Presbytidings – April 2016

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

I have a bad habit of longing for the way things never were.

When my computer project self-destructs at the click of a mouse, I long for the days of my old Remington typewriter.  Of course, I forget how many bottles of White-out it took to finish a paper.  And if I spilled my diet Pepsi on the paper, I had to start all over again.

I think “rap music” is an oxymoron.  And I long for the good music of the 60’s.  Of course, a lot of it was called acid rock.  It had a way of eating away at America’s soul.

But politics were a lot different then.  We didn’t have Bernie or Donald or Ted or Hillary. Well, we did have Teddy Kennedy, Nixon and Spiro.  But the church was a lot better back then.  But if it was so much better back then, why aren’t the boomers still around?

That’s the funny thing about nostalgia or longing for the way things never were.  It’s the ‘30s without the Depression, the ‘40s without World War II, the ‘50s without the bomb, the ‘60s without drugs and riots, the ‘70s without apathy, the ‘80s without greed, and the ‘90s without Madonna, Michael Jackson and Marilyn Manson.

It’s as deluded as the fellow who said, “I don’t believe in astrology.  I’m a Sagittarian and we’re skeptical.”

The real problem with longing for the way things never were is its paralyzing effect on personal and corporate improvement.  If we really think things were better back then, there’s the temptation of giving up on praying and working and expecting to make things better right now.

Proverbs 29:18a has a word of caution for living that way: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV)

Jesus put it this way: “Who would use old wineskins to store new wine?  For the old skins would burst with the pressure, and the wine would be spilled and the skins ruined.  Only new wineskins are used to store new wine.  That way both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:17, Living Bible)

While our Lord was clearly addressing the foolishly self-defeating behavior of people who don’t make room for his new blessings and opportunities for increasing Holy Communion with him and advancing his kingdom for the good of all, the main message is powerfully positive and persuading.  It means God is still alive and active and providing the way to build upon the best of the past for an even better future.

Our challenge it to stop longing for the way things never were.  We are called to grow and go with God, enlightened, encouraged and enabled by the Spirit.

Yesterday is not all it’s cracked up to be.  Change is happening all around us – it’s unstoppable!  And why would we want to keep doing things the way we did them 20 years ago, or 50 years ago?  As we await the return to our 100+year-old worship space, let us focus on new ways to be church.  As we gather to discern our pastoral needs for the future, let us call on new visions.  As we discover who God is calling our congregation to be in this 21^st century, let us be open to whatever God might have in store.

(with thanks to Rev. Robert Kopp, pastor who wrote the article that inspired this column)

Pastor Sally

MISSION STATEMENT AND PASTOR SEARCH PROCESS

On April 3, the congregation will be introduced to a process that will help us discern God’s desires for the future of FPC.  The process involves two weeks of daily scripture readings and prayer.  We ask that you take time each day to complete the reading and write down your reflection on the “picture” it presents for the church’s life and mission.  At the end of the two weeks, please use the summary sheet for your key ideas and impressions about the future of this church and the kind of pastoral leadership the church needs to go forward.  We will gather after church on April 17 for potluck and discussion around our discernment summaries.  The Session will then use your input to create the Church Information Form (CIF) which is the “job description” and vision for calling the next pastor.  The discernment packet was emailed to your home and is also available in print form at the church.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with those in need. Your generous gifts assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed. We received the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on both Palm & Easter Sundays and will be sending $588 to our national office, thanks to your generosity.

THANK YOU

Thank you to the deacons who served warm rolls and coffee on Easter Sunday, so that we could fellowship with all of the visitors.  We missed the brunch because of our renovation, but not the fellowship time!

CHURCH SCHOOL

Church school continues on Wednesday night at 6:30.  The last day of church school will be May 11.

MERCY MEALS

Mercy Meals of Nebraska is a non-profit organization that allows volunteers to package nourishing food that will be delivered by the Orphan Grain Train to children in need throughout the world.  Orphanages, refugee camps, feeding centers, disaster relief centers and local food pantries have been recent recipients of our food.

Misty Beair would like to take a group of our church youth (grades 3-12) to help package Mercy Meals at Grace Lutheran Church on April 5th from 6:30-8:00 PM.  If your child would like to help out, please let me know ASAP so I can give them a head count of how many will be there. mibeair1@waynebluedevils.org

YOUTH GROUPS

• High School Youth: dates to be determined 7:30-8:30pm.
• Junior High Youth: following Confirmation classes, 7:30-8:30pm.
• Confirmation: 4/6 youth to Greek orthodox service at 4:15, 4/13 and 4/20 from 6:30-7:30pm.

CONFIRMATION

Our confirmands have spent the past 3 months meeting together and learning about their faith and how it fits with the Presbyterian Church, USA.  They’ve met with mentors, interviewed elders and deacons, and been involved in service to church and community.  On April 25 they will meet with the Session, and on May 1 those who have decided to do so will join First Presbyterian Church.  Please make it a point to celebrate this special day with them.

SESSION

The Session will gather with the Confirmation Class on Monday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 4, at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, April 20, at 6:30pm. Judy Lindberg will be the hostess.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

The Brown-Bag Bible study is starting a new study on the basics of faith – God, Jesus, Religion, the Bible, the Church, Salvation, and the Cross.  Join us for a brief video presentation from an active pastor/writer who will help us explore what we know, and what we question, about these topics.  This is an opportunity to explore our faith together.  We will meet on Tuesdays, at noon, in the Fellowship hall. We will not meet on April 5.  Then we’ll finish our study in May.

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

We will do our spring highway cleanup after worship on Sunday, April 10. Wear work cloths to worship! We will depart after worship to our stretch of Highway 35 (markers 33-35 east of Wayne). If we can get twenty people to help, the work will go very quickly. This is a great time for families to do a service project together. With plenty of help, this project takes less than one hour.  If you’d like to clean up, but not along the highway, you can stay at the church and help clean out the cupboards.  Our dumpster will be removed on April 11, so we want to be sure all of our excess “stuff” has been cleaned out.

If you have younger children in your family (too young to be out on the highway), and they want to help—don’t despair! We will have an adult located at the church to watch the kids. Our current plan is to have them do their own cleanup project in our church yard. We look forward to your help on April 10! Thanks in advance.  (Back up date is April 24 is the weather is bad on April 10)

RENOVATION UPDATE

We know this is taking longer than planned, and that we all want to be worshipping back in our beautiful sanctuary.  We think we’re entering the home stretch, with only side lights and carpeting yet to finish, and organ to be re-installed. Thank you for your support and your patience as we do this project right. If you have questions, please contact our property team leaders, Russ Urbanec and Greg Worner.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Providence Medical Center is offering a grief support group on Tuesday evenings from 6:15-8:30.  The group begins April 5.  Please call NOW if you are interested, 402-375-4288.

WAYNE COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

You can save lives! Just one pint can save three lives. The next Wayne Community Blood Drive will be held Thursday, April 28, from 9am to 3pm at the Wayne Fire Department. You can make an appointment by calling 800-287-4903 or visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

The Wayne Area Habitat for Humanity is considering starting its 5th house build in Wayne. If there is support from the community, the build will start in the fall. A lot for building the house has already been obtained. If you are interested in volunteering to help build, clean up, make lunches for volunteers, help with the organization, or pray, please talk to Mark Hammer. Thanks!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Our community
• Our schools and teachers
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• Peace in the Middle East

• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL & MAY 2016

GREETERS – APRIL 2016

3^rd – The Pulfer Family

10^th – The Peterson Family

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

24^{th –} Pat & Glenda McDonald, Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin

GREETERS – MAY 2016

1^st – Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim & Shari Paige

8^th – The Peitz Family

15^th – The Worner Family

22^nd – The Heese Family

29th – John & Anita Fuelberth, Phil & Jean Griess

LECTORS – APRIL 2015

3^rd – Phil Griess

10^th – Judy Lindberg

17^th – Ronda Ras

24^th – Tami Worner

LECTORS – MAY 2016

1^st – Mark Hammer

8^th – Larry Heese

15^th – Jodi Pulfer

29^th – Karen Johnson

ACOLYTES – APRIL 2016

3^rd – Cate Worner

10^th – Nina Hammer

17^th – Bo Armstrong

24^th – Braydn McCorkindale

ACOLYTES – MAY 2016

1^st – Madison Urbanec

8^th – Taytum Sweetland

15^th – Emily Worner

22^nd – Ethan Wibben

29^th – Cate Worner

April 2016 – First Presbyterian Church

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

1        Jorge Dunklau

4        Bev Beeson

6        Shari Dunklau

8        Andrew Pulfer

9        Kevin Armstrong

19      Taylor Racely

23      Jill O’Leary Scott

24      Gina McDonald

26      Phil Griess, Levi Heese

27      Stacey Alexander, Verianne McClain

29      Heidi Armstrong, Addie Murphy

30      Greg Bloom

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 2016

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR 

Lent is a time of reflection, a time to draw more deeply under the shadow of God’s wings, a time to discover the abiding presence of God in every moment of life.  God calls us to name both our joys and our challenges, safe in the knowledge that he loves us more than we can possibly imagine.  God loves us in all our fallen-ness, and loves us too much to leave us in that fallen-ness.  Below is a modern psalm of lament, written for this Lenten time, to remind us that we are never alone, never without the sustaining hand of God, the saving love of Christ, and the surrounding hope of the Holy Spirit.

A Companion for the Journey

Some days, God, I feel abandoned.

Left alone,

disconnected,

unable to handle even the simplest tasks.

I wander confused, trying to sort out

the next step,

the next responsibility,

the next stage of the journey

It seems there is no one

to help sort out the challenges,

to help carry the load,

to provide a shoulder to cry on

and a listening ear.

You call me to wait, Lord, to wait on you:

to be still and stop the endless doing;

to be calm, and stop the endless consuming;

to be quiet and listen for your leading.

You call me to discover that I never journey alone,

that you provide companions for the journey

when I remember to seek them out.

You call me to discover that you are enough,

and I am enough, because of you.

Amen

May God bless this holy Lenten journey and guide you refreshed into Easter week.

