Pastor’s Notes
As
I look ahead to the September calendar I notice that on the 7th day
of September a season of peace begins.
“Peace,”
just saying the word makes it sound so easy to obtain. But as we listen to the news,
or read the news, we discover there’s more places in the world that aren’t
peaceful than there are places with peace. As the lady on the Swiffer©
commercial says, “I’ve been living in a fool’s paradise.”
Living
in the Midlands we get the impression that this is the way it is everywhere,
but it isn’t. Most of you have heard me say, as we begin to pray, that we
should all pray for peace in the world.
I’m
not sure if we’ll ever experience total peace in the world but I figure if the
folks in the Bible could get God to reverse some of his edicts then surely, if
we all pray for peace, God will hear our prayers and grant us peace in the
world in our lifetime.
What
if God does hear our prayers but instead decides to involve us in the solution
to bring peace into the world? How can we join God’s work to make the world a
more peaceful place to live, for all people?
The
easiest thing we can all do is contribute financially on World Communion Sunday
in October. But isn’t that too easy? Surely we’re able to do more than that.
There
are some other ways that may help us all put more focus on “peace.” Most of us
have computers, or we have access to a computer at our local libraries. If we go
to pcusa.org/seasonofpeace we will
find a resource entitled “Path of Peace.” It’s a daily devotional that runs
from Sept. 7 through Oct. 5. Its main focus is “peace” and contains many
biblical references to “peace.” This will help us focus on “peace.” That’s one
thing, but isn’t there more we can do.
Would
it be possible to start here in the communities where we live? Is everything “peaceful here in Walnut?” Let
me ask you this. Is there anyone complaining in your coffee group about
something that someone else said or did? There is in the coffee group I go to. Sometimes
it’s me and sometimes it’s someone else. We all have something to complain
about.
Complaining
doesn’t promote “peace.” What are we to do? Does complaining make for a
“peaceful” environment? Not usually. So, instead of complaining, which we all
kind of enjoy doing, it might be more constructive to find solutions to what
we’re complaining about. Couldn’t we come up with ideas that we can actually
implement and make the situation(s) more “peaceful?”
You
know, I’ve come to the conclusion that it actually begins within each of us, me
and you. I know in my heart I’m not always at peace, and I know it would be
better for me if I were.
I
haven’t given you any good ideas about how we can make the world a more
“peaceful” place to live, but don’t you agree that the first place we should
begin with is in our own communities? And if they’re already “peaceful” then
branch out into our neighboring communities.
So,
my friends, as we move into the month of September let’s work together to
promote “peace.” Let’s offer solutions instead of critiques. Let’s pray for
“peace” every day. Let’s go to God’s word and read what our Lord said about
“peace” and try to do it the way Jesus did, non-violently.
May
God’s peace and grace overflow from your hearts this month and may you be full
of the wisdom of God. Thanks be to God for his love.
Pastor
David
In Memoriam
Ross Bornholdt March 19, 1931 – July 29,
2014
Ross E. Bornholdt,
83, of Walnut, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at Cass County
Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.
Ross Ernest
Bornholdt was born on March 19, 1931, the son of Orville and Margaret (Brink)
Bornholdt, on a farm west of Atlantic, Iowa.
He was the fourth in a family of ten children. Ross attended country school until his father
needed him to work on the farm.
On June 20, 1954,
he married Norma Jean Dinkey at the United Methodist Church in Atlantic,
Iowa.
They lived on a farm south of Walnut and worked for Ed
Nelson from 1955 to 1957. Later they
moved to Cumberland and for five years he worked for Marold Hansen. In 1962, they moved back to the farm near
Walnut, and worked for Paul Simonsen for 37 years, from 1962-1999. He retired in 1995, and they moved to
Walnut. Ross continued to work part-time
on the farm helping his nephew, Gary Nash, with harvest for 11 years.
Ross was a member
of the First Presbyterian Church in Walnut.
He loved the outdoors and working in the yard. He collected John Deere tractors, liked
country music, and loved his trips to Hawaii.
In his younger days he loved to dance, especially polka. Ross was very proud of his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, and enjoyed playing with and entertaining them.
Everyone in town
saw and talked to him on his walks around town.
