June Gleaner 2014

Pastor’s Notes  

It’s June, school is out for the summer, people are looking forward to the weekends so they can enjoy the outdoors doing whatever they enjoy doing, swimming, fishing, camping, golfing, baseball, softball, or any one of the myriad other things to do when the weather is so very nice.

That makes me wonder if we shouldn’t be doing worship at the park or the pond or the golf course or the ball field since that’s where folks are. If that’s where the people are maybe that’s where God’s Church should be too. After all God is with us wherever we are. We gather to worship our Creator, to give praise for the blessings given to us, and to raise our voices in joyful song. What better place to do that but outside in God’s wonderfully beautiful creation.

If you’d enjoy worshipping outdoors contact Pastor David or Gloria Walter, our worship committee person, and let us know. And then, maybe, volunteer to assist in putting together the worship service.

That being said there’s a lot going on in the month of June. The 8^th is the Day of Pentecost, the 15^th is Trinity Sunday, we also remember our Fathers too, the 29^th is planned for VBS day camp, and then we move back into Ordinary time counting the days to Christ the King Sunday in November. That seems so far into the future but in reality it will be here before we know it.

So, what are ‘you’ doing this summer to grow spiritually? Have you chosen some good books to read when you’re relaxing at the lake or the pond or the river that will help or enable you to discern what God is calling you to do? Or, maybe you’re planning a retreat, with friends or by yourself, and maybe you’re just going to trust God to deliver his call to you in the stillness wherever you’re retreating to. Or maybe you have nothing special planned.

It would be fair of you to ask me what I’m doing so, before you ask, I’ll tell you. I have some books on the shelf begging for me to pick them up and some I haven’t bought yet that also are crying out to be read. One of those I haven’t purchased yet is Rob Bell’s “Jesus Wants to Save Christians.” Rob is one of those popular authors who is stirring things by taking a different approach to interpreting the Bible. Since he’s on the edge in fundamentalist’s circles some folks think he’s condemned to hell.

All of that being said I’m looking forward to buying the book and reading it sometime soon. I also have some books from the Iona Community in Scotland that I use for worship planning that I need to get deeper into.

Also, I’m preparing for Pilgrimage in October, which by the way if you’re feeling God tugging or pushing or encouraging you to attend come and talk with me. I’d be glad to give you a registration form and be your sponsor.

The other thing I’m doing, though it might not be classified as spiritual renewal, is getting in shape physically to ride the northern route through Iowa this summer. You may know it as RAGBRAI, I call it my renewal week. Other than Pilgrimage this also helps me connect with God while riding my bike through some of the most beautiful places in all creation.

What else? We’ll be moving into a new preaching series that will begin in Genesis with the creation. We are ending a series where we have been accompanied by a ‘door’ in worship each Sunday. So, if time allows we’d love to have you come and worship with us through the summer. And maybe, if you let us know where you’ll be, we could come to you, God willing.

May you be filled with God’s grace and peace this summer,

Pastor David

Thank You to Church Members

            We would like to thank all of you for all the prayers, support, kind words, and donations of

money.  It helped make it possible to go see Noah every day!  He is home and doing great!

                                                                                    Thanks again,

                                                                                    Dave, Robin & Noah Heilig

Thank You Brunch

June 8^th Noah Heilig will be baptized.  Dave and Robin invite everyone downstairs after services for a

brunch to thank everyone for their help when Noah was hospitalized.

If you’re always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in?

Congratulations

Congratulations to David and Mary Ellen Woltmann on the birth of their great-granddaughter, Eden Everly Woltmann.  Eden was born on April 11, 2014.  She is the daughter of Darrin and Meggie Woltmann of Sycamore, IL.  Grandparents are Michael and Gayle Woltmann of Kingston, IL.  Craig and Karen Johnson of Rogers, AR, previous Walnut residents, are also great-grandparents.  Great-great-grandparents are Betty Griffith of Walnut and Roy Hemminger from Rogers, AR.  Eden is joined by one sister at home, Byrnn.  She has five generations on both sides of her family.

“Nothing can make our lives, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.”     Leo Tolstoy

July Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers:  Jack & Judy Ploen, Barb Eslick

Communion Servers: Dustin Jensen, chm., Margo Matthies, Teri Abel, Jack Ploen

God put your eyes in front of you head for a reason … now stop looking back.

                                                Flowers for June

                                      June 1-------------JoJane Walter

                                      June 8-------------JoJane Walter

                                      June 15-----------Antique Walk

                                      June 22-----------Nancy Ross-Hullinger

                                     June 29-----------Michelle Sundrman

Dear God,

So far today, I’ve done it all right.  I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper, I haven’t been

greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent.  I’m very thankful for that.  But, in a few

minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed … and from then on, I’m probably going to need

a lot more help.

Amen

                                                            Note from Kathy Hansen

A very special thanks should first go to Pastor David and Pastor Steve for going to the aid of a lady moving into the

Walnut housing (She had nothing – Rebecca is her name).

