Pastor’s
Notes
Change is on my mind
today. Not the change in my pocket but ‘change’ that happens, and is happening,
every day.
We hear folks say
that they don’t like ‘change.’ But the truth is ‘change’ has always been with
us. The truth is nothing stays the same. Everything ‘changes.’
Probably what
frustrates us the most is when we have no control over the ‘change.’ It’s
frustrating when ‘change’ just happens and we can’t stop it or divert it. It
just goes ahead and does its thing.
This has been a long
winter and we’re all ready for spring. We don’t mind that the season will
‘change’ because we’re tired of the cold. Well, I’m tired of the cold. Maybe
you’ve heard me complain about the cold. If so you understand. I’m sure our
friends in Minnesota and the East Coast are “really” ready for the seasons to
‘change.’
What about our lives,
our churches, our communities, the world? Are we ready…and happy that they’re
changing? Some may be and some aren’t so happy to see change.
There is one constant
in all this. God doesn’t change. He is the same now as he was when the world
was created and he’s going to stay the same forever.
I did find as I read
this morning that God has changed his mind but God hasn’t changed his
character. He is still a God of love and compassion. He is still that jealous
God who doesn’t want us to give our worship or allegiance to any other god.
So, in this time of
‘change’ with some of friends going to join the saints, with schools joining
other schools, with friends moving to other cities, with churches closing, and
pastor’s retiring we can, and should, trust that God is with us in all this.
‘Change’ is scary, especially
if we’ve never encountered or experienced this particular ‘change’ before. It’s
new and we don’t know whether to be happy or angry.
Or, maybe we’ve seen
this change before and we didn’t enjoy it the last time and we don’t think
we’re going to like it any better this time. Searching for a pastor comes to
mind.
In this season of
Lent we are reminded as we journey with Jesus to Jerusalem that God was with
His Son and he’s with us as we go through ‘changes’ in our churches and our
lives. We can trust God when we may not be able to trust anything else.
So, my friends, as
the seasons change, as our bodies change, and as the church we grew up with
changes, please remember this: God is always with us, Emmanuel.
Talk with God and
share those things that are stealing your happiness. God is listening. Talk
with God every day. And listen to the Voice as you read the Word and let the
Spirit teach you again about God’s love and peace and joy.
The peace of our
Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you all,
Pastor David
Phyllis Elaine Hansen
Phyllis Elaine Hansen, daughter of Glen and Bertha (Pedersen) Lamer, was born
on a farm north of Walnut, Iowa in Monroe Township on October 30, 1920.
She attended country school in rural Shelby County through the eighth grade and
then attended school in Walnut where she graduated from the Walnut High
School. Early in her life she was a member of the Monroe Methodist Church
outside of Walnut. After high school, Phyllis taught country school for
five years in the same Monroe Township country school she attended in rural
Shelby County.
On June 24, 1944, Phyllis was united in marriage to Vincent Hansen in Walnut,
Iowa. They became the parents of two children: Jeff and Claudia.
After their marriage, they made their home on a farm outside of Walnut, Iowa
where they lived almost their entire married life. While raising her
children on the family farm, Phyllis was busy with gathering eggs from her
chickens and tending to her various gardens from which she canned several
quarts of fresh produce each year.
Phyllis and Vincent were active members in the First Presbyterian Church in
Walnut where she helped with many church functions and dinners over the
years. They also enjoyed their card club and spending time with their
neighbors and friends.
In March of 2012, Phyllis became a resident of the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab
Center in Atlantic, Iowa and this is where she died on February 12, 2014 having
attained the age of ninety-three years, three months and thirteen days.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Ervine
Lamer and sister Merle Rounds.
Phyllis is survived by her husband of sixty–nine years, Vincent Hansen of
Walnut, Iowa; her children: Jeff Hansen and his wife Kathy of Walnut, Iowa and
Claudia and her husband Ralph Yribar of Bennington, Nebraska; four
grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister-in-law Frances Hansen of
Walnut, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the First
Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa with Pastor Steve Lewis serving as clergy
and Connie Jensen and Darren Tooley providing music. Interment was held
at the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut with Nick Yribar, Daniel Yribar, Kurt
Hansen, Robert Rounds, Randy Lamer and Lynn Hansen serving as casket bearers.
