December Gleaner 2013

PASTOR’S NOTES

       Another year is over. Next Sunday begins a new year; the first Sunday of Advent. And that means, for me, a new preaching series. We will continue to follow the Old Testament prophets. By ‘follow’ I mean we will be walking a path, maybe not the same path they walked, but figuratively we’ll be considering what it means to journey with them as they share God’s Message with the people of Judah and Israel.

          “Prophetic Pathways” is the title for the series which comes from one of our friends in Scotland at New Kilpatrick Presbyterian Church, Roddy Hamilton. He and a group of friends put together a package of material with a Scottish flavor that helps me come up with the messages you get to listen to on Sunday morning. The material is called “Spill the Beans.”  You know, it’s to help all of us understand how to tell our story to the folks God introduces us to on the path we walk every day.

          Since I retired from the bearing factory I do quite a bit more walking, burning calories instead of gasoline, wearing out shoe leather instead of the rubber tread on my pickup. I meet way more people this way, at the bakery, the library, the post office, the bank, city hall, and McDonald’s. Some of them have time to visit and I have time to listen.   

       That’s the path I walk. What’s your path like? Who do you meet in your daily commute to work or to coffee? Have you noticed that sometimes God’s hand has been there too, kind of mixing and stirring the pot, just a little?

          There are many days when we don’t notice because we’re so focused on our ‘to do’ lists. Friends, think what we miss because we haven’t taken the time to slow down and pay attention to what’s going on around us.

          It happens to me way to often. One day this fall I was walking home and this tree was so beautiful I had to stop, get my camera, and take a picture. I’d walked by this tree for weeks without noticing just how God had created this colorful painting using the leaves of a maple tree. So, I went to visit my daughter and convinced her to get her camera and come with me and take pictures. It was something I’ve always wanted to do but had never taken the time. We had a wonderful time strolling, stopping, snapping pictures, and talking.

          That’s just one path here in Walnut. Where do you suppose God will lead us this next year? What path has God chosen for us? And are we ready? Come, and join us, walk with us. I’m sure it will be nothing like we imagine since God’s hand is always there mixing things up and turning them upside down.

          May your days be filled with wonder and thanksgiving. Stop and listen and wait for God’s message for you. Tell your story and come and share it with us at First Presbyterian Church here in Walnut.

Advent blessings to you all,

Pastor David

Sunday School Christmas Program

The annual Sunday School Christmas program will be December 22^nd during worship at 9:00 AM.  Come and enjoy watching our youth (and adults) perform and sing.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

Our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service will be held this year at 10 PM. Our friends from United Church of Avoca will be joining us for worship.

Sometimes memories sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks.

Food Pantry

Food pantry needs for December are: Any Wholesome Food or Paper Product

Roberta Gillette, the food pantry coordinator, is retiring at the end of December.

If you who would like to volunteer for her job, or you know of someone, contact Pastor David.

          

Counting other peoples sins does not make you a saint.

GOOD GUYS FOOD BASKETS

The Food Pantry needs names, addresses, phone #’s & number of people in the family by Dec. 9^th for food boxes for people in need.  The boxes will need to be picked up by the client on Dec. 21^st between 9-10AM at our church.  Help is always needed to fill the boxes.  Meet at the United Church in Avoca at 7:30 AM on Dec. 21^st if you can help.

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say Thank-You?

                                          Thank-you

Thank-you to EVERYONE for making the Fall Supper/Bazaar a success.  Around three

hundred people were served.  It’s always such a heart-warming time to see our congregation so actively working together.

“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.”          Robert M. Persig

.

United Church of Avoca Annual Christmas Tree Bazaar & Luncheon With Nativity Display

Sat. Dec 7^th from 10-1

Luncheon 11-1

Creamed Turkey over Biscuits, Relishes, Salad and Cake

$6/Adults and high school - $3/K-8^th grade

Cookie Walk, Bake Sale, Tree Decorations & Homemade Items

Over 30 Nativity Sets on Display

Free Admission

“Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.”

Golden Oldies

                                                Jan 21 – First Presbyterian - Walnut

                                                Feb 18 – St Mary’s Avoca

                                                March 18 – United Church – Avoca

                                                April 15 – Peace Church – Walnut

“Peace on earth will come to stay

When we live Christmas every day.”   

