August Gleaner

THE GLEANER
First Presbyterian Church (USA) Walnut, Iowa 51577
Volume 40 Number 8 August 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

Disciples of Christ

In January I began asking the session to give prayerful consideration to what God was telling them what the mission was for His churches in Walnut. Each month I would phrase the question just a little bit differently, but the thought still meant the same thing, “What is God up to in this community? Where is God already at work and where would He like us to jump in?”
The Message for all us last Sunday, July 26th, was what gift God has blessed each of us with and how is it possible for Him to use our 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed His children. It’s my belief that God has blessed all of us with gifts, some of which we don’t see as gifts that can be used to further God’s kingdom here on earth.
Friends, that’s why it’s so vitally important for us to spend time with God each day reading and praying His Word. Time with God is never a waste of time. Time spent with God, time spent listening to Him is one of the ways we can discern how He is calling us to use these gifts.
We may not believe that our talents could ever be used to help some one else experience the love of God through Jesus but remember what Paul told the Ephesians, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams (The Message, Ephesians 3:20)!” So if God is able to do far more than we could ever imagine don’t you think he could take whatever we have and do miraculous things with them. It doesn’t matter whether we are farmers, antique store proprietors, cooks, maintenance workers, day care providers, nurses, caregivers, hotel housekeepers, managers, mothers, fathers; God is able to use us wherever we are to bring people into His fold where they will be safe.
But in order for God’s will to be done we have to give up our control and let Him be our guide. We must trust that whatever He calls us to do He will be with us every step of the way. He will take our 5 loaves and 2 fish, our little gifts, multiply them and, friends, there will be an abundance of leftovers to feed those others who tag along to see what all the commotion is about.
So I’m asking all of you reading this today, “What is God already at work doing in the community where you live? What is God calling you to do? How is He asking you to help?” And you know he is.
We can’t enjoy the fruits of our labors unless we get down on our knees and plant some seeds in the dirt. Just like we can’t eat BLT’s unless we keep the weeds away from the tomato plants neither can we expect God’s kingdom to grow here in Walnut unless we get on our knees and pray for God’s guiding grace as we plant the seeds of His love. We have to get out and share our stories with our friends and neighbors about how God is enriching our lives.
Let’s work together to share The Message with those in our community who are yearning to be filled with the love of Jesus. Remember God loves you and so do I.
Pastor David


Thank-You
-Jim McDermott, David Woltmann and Greg Mertz for planning and taking the boys on a fishing trip to Canada. (More news next month)
-George Mertz for offering to let the “fishermen” stay in his Canadian cabin.
- Chuck and Linda Ploen for planning the girls’ mission trip to Shell, Wyoming.
Pastor David/Linda helped (and worked) also. (More news next month.)


CONGRATULATIONS

Dr. Bill and Clara Beatty are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
The Walnut Presbyterian Church is cordially invited to their reception.
The reception will be held from 2-4 pm on Sunday, August 30th in the
Pacific Springs Community Room, 805 S 173rd Court (174th & Pacific).
No gifts, please. Your presence and/or a short note to Bill and Clara
would be most meaningful to them. For those who wish to send an
anniversary greeting their address is, Bill and Clara Beatty, 521 S 174th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68118.


September Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Al & Dixie Schirm, Larry & Charlotte Shepherd
Communion Servers: Gloria Myers-chm, Linda Krueger, Charles Walter, Darlene Stuart.
August ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.


Flowers for Pulpit
August 2 ------- Carolyn Johnk
August 9------- Karla Helms
August 16------ Carla Johnk
August 23------Terri Abel
August 30-------Jean Bornholdt


Optimist Car Show – August 2
Antique City Drive will be blocked off. Parking will be in back of church or on side streets.

It’s A Picnic
Our Presbytery (Missouri River Valley) is planning a picnic for EVERYONE
in the Presbytery! This grand event will be held August 15th at Church Of The
Master located at 10710 Corby Circle, Omaha, Nebraska. This is just south of
Maple on 108th street.
All you are asked to do is let your pastor know if you’re planning on going
(so the Presbytery can buy enough fried chicken) and bring either a salad or dessert.
Many activities are being planned, especially for the children. They’ve rented
two BIG inflatable playthings, there will be a washer toss and sand pit volleyball,
so there will be plenty of things for the youngsters to enjoy.



Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women will begin their new season on September 5th
A club tour and lunch out are being planned.


Calvin Crest Lunch and Quilt Auction
Our church camp, Calvin Crest, will be holding it’s annual
BBQ and Quilt Auction on Saturday, August 29.
Quilts will be on display at 10 a.m., BBQ from 12-1:30 p.m.,
and Quilt Auction starting at 1:30 p.m.
(If you would like to contribute a quilt let Pastor David
know and he will take it to Calvin Crest on the 21st.)

Session Minutes

July 14, 2009
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on July 14th, 2009 in the south Sunday school annex.

Those in attendance were Darlene Stuart, Gloria Myers, Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Dennis Jensen and Bonnie Holtz. Absent were Leo Rechtenbach, Val Sievers, Bobbie McDermott and Robin Tooley.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with scripture from I Peter 1: 3-9. He also read a reflection entitled “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?”

The minutes of the June 9th meeting were read and approved.

The Treasurer’s report was approved as read.

The Pastor’s report was approved as given. Pastor David traveled 221 miles this month and served communion to 10 residents in Walnut and 48 residents of Salem Home in Elk Horn along with many visitations to members.

During the Clerk’s report it was stated that there were no membership transfers, one death-that of Janice Louise Tooley who died June 9th, 2009 and was buried in Layton Twp. Cemetery in Walnut, and there was a request from Jessica Newcomb to become a member of our church and have her 2 children baptized. David would also like to have an adult confirmation class for Jessica and/or anyone else who may be interested. It was moved and 2nd to grant this request. Motion carried.

Stewardship and Mission
Linda and Jim reported on their respective youth trips. There are five boys and seven girls going at this time. On Sunday, September 27 we will be hosting a joint worship service with United Church of Avoca. The guest speaker will be Doug Orbaker, delegations coordinator for the Council of Evangelical Churches is Nicaragua. We will have a coffee afterwards. There will be a World Mission Celebration in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 22-24.

Christian Education
Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #6 will be October 15-18th.
There is a Youth Ministry Leader Seminar on September 12th at Countryside Community Church in Omaha conducted by Princeton Theological Seminary. Early Bird registration is $65.
David ordered the books “Christian Educator’s Guide to Evaluating and Developing Curriculum”. We will need to have a special meeting later to discuss how these books can help us with our Christian Education programs.
The Presbytery-Wide Picnic will be Sunday August 15th from 4-7 p.m. at Church of the Master. It will be a fun event for all ages. Please bring a salad or dessert.
There are several dates in August set for Child Protection Policy Training. The POAM/OWLS Fall Celebration will be Sept. 16-17 at Calvin Crest.
There are dried fruits and nuts for sale at the Presbytery office. Proceeds from sales go to help charitable organizations.
Check out the MRV Presbytery website at www.pmrv.org for news happening in the Presbytery.

Worship
Gloria Myers helped serve communion to 4 residents at Peace Haven on July 5th. Steve Koll will fill the pulpit on July 19th, Lou Buckner on August 9th, and Heather Ploen on October 18th.

Finance and Property
The Antique Walk went well. Roughly $12,000 was deposited before expenses. There will be more details next month.
Bruce Rosenbaum has been painting the outside trim of the church. He is finished with what he can reach with the ladder. David reported on Servant PC Resources Inc. It costs $499 for the license. We will discuss more later.
We also need a new signature authority at the bank to sign checks to replace Kent Johnk. It was moved and 2nd to approve Dennis Jensen for this position. Motion carried.

Personnel
No action

New Business
Cass County Memorial Hospital sent a Congregational Survey to the church for information on services and or training our members may need. David will fill this out.

It was also mentioned that perhaps we could use some of our memorial money to buy some new pew Bibles so all the Bibles are the same.

The meeting was closed with prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

Next meeting will be August 11th at 7:00 p.m.

Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session