Pauley Jones Funeral
Home in Avoca was in charge of arrangements.
Velma L. Fell
Velma Lucille Fell, only daughter of Harry and Jo (Brindley) McDermott, was
born on April 27, 1924 on a farm northeast of Walnut, Iowa. After the
birth of her brother Robert, the family moved to a farm west of Walnut.
Velma graduated from Walnut Community High School in 1941. After graduating,
Velma moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she worked as a tray carrier at Bishop’s
Cafeteria and as a secretary for Look magazine.
Velma was united in marriage to Tommy Fell in Kansas City, MO on October 17,
1944 while Tommy was on leave from the Merchant Marines. Upon Tommy’s
discharge, the couple lived in a small home on Velma’s parents’ farm, northwest
of Atlantic, Iowa and eventually settled in Walnut to raise their family.
For the first years of her marriage to Tommy, Velma was a homemaker. Once
her children were all in school, she took a job as a cook in the cafeteria at
Walnut Community Schools and worked there until her retirement.
Velma was a talented seamstress and, after retiring, spent much of her time
sewing, crocheting and embroidering. All of her grandchildren, many
nieces, nephews and friends have been the recipients of several wonderful
afghans and sets of beautifully embroidered tea towels over the years.
Velma also enjoyed dancing and she and Tommy won several awards for dancing the
waltz. Numerous dinners at The Gardens in Walnut were ended with the
jukebox being played, the dance floor powder being spread and Velma and Tommy
waltzing as the other patrons enjoyed the show.
On February 1, 2014, Velma passed away at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center
in Avoca, Iowa. In addition to her parents, Velma was preceded in death
by her husband Tommy in 2010; her brothers: Clarence, Austin and his wife
Marge, Robert, Herbert and Richard; granddaughter Shari Fell; and son-in-law
Dale Dyson.
Velma is survived by her daughter Jane Dyson of Macedonia, Iowa; her
sons: Jeff Fell and his wife Peggy of Deer Creek, Minnesota; Bill Fell
and his wife Laurie of Avoca, Iowa; and Brett Fell of Sioux City, Iowa; ten
grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her
sisters-in-law Juanita McDermott, Shirley McDermott, Joanne McDermott and Kay
McDermott; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and
friends.
The 10:30 AM funeral service was officiated by Steve Kiesel on Friday, February
7, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut, Iowa. Music was provided
by Connie Jensen and Mary Kay Ager. Serving as casket bearers were Dave
McDermott, Dan Fell, Dallas McDermott, Jim McDermott, Steve McDermott, and Todd
McDermott. Interment was held at the Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut.
Pauley Jones Funeral
Home was in charge of arrangements
Hope Tote Ministry
Kathy Hansen is
ordering Hope Totes for us to fill.
Items needed include: toothbrush
and toothpaste, tissues and toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant,
underwear and socks, combs and brushes, feminine products, pain relievers,
cough medicine, hand lotion, disposable razors and shaving cream. Travel size items are best. No cash,
please. She reports that we can start
buying these items now and fill the totes when they come. These totes will then be taken to the Open
Door Mission for the homeless.
Congratulations
Congratulations
to Al and Dixie Schirm on the birth of their great-granddaughter.
Sawyer
Grace was born to Tyler and Ashley Schirm of Lincoln, NE on March 16th. The little girl weighed 6lb 14oz. Grandparents are Neil and Pam Schirm.
May Ushers and
Communion Servers
Ushers – Chuck &
Linda Ploen, George Mertz & Alice Richter
Communion Servers – Kathy Hansen,
chm., Chuck & Linda Ploen & George Mertz
The heart has no wrinkles.