Helen Steiner Rice

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ron and Brittni (Johnk) Van Woesik on the birth of their son

Ronald Franklin Van Woesik III.  He was born Oct 28^th at 5:51 PM and weighed 6 lb 6 oz.

His grandparents are Kent and Carla Johnk and great-grandmother is Carolyn Johnk.

Congratulations to Eric and Cheyenne (Pedersen) Mertz on the birth of their daughter

Willow Rose.  She was born Nov 25^th at 12:35 PM and weighed 7 lb 9oz. Her

grandparents are Louis and Rosemary Pedersen and great-grandfather is George

Mertz.

Walnut’s Angel Tree

For the past several years the people of Walnut have provided assistance top families with Christmas gifts for their children through the Angel Tree Program. These gifts helped to make the holidays a memorable time for families that may need a little help at this special time of year.

The Angel Tree will be located at the Walnut Public Library beginning November 30th. Anytime the library is open, you may pick an angel from the tree, fulfill the wish of a child, and return the gift to Walnut Communications office by December 13th.

If you would like to participate in the program but are not able to make it to the library, please call 784-3533 for more information.    Margo Matthies & Linda Ploen

That breath you just took…that’s a gift.

POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary in memory of family and friends who have passed on.  Please let me know who your poinsettia is in memory of.

                    

“You will not be in Heaven unless you are leaning on the arm of someone you have helped.”

Edgar Cayce

                   January Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Dennis Jensen, Dustin Jensen, Allan & Shannon Griffith Communion Servers: Allan Sievers-chm., Dennis Jensen, Craig & Linda Woltmann.   December ushers and communion servers are at the bottom of the calendar.

    Session Minutes

November 12, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on November 12, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south annex. Session members present were: Linda Ploen, Michelle Mertz and Cathy Shutters. Absent were: Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen, Kathy Hansen, Allan Sievers, Greg and Mike Mertz and Jim Tooley. Also present was Dick Brown from the PMRV Committee on Ministry.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer. We then turned the meeting over to Dick Brown to explain the discernment process in looking for a new pastor. It is a two week process. The congregation will be asked two questions: What does God desire for our church and what kind of pastor will best serve this kind of church? Dick will come on Sunday, November 24^th to speak with us and explain things and come back on December 8^th to gather our information.

The minutes of the October session meeting were approved as read.

The treasurer’s report was approved as written.

David’s pastor’s report was approved as given. There were many visits and the Great Plains Pilgrimage.

Linda reported that our mission pledge is due, but we will put off discussion until our December meeting. She will be taking our church books to be reviewed on December 14^th. One death was reported, that of Mildred Joy Sievers died at Avoca Nursing & Rehab in Avoca, Iowa on October 2th, 2013, and was interred in the Layton Twp. Cemetery following service on October 22, 2013.

New Business

The session nominating committee is Linda Krueger, Chuck Ploen and Robin Heilig. Linda Ploen asked permission to use the basement on November 25^th for a meeting.

Stewardship and Mission

Mission pledges are due.

Christian Education

The Sunday School Christmas program will be Sunday December 22^nd.

Worship

David will be using Spill the Beans, Issue 10, Prophetic Pathways for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Seven residents were served communion at Peace Haven on November 3^rd with Cathy Shutters as the serving elder. The Christmas Eve service will be at 10:00 pm. We will be meeting at United Church of Avoca at 11:30 on November 17^th to discuss sharing ideas.

Finance and Property

There were no reports, as no members were present. Next month we will need to work on the 2014 budget. It was moved and 2^nd to allow David to purchase a new laptop computer for the church. Our old computer needed updating and a new pastor will need a new computer.

The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Our next meeting will be December 10, 2013 at 7 pm.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

November 17^th, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in special meeting on November 17^th, 2013 at 11:30 at United Church of Avoca. Present were: Kathy Hansen, Jim McDermott, Linda Ploen and Pastor David. Chuck Ploen from the PNC committee was also in attendance as well as the Avoca session. After a delicious meal, the meeting was opened with prayer. David reported on where we are in the process of paper work in looking for a pastor. We will begin our discernment next Sunday. After this the PNC will be able to start meeting. We need to get our covenant agreement out to the congregations. We will move ahead on the yoke agreement. David closed this part of the meeting with prayer.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

Covenant Agreement

We, the First Presbyterian Church, Walnut, Iowa and the United Church of Avoca, Avoca, Iowa, do covenant to hire and support an energetic, conscientious pastor to provide pastoral care and leadership, spiritual development, and help us to build our Christian education program.

