctrine. Chances are they would recoil in horror at the suggestion that they “need” to “go” to “church.”

I’ve never quite figured out why people respond so radically differently to an invitation to church than they do to invitations to other stuff. If someone asks you if you’d like to come to their kids’ basketball game or dance recital, you think about it and say “yes” or “no,” but there’s no harm to the friendship one way or the other. But church is somehow different. Christianity reaches deep and confronts us with ultimate questions about life, death, the world, our humanity, and the existence of God. And people recognize that.

For sure, our friends have had diverse experiences with Christianity, and we must be sensitive to their personal history and baggage. When faced with the prospect of church, especially worship, people are often afraid that they will encounter strange rituals and unfamiliar music, and that they’ll end up feeling weird and left out. People also assume that at the end of the service they will have to go down front and cry in public, and pray with some stranger, and “accept” Jesus “into” their “heart.” They might even feel a twinge of guilt about their hidden sin and say something quasi-jovial to you about not coming to church, lest the “roof” “cave in” on their “heads” when they show up. And all that’s just too awkward to risk!

Unfortunately, churches, pastors, youth leaders, and church members have harmed people spiritually and have only reinforced some of those negative stereotypes about Christianity; they have unwittingly fertilized the awkwardness that surrounds invitations to worship and participate in the life of a congregation, making it harder for all of us.

But I hereby declare a no-awkwardness policy for our church family. Let’s dispel all the weirdness that goes along with an endorsement of and an invitation to our church. And let’s banish all the awkwardness that we might feel when our friends are faced the choice of accepting or rejecting our offer. Coming to our church once or not coming to our church is not life-or-death; it’s not an eternal decision. No one has to cry or go down front. No one’s wallet will be snatched. So relax! Enjoy the fellowship of the saints that God has gathered together, and let that joy overflow to others.

Pastor Ray

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, October 2, in observance of World Communion Sunday.

SESSION MEETING

The session will have its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. The deacons are invited to come to the session meeting (at about 7:30 p.m.) and share about their ministry.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, November 13, following worship for the purpose of approving the pastor’s compensation for 2012 and electing officers.

WE NEED YOU!

Please cruise by the Opportunity Table and sign up if you are interested in providing special music for worship, in hosting Fellowship Time after worship. There are many blanks waiting for your name!

STU BEAR OFFERING

Five years ago our church school began sponsoring a boy from Colombia named Johan through Compassion International. Funds from our church school offering (called Stu Bear, because of the special envelopes given to church school kids) have supported him ever since. It’s time that we re-double our efforts to take care of Johan as he grows up! This fall, all church school kids will be given a box of offering envelopes. They will be encouraged to bring a gift, however large or small, every Sunday to give during church school or worship. Thank you for your efforts!

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The High School Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, 10/5, and Wednesday, 10/19, from 7:30-8:30p.m. The Middle School Youth Group will meet on Wednesday, 10/12, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

MERCY MEALS

The Confirmation class invites the congregation to help them package food for Mercy Meals of Nebraska (in the Orphan Grain Train facility) on Wednesday, 10/26, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. We will meet at our church’s building and depart by 6:45 to car pool down to Norfolk. We will return by 9:40 or so. Visit www.mercymealsofnebraska.org for more information.

BETTER TOGETHER

YOUTH SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES!

1) Roadside Clean-Up: Sunday, October 16, after worship (11:00 a.m.)

2) Museum Clean-Up: Sunday, October 16, 1:00 p.m. (Lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall between these events.)

3) Mercy Meals: Wednesday, October 26, 7:30-9:00 p.m. (We will meet at our church building at 6:45 and car pool down to Norfolk.)

MT. ZION FIELD TRIP

The Confirmation class is taking their fall field trip, and you are invited to come along! We will be going to Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, an African American congregation in Sioux City (1421 Geneva St., www.mtzionchurch.us) on Sunday, October 23. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room, like usual, and then car pool to Sioux City for the 10:45 service. Please bring lunch money. We need drivers, so if you can help, please contact Pastor Ray.

PRESBY JAMBOREE

Celebrate God’s goodness at the Heeses’ house (1293 H Ave, Pender) on Saturday, October 8, starting at 5:30 p.m. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. The main dish and soft drinks will be provided. Bring an unchurched friend!