He liked to feed the squirrels candy and watch the birds. He enjoyed drinking coffee at the local
shops. He also loved taking trips to
Branson.
Ross is survived
by his wife of 60 years, Jean of Walnut, IA;
daughters, Pamela (Allan) Petersen of Avoca, IA, and Brenda (Eldon)
Thompson of Glidden, IA; grandchildren,
Quentin (Sunshine) Walker of Papillion, NE, Angela (Robert) Awe of Council
Bluffs, IA, Shannon Thompson of Glidden IA, Nathan Thompson of West Des Moines,
IA, Erica (Russ) Lacy of Harlan, IA, Samantha Petersen of Audubon, IA, and
Richard Petersen of Council Bluffs, IA;
Great grandchildren, Aaron Holmes, Landon Renze, Ethan Thompson, Tanisha
Thompson, Evan Walker, Kenny Awe, Jayden Awe, Dustin Awe, Brooklyn Walker,
Lexas Petersen, Preston Lacy, Tatum Lacy and Jayden Lacy; brothers, Donald Bornholdt of Atlantic, IA,
Max (Joan) Bornholdt of Walnut, IA, and Robert (Judy) Bornholdt of Kimbalton,
IA; and sisters, Helen Marxen of
Atlantic, IA, and Darlene (Dewey) Hess
of Harlan, IA.
He is preceded in
death by his daughter, Laurie Ann Bornholdt in 1981; grandson, Dustin Lee
Walker in 1975; brothers, Carl, Arlin and Everett Bornholdt, and sister, Janis
Andersen.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Les and Teri Abel on the
birth of their granddaughter, Leighton Grace Abel. Leighton’s parents are Josh and Dina Abel of
Neola. Leighton was born on July 10,
2014 and weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 21.5 inches long. Leighton was welcomed home by her two older
brothers, Mason (age 6) and Landon (age 3).
When you’re 20 you care what everyone thinks, when
you’re 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you’re 60 you realize no
one was ever thinking about you in the first place.
Sunday School
Sundae
Sunday will be Sept. 7th following worship. Sunday School will officially start Sept. 14th
at 10:15.
Youth Group
Students
from 6th grade through 12th grade are invited and
encouraged to join the Youth Group.
Leaders Michelle Mertz, Robin Heilig and Cathy Shutters have announced
that they will meet at 5:00 PM every Sunday at the church. Volunteer helpers are welcome.
“What I don’t get about angels is why when
someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.” Sarah, age 7
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry has a need for these items in September:
Macaroni
& Cheese
Jelly
Hamburger
helper
Canned
fruit and veggies
Dry
pudding mix
Paper
products
Put
them in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and Pastor David will be happy
to deliver them to the Food Pantry.
Serving Peace Haven
Saturday
evening (Aug 23rd) we served supper to the residents of Peace
Haven. Those helping were Nancy and
Dennis Hullinger, Greg, Michelle, Bryan and Claire Mertz, Cathy Shutters,
Dustin and Cindy Jensen and David and Linda Krueger. Doug Matthies smoked a pork loin and we
served that along with potato salad, rolls, fresh peaches and brownies.
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not
thunder.” Rumi
Your Congregation's
Mission Support to the Presbytery
The mission and
ministry of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley are supported through the
mission giving of the 50 congregations within its boundaries.
Congregational support is vital to the presbytery's mission.
Your mission
dollars are at work through the presbytery's Faith, Education and Leadership
Development committee (FELD). Christian educators gather monthly for
conversation and lunch, provided by FELD. Resources are shared and
educators are supported. FELD also provides scholarships for young people
to enjoy camp at Calvin Crest. Ministers and commissioned lay pastors are
supported by FELD through its financial support of the Winter Pastors'
School. More than a dozen pastors attend each year. All this
demonstrates that FELD supports "new ways of being church across the
generations."
With
congregational support of the ministries of our presbytery, faith education and
leadership development can continue to grow and enhance the ministries of our
church leadership. When your congregation gives to the presbytery General
Mission, youth, commissioned lay pastors, pastors and educators are supported.
October
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Jim Tooley, Robin &
Dave Heilig
Communion Servers:
Gloria Walte– chm, George Mertz, Robin Tooley, Pam Nielsen. September ushers and communion servers are at the
top of calendar.