Pastor Sally

LENTEN SUPPERS AND EVENING PRAYER

Are you too busy to pray? Living in a noisy world? Slow down and listen! Join us for warm fellowship and quiet evening prayer as we journey to the cross and the empty tomb! We have 3 soup suppers and prayer services remaining on Wednesdays during Lent. Please sign up at the Opportunity to provide food for our suppers.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Join us as we travel to the Upper Room, to Calvary, and to the Empty Tomb. Here is our Holy Week schedule:

• Palm Sunday celebration, with the Presbyterian Pealers handbell choir: March 20^th at 10:00am
• Maundy Thursday: April 2^nd at 7:00pm
• Easter Sunday celebration, with Communion: March 27^th at 10:00am

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 13^th.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 6^th.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Our Brown-Bag Bible study will meet in the fellowship hall March 1^st, 8^th and 15^th. We will be discussing the next study material on March 15^th.  Please join us for that conversation, or talk to Pastor Sally if you have suggestions.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on TUESDAY, March 1^st, at 6:30pm. Jackie Owens will lead the Bible study. Martha Svoboda will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, March 23^rd, at 6:30pm. Elaine Francis will be the hostess.

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, March 21^st, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

DEACONS

Our board of deacons has met recently to organize the Coat Closet work. If you are interested in helping with that work, please speak to a Deacon.

YOUTH GROUPS

*High School Youth: 3/2 and 3/16 and 3/30 @ 7:30 p.m.

*Jr. High Youth: 3/9 and 3/23 @ 7:30pm for Confirmation, followed by refreshments and conversation.

CHURCH RENOVATION

The renovation project continues. The lighting should go up as soon as the retro fit LED get approved by the state electrical inspector.  The painting is done, but we will have a final inspection after the lights are installed.  The old carpet is out & the new carpet will follow.

STACEY ALEXANDER BENEFIT

There will be a coed volleyball tournament on Saturday, March 19^th at the Wayne Activity Center. Both competitive and recreational teams will be playing. The tourney will be capped at 30 teams, and registrations must be postmarked by March 7^th. More details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1538431343116573/  All proceeds will go toward research to help Stacey fight cancer.

GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE

Presbyterian Pilgrimage is coming, the evening of April 7^th to April 10^th, at Camp Calvin Crest. What is it?  Pilgrimage is a journey in Christian community, designed to nurture Christians in their spiritual growth and to provide them with a renewed foundation for individual and community living. A Pilgrimage is not designed to convert anyone to Christianity. It is a renewal, meant for those who are already faithful and committed to Christ and His church. Pilgrimage is open to all denominations.

Why attend a Pilgrimage? You will change the horizons of your Christian walk. Pilgrimage will help you see your life journey differently. For those that are seeking growth and answers and for those that are content – all will come away with something greater in their walk with God.

For more information, speak with Pastor Sally, and go to http://www.gpppilgrimage.org.

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.  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://lakesandprairies.org/SynodSchool.

SUMMER CAMP @ CALVIN CREST

The warm weather is coming! We promise! And what better way to spend your summer than going to camp with friends and Jesus! Calvin Crest is officially open for summer camp registration: www.calvincrest.org/summer-camp. Pick out your week of camp and register your kid(s) or grandkid(s). Adherents of our church automatically get a 50% discount, paid by our session. If you register before March 15, there is a 15% overall discount. And if you bring along three first-time friends, you go FREE! We also offer additional scholarships, based on financial need. Visit with Pastor Sally to explore that possibility. See you there!

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

The newly revised Lector, Acolyte, Greeter schedule is available

on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.

GREETER, LECTOR, USHER SCHEDULE – March & April 2015

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

16      Jason Racely

17      Jack Beeson

19      Judy Lindberg

24      Jacob Beair

25      Leigh Heese

28      Babs Middleton

29      Madison Urbanec

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!

March 2016 – First Presbyterian Church

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 2016

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Lent was a great aggravation to my mother.  “Presbyterians don’t celebrate Lent!  That’s a Catholic thing,” she would say.  “When did we start celebrating this Lent thing?!”  Mom was at least 6^th generation Presbyterian.  We have stood on the old family farm in Northern Ireland, and worshipped in the very plain Presbyterian church where we were related to half the congregation.  My family is old-school, Puritan plain, Presbyterian.  And anything that even sounded Catholic was anathema to my mom.

But times have changed.  When the Reformation threw out all of the rituals and observations of the Catholic Church, we limited faith to our heads.  We think deep and long about our faith, which is appropriate.  But we rarely sense our faith;

Smelling God’s presence in new-mown grass,

Tasting God’s tenderness in a sweet, juicy peach,

Hearing God stirring in the rustle of tree branches in the wind,

Touching God’s delight in soft kitten fur,

Seeing God’s power in a great storm.

As Presbyterians, too often we get caught up in thinking about God, about Salvation, about Forgiveness, and we never get past our thoughts into a deep dwelling in God’s presence.

This Lent, we plan to do exactly that – spend time in our Lenten Wednesday service savoring God, surrounding ourselves with the images of God that help us recognize him in all things, in every part of our lives.

Lent is a time of reflection, a time to consider our separation from God and how to decrease that distance.  That’s what sin is, after all – separation from God.  God seeks always to narrow that gap, by offering us grace upon grace, forgiveness overflowing.  God’s greatest desire is relationship with all of creation, and especially with the ones created in God’s image, US!

Relationships take time. Time spent in conversation.  Time spent just hanging out with the other.   Time listening, talking, being together.

Along with savoring God, and using our senses in the Wednesday evening services our Tuesday Brown Bag Bible studies will be spent growing our relationship with God.   We’ll take time to learn – and practice – different forms of prayer.

There’s nothing to read ahead, nothing to memorize, nothing to plan.  Just show up on Tuesday, or Wednesday, or both, ready to experience God and grow deeper in your relationship with the Holy.  See you there! -Pastor Sally

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 7^th.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ASH WEDNESDAY

Observe a holy Lenten season this year. We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service, in the fellowship hall, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 2/10.

LENTEN SUPPERS AND SERVICES

Our church family will gather for weekly suppers during Lent, starting on Wednesday, 2/17, at 6:00pm. Following the supper, at 6:45, we will gather for prayer, song, and meditation.

Ecumenical Lenten Services

Ecumenical Lenten prayer services will be held on the first four Wednesdays (after Ash Wednesday) of Lent (February 17 & 24 and March 2 & 9).  The services will be hosted at a different area church each week and will begin at 12:00pm; followed by a light lunch.  The service will be about 20 minutes—so anyone coming who only has an hour off for lunch will be able to attend the service and have lunch in under an hour. A free-will offering will go to WACAM (Wayne Association of Congregations and Ministries). All are welcome!

The order and location of the services will be as follows:

• February 17—Our Savior Lutheran Church
• February 24—First United Methodist Church
• March 2— Mary’s Catholic Church
• March 9—First Presbyterian Church

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women met on Tuesday, February 9, at 6:30pm for a business meeting and a Bible study. Karen Johnson will be the leader and the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet on Tuesday, February 16^th at 6:30 p.m. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

CHURCH SCHOOL UPDATE

Church School will continue to meet during Lent. Class will begin immediately after the soup suppers.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School Youth: 2/17 at 7:30-8:30pm. Jr. High Youth: 2/10 and 2/24 at 8:30pm-ish following confirmation. Bring a friend!  These times are estimates, as youth will begin as soon as the Lenten services end.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Join Pastor Sally for a Brown-Bag Bible Study, Tuesdays during Lent at 12:00, in the church fellowship hall.  Throughout Lent, we will be learning new prayer practices.  Come and discover new ways to grow closer to God.

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

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

THE 2016 LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE will be available on the Opportunity Table next week.  As in the past, please find a replacement if you cannot make it, and contact the church office about any changes. If you would still like to be added, we would be happy to put your name on the substitute list.   Thank you!

2016 ELDER & DEACON LIST

Elders for 2015: Misty Beair (Discipleship), Jim Curtiss (Fellowship), Shari Dunklau (Memorials), Gail McCorkindale (Worship), Jeryl Nelson (Outreach & Stewardship), Jay O’Leary (Memorials & Stewardship), Ronda Ras (Outreach), Russ Urbanec (Property), & Greg Worner (Administration & Property).

Deacons for 2015: Jean Griess, Karen Marra, Lindsay McLaughlin, Jackie Owens, Jill Sweetland & Melissa Urbanec.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather on Saturday, 2/20, beginning at 10:00am, at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, for our first meeting of 2016. Pastor Sally will be attending.  Jim Curtiss will be attending for the Session.

CITY FUND PROVIDED BACK PACK

The Wayne Food Pantry recently received funds that allowed us to provide over 100 children enrolled in the Wayne Community Schools Backpack Program with a special bag to help them over the past Christmas holiday. We were able to purchase a loaf of bread, and a jar each of peanut butter & jelly for each child. The money for this project was made available through the City’s Trust & Agency Account, and came from the M.E.Way funds. In 1962 the Mary Elizabeth Way estate requested that the money be put in an interest bearing security and the income from the investment to be used by the City of Wayne for the use and benefit of undernourished and underprivileged children of the City of Wayne. We thank the City and the Estate on behalf of the children of Wayne.

SUMMER CAMP ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Camp is coming! Here are some camp things to think about, that will help you bear the cold weather:

• Camp for newborns through high school.
• Our church pays 50% for all of our adherents.
• Our church has several 100% scholarships for kids who wouldn’t otherwise get to go (talk to Pastor Sally confidentially!). Think about your neighbors and friends…
• Early bird special if you register before 3/15.
• Invite 3 (first-timers), go free.
• The best summer job you’ll ever have. Period.
• Volunteer opportunities.
• New pool!
• So sign up already! calvincrest.org/summer-camp

DEACONS REQUEST

The deacons are requesting donations of strong plastic and/or wooden hangers for the Coat Closet (no wire hangers, please!).

