Pastor’s Notes
I’m
thinking this morning about transitions. Why do things have to change…and since
change is inevitable how do we deal with it?
Change
is all around us: the seasons change, the weather changes, people change,
communities change, even our bodies change. Since everything is always changing
we should be at ease with it, but we’re not.
It
may be because we live in rural Iowa that we hear folks complaining about the
weather. It’s too cold or too hot, too wet or too dry, and summer went by way
too quickly.
Some
changes we’ve become used to like the weather. We know what’s coming so when
the temperature drops we just add layers to our wardrobe. And when it gets hot
we remove layers.
But
some changes, even when we know they’re coming, we just can’t adjust too, like
our physical bodies, our churches, our communities.
Nevertheless
change comes, ready or not. As I’m writing I know that I only have three more
pastor’s notes to write, and then what? And you’re thinking, “Yes, and then
what do we do?”
Friends,
let me remind you what I said in yesterday’s message. I said that in order for
us to be able to deal with the bad things in life we need faith in God. I
believe that ‘change’ could be classified as a bad thing. So, in order to deal
with ‘change’ we need faith, trusting that God hasn’t abandoned us and is, in
fact, right beside us as we meet ‘change’ head-on.
Consider
the stories in the Old Testament that we’ve heard the last few weeks about
Abram, Noah, and Joseph. You have to admit that God created change in their
lives and the only way they dealt with it was by trusting God and the Plan.
So,
whatever, wherever, however things change, always remember, God hasn’t left us
but is still here walking with us. God’s Spirit is reminding us, always, of the
gospel message and Jesus’ commands to his disciples, and to us. “Go…make
disciples…teach…baptize…love”
These
things, if we let them, can seem to be too much. They are if we try to do them
on our own power. Friends, that where faith comes in.
No,
we don’t like the fact that things ‘change.’ We don’t like it when people
retire and we have to find a successor. We don’t like when friends pass on to
the other side and leave us alone. We don’t like it…because we’re afraid.
I
can’t say that I love change but I know it’s going to happen regardless and so
I trust that God’s plan will reveal itself to you…and me.
We
have a choice to make. We can stick our heads in the sand and deny that things
are changing…and gripe and complain like the Israelites when Moses lead them
into the wilderness or we can choose to do what God calls us to do.
Go
into the world…make disciples, teach, baptize, and love all God’s children by
feeding, clothing, and sheltering those whom God lays on our hearts.
May
God’s grace fill you with joy and peace,
Pastor
David
In Memoriam
Eldon Ranney 2/9/27 – 9/6/14
Eldon Hough
Ranney, age 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Saturday,
September 6, 2014 in Cambridge, Minnesota.
Eldon was born on February 9, 1927 in Council Bluffs Iowa, son of Henry
Alfred and Gladys Nina Hough Ranney. He
graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1945, and served in the U.S. Navy
where he was educated in radio technology and electronics. This led to his 40-year career with
Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.
Eldon was united in marriage to Marilyn Jean Andrews on November 30,
1952 in Red Oak, Iowa. They lived many
places throughout the Midwest, including 13 years in Minnesota where Eldon
developed his love for Minnesota Gopher Men’s Hockey. After retirement in 1986, Eldon and Marilyn
moved to Walnut, Iowa where they opened Everybody’s Attic antique store, and
subsequently The Victorian Rose. Eldon
and Marilyn were very instrumental in the revitalization efforts in Walnut to
become Iowa’s “Antique City”. Eldon was
a member of many civic organizations throughout his life, including being a
member of the Mason’s, The Communication Workers of America, the Golden Valley,
MN Chamber of Commerce, The Walnut Merchant’s Association, and the Walnut
Optimist’s Club. Eldon was also a member
of Walnut’s First Presbyterian Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother,
sister and wife Marilyn. Survivors
include daughters: Susan and husband
David McKay of Maple Grove, MN, Cynthi Groeneweg and Robert Wenger of St.
Francis, MN, and Cheryl Ranney of Des Moines, IA: eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren: sister Nancy Finken.
“Strive not to
be a success, but rather to be of value.”
Albert Einstein
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry has a need for these items in October
Macaroni
& Cheese
Jelly
Hamburger
helper
Canned
fruit and veggies
Dry
pudding mix
Paper
products
Anything
is appreciated
Put
them in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and Pastor David will be happy
to deliver them to the Food Pantry.
“If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies how
very different our ideals of beauty would be.”
November
Ushers and Communion Servers
Ushers: Teri Abel, Darlene Stuart,
Margo Matthies & Cathy Shutters
Communion Servers:
Cathy Shutters-chm., Jim & Bobbie McDermott & Teri Abel October ushers and communion
servers are at the top of calendar.
“Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples don’t expect to
harvest
Golden Delicious.”
Bill Meyer
Presbyterian Women
The
October meeting of the UPW will be on Oct. 1st at 1:30 at Robert’s
Bakery. Hostess
will be Darlene Stuart.
The MRV
Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering will be Saturday Oct. 18 at Bethany
Presbyterian Church, Council Bluffs. Registration is at 8:45 a. m. Check with Charlotte
if you are interested in going.
November
PW meeting is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 1:00 in the church
basement. The
program will be Walnut Community School ‘Today and Tomorrow’
presented by Sarah Kock.