Our churches are working together in mission in our communities by supporting the local Food Pantry, the Good Guys financial assistance program, vacation Bible school, joint Lenten worship services, confirmation classes, senior citizen meals, and food stands during community events.

We desire to share a pastor for the long term to walk with us on this journey.

First Presbyterian Church, Walnut, Iowa

United Church of Avoca, Avoca, Iowa

December 2013

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Church 9:00 Sunday School 10:15 Communion Service @ Peace Haven 11		COM mtg @ New Horizon 4:30 PM Alice Richter	Salem Lutheran Homes 9 AM Service Pres Women meet Emma Jean’s 12:30			United Church of Avoca Christmas Bazaar and Luncheon 10-1
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Church 9:00 Mtg after Church “Discerning the Future..” Sunday School 10:15		Devotions @ Allen House 11 AM Session 7 PM	Cantata @ Peace UCC  7 PM	Xavier Gregory
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Church 9:00 Sunday School 10:15	Xavier Gregory		Cantata @ Trinity Lutheran 7 PM	Peace Haven Service 7 PM JoJane Walter Michelle Mertz		7:00 Pack Good Guy Food Boxes at United Church in Avoca 9-10 pick them up at our church
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Sunday School Christmas Program 9:00 AM	Trista Sievers Sam/Brinda Shirley	Christmas Eve Service 10 PM	Christmas	Donna Heiny		No Sat Evening Service Jeff Hansen
29	30	31
Church 9 AM		Avoca Nursing & Rehab Service 2PM New Year’s Eve

December Ushers –Ross & Jean Bornholdt, Craig & Linda Woltmann--Communion Servers—Michelle Mertz, chm, Jean Bornholdt, Allan Sievers, Mary Ellen Woltmann 

Gleaner November 2013

Pastor’s Notes

          First, before I forget, note that daylight savings ends November 3^rd. So, don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour. Otherwise you’ll come to worship and no one will be here yet. That doesn’t mean you can’t come on in and sit with God in silence and meditate. You’ll just have to wait for people to arrive.

            Our worship theme from October 13-November 24 has been and is about homes, the places where we live. First it was “Home Is Where the Heart Is” and then “New House Rules” and the Sunday I was at Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #14 was “House of Hope.”

            We are continuing this theme using a doll house loaned to us by Chuck & Linda Ploen. We can look or peek inside this house/home and rearrange the furniture and peek through the windows just to try out different settings and then see how it looks.

            Our church is a house, a sanctuary. We bring our hearts here to be mended, broken open, comforted, and sometimes just to rest. There are rules; mostly unwritten except in our minds. There are windows; I haven’t noticed any peekers yet maybe there have been and I just didn’t see them. Our church is a place of hope, faith, and trust.

            When we think of our churches as houses we notice that, like houses, some are simple and plain in design while others are grand looking structures with Greek styled pillars and huge, ornately carved doors, and beautiful stained glass windows that tell the stories from the Old & New Testament.

            Churches also move and relocate when the neighborhood around them changes. The demographics change, people move out and other ethnic groups move in; everything changes, people, neighborhoods, and churches.

            The final Sunday, November 24^th, we’ll note that houses are for living in. They’re meant mainly for people but we may find dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, fish and other pets also living with the people of the house. We’ll be considering who lives there, which are the busiest rooms, how many people are squeezed into these homes.

            After that we move into the season of Advent on December 1^st. Are you ready for that? I’m not sure I am but it’s coming nevertheless.

            My prayers for Walnut First Presbyterian Church are that we consider prayerfully what God’s mission is for us, this Body of Christ in Walnut. How are we, how can we serve our community, our presbytery, and our world? What is God calling us to do? What is being laid on our hearts?

