Gleaner April 2012

PASTOR’S NOTES

The season of Lent is fast coming to an end. This coming Sunday we remember and celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He, and his disciples, was on the final leg of his journey to the cross, and the tomb.

April 2^nd will be the beginning of Holy Week. Each day of Holy Week the church will be open from 7-7. A labyrinth with 10 stations will be created in the church basement. This is being set up jointly with United Church of Avoca to provide a space where folks may come and reflect on the path Jesus walked from the Temple to the Upper Room to his trials to Golgotha to the Tomb.

We will have a week to reflect on this journey that actually began at 6 p.m. on April 6^th, 30 A.D. and ended at 4 p.m. April 7^th.

All of us will have an opportunity to put ourselves in Jesus’ sandals. Think about the thoughts that were racing through his brain as he prepared for what he knew was inevitable, what he knew God, his Father, had determined must happen in order for humanity to be saved. What turmoil and anxiety he must have experienced as he sat at the Passover meal with his disciples. What was he feeling as he prayed in the Gethsemane? What was the depth of his sorrow, with what kind of passion did he pray so that he perspired so profusely? What kind of fear was he feeling? Did he doubt?

And yet, he left it all in God’s hands. He trusted in the will of his Father. This sacrifice of one human had the potential to be just another man dying on the cross, the sacrifice negligible. He knew the suffering he would be experiencing and the waiting for it all to begin and then be over must have been excruciating. What extraordinary courage it must have taken.

It was all worth it in God’s eyes, victory over death, eternal life for those who believed. Think of what Jesus experienced and then think about our responsibility after receiving such a gift.

It is all grace. How could God do such a thing? We find it hard to imagine such love. What does God ask of us who willingly receive this gift of grace?

Friends, we pray that you will take advantage of this time to reflect and meditate on the sacrifice God made for us in Jesus, the Messiah.

Grace and peace from God, our Father, and his Son, Jesus,

Pastor David

                                  It’s Spring!

                           We’re so excited

                           We wet our plants!

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday

A joint Maundy Thursday/Good Friday service is being planned for Thursday April 5^th at

6 PM.  United Church of Avoca will be joining us for this service.  (no meal)

                                     Thank-you

Thank-you to Kathy Hansen for the roses for everyone on Valentine’s Day.

Thank-you to Jim Tooley for mailing the birthday cards in February.

Thank-you to Linda Ploen for leading the worship while the Pastor was on vacation.

Thank-you to Justen Tooley for installing our new door.

Thank-you to Robin Tooley and the whole Sunday School for leading the worship after their “Lock-In”

                                            Humor

             Three sisters age 92, 94, and 96 all live in a house together.  One night the 96-year-old draws a bath.  She puts her foot in and pauses.  She yells to the other sisters, “Was I getting in or out of the bath? 

             The 94-year-old yells back, “I don’t know.  I’ll come up and see.”  She starts up the stairs and pauses, “Was I going up the stairs or down?”

             The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and listening to her sisters.  She shakes her head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.”  She then knocks on wood for good luck.

             She then yells, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”

May Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Chuck/Linda Ploen, George Mertz, Alice Richter

Communion Servers:  Linda Ploen-chm., Chuck Ploen, Kathy Hansen, George Mertz

April ushers and communion servers are at the bottom of  the calendar.

                                         Flowers for April

                              April 1-----------PW Easter Lilies

                              April 8-----------PW Easter Lilies

                              April 15----------Bonnie Holtz

                              April 22----------Darlene Stuart

                              April 22----------Darlene Stuart

                                                 Sunday School Bloopers

Noah’s wife was Joan of Ark

The people who followed Jesus were called the 12 Decibels.

The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

One of the oppossums was St. Matthew.

The Jews had trouble throughout their history with unsympathetic Genitals.

A Christian should have only one wife.  This is called monotony.

                                              Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women met March 7^th in the church basement.  Wendy Richter presented a program.

about the Family Crisis Center in Atlantic.  She told the group about the services that are available

through the center.  They serve all victims of crime (not just domestic abuse) through shelter,

counseling, advocacy and education.  The center serves up to 800 victims a year.