Annual Church Mini Bazaar 3:00 pm Dinner
4:30-7:00, Wednesday, Nov 19th
If
you had a job to do last year and you can’t do it this year, want to change,
or
haven’t helped before and want to, contact Charlotte, Darlene, or Mary Ellen.
My favorite color is OCTOBER.
Flowers for Pulpit
October 5
-------Robin Heilig
October 12------ Robin Heilig
October 19 ------Julie Nash
October 26 ------Julie Nash
Dance
like no one is watching… they’re not… they’re checking their phones.
Fish Fry
Our annual Fish
Fry will be October 18th following the 6:00 worship service. This event is hosted by Jim & Bobbie
McDermott and we thank them for this treat.
They are
providing everything except corn bread and dessert so if you plan to attend
please bring one
of these.
Aren’t you
glad you had a childhood before technology took over.
November 2nd Daylight Savings
Time Ends
Session Minutes
September 9, 2014
Present: Michelle Mertz, Kathy Hansen, Cathy
Shutters, Gloria Walter, Allan Sievers
Absent: Greg Mertz, Jim Tooley, Dustin Jensen, Linda
Ploen, Clerk of Session
Moderator: David
Krueger-CLP
We opened with prayer. Reflection – Season of Peace, reading
from Jeremiah 14: 5-13
Minutes – Approved the August meeting minutes
Treasurers report – Approved for August
Pastors report – Approved for August
Clerk’s report – None
Death’s – None
Membership – none
Membership transfer – none
New Business:
Remind the following people that they are on the nominating
committee: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott,
Margo Matthies.
Stewardship:
Kathy delivered 4 new neighbor baskets this month.
Session served dinner at Peace Haven on the 23rd. Fun was had by all and the residents enjoyed
a home cooked meal.
Kathy will order the calendars for 2015 that can be
purchased when we get them.
Christian Ed:
Youth group will be held every Sunday night at 5pm for kids
in grades 6-up. We had our first one on
the 7th of September and we had 6 youth and 5 adults in
attendance. We watched God’s Not Dead
and enjoyed pizza and cookies. We are
looking to attend the News Boys concert, who will be in Omaha on Sept 28th
at the Ralston Arena. Curriculum
was ordered for the youth group. It was
approved to paint and change the upstairs Sunday school room for the youth
group. We are seeking donations of good,
used furniture for the youth lounge area and possibly tv and dvd player as well
to view Christian videos/curriculum.
Sundae Sunday was well attended by both young and old. We will be ordering new curriculum for the
younger children for this year and it can be used more than one year.
Worship:
David and Kathy Hansen served 9 at Peace Haven on Sunday the
7th.
Gloria and David are working on banners to follow along with
upcoming sermons.
Finance & Property:
Antique Walk
report - part of our packet showed a profit of $7,083.52.
Heating and Air: Installation almost complete. They will
provide a quote to connect the dehumidifiers to sump pumps emptied into a
drainage system so daily checking won’t be necessary. The humidifiers in the
basement are now emptied by David.
The roof leaks in
the furnace/utility room. We have a bid from Justen Tooley. A motion was made
and approved to have him make the repairs to fix this.
Old CD is coming
due at Great Western Bank. It was moved and seconded to move the money out of
the bank and into the account that is held at Hamilton Financial. Also motioned and approved was to move the
extra cash out of the bank and into the account at Hamilton Financial so it can
be invested to gain more money that what is being earned now. Michelle abstained from these two votes.
It was brought up
that we need to look at purchasing or refurbishing the pews. They are falling apart and need some
tlc. Allan, Cathy S. and Michelle will
look into the cost of all the options, including maybe adding some rows of
chairs as an option. Cathy and Michelle will
visit other churches to see what they like/dislike about their pews/chairs to
get more feedback before making a decision.
Input from the congregation is welcomed also.
Personnel:
By Laws will be looked into next month. PNC Report – Waiting… looking….
Listening….waiting….
Close with Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting Oct 14 @ 7pm
October Communion
Servers: Gloria Walter-chm, George
Mertz, Robin Heilig, Pam Nielsen
October Ushers: Jim Tooley, Dave & Robin Heilig
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October 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
Salem Lutheran Homes, 9 AM
Pres. Women
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2
Steve Sunderman
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3
George Mertz
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4
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5
Church 9:00
(Orris Drake)
Sunday School 10:15
Youth Group 6:00
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6
Alex Ehlers
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7
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8
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9
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10
Dennis/Nancy
Hullinger
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11
Jack Ploen
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12
Church 9:00
Communion
Peace Haven 11:00
Sunday School 10:15
Youth Group 6:00
Larry Roberts
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13
Columbus Day
Justen Tooley
Ross/Tina Gregory
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14
Allen House, 11 AM
Session mtg., 7 PM
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15
Jim Tooley
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16
Gloria Walters
Connor Sievers
Peace Haven, 7 PM
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17
Judy Ploen
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18
Katie Myer
Adele Pedersen
Fish Fry following
6:00 PM Worship
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19
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
Youth Group 6:00
David Mertz
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20
Madison/Morgan
Heiny
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21
Greg Mertz
John/Vicki Weihs
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22
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23
Jackson Shutters
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24
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25
Teresa Griffith
PMRV Presbytery mtg, Korean P.C.
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26
Church 9:00
Sunday School 10:15
Youth Group 6:00
B
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27
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28
Avoca Nursing & Rehab 2 PM
COM mtg., 4:30 PM
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29
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30
Trisian Heiny
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31
Halloween
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