            This is the season when we begin to receive those letters in the mail asking for our donations. I’m always reminded that the needs of these folks extend through the rest of the calendar year.  They need our assistance, our help, every day, every month of the year.

            So, listen as God speaks to your heart and then share with us what that mission opportunity might look like.

God’s peace and grace be yours,

Pastor David

In Memoriam

Mildred Joy Sievers

1914-2013

         

Fall supper work schedule is included in this Gleaner.  Please check to see your duties.  The Bazaar/supper is Nov. 16^th.

              

            If you have been asked to roast a turkey please thaw them before roasting and then cook them in a cooking bag.  Deliver them to the church on the day of supper (November 20) by 3:30 to 4.  Thanks for all your help. 

                                                                                        

A “Joint” Thanksgiving Service will be held Nov. 27^th at 6:30 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca.  Pastor David will be preaching.

Stewardship Sunday

Stewardship Sunday is November 4^th.  Please bring your pledges to Church on or before that day.

I used to sing to forget my worries until I realized my voice was worse than my problems.

Thank-You

Special thanks go out in this November (Thanksgiving) Gleaner to all our Church volunteers:

Sunday School teachers Robin Heilig, Cathy Shutters, Bonnie Holtz, Kathy Hansen & Michelle Mertz

                   Piano Player - Connie Jensen

                   Clerk of Session - Linda Ploen

                   UPW President - Charlotte Shepherd

                   Church Treasurers - Robin Heilig and Connie Jensen

                   Session Members

                   Flower Contributors

                   All workers at the Church Bazaar and Supper

                   All workers at the Antique Walk Food Stand

Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

                             Thank-you!  Thank-you!  Thank-you!

Thank-you to Jim McDermott for planning and providing the congregation with a “fish fry”.  Jim and his “helpers” held the meal after our “informal” contemporary worship service.

Drive carefully…It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

Once again our Presbyterian Women are hosting the “Fall Bazaar/Supper on Nov 20^th.  Thank-you to them for all the work they put in to organizing it.  Can you imagine hosting over three hundred guests for a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings?  The real joy of the meal is seeing so many of our church members working together.

“Silence is Golden… Unless you have children, then silence is just Suspicious.”

Peace United Church of Christ Annual Fall Dinner

The Peace Church Fall Dinner will be held Sunday, November 10^th from 11:30-1:30.

They will be serving a full roast beef meal. 

Veteran’s Day Program

Walnut Community School Gymnasium

November 11, 2013

10:30 AM

Veterans are invited for coffee and goodies at 9:30 AM in the lobby outside the gym.

                 

December Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Ross & Jean Bornholdt, Craig & Linda Woltmann 

Communion Servers: Michelle Mertz (chm), Jean Bornholdt, Allan Sievers, Mary Ellen Woltmann.  November ushers and communion servers are at bottom of calendar.

“Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies.” Gene Hill

          Flowers for Pulpit

                                                             November 3 - Linda Woltmann

                                                 November 10- Gloria Walter

                                                 November 17- Charlotte Shepherd

                                                    November 24- Charlotte Shelpherd

Christmas Poinsettias

Order your Christmas poinsettias from the Walnut Community School parents by November 5^th. They are $10 and you may call Charlotte to place your order.

Session Minutes

                                    October 8, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on October 8, 2013 at 7 pm in the Sunday School south annex.  Session members present were: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Michelle Mertz, Kathy Hansen, Allan Sievers and Cathy Shutters.  Absent were: Jack Ploen, Greg Mertz, Jim Tooley and Michael Mertz.  Also present at the meeting were six members of united church of Avoca Representing their session and PNC committee.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer.  Our reflection was Engage the Gospel from Salvation Through the Church.  Scripture was from Mark 1:17-18.  We also watched a video on being disciples.  David also asked us to think about what it means to be a “sending” community.

The minutes of the September meeting were read and approved.  The Treasurer’s report was approved as given.  David’s pastor report was approved as presented.  He traveled 94 miles.  He also performed the wedding of Sarah Sievers.

New Business

During new business we began a discussion with our guests from Avoca about sharing a pastor after David’s retirement on January 1, 2015.  It was a very positive and productive discussion.  The two sessions need to meet soon to fill out forms, create a covenant statement, and a yoke agreement.  The sessions will do this so the PNC committee won’t have to.  We were reminded the church nominating committee for 2013 is Linda Krueger, Chuck Ploen and Robin Heilig. 

