Pastor’s Notes
How
do you stay connected today with your friends and family? Are you one of those
who still sits down with pen and paper to write letters to your sons and
daughters and grandsons and granddaughters and friends? Or have you moved into
the new era of digital technology with an Iphone, Galaxy, android, Kindle Fire
HDX, tablets, etc.?
Almost
46 years ago I enlisted in the U.S. Army. The only way to stay connected with
my family then was to write letters or stand in line at a pay phone and call
collect. How times have changed.
When
our son joined the U.S. Navy we stayed connected via the internet mainly with emails.
Now our granddaughter is in the U.S. Air Force and we are connected with so
many different forms of digital technology, Skype, Google Talk, Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat…and the list goes on and on.
With
all the different technology available to us today I’m wondering what kind of
footprints we leave as we go digital? Can folks follow us and from what we post
or like or comment on really know who we are, what we believe, and where our
passions lie?
Over
the last few months the session has been reflecting through the ‘Engage’
curriculum what it means to give testimony, witness, and evangelize.
Have
you ever thought that you are doing that, giving testimony and witnessing to
your faith, by your presence on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter?
Rev.
Keith Anderson, Ambler, PA., has been leading a weekly confirmation class and
allowing the students to use their Smart Phones to research, connect, and post
the topics they are studying and discussing in their confirmation class.
Before
you think this is just a gimmick to attract young folks, stop and think. They
are doing research for their confirmation class. For example, Rev. Anderson
asked them to find examples online for the third commandment, “Remember the
Sabbath Day and keep it holy.”
So,
they went online and found pictures on Instagram and Pinterest; they discussed
the Sabbath on Facebook and everyone was comfortable with that. The Ethernet is
where they go to chill, to relax.
I’ve
never thought about how long I’ve been using the internet until right now. I
began to use the internet in 1994 when I was working at the engine bearing
plant. I never imagined how much I would grow to rely on the access to
information and my ability to stay connected with people all over the world.
I
never would have believed that I would one day be a witness for Jesus by what I
post in my blog or on my Facebook page.
So, my friends, the digital age
has provide for us a powerful tool, a gift, some might call it a demon, but I
believe it’s a gift that can help us, as Rev. Anderson said, “…to convey the ancient teachings of the
church in the formation of a new generation of Christians. It can help break
down barriers, reach across fractures in teens’ lives and engage teens in the
spaces -- digital or otherwise -- where they live.
This is a new age and
everything we’ve become comfortable with is outdated and if we want to stay
connected with and in touch with the young folks today we need to learn how to
use this tool to share our testimonies with the next generation who will lead
this church into the future.
God’s word has gone digital and
his vital message of love and grace can and should be found everywhere we leave
our digital footprints.
God’s grace and peace be with
you today and evermore,
Pastor David
“Find
every possible reason under the stars to be happy and grateful…and as soon as
you are done…look again…there are another million you missed.”
Congratulations
Congratulations to Seth and Kelsey Griffith on the
baptism of their twin daughters Hadley Jaymes and Hayden Marie on January
5th.
Their first birthday was January 7th. Grandparents are Larry and Karla Helms and
Courtney and Paula Griffith.
Congratulations to Megan Ehlers for being named to
the President’s Honor Roll at NW Missouri State. Megan is the daughter of
Todd and Darla Ehlers.
Congratulations to James and Brooke Ploen on the
birth of their son, Jackson Dean. He was
born Jan. 7th. Grandparents
are Jack and Judy Ploen and Dean Ausdemore.
“Do not
judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat” Scottish Proverb
Help!
Let’s
all help out Dave and Robin Heilig with cash donations or gas cards. Donate at church, give to Robin & Dave
directly or there is a fund set up at the Rolling Hills Bank in Walnut. Thank-you so much for caring and sharing.
Also,
the River Valley Presbytery needs donations that go for school supplies,
uniforms, backpacks, and shoes for the children in Nicaragua. It also helps the women to get supplies to
sew the uniforms for the children.
Without donations these children don’t get schooling. You can send your donations to:
MRV Presbytery
302 South 74th St.
Omaha, NE
68114-4617
March
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Brett & Bonnie Holtz,
David & Mary Ellen Woltmann
Communion
Servers: Jim
McDermott-chm, David & Mary Ellen Woltmann, Bonnie
Holtz
February ushers and communion servers are at the
bottom of the calendar
April
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers:
Todd &
Darla Ehlers, Linda Krueger
Communion
Servers: Cathy Shutters chm, Margo
Matthies, David & Mary Ellen Woltmann
March ushers and communion servers are at the bottom
of the calendar.
Thank-you
Big thank-you to Jim McDermott for preparing the
ribs for our Annual Congregational
meeting.
Thank-you to everyone that brought sides for the
meal, and Kathy Hansen for all she did to
make it such a fun time.
Flowers for February
February 2---------Gloria
Walter
February 9---------Gloria
Walter
February 16-------Michelle
Mertz
February 23-------Michelle
Mertz
Flowers
for March
March 2----------- Mary
Ellen Woltmann
March 9----------- Mary
Ellen Woltmann
March 16----------Teri Abel
March 23----------Teri Abel
March 30--------- Tara
Lohoff
Rev.
