Pastor’s Notes
I’m thinking this morning about
this mystery called faith; specifically our faith in the triune God. Abraham
was right with God because of his faith. God spoke to him and he listened and
obeyed.
Moses encountered God in the burning bush in the wilderness.
Because of that encounter his faith in God grew.
Jacob had a dream where he saw God
and later he wrestled with a man until daybreak. It was a draw but he felt that
he’d met God face to face and lived. As crooked and devious as he was he still
believed in the great I Am.
All through the Hebrew Bible, the
Old Testament, we find many people who had faith, some more than others, and
some who had little or no faith but still believed in God.
Then, in the New Testament, the
disciples are called by Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God. They ‘put on his
yoke’ and followed him. Their faith grows and wanes. There were flickers of
‘strong’ faith and then there are those times when they just don’t get it. But,
they had Jesus with them to teach, set examples for them, and to pray for them.
Paul encountered Jesus on the road
to Damascus as he’s heading there to arrest those who were followers of the ‘Way.’
After his face to face with Jesus he was changed and his ‘faith’ changed. He
believed in God and now he believed in Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. He
believed because of his encounter with Jesus.
It’s 2014 and I’ve not met anyone
who’s seen a burning bush, wrestled an angel, or been blinded by the light of
Jesus. So, what bolsters our ‘faith?’ Why do some folks have such a strong
faith and others struggle with their faith, and some just don’t believe at
all…and can you really blame them?
So, for you, what and how is your
‘faith?’ Is it strong or does it waiver sometimes? What do you do when your
‘faith’ is weak? What do you do when your doubts seem stronger than your
‘faith?’
The folks in the Old and New
Testament either had an encounter with God or they were face to face with
Jesus. Wouldn’t it be a whole lot easier to believe and follow if we could
‘hear’ God or have a one on one with Jesus? I think so and I’ve heard others
say that would make it easier for them too.
If someone came to you and said that
they’d received word from God that they were to share with you would you
believe them and would that make you want to change, to repent? Be honest now.
You might be a little skeptical. Your faith would be tested because you’d never
heard God speak to you so why would God speak to your friend? Maybe they were
just hearing voices in their head.
What to do, that’s my question.
How do we keep our faith strong and how do we help someone else whose faith is
waning? Or maybe we have a friend who says they just can’t believe the Bible at
all? Is our church able to help those who’re struggling? I mean, ‘really’ help
them.
I believe that’s why we need the
Church, the community of followers of Jesus, to be there for us when we’re
struggling or Evil seems to be winning. The Church can help by praying, really
praying, not just saying they’ll pray. The Church can help by coming together
in study, reading the Bible, discussing and dissecting the words and comparing
them to secular works of the same time period.
For example, the Flood, are there
other examples of this story in other works? What about Jesus? What
contemporary works were written in the same time period and did they say
anything about him?
We have celebrated the Resurrection and are now in the
season of Easter. I believe it’s a good time to reflect on our faith and the
mystery of it. In Hebrews we read, “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and
gives us proof of what we cannot see.”
Still, we all have friends who
don’t have faith or struggle with the little faith they have. Let’s work
together as the Church to grow our faith and reinforce our friend’s faith
through our love for Jesus and for them.
God’s grace and peace be yours today,
Pastor David
Note from Kathy Hansen:
Thank you to all
who donated to the Homeless Hope Totes.
Special thanks to Bonnie Holtz who went above and beyond with her big
donation. There was also another
generous donation of three bags and I don’t know who donated it, but it was
much appreciated! Everyone else who
donated, Big Thanks!
Also,
thank you to everyone who helped out Robin and Dave with gas money.
It’s
great we have a caring Church family!
Kathy
Hansen
Help
for Questers
The
Questers are holding a garage sale during the Community Garage Sale June 7th. They’re using the proceeds to work on the
pavilion at the city cemetery. If you
would like to donate anything for the sale contact Kathy Hansen 712-307-0879,
she will come to your house to pick it up.
She has a storage area available so contact her any time before June 7th.
‘You may think the grass is greener on the
other side, but if you take the time to water your own grass it will be just as
green’
Thank-you
Thank-you
to the Presbyterian Women for the Easter Lilies in memory of loved ones
To Ross and Jean Bornholdt in memory of Laurie
To Chuck and Linda Ploen in memory of Melissa Manhart and Marge Ploen
To Charles and Gloria Walter (3) in memory of loved ones
To Randy and Rhonda Mertz for Star of Bethlehem flowering plant
Thank
you to all the women that provided the delicious casseroles (11 of them), fruit
cups and bars for the last Lenten meal.