Stewardship and Mission

Our stewardship campaign begins this month.  Kathy also reported that she had delivered a Welcome Basket to the Luke Larsen residence.  She will also have door prizes for the church dinner.

Christian Education

Cathy asked permission to have a Harvest Party for the Sunday Schools kids on October 19^th from 2-6 pm.  Permission granted.  The children will also be making a casserole for Deb Peterson.  At 6:00 pm is our contemporary church service and the Sunday School kids will be singing and receiving their Bibles.

Worship

There will be no church service on Sunday, October 20^th because of the Saturday night service and fish fry.  Communion was served to 4 residents at Peace Haven on October 6^th.  Jim Tooley was the serving elder.  David asked permission to serve communion at the Saturday night services.  Permission granted.  Pastor David will be at Pilgrimage on October 27^th so it was suggested that we attend the contemporary church service at New Horizon Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs.  It will be a good opportunity to attend a contemporary service.  There will be no service at our church that day.  It was also moved and 2^nd to go to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch after church and to pay for all children that have attended church service.  Motion carried.

Finance and Property

Jim M. reported that he is getting new bids for our new heating and air.  He also asked for permission to sign a paper from the lawyer of the estate of Gloria Myers stating that we will ask for nothing further from that estate.  Permission granted.

Personnel

We still need to work on our By-laws.

The meeting was closed with prayer and the Lord’s Prayer.

Our next meeting will be November 12^th, 2013 at 7 pm.s

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

October 14, 2013

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met for a special meeting on October 14, 2013 in the south annex.  Present were: Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott, Jack Ploen and Cathy Shutters.  Absent were: Kathy Hansen, Jim Tooley, Allen Sievers, Greg, Michelle and mike Mertz.  Also present were seven members from United Church of Avoca.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting at 7 pm with prayer.  We began the meeting with introductions.

The purpose of the meeting was to work on a draft for a yoke agreement and a covenant statement between the two churches to share a pastor.  We answered questions and discussed similarities of  the churches.  Avoca has their forms completed; however, we need to get our mission statement completed as soon as possible.  Another meeting was set for Sunday, November 17^th at 11:30 at United Church of Avoca. 

The meeting was adjourned and closed with prayer.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

What we’d like to hear in Church

Hey, it’s my turn to sit in the front pew!

I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon ran longer than usual.

I’ll volunteer to be the permanent junior high Sunday School teacher.

I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard before.

Pastor, we’d like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.

Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign.

(submitted by Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church of Omaha)

	~ November 2013 ~
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
					1 Preston Tooley Kent Johnk	2
3  Time Change-back 1 hour Worship 9 AM Worship & communion at Peace Haven 11 AM Robin/Dave Heilig Dennis Jensen	4	5 Sarah Ehlers	6 Morning worship & communion at Salem Lutheran Homes 9 AM PW 1:30 PM Choir practice 7:15 PM	7	8	9 MRV Presbytery meeting at Westminster P.C., Omaha 11AM to 3 PM
10 Worship 9 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Peace UCC Fall Dinner 11 AM to 1 PM	11 Karla Helms	12 Morning worship at Allen House 11 AM	13 Jeff Neilsen	14 Betty Griffith	15	16 Mason Griffith
17 Worship 9 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM	18	19	20 Mini Bazaar 3 PM Church Supper 4:30-7 PM Jessica Helms	21 Evening worship at Peace Haven 7 PM	22	23
24 Worship 9 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM	25  Cole Sievers Michelle Tooley Tuesday McDonald Connie/Dennis Jensen	26 Afternoon worship at Avoca Nursing & Rehab 2 PM COM meeting at New Horizon P.C. 4:30-6:30 PM	27 Ecumenical Thanksgiving service – Trinity Lutheran, Avoca 6:30 PM	28 THANKSGIVING	29 Doug Matthies	30 Lily Anderson

November Communion Servers: Cathy Shutters, chm., Jim & Bobbie McDermott, Darlene Stuart

November Ushers: Teri Abel, Darlene Stuart, Margo Matthies, Cathy Shutters