First Presbyterian Church (USA)
Walnut, Iowa 51577
Volume 40 Number 3
March 2009
Pastor’s Notes
Pastor’s Notes
With Ash Wednesday only a few days away I am reminded that we are preparing ourselves to walk with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. I don’t know about you but I look forward every year to the evening Lenten worship services that are accompanied with great food and fellowship.
Last year we joined with the churches in Avoca in hosting Sunday evening Lenten worship services. For me it is a new experience to proclaim God’s Message in a different pulpit. It’s been great to visit with some friends I haven’t seen in quite a few years. But the best thing is getting to hear the Bible stories from all these different perspectives. The scriptures are the same but it seems that the Message that God has for changes from year to year.
This year we are facing changes due to the economic conditions all around the world. We also have a new president who will bring his own ideas about change. And so the Message from God’s word will sound different in our ears because we are all different. Does that make sense?
I think it’s interesting how the words in the scriptures are the same words we’ve read, studied, memorized, and heard for years but the Message we receive changes. We have traveled with Jesus many times on the road to Jerusalem but every year I take something different away from the Message. I am looking forward to discovering how God will speak to each of us this year in our different studies and worship services.
As you have the opportunity and the time I hope you will attend as many of the Lenten worship services as you are able. I believe our God uses these times of worship to prepare us for the work he has given us to do of sharing his Message of love with those we meet on our journey through this life.
I pray that you will be filled with excitement and joy as you take in God’s word and that it will inspire you to minister to others as he gives you the ability.
May God’s love and peace be with you all this Lenten season,
Pastor David
BLOGS OF INTEREST
Pastor David has created two blogs you may find of interest on the internet:
www.1stpresbyterianwalnutia.blogspot.com (you will find the Gleaner here)
www.davids-patio.blogspot.com (you will find David’s sermons here)
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
The Presbyterian Women met on February 4, 2009. A very interesting program was given by former Walnut resident Jon martens. Jon is the Water Superintendent for Atlantic, Iowa. His program was about his trip to Tanzania, Africa in 2007. He worked in several communities there to provide them with safe drinking water. He landed in Arusha, Tanzania which had no potable water at all. Daily 25,00 adults and 5,000 children die in the world from bad water. Last year in Tanzania 120 children died of cholera, dysentery, and typhoid after drinking water that was unsafe. After installing equipment to chlorinate the water deaths have been reduced to under 1%.
“Saving lives one drop of water at a time”
The next Presbyterian Women’s meeting will be 1 P.M. March 4 at Robert’s Bakery for a soup lunch.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations for being named to the Walnut Community School Honor Roll
Middle School
Gold Michael Mertz
Emily Mitchell
Courtlyn Griffith
Lauren Sievers
Silver Alyssa Becerra
Chris Guthery
High School Gold Ty Johnk
Samantha Jensen
Valerie Sievers
Silver Josie Cable
College Honor Roll Jessica Ploen, Creighton University
Ryne Johnk, Iowa State University
Congratulations to Samantha Jensen, Ty Johnk, and Jared Ploen for being part of the Show choir that received an “Excellent” rating at State Contests. (Along with our own Connie Jensen on piano!)
Congratulations to Jolene Jensen, 3rd grade, who received the 2nd place trophy for the 3rd-8th grade spelling bee at Walnut Community School.
APRIL Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Vincent & Phyllis Hansen and Linda Krueger Communion Servers: Gloria Myers (chm), Kelsey Helms, Don Walter, JoJane Walter
March ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.
Ushers: Vincent & Phyllis Hansen and Linda Krueger Communion Servers: Gloria Myers (chm), Kelsey Helms, Don Walter, JoJane Walter
March ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.
Lenten Services
Sunday night Soup Suppers for Lent begin at 5:00. Our Wednesday night services with Peace Church begin at 6:00.
Sunday night Soup Suppers for Lent begin at 5:00. Our Wednesday night services with Peace Church begin at 6:00.
Sunday Services
March 1, St Patrick’s (Walnut)
March 8, Trinity Lutheran (Avoca)
March 15, Peace United (Walnut)
March 22, United Church of Avoca
March 29, First Presbyterian Church (Walnut)
When winter weather threatens listen to KJAN AM, KSOM FM, or KNOD FM for Church
information.
Flowers for Pulpit
March 1 Pam Nielsen
8 Linda Sieck
15 Gloria Myers
22 Gloria Myers (Tina Gregory)
29 Phyllis Hansen
SESSION MINUTES
February 10,2009
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on February 10, 2009 in the south Sunday School annex.
Those in attendance were Leo Rechtenbach, Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Bobbie McDermott, Dennis Jensen, Robin Tooley and Bonnie Holtz. Absent were: Darlene Stuart, Gloria Myers and Val Sievers.
The meeting opened with a prayer for elders and Scripture readings from 1 Peter 5:1-3,1 Timothy 3:1-13, and Titus 1:5-9.
The minutes of the January 13th meeting were accepted as read.
The treasure’s report was read and approved.
Pastor’s report was presented. Pastor David traveled 296 miles this month. David also announced that he and Linda will be attending the Wee Kirk Conference in South Dakota on May 5-7, 2009. There will also be no worship service on Sunday during the Antique Walk. It was moved and 2nd to approve the report. Motion carried.