A big, big thank you goes to Nancy Hullinger of Peace Haven.  She went above and beyond in helping.  She sent a bed,

dressers, floor lamp, chair, ottoman, couch and a kitchen table and chairs.  Nancy truly saved the day!

Also, a huge thanks goes to Chuck and Gloria Walter.  They donated silverware, dishes, cups and glassware.  It was

much appreciated.

Then there is Robert’s Bakery who donated a really nice TV.  What great people who helped out!

Isabelle Zvorak donated curtain rods and curtains.  This put the final touch to making it a home.

My mom, Frances Howard, donated a sweeper , and last but not least, Jeff, my husband, took time away from his coffee

time to help move all the furniture.

I guess I went to get misc. items like a shower curtain, mini blinds, bedspread, etc. and helped with the move and

getting her curtains up.

Rececca couldn’t thank us enough.  She apologized for asking for help but I told her we all need help at times and I

want to thank our church family and friends for all this great effort.  I’m glad to be a part of a caring church

family and town.

God Bless You All!        

            Kathy Hansen

                                                       Session Minutes

May 13, 2014

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on May 13, 2014 at 6:00 pm in the Sunday School south annex.  Session members present were: Michelle and Greg Mertz, Kathy Hansen, Allan Sievers, Gloria Walter, Dustin Jensen and clerk Linda Ploen.  Absent were: Jim Tooley and Cathy Shutters.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer.  Due to an awards event at school at 7:00, we did not have a reflection and scripture this month.

The minutes of the April meeting were approved.  They were reported by Michelle Mertz due to the absence of Linda Ploen at the April meeting.

The treasure’s report was approved as given.

 Pastor David’s report was read and approved.  He traveled 117 miles this month.  He had several visitations.  There was no Clerk’s report.

New Business

We discussed serving a dinner at Peace Haven Retirement Home some Saturday or Sunday this summer like we did last summer.  We set a tentative date of August 23^rd.  It was also moved and 2^nd to allow David to perform the wedding of Brian Knapp and Taryn Coenen on June 28^th, 2014 at Prairie Rose.  Motion carried.  David will also have the memorial service for Joyce Redman on July 12, 2014.  There will be a 9:00 am coffee and rolls and a 10:00 am service.  Jolene Jensen was also present at the meeting.  She would like to join our church.  She has gone through confirmation in Shelby with Pastor Heather Ploen.  It was moved and 2^nd to permit this.  Motion carried.  We will find a date soon to do this.

Stewardship and Mission

Kathy Hansen reported that she had delivered baskets to two more new residents.  David also stated that there is a new resident in the low rent housing that could use our help.  He also reported that there are many mission opportunities listed on the Presbytery website.

Christian Education

Michelle reported that we will have a one day Bible School on July 19^th, with a family event in the evening.

Worship

Communion was served to 4 residents on May 4^th with Kathy Hansen as serving elder.

Finance and Property

It was moved and 2^nd to allow Dustin Jensen to have check signing authority and remove Jim McDermott from the account.  Motion carried.  Greg and Michelle Mertz agreed to do the work schedule for Antique Walk.  Michelle reported that all the new accounts with Hamilton Financial are up and running. The ad hoc committee will look into what to do with the remaining money.  We need to get quotes on new windows.  Next on the agenda were the quotes on the new heating and air units.  After discussion, it was moved and 2^nd to go with the bid from Feekes in Avoca.  The bids were very close, but the Feekes bid was going with higher quality equipment.  Motion carried.

Personnel

Michelle has been looking into other by-laws so we can get ours done.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

The next meeting will be June 10^th, 2014 at 7:00 pm.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

                                                                      June

	~ June 2014 ~
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1  Church 9:00  Orris Drake  preaching	2	3  Michael Mertz	4 Salem Lutheran Homes 9 AM Donelle Green	5	6	7
8  Church 9:00  Communion  Brunch 10:00  (For Noah’s baptism)  Michael Woltmann  Mary Ellen Woltmann	9	10 Allen House 11 AM Session 7 PM	11 Chris Krueger	12	13 Antique Walk  Linda Nash	14 Antique Walk
15 Antique Walk  Father’s Day  Bonnie Holtz	16	17  Hugh Griffith	18 Amy Krueger	19  Ben Ehlers Peace Haven 7 PM	20	21
22  Church 9:00  Megan Ehlers	23 Don/JoJane Walter	24 Avoca Nursing and Rehab 2 PM COM mtg. 4:30 PM New Horizon P.C.	25	26  Shane/Tara Lohoff	27  Ian Griffith	28  Greg/Michelle Mertz
29  Church 9:00  Brian Anderson	30	Notes:

June Communion Servers:  Jim Tooley, chm., Betty Sunderman, Barb Eslick, Dennis Jensen

June Ushers:  Steve, Michelle Sunderman, Betty Sunderman