THE GLEANER
First Presbyterian Church (USA)
First Presbyterian Church (USA)
Walnut, Iowa 51577
Volume 40 Number 7 July 2009
First Presbyterian Church Church Phone: 712-784-3953
Box 707 Pastor David’s home phone: 712-784-2204
Walnut, IA 51577 Pastor David’s cell: 402-936-0153
Volume 40 Number 7 July 2009
First Presbyterian Church Church Phone: 712-784-3953
Box 707 Pastor David’s home phone: 712-784-2204
Walnut, IA 51577 Pastor David’s cell: 402-936-0153
Pastor’s Notes
Its official, summer arrived at 12:35 last Sunday, June 21st. Right along with the longest day of the year came the hottest days we have experienced so far. I, for one, had been really enjoying the cooler temperatures. It hasn’t been so good for the corn and beans that like the heat and humidity but it’s been good for us humans.
So along with summer and the warmer temperatures comes a whole list of outdoor activities, like camping, swimming, fishing, and biking, just to name a few. I also like to take a good book outside when the temperature drops some and spend some quiet time listening to God’s creation settling down for a night’s rest as I read. Sometimes I even find myself drifting off as I try to reread the same sentence for the umpteenth time.
It is peaceful sitting on the glider and just letting the silence wash over me. I have been reminded lately that that is one of the areas of our lives that we neglect, quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of our busy-ness. I read that solitude is abstaining from doing those things that distract us from hearing God’s voice.
The world has a way of insisting that we do this or that or go here or there or watch this movie or television show. And by listening to the world we miss hearing the quiet whisper of God’s word for us. I think we feel guilty when we just sit and don’t do anything but empty ourselves of all the noise in our lives and minds.
Friends, to really understand the importance of this self imposed solitude go to the gospels and read what Jesus did. After a busy day of teaching and healing and casting out demons he rested. But then we find that he would get up while it was still dark (night) and he would go away to pray. Many times his disciples would send search parties out to find him because people were clamoring to hear him teach and to have their ills cured.
Just reflect for a moment on the obstacles he might have encountered. The grass would have been covered with dew, tree branches would reach out to catch his clothes, rabbits and deer would be frightened by his footsteps, and besides that it was dark and hard to see where to place his feet. It would have been very easy to trip and twist an ankle or break a wrist.
What difficulties do you think you might have in trying to find a quiet place of solitude? There might be little ones in your house who take much of your time. You might be working two jobs to help meet your budget or maybe you’re one of those fortunate few who have to work overtime to help your company make sales.
Many of us complain that we don’t hear God speaking to us. Maybe it’s because we haven’t truly sought to be alone with him doing nothing but listening.
Friends, my prayer for each of you is that you will structure some time every day from here on out to read God’s word, pray, and then sit quietly, doing nothing else but listening for the still, small voice of God.
Blessings to you all in this Ordinary time of the church year,
Pastor David
Thank-You
---to EVERYONE who helped in any way to make our Food Stand at the Antique
Walk a success, especially Chairman Mary Ellen Woltmann, Charlotte Shepherd for keeping track of, purchasing and delivering the supplies, and Larry
Shepherd for taking charge of the setting up and tearing down of the food stand.
---to all who helped make Vacation Bible School a success.
Its official, summer arrived at 12:35 last Sunday, June 21st. Right along with the longest day of the year came the hottest days we have experienced so far. I, for one, had been really enjoying the cooler temperatures. It hasn’t been so good for the corn and beans that like the heat and humidity but it’s been good for us humans.
So along with summer and the warmer temperatures comes a whole list of outdoor activities, like camping, swimming, fishing, and biking, just to name a few. I also like to take a good book outside when the temperature drops some and spend some quiet time listening to God’s creation settling down for a night’s rest as I read. Sometimes I even find myself drifting off as I try to reread the same sentence for the umpteenth time.
It is peaceful sitting on the glider and just letting the silence wash over me. I have been reminded lately that that is one of the areas of our lives that we neglect, quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of our busy-ness. I read that solitude is abstaining from doing those things that distract us from hearing God’s voice.