THE ANNUAL KIWANIS PANCAKE FEED

Kiwanis Pancake Feed with Sausage AND Eggs! Shrove Tuesday, 2/10, 5:00-7:30pm at the Wayne City Auditorium. There is a suggested donation of $7 for adults (in advance) or $8 at the door. Children (10 & under) are $4.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

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

February 2016 – First Presbyterian Church

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

7       Karen McElwain

10     Jodi Pulfer

20     Karen Marra

25     Pat Straight, Gabriel Peitz

27     Jan Liska

28     Amy Bowers

Presbytidings – June/July 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Once upon a time, a ship wrecked at sea, and the Captain took the only remaining lifeboat, full of survivors, and he delivered them safely to the shore of an island. He instructed the survivors to build a bonfire to serve as a beacon to those who might be floating in the ocean, so they could swim toward the fire.

After the Captain left to go out and save more people, the survivors on shore quickly built a great fire to serve as a beacon.

But it wasn’t very long before the survivors began to disagree among themselves. Some remembered that the Captain had instructed them to build a tall fire, rather than a low fire, as they had done. So some of pro-tall-fire people—disgusted with the low-fire people—moved down the beach a ways and built a taller fire.

But it wasn’t very long before those tall-fire people began to disagree, too. Some recalled that the Captain had instructed them to use bamboo for the fire, rather than palm trees. After a major argument, the pro-bamboo people left to build a bamboo fire, leaving behind the foul, palm-tree burners.

And so it went: again and again. The survivors disagreed over the bonfires until there were many dim, small fires that dotted the shore. They disagreed about every conceivable issue, and they divided along every imaginable fault line. Some purists thought they were building a new fire just like the Captain had instructed—that they were restoring the right way that had been corrupted before. But others scoffed at all of them, insisting that the Captain wasn’t being literal about the size and shape of the bonfire.

And so went the arguing and dividing for a long, long time.

Eventually, the Captain returned with a load of survivors, and he asked some of the leaders: “Why have you built so many fires? It has made it difficult for those who are perishing to see the Light!”

And the Captain scolded them because they had missed the whole point of his instructions: that they serve as a beacon so the drowning could find their way to safety. And the survivors on the beach were sorry and mourned their stubbornness.

And there’s a lot of truth in that parable for how the church operates. We Christians have cavalierly carved up the Body of Christ, mistaking our preferences and pet theories for the essentials. We have happily sacrificed the unity of the universal church on the altar of doctrinal purity—as we understand it.

Did you know that, by many counts, there are some 40,000 separate Christian denominations in the world. Forty thousand. Of course, some of those are corresponding denominations separated only by language or jurisdictional boundaries; the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is the same as the Romanian Orthodox Church, except for language. But almost all of those denominations are distinct, unrelated Christian bodies. In the U.S. alone, there are 31 different Presbyterian denominations, and I can tell you from personal experience that similarity in polity and doctrine does not mean that they get along with each other!

Forty thousand. On the other hand, Jesus prayed, “I pray for those who will believe…that all of them may be ONE.” Not 40,000, but one. It is because of our petty human failures that we have not lived into Jesus’ vision of one body and one flock. We need Jesus’ intercession to help us realize what he has already accomplished through his death and resurrection: to assemble one body of believers.

Unity is, of course, important for its own sake. But unity among believers is also a witness to Jesus. Jesus said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their [that is, the apostles’] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me…that they may be one as we are one…so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

By the time this is published I will be done with my position in as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Wayne. Unity among believers has been the torch I have carried here in our community. And it is my parting prayer for the church in Wayne. Yes, there are many who are happy in their separate tribe here—who think 40,000 is a manageable number. And no doubt Wayne has a long way to go to realize Jesus’ vision of oneness. But I hope that friendships will develop among Christians and that there will be a blurring of our human-made boundaries.

I join Jesus in praying to the Father that we would all be one, just as he and the Father are one. Then the world will know. – Pastor Ray

FAREWELL POTLUCK & RECEPTION FOR PASTOR RAY AND FAMILY

Please join our church family for a potluck after worship on Sunday, May 31^st as we thank Pastor Ray and his family for their 10 years of service to our congregation.

The public is also invited to come from 11:45-1:45 for a cake reception.

SESSION

The next session meeting will be held on Monday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our Executive Presbyter, Doc Wyatt, and our Committee on Ministry representative will help us begin the process of finding an interim pastor.

YOUR CHURCH NEEDS YOU!

During our interim period, we will need extra volunteers to make sure everything happens. Beginning today, we will be distributing a letter looking for youth group leaders, office volunteers, help with renovation, liturgists, preachers/speakers, and members of the pastor nominating committee. Please prayerfully consider how you can serve God. If we all pitch in a little, then we can accomplish a lot. Please return your document to Jenny at the church office. Thank you!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

• Summer meetings for PW begin on Wednesday, June 3, at 6:30pm. The Hostess will be Babs Middleton and we will study lesson 9 of the Bible Study.
• The July meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, at 6:30.

SEWING SOULS

In June, Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, June 17, at 6:30 to work on items for Calvin Crest. The hostess will be Babs Middleton.

2015 FOOD PANTRY BACKPACK NEWS

Due to the contributions and efforts of many individuals and organizations, we were able to provide over 4,500 backpacks to hungry school students for the 2014-15 school year. That is an increase of approximately 1,000 bags from last year. The program will continue this summer. We would be happy to receive 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.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE

We are excited to announce that we will be doing another joint VBS this year with Our Savior Lutheran and the First United Methodist. VBS will be July 20-23 from 6:30 – 8:30 at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Sign-up sheets are on the Opportunity table. The theme is Extraordinary: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God! You can contact John Fuelberth with any questions and find the sign-up sheets on the Opportunity Table. Find us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/WayneVBS

CALVIN CREST QUILT AUCTION

10:00am and the live auction begins at 1:00pm. After you’ve looked at the quilts, you can enjoy a BBQ lunch before the auction. If you can’t make it to Calvin Crest, you can bid online at www.proxibid.com/calvincrest

WAYNE GROW AN EXTRA ROW

Consider sharing your garden bounty this year with those in need in our community. Set aside a small bag of produce, and bring it to our food pantry.  The program was well received last year. You can help make a difference!

PROVIDENCE HOSPICE WORKSHOP

Providence Medical Center Home Health Care and Hospice will be holding a memorial service on Sunday, June 7, at 2:00pm for patients who have passed away between April 2014 – May 2015. The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Wayne. There will be a balloon release, and refreshments will follow the service.

CHRISTIAN CROSS FESTIVAL

The Christian Cross Festival will be held at Sky View Lake in Norfolk on Friday, June 12, and Saturday June 13. Go and enjoy free admission, ministry, prayer, food, fellowship, a kid’s tent, inflatables and fireworks. Check it out at www.christiancrossfestival.org A fun day to fellowship in Norfolk!

RELAY FOR LIFE REMINDER

This year’s event will be held Friday, June 5^th from 6:00pm to midnight at the Kern Track & Field, near the Wayne Public Schools. Celebrate. Remember. Fight back.

HOSPICE TRAINING

Hospice of Siouxland will offer hospice volunteer training this summer in Pender at the House Memorial Library June 15, 18, 22 & 25^th from 3-6pm. There will be training for three programs: Hospice, Palliative Care and Children’s Comfort Care. For more information please contact a volunteer coordinator at 1-800-383-4545.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• The McCalla family as they begin their new adventure in Arkansas
• All those affected by the recent storms
• The people of Nepal
• Our community
• Our schools and teachers
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS-JUNE 2015

6/7 – Jack & Bev Beeson, Mark & Jenny Hammer

6/14 – Jim Curtiss, Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton

6/21 – The Pulfer Family

6/28 – Jim Lindau, Joyce Reeg & Pat Straight

 GREETERS-JULY 2015

7/5 – Ken & Karen Marra, Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin

7/12 – Ken & Jan Liska, Jim & Shari Paige

7/19 – The Peitz Family

7/26 – Pat & Glenda McDonald, Milton & Jackie Owens

LECTORS-JUNE 2015

6/7 – TBA

6/14 – Jan Liska

6/21 – TBA

6/28 – Ken Marra

 LECTORS-JULY 2015

7/5 – Jeryl Nelson

7/12 – Glenda McDonald

7/19 – Candyce Peitz

7/26 – Luke Pulfer

ACOLYTES-JUNE 2015

6/7 – Nina Hammer

6/14 – Andy Wibben

6/21 – TBA

6/28 – Madison Urbanec

 ACOLYTES-JULY 2015

7/5 – Bo Armstrong

7/12 – Taytum Sweetland

7/19 – Ethan Wibben

7/26 – Henry McCalla

June 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

2         Jean Griess, Jill Sweetland

6         Connie Bargstadt

8         Brian Bowers, Carol Mosley, Austin McDonald

10        Karen Granberg

11        Emily Worner

18        Wes Beckenhauer

19        Dennis Spangler

July 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

JULY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here? 

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

7         Sarah Bloom

10        Shea Sweetland

11        Luke Pulfer

15        Greg Worner

16        Verlin Francis

21        Josephine Peitz

24        Mark Hammer, Zach Urbanec

27        Cate Worner

29        Marta Pulfer

30        Melissa Murphy

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 – May 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Well, the cat is out of the bag: Nearly everyone around has heard that I have accepted a new call to be the chaplain to Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. Over the past couple of weeks I have heard people express shock and sadness over my and my family’s departure from Wayne. But I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the expressions of gratitude and support. I am leaving here a blessed person, and I hope that I will leave a blessing as well.

