Pastor’s Notes
Since sometime in August the messages I’ve given to
the congregation in Walnut seem to have revolved around how we should be living
our lives as followers of Jesus, followers of the Way of Jesus.
Most of the
time I’m asking questions and, on purpose, I don’t provide answers. Partly because it’s best if we answer the
questions in our own minds with the help of God’s Spirit. My answers may not be the same as yours…and
that’s okay.
So, as we,
more quickly than we want, approach the season of Advent it’s good for us to
focus on why God did what he did by coming into the world, our world, in the
person of Jesus the Christ. Why did he
want to do that? What’s it mean for us today and…, “How do we find answers to
all this?”
There are
many resources available for adult studies, family oriented studies, maybe a
sermon series, new books to be read by modern theological people, and
commentaries to help us understand what we read in God’s word.
Again
I think there’s no one right answer. What might help one person wouldn’t do a
thing for the person sitting right beside them. Study groups work for some.
Listening to those who have devoted their lives to studying and discerning what
is written in the Bible might be just the ticket for someone else. And then
there are those who want to know and understand but neither of these helps
them.
Maybe
we should begin with another question.
In the gospels, especially in Mark, when someone comes to Jesus for
healing he asks them first, “What do you want me to do for you?” Maybe that’s
the question we should start with. What do we want Jesus to do for us?
Some
folks do know what God did for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus
but there are others who don’t even know who Jesus really was or is. So, our
answer depends on where we are in our journey. And then again maybe the
question I’ve proposed is the wrong one.
For
example I read new and old books to help improve my understanding of the Bible.
I listen to speakers. I read blogs online. I pray. I think. And yet, I may not
have the answers to your questions. And what I want God to do for me today may
be different tomorrow.
What
do we do? Well, friends, besides changing the decorations from fall to
Christmas season some of us may benefit from a study group, some of us may just
need a “group” where we can unload the burdens we carry around all day, and
some of us may enjoy and learn from a group that focuses on praying for each
other, the community, and the Church.
What
do we want God to do for us? Blind Bar Timaeus just wanted to see. Maybe
that’s what we want…and need. As we move
into the Advent season think about what it is you want. And if it’s
something First Pres can help with just give us a call.
God’s peace and grace be with you
all,
Pastor David
Fall supper work schedule is included in
this Gleaner. Please check to see your
duties.
Don’t judge someone just because they sin differently than
you.
Sympathy
Our
sympathy to Betty, Steve and Michelle Sunderman on the loss of Betty’s nephew
and Steve’s cousin, Larry Beckendorf, 57, of Exira. Larry was the son of Bob and Beverly
Beckendorf. Larry passed away at his
home September 25, 2012.
A yawn is a silent scream for coffee.
Volunteers
Special thanks go out in this November (Thanksgiving)
Gleaner to all our Church volunteers:
Sunday
School teachers: Robin Tooley, Teresa Griffith, Michelle Sunderman and Bonnie Holtz
Piano
Player: Connie Jensen
Clerk
of Session: Linda Ploen
UPW
President: Charlotte Shepherd
Church
Treasurers: Robin Tooley and Connie Jensen
Session
Members
Flower
Contributors
All
workers at the Church Bazaar and Supper
All
workers at the Antique Walk Food Stand
Thank-you! Thank-you!
A
special “Celebration of Service” party will he held after church on Nov. 18th. Please plan to attend to honor the people
that work to make our little church so special.
When the past calls, let it go to
voicemail. It has nothing new to say.
Thank-you
Thank-you to all who donated blankets
or money for local shelters. We have two
high chairs donated for the basement.
Reminder – Drop your change into the
water jug at the back of the church to help a needy family at Christmas.
Reminder – Donate hats, gloves, and
coats for the needy.
I used to be indecisive. Now I’m
not sure.
Christmas Program December 16th!!
The Sunday School’s Fall Party on October 21st
was enjoyed by 19 children!! After pizza
at church they went to the Pumpkin Patch in Atlantic .
Some people come into your life as blessings;
others come into your life as lessons!
December Ushers
and Communion Servers
Ushers: Ross & Jean Bornholdt,
Craig & Linda Woltmann Communion Servers: Linda Krueger-chm, Jean Bornholdt , Kent
“If
you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to serve as a horrible
warning.” Catherine Aird
Flowers for Pulpit
November 4
–Linda Woltmann
November 11- Gloria Walter
November 18- Charlotte Shepherd
November 25-Charlotte Shepherd
A little girl had just finished
her first week of school. “I’m just wasting my time,” she said to her
mother. “I can’t read, I can’t write,
and they won’t let me talk!”
Food Pantry
Again this year the area churches are in a
competition to win the “Tom
items for the food pantry. Bags are in the back of the church to take
home and bring back with your items.
Pastor David delivers them on Monday afternoons. (The pantry also takes money donations.)
You can’t control everything. Your hair was put on your
head to remind you of that.
Session Minutes
October 9, 2012
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in
regular session on October 9, 2012 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south
annex.
Those in attendance were: Margo Matthies, Linda Ploen, Kathy
Hansen, Michelle and Mike Mertz. Absent
were: Linda Krueger, Jim Tooley, Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen and Allan Sievers.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer. Scripture readings were from Isaiah 43. The reflection was an article on worship
space from “Font & Table”.
The minutes of the September meeting were read and approved.
The treasurer’s report was accepted as given.
The pastor’s report was given and approved after the
addition of 32 miles to deliver blankets.
David traveled a total of 138 miles.
Linda Ploen reported that the book of session minutes will
be reviewed at a meeting on October 25th. Pastor David baptized Brielle Helen Ruth
Lohoff during the church service on September 23rd. Her parents are Tara and Shane Lohoff.
Stewardship and Mission
Discussed was “Bring a Friend Sunday”. We need to welcome new people to church. The committee will work on planning
this. Our stewardship campaign will begin
this month. Margo also reported on plans
for the Angel Tree project. Applications
will go out soon. David also mentioned
again his desire that we get involved in a mission project for the church.
Christian Education
Kathy asked for permission to have a Halloween party for the
Sunday School on October 21st.
They will meet at noon at the church for pizza and then go to the
pumpkin patch in Atlantic . She also reported that they want to continue
the water jug coin project again to help a family in need at Christmas. The Sunday School Christmas program will be
on December 16th during church.
There will be a retreat for senior high youth at Calvin Crest on
November 2nd. There is a cost
of $40. The 2013 Presbyterian youth
Triennium will be held at Lafayette
Worship
Communion was served to 2 residents at Peace Haven on
October 7th. Linda Ploen was
the serving elder. Linda P. and David
will be working on plans for the Advent season.
Linda also mentioned that we have been trying Saturday night services
for a year now. Do we want to continue
them?
Finance and Property
No action or discussion.
Personnel
The 2012 nominating committee of chuck Ploen, Greg Mertz and
Jim Tooley have been asked to try and find a new choir director.
New Business
We were given worksheets of the 2012 budget. We need to review them and decide what we
will need to change for the 2013 budget.
It was moved and 2nd to allow Maria Peck to use the church
basement on November 17th at a cost of $75, and the Kent Johnk
family on December 23rd.
Motion carried. We will have a
fish fry after our Saturday evening service on October 27th. We will have no church service on Sunday morning October 28th. It was also decided to have our “Celebration
of Service” after worship service on November 18th. This will be a celebration for all those that
do and have served our church in one way or another. It was also moved and 2nd to
include $100 in our 2013 budget to support the Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference
in Sioux City
The meeting was
closed with The Lord’s Prayer.
The next meeting will be November 13th, 2013 at 7
pm.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
