Pastor’s
Notes
What do we
do with our time, the time we're allotted by God, what do we do with it? Do we
make wise use of our time? How would God like us to use the time he's given us?
I'm
thinking about time today because in the seasons of the church year we're now
moving into Ordinary time. We've been on Easter time, then Pentecost, and we've
just, today, celebrated the Trinity. So now we're in Ordinary time, the time to
count the Sundays' between Easter and Advent.
Our lives
revolve around time, the minutes in a day, the days in a week, the weeks in a
month, and the months in a year. Time passes by so quickly anymore, at least
for me, that I often look at the calendar and wonder, “How'd that happen?” And
I wonder did I use the time that passed wisely?
I'd like to
tell you I did but I have indulged in a few games of Words with Friends,
Bejeweled Blitz and such. And I've caught myself going down the rabbit hole via
some other link I ran across while Googling something else.
There are
times that I forget what day it is and sometimes a day sneaks up on me and I
realize I have a worship service to write or a wedding the next day or a
funeral service that needs to written for Friday. Then I pray that God will
help me complete this work that has sneaked up on me faster than I anticipated.
God has never failed me and I don't think he ever will even though I've failed
him more times than I can count.
That's why
I'm wondering about the use of time. What would God have us do with our time?
How can we know, where do we go to discover how we should use our time?
If I have
to find a repair part for anything the first place I go is to Google, some may
go to Bing or Yahoo, but I've grown fond of Google for searching. That might be
a good place to begin but a better place to search would be in God's word, the
Bible.
But where
to begin looking? What would be a key word to help begin the search? I would go
the concordance in the back of my trustworthy study Bible and look up “time.”
Psalm 31
was the first reference I found about “time.”
This chapter reminds us that our lives require complete commitment to
God. The psalmist wrote, “But I trust you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times
are in your hands;” Our time is in God's control. So, it's probably best that
we not waste one second of our time.
Paul, in
his letter to the Romans in chapter 13 said that the commandments all revolve
around one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” And then he added ...”And do
this, understanding the present time. The hour has come to wake up from your
slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Again there is a sense of urgency to not waste our time.
In Paul's
first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 7 he reminds them “…brothers, the
time is short....For the world in its present form is passing away.” Again
there's that sense of urgency. Don't waste your time with frivolous things.
So, are we
using our time wisely? How are we to use our time? My understanding of what I
read in the Bible is that we should give our all to God. He should get our
undivided devotion. He should have all of our mind, body, and spirit. All of
our time should be devoted to God, loving him and loving our neighbors.
I've not
been doing to good at that. I'm wasting too much time on frivolous things. What
about you? How have you been spending your time? Are you struggling too?
What should
we, you and I, do? Maybe we could help each other by holding each other
accountable, by praying for each other, by coming together and studying God's
word for us. Maybe together we could do a better job of using the “time” God
has given us.
There are
86,400 seconds in every day. How many are going to devote to loving our
neighbors and God?
Friends, if
you're looking for someone to walk with you come and worship with us at First
Presbyterian Church, Walnut, IA.
God's
grace, love, and peace be with you all,
Pastor David
Victor died Thursday, April 25. He was 91.
Victor Raymond Nielsen was born Feb. 25, 1922 in Avoca , Iowa Co.
From the rolling plains of Iowa, Victor and his wife Edna
(Pash) raised a family that now reaches the world over and measures three
daughters, two sons, 16 grandchildren 28 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great
grandchildren.
Victor grew up the youngest of four children to Harold P and
Martha Plautz Nielsen. They lived on the
family farm in Avoca. When not working,
Victor fondly remembered ice skating on the Nishna Botna
River Camp Young
in the desert of Indio ,
CA, then moved out to Brisbane ,
Australia U. S. on Jan. 6, 1946, and married
Edna on Jan. 25, 1946.
He and Edna started farming in Carson ,
Iowa , then Macedonia , where they lived for 10
years. The couple then moved to Walnut
in 1958; there Victor sold cars for seven years and then drove and sold
petroleum for Farm Service Coop for the next 20.
In retirement, Victor and his wife collected and sold
antiques and traveled in their fifth wheel trailer. He was active at First Presbyterian Church in
Walnut, the American Legion and AMVETs, working many years for the group’s
annual antique walk in Walnut.