What you do
today is important, because you are sacrificing a day
of your life
for it.
Flowers for Pulpit
September 7
-------Charlotte Shepherd
September 14------ Charlotte Shepherd
September 21 ------Kathy Hansen
September 28 ------Kathy Hansen
Session Minutes
August 12, 2014
The session of
walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on August 12, 2014 at
7:00 pm in the Sunday School south annex.
Session members present were: Kathy Hansen, Greg Mertz, Dustin Jensen
and clerk- Linda Ploen. Absent were
Michelle Mertz, Allan Sievers, Cathy Shutters, Jim Tooley and Gloria Walter.
Moderator David
Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and a reflection from d365.org. called
“Dear Diary” from Hebrews 11:4.
The minutes of
the June meeting were read and approved.
We had no July meeting.
The
treasurer’s report was approved as given.
Pastor David’s
reports for June and July were given. He
had many visitations, 2 weddings and 3 funerals.
There was no
Clerk’s report.
There was one
death, that of Ross Bornholdt who passed away on July 29, 2014. Funeral service was August 2nd at
First Presbyterian church with interment at Atlantic Cemetery, Atlantic,
Iowa. It was moved and 2nd to
accept Phyllis Hoffman as a new member through reaffirmation of faith ,
transferring from Our Savior Lutheran Church.
It was also moved and 2nd to accept Angie Awe(Jean
Bornholdt’s granddaughter) as a member of our church and possibly her
husband. We also approved the baptism
of their children.
New Business
None
Stewardship and
Mission
We will be serving dinner at Peace Haven Retirement home on
August 23rd. We will have
brisket, potato salad, and bars. Kathy
Hansen and Greg Mertz will let us know the details-time, what to bring
etc. Kathy reported that she had delivered
five more “Welcome Baskets” to new Walnut residents. Pastor David reminded us of looking at some
mission opportunities. We can find some
at http://www.pmrv.org/index.php/newsletters/monday-morning.
Christian Education
Vacation Bible School went well. Good group of kids and nice to have it for
just one day. There was no report on the
startup of Sunday School.
Worship
David will have a Saturday night service in August. Communion was served to 5 residents at Peace
Haven on July 6th with Dustin Jensen as serving elder.
Finance and Property
We need to get a complete financial report from the Antique
walk. No report from the Ad hoc
committee. There also has been no update
on our new heating and AC. Chuck Ploen
turned in a bill for a new dehumidifier, since our old one quit working.
Personnel
Again- we need to work on our by-laws! No PNC report, as no one was present.
It was moved and 2nd to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was closed with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Next meeting will be September 9, 2014 at 7 P.M.
Linda Ploen
Clerk of Session
September Communion
Servers: Kathy Hansen-chm, Jim
McDermott, Larry & Charlotte Shepherd
September
Ushers: Larry & Charlotte
Shepherd, Kathy Hansen
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September 2014
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
|
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1
Labor Day
Brian/Nellie
Popp
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2
Wilma Newton
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3
Salem Lutheran
Homes, 9 AM
Pres. Women
Shannon Griffith
James Ploen
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4
Kristen Hoffmann
Kane Griffith
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5
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6
Cael Woltmann
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7
Church 9:00
Sundae Sunday
10:15
Peace Haven 11
Jim McDermott
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8
Jill Woltmann
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9
Allen House, 9 AM
Session, 7 PM
Lori Baldwin
Dustin Jensen
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10
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11
Devin Wood
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12
Ryne Johnk
Luke Woltmann
Craig/Linda
Woltmann
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13
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14
Church 9:00
Sunday School
10:15
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15
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16
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17
Samantha Jensen
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18
Peace Haven
7 PM
Betty Roberts
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19
Wendy Grieb
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20
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21
Church 9:00
Sunday School
10:15
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22
Troy Schaben
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23
COM meeting at
New Horizon P.C., 4:30 PM
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24
Jackie Ceballos
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25
Chuck Ploen
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26
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27
Evening Worship
6:00
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28
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
Daniel Shirley
Enola Pagliuso
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29
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30
Avoca Nursing, 2
PM
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