BETHANY AUCTION

Bethany Presbyterian Church, which recently closed, will be hosting an auction for the church building and all its contents Sunday, October 9, beginning at 12:30 p.m. You can examine the items in person the morning before the auction. The Methodist Church of Carroll will be selling lunch. To see pictures and descriptions of the lots, visit http://www.mchjauctioneers.com/oct9.htm.

GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE

As you travel down life’s highway, it is good to stop and rest a while. Take a break with Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage, a way to seek refreshment, worship, rest, and strength for the journey. Calvin Crest, October 20-23, 2011. Visit www.gpppilgrimage.org for more information.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

There has been lots of interest shown in our knitting and crocheting group! This group will meet on the 4^th Wednesday evening in October (26^th) at 7:00p.m. Come with your project and enjoy some fellowship! The Presbyterian Women will have their regular meeting on Wednesday, October 5^th, at 6:30p.m., and Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, October 19^th, at 6:30p.m.

HARVESTING TOGETHER – PRESBYTERY DAY

“Harvesting Together” (what God has grown) is the theme of Presbytery Day 2011, sponsored by the Congregational Development M&M Task Group of Homestead Presbytery. The event will be held on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. at Calvin Crest. At the heart of Presbytery Day will be worship, three sections of 50 minute workshops, a Resource Center for Churches, and the Soul Desires bookstore of Omaha. A tour of Calvin Crest will conclude the day. The registration fee for the day is $10 each (lunch provided and child care) if postmarked by Sept. 8. The late fee is $15 (after Sept. 8 – lunch and child care provided). Mail registration and check payable to: Homestead Presbytery, 1135 Eastridge Drive, Lincoln, NE 68510.

FACEDOWN PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS!!

Facedown Productions presents the group Cloverton, featuring their hit single “Take Me into the Beautiful”. Live at First Christian Church, Norfolk, on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Show starts at 6pm – tickets are $7 advance & $10 at door. For ticket information contact the Abbey Christian Store in Norfolk or First Christian Church in Norfolk.

CROP WALK

The Wayne City Wide Community Crop Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 9, 2011. The one, three, or six mile walk will begin at 1:30pm with registration beginning at 1:15pm. The walk will begin and end at Our Savior Lutheran Church. A map of the route will be supplied at the registration table on the day of the walk. If you wish to have a copy of the walk route before then, please contact Deb Hammer at 375-2837 or email her at debhammer@huntel.net . The Crop Walk is a wonderful opportunity for our community to make a difference to help the fight against world hunger.

SOAP FOR LITTLE HANDS

In the past two years we have touched the lives of approximately 1800 young folks with soap, toothbrushes, & toothpaste in their Christmas bags which are distributed by His Hands Ministry, Meadowlark Ministry, & Cristo Rey Ministries. Because of the unrest in Mexico, these ministries have been told not to bring supplies across the boarder because the cartels are watching them. This year all donations will be distributed to children on the U.S. side of the border. If you have hotel soap, shampoo, or conditioners from your travels, please put them in the bucket in the sanctuary. You are welcome to purchase soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, too. Buckets will be picked up and packed on October 31^st. This has become a great outreach program for the churches of Wayne, and on behalf of the ministries involved, we thank you for caring for the needs of children in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

MAKE A NOTE!

Mark your calendars! The date for moving your clocks back is Sunday, November 6^th. Don’t forget to fall back.

PASTOR APPRECIATION

Don’t forget: October is pastor appreciation month.

Show your pastor how much you care! Go to christianbook.com or familychristian.com for great ideas!

BIRTHDAYS!

September 2011 Presbytidings

Posted on August 24, 2011 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV)

Using the simplest symbols, Jesus gave his followers a way to remember his sacrifice until his return. When we take the piece of bread in our hands and hold the cup, we visualize the gospel itself: that Jesus Christ gave his life for sinners, so we could be reconciled to God and receive eternal life through faith in Jesus.

But from the very beginning, Jesus’ followers have disagreed about how, exactly, we should “do this” in remembrance of him. What did Jesus mean when he said, “This is my body and blood”? Did he mean it literally? And how often should we celebrate this Supper? Weekly, on the Lord’s Day? Monthly? Daily? And who is invited to take and eat? Everyone? Only the baptized? Adults?