There are a few random things I want you to know as I prepare to move on to this new adventure—in no particular order:

• You are loved. I have loved you, and God loves you. These ten years of walking together through joy and sadness have all been authentic. I have been blessed to share in your lives. I am not leaving because I don’t love you. I am leaving because I have discerned that God is reshuffling the board a bit and moving me one to a new corner of his kingdom.
• God will take care of you. This congregation existed in Wayne long before I arrived, and it will be around long after I leave. God is not done with you yet. So I encourage you to hang in there; invest in each other, care for each other. The interim period can be challenging, but that challenge brings you together and helps you build your identity as a family together. You will be fine.
• Get over me. Yes, it’s important who is in the pulpit every Sunday, and yes, it makes a difference who is the teaching elder for this congregation. But the next pastor doesn’t need to be a Ray clone. Maybe I’m assuming too much (some of you might be relieved that I’m gone!). But congregations can get into trouble when they dwell in the past too much. So forget about me. Embrace the interim pastor. And open your hearts to the next pastor who will call Wayne home.
• The presbytery will help you. They will help you find an interim pastor to fill in, short-term, while you elect a pastor nominating committee from the congregation. There are many competent, compassionate people in our presbytery who can help you through this process.
• Trust each other. The pastor nominating committee will do a good job of prayerfully considering possible pastors. Pray for the committee. Talk about your dreams for this church—not just who the pastor will be, but what you would like to do. You’d be amazed that many of those dreams don’t require a pastor at all. They just take someone like you to make them happen.
• Step up and step in. Losing a full-time pastor will mean that there will be some holes in the life of this congregation. But if we all step up a little, those gaps will be closed. When someone is in the hospital, don’t wait for the pastor to visit him or her. Do it yourself! When there are spots for guest preachers, don’t moan about how “good” or “not-so-good” the past preachers have been. Write a sermon and give it a whirl!
• Be kind to each other. Suspicion can creep in like roaches. Assumptions can foul the water. Trying to wrest control from someone else can be damaging and exhausting. You are a family: siblings of Big Brother Jesus and adopted children of God through faith. None are better or worse. You are all on the same footing. So be grateful for everything and pay attention more to the well-being of others more than who is “right.”

Thank you for your love and support. You will be fine. May the Lord bless and keep you always.

Pastor Ray

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on May 5 and May 31, 2015.

YOUTH GROUPS

• High School Youth: Wednesday, May 6^th.
• High Youth: Wednesday, May 13^th.

These will be our final gatherings for this school year.

CHURCH SCHOOL

The final day of church school will be May 10^th.

SESSION

The Session will meet on Monday. May 18 at 7:00pm.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, May 17, following worship (about 11:00am). The purpose of the meeting is to vote to concur with Pastor Ray’s decision to dissolve the pastoral relationship between him and FPC Wayne. There will also be an opportunity for the congregation to ask questions about the process of finding a new pastor and anything else relevant to his leaving.

FAREWELL POTLUCK & RECEPTION FOR PASTOR RAY AND FAMILY

Please join our church family for a potluck after worship on Sunday, May 31^st as we thank Pastor Ray and his family for their 10 years of service to our congregation.

The public is also invited to come from 11:45-1:45 for a cake reception.

EASTER LILIES

The beautiful lilies were given by Jane & Jay O’Leary, Pat Straight, and Wilva Jenkins family. Thank you.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, May 20^th. The hostess will be Judy Lindberg.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE

We are excited to announce that we will be doing another joint VBS this year! This year it will be Our Savior Lutheran, the First Presbyterian and the First United Methodist. VBS will be July 20-23 from 6:30 – 8:30 at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Sign-up sheets are on the Opportunity table. The theme is Extraordinary!

MISSION GROUP HOSTING

Thank you to those who provided hospitality to the mission group from Lincoln who stayed in Wayne the week of April 20. You are a blessing to those workers!

FROM JANE & JAY O’LEARY

Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers which were at the visitation, funeral and finally back home in our own church.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Pastor Ray and his family as they begin a new calling from God
• Our community
• Our schools, administrators, teachers, graduates & students
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS – MAY 2015

5/3 – The Peitz Family

5/10 – The Worner Family

5/17 – The Heese Family

5/24 – Phil & Jean Griess

5/31 – John & Anita Fuelberth, Mark & Jenny Hammer

GREETERS – JUNE 2015

6/7 – Jack & Bev Beeson, Mark & Jenny Hammer

6/14 – Jim Curtiss, Karen Johnson, & Babs Middleton

6/21 – The Pulfer Family

6/28 – Jim Lindau, Joyce Reeg & Pat Straight

LECTORS – MAY 2015

5/3 – Larry Heese

5/10 – Jodi Pulfer

5/17 – Tiffanny Heese

5/24 – Karen Johnson

5/31 – Mark Hammer

LECTORS – JUNE 2015

6/7 – Jim Lindau

6/14 – Jan Liska

6/21 – TBA

6/28 – TBA

ACOLYTES – MAY 2015

5/3 – Braydn McCorkindale

5/10 – Emily Worner

5/17 – Bralen Murphy

5/24 – Genevieve McCalla

5/31 – Nina Hammer

ACOLYTES – JUNE 2015

6/7 – Nina Hammer

6/14 – Andy Wibben

6/21 – TBA

6/28 – Madison Urbanec

May 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

MAY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

3         Joann Proett, Dave Peitz

10        Jeryl Nelson, Bralen Murphy

11        Karen Johnson, Soloman Peitz, Tami Worner

12        Joan Lage

14        Bo Armstrong

15        Jordan Alexander

17        Jaci Alexander

18        Jay and Jane O’Leary, Taytum Joan Sweetland

19       Glenda McDonald

22        Marie Johnson

24        Gail McCorkindale

26        Dale Alexander

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 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

On Facebook I follow a page called “Humans of New York” (or HONY for short). Basically, a photographer named Brandon wanders around New York City, looking for interesting people. He listens to their tales—sometimes sad, sometimes joyful, sometimes pathetic, sometimes heroic—he captures them in a photograph, and then he shares their stories on Facebook and on his blog. This past week, HONY followed the story of Omar Samra, an Egyptian adventurer and mountain climber. Omar is a member of the Highpointers Club, meaning he has climbed the highest mountain peaks on every continent. But sadly, Omar lost his wife, Marwa Fayed, two years ago, shortly after she gave birth to their daughter, Teela. Here is his description of the day he lost his wife:

“The birth went fine. Teela was born early so they took her and put her behind glass under a blue light. For the next few days, I went back and forth between Marwa’s room and the room where Teela was under the blue light. Eventually Marwa got better to the point where she could sit in a wheelchair, so I pushed her down the hall so she could meet our daughter. We all took a picture together. Later that afternoon we were preparing Marwa for a CT scan, and her sister was helping to take out her hair extensions. Suddenly Marwa sat up really fast, and she looked so scared, like she’d seen a ghost. She fell toward me and I took her in my arms and she started having a seizure. The doctors pulled me away and I started fighting with them, but they wheeled Marwa away to the ICU. They told me it would be fine, and I could go home, but I slept in the waiting room, and that night the doctor called my cellphone and said, ‘Come now.’ When I got to the ICU, they told me, ‘We lost her for a bit, and if she comes back now, we don’t know how much of her will come back.’ It didn’t feel real. It was like the movies. I was standing right over her and her heart rate monitor would go flat, and these two huge men would start hammering her in the chest, and she was so tiny, and her heart would beat for a couple more minutes and then it would go flat again. And then I heard the doctor say ‘Let’s give it one last try.’ And then I heard the doctor say ‘Time of death.’ And then he turned to me and said, ‘We’ll leave you here. Take all the time you need.’ And when they left me alone, I was like a madman. I didn’t know what to do. I started taking photos of her hands, and her feet, and I cut off bits of her hair. And when I walked out of the room I felt so empty. Like I was nothing.”

And although few of us have experienced exactly Omar’s circumstances, we have all lost loved ones. We can all sympathize with the feeling of having Death pull someone away from us, no matter how much we try to hold on. It’s a universal experience. But how we respond to Death is important, and it depends on our beliefs.

’m not sure of Omar Samra’s faith, but he said in a Facebook post, “When we deal with a loss so great, we have a choice. To give up on life or to fight.” And typical of his adventurer’s heart, he decided to fight: to battle against the darkness of despair and hopelessness. He chose to keep on living.

Thankfully, God himself has already fought on our behalf against the darkness. Jesus willingly embraced our suffering and our death when he was beaten and hanged on a cross. By dying a human death, God has fully identified with us: with our pain, with our struggle, with our darkness, with our sense of abandonment. And while that knowledge may not make everything magically better, it at least reminds us that Death no longer has the last word. It admonishes us that there is always, always, always hope.

But when Jesus died, it wasn’t just a passive acceptance of the inevitable. Like a crocodile pulling its unsuspecting prey into a death roll and drowning it, God lured Death to take the bait until he put Death itself to death. Like a python slowly squeezing the life out of its prey, Jesus took hold of Death and crushed the power out of it. And by rising from the grave, Jesus proved that Death could not hold him, and that he was victorious over all the powers of darkness and evil.

Omar Samra was correct: We all have a choice in life. We can choose despair and darkness when we meet our oldest enemy. Or we can choose to rely on the good news that Jesus has overcome Death on our behalf. I pray that we will all choose the latter, and that we will put our hope in God’s power revealed in the resurrection.

Pastor Ray

LENT AND EASTER SCHEDULE

Join our congregation as we follow Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb.

• April 2: Maundy Thursday service with Communion, 7:00pm
• April 5: Easter Brunch, 9:00am
• April 5: Easter Sunday worship with Communion, 10:00am

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

Since 1949 Presbyterians have joined with millions of other Christians through One Great Hour of Sharing to share God’s love with those in need. Your generous gifts assist those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and assist in helping to empower the poor and oppressed. We will take up the One Great Hour of Sharing offering on both Palm & Easter Sundays.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Easter Sunday, April 5.

EASTER BRUNCH

All are welcome to share in a fellowship brunch on Easter morning, Sunday, April 5, at 9:00am. A sign-up sheet is on the Opportunity Table for anyone who would like to provide food. Youth grades 7-12 are encouraged to be there at 8:55 to help bus tables and serve food.

NO CHURCH SCHOOL

There will be no church school on Easter Sunday. We will resume on April 12. The last day of church school will be May 10 (Mother’s Day).

YOUTH GROUPS

• High School Youth: 4/1 & 4/15 from 7:30-8:30pm.
• High Youth: 4/8 & 4/22 from 7:30-8:30pm.

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

EASTER LILIES

Please help us decorate our sanctuary for Eastertide by bringing your Easter lilies and placing them on the chancel.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30pm. Judy Lindberg will lead the Bible study. Joyce Voyles will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30pm. Elaine Francis will be the hostess.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

The Brown-Bag Bible study will meet on Wednesdays, April 15, 22, and 29, in the Goldenrod Room. We will not meet on April 8.

FPC DIRECTORY

Our new directories are available on the Opportunity Table. Keep track of each other!