Shinn
Word was received that Rev Shinn was burned in a
fire in his home Nov. 3rd. He
had
2nd degree burns to his face and 3rd
degree burns to his hands. His heart
stopped. He was in
a coma until Dec. 20th. He is now on
dialysis and has a tracheae line for breathing. He is
also on a feeding tube. His hands have been skin grafted.
His home address is:
Sam & Young Ai Shinn
5 Shamrock Circle
Latham, NY 12110
Session Minutes
January 14, 2014
The
session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on January
14, 2014 at 7 pm. in the Sunday School south annex. Session members present were: Linda Ploen,
Kathy Hansen, Allan Sievers and Cathy Shutters.
Absent were: Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen, Michelle, Greg and Mike Mertz
and Jim Tooley.
Moderator
David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and scripture from Psalm 4. Our reflection was on “Sweet Rest” with
articles on youth ministry and the process of looking for a new pastor.
The
minutes of the December 10th meeting were read and approved.
The
treasurer’s report and 2014 budget were approved as written.
David’s
pastor report was given. He traveled 614
miles this month. There were several
hospital visits to Omaha, meetings, and funeral services for Beulavon Beatty
and Norma Rasmussen. David also
officiated at the baptism of Hayden and Hadley Griffith on January 15,
2014. They are the twin daughters of
Kelsey and Seth Griffith.
New Business
Nominees
for new elders are Gloria Walter and Dustin Jensen. We are still needing a third person. We also need to elect a new clerk of
session. We will ordain and install
elders on February 2, 2014. We also need
to discuss the yoke agreement with United Church of Avoca.
Stewardship and Mission
Kathy
Hansen reported that she had delivered another “Welcome Basket”. She also stated that after the Saturday night
service on January 25th there will be pizza and a movie. She also asked if we wanted to help with a
sewing Co-op in Nicaragua. We will
discuss this later.
Christian Education
We
need to start thinking about vacation Bible School. Perhaps we will contact the group from
Okoboji to see if they can help this year.
Worship
Communion
was served to 10 residents at Peace Haven on January 5th. Allan Sievers was the serving elder. Pastor David will be on vacation from
February 3rd- February 23rd. He will also be the Spiritual Advisor for
Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #15 on March 26-30, 2014. We will need to find someone to give the
message on these Sundays
Finance and Property
There
were no reports from this committee.
Personnel
No
reports
The
meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer. There will be no meeting in February since
Pastor David will be gone. Our next
meeting will be March 11, 2014 at 7 pm.
Linda
Ploen
Clerk
of Session
◄ Jan 2013
|
~
February 2014 ~
|
Mar 2013 ►
|
||||
Sun
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
|
Thu
|
Fri
|
Sat
|
1
|
||||||
2
Church 9:00
Communion
Peace Haven 11:00
Sunday School 10:15
Mike/Cathy Shutters
|
3
|
4
|
5
Services @ Salem
Lutheran 9:00
1:00 UPW
Choir Prac. 7:15
Rhys Griffith
|
6
|
7
Darlene Stuart
|
8
|
9
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
|
10
|
11
Allen House 11:00
Golden Oldies
Harley Ploen
|
12
Ben Krueger
|
13
Tyler Schaben
|
14
John Woltmann
|
15
Dennis Hullinger
Jolene Jensen
Janet Grush
|
16
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
|
17
|
18
Golden Oldies 11:30
St. Mary’s Avoca
|
19
Teri Abel
|
20
|
21
|
22
Sat Evening Service 6:00
|
23
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
|
24
Lauren Sievers
|
25
Cyndi Jensen
|
26
David Woltmann
|
27
Shane Lohoff
|
28
(29)
Alyssa Becerra
Craig Woltmann
Valerie Sievers
|
|
February
Communion Servers: Jack Ploen-chm, Greg
Mertz, Michelle Mertz, Charles Walter
February
Ushers: Charles & Gloria Walter,
Greg & Michelle Mert
March
2014
|
||||||
Sunday
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
1
William
Hansen
Elizabeth
Hansen
|
||||||
2 9:00
Church
10:15 Sun.
School
11:00 P.
Haven
David
Heilig
David
Krueger
Kami Bruck
|
3
|
4
|
5
9:00 Salem
Home
1:00 UPW
Ash Wednesday
Peace
Church
6:00
|
6
|
7
|
8
Les/Teri
Abel
|
9
9:00 Church
10:15
Sunday School
Al Schirm
Diana
Schaben
|
10
Russ
Lehnhardt
|
11
11:00 Allen
House
(Service)
Wayne
Sievers
Session 7:00
|
12
Lenten
Service
Peace
Church
6:00
|
13
|
14
Mike
Shepherd
Rhonda
Mertz
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
Darla
Ehlers
Golden
Oldies
11:30
United Church Avocai
|
19
Ross
Bornholdt
Lenten
Service
Trinity –
Avoca
6:00
|
20
Peace Haven
7:00
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
Brett/Bonnie
Holtz
2:00 Avoca
Nursing (Service)
|
26
Lenten
Service
St. Mary’s
Avoca
6:00
|
27
Charlotte
Shepherd
|
28
Dustin/Cyndi
Jensen
|
29
Ty Johnk
Tori Bruck
Kent/Carla
Johnk
|
30
|
31
|
|||||
March Communion Servers:
Jim Tooley chm, David & Mary Ellen Woltmann, Bonnie Holtz
March Ushers: Brett & Bonnie Holtz, David &
Mary Ellen Woltmann