Also thanks to the men and women that cleaned up after. Approximately 65 were served.
Thank
–you to Cathy Shutters and Linda Ploen for preparing Communion every Sunday
during Lent, and to the session members for serving it.
Thank
you to Kathy Hansen and Teri Abel for decorating the church basement for our
Easter Brunch and providing all the prizes for children and adults.
Thank
you to Pam Nielsen, Teri Abel, Jim and Bobbi McDermott, Justen Tooley, Todd
Ehlers, Kathy Hansen and Willa Petersen for the delicious brunch on Easter
morning.
Thank
you to Brian and Nellie (McDermott) Popp and Todd Ehlers for contributing the
sausage for our brunch.
“What has to change in the Church?”
“You and I.”
Mother
Teresa
2nd
Annual Walnut 5K Fun Run/Walk
“The
Lunch Lady Run”
Former Walnut School “Lunch
Lady” Deb Petersen was diagnosed with ALS two years ago. This walk/run is to support her and the fight
against ALS. It will be held Saturday
May 31st at the City Park.
Registration is from 10-10:45 with a light breakfast served. Kids 100 yard dash is at 10:45 (12 and
under). Pre-registration fee is $20,
register day of race $25. Free lunch
following the race/walk. Call Erica
712-789-0870 or Julie 402-659-1187.
Registration forms are also at Walnut
City Hall and Rolling Hills Bank.
“Eat a live frog first thing in the
morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Mark Twain
Eagle Puzzle
Gary Sievers recently received a
beautiful picture of an eagle that was a puzzle. The puzzle was put together by
Glen Voge. Gary has a special love of
eagles after losing his son and hearing “On Eagle’s Wings” at his funeral. Glen had the puzzle ‘varnished’ and then gave
it to Gary for his wall. This special
gift reminds him that his son’s spirit ascended to God on Eagles Wings. Gary became a member of our church several
years ago while at Peace Haven. Pastor
David baptized him there with Chuck and Linda Ploen as witnesses. Both Glen and Gary are residents of Salem
Lutheran at Elk Horn.
‘A flower does not think of
competing with the flower next to it.
It just blooms.’
June
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Steve & Michelle Sunderman, Betty
Sunderman
Communion Servers: Jim Tooley-chm,
Betty Sunderman, Barb Eslick & Dennis Jensen
‘You know
when you’re grown up when a nap is no longer a punishment, but a reward'
Flowers
for May
May 4-------------Linda
Ploen
May 11------------Linda Ploen
May 18------------Alice Richter
May 25------------Alice Richter
Session Minutes
April 1, 2014
The
session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in special session on Tuesday,
April 1, 2014 at 6:30 at United Church of Avoca. Session members present were: Greg and
Michelle Mertz, Dustin Jensen, Cathy Shutters, and Gloria Walter. Also present were clerk-Linda Ploen, PNC
chairman-Chuck Ploen, David Krueger and our “shepherd” for our pastor
search-Sandy Wainwright from Villisca.
The purpose of the meeting was to approve our MIF statement for our
pastor search. Members read over the
report from the PNC committee and heard comments from Sandy. Michelle moved and Dustin 2nd the motion to
approve the MIF statement. Motion
carried. Meeting adjourned.
At
7:00 we joined the session and PNC committee from United Church of Avoca for a
joint meeting. Session members present
were: Greg & Michelle Mertz, Dustin Jensen, Gloria Walter, Cathy Shutters
and Gloria Walter. PNC members present
were: Chuck Ploen, Cathy Shutters and Mike Shutters. Also present were three members of the
Committee on Ministry and our “shepherd” Sandy Wainwright. The meeting was opened with prayer by Avoca’s
moderator. Pastor David then gave a
brief history of our church and what we’ve done over the past ten years. Nan Sams of Avoca then gave the history of
the Avoca church. Chuck Ploen and Scott
Pigsley-chairmen of the PNC committees then gave their reports as to where they
are in the process of paper work for the pastor search. Members of the COM also answered many
questions. After much discussion, it was
moved and 2nd to adjourn the meeting at 9:00. Motion carried.
Linda
Ploen
Clerk
of Session
Session Minutes
April 8, 2014
The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in
regular session on April 8, 2014 at 7 pm.
Session members present were Kathy Hansen, Michelle Mertz, Cathy
Shutters, Gloria Walter and Dustin Jensen.
Absent were: Jim Tooley, Allan Sievers & Greg Mertz.
Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer
Per a request from Denny Jensen & Allan Sievers, we
had a special guest with us to discuss our unique situation of our generous
gift giving from past members. Ronald
Hamilton of Hamilton Financial Services visited with us about investing some of
our money into alternative investments, such as REITS (Real Estate) and helping
to make the money grow better than putting it into a CD that isn’t earning much
interest at this time. He will visit
with Allan, Dustin, & Jim at a later date if they so wish to proceed into
this investment for the church. Ron also
has other investment opportunities that are safe, but would earn the church
some income on their investments. We
thank Ron for his time tonight and appreciate him taking time out of his
evening to visit with us.
Our reflection was on “Engage, Disciples-Making Leads
to Justice & Faith-Sharing”. Continue to talk about, learn about and share
God’s word. “Where are we going?” PRAY, READ, DISCUSS, SHARE, MENTOR. Scripture from Acts 2:42-47 was read.
Minutes were read from our last regular meeting and our
special meeting with the PNC/Session members from Avoca. Both were approved as submitted.
The
treasurer’s report was unavailable at this time. We will review this next meeting.
Clerk’s
report – Linda was absent, but there will also be a reception
for our graduating seniors on Sunday, April 27th after church. We have four seniors this year, Michael
Mertz, Alyssa Becerra, Emily Mitchell and Hunter Nielsen. Congrats to our seniors on all your
accomplishments and good luck on your future plans.
Pastor’s
David’s report was given and approved. His mileage was 90 miles. This was for visits to Lenten services, Great
Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage-Spiritual Advisor work, shut-ins & Allen House
in Atlantic.
New
Business
Ron Hamilton presented investment options.
A motion was made and approved for the baptism of
Jackson Dean Ploen to be on Sunday, May 4th. Michelle Mertz will represent the Session as
an Elder.
Stewardship
& Mission
Kathy wants to set up a “Helping Hands Fund” to help
people in our congregation with financial needs and also if they need help
around their homes. We will visit more
about this at a future meeting. We all agreed this is a good idea.
Christian
Education
Cathy and Michelle will visit with Peace church to see
whom to contact about vacation Bible School and maybe do a day-camp since many
of our teachers have full-time day jobs and that makes it difficult for us to
do a week long camp. We will visit more
on this next session meeting.
Worship
Communion was served to 8 residents at Peace Haven on
March 2nd.
Finance
& Property
Session discussed the Heating & Air that needs to
be done as soon as possible. Dustin will
get updated quotes. We visited about the
Antique walk and the need for someone to set up the work schedule and call all
the workers. Any and all volunteers are
needed as our members are getting older and are not able to work in the heat as
long. Michelle & Pastor David also
visited with Jack Ploen about the hogs for the meat this year. He is willing to give us a deal of $220 per
hog and we will purchase 7 with Jack generously donating one to the church for
a total of 8 going to market. Pies have
been ordered by Mary Ellen Woltmann. It
was brought up for discussion to possibly purchase another ice cream machine so
we can have two running for the walk as this is a hot commodity on the hot days
in June. We will look into the
possibility of a good used machine.
Personnel
We need to get our by-laws done. This will be worked on before David retires.
Our meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting is May 13th at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Mertz
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May 2014 ~
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June ►
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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
May Day Breakfast
Peace Haven
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2
Jason Ploen
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3
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4
Church 9 AM
Communion
S.S. 10:15
Peace Haven 11 AM
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5
Sam Shirley
Brandi Wittrock
Nora Andersen
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6
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7
Salem Lutheran Homes 9 AM
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8
Courtney Griffith
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9
Erin Shannon
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10
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11
Church 9 AM
S.S. 10:15
Mother’s
Day
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12
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13
Allen House 11 AM
Session 7 PM
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14
Jared Ploen
Darren Tooley
Mike Shutters
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15
Peace Haven 7 PM
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16
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17
Charles Walter
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18
Church 9 AM
S.S. 10:15
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19
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20
Linda Woltmann
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21
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22
Evalyn Popp
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24
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25
Church 9 AM
Karley Helms
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26
Memorial
Day
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27
Linda Ploen
Darla & Todd Ehlers
Red Cross Bloodmobile here 11:30 AM-5:30 PM
Avoca Nursing & Rehab 2 PM
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28
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29
Dalton Green
Connie Jensen
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30
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31
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May Ushers: Chuck
& Linda Ploen, George Mertz, and Alice Richter
May Communion Servers:
Kathy Hansen, chm., Chuck Ploen, Linda Ploen, George Mertz