The world has a way of insisting that we do this or that or go here or there or watch this movie or television show. And by listening to the world we miss hearing the quiet whisper of God’s word for us. I think we feel guilty when we just sit and don’t do anything but empty ourselves of all the noise in our lives and minds.
Friends, to really understand the importance of this self imposed solitude go to the gospels and read what Jesus did. After a busy day of teaching and healing and casting out demons he rested. But then we find that he would get up while it was still dark (night) and he would go away to pray. Many times his disciples would send search parties out to find him because people were clamoring to hear him teach and to have their ills cured.
Just reflect for a moment on the obstacles he might have encountered. The grass would have been covered with dew, tree branches would reach out to catch his clothes, rabbits and deer would be frightened by his footsteps, and besides that it was dark and hard to see where to place his feet. It would have been very easy to trip and twist an ankle or break a wrist.
What difficulties do you think you might have in trying to find a quiet place of solitude? There might be little ones in your house who take much of your time. You might be working two jobs to help meet your budget or maybe you’re one of those fortunate few who have to work overtime to help your company make sales.
Many of us complain that we don’t hear God speaking to us. Maybe it’s because we haven’t truly sought to be alone with him doing nothing but listening.
Friends, my prayer for each of you is that you will structure some time every day from here on out to read God’s word, pray, and then sit quietly, doing nothing else but listening for the still, small voice of God.
Blessings to you all in this Ordinary time of the church year,
Pastor David
Thank-You
---to EVERYONE who helped in any way to make our Food Stand at the Antique
Walk a success, especially Chairman Mary Ellen Woltmann, Charlotte Shepherd for keeping track of, purchasing and delivering the supplies, and Larry
Shepherd for taking charge of the setting up and tearing down of the food stand.
---to all who helped make Vacation Bible School a success.
CONGRATULATIONS
--to Ryne Johnk, son of Kent and Carla Johnk, graduated Summa Cum Laude from
Iowa State University. Ryne was chosen to serve as Student Marshal for the
College of Business because of his outstanding scholastic achievements, including
a perfect 4.0 GPA. He led his fellow classmates into the auditorium while
holding the banner of the College of Business and was the first to receive his
diploma. On April 5th Ryne received the High Scholarship Award in the college
of Business which is given to only the top 2 percent of the college class.
--to Hannah Blum (daughter of Rick and Gwen Blum) and Ryne Johnk (son of
Kent and Carla Johnk) on their beautiful June 6th wedding.
--to Alyssa Becerra, Emily Mitchell, Jessica Helms, Lauren Sievers, Courtlyn Griffith and Chris Guthery for being on the Middle School Honor Roll.
--to Ty Johnk, Samantha Jensen, Josie Cable, Val Sievers, and Jared Ploen for being on the High School Honor Roll.
--to Pastor David being honored by being asked to be Head Pastor for the September Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage.
--to Alice Richter for winning the quilt that was raffled off to help our youth.
August Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Kent & Carla Johnk, Jim & Bobbie McDermott Communion Servers: Dennis Jensen-chm, Robin Tooley, Barb Eslick, Vincent Hansen. July ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.
May 31, 2009Chris Guthery baptized by Pastor David
May 31, 2009Emily Mitchell, Alyssa Becerra, Michael Mertz, Hunter
Nielsen, and Chris Guthery were confirmed and became members
of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa.
Something different
Pastor David received a phone call from Mrs. Samuel Shinn on June 12. She introduced herself as the wife of Rev. Shinn, who used to preach at Walnut. She said she just called to let David know how much they enjoyed The Gleaner and then asked about some of our members.
We realized later that perhaps we should include the obituaries of Church members in the Gleaner. This would be another way that our “distant” friends could hear more about our church life.
Janice Louise Tooley
Janice Louise Tooley, the daughter of Harry Charles and Frances Elmer (Nelson) Wendt,
was born on October 9, 1937, in Avoca Iowa. Janice was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church
in Avoca She attended Avoca schools and graduated from Avoca High School in 1956. Janice
worked at Van Nostrand Grain in Avoca as a secretary and bookkeeper for twenty years. On
January 10, 1970, she married James Edward Tooley at the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut,
Iowa. Janice took time off from her bookkeeping job to raise her family and do in-home daycare.
She was later employed for nine years at Peace Haven in Walnut, where she worked in the kitchen.