Victor is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Edna,
sisters Evelyn, Nadine, and Sharon; brothers Harold and Orval and one great
grandchild, Xander Taylor. He is
survived by daughters, Rogene and husband Daniel Terrian of Ottumwa, Iowa;
Vicki and husband Roger Aughe of Council Bluffs; Doreen Dee and husband Dennis
Taylor of Waxahachie, Texas; sons, Bernie and wife Cindy Nielsen of Trinity,
Fla.; and Jay and wife Karen Nielsen of Allison, Iowa, brothers Donald,
Douglas, and Maurice and sister Joyce; 16 grandchildren, 28
great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
In Memory
Gloria J. Myers
Feb. 14, 1949-May 12,
2013
Gloria Jean Myers was born on February 14, 1949, to Louis and Jean
(Horacek) Myers in Atlantic ,
Iowa Walnut
High School Council Bluffs
She returned to Walnut to continue her teaching career and spend
thirty-five years teaching special education to kids from Kindergarten through
their senior years of high school.
During this time, she furthered her own education and received a Masters
degree. She would often tutor children
after school hours. She was a life-long
resident of Walnut.
Gloria was a beloved daughter and devoted her time to caring for her
parents when they needed her. She was
also a beloved aunt and great-aunt. She
also filled the role of mother to her niece.
After her retirement, Gloria traveled extensively. She enjoyed trips to several states including
Florida and Alaska
and also ventured to Canada
Gloria died at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha , Nebraska
She is survived by her brother Ed Myers of Broomfield ,
CO ; niece Tina and her husband Ross Gregory of
Brighton , CO
and Katie Lynne Myers of Northglenn , CO ; and grand-nephew Xavier Gregory of Brighton ;
cousins; other family members and many friends.
Don’t fill your life with days. Fill your day with LIFE.
Congratulations
Jane
Whitmore, daughter of Don and JoJane Walter, received her Ph.D. in Political
Science from the
Department of Politics and International Affairs, College of Science
and Behavioral
Sciences at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff ,
AZ.
Her disciplines include public policy
(with emphasis on natural resource policy) and
public administration.
The title of her dissertation was: The Case of the Yavapai County, Arizona Water
Conflict: A Power and Politics Analysis.
Congratulations to Val Sievers for making it on the
Dean’s List with a 4.0 GPA. Val is a senior
at Peru State
Congratulations to Lauren Sievers for being
Valedictorian and Courtlyn Griffith for being
Salutatorian
for their graduating class at Walnut
High School
What should not be heard by
little ears should not be said by big mouths.
Presbyterian Women
The Annual Spring Brunch with Neola Presbyterian
Church will be Wednesday, June 5th.
The program will be “A Tour Through Jordan”.
RSVP to Charlotte Shepherd by June 2nd.
Man Advice
When a woman
says “Just do what you want.”
Do NOT
under any circumstances do what you want.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry’s needs for
June are: pork & beans, catsup (small), mustard (small),
Kool-Aid (not envelopes),
cookies, paper plates and napkins.
Don’t let
someone dim your light, simply because it’s shining in their eyes.
Thank You
Thank-you to Robin Heilig and all the Sunday
School for the Mother’s Day program.
Thank-you to Kathy Hansen for organizing the
farm tours for the visitors from Nicaragua
Thank-you to all who helped at the funerals
in May.
I’m always disappointed when a liar’s
pants don’t actually catch on fire.
July Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Jack & Judy Ploen , Barb Eslick
Communion
Servers: Kathy
Hansen -chm, Mary Ellen Woltmann, Jack
Ploen, Linda Ploen. June ushers
and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.
I could keep my kitchen clean if people
would just quit eating here.
Flowers for Pulpit
June 2 -------JoJane Walter
June 9--------Robin
Heilig
June 16------Antique
Walk
June 23------Nancy
Ross-Hullinger
June
30------Volunteer
Never Sing In The Shower!
Singing leads to dancing,
Dancing leads to slipping,
Slipping leads to paramedics
seeing you naked,
So remember – Don’t Sing!
Upcoming Events
I wish the dollar store
sold gas.
Antique Walk—The Food Stand
work schedule is included in this Gleaner (for all you people involved). If you can’t work your time please check
the schedule and call someone to trade with.
Most people have been contacted but I was not able to get a hold of
everyone. Contributions to help pay for
the meat will be much appreciated. We
also need help slicing buns Thursday afternoon at 1:00.
The
church has several knives but you may want to bring your own. The first workers of the day need to come a
little early to set up and the last workers need to get everything into the
church.
Session Minutes
May 14, 2013
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian
Church met in regular session on May 14, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School
south annex. Session members present were: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Cathy
Shutters and Jim Tooley. Absent were: Jack Ploen, Michelle, Greg and Mike
Mertz, Kathy Hansen, and Allan Sievers. Also present was Mary Ellen Woltmann to
report her plans for the Antique Walk.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting
with prayer and reflection from Genesis 1:1-2:3 entitled “God’s Story of
Creative Purpose”. We discussed looking for the good things in this world and
in our lives.
