December Gleaner 2008

THE GLEANER
First Presbyterian Church (USA) Walnut, Iowa 51577
Volume 39 Number 10 December 2008

I’m sorry that I didn’t get a November Gleaner out this year. The church has been without a secretary and I wasn’t able to get myself to sit down and put one together this month. The good news is, as you will read in the Session meeting minutes, someone has volunteered to put the Gleaner together and keep me on task to get my things down so it can be published and mailed on time. Our thanks go to Linda Krueger for being so gracious as to agree to do this for us.
Linda has already been here to let me know that I need to get my notes written so she can get everything printed Wednesday. So here it goes.
Since the weather has changed from being 70 degrees during the day to 40 degrees and we received over a half-inch of snow on Saturday, I’ve been thinking about those who, for whatever reason, don’t have the advantage of a warm place to live and sleep at night. Have you ever really considered what it must be like to sleep outside at night when the weather is like it is right now? How can anyone ever get any rest with temperatures in the teens?
When we realize that the folks who are living outdoors don’t have the advantage of clothes that help to maintain a good body temperature and they probably aren’t eating a healthy diet to enable their bodies to work properly it’s a wonder that they are able to survive at all. The reality is some don’t.
I haven’t seen anyone in Walnut living outdoors, at least not since Kelsey Helms slept in a cardboard box in our yard one cold winter night. I don’t think she really slept. What she did gain from the experience was what it was like to try to survive in our climate when all you have is a cardboard box between you and the cold. There might not be any homeless folks living in our community but there are some who are just barely making ends meet. They might not be far from not having a shelter to live in. Wouldn’t that be a terrible thing to have facing you every day?
As people who are trying to follow the examples and teachings of Jesus what should we be doing? Sunday’s gospel lesson from Matthew was about the King, Jesus, separating the sheep from the goats. The sheep were those who took care of God’s children, the ones who were in need of food, drink, clothes, and companionship and the goats were those who didn’t.
Friends, I know that I don’t always notice those in need or always help those in need so I’m most probably a sheepish goat. And I’m probably not alone there. But you know God has a way of making us aware and convicting us of our failures to care for our brothers and sisters.
You may be wondering what you can do. You may be thinking, “How can I find out who needs some help?” I’m glad you asked.
There are a couple of things that you can do right here in our local community. One is contribute food, paper products, and bathroom necessities to the Avoca Food Pantry. If you aren’t close to Avoca I’m sure there is a food pantry close to you that would be excited to receive your donations of canned food or paper towels. Another way you can help is by giving to the Good Guys. Donations for the Good Guys can be sent to the MidStates Bank in Avoca, Iowa to the attention of Kim Buck. And if you’re not able to help in that way because things are a little tight at your house you could volunteer your time at the Food Pantry. I know Roberta would appreciate any help you could give.
Those are just two opportunities available in our local community. Of course this time of year you receive many letters in the mail asking you to contribute to homeless shelters in Omaha and Council Bluffs. These are great places to send coats, blankets, and volunteer to serve in their kitchens, or out on the street. They also accept contributions of money but not everyone is able to do that.
Jesus told us that we are to care for the poor, the sick, and the widowed. Look into your heart and ask yourself, “How well am I doing this?”
Advent begins this next Sunday. I pray that you will find the time to come and worship the King and walk with Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem. Everyone God brings through the doors of this sanctuary are welcome. It’s warm inside and God will provide food for your soul.
Thanks be to God for his grace, peace, and love. Amen.
Pastor David

REMEMBRANCE
In memory of Doug Ferguson 1935-2008 and Darrell Sunderman 1932-2008


YOUTH HAPPENINGS

The drawing for the lap quilt was held the night of the supper and Gwen Blum was the winner. Jim McDermott took the quilt to her that evening and she was thrilled. We certainly appreciate Alice Cowley of Benson, Utah for donating the quilt to our youth. It raised $201. Jim and the youth are now starting to sell raffle tickets for the new full size quilt made and contributed by Linda Krueger. See one of them to buy your tickets; $1. or 6 for $5.

CONGRATULATIONS

Valerie Sievers and Samantha Jensen were awarded football cheerleading letters.
Lauren Sievers (8th grade) was named the Author Award winner for her class.