Then, for eight years, she worked at Koala-ty Daycare in Walnut.
Janice was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa. She loved
caring for children. Time spent with her children and grandchildren was special to her. Janice
was a quiet person who enjoyed fishing, listening to country and polka music, and watching the
birds.
Janice L. Tooley died on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at her home in Walnut, Iowa, having reached
the age of 71 years and 8 months.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Jim Tooley of
Walnut, Iowa; two daughters, Kim Hoffman and her friend, Ron Gardner, of Jacksonville, Iowa,
and Robin Tooley of Walnut, Iowa; two sons, Darren (Michelle) Tooley and Justen Tooley, both
of Walnut, Iowa; one brother, Ron (Ann) Wendt of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister, Barb (Marv)
Pittmann of Avoca, Iowa, six grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Flowers for Pulpit
July 5 -------Betty Sunderman
July 12-------Michelle Sunderman
July 19------Kami Bruck/Shannon Wood
July 26------Connie Jensen
Bible School 2009Second row: Hana Holtz, Raegan Bradley, Tanner Glines, Paige Nelson.
Front row: Bella Canada, Landon Shutters, Meagan Kock.
Our Joint Bible School with Peace UCC took place June 8-12 with the programSunday June 14th at Peace UCC during morning worship. Deb Petersen from Peace
UCC headed up this years program and announced that they averaged 32 students
a day and a good time was had by all.
Session Minutes
June 9, 2009
The session of walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on June 9th, 2009 in the south Sunday school annex.
Those in attendance were Darlene Stuart, Gloria Myers, Linda Ploen, Dennis Jensen, and Robin Tooley. Absent were Valerie Sievers, Leo Rechtenbach, Jim McDermott, Bobbie McDermott, and Bonnie Holtz.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and scripture from Matthew 7:7-8 and Romans 8:26-28. Our reflection was from an article in Presbyterians Today magazine entitled “Why Prayer Matters”.
The minutes of the May 12th meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer’s report was approved as read.
The Pastor’s report was given and approved. Pastor David traveled 170 miles, served communion to 7 residents and made many weekly visitations and devotions.
Linda Ploen presented the clerk’s report. There was one death- Lauren Wallace Weir died May 19th, 2009 and his remains will be spread on Trail Ridge Road in Colorado.
We received five new members through confirmation on May 31st, 2009-Christopher Michael Guthrie, Michael Lloyd Mertz, Hunter Michael Nielsen, Emily Sue Mitchell and Alyssa Lee Becerra.
A request was also received from Enola Pagliuso to be put on the inactive list. It was moved and 2nd to do so.
Linda also read a letter from the Presbytery thanking us for hosting the Presbytery meeting on May 19th.
Stewardship and Mission
Linda reported that there were no updates on the Shell, Wyoming mission trip. We will need to get a supply pastor for August 9th as David will be on the mission trip. David also read several thank-you’s from those who had attended the May 19th Presbytery meeting.
Christian Education
Gloria reported that Bible School is going well and the program will be June 14th at 9:30 at the Peace Church. David reported that the Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #6 will be October 15-18, 2009. David has been asked to be the head pastor. There will be a “Spiritual Growth Seminar” in Shenandoah on June 27th and a Youth Ministry Leader Seminar at Countryside Community church in Omaha on September 12th. Gloria will contact Kelsi Helms about applying for her 2nd scholarship.
Worship
David asked if we thought there would be any interest in purchasing a DVD on Parenting-The Early Years. Perhaps this would be of help to parents with young children. Pastor David will be on vacation July 19-25th. We will need a supply pastor for July 19th.
Finance and Property
Plans are going well and supplies are being purchased for the Antique Walk. Thanks to Larry Shepherd for spraying the church yard and back parking lot. The CD for $80,000 has been placed in a jump up CD in Great Western at a 2.75% annual rate.
Personnel
No action taken.
New Business
David spoke of two books he purchased-“The Way of Discernment”, and “Spiritual Disciplines”. They ask “How can we be certain that we’re doing what God wants us to do?” What does our community need us to be?
The meeting was closed with prayer and The Lord’s Prayer.
Our next meeting will be July 14th at 7:00 p.m.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