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

We will do our spring highway cleanup after worship on Sunday, April 26. Wear work cloths to worship! We will depart after worship to our stretch of Highway 35 (markers 33-35 east of Wayne). If we can get twenty people to help, the work will go very quickly. This is a great time for families to do a service project together. With plenty of help, this project takes less than one hour.

If you have younger children in your family (too young to be out on the highway), and they want to help—don’t despair! We will have an adult located at the church to watch the kids. Our current plan is to have them do their own cleanup project in our church yard. We look forward to your help on April 26! Thanks in advance.

PACKING BACKPACKS

Help us pack backpack bags for our Food Pantry’s Wayne Community Schools Backpack Program on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00pm. We will meet in Fellowship Hall and stuff bags for children in our school district who don’t have enough to eat on the weekend. Anyone can come and help, but we would like to know how many in advance so we can set up the stations properly. Please sign-up on the Opportunity Table, or give us notice at fpcwayne@gmail.com Thanks for your support!

MISSION GROUP’S DISASTER RELIEF WORK

Our church will be hosting a mission work group from Westminster Presbyterian church in Lincoln the week of April 20. They will be camping out in our church school rooms, showering at the Community Activity Center, and working in Pilger building houses during the day. They will be staying four nights with us: April 20-23. Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide an evening meal for the group at least one of the evenings. There will be about 12 adults staying here. Thank you for your hospitality!

RENOVATION UPDATE

As of March 29, our church has raised $26,450 for our sanctuary plaster repair project. Way to go! And thank you for your generosity! In the coming weeks, the session will be making final decisions about the bids that are being proposed to us, and, importantly, how we will pay for the work. We estimate that the project will cost in the neighborhood north of $65,000. So we will need to raise funds as well as tapping some of our existing funds. Thank you for your support and your patience as we do this project right. If you have questions, please contact our property team leaders, Russ Urbanec and Greg Worner.

EMPOWERED TO CONNECT CONFERENCE

The Empowered to Connect Conference is a two-day conference designed to help adoptive and foster parents, ministry leaders and professionals better understand how to connect with “children from hard places” in order to help them heal and become all that God desires for them to be. The conference will be held at Journey Christian Church, April 10-11, from 9:00-5:00. The conference is free. Pre-registrations are being taken at office@journeychristianonline.org or call them at (402) 375-4743.

PIPE ORGAN REDEDICATION

You are invited to join the congregation of the New Zion Presbyterian Church for the rededication of their 1931 Moller Pipe Organ on April 19, 2015 at 2:00pm. The church is located at 4^th & Maple in Clarkson, Nebraska. A reception will follow the service.

GREAT PLAINS WEE KIRK CONFERENCE

This is a great opportunity to be inspired, motivated, encouraged and refreshed!  Join other Presbyterians who understand the special needs and opportunities of small member congregations May 4^th – May 6^th at Calvin Crest. See the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall for more details or check out www.fellowship.community/weekirk

SERMONS ON THE WEB

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

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE TRIVIA NIGHT

Help support WSC Soccer, and join the fun! Saturday, April 25, at 6:30pm. The venue will be held at the Armory in Wayne. See the event on Facebook at Trivia Night 2015 or https://www.facebook.com/events/1527232764221573/

A NOTE FROM PAT STRAIGHT:

“Dear Ones—Thanks for your birthday greetings. You must have put out the word in church as many of my cards came from friends at church. Thank them for me. I really enjoyed getting them…Love to all, Pat.”

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• The O’Leary Family
• Our community
• Our schools and teachers
• Our unchurched neighbors
• All who are battling cancer
• All who live in care centers
• Peace in the Middle East
• Persecuted Christians in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea

GREETERS – APRIL 2015

5^th – The Peterson Family

12^th – Ken & Jan Liska, Jim Lindau & Joyce Reeg

19^th – Pat & Glenda McDonald, Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin

26^{th –} Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim & Shari Paige

GREETERS – MAY 2015

3^rd – The Peitz Family

10^th – The Worner Family

17^th – The Heese Family

24^th – John & Ania Fuelberth, Phil & Jean Griess

LECTORS – APRIL 2015

5^th – Milton Owens

12^th – Sydney McCorkindale

19^th – Tami Worner

26^th – Mark Hammer

LECTORS – MAY 2015

3^rd – Larry Heese

10^th – Jodi Pulfer

17^th – The Heese Family

24^th – Karen Johnson

 ACOLYTES – APRIL 2015

5^th – Taytum Sweetland

12^th – Ethan Wibben

19^th – Henry McCalla

26^th – Maria Ras

ACOLYTES – MAY 2015

3^rd – Braydn McCorkindale

10^th – Emily Worner

17^th – Bralen Murphy

24^th – Genevieve McCalla

April 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

1        Genevieve McCalla, Jorge Dunklau

4        Bev Beeson

6        Shari Dunklau

8        Andrew Pulfer

9        Kevin Armstrong

19     Taylor Racely

23     Jill O’Leary Scott

24     Gina McDonald

26     Phil Griess, Levi Heese

27     Stacey Alexander, Verianne McClain

29     Heidi Armstrong, Addie Murphy

30     Greg Bloom

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 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

I admit that I have purposefully avoided looking at the images and especially watching the video of the event: 21 young Egyptian men in orange jumpsuits—like common criminals in prison—being led out by masked murderers for execution along a beach on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s just too disturbing and gory for me. When I see a still shot of the video, I shudder and quickly switch to another mental image.

As you may know, on February 15, the Islamic State in Libya released a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians who had previously been kidnapped in Libya. They were killed simply because they were Christians. In the brutal, five-minute video, the victims are heard calling out to Jesus in their final moments. Apparently hoping to instill fear into the hearts of all Christians and Westerners, the barbarians called their video, “A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross.”

Christian leaders were quick to condemn the attacks.

Pope Francis, while visiting with a leader of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), commented on the beheadings. “The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a witness that cries out to be heard,” the Pope said. “It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants,” the Pope continued. “They are Christians! Their blood is one and the same. Their blood confesses Christ.”

Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II said that the names of the 21 martyrs will be inserted into the Coptic Synaxarium, the Oriental Church’s official list of martyrs, a procedure similar to canonization in the Roman Catholic Church. Normally there is a 50 year waiting period before someone can be declared a martyr for Christ, but in this case, the criterion was waived.

It may be hard for us to fathom such violence, all in the name of religion. In addition, it all seems so far away from us, complicated by ethnic clashes, muddled by politics between Egypt and Libya, and shrouded in strange religious labels. Some Christians in the West have publicly distanced themselves from the unfortunate souls in Egypt, asserting that they are not really “true” Christians, since they are actually Coptic Orthodox Christians.* But that is simply shirking responsibility to stand in solidarity with Christians in other parts of the world who are being murdered for their faith in Christ.

Sadly, we probably have not thought of those martyrs in Egypt as our brothers in Christ either. But we have most likely ignored them due to living in our own insular, first-world bubble. Our concerns since February 15 have probably revolved mostly around the Oscars, the medical condition of Bobbi Kristina Brown, who Prince Harry’s new girlfriend is, or what color that dress really is!

But martyrdom still happens, even today. The twentieth century saw more people die for their Christian faith than any other century before. And the twenty-first is on track to break that record. And whether we like it or not, those poor men who lost their heads are our siblings in Christ. And whether we like it or not, we need to burst our bubble and pray for those who are persecuted and stand in solidarity with those who call out to Jesus for help.

I’m not advocating retaliation or violence or war (Jesus said something about resisting evil doers in Matthew 5:39!). And I’m certainly not advocating watching the video or even looking at screen shots of the video. In fact, if you want a substitute mental image, meditate on the new icon of the 21 martyrs (above), recently written by Tony Rezk to honor their memory. And as you meditate on the image of Jesus crowning the martyrs with eternal life, think about Jesus’ words (especially Matthew 5:10-12, or God’s words in 1 Peter 3:14) and pray for Christians who are persecuted because they belong to Jesus.

* I could explain to you how Copts are different than, say, standard Orthodox Christians, but it would be a long, complicated, historically conditioned, nuanced lecture, and your eyes would probably glaze over anyway. Suffice it to say: Coptic Christians believe in historic Christianity as much as—if not more than—us Western Protestants.

 – Pastor Ray

LENTEN SUPPERS AND EVENING PRAYER

Are you too busy to pray? Living in a noisy world? Slow down and listen! Join us for warm fellowship and quiet evening prayer as we journey to the cross and the empty tomb! We will have soup suppers and prayer services on Wednesdays during Lent. Please sign up at the Opportunity to provide food for our suppers.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Join us as we travel to the Upper Room, to Calvary, and to the Empty Tomb. Here is our Holy Week schedule:

• Palm Sunday celebration, with the Presbyterian Pealers handbell choir: March 29 at 10:00am
• Maundy Thursday, with Communion: April 2 at 7:00pm
• Good Friday Community Service: April 3 at 12:00pm (location TBA)
• Easter Sunday celebration, with Communion: April 5 at 10:00am

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Spring forward one hour the weekend of March 8.

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 1st,.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Our Brown-Bag Bible study will meet in Humanities 308 on March 4. We will not meet on March 11, because of spring break. Then we will resume meeting in the Goldenrod Room on March 18.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on TUESDAY, March 3, at 6:30pm. Martha Svoboda will lead the Bible study. Karen Johnson will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

The Sewing Souls will meet on TUESDAY, March 17, at 6:30pm. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Terry Scheuneman, a ruling elder from Schuyler and our Committee on Ministry liaison, will be joining us for his annual visit. Please be there, and make Terry feel welcome to our church family!

DEACONS

Our board of deacons will meet on Sunday, March 8, at 11:00am (after worship) to set goals and make plans for the coming year.

YOUTH GROUPS

*High School Youth: 3/4 and 3/18 @ 7:30 p.m.

*Jr. High Youth: 3/11 and 3/25 @ 7:30pm.

FPC MATCHING GRANT

Look for yourself. The plaster in our sanctuary needs lots of work. We are preparing to tackle the work, especially with the help of a matching grant. A generous donor has offered to match out donations, up to $10,000 (for a total of $20,000), to help with the renovation. Just write a check to the First Presbyterian Church, with a memo of “sanctuary repair,” by March 15^th. Thank you!

ROOTS YOUTH CONFERENCE

Grow deep. Live tall. The ROOTS youth conference is coming to Wayne March 6^th & 7^th. This will be a life impacting weekend for middle and high school students. For more information, please go to:

www.crossrocklive.com/rootsconference.php

PHIL HAMMAN

Author and motivational speaker Phil Hamman is coming to Wayne! Sunday, March 8, at 2:00pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church (5th and Main). Our youth groups (grades 7-12) are invited—along with their parents—to hear Phil’s amazing story of hardship to faith. There might even be refreshments afterwards! And it won’t last more than an hour, guaranteed.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The Wayne Public Library Spring Expand Your Horizon Series will focus on emergency preparedness this year. The series will be held at the library on March 10^th, 17^th and 24^th, featuring a different program each night from 6:30-8:00pm. The program series is free and open to the public. For more information, either stop by the library or call Rita McLean, Adult Services Librarian at 402-375-3135.

MIDLAND UNIVERSITY SPRING CHOIR TOUR

This concert series begins at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Friday, March 13, at 7:00pm. They will be featuring the Midlands Chamber Choir, the Clef Dwellers and an acoustic group. The fun begins at 5:30pm with a potluck meal. Please bring a hot dish and a side or dessert. All are invited to offer a big Wayne welcome to this fabulous group!

GARY RANDALL & WATCH THE LAMB

Gary Randall, singer/songwriter from Madison, South Dakota, will be in concert at Praise Assembly of God Church on Sunday, March 29^th at 2:30pm. This concert will include the Passion drama “Watch the Lamb.”

SUMMER CAMP @ CALVIN CREST

The warm weather is coming! We promise! And what better way to spend your summer than going to camp with friends and Jesus! Calvin Crest is officially open for summer camp registration: www.calvincrest.org/summer-camp. Pick out your week of camp and register your kid(s) or grandkid(s). Adherents of our church automatically get a 50% discount, paid by our session. If you register before March 15, there is a 15% overall discount. And if you bring along three first-time friends, you go FREE! We also offer additional scholarships, based on financial need. Visit with Pastor Ray to explore that possibility. See you there!

SERMONS ON THE WEB

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

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

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

GREETERS – MARCH 2015

1^st – The Hammer Family

8^th – Ken & Karen Marra

15^th – The Worner Family

22^{nd –} The Urbanec Family

29^th – The Pulfer Family

GREETERS – APRIL 2015

5^th – The Peterson Family

12^th – Ken & Jan Liska, Jim Lindau & Joyce Reeg

19^th – Pat & Glenda McDonald, Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin

26^{th –} Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim & Shari Paige

LECTORS – MARCH 2015

1^st – Mark McCorkindale

8^th – Greg Worner

15^th – Jack Beeson

22^nd – Judy Lindberg

29^th – Phil Griess

LECTORS – APRIL 2015

5^th – Milton Owens

12^th – Sydney McCorkindale

19^th – Tami Worner

26^th – Mark Hammer

ACOLYTES – MARCH 2015         

1^st – Eleanor McCalla

8^th – Madison Urbanec

15^th – Braydn McCorkindale

22^nd – Bo Armstrong

29^th – Emily Worner

ACOLYTES – APRIL 2015

5^th – Taytum Sweetland

12^th – Ethan Wibben

19^th – Henry McCalla

26^th – Maria Ras

March 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

16      Jason Racely

17      Jack Beeson

19      Judy Lindberg, Ray McCalla

24      Jacob Beair

25      Leigh Heese

28      Babs Middleton

29      Madison Urbanec

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 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

If you’re on Facebook, you probably started to see them popping up on your News Feed along about late December: “It was a great year. I’m glad you were a part of it!”

That was the default status for Facebook’s algorithmically generated Year in Review, highlighting random pictures you uploaded throughout 2014. But that review didn’t always go over very well, because, hey, for lots of people 2014 wasn’t a great year.

That was the case for Eric Meyer, who received a notification that said, “Eric, here’s what your year looked like!” And there, in the middle of the graphic was a picture of his recently deceased little girl, Rebecca, who died in 2014 at age 6 of complications from brain cancer.

Eric, who is himself a computer geek, says: “And I know, of course, that this is not a deliberate assault. This inadvertent algorithmic cruelty is the result of code that works in the overwhelming majority of cases, reminding people of the awesomeness of their years, showing them selfies at a party or whale spouts from sailing boats or the marina outside their vacation house.

“But for those of us who lived through the death of loved ones, or spent extended time in the hospital, or were hit by divorce or losing a job or any one of a hundred crises, we might not want another look at this past year.

“To show me Rebecca’s face and say ‘Here’s what your year looked like!’ is jarring. It feels wrong, and coming from an actual person, it would be wrong. Coming from code, it’s just unfortunate. These are hard, hard problems. It isn’t easy to programmatically figure out if a picture has a ton of Likes because it’s hilarious, astounding, or heartbreaking. Algorithms are essentially thoughtless.”

But we, unlike computer programs, don’t have to be thoughtless. I’m just like everyone else, because I don’t always know what to say to someone who is experiencing loss. Even with lots of practice and training, I still feel like I put my foot in my mouth. A lot.

But the important thing for those of us who find ourselves in that position is not that we say just the right thing (that’s always a long shot), but that we are present, that we walk alongside those people, that we offer support and compassion to the grieving.

Caleb Wilde, who is a funeral director in Pennsylvania and who maintains an enormously popular blog, Confessions of a Funeral Director, reposted this list from grief.com, outlining the best and worst things you can say to someone in grief:

The Worst Things to Say to Someone in Grief

1. At least she lived a long life, many people die young.
2. He is in a better place.
3. She brought this on herself.
4. There is a reason for everything.
5. Aren’t you over him yet, he has been dead for a while now.
6. You can have another child still.
7. She was such a good person God wanted her to be with him.
8. I know how you feel.
9. She did what she came here to do and it was her time to go.
10. Be strong.

The Best Things to Say to Someone in Grief

1. I am so sorry for your loss.
2. I wish I had the right words, just know I care.
3. I don’t know how you feel, but I am here to help in any way I can.
4. You and your loved one will be in my thoughts and prayers. (Or something like, “God bless you during this difficult time!” But avoid too much theologizing. –Ray)
5. My favorite memory of your loved one is…
6. I am always just a phone call away.
7. Give a hug instead of saying something.
8. We all need help at times like this, I am here for you.
9. I am usually up early or late, if you need anything.
10. Saying nothing, just be with the person.

Regardless of how you approach a grieving person, it’s important that you be sensitive, be supportive, be present, and don’t be thoughtless like a computer algorithm.

Pastor Ray

SESSION

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

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 1^st.

CHURCH SCHOOL UPDATE

Beginning Sunday, February 1st, Church School will return to the 9:00 hour.

February’s teachers are: Marta Pulfer and Lindsay McLaughlin.

March’s teachers are: Tami Worner and Melissa Urbanec

April’s teachers are: Marta Pulfer and Lindsay McLaughlin

WE STILL NEED TEACHERS FOR MAY!  Please contact Melissa Murphy at melissamurphy81@gmail.com and let her know if you would be willing to help.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ASH WEDNESDAY

Observe a holy Lenten season this year. We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service, in the sanctuary, at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 2/18. Throughout Lent, we will be following a DVD curriculum called “Listen: Praying in a Noisy World.”

LENTEN SUPPERS AND SERVICES

Our church family will gather for weekly suppers during Lent, starting on Wednesday, 2/25, at 6:00pm. Following the supper, at 6:45, we will gather in the sanctuary for prayer, song, and meditation. We will follow a DVD curriculum called “Listen: Praying in a Noisy World.”

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, February 4, at 6:30pm.  Karen Johnson will lead the Bible study. Jackie Owens will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

Sewing Souls will meet on Tuesday, February 17^th at 6:30 p.m. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School Youth: 2/4 and 2/18 at 7:30-8:30pm. Jr. High Youth: 2/11 and 2/25 at 7:30-8:30pm. Bring a friend!

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Join Pastor Ray for a Brown-Bag Bible Study, Wednesdays at 12:00, in the Goldenrod Room in the WSC Student Center.

THE 2015 LECTOR, ACOLYTE, GREETER SCHEDULE is available on the Opportunity Table.  As in the past, please find a replacement if you cannot make it, and contact the church office about any changes. If you would still like to be added, we would be happy to put your name on the substitute list.   Thank you!

THE CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

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

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Happy tenth anniversary to Pastor Ray! He began his tenure at FPC on February 28, 2005. Pastor Ray is the third longest-serving pastor at FPC Wayne, behind Oliver Proett and Bob Haas. Congratulations!

2015 ELDER & DEACON LIST

Elders for 2015: Misty Beair (Discipleship), Jim Curtiss (Fellowship), Shari Dunklau (Memorials), Gail McCorkindale (Worship), Jeryl Nelson (Outreach & Stewardship), Jay O’Leary (Memorials & Stewardship), Ronda Ras (Outreach), Russ Urbanec (Property), & Greg Worner (Administration & Property).

Deacons for 2015: Connie Bargstadt, Jean Griess, Joan Lage, Lindsay McLaughlin, Shari Paige, & Melissa Urbanec.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather on Saturday, 2/21, beginning at 10:00am, at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, for our first meeting of 2015. Pastor Ray will be going if anyone would like to tag along.

PRESBYTERY GRANT

The Wayne Food Pantry recently received a grant from our Homestead Presbytery that allowed us to provide 135 children enrolled in the Wayne Community Schools Backpack Program with a special bag to help them over the past Christmas holiday. We were able to purchase a loaf of bread, and a jar each of peanut butter & jelly for each child. Our thanks to the Homestead Presbytery!

SUMMER CAMP ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Camp is coming! Here are some camp things to think about, that will help you bear the cold weather:

• Camp for newborns through high school.
• Our church pays 50% for all of our adherents.
• Our church has several 100% scholarships for kids who wouldn’t otherwise get to go (talk to Pastor Ray confidentially!). Think about your neighbors and friends…
• Early bird special if you register before 3/15.
• Invite 3 (first-timers), go free.
• The best summer job you’ll ever have. Period.
• Volunteer opportunities.
• New pool!
• So sign up already!calvincrest.org/summer-camp

SERMONS ON THE WEB

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

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

TRI-COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE BREAKFAST

The Tri-County Right to Life Breakfast will be held Saturday, 2/7 at 9:30am in Holy Family Hall at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Their speakers will be Brooke Jech, Senator Dave Bloomfield, and Greg Schleppenbach, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life.  All congregations are encouraged to attend.

THE ANNUAL KIWANIS PANCAKE FEED

The Kiwanis Pancake Feed with eggs and sausage will be held Sunday February 15th, 9:00 am to 12:45 pm at the Wayne City Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children and are on sale from Kiwanians or at the door.​

FUNDRAISING CONCERT

Join the Front Porch Pickers as they perform a fundraising concert for the Wayne Association of Congregations and Ministers on Sunday, February 15^th at 2:00pm. The concert will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Refreshments will be served afterward.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

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

GREETERS – FEBRUARY 2015                                                                                         

1st – John & Anita Fuelberth, Phil & Jean Griess

8^th – The McCorkindale Family

15^th – Jack & Bev Beeson, Mark & Jenny Hammer

22^nd – Jim Curtiss, Karen Johnson & Babs Middleton

GREETERS – MARCH 2015

1^st – The Heese Family

8^th – Jim Lindau, Joyce Reeg & Pat Straight

15^th – The Worner Family

22^nd – The Urbanec Family

29^th – The Pulfer Family

LECTORS – FEBRUARY 2015                                                                                         

1st – Pulfer

8^th – Gail McCorkindale

15^th – Ronda Ras

22^nd – Bev Beeson

LECTORS – MARCH 2015

1^st – Mark McCorkindale

8^th – Greg Worner

15^th – Jack Beeson

22^nd – Judy Lindberg

29^th – Phil Griess

ACOLYTES – FEBRUARY 2015                                                                                         

1st – Genevieve McCalla

8^th – Bralen Murphy

15^th – Nina Hammer

22^nd – Andy Wibben

ACOLYTES – MARCH 2015

1^st – Eleanor McCalla

8^th – Madison Urbanec

15^th – Braydn McCorkindale

22^nd – Bo Armstrong

29^th – Emily Worner

February 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

7        Karen McElwain

10     Jodi Pulfer

20     Karen Marra

25     Pat Straight, Gabriel Peitz

27     Jan Liska

28     Amy Bowers

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 – December 2014 / January 2015

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Happy Hanukkah! This year the Feast of Dedication, as it’s also called, runs from December 17^th through December 24^th. But I’m not just trying to be multicultural in my greeting. Hanukkah is something that even Jesus, as an observant Jew, celebrated. In fact, like most things that Jesus did, he added new and deeper meaning to it!

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated in the 2^nd century BC. The story of Hanukkah is recorded in 1 Maccabees, which is part of the Deuterocanon not included in our Protestant Bibles.

Prior to the year 165 BC, the Jewish people who lived in Judea where living under the rule of the Greek kings of Damascus. During this time the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanes took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of the Lord, as well as giving up their sacred customs and reading the Torah. Antiochus made them bow down to the Greek gods. And according to historical records, Antiochus even defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture. Very un-kosher!

In response to this severe persecution, a group of four Jewish brothers, led by Judah, decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters to resist their oppressors. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God were given a surname by their countrymen: Maccabee, meaning “hammer.” The small band of warriors fought for three years with “strength from heaven” until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from foreign control.

After regaining the Temple, the Maccabees cleansed the Temple, cleared it of all idolatry, and readied it for rededication, which took place in the year 165 BC, on the 25^th day of the Hebrew month called Kislev—overlapping with our contemporary December.

So Hanukkah received its name, the Feast of Dedication, because it celebrates the Maccabees’ victory over Greek oppression and the rededication of the Temple. But Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, because immediately following the miraculous deliverance, God provided another miracle of provision.

In the Temple, the eternal flame of God was to be lit at all times as a symbol of God’s enduring presence. But according to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil left in the Temple to burn the flame for one day. The rest of the oil had been defiled by the Greeks during their invasion, and it would take a week for new oil to be processed and purified. But at the rededication, the Maccabees went ahead and lit the eternal flame with the remaining supply of oil, and God’s Holy presence caused it to burn miraculously for eight days, until the new sacred oil was ready.

This is what Jesus celebrated as the Jews remembered God’s faithfulness to his people. “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” (John 10:22-23 NIV) Jesus’ mere presence in the Temple made the Jewish leaders curious. This was the man whom many said was the Messiah—who healed and taught in God’s power. Previously, God’s presence was expressed through the eternal flame which burned in the Temple. But now, God’s presence was expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the Light of the world. Jesus himself became the new Temple, the place where heaven and earth overlap, where God dwells among humanity.

Even today, this is what we celebrate. Not just a miracle that God accomplished on behalf of the Maccabees long ago. But we celebrate that God has come near to us, to live among us in Jesus Christ the Lord. This time of year we observe a holy season, remembering when Jesus was born in Bethlehem to bring God’s light into the world permanently. During this time of waiting, let us also be cleansed, purified, and dedicated to the Lord our God.

• Pastor Ray

(Historical information is taken from christianity.about.com.)

SESSION

The session will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015, including the new class of ruling elders. (There will be no session meeting in December.)

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, December 7.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The UnFrozen Christmas program will be during worship on Sunday, 12/21. Rehearsals will be 12/7 and 12/14 at 9:00am, plus any additional rehearsals. Invite your grandparents, friends, and neighbors!

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS

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

FPC CHRISTMAS BAND

It is time to make arrangements for the Christmas Band. If you are able to play, please sign up on the list on the opportunity table. We may also have various ensembles. If you have questions, see Jay O’Leary.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

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

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

We will go caroling to CareAge and The Oaks on Wednesday, 12/17, during supper time. Please gather at The Oaks at 5:00pm. Bring a (musical) friend! After we finish singing, we will return to our Fellowship Hall for a soup supper. Please sign up at the Opportunity Table to provide food for the supper.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

Our Christmas Joy Offering will be taken on Sunday, December 21^st. Whether providing financial assistance to current & former church workers and their families, or providing opportunities for deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools, your generous gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstances or spirit.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

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

PAJAMA SUNDAY

Sunday, 12/28, will be Pajama Sunday! Wear your pj’s, slippers, and bathrobes to worship that day. And it’s okay to bring a favorite stuffed animal, too!

YOUTH GROUPS

High school youth group will meet on Wednesday, 12/2, from 7:30-8:30, and on Wednesday, 12/17, at 5:00pm at The Oaks for caroling.

Jr. high youth group will meet on Wednesday, 12/10, from 7:30-8:30pm for our Christmas party and Wednesday, 12/17, at 5:00pm for caroling. See you there!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

• Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, December 3^rd at 6:30pm for a bible study and their annual cookie exchange.
• The January meeting will be held on the 7^th at 6:00pm. This meeting will be the potluck supper, business meeting and Bible study. Judy Lindberg will be the leader.

SEWING SOULS

• Sewing Souls will not meet in December.
• The January meeting will be 1/21. Elaine Francis will be the hostess.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING

Our church is scheduled to ring the bells at Pac N Save and Shopko on Friday, 12/5 between the hours of 5:00-8:00p.m. Please sign up to ring at the Opportunity Table.

WAYNE ROTARY BAKED POTATO & PIE LUNCH

This annual event will be held on Sunday, 12/7 from 11:00 a.m.-1:30pm at the Wayne City Auditorium. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 10 & under, and may be purchased at the door.

RING AROUND WAYNE

The Wayne community handbell concert will be Monday, 12/8, at the Armory at 7:30pm. Our own Presbyterian Pealers will be performing alongside the other local groups. Please show your support!

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

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

*The office will also be closed Monday, January 1^st.

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

MITTEN TREE

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

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

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

SERMONS ON THE WEB

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

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

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

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIVING

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

www.worldvision.org

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.compassion.com

www.churchworldservice.org

www.mbfoundation.org

www.heifer.org

calvincrest@calvincreat.org

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

SEASON OF LIGHT

The WSC Planetarium will begin its 2014 holiday show “Season of Light” on Friday December 5, at 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Season of Light traces the history and development of many of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season. Season of Light will be presented at 6:30 & 7:30 pm on December 5, 12, 19 & 20, and at 1:30 pm on December 7, 14, & 21^st. The suggested donation for all shows is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, go to www.wsc.edu/planetarium. Come and experience the “Season of Lights.”

* Please join us as we gather as a congregation at the planetarium show on 12/14 at 1:30.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2015

• Worship with Communion will be held Sunday, January 11, 2015.
• The Session will meet on Monday, January 7^th at 7:00pm.
• The FPC Annual Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday, January 25^th. A church potluck will follow.
• Stewardship drive part 2 will begin in January.

GREETERS – DECEMBER 2014                                                                   

7^th – Jim Curtiss, Pat Straight, Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton

14^th– The McCorkindale Family

21^st – The Peitz Family

24^th – The Peterson Family

28^th – The Pulfer Family

GREETERS – JANUARY 2015

4^th– The McDonalds & The McLaughlins

11^th-The Worner Family

18^th – The Beesons & The Hammers

25^th – The McCorkindale Family

LECTORS – DECEMBER 2014

7^th – Tiffanny Heese

14^th – Judy Lindberg

21^st – Jim Lindau

24^th –(sign-up sheet)

28^th – Jan Liska

LECTORS – JANUARY 2015

4^th – Ken Marra

11^th – Rachelle McCalla

18^th – Gail McCorkindale

25^th –Ken Liska

ACOLYTES – DECEMBER 2014

7^th – Bralen Murphy

14^th – Andy Wibben

21^st – Braydn McCorkindale

24^th – Eleanor McCalla

28^th – Bo Armstrong

ACOLYTES – JANUARY 2015

4^th – Emily Worner

11^th Taytum Sweetland

18^th – Madison Urbanec

25^th – Ethan Wibben

December 2014 – First Presbyterian Church

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

1          Brittany Peterson

5          Tiffanny Heese

7          Candyce Peitz

14        Randy Dunklau

18        Beau Bowers

19        Dorothy Stevenson

20        Rich Murphy

22        Nina Hammer

31        Henry McCalla, Knox McCalla

January 2015 – First Presbyterian Church

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

2       Larry Heese

5     Terry Beair

9       Jennifer Hammer

10     Emily Armstrong

11     Joyce Voyles

15     Haley McElwain

20     Kent Pulfer

24     Claudia Racely

27     Jim Paige

28     Jackie Owens

31     Elaine Francis, Shannon Peterson

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 – November 2014

The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church

216 West Third Street, Wayne, Nebraska 68787

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

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

A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

William Whiting Borden was born in 1887 in Chicago to a wealthy family (think Borden dairy). When he graduated from high school at age 16, he was already a millionaire, and as a graduation present, his parents gave him a trip around the world. As he traveled the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, his heart ached for the lost. As a Christian, he determined that he was going to go to the mission field to reach people for Christ. Some of his friends contended that William was “throwing himself away as a missionary.” But with uncommon focus, Bill wrote two words in the back of his Bible in response to the naysaying: “No Reserves.”