THANK-YOU
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the Annual Presbyterian Bazaar & Dinner a great success. We all worship God in different ways, some through the work of their hands. What a lot of people we had worshipping God the week of the supper.
We served 352 people, 150 of those were carry-outs.



JANUARY USHERS & COMMUNION SERVERS
Ushers: Dennis Jensen, Dustin Jensen, Allan and Diana Sievers
Communion Servers: Darlene Stuart – Chairperson, Allan Sievers, Dennis Jensen and Linda Woltmann


SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The annual Sunday School Christmas program, The Animal’s Christmas Pageant will be December 21st during worship. Come and see what great things the children can do.


POINSETTIAS
Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary in memory of family and friends who have passed on. The Presbyterian Women have ordered three for the church. A complete list will be in the bulletin later in December.


NOVEMBER SESSION MINUTES
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on November 18, 2008 at 7:00 in the south Sunday School annex.
Those in attendance were Leo Rechtenbach, Gloria Myers, Val Sievers, Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Janet Grush, and Robin Tooley. Those absent were Darlene Stuart and David Thompson.
The meeting was opened with prayer and a scripture reading from Luke 17:1-10. For reflection David read an interesting article from “Congregations Magazine” about the seven habits of highly effective churches.
The minutes of the October 7,2008 meeting were read and approved.
The treasure’s report was accepted as read.
The pastor’s report was presented and approved. Pastor David traveled 215 miles this month for visitations and meetings.
The clerk’s report was given and approved. There were 2 deaths. Doug Ferguson died November 2, 2008. The funeral service was at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut on Nov. 6, 2008, burial at Hancock Cemetery. Darrell Sunderman passed away on November 12, 2008 with graveside service at Layton Twp. Cemetery on November 15, 2008. There was also a request from David and Shelly Thompson to have their names removed from our membership roles.
Stewardship and Mission
Stewardship letters were mailed out. We received our General Mission Pledge report for 2009. It was moved and 2nd to approve our donation of $1,200 for mission to the Sudanese Church in Omaha, and $300 the Theological Education Fund. Linda Ploen also reported that she will bring a box to church to hold gift donations to the Open Door Mission. Lists of what their needs are will be available at the church.
Christian Education
David reminded us of the Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #5 on April 16-19, 2009. It was moved and 2nd to allow David to purchase a subscription to Thoughtful Christian.com for $250. It will be used for Christian education for youth and adults. We will also be having Sunday evening worship with a meal on December 7th and 14th from 5:45-7:30.
Worship
There will be a Thanksgiving Eve service at the Peace Church. Advent begins on November 30th. David and Darlene have some interactive ideas for the lighting of the advent candle.
Finance and Property
Pictures for our new church directory will be taken on Tuesday, December 16 from 3:00-9:30. Picture appointments need to be made with Linda Ploen.
It was mentioned that the upstairs basement door knob needs to be replaced.
Next on the agenda was our church budget for 2009. After discussion it was moved, 2nd and approved to accept our 2009 budget for $79,906.18.
Personnel
David reported that Linda Krueger will be taking over the church’s secretarial duties starting immediately for a fee of $200 a month. We were very appreciative of her offer to help out. We also received a letter of resignation from David Thompson as an elder on session. We decided not to find a replacement for his position as he only has a month left of his term. We are however; still searching for someone to replace Enola’s position as elder.
New Business
We discussed our church sign and the possibility of updating or replacing it for more street appeal. David was elected as chairman for the Committee for Congregations. He also reported on his and Pastor Gail Muckey’s work with Angel Tree to be at the Walnut Public Library. Local residents can apply to be a part of this project to help needy families during the holidays. They will then be eligible for adoption during the Christmas Season. One Great Hour of Sharing material has been ordered. Easter is April 12th. It was moved, 2nd and approved to allow David to perform the wedding of James Chelf and Nineen Freeman on Saturday, November 22nd, and the baptism of Mason Charles Schaben on November 30th,2008. David will contact Faith Sound to see if they can come to our church again in 2009. The last order of business was the development of a new committee-Community Assistance Program Committee- that will help oversee the running of the assistance programs provided through the local churches of Avoca, Hancock, Shelby and Walnut. The committee would be made up of 2 members of each church involved. The CAP Committee will have oversight of the following programs. Good Guys, The Food Pantry, Traveler’s Aid, Angel Tree, and the Crop Walk.
After adjournment, the meeting was ended by saying the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be December 9th at 7:00.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session