In our congregation—which reflects our larger Presbyterian and Reformed heritage—we have pretty well settled most of these questions. We tend to affirm Christ’s spiritual presence in the bread and juice (as opposed to a real presence [Lutheran and Catholic], or the memorial feast concept [Baptist, “Christian,” and most “low” evangelical churches]). We also observe a monthly celebration of the Lord’s Supper (as opposed to weekly [Catholic and “Christian”] or quarterly [Baptist and most other “low” evangelical churches]).

But one question remains that we have not completely resolved: Who is invited to the Lord’s Table? For other traditions, the answer to this question is clear-cut: Roman Catholics have a first communion for baptized second graders; Missouri Synod Lutherans admit only members in good standing; Methodists will serve anyone who claims Jesus; Episcopalians and Evangelical Lutherans will admit all baptized Christians; Eastern Orthodox churches communicate baptized Orthodox Christians from the time they can swallow as babies!

But what about Presbyterians? Traditionally, American Presbyterians have practiced a believers’ Communion. That is, Presbyterians who completed a “communicants’” class and made their profession of faith in Jesus Christ were welcomed to the Table. This, by the way, is how First Presbyterian Church of Wayne has operated since anyone can remember, and it is also how Yours Truly practiced the faith when I was 12. But what about baptized Christians from other denominations and traditions? What about believing kids from other churches?

Our newly revised Book of Order (part of the constitution for our denomination), on the other hand, declares: “The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love.” (W-2.4011a, bold added) It goes on to say that “Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and the meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord’s Supper, recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity.” (W-2.4011b, bold added)

So where does that leave us as a congregation? Should we let our little children receive the sacrament as they wish? Should we maintain a believers’ Communion for those who have made a public profession of faith? In May, our elders discerned that this decision ultimately rests with the affected families. Each family is invited to have a conversation among themselves about what the sacrament means to them, and how they should best participate. It is possible, by the way, that we could offer a workshop on the Lord’s Supper for younger children, if our church families are interested (please contact me if you are!).

But however we answer the question How should we “do this” in remembrance of him, we can all give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and put our ultimate trust in him.

Pastor Ray

SESSION MEETING

The session will have its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m.

WE NEED YOU!

Please cruise by the Opportunity Table and sign up if you are interested in providing special music for worship, in hosting Fellowship Time after worship, or mowing the church’s or manse’s lawn. There are many blanks waiting for your name!

SUNDAE SUNDAY IS COMING!

Church school is right around the corner! Starting Sunday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m., we will have church school for kindergartners through 6^th grade. Invite your friends, and join the fun! We will also celebrate the fall semester with ice cream sundaes after worship on September 11.

STU BEAR OFFERING

Five years ago our church school began sponsoring a boy from Colombia named Johan through Compassion International. Funds from our church school offering (often called Stu Bear, because of the special envelopes given to church school kids) have supported him ever since. It’s time that we re-double our efforts to take care of Johan as he grows up! This fall, all church school kids will be given a box of offering envelopes. They will be encouraged to bring a gift, however large or small, every Sunday to give during church school or worship. Thank you for your efforts!

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The middle school youth fellowship will meet on Wednesday, September 14, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. They will continue to meet on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of the month.

The high school youth fellowship will meet on Wednesday, September 7, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Room. They will continue to meet the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of the month.

A PRAYER FOR 9/11

Here is a prayer for the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

“Almighty and merciful God, you cannot be understood by one who sows discord, you cannot be accepted by one who loves violence: look upon our painful human condition tried by cruel acts of terror and death; comfort your children and open our hearts to hope, so that our time may again know days of serenity and peace; through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (prayed by Pope John Paul II on September 12, 2001)

FALL OFFICE HOURS

The church office will be open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., starting September 6.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING

FCBH is raising money to send BibleSticks to our troops. BibleSticks are small mp3 players loaded with the New Testament so military personnel can listen to God’s Word and find comfort, hope, and courage during difficult times. We will be receiving a special offering for the BibleStick outreach during worship on Sunday, September 18. Visit www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/military/military-outreach for more information. Pray for our troops!

FARM FUN FUNDRAISER

Jan Liska is at it again: walking to raise money for a cure to breast cancer. Come to the Liskas’ farm (57479 854 Road) on either September 25 or October 2, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., for hot dogs, s’mores, hayrides, and fun. Please RSVP by September 9 with your date choice and number attending (375-1254; 369-1552; jkliska@huntel.net). You may also give online at www.the3day.org (participant is Jan Liska).

GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE

POTLUCK!

Our church family will celebrate the fall with an old-fashioned potluck lunch after worship on Sunday, September 18. Bring food to share; drinks and dishes will be provided.

OLDER ADULT RETREAT

Register now for the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints) Celebration on September 21 and 22, at Calvin Crest in Fremont, sponsored by Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries. The Tuesday and Wednesday Celebration theme is “Shalom—God’s Blessing of Peace,” keynoted by the Executive Presbyters of Homestead and Missouri River Valley presbyteries, Richard Wyatt and Kevin Keaton. The celebration offers entertainment, relaxation, knowledge, spiritual growth, fellowship, and the hospitality of Calvin Crest. Additional information and registration materials may be found at:

http://www.calvincrest.org/OWLS.php

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

September is almost here, and our first meeting of Presbyterian Women this fall will be on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. with a Potluck Supper. The agenda includes food, business, installation of officers, and introduction to the new Horizons Bible Study: Confessing the Beatitudes by Margaret Aymer. Bible Study books are available for sale, and if we are lucky enough to run out of books, we’ll order more!

LEARN KNITTING AND CROCHETING

We will also host our first Intro to Knitting, Crocheting, Sewing, Etc. this fall on the fourth Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is a chance to learn new skills, work on projects, suggest new projects, build friendships—and eat a cookie or two! We look forward to seeing you!

HARVESTING TOGETHER – PRESBYTERY DAY

LIVING PROOF LIVE SIMULCAST

You are invited to a Beth Moore one-day simulcast conference!! Life-changing Bible study with Beth Moore, inspiring worship with Travis Cottrell. Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the United Lutheran Church in Laurel, NE. The cost is $20.00 & it includes the event, lunch, snack, & t-shirt. For more information and tickets, call 402-256-9169.

August 2011 Presbytidings Newsletter

Posted on July 28, 2011 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A SPECIAL INVITATION FROM JACI ALEXANDER

Hello! As some of you may or may not know, I went to a Christian event known as CIY or Christ in Youth these past two summers. Christ in Youth is a week long convention for high schoolers and a few adult sponsors. All week is dedicated to furthering our faith, learning about God, and growing bonds with other people we thought never possible.

In July of 2010 I received a dare card. These dare cards were handed out to every participant of CIY’s MOVE event, which was designed to keep us Christians moving in our faith—creating more disciples and strengthening ourselves. On my dare card, it read that I had the option of raising $5,000 to make a freshwater well in Zambia, Africa. The reason for the well is to prevent disease, death, malnutrition, and missing out on education among many children and even adults. Without access to clean drinking water, many women and children are forced to walk 6 plus miles every day for water—the very same water shared with animals that is infested with feces—the water they must use to clean themselves and their clothes with, that is ultimately used as drinking water.

You may wonder how, in fact, do poor water conditions affect education. Well, as for many children, they are forced to walk and get the water for their family, or what’s left of it, and are unable to go to school. Convenient access to clean water in the United States has made us spoiled! As Americans we cannot deny the fact we are wasters—the average American family uses over 350 gallons of water a day while the average African family uses a measly 5 gallons. Even the death rate for water-related diseases is an outstanding number of 3,800 children per day, if not more.

I could go on and on about this water crisis—how much it means to me, but most importantly how it will affect the communities in Africa that desperately need it. I only need ask one question: Do you care enough to help? If you think no, that’s okay, but I plead to you this one thing: put yourself in their situation. You walk those 6 plus miles every day, watch your siblings and children miss out on education—to deteriorate before your very eyes and yet have nothing to stop it because you yourself are paralyzed in the shackles of disease.

My purpose is not to create a memory nor to glorify myself. My purpose is to encourage people to live their lives they never could have had without their own stability. So make a change and make a difference, because we are the only people that can!

If you feel led to donate to my dare, please make checks out to “Active Water” and send them to me (904 Pine Heights Road, Wayne). I am more than halfway to my goal. Thank you!

Jaci Alexander

SESSION MEETING

The session will have its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m.

WE NEED YOU!

Please cruise by the Opportunity Table and sign up if you are interested in providing special music for worship, in hosting Fellowship Time after worship, mowing the church’s lawn, or the manse’s lawn during the summer. There are many blanks waiting for your name!

