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.”
I’m Not Just February
By Annette Wynne
I’m not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I’m Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country’s flag for you!
I’m Valentine of airy grace-
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send,
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I’m quite a big month, after all!
Accessed from https://discoverpoetry.com/poems/february-poems/
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY
Homestead Presbytery will gather on Saturday, February 15th, via Zoom. Contact Pastor Teresa for more details.
SESSION
The Session will meet on Monday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
JOIN PASTOR TERESA AT “THE TABLE”
Pastor Teresa will have “remote office hours” at the Table (203 Main Street) in downtown Wayne on February 25th from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. Stop by for a quick check in and coffee or deeper conversation or join Pastor Teresa for lunch. Everyone is welcome to come and go as needed.
COMMUNION
Next month, Communion will be held on Sunday, March 2nd. Communion Elder will be Gerard Ras.
FROM THE PASTOR……
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church has been faithful in meeting regularly and in the celebration of communion and special seasons of the church year such as Lent, Advent and Christmas. We have tried new things: a progressive dinner in August with wonderful hosts and food, we hosted a soup supper for Wayne State College International students in December with 6 students and 12 members in attendance. We continue to refine our CoffeeHouse style worship and enjoy the leadership of members of the congregation in our faith discussions. We enjoyed a Christmas program by our youth which was in a creative video format. We have a Sunday School class thanks to dedicated teachers.
The Deacons hosted their annual Coat Giveaway which was very successful. First Presbyterian continues to host and staff, the Wayne Food Pantry with the assistance of Wayne State College SAAC students, community volunteers and FPC members (see the statistical report included at the back with the financials). Both of these ministries are important outreaches to the community and a way we live into our Matthew 25 goal of working to alleviate poverty.
We celebrated the baptism of Julian Story. We lamented the deaths of members: Babs Middleton and Dr. Ken Liska and friends of the congregation Ginger and Jim Nissen.
Our annual statistical report shows our membership has been reduced to 71, which might be alarming, membership has been shrinking in the last few years. The reduction comes from loss of members through death and inactive members removed from the roles. The Session does its due diligence by reviewing the membership rolls on a regular basis and this year a number of people who no longer live in the area were removed from membership by their consent.
The Session has been cautious and intentional about setting the 2025 budget with the knowledge that member giving is not supporting the budget of the church. Thus, for the coming year the Session plans to transfer a limited amount of interest earned on our investments into our general fund on a regular basis. In addition, a change by the PC(USA) regarding pricing of pastoral benefits resulted in a significant cut in the cost of pastoral benefits to the church. (Compare the 2025 terms of call to the budget for 2024.)
We can get anxious and fearful as we see the membership numbers declining and as we see budget shortfalls. Numbers can be important for some things, but numbers can also convince us that we don’t have enough, that we aren’t enough. This comes in part from the culture around us which defines success with size, that bigger is better and smaller often correlates to failure.
The pastor’s annual report is a balance between realism and a vision for the coming year. These are challenging times for many churches, and we can be fearful of the future, anxious about finances and leadership, I’m not minimizing the challenges we face. However, I remind you that a frequent phrase in the Bible is a variation of “fear not.” Whether spoken by a prophet to a widow using the last of her oil and flour for her family’s last meal (1 Kings 17:7-16), to shepherds on a hillside (Luke 2:10) or a young woman confronted by an angel with amazing news (Luke 1:30) we are assured God is present with us. Our role is to listen for God’s guidance, to continue to meet together and be faithful. I don’t believe God is finished with FPC, if we are willing to listen to God, to each other and be open to change God can use us.
We shouldn’t tell God we don’t have enough resources, that our faith is too small, our fears too many- remember what 12 disciples did, remember what 11 charter members of this congregation did establishing this house of worship and the many who have worked and worshiped here through the years. Rather than focusing on numbers, let us focus instead on our strengths and assets. This is a congregation with a variety of skills and gifts. The energy, imagination and participation of all members of the congregation is important for the life and flourishing of this faith community. Working together we can make changes to increase the vitality and participation of our membership. We can and should invite and welcome others to join us on this faith journey. Get more involved, volunteer as a lector or greeter for worship or for a Session team, stop by and hang some coats in the Coat Closet. If you have ideas for special events the congregation could host to welcome others or address a need in the community, share your thoughts with a Session member or with me.
