Pastor’s Notes
Last Wednesday a few of us gathered
together in worship to remember where we’ve come from…and to reflect on where
we’re going, and how we’re getting there. It was Ash Wednesday, the beginning
of the season of Lent. And so as is the custom our foreheads bore the mark of
the cross when we walked back out into the world.
Some of our crosses were darker than
others, maybe the ashes were too dry, but we all were reminded we came from
dust and it is to dust that we will return.
But that’s not the end of it. God has
saved us and marked us as his own through his Son, Jesus the Christ. It is that
hope, that faith, that trust that keeps us doing the things God has called us
to. It is because of that promise of eternal life that we keep moving along
this path, walking with Jesus as he, again, travels toward Jerusalem
Some of us have been on this path
before and for some it may be the first time to journey with Him. Jesus takes
his time visiting folks like Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. He takes
time to prepare his friends, the disciples for what awaits him in Jerusalem.
And so, we have time…to listen, to ask questions, and to reflect on his message
of good news, of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Some of us haven’t realized yet that
it’s that time of year again. A time to stop, think, pray, reflect, and repent.
Pastor’s are the guiltiest, I think. They’re so busy putting together worship
services for Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter, and then Pentecost that they often fail
to take time to pray and reflect. None of you would do that, would you?
Friends, it’s important all year long
to study, think, pray, and listen but especially so at this time of the year.
It’s a perfect time because for those who farm there’s no tilling, planting, or
spraying happening…yet. So, there’s some time to pick up the word and read and
pray. And maybe talk with your friends about what you’ve read and maybe
questioned. There’s time to admit that we’ve fallen short of the mark and may
need to turn around and go in another direction.
Some folks like to give up some things
that keep them from walking this path to better help them reflect and others
like go the other direction and take on a task or community project that helps
them reflect. Either way, they come a little closer to their Creator, the One
who is always there listening and waiting for us to come.
To help us with all this there are
opportunities for us to come together to worship on Wednesday evenings for
worship, a meal, and fellowship as well as Sunday morning worship where we’ll
be celebrating the Eucharist every Sunday through Lent.
May you all be filled with God’s
Spirit and his grace.
Pastor David
One Great Hour of Sharing
will be received Palm Sunday, March 24th.
The things you take for granted someone else
is praying for.
April Ushers
and Communion Servers
Ushers: Todd & Darla Ehlers,
Linda Krueger
Communion Servers: Greg Mertz-chm., Margo Matthies, Cathy Shutters,
Linda Krueger
Church
Dinner
March 3rd Minden
UCC is serving dinner from 11-1:30. The
dinner will be “Staley’s
Chicken”, mashed potatoes with gravy,
stuffing, green beans, corn, rolls, salad,
pie and beverage.
You can’t
control everything.
Your
hair was put on your head to remind you of that.
Lenten Services
March
6 -------Trinity Lutheran ---6:00 Service followed by supper
March
13------United Church/Avoca----6:00 Service followed by supper
March
20------First Presbyterian/Walnut---6:00 Service followed by supper
Never
trust a dog to guard your food.
Flowers for March
March 3----------------Tina
Gregory
March 10--------------Darla
Ehlers
March 17--------------Tara
Green
March 24--------------PW Easter
Lilies
March 31--------------PW Easter
Lilies
“If you go out
looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you
go out to be a friend,
you’ll find them everywhere.” Zig Ziglar
Time Change
March 10th is time to Spring
Forward!!
On Palm Sunday, a
5-year-old boy woke up ill and stayed home from church with a sitter. When his
family returned,
they were carrying palm fronds. Johnny
asked what they were for.
“People held them
over Jesus’ head as he walked by,” his father explained.
“Wouldn’t you know
it?” Johnny fumed. “The one Sunday I
don’t go and He shows up!”
Session Minutes
February 12, 2013
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in
regular session on February 12, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south
annex. All session members were in
attendance-Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen, Michelle Mertz, Kathy
Hansen, Allan Sievers, Cathy shutters, Greg Mertz, Jim Tooley and Mike Mertz.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer. Our reading based on Isaiah 43:2 was from
Font and Table, resources for the renewal of sacramental live.
Linda Ploen then read the minutes of the annual corporate
congregational meeting. They were
approved after one correction. David is
now a CRE instead of CLP. The January
minutes were then read and approved.
The Treasurer’s report was approved as given.
The pastor’s report was then given. David traveled 46 miles. He also reported that he will be on vacation
from February 25-March 18th and will also be at Pilgrimage on April
21st. This was ok’d. Nancy Hullinger will be on call for any
pastoral needs.