VOLUNTEER AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER

Our church has volunteered to work at the Majestic Theater on August 25, 26, 27 and 28^th. We will need to have four to six volunteers per movie showing. We need to be at the theater one hour before the movie and stay until 30 minutes after the late movie. Bonus: if you volunteer, you will get to see the movie! We will have the signup available in August on the Opportunity Table. Please sign up and join in on the fun. Everyone has fun working at the theater, and with more people we will have more fun. If you have questions contact Jeryl Nelson at (402) 375-5145.

CHURCH SCHOOL IS COMING!

Build disciples through church school! Starting Sunday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m. we will have church school for kindergartners through 5^th grade. Invite your friends, and join the fun!

CHURCH SCHOOL LEADERS

If you would like to help out with our church school, please come to our organizational meeting: Tuesday, August 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come with your ideas and dreams!

SEEKING CONFIRMATION MENTORS

We need mature Christian men and women to serve as mentors for our Confirmation students. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Ray.

ENRICH YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE

These Days and The Upper Room are daily devotionals available for you and your spiritual growth. Find them at the back of the sanctuary. Also, visit www.fpcwayne.org/spirituality to find online resources to enrich your walk with God.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The middle school and high school youth groups will begin meeting again in September. Watch for details for times and places!

YOUTH MENTORS

Here’s an easy volunteer job in our church: Come and hang out with our youths during youth group time. Build positive relationships across generations just by spending time together. Contact Pastor Ray if you feel called to this ministry of presence!

PRAY CONTINUALLY…

Whether you are directly involved in our fall programs (youth, women, church school, etc.) or not, you can support our church’s ministry! Please take a moment and pray for God’s blessing on what we are doing, that our efforts would draw people to Jesus and glorify God in our community. Thank you!

WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE

God loves us more than we know. He gives us more than we can ask or dream. He’s unrestrained… excessive… outrageous… Over the Top. The annual Women Of Faith Conference will be held in Omaha, August 12-13, 2011 at the Qwest Center. For more information or to register, go to: www.womenoffaith.com/events/2011-events/omaha/ or call 1-888-49-FAITH (1-888-493-2484).

TIPS FOR GREETERS

So you’ve been assigned to serve as a greeter on Sunday morning, and you panic: “What do I do? I’ve never greeted before, and I’m not all that friendly!” Relax, friends. While serving as a greeter is one of the most important jobs on Sunday morning, there’s no pressure. You can do it! Here are a couple of practical tips for being the best greeter ever.

Take a second to read the indispensible “Guidelines for Greeters” that is tucked inside the white binder on the greeters’ pew. Then do what it says. That’s 90% of the job.
As the job title suggests, your job is to greet people as they come to worship! So make people feel welcome! If you know them well, greet them; if you don’t know them well, greet them and get to know them better; if they are visitors, roll out the hospitality and make sure they feel comfortable.

Greeters and non-greeters alike: Let’s build a reputation of being the friendliest church around!

OLDER ADULT RETREAT

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will be starting a new Horizons Bible Study this fall, Confessing the Beatitudes by Margaret Aymer. Our first meeting will be a Potluck Meal on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will have installation of officers and Introduction to the Bible Study. Lesson One will be studied at the October meeting.

All women are invited to join in the Bible Study, mission projects, fellowship, and tasty treats. So consider marking the first Wednesday of each month on your calendar to remind you to come study, share joys and concerns, and form new/renew/enrich relationships with other women in our church!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

The Wayne Public Library has several of the books on the new PWPH 2011-2012 Reading List on its shelves. Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps (the One Book One Nebraska 2011 selection) by Ted Kooser, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, In the Company of Others by Jan Karon, Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber, God’s Guest List by Debbie Macomber, Survival Instinct by Rachelle McCalla, Out on a Limb by Rachelle McCalla, Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron, and Dewey’s Nine Lives by Vicki Myron.

On our library shelves at Wayne First Presbyterian Church are the emptiness of our hands: a lent lived on the streets by Phyllis Cole-Dai and James Murray and The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Phyllis Cole-Dai spoke at Synod Gathering last summer (2010) about her experience living on the streets with the homeless.

If you have not picked up a copy of the 2011-2012 Reading List, look for a pile of gold in the Fellowship Hall and enjoy!

