Pastor’s Notes
Christmas Day has come and gone. By the
time you read this the decorations and trees may have all been put away or
carried to the curb or the landfill. We might think now it’s time to settle in
for a long winter’s nap. While that might be nice, wrapped in your new fleece
blanket, I would like to suggest that you try something different.
If you’re one of those folks who like
to plant vegetable or flower gardens then you know that come January the new
seed catalogs begin to arrive. You would think that corn is corn and beans are
beans but someone always seems to discover a new variety or they have modified
the seed genetically to be resistant too or more drought tolerant or something
else that you can’t resist ordering the seed packet and trying it out.
Well, what our spiritual walk? Is
there anything new out there that might refresh and/or revitalize our journey
with God? There might…be a few things out in The Cloud, the Internet, or the
library.
One I might suggest, that I’m going to
check out, is “My One Word” written by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. They
propose instead of making a one sentence resolution in the New Year to take
time to come up with “one word” that will be your focus for the year.
Just think about it. How many
resolutions have you made and two weeks later abandoned? “One word”…that should
be so much easier to keep track of, to concentrate on…to live. What “one word”
is God placing on your heart to commit to this year? What “one word” is God
asking this congregation to concentrate their time and talents on in 2013?
“One Word” that’s pretty simple. Too
simple you think. What will it hurt to try it? Surely God is laying “one word”
before you. As you spend time sitting wrapped in that cozy fleece blanket, ask
God to reveal your “one word.”
You can find their book on Amazon.com
in paperback or for your kindle. I’m getting ready to check it out. Or go ask
your library to order it and pass it around.
May God lead you to your “one word”
and give you, and me, the discipline to stay focused on His “one word” for us
in 2013.
Remember, God loves you and so do I,
Pastor David
Thank-you
Huge thank you to Robin
Heilig, Kathy Hansen, Michelle Mertz, Cathy Shutters and Bonnie Holtz for
organizing and directing our Christmas Program.
Thank you to Connie &
Denny Jensen for putting up the outside Nativity Scene.
Thank you to Gloria Myers for
decorating the sanctuary.
Thank you to Linda Ploen for
buying and bagging the fruit and candy for the
children and shut-ins (and
Kathy Hansen and Pastor David for delivering them).
Thank you to Margo Matthies,
Kathy Hansen, and Linda Ploen for being in charge of the “Angel Tree” again
this year.
Thank you to Les and Teri
Abel for giving the church their stove.
Pastor David and Linda would
like to thank everyone for the cards and gifts they received.
Thank You
Eight little letters,
One little space,
Tell you the reason
For the smile on my face.
I want you to know
That for all that you do
I sincerely appreciate,
Love and thank you.
Thank you to
everyone for all your prayers, gifts and well wishes during the time I wasn’t
feeling well. I truly appreciate
everything. A special thank you to
everyone who helped with the angel tree project since I couldn’t be there.
May God Bless You
All. Linda Ploen
February Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers:
Charles & Gloria Walter, Greg & Michelle Mertz
Communion Servers: Jack
Ploen-chm, Greg & Michelle Mertz, Charles Walter
January ushers and communion servers are at bottom of
calendar.
God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number
of things. Right now, I am so far behind
I will live forever.
Poinsettias
Donor: In Memory of:
Steve,
Marie Livengood John &
Twyla Bero
Barb
Eslick Bill
Eslick
Chuck
& Linda Ploen Marge
Ploen & Melissa Manhart
Ross
& Jean Bornholdt Laurie
Bornholdt
George
Mertz Mertz
Family
Dave
& Robin Heilig Jan
Tooley
Pres.
Women Church
family & friends
Betty,
Steve & Michelle
Sunderman Darrell & Sam
Sunderman
Joe,
Dorothy & Larry Beckendorf
Gloria,
Ed and Katie
Myers
Ross,
Tina and Xavier
Gregory
(Basket of
greenery
on piano) Louis &
Jean Myers
Larry
& Charlotte Shepherd Family &
friends
Julie
Nash Ryan
Nash
Joe
& Jeannie Schmitt Herb
& Marie Mertz
Leo
Rechtenbach Jeanette
Rechtenbach
Annual Meeting
The annual
Congregational Church Meeting will be January 27th. Sunday School
at 9:00, worship
at 10:30 with the meal and then the meeting.