We received a request from First Presbyterian church in Neola, Iowa for the membership transfer for Joshua Abel. A motion was made to reinstate him to the active list and accept the transfer. Motion was 2nd and carried.
Next on the agenda were the appointments to session committees.
Committees will be as follows:
Stewardship & Mission-Darlene Stuart & Bonnie Holtz
Christian Education-Gloria Myers & Robin Tooley & Val Sievers
Worship-Linda Ploen & Bobbie McDermott
Finance & Property-Leo Rechtenbach, Jim McDermott, and Dennis Jensen.
Stewardship & Mission
We received a thank-you from the Wee Kirk Conference for our donation. A mission opportunity in Shell, Wyoming was discussed. Linda Ploen reported that Chuck had visited with several people in Shell concerning what is involved with this project. Perhaps this will be a good opportunity for the young girls of the church and anyone else wanting to help work on a historical church near Yellowstone Park. The session moved and 2nd the motion to allow this trip. Motion carried. The trip will probably be the first part of August. David received a letter from Betty Maassen requesting to be put on the inactive list. David also passed out to each member a list of our church families. He would like us all to help with visitations to these families.
Christian Education
The Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #5 will be April 16-19, 2009. There will be a Presbytery Education event called the “21st Century Reformation on March 21 at the Church of the Master in Omaha.
Worship
David reported that he had removed the privacy panel at the front of the church to make the space more open for worship.
Finance & Property
Jim McDermott will look into updating our sound system to include a cordless mike for David. We also discussed a spring cleaning date. The landscaping around the church needs to be cleaned up to make the church look more appealing. David also filed our Corporation Biennial Report. He will talk to Don Walter about continuing to be the registered agent. Dennis moved & Bonnie 2nd a motion to allow Leo to take care of the CD that is coming due. Motion carried.
Personnel
Carla Johnk is no longer able to sign for the Traveler’s Fund so Linda Krueger and Gail Muckey have both agreed to accept the responsibility. Jim moved and Leo 2nd the motion to allow them both to sign the signature card at the bank. Motion carried. David asked if there would be a couple of people to serve on the Community Assistance Program. The first meeting will be March 8 following the Lenten worship service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. We were also asked to turn in our pastor evaluation sheets. David shared an elder evaluation with us asking for continued enthusiasm for this church.
New Business
The PW asked if the session would be willing to pay for half of three new roasters. A motion was made and 2nd to do so. Motion carried. David also asked for a date and time for training for the new elders. The final item for discussion was what we believe God wants to be this church’s focus this year. It was agreed that Christian education and working with and for the youth should be our focus. They are our future. We need to be inclusive not exclusive. David will speak with Regina Maas to see if she can come and talk to us about possible youth programs. Perhaps we can share with other churches.
The meeting was closed with prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.
The next meeting will be March 10 at 7:00 pm.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
Stewardship & Mission
We received a thank-you from the Wee Kirk Conference for our donation. A mission opportunity in Shell, Wyoming was discussed. Linda Ploen reported that Chuck had visited with several people in Shell concerning what is involved with this project. Perhaps this will be a good opportunity for the young girls of the church and anyone else wanting to help work on a historical church near Yellowstone Park. The session moved and 2nd the motion to allow this trip. Motion carried. The trip will probably be the first part of August. David received a letter from Betty Maassen requesting to be put on the inactive list. David also passed out to each member a list of our church families. He would like us all to help with visitations to these families.
Christian Education
The Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #5 will be April 16-19, 2009. There will be a Presbytery Education event called the “21st Century Reformation on March 21 at the Church of the Master in Omaha.
Worship
David reported that he had removed the privacy panel at the front of the church to make the space more open for worship.
Finance & Property
Jim McDermott will look into updating our sound system to include a cordless mike for David. We also discussed a spring cleaning date. The landscaping around the church needs to be cleaned up to make the church look more appealing. David also filed our Corporation Biennial Report. He will talk to Don Walter about continuing to be the registered agent. Dennis moved & Bonnie 2nd a motion to allow Leo to take care of the CD that is coming due. Motion carried.
Personnel
Carla Johnk is no longer able to sign for the Traveler’s Fund so Linda Krueger and Gail Muckey have both agreed to accept the responsibility. Jim moved and Leo 2nd the motion to allow them both to sign the signature card at the bank. Motion carried. David asked if there would be a couple of people to serve on the Community Assistance Program. The first meeting will be March 8 following the Lenten worship service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. We were also asked to turn in our pastor evaluation sheets. David shared an elder evaluation with us asking for continued enthusiasm for this church.
New Business
The PW asked if the session would be willing to pay for half of three new roasters. A motion was made and 2nd to do so. Motion carried. David also asked for a date and time for training for the new elders. The final item for discussion was what we believe God wants to be this church’s focus this year. It was agreed that Christian education and working with and for the youth should be our focus. They are our future. We need to be inclusive not exclusive. David will speak with Regina Maas to see if she can come and talk to us about possible youth programs. Perhaps we can share with other churches.
The meeting was closed with prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.
The next meeting will be March 10 at 7:00 pm.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