CALVIN CREST QUILT AUCTION

The 14th Annual Quilt Auction & BBQ will be on Saturday, August 27th. Proceeds from the auction and BBQ support projects and programs at Calvin Crest. The quilts go on display at 10:00. The quilt Auction starts at 1:00. There will be a Silent Auction from 10:00 to 2:00. A BBQ lunch will be served from 12:00 to 1:30. Sewing Souls will send items for the auction. Come support Calvin Crest.

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!” Share our newsletter with all your friends and family. Simple!

Summer Newsletter

Posted on June 9, 2011 by First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR:

Soul Surfer is a new summer movie that closely follows the real-life experiences of Bethany Hamilton, a young woman from Hawaii. You know it has to be real, because even the most clever screenwriter couldn’t come up with a story so fantastic!

When Bethany was 13, she and her friend Alana, along with Alana’s brother and dad, went out surfing in preparation for a surfing tournament that was coming up. While they were out in the ocean, Bethany was floating on her board and must have looked like a helpless sea turtle to a hungry fourteen-foot tiger shark below. The shark bit off her arm just below the shoulder. If the shark had bitten two inches closer to her body, the attack would certainly have been fatal. Bethany lost over 60% of her blood after the attack. Her friends helped paddle her back to shore and fashioned a tourniquet out of a surfboard leash around what was left of her arm before rushing her to the hospital. Her father was supposed to have knee surgery that morning, but she took his place in the operating room. Bethany then spent seven more days in recovery at the hospital.

Despite the trauma of the incident, Hamilton was determined to return to surfing. Less than one month after the incident, she got back on her board and went surfing again. After a slow two years of recovery and practice, Bethany won first place in the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s National Championships. In 2008, at age 18, Bethany became a professional surfer and placed second during her first attempt in the World Qualifying Series. And all that with only one arm.

The theme that runs throughout Bethany’s story—whether it’s on the big screen or in her autobiography—is her deeply-rooted faith in Jesus Christ. She constantly credits him with helping her along her courageous journey. The Bible verse that crops up frequently in the movie is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” And for once in a movie, that verse is used correctly.

Maybe I’m a picky Bible snob, but too often Philippians 4:13 is used as an achievement motto for supermen and superwomen: they’re getting ready to give a presentation, play sports, or take a test; and they summon their life verse, marshaling its power in their pursuit of success. “I can do anything I want to because of Christ who makes me strong!”

But the apostle Paul had nothing like that in mind when he penned those words to his friends in Philippi. When he wrote this letter, a persecuted Paul was most likely imprisoned and still smarting from the various beatings he had received at the hands of his enemies. In verse 12, he said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” This was no Superman Paul, but a wise, mature, suffering Paul who knew from whence came his strength.

The word that Paul used that is translated as “do” is not the typical verb for doing or making in biblical Greek. Rather, it means enduring, overcoming adversity, getting by. So Paul is saying, “I can get through all things—I can endure adversity—because of the Lord who strengthens me in my weakness.” The Message paraphrase of the Bible captures it perfectly: “I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

And this is why this verse makes perfect sense for Bethany Hamilton’s story—and for all our stories of hardship and suffering. When we are faced with difficult circumstances, whether it’s unjust persecution or having your arm bitten off by a shark and the painful recovery that follows, we can confidently claim the power to endure that comes from Jesus Christ, who has already overcome sin and death on our behalf. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Amen to that!

Pastor Ray

SESSION MEETING

The session will have its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m.

WE NEED YOU!

SUMMER HOURS

Summer hours for the church office will start after Memorial Day weekend. The office will be open Tuesdays-Thursdays from 8:30-11:30a.m. during the summer. This will run from June-August.

ROAD-SIDE CLEAN-UP DAY

Get ready to clean!! We will be cleaning our stretch of the highway (2 miles east of Dairy Queen on Highway 35 and heading 2 miles eastward) on Sunday, June 5, following worship at 11:00am. After clean-up, we’ll meet back at the church for a lunch of delicious chicken enchiladas! Please wear your orange FPC t-shirts from last summer, and if you don’t have one, talk to Pastor Ray—he has leftovers! (Kind of like the enchiladas…)

LIVE TALKING ACTION FIGURES

Sunday, June 19, Live Talking Action Figures are coming to Norfolk! The Great American Comedy Festival is bringing THE SKIT GUYS for some clean fun for the WHOLE family with a GREAT message! FaceDown Productions is teaming up with the Great American Comedy Festival to get the word out.

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES

A Goodwill trailer will be in Wayne and will be parked in the following location: NW Corner of Pac N Save parking lot, Parallel to Hwy 35. This trailer will be available for donations from June 22-June 29, 2011.

SEVENTH ANNUAL CHRISTIAN CROSS FESTIVAL

You are invited to join us at the 7 Annual Christian Cross Festival to be held at Skyview Lake in Norfolk on Sunday, June 5. This is a FREE event planned that will include Christian music, testimony, children’s activities, and fireworks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and plan to spend a day of Christian fellowship with us. Food vendors will be available. Some of the artists who will be performing are: Building 429, JJ Heller, Breathe Deep, and many more!

HENOWEEN ON HOLD

At the May session meeting—despite our recent exposure in Parade magazine—the sitting elders decided to take a year off from session-sponsored enchilada sales at Henoween (Friday, July 8). If anyone else has a craving to organize the sales, please contact the church’s office.

HELP FOR JOPLIN

As you know, many places in the U.S., especially Joplin, Missouri, have been devastated by tornadoes and severe weather. Even though many of those places are far away, you can help!

Option 1: The Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk is collecting “Mercy Kits” for victims of tornadoes. The list can be accessed online at: Mercy Kits, and the kits can be dropped off at the Orphan Grain Train’s warehouse (606 W. Philip)

Option 2: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance encourages believers to give, act, and pray. You can make a donation online; you can organize a group to go work on site; you can put together clean-up, baby, hygiene, and school kits; and you can pray for the relief efforts. Visit PDA for more information. Thank you!

OLDER ADULT RETREAT

Register now for the O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Saints) Celebration on September 21 and 22, at Calvin Crest in Fremont, sponsored by Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries. The Tuesday and Wednesday Celebration theme is “Shalom—God’s Blessing of Peace,” keynoted by the Executive Presbyters of Homestead and Missouri River Valley presbyteries, Richard Wyatt and Kevin Keaton. The Celebration offers entertainment, relaxation, knowledge, spiritual growth, fellowship, and the hospitality of Calvin Crest. Additional information and registration materials may be found at Calvin Crest online.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Summer Schedule includes:

Wednesday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. – Sewing Souls will meet to work on projects for Camp Calvin Crest Quilt Auction. Babs Middleton will be hostess.

Wednesday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. – Intro to Knitting and Crocheting – This is a chance to learn new skills, hone your present skills, and help others with their questions. A variety of pattern books will be available for ideas. There will also be an opportunity to work on table decorations for the Annual Tea in July. Are you a pro at “baking” Styrofoam cups?

Wednesday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. – PW will meet to finalize plans for Annual Tea and program will be announced later. Jan Liska is hostess.

Wednesday, July 13 at 6:00 p.m. – PW ANNUAL TEA – Our theme for this year is based on HATS and the guest speaker will be Mary Duffy from O’Neill, NE. This is an opportunity for you to wear one of your favorite hats – or bring that favorite hat to share its history and memories with others. And you may win a prize for bringing your favorite hat! There will be an opportunity for children to color pictures of hats creatively and win a prize. And, yes, there will be food to eat! So bring your mother, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, and friends – and enjoy food, fun, and fellowship with us!

Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. – Intro to Knitting and Crocheting – This is another opportunity to learn new stitches and maybe finish up a project or two. Invite friends to come with you and enjoy the fellowship and the “yarns” of knitting and crocheting!

Saturday, July 30 at 9:00 a.m. – Sewing Souls will meet for a day of sewing to finish projects for Camp Calvin Crest Quilt Auction and to start new mission projects. Come for the day or any part of the day that works into your schedule! This might be an opportunity for you to learn new sewing skills or to renew your sewing skills.

BOOKS!

The new PWPH Reading List for 2011-2012 is available – look for the color of gold on a table in the Fellowship Hall! Reading a minimum of four books on the new list will qualify you for a reading award.

MEGA SPORTS CAMP – VBS

Please pray for the success of our Mega Sports Camp vacation Bible school. June 6-9, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

SUMMER CAMP IS AROUND THE CORNER!

Don’t forget to stake your place at Calvin Crest this summer! They offer camps and programs for kids of all ages—from Family Camp through senior high—and all interests—from night owls to ranch camp to mountain biking camp. And remember: our church pays half of the cost to help you make camp a reality. Visit www.calvincrest.org for more information (click on the “youth programs”) button.

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