Flowers
April 6 ---------------- Darla Ehlers
April 13-20 ----------Easter Lilies
April 27
--------------Connie Jensen
Aging seems to be the only way to live a longer life.
Spring Gathering
– Presbyterian Women
The
annual Spring Gathering will be held Saturday, April 6th at First
Presbyterian Church
of
Omaha, Nebraska (216 S 34th St).
Registration begins at 8:45 and welcome begins at
9:30.
Lunch is optional at 12:15. The featured
speaker is Diana Waggoner, National Operations Director Fresh Hope
Ministries. Fresh Hope is a Christian
association of support groups across the United States for those who have a
mental health diagnosis and for their loved ones. If you would like to attend let Charlotte Shepherd
know as soon as possible.
“Only when the
last tree has died and the last river poisoned and the last fish been caught
will we realize that we cannot eat money.”
Cree Indian Proverb
Help
Thank-you for
all the contributions you have made to help Dave and Robin (Tooley) Heilig. Baby Noah is still hospitalized and even
though the hospital and doctor bills are taken care of they still face the
hidden expenses that come with missed work and driving back and forth. I’m sure they would appreciate anything you
can give to help. Please put your
donations in the big baby bottle in the back of the church. The Easter Brunch
will also have a free will offering that will be given to the Heilig’s
Save the Date
April 13th
at 2:00 there will be a shower for Noah Heilig in the church basement. Kim and Kristin Hoffman and Kathy Hansen are
the hostesses and would like to extend an invitation to everyone.
‘Very humble work,
That is where you and I must be
For there are many people who can do big things
But there are very few people who will do the
small things.’
Mother Teresa
Church Cups
The
picture below is one of the cups the Presbyterian Women have purchased for the dining
room. We have only purchased enough for
our use. However, we have had several
people indicate that they would like to buy a cup for themselves. At this time we do not know how much a
smaller quantity might cost. If you are
interested in buying one/two cups we would like to have a commitment from you
as to the number wanted. The price will
depend on the number ordered. Please let
Barb Eslick or Charlotte Shepherd know or call the church at 712-784-3953 by
May 1st.
Session Minutes
March 11, 2014
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian
church met in regular session on March 11, 2014 at 7 pm in the Sunday School
south annex. Session members present
were: Cathy Shutters, Greg Mertz, Gloria Walter, Dustin Jensen and clerk of
session-Linda Ploen. Absent were: Jim
Tooley, Michelle Mertz and Allan Sievers.
Moderator David Krueger opened the
meeting with prayer and scripture from John 15:1-8. Our reflection was on “Engage, Styles of
Evangelism” with an interesting video called “Bullhorn”.
The minutes of the January 14th
meeting and minutes from the Annual Congregational meeting were read and
approved. We had no February meeting as
Pastor David was on vacation.
The treasurer’s report was approved as
presented.
Pastor David’s report was given and
approved. His mileage was 106
miles. This included several
visitations. David will be at Pilgrimage
on March 30th, so we need a pulpit supply. It was moved and 2nd to have no
service that day and allow everyone to go to Peace Church or a church of their
choice. Motion carried. It was also
moved and 2nd to give David permission to go to the confirmation of
his grandchildren on June 1, 2014.
Motion carried. It was also
approved to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on June 8, Pentecost Sunday. We will also need a pulpit supply for July 20th
as approval was given for David to take vacation time for RAGBRAI.
Clerk Linda Ploen read a thank-you from
the Presbytery for our per capita payment, and a letter about Synod School in
July. She also asked for permission for
the use of our basement for a baby shower for Brooke and Jackson Ploen.
We had two deaths. Velma Fell died February 1, 2014. Her funeral was February 7th, with
burial in Layton Twp. Cemetery. Phyllis
Hansen passed away on February 12, 2014.
Her funeral was February 15th with burial in the Layton Twp.
Cemetery.
New
Business
Chuck Ploen came to the meeting as
chairperson of the PNC Committee. He
updated us on their progress and to give some of his concerns. He discussed the need to get our heating and
air replaced to be more efficient. He
also discussed his concern and our need to do more with mission in our church,
since we have received so much from different estates. Next on the agenda was selection of elder
committees. Stewardship and Mission will
be Kathy Hansen and Greg Mertz, Christian Education-Cathy Shutters and Michelle
Mertz, Worship- Gloria Walter, Finance and Property- Jim Tooley, Allan Sievers
and Dustin Jensen. As no new clerk has
been found, Linda Ploen has agreed to remain as clerk. It was moved and 2nd to pay her
$100 a month to continue her duties.
Motion carried. David also noted
that he wanted to have training for new elders as soon as possible. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at our
church on May 27th and July 28th.
Stewardship
and Mission
Kathy Hansen had a report stating that
she had delivered 3 more Welcome Baskets.
She would like to do “Homeless Totes” for Open Door Mission. She said
Robin and Dave Heilig could still use gas money to go back and forth for baby
Noah. We would like to do a breakfast to
help with funds for Robin and Dave. One
Great Hour of Sharing offering will be received on June 8, Pentecost Sunday. The offering goes to Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Self Development of People program
and their partners in ministry.
Christian
Education
Cathy will continue to search for
Vacation Bible School options. Youth
group will be doing some fund raisers this summer.
Worship
Communion was served to 7 residents at
Peace Haven on February 2nd with Jack Ploen as serving elder. Seven were also served in March. David will be serving as Spiritual Advisor
for Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage on March 26-30, 2014. Permission was given to David to serve
communion each Sunday during Lent. Cathy
Shutters and Linda Ploen will take care of this. Maundy Thursday service will be at Peace
Haven at 7 pm. Gloria will help David
set up a labyrinth that will be open to the community on Good Friday. There will be an Easter sunrise service at 7
am on April 20th.
Finance
and Property
Things up for discussion were: support
for Peace Haven, Ad hoc committee, heating and air quotes and Joy Sievers’
estate. No action was taken.
Personnel
We NEED to get our by-laws done. David wants them done before he retires.
Our meeting was closed with the Lord’s
Prayer
Next meeting will be April 8, 2014 at 7
pm.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
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~ April 2014
~
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May 2014 ►
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Sun
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Mon
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Tue
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Wed
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Thu
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Fri
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Sat
|
|
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1
Drew Cable
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2
Larry Shepherd
Ron Paasch
9 am Salem Homes Service
1:00 Pres Women
Lenten
Service 6:00
United
Church of Avoca
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3
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4
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5
.
Vincent Hansen
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6
Church 9:00 Communion
Sunday School 10:15
Peace Haven 11:00
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7
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8
Allen House 11:00
Session 7 PM
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9
Tori Sievers
Lenten Service 6:00
Presbyterian Church/Walnut
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10
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11
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12
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13
Church 9:00 (Palm Sunday)
Sunday School 10:15
2:00 Shower for Noah Heilig
Hanna Holtz
Linda Sieck
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14
Chuck/Linda Ploen
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15
11:30 Golden Oldies
Peace Church/Walnut
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16
Clare Mertz
Maxine Nash
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17
Maundy Thursday/Communion
Peace Haven 7:00 All
Invited
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18
Julie Nash
Seth Griffith
William Griffith
Good Friday – Easter
Labyrinth
In Church basement 8am-5pm
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19
Landon Shutters
Kamryn Tooley
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20
EASTER – 7 AM Service
B’fast following
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21
Nancy Ross-Hullinger
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22
COM mtg 4:30/New Horizon
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23
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24
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25
Eva Jensen
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26
Evening Worship 6:00
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27
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
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28
Church Growth Leadership
Conference @ Good Shepherd
Lincoln, NE
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29
Avoca Nursing & Rebab
& Avoca Assisted Living 2 PM
Service
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30
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Notes:
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April Ushers – Todd & Darla Ehlers, Linda
Krueger
April Communion Servers – Cathy Shutters, chm.,
Margo Matthies, Greg Mertz & Linda Krueger
