First Pres Happenings

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

May Gleaner 2013

Pastor's Notes

I guess you could say that we’re in the middle of the Easter season since this coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter and Pentecost is going to be celebrated and remembered May 19th. It’s spring but it doesn't feel like it today. I know it is because last week was Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #13 at Calvin Crest Retreat Center in Fremont, NE...and it hailed, then it snowed. It really is springtime in the Missouri River Valley.

So, I’ve just returned from pilgrimage and again God’s grace and love was evident as sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ greeted each other with hugs and slaps on the back, new friends were made, some delicious meals were devoured in the camp dining hall (Connie and her gang are marvelous chefs), and worship and communion happened everyday. And some very great speakers shared God’s word and stories of how He has made a difference in how they live their lives today. We heard 13 or 14 talks over the 3 days of pilgrimage. We do have to take notes so we can remember all that was shared...at least I do.

Why am I telling you this? Well, to be honest sometimes I don’t feel God’s presence or his joy in my work days...but then I go to pilgrimage and He’s just there. It’s hard to explain but He really is there in the faces and the hearts of everyone, the team, the guests, the Calvin Crest staff, even Bob’s dog is filled with the Spirit. Don’t believe me, then come see me, get an application and go as my guest. I’d be glad to sponsor you. One caveat though, you might come home weighing more than when you first arrived. The food is that good. There are calories in that Spirit-filled food. What can I say.

With that being said Pentecost is just around the corner. I invite you all to come to worship wearing red that Sunday as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We talk about God’s grace as a gift and sometimes forget that Jesus told the disciples God would be sending them...and us, an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to interpret the Word and remind us of all He said. We forget that when we’re struggling to understand what we’ve read in God’s word. The Spirit is right there to help us understand. The Spirit is right beside us, within us, within our friends, even within your pastor, even when he can’t feel his Presence, the Spirit’s there. In fact the Spirit helps in the composition of these notes.

I can’t explain how it all happens other than to tell you what Jesus said. He said he was sending His Spirit; I believe His word. And I’ve seen evidence of His Presence at pilgrimage.

My hope and prayer is that more folks want to experience the joy of being filled with the Spirit and will come and see and be blessed with God’s grace either here or at pilgrimage.

As we tell each other at pilgrimage, “God loves you my sisters and brothers, and so do I.” God’s grace and peace be with you today and always.

Pastor David

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women will honor our 2013 high school seniors; Jessica Helms, Lauren Sievers, Courtland Griffith and Chris Guthery on Wednesday, May 1^nd in the church dining room at 4:00. All Presbyterian women are welcome to attend as is anyone from our church family who might be interested. Please rsvp if you plan to attend.

I didn’t make it to the gym today. That makes 63 years in a row.

Guest Day/Mother’s Day Breakfast

Wednesday, May 1^st^, from 8:30-10:00 AM, Peace United Church is hosting a May Day Breakfast.

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights”

Maya Angelou

GRADUATION – Walnut High School Graduation will be Sunday, May 19 at 2:00.

Jessica Helms would like to invite everyone to her celebration at The American Legion Hall at 4:00 that day.

An old man told his grandson, “You know, back in the old days, you could go to the store with a dollar

and get a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs and a watermelon. You can’t do that today. There’s just way

too many surveillance cameras.”

Thank-you

Thank-you to Kathy Hansen for decorating the church basement for our Easter Brunch and providing all the prizes for children and adults. Also, thank-you to Kathy for the Earth Day gifts.

BIG thank-you to Jim McDermott and Greg Mertz for leading worship and giving the message while Pastor David was gone on Pilgrimage.

CHURCH

Imperfect people,

Forming an imperfect family,

Serving a perfect

GOD

Antique Walk Food Stand

June 14^th-16th will be the Antique Walk. The work schedule will be in the June Gleaner.

Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.

June Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Steve & Michelle Sunderman, Betty Sunderman

Communion Servers: Jim Tooley-chm, Betty Sunderman, Barb Eslick & Dennis Jensen

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

Flowers for May

May 5------------Linda Ploen

May 12---------- Linda Ploen

May 19---------- Barb Eslick

May 26-----------Barb Eslick

Piglet: “How do you spell love?”

Pooh: “You don’t spell it, you feel it.”

Session Minutes

April 9, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on April 9, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south annex. Session members present were: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Kathy Hansen, Cathy Shutters, Greg Mertz and Jim Tooley. Absent were: Jack Ploen, Allan Sievers, Michelle and Mike Mertz.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and reflection from John 15:1-8. The lesson was entitled Resting In and Trusting Jesus. We also watched a short video to reflect on. We need to remember how much Jesus loves us!

The minutes of the March meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer’s report for February and March was approved as given.

The pastor’s report was approved as given. David traveled 28 miles this month. David asked for permission to perform the wedding for Dana Blum on June 1, 2013 and the wedding of Amy Sandbothe and Josh Thomas on September 21^st at our church. Permission was so given. Permission was also given to accept Eldon Ranney as a member of our congregation through reaffirmation of faith. His original membership was with First Presbyterian Church of Red Oak, Iowa.