Linda Ploen stated that all necessary church reports have
been completed. There was one death,
that of Edna Kutnink on January 18, 2013.
Interment is at Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut, Iowa.
Stewardship &
Mission
A thank-you was received from Micah House for a $50
donation. A thank-you was also read from
Megan Ehlers for her scholarship.
Christian Education
The 2013 Presbyterian Youth Triennium will be held at
Lafayette, In. July 16-20. The theme is
“I am”. Cost per attendee is $469. Registrations are due to David Fulton by
February 24. “The Word for You Today”
devotional is available for a price of $12.90 per quarter for 5 booklets. It was moved and 2nd to order
them. Motion carried. David has ordered a leader’s manual for an
adult study entitled “Engage”.
Worship
Communion was served to 3 residents at Peace Haven on
February 3rd. Jack Ploen
served as elder. Community Lenten
services will be at 6:00. The service
will be at 6:00 with a meal later. David
will have new elder training on February 24th after church. David also asked to serve communion for each
Sunday during Lent. It was moved and 2nd
to do so. Jack will provide bread for
February and Jim McDermott will provide for the month of March. The palm branches have been ordered for Palm
Sunday at a cost of $29.90. Filling the
pulpit for David while he is on vacation will be Nancy Hullinger, Heather Ploen
and Jim McDermott and Greg Mertz.
Finance &
Property
David reported that there will be a change in premium from
the Board of Pensions-dues for 2013 21% of effective salary and will go to 19%
in 2014 which will only cover 65% of dependent coverage.
Personnel
There was some discussion as to what our goals are after
David’s retirement in a few years.
New Business
New elder committees were assigned. Stewardship-Greg Mertz and Kathy Hansen,
Christian Ed. –Cathy Shutters and Michelle and Mike Mertz, Worship- Linda Ploen
and Jack Ploen, and Finance & Property- Jim Tooley, Allan Sievers and Jim
McDermott. PMRV Presbytery meeting is
February 23 at Westminster PC in Council Bluffs. Jim McDermott also reported on the youth
fishing trip this summer. They will be
holding fund raisers to help pay for the trip.
It was moved and 2nd to use some church money if they fall
short after fund raisers. Motion
carried. They are expecting a large
group this year.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be March 19th at 7 pm instead
of the 12th.
Linda Ploen-Clerk of Session
March 2013
|
Sun
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
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Thu
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Fri
|
Sat
|
|
|
|
|
|
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1
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2
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|
.
.
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|
|
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|
William Hansen
Elizabeth Hansen
|
David Krueger
Kami Bruck
Dave Heilig
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
|
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Church 9:00
(Communion)
Sunday
School 10:15
Peace
Haven 11:00
|
|
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Pres.
Women
Lenten
Service
6 PM @
Trinity Lutheran in Avoca
Choir
Practice
|
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Les/Teri
Abel
|
Diana Schaben
Al Schirm
|
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10
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11
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12
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13
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14
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15
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16
|
|
Church 9:00
Sunday
School 10:15
Russ
Lehnhardt
TIME CHANGE
|
Wayne
Sievers
Rebecca
Grush
|
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Lenten Service
6PM @
United Church in Avoca
|
Mike Shepherd
Rhonda Mertz
|
|
|
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17
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18
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19
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20
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21
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22
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23
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Church 9:00
Sunday
School 10:15
|
Darla Ehlers
|
Golden
Oldies @
United
Church in
Avoca
Ross
Bornholdt
Session
7:00
|
Lenten Service
6 PM @
First Pres.
In Walnut
|
Evening worship at Peace Haven, 7
PM
|
|
|
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24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
Church
9:00
Sunday
School 10:15
Palm Sunday
Community
Choir performance at Peace UCC, 2 PM
31
EASTER 7 AM
Breakfast
after service
|
Brett/Bonnie Holtz
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Afternoon worship at Avoca Nursing & Rehab and Avoca
Assisted Living Lodge, 2 PM
|
Charlotte
Shepherd
Community
Choir performance at Trinity Lutheran, 7 PM
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Dustin/Cyndi Jensen
Maundy Thursday service at First Presbyterian at 6 PM
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Ty Johnk
Tori Bruck
Kent/Carla Johnk
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March Ushers –Brett & Bonnie Holtz, David & Mary Ellen Woltmann
Communion Servers
– Jim McDermott – chm, David & Mary Ellen
Woltmann, Bonnie Holtz