The next meeting will be April 4^th at 1:30 at the church.  The annual Spring Gathering will be

 April 14^th at the Church of the Master with a program titled “Let the Little Children Come To Me”.

They say one day your whole life will flash before your eyes.  Make it worth watching.

                                                          Sympathy

Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Linn Dale Johnk.  Linn passed away

at his home in Council Bluffs on February 21^st at the age of 61.   His memorial service

was held at our church on March 24^th.

Linn was the only son of Virgil and Florence Johnk (both deceased).  He is survived

by his Aunt Vera (Milton) Mueller of Walnut and cousins.

Session Minutes

March 13, 2012

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on March 13^th at 7 p.m. in the Sunday School south annex.  Those in attendance were: Margo Matthies, Linda Krueger, Jim Tooley, Linda Ploen and Kathy Hansen.  Absent were: Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen, Michelle Mertz, Allan Sievers and Mike Mertz.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and a reflection entitled “Journey to the Cross” based on John 2: 13-22.

The minutes of the annual corporate meeting were read and approved.  The minutes of the January 10, 2012 were also read and approved.

The treasurer’s report was accepted as given.

Robin Tooley and Margo Matthies then reported on the progress of the committee to paint the interior of the sanctuary.  They have one bid of $3,200 and will be getting another.  They are open to any suggestions or ideas from anyone. 

David then presented his report for the months of January and February.  The report was approved as presented.  Pastor David asked for permission to officiate the wedding of LeAnn Larsen Blotzer and Terry McCarthy on March 17^th.  Permission granted.  Permission was also given for the baptism of Tyler DeLee Hansen, son of Amy and Robert Hansen. 

Linda Ploen read a thank-you from Robin Tooley and Dave Heilig for the scholarship money to attend a Christian couple’s retreat.

The death of Linn Johnk was reported.  His memorial service will be Saturday, March 24^th at our church.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2012

Since this was the first meeting of the new term, commit ignments were made.  They are as follows:  Worship-Linda Ploen & Jack Ploen, Stewardship-Linda Krueger & Margo Matthies, Christian Ed. –Kathy Hansen & Michelle Mertz, Finance and Property-Jim McDermott, Jim Tooley and Allan Sievers.

STEWARDSHIP & MISSION

Linda Krueger reported that the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is ready to pass out.  She also reported that Minot, North Dakota has asked for assistance and the Presbytery is providing assistance for tornado victims.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Sunday School lock-in was a success with 18 kids attending.  Bible School will be at our church this year.  Our youth is still planning to do the 30 hour famine this spring.

WORSHIP

David and Pastor Nancy will be meeting to plan the Maundy Thursday service.  Easter sunrise service will be at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast to follow.  Pastor David will be at Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage on Sunday, April 22^nd.  He is serving as spiritual advisor.  Communion was served to 4 residents at Peace haven on March 4^th.  Jim McDermott was the serving elder.

FINANCE & PROPERTY

Jim Tooley reported that the glass above the front door was replaced and a door closer has been ordered to put on the new door to keep the wind from damaging it.  Jim is also working on the organ dolly.  He also read a letter from the Red Cross asking if our church would serve as a shelter in case of an emergency.  It was moved and 2^nd to do this.  Motion carried.  Jim will fill out the forms, and someone will have to come and inspect our facilities.  It was also mentioned that perhaps we could serve as a place for the Red Cross blood drive.  Kathy Hansen also volunteered to paint the pie cabinet for the Antique Walk.

NEW BUSINESS

We need to review our church by-laws.  It was moved and 2^nd to donate $100 a quarter to the Good Guys.  Motion carried.  We also received word from Presbytery recommending we raise David’s continuing education fund from $853 to $1066.  It was moved and 2^nd to do so.  We also received a letter from PMRV Committee on Ministry Care Team for our church.  The committee sent a reminder that a member of their committee is available to come to a session meeting.  We should do this. 

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Our next meeting will be April 10^th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session