Stewardship and Mission

Kathy Hansen reported on several mission opportunities for our church. “Help A Hero” provides tooth brushes, toothpaste, powdered drinks etc. for our servicemen. “The Great Truck Haul” provides hygiene kits and clean up buckets for disaster aid through the Presbytery. We also have the opportunity to have missionaries from Nicaragua come and speak to us between May 10-19. David will look into this.

Christian Education

Sunday School is going well. They are using the curriculum “Holy Moly” and continue to use the video equipment.

Worship

We will have elder training after worship on Sunday. The Sunday School will be hosting a “Silly Supper” after the Saturday Contemporary service on April 27^th at 5:30. It’s open to everyone and should be a fun evening.

Finance and Property

Jim M. read reports from Edward Jones and DuPaco. We also discussed the adhoc committee that will be meeting soon to discuss our financial investments and building repair priorities. David reported that he filed our corporate biennial report. Jim Tooley is the contact person for the Corporate Board.

New Business

PMRV presbytery meeting will be April 27, 11-3 at Red Oak First Presbyterian Church.

The meeting was closed with The Lord’s Prayer.

The next meeting will be May 14, 2013 at 7 pm.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

	~ May 2013 ~
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1 May Breakfast Peace Haven 8:30-10 Pres. Women 2:00 Choir 7:00	2 Jason Ploen	3	4
5 9:00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School 11:00 Peace Haven Sam Shirley Brandi Wittrock Nora Andersen	6	7	8 Salem Lutheran 9:00 AM Courtney Griffith	9 Erin Shannon	10	11 Gene Eblen Fundraiser 5:00
12 9:00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School MOTHER’S DAY	13	14 Daniel Nelson Lectures 9:30 AM Allen House 11:00 Session 7:00 Mike Shutters Darren Tooley Jared Ploen	15	16 Evening worship at Peace Haven, 7 PM	17 Charles Walter	18 Brian/Megan Anderson
19 9:00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School High School GRADUATION	20 Linda Woltmann	21 Golden Oldies	22 Evalyn Popp	23 Jason/Shannnon Wood	24	25 5:30 Worship Silly Supper following Karley Helms
26 9:00 Worship 10:15 Sunday School	27 MEMORIAL DAY Linda Ploen Todd/Darla Ehlers	28 Avoca Nursing 2:00	29 Connie Jensen Dalton Green	30 Red Cross bloodmobile here 11:30 AM-5:30 PM	31

May Ushers – Chuck & Linda Ploen, George Mertz & Alice Richter

May Communion Servers – Linda Ploen – chm, Chuck Ploen, Kathy Hansen, George Mertz

Monday, March 25, 2013

April 2013 Gleaner

PASTOR’S NOTES

It’s Holy Monday today. As I think about what Jesus did for you and me I’m drawn back to a book written by Jim Bishop called “The Day Christ Died.” Jim Bishop was a meticulous journalist. If he had lived during Christ’s time there might have been a 5^th gospel written.

Anyway, Jim searched in places where some of our learned scholars didn’t search and then wrote this book that describes Jesus’ last day in Jerusalem beginning with his triumphal entry and ending with his crucifixion and burial in Joseph’s tomb. He provides details of the Roman world in Jerusalem and the Jewish world in Jesus’ day and some insights into what it was like for Jesus growing up in and around Jerusalem.

I don’t know how many times I’ve read this book but every year I’m drawn to it. As I read I’m reminded again of what God has done for us in the life and love of His Son, Jesus, the Christ.

As I get older, and those around me do as well, I’m made aware that I have fewer days left in this world than I’ve already lived. I reflect on how God has used me and the times I’ve turned my back on Him and wonder what I’m to do with this remaining time. What does God desire of me…and you?

Every year this happens to me and I resolve to take more time for prayer…and study…and quiet…but I never seem to be able to achieve quite what I think God desires. I wonder if others struggle in the same way.

So, my friends, what do you do during Holy Week…and the days and weeks after? Are you changed by the events of Lent and Holy Week? As you hear the Word being read does your heart break as we’re reminded how much God loves us? Do you leave the sanctuary of the Lord changed? Do you look at your friends and family differently as you journey through your week at home and work?

Sunday’s Scripture reading from Luke said in Jesus’ words, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.” Our sanctuary is surrounded by stones that each of you have put on the window sills. Are we shouting Jesus’ praise or will the stones have to cry out?

Tuesday, at the session meeting, we began the study entitled, Engage, which is about becoming effective evangelists for Jesus. The first phase is with the session because whether the elders realize it or not they are the leaders of this church. Our focus is on our renewal as given to us by the Holy Spirit as we begin this journey claiming and reclaiming our own stories of change. We are encountering and examining God’s own story of change and renewal in His Scriptures. This will take us 9 months to complete and with God’s help we will be changed and ready to lead this church into what God has planned for the next few years.