Meat will be provided,
please bring a
veg, salad or dessert. Please have your reports to the office by
Jan. 13th.As
in the past, this is the time we bring gifts to the church (paper towels,
toilet paper,
janitorial supplies etc.).
Football Signals
A 3-year-old regularly watched
football games with his father. In fact,
he watched so much that he knew
some of the signals the referees
make.
On a recent Sunday, the
three-year-old attended church with the family.
As the pastor raised his hands
high to offer a blessing, the
child interrupted the service by shouting, “Touchdown!”
Golden Oldies
Golden Oldies will be at our Church January 15th
at 11:30.
I used to have a handle on
life but it broke.
Food Pantry
Roberta reports that any contributions would be
welcome.
I (Linda Krueger)
would like to share part of a letter that was received by the Good Guys this
year:
“As I read the Walnut Bureau I saw the article
about being an Angel this Holiday Season.
Years ago the Good Guys would bring a box of food for my family and
friends to enjoy for the Holiday Season.
As I was struggling to raise my three children it was a Godsend. My mom also shared in those meals and I
cannot even express the gratitude I felt.
So please forgive me for taking umpteen years to thank you and the
Walnut Community for helping us out. I
was always grateful but not very good at letting you all know. It was true in my case ‘it takes a village’
to raise children. Please accept this
humble donation.” (enclosed with the
letter was $100.)
Session Minutes
December 11, 2012
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in
regular session on December 11, 2012 at 7 pm in the Sunday school south
annex. Those in attendance were: Margo
Matthies, Jim Tooley, Linda Krueger, Michelle Mertz and Kathy Hansen. Absent were: Jack Ploen, Allan Sievers and
Mike Mertz.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer. Reflection was from Font & Table
for the Renewal of Sacramental Life.
The minutes of the October meeting were approved.
The Treasurer’s report was read and approved.
The pastor’s report was approved as given. David traveled 316 miles.
No deaths reported.
David officiated at Danial Weihs funeral.
Stewardship &
Mission
Linda Krueger reported on Micah House in Council
Bluffs. It was voted to send them $50.
The Joy Offering will be collected Dec. 23rd.
Our collection to a family in Walnut was discussed and a
family was chosen to receive this gift.
Reminder to Bring a Friend to Church
Gifts for children & shut-ins were put together by Linda
Ploen. Kathy Hansen and Pastor David
will deliver them to shut-ins.
Margo reported 17 angels were still left on the tree. There were 67 to start with. If all the angels aren’t taken, the Church
will cover the cost of any left over.
Be thinking of goals for next year.
Christian Education
Sunday school has been practicing for the Christmas Program
Dec. 16th.
Kathy delivered two welcome baskets to new residents of
Walnut.
Pres. Youth Triennium is in Indiana July 16-20 for $469.
Be thinking of public service projects for youth.
Jim M. is planning a fishing trip for next summer.
Be thinking of goals for next year.
Worship
Communion was served to 3 residents at Peace Haven on Dec. 2nd. Linda Krueger served as elder.
Do we want to continue the Saturday evening Contemporary
Worship? Session members should talk to
younger members to see if they want to continue.
Finance &
Property
Megan Ehlers, Ty Johnk, Bailey Nielsen and Jared Ploen need
scholarship money paid in 2013.
Jim Tooley will look in to a new light for the back of the
church.
Jim T. found a heavy tarp for the food stand and it was
voted unanimously to order it for $200.
Jim T. reported we can rent tables for the Antique Walk for
$7.25 each for three days.
We would need 10 of these.
They would be delivered and picked up, $72.50 for the three days. It was voted to do this. We voted to buy three 8 foot tables for the
food stand as they need to be put up early.
Jim T. had a quote for a new kitchen floor from Rick
Rasmussen of Harlan for Flexmar Flooring.
His estimate was $1724.64. The
old floor would have to be torn out.
Session discussed doing the back room also. After much discussion it was decided to table
this item until January.
Many compliments to Jim Tooley on the great job he’s done on
Session.
Personnel
More work was done on the budget. Pastor was given a 2.5% increase in salary
after much discussion about the good job he’s doing and wishing they could give
him more.
New Business
Annual Congregational Meeting set for January 27th.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be January 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
Linda Krueger
(Substituting for Linda Ploen, Clerk of Session)
