Pastor’s Notes
As
many of you know or have heard I’m planning to retire in January 2015. And with
that decisions have to be made, both by the Walnut church and by me.
What are we going to do? What is the
church going to do? What is God calling or leading me to do next? How can we
know, for sure, what to do?
I read, or heard, (I can’t remember
which) something the other day that went like this: Retirement is that time in
our lives when we can do those things God has been preparing us for through the
savings we’ve accumulated over the years of our employment.
We can do this because of our life
experiences and our savings. Whether we realize it or not we’ve gained some
insights into “life” and wisdom is showing us how we can now work to improve
“life” for someone else.
You may have heard me say, once or
twice, that there is no early retirement from the work God has called us to
therefore I will not cease to work I will just be doing something different,
maybe in a different place, but still, I believe, working God’s plan here on
earth, whatever and wherever that may be.
So, what about the church? The church
isn’t retiring; it’s still here at 406 Antique City Drive, Walnut, Iowa. What
is it going to do?
Good question, what is it going
to do? For the last six months the session has been studying that very
question. What is our mission and how are we involved in that mission? Would
the community miss this church if it wasn’t here? What are we doing now? Should
we continue to do what we’ve always done? Should we do something different?
What are the needs of this community? Are they being met? Can this church make
a difference?
The answers to these questions don’t
come easily. There has to be time for prayer, study, and thought, time to sit
with God in silence and let God speak to us.
God
speaks? Yes, God speaks, maybe not with a voice we can hear with our ears but
with a voice that speaks to our souls, a very real voice. A voice we need to
heed.
That’s why it takes time to know what
to do. Prayer, study, and contemplation, listening for God to speak, it all
takes time and we don’t all hear the same things. So, we have to listen to each
other and discern what God is saying to the church. And that can be
frustrating, because it’s not fast like getting a meal at the drive-through at
McDonald’s.
So, what can you do for us? You may
not be on a committee or session but you can help. You help by praying for the
church. You help by letting the committee know what you think the church should
be doing in the community. You help by sitting with us and listening to our
frustrations, our concerns, our desires for this church. You help by being
there and supporting the church with your prayers and your words.
Walnut First Presbyterian Church is
our home, yours and mine. We’re a family, brothers and sisters, who believe
that God loves us and cares for us. He loved us enough to sacrifice himself for
us through Jesus, taking our sins upon himself so we can come before God wholly
forgiven, wholly righteous.
As this family in this home let’s come
together to pray and talk and listen and together move ahead in the work God
has for us here in Walnut, Iowa.
God’s grace and
peace be with you all,
Pastor
David
A Sunday school teacher
was telling her class the story of the Good Samaratan.. She asked the class, “If you saw a person
lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?” A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed
silence, “I think I’d throw up.”
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry has a need for these items in October:
Egg
noodles
Oatmeal
Pancake
mix and syrup
Juice
Jell-o
pudding mix
Soup
& crackers
Macaroni
Shampoo
Bar
soap
Put
them in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and Pastor David will be happy
to deliver them to the Food Pantry.
‘The best remedy
for a short temper is a long walk.’
Joseph Joubert
*Grandma Still Drives ---Priceless*
Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:
Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:
Dear
Grand-daughter,
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and
saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker ..I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting..
So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed.
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed. I found that lots of people love Jesus!
While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!''Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!' What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!
Everyone started honking! I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man fromFlorida
I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone fromHawaii
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.
I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared. So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!! Will write again soon,
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and
saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker ..I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting..
So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper. Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed.
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed. I found that lots of people love Jesus!
While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!''Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!' What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!
Everyone started honking! I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from
I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone from
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.
So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.
I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared. So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.
Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!! Will write again soon,
Love,
Grandma
November
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Teri Abel, Darlene Stuart,
Margo Matthies & Cathy Shutters
Communion Servers: Cathy Shutters - chm, Darlene Stuart, Bobbie
& Jim McDermott. October ushers and communion
servers are at bottom of calendar.
Wouldn’t it be great if
we could put ourselves in the dryer for 10 minutes and come out wrinkle free
and 3 sizes smaller?
Flowers for Pulpit
October 6
-------Margo Matthies
October 13------ Cathy Shutters
October 20 ------Teri Abel
October 27 ------Bobbie McDermott
Why
do we close our eyes when we pray, cry, kiss, dream? Because the most beautiful things in life are
not seen but felt only by our hearts.
A New Day For Peace Haven
Who: Community
Members and Friends of Peace Haven
What: Town Hall
Meeting
When: Sunday, Oct.
20, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Where: Peace Haven
Dining Room
Why: To be in on the
ground level to hear and see the most exciting thing to happen at Peace Haven
and
Walnut in
the last 50 years! You don’t want to be
left out! Come hear first hand from our
Board
Members,
Administrator and Architects what a “New Day For Peace Haven” will look like.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Session Minutes
September 10, 2013
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian
church met in regular session on September 10, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south annex. Session
members present were: Linda Ploen, Jack Ploen and Cathy Shutters. Absent were:
Jim McDermott, Kathy Hansen, Allan Sievers, Jim Tooley and Michelle, Greg and
Mike Mertz. Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer. Our
reflection was entitled “Salvation Through Jesus” from Colossians 1:18 -20. We were asked to reflect on what we
need Jesus to save us from, and to realize that there is nothing we can do to
earn God’s grace- it is a gift.
The minutes of the August meeting were read
and approved. The treasurer’s reports for July and August were approved as
given.
David’s pastor report was approved as given.
He traveled 426 miles due to two trips to Calvin Crest. There were also many
visitations.
Stewardship and Mission
We would still like to have a blanket drive
again this fall. Kathy also reported that she had received five quilts donated
from Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca.
Christian Education
Sundae Sunday went well. We may have a few
less children this year as several are getting older now. Maybe we will do
youth group more often.
Worship
Communion was served to eleven residents at
Peace Haven on September 1. Jim McDermott was the serving elder. Our Saturday
night worship in October will be on the 19th with a fish fry
following.
Finance and Property
David reported that letters need to be sent
to all employees for the Affordable Care Act.
Personnel
Linda Ploen looked over the copy of By-Laws
for our church. We need to have a special meeting to OK them.
New Business
There will be a congregational meeting on
Sept.15 after worship to elect a Pastor nominating committee to work with
United Church of Avoca. The nominating committee to look for new elders this
year is Linda Krueger, Chuck Ploen and Robin Heilig. The meeting was closed
with The Lord’s Prayer.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
Special Congregational Meeting September 15,
2013
Moderator David Krueger called the special
congregational meeting of First Presbyterian Church to order after worship on
September 15, 2013. A quorum was present. The meeting was opened with prayer.
The purpose of the meeting was to elect a pastor nominating committee to work
with United Church of Avoca to share a pastor. Pastor David plans to retire on
January 1, 2015.
Larry Shepherd nominated Leo Rechtenbach,
Mike Shutters and Chuck Ploen. Leo declined to accept the nomination, so David
Woltmann’s name was added. Chuck Ploen nominated Cathy Shutters. Charlotte
Shepherd moved to accept these four members. Mary Ellen Woltmann 2nd
the motion. Motion carried. Linda Ploen will inform Lon Jacobsen of Avoca to
let them know of decision.
Linda Krueger moved to adjourn the meeting
and Jim McDermott 2nd the motion.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of session
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~ October 2013 ~
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Sun
|
Mon
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Tue
|
Wed
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Thu
|
Fri
|
Sat
|
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1
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2
Salem Lutheran 9AM Service
P. W. 1:30
Choir 7:15
Steve Sunderman
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3
George Mertz
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4
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5
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6
Church 9:00
Communion
Peace Haven
11:00
Sunday
School 10:15
Alex Ehlers
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7
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8
Allen House 11:00
Session 7:00 PM
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9
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10
Dennis/Nancy
Hullinger
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11
Jack Ploen
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12
Pilgrimage Mtg 10 AM
Florence P.C.
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13
Church 9:00
Sunday
School 10:15
Justen Tooley
Ross/Tina
Gregory
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14
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15
Jim Tooley
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16
Gloria Walters
Connor Sievers
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17
Peace Haven 7:00 PM
Judy Ploen
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18
Katie Myers
Adele Pedersen
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19
Church 6:00
PM
Fish Fry
following
Service
David Mertz
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20
No Church
Sunday
School 10:15
Peace Haven Town Hall Meeting 2:00
Madison &
Morqan
Heiny
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21
Greg Mertz
John /Vicki Weihs
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22
COM meeting, 2 PM
New Horizon P.C.
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23
Jackson Shutters
Pastor Gone
Pilgrimage---------------
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24
--------------------------------
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25
Teresa Griffith
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26
Robert Sieck
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27
Church 9:00
Sunday
School 10:15
Pastor home 6:00 PM
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28
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29
Avoca Nursing & Rehab
2 PM
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30
Tristan Heiny
Phyllis Hansen
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31
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October Communion Servers: Jim
Tooley-chm, George Mertz, Robin Heilig, Pam Nielsen
October Ushers: Jim Tooley, Dave & Robin
Helig