Where we’re headed is to discover and understand how our personal stories of change and transformation connect with the needs of this community where we live. We ask for your prayers as we begin this study. May we all be changed and empowered by God’s message to us this week and the weeks that follow.

May you be filled to overflowing with God’s grace,

Pastor David

Dear Spring,

Feel free to show up anytime now!

Presbyterian Women

The annual Spring Gathering will be held Saturday, April 6^th at Faith Presbyterian Church in LaVista, Nebraska. Registration begins at 8:45 am, the welcome begins at

9:30 am and the gathering concludes at 12:15 pm. Lunch ($6.00) will be after that if

you would like to stay.

The featured speaker is Sryani Tidball who is on the faculty of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at UNL. She will speak on the topic of “Women and Girls in Peril – Human Trafficking”. Syrani and her husband founded Community Concern Society in Sri Lanka that empowers mostly marginalized and vulnerable women and children.

Humor

A Minister was completing a temperance sermon. With great emphasis he said, ‘If I had all the beer

in the world, I’d take it and pour it into the river.’ With even greater emphasis he said, ‘And if I had

all the wine in the world, I’d take it AND POUR IT INTO THE RIVER.’ And then finally, shaking

his fist in the air, he said, ‘AND IF I HAD ALL THE WHISKEY IN THE WORLD, I’D TAKE IT AND POUR IT INTO THE RIVER.'

Sermon complete, he sat down…

The song leader stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, nearly laughing, ‘For our closing song, let us sing hymn #365, “Shall We Gather At The River.”

Thank-You

Thank-you to Justen Tooley for working on the back door of the church.

Thank-you to Sunday School teachers, students and others for the Easter Program on Palm Sunday.

May Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Chuck/Linda Ploen, George Mertz, Alice Richter

Communion Servers: Linda Ploen-chm., Chuck Ploen, Kathy Hansen, George Mertz

April ushers and communion servers are at the bottom of the calendar.

When nothing goes right…go left.

Flowers for April

April 7------------Bonnie Holtz

April 14----------Darlene Stuart

April 21----------Darlene Stuart

April 28----------Teresa Griffith

Humor or Truth?

A dollar bill met a $20 bill and said, “Hey, what’s up? I haven’t seen you around here lately.”

The $20 bill replied, “I’ve been hanging out at the casinos, went on a cruise, came back to America, saw

a couple of baseball games, visited the mall, that kind of stuff. How about you?”

The dollar bill said, “You know, the same old thing – church, church, church.”

Easter Lilies

Two Easter Lilies given by Chuck and Linda Ploen in memory of Marge Ploen and

Melissa Manhart.

Other Easter Lilies given by Presbyterian Women in memory of church members.

Session Minutes

March 19, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on March 19, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south annex. Session members present were: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Michelle, Greg and Mike Mertz, Kathy Hansen and Jim Tooley. Those absent were: Jack Ploen, Allan Sievers and Cathy Shutters.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and readings from 2 Timothy 4:1-2,5 and Luke 19:1-10 from “Engaging Your Story”. It spoke of what we thought evangelism was. We also did an exercise on our life line and what we felt were our ups and downs along that line.

The minutes of the February meeting were approved as read.

There was no treasurer’s report available.

The pastor’s report was approved as given. Pastor David traveled 400 miles this month. There were several hospital visits. David will be at Pilgrimage on April 21^st.

There was no clerk’s report.

Stewardship and Mission

Kathy reported that she had delivered two more “Welcome to Walnut” baskets. One Great Hour of Sharing will be collected this week. We also discussed another blanket and coat drive. We thought we could perhaps keep some of them at the church to have on hand in case of another blizzard and stranded travelers. David also stated that the Presbytery Disaster Aid is a good place to donate to.

Christian Education

Michelle stated that the Sunday School lock-in went very well. There were 25-27 kids that participated. The table at the soup cook-off also went well. The Sunday School will be performing at the Palm Sunday Service. The Word of You Today devotional has been received and is on the back bookcase. David also has the adult study entitled “Engage”.

Worship

The community Lenten services went well with much better attendance this year. David would like to have a Holy Week labyrinth again this year in the church basement. We also decided not to have a Maundy Thursday service, but were encouraged to attend the Living Last Supper at Peace church. The Sunday School is also planning a “Silly Supper” for the entire congregation after the April Saturday night contemporary service. David still wants to have elder training. It was moved, 2^nd and approved to renew our CCLI license.

Finance and Property

We received an endowment fund from the Linn Johnk estate. We voted to form an adhoc committee to research investment options for the estate money. Jim Tooley noted that he would get rid of the old stove in the basement so we can replace it with the one donated by Les and Terri Abel. Jim McDermott reported on the retreat planned for this summer. It is planned for July 19^th with 18 to be going-10 youth and 8 adults. Fundraisers are being planned to raise money for the trip.

New Business

PMRV Presbytery meeting will be April 27^th at the Red Oak Presbyterian Church.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Date for the next meeting will be April 9, 2013 at 7pm.