Scriptures tell us how God loves to do surprising things like turning water into wine, calming storms, feeding 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. I trust that our Triune God can use this congregation in surprising ways as well. May it be so, thanks be to God, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Teresa
FPC ANNUAL REPORT
Pastor Teresa’s letter was from the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 26th. If you would like a copy of the report, you can pick up a copy on the Opportunity Table or contact Jenny at fpcwayne@gmail.com
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL STATISTICAL REPORT
Each year the Session clerk completes a statistical report of the congregation which is submitted to the denomination. The report contains the demographics of a congregation which include age, gender as well as some general information about the mission and finances of the congregation. Clerk Jane had created a pie chart to share with the congregation during the annual meeting about the age breakdown of the FPC congregation which has been reproduced for the newsletter. The chart shows the biggest percentage of the FPC congregation is 71 years and above. This information reinforces that as a faith community we need to reach out and engage with others to share our faith and welcome others into our community. The Session is planning several activities over the coming year which will provide opportunities to invite others to join us.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT & EASTER
Observe a holy Lenten season this year.
- We will begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service on March 5th beginning at 7:00pm.
- Palm Sunday Service on Sunday, April 13th at 10:00am.
- The Maundy Thursday service will be held Thursday evening, March 28th, 7:00pm.
- Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord at our Easter Sunday service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 20th, 2025.
Borrowed Time
J. Barrie Shepherd.
These forty days are Lent to us-
not counting Sundays-
a blessed space in time in which
to step aside, get out of line,
drop out of the mad rush toward
the six-foot drop and bring oneself
to life again. Six weeks, say-
more or less-until the note falls due,
those generous terms expire,
and the piper must be paid
under the palm branches
And dark twisted olive trees.
LENTEN WORSHIP
March 5th to April 9th
“From Wilderness to Glory”
For our Lenten worship will be using as inspiration the book by N. T. Wright, “From Wilderness to Glory.” We will explore the stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection during the Lenten season. We will hear from each of the gospel writers during our Lenten worship series. Soup suppers begin March 12th at 6:00 p.m., worship at 7:00 p.m. Please sign up at the Fellowship Hall to provide soup, sandwiches or dessert.
March 5th Ash Wednesday – Worship (7:00 p.m. no meal)
March 12th – Jesus in the wilderness
March 19th – Jesus among the crowds
March 26th – Jesus in prayer
April 2nd – Jesus among friends
April 9th – Jesus among enemies
April 17th – Maundy Thursday – Jesus in the city – Worship with Communion
(7:00 p.m. no meal)
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS TO BEGIN MARCH 12th
Lenten Soup and Sandwich suppers will begin on Wednesday, March 12th and continue until April 9th. Soup suppers will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by our Lenten worship service at 7:00 p.m. Sign-up on the sheet in Fellowship Hall to bring soup, sandwiches, dessert or other items for the meal.
SPECIAL INVITATION TO WSC INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
On December 22nd FPC hosted WSC international students for a soup supper. We had 6 students and 12 congregation members present. That event has spurred the Session to plan to invite the international students to join us for a meal on Wednesday, March 12th at 6:00 p.m. This will be our regular Wednesday Lenten supper followed by worship, students are welcome to join us for the meal and if they desire to join us for worship. We hope everyone marks the date and plans to join us to welcome the students to FPC and enjoy a meal together. All are welcome.
FPC CHURCH DIRECTORY
Please submit any address or phone number changes for you and for your family members to fpcwayne@gmail.com or call the office at 402-375-2669. Thank you!
FELLOWSHIP HALL PIANO
The Fellowship Hall piano is available to anyone who would like it and will move it. The Aerosonic piano is in good useable conditions, however would likely need tuning after moving. Please speak to Pastor Teresa if you are interest in the piano. The Session would like to piano to have a new home soon.