Mary Ellen then gave her report on the
Antique Walk. Sandwiches will remain at $6 and will be served on hamburger buns
instead of hoagie buns this year. We will have 8 hogs and more pies were
purchased this year. Our license has been purchased. She also reported that a
college bus tour will be coming on Friday of the Walk. We will be feeding them
in our church basement. There should be 60-65 people and we will be charging
$10 per person for a sandwich, chips, pie and a drink. Permission was given to
do so. Mary Ellen will call them back to ok this.
The minutes of the April meeting were read
and approved.
The treasurer’s report was approved as
given.
The pastor’s report was approved as written.
David traveled a total of 309 miles in April. David also asked for permission
to perform the weddings of Todd Bauerkemper on July 20th at the
Marvin Schroder farm, and Pasaoa and Smith in Omaha on May 26th. Permission was
so given.
There was no Clerk’s report. David
officiated at the memorial service for Victor Nielsen on May 3, 2013 at our
church with the internment of Victor and Edna Nielsen’s ashes at Graceland Cemetery
in Avoca , Iowa Risen
Son Christian
Village in Council Bluffs , Iowa Graceland Cemetery
in Avoca , Iowa
Stewardship and Mission
Kathy Hansen reported that she had delivered “Welcome Baskets” to:
Robert Kreeger, Trent Suhr &Samantha Schmidt, Molly Schuetz, and Amy
Krueger. Robin Heilig will make and give framed “Footprints in the Sand” poems
to all the graduating seniors: Lauren Sievers, Jessica Helms, Courtlyn
Griffith, Christopher Guthery and Kristen Hoffman. Terri Abel will take care of
our scholarship fund now. A “Welcome to the Church” gift was also given to
Eldon Ranney. “The Great Truck Haul” mission project of hygiene kits and clean
up buckets are to be dropped off at Church of the Cross in Omaha on June 5-7. Donated items for the
soldiers will be mailed this week. A thank you card was sent to Dr. Kriefels
for his donation of toothpaste, floss, etc. Leslie Clay and Carl Agsten (PCUSA
mission co-workers with CEPAD in Manugua ,
Nicaragua
Christian Education
Cathy Shutters stated that planning for Vacation Bible
School Peace
Church
Worship
Our contemporary Saturday night service will be on May 25th
at 5:30 with the youth sponsored “Silly Supper” to follow. The choir is also
singing. Connie will be playing on Saturday night so she won’t be playing on
Sunday morning.
Finance and Property
Jim M. reported that the adhoc committee has met and will be meeting
again soon. So far we have two bids for new heating and air. Jim M. also
reported that the tree out back is dead and needs to be removed. Linda Ploen
stated that the urns out front have been planted in memory of Margie Ploen.
New Business
We received a thank you from Presbyterian Mission for our donation.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Date for the next meeting is June 11, 2013
at 7 pm.
Linda Ploen - Clerk of Session
June 2013
Sun
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
|
Thu
|
Fri
|
Sat
|
1
|
||||||
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
Communion Service
Church 9
AM
Peace
Haven 11:00
|
Michael
Mertz
|
Donelle Green
|
Salem Lutheran Home 9 AM
Neola PW
Spring
Brunch
Choir
Practice 7:15
|
Mary Ellen Woltmann
Michael Woltmann
|
||
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
Church 9
AM
|
Allen House 11 AM
Session 7 PM
Chris Krueger
|
Set up
Food Stand
(App.
3:30)
Linda Nash
|
ANTIQUE WALK
|
ANTIQUE WALK
Bonnie Holtz
|
||
16
FATHER’S DAY
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
ANTIQUE WALK
Take down
stand
(3:30)
|
Hugh Griffith
|
Amy Krueger
|
Ben Ehlers
|
Peace Haven 7 PM
David Thompson
|
Megan Ehlers
|
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23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
Church 9
AM
________________
30
Church 9
AM
Dorothy
Griffith Memorial Service 10:30
|
Avoca
Nursing & Rehab Service 2 PM
PMRV COM
mtg. 4:30 PM-New Horizon P.C.
Brian
Walter
Don/JoJane
Walter
|
Shane/Tara
Lohoff
Vincent/Phyllis
Hansen
|
Ian Griffith
|
Brian Anderson
5:30 Worship
|
June
Ushers: Steve & Michelle Sunderman, Betty
Sunderman
Communion
Servers: Jim Tooley-chm., Betty Sunderman, Barb Eslick
& Dennis Jensen