Borden went to Yale University and proved himself to be a young man of uncommon spiritual maturity. He led a revival of sorts at Yale, successfully connecting 1,000 of Yale’s 1,300 students into prayer groups. In one of his journal entries during college, Bill wrote: “Say ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to Jesus every time.” One of Borden’s friends said about him, “Although he was a millionaire, Bill seemed to realize always that he must be about his Father’s business, and not wasting time in the pursuit of amusement.” Upon graduation from Yale, Borden turned down some high-paying job offers. In his Bible, he wrote two more words below his previous entry: “No retreats.”

Following college, Bill enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian seminary in New Jersey. His focus grew around reaching the Muslim Kansu people of China. Once that goal was in sight, Borden never wavered. When he finished his studies at Princeton, he set sail for China. But since his goal was to be a missionary to Muslims, he stopped in Egypt to learn Arabic.

While staying in Egypt, tragedy struck William Borden. He contracted spinal meningitis, and within a month, the 25-year-old Chicagoan was dead. When news reached the States, nearly every American newspaper carried the story. Borden’s biographer later wrote that, “A wave of sorrow went round the world…Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice.”

And to us, this may all seem like a huge calamity, even a waste of a perfectly good young life. We may theorize, “Couldn’t he have done more with his wealth than going on a dangerous mission that got him killed? Why did Borden have to be so focused on his crazy plan?” Even at the end of his life, William Borden didn’t see his life as a waste, though. Prior to his death, he wrote two more words in the back of his Bible, underneath the other two entries. The last one said, “No regrets.”

If anything, Borden’s selfless and Christ-focused life is an indictment against our wishy-washy “pursuit of amusement.” Is there anything we would be willing to sacrifice our lives for? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:34b-37)

And that bit about taking up a cross, by the way, isn’t promoting arbitrary suffering for no good reason; and it doesn’t mean that we have to go to China to commit our lives to reaching the lost for Jesus. But Jesus’ invitation to take up our cross means that we must die to self—to be crucified with him—so that we can live for him. Or, as William Borden put it, “Say ‘no’ to self and ‘yes’ to Jesus every time.”

The question for us, then, is, What are we willing to “throw away ourselves” for? When we reach the end of our lives—whether we are 25 or 95—will we be able to say that we gave ourselves over to something that made an eternal difference, or not?

William Borden was buried in the American Cemetery in Cairo. His gravestone says this:

A Man in Christ

He arose and forsook all and followed Him

Kindly affectioned with brotherly love

Fervent in spirit serving the Lord

Rejoicing in hope patient in tribulation

Instant in prayer

Communicating to the necessity of saints

In honour preferring others

Apart from faith in Christ there is no explanation for such a life.

Although such a story about William Borden may not make sense to everyone, it makes perfect sense when you take into consideration faith in Christ. May this be explanation that gives shape to our lives.

Pastor Ray

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME REMINDER

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

COMMUNION

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, November 2, and Sunday, December 7.

 SESSION

The Session will gather on Monday, November 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Room (upstairs). Please note that this is the third Monday, rather than our typical fourth Monday.

RAKE AND BAKE

High school youth from all over Wayne will be doing a service project together on Sunday, 11/2, from 1:00-5:00. Meet at St. Mary’s parking lot, and wear work clothes!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

On Sunday, 11/9, we will be praying for Christians all over the globe who are persecuted for their faith. For more information about the International Day of Prayer, please visit www.persecution.com/idop.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Christians in Wayne will gather on Sunday evening, 11/23, at the First United Methodist Church sanctuary for a worship service of giving thanks. The service will start at 5:00pm, and a soup-and-pie supper will follow in their fellowship hall. Please help us provide soup and pies by signing up at the Opportunity Table.

THANKSGIVING DAY

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

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Presbyterian Women will meet on Wednesday, November 5^th at 6:30pm. Karen Johnson will lead the Bible study on Reconciling Paul. Elaine Francis will be the hostess.

SEWING SOULS

A variety of projects are underway for local missions and Calvin Crest. Come sew with us on Wednesday, November 19^th at 6:30pm. Babs Middleton will be the hostess.

FPC COOKBOOK

The Presbyterian Women would like to complete the church cookbook by Christmas. Please send any new favorite recipes you have found to julind42@abbnebraska.com or put a copy in the Presbyterian Women’s box in Fellowship Hall.  We would like to dedicate this project in memory of Sandra Metz. Thanks for your help with this project.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School Youth Group will meet 11/5 and 11/19, from 7:30-8:30pm.

Junior High Youth Group will meet on 11/12. There will be no Jr. High Youth on 11/26, due to Thanksgiving break.

BROWN-BAG BIBLE STUDY

Join us for stimulating conversation as we explore our deepest questions about God and the Bible! Wednesdays at noon, in the Goldenrod Room (WSC Student Center), while classes are in session.

WAYNE FOOD PANTRY

We are expecting a very busy holiday season at the Food Pantry Please consider making either a cash or financial donation to our program. There is a great need in our community, please be generous. Please contact Jenny at the church office fpcwayne@gmail.com if you have any questions.

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY

Our presbytery will gather at the Clarkson Zion Presbyterian Church on Thursday, 11/20, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Ray and Rachelle will be attending; if you would like to go along, please contact them!

SERMONS ON THE WEB

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

NATIONAL DONOR SABBATH WEEKEND

Become an organ, eye and tissue donor. November 14-16^th is the National Donor Sabbath Weekend. Please talk to your family members about becoming a donor.  For more information, call 1-800-718-LIFE or go to www.DonatelifeNebraska.com

DRIVE FOR THE KIDS

Help us collect supplies for area kids who are in need. We are supporting: Haven House of Wayne, the Ronald McDonald House of Siouxland, Head Start of Wayne, and the Rainbow World Child Care Center. Donations may be dropped in Fellowship Hall. The drive will continue through Sunday, December 7^th.

NORFOLK RESCUE MISSION BANQUET

The Norfolk Rescue Mission’s 18^th annual banquet will take place on Thursday, November 6 at Divot’s DeVent Center at 6:30pm. They would like to share their vision with you. Enjoy a delicious meal, listen to inspiring music and be challenged by a dynamic speaker. Tickets are FREE, Reservations are required. Call 402-371-6484 today!

PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Providence Medical Center is offering a Grief Support Group on Tuesday evenings through November 11^th beginning from 6-8 pm. Please contact Shirley in the Home Health/Hospice office at (402) 375-4288 for more information.

2016 SCOTLAND HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY PILGRIMAGE

Scotland May 20-28, 2016 Discover our Presbyterian heritage while enjoying magnificent landscapes, and welcoming, friendly people. Please join us in this exciting pilgrimage! For more information: www.homesteadpres.org or 402-474-0612

CALVARY KID’S CLUB

Calvary Bible Evangelical Free Church is starting an afternoon children’s program on Tuesday from 3:45-5:00pm. The program is for K-6^th grades. They will use the curriculum from the Child Evangelism Fellowship program. Please call (402) 375-4946 or (402)860 3059 for more information.

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

• The Christmas/Advent Decoration Party will be held after worship on 11/30. Stick around to help decorate our building in anticipation of Christmas!
• The children’s Christmas program will be during worship on Sunday, December Misty Beair and Melissa Murphy are organizing the program. If you would like to help, please contact them.
• We will go caroling to CareAge and The Oaks on Wednesday, 12/17 during supper time.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

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

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska

GREETERS: NOVEMBER 2014

2^nd – John & Anita Fuelberth, Phil & Jean Griess

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

16^th – Scott & Lindsay McLaughlin, Jim & Shari Paige

23^rd – The Heese Family

30^th – Milton & Jackie Owens, Jim Lindau & Joyce Reeg

GREETERS: DECEMBER 2014

7^th – Jim Curtiss, Pat Straight, Karen Johnson, Babs Middleton

14^th – The McCorkindale Family

21^st – The Peitz Family

24^th – The Peterson Family

28^th – The Pulfer Family

LECTORS: NOVEMBER 2014

2^nd – Marta Pulfer

9^th – Larry Heese

16^th – Greg Worner

23^rd – Karen Johnson

30^th – Mark Hammer

LECTORS: DECEMBER 2014

7^th – Tiffany Heese

14^th – Judy Lindberg

21^st – Jim Lindau

24^th – (signup sheet)

28^th – Jan Liska

ACOLYTES: NOVEMBER 2014

2^nd – Jon Worner

9^th – Emily Worner

16^th – Cate Worner

23^rd – Gen McCalla

30^th – Nina Hammer

ACOLYTES: DECEMBER 2014

7^th – Bralen Murphy

14^th – Andy Wibben

21^st – Braydn McCorkindale

24^th – Eleanor McCalla

28^th – Bo Armstrong

November 2014 – First Presbyterian Church

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?

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

2        Phyllis Hix

6         Brandon Beair

7        Rick Lund

10        Kevin Peterson

12        Ken Liska, Mark McCorkindale

13        Katherine Butler, Tillie Jones, & Rachelle McCalla

14        Audrey Harder

18        John Gradwohl

28        David McElwain

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!