2025 CLASS OF ELDERS AND DEACONS INSTALLED
January 12th a new class of ruling elders and deacons were installed by Pastor Teresa Bartlett at the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne. Brian Bowers was installed as ruling elder, replacing outgoing elder Jane O’Leary and Suzanne Sjuts was installed to her second term on the Session. These elders join Dr. Mark Hammer, Dr. Gerard Ras, Dr. John Fuelberth, Dr. Gail McCorkindale in visioning, guiding and governing the congregation. Karen Johnson and Tiffany Hesse are the incoming class of deacons and join Karen Marra, Sydney Story, Jenny Hammer, Rev. Gordon Grandberg. The ministry of the deacons is one of compassion, witness and service to members or persons in distress. The deacons manage the Coat Closet at FPC.
The First Presbyterian Church of Wayne is located at 216 West Third Street and was organized in 1881. First Presbyterian is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyterians are in the reformed theological tradition, with a strong emphasis on the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The church has representational leadership by both ministers and church members.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
(Would you like to see your birthday listed here?
Just contact the church office 402-375-2669 or fpcwayne@gmail.com)
10 Jodi P.
20 Karen M.
25 Pat S., Gabriel P.
27 Jan L.
28 Amy B.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WAYNE
THE SESSION 2025
Elder Class
John Fuelberth (Property, Fellowship) 2025
Gail McCorkindale (Worship, Discipleship, Administration) 2025
Mark Hammer (Property, Fellowship) 2026
Gerard Ras (Administration) 2026
Brian Bowers (Property) 2027
Suzanne Sjuts (Worship, Outreach, Discipleship) 2027
Jane O’Leary, Session Clerk 402-369-4005
BOARD OF DEACONS 2025
Deacon Class
Gordon Granberg 2025
Karen Marra 2025
Jenny Hammer 2026
Sydney Story 2026
Tiffanny Heese 2027
Karen Johnson 2027
COMMITTEES OF THE CONGREGATION 2025
Nominating Team: John Fuelberth, Sydney Story, Amy Bowers, Karen Marra, Randy Dunklau & Ronda Ras
Financial Review: Jeryl Nelson & Mark McCorkindale
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION: Suzanne Sjuts, President; John Fuelberth, Vice-President;
Jane O’Leary, Secretary; Jodi Pulfer, Treasurer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Shari Dunklau, Mark McCorkindale, Kent Pulfer
February 2025 – First Presbyterian Church
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Each Sunday Morning: 9:00 Bells Practice 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship | 1 | |||||
| 2 10:00am Communion Gail McCorkindale, communion elder 7:00pm WSC SAAC packs backpacks | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 1:30pm Country View Chapel | 10 7:00pm Forest Walk | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 10:00am Homestead Presbytery Via Zoom |
| 16 CoffeeHouse Worship | 17 | 18 | 19 10:30am WACAM 3:30pm Kinship Pointe | 20 | 21 | 22 9:30am Mobile Food Pantry Truck at Journey CC |
| 23 | 24 7:00pm Session Mtg. | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
Contact Information:
First Presbyterian Church
216 W. Third Street
Wayne NE 68787
FPC Office/ Wayne Food Pantry/Wayne Coat Closet
402-375-2669
Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 12 noon
Websites:
Church: https://fpcwayne.com/
Wayne Food Pantry: https://fpcwayne.com/food-pantry/
Wayne Coat Closet: https://fpcwayne.com/wayne-coat-closet/
FPC Service Recordings can be found at:
*Facebook @ First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
*Our website @ fpcwayne.com
*YouTube @ FPC of Wayne Nebraska
FPC Online Worship Bulletins can be found at:
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
First Presbyterian Church – Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne Food Pantry – Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne Coat Closet – First Presbyterian Church
Pastor Teresa Bartlett
402-375-2669 (office)
319-795-2911 (cell)
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First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska 