First Pres Happenings

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

December Gleaner 2014

Pastor’s Notes

My friends, as this Christian year ends and a new year is set to begin with the first Sunday of Advent I’m reminded, again, that God calls us to be his Church in the world. We are called by God to minister to the people in our congregations, in our communities…and in the world.

So, as we prepare to watch and wait and pray for the coming of God’s gift to the world I pray that we take time every day to sit and listen for God’s voice that speaks, just to us, calling each of us to a particular work in a particular place at a time God has chosen. May we take the time to not only read God’s word and pray but also to listen for God’s voice.

For First Presbyterian Church here in Walnut it will be a time of change as a new pastor begins his call to serve God’s people here and in Avoca. It will be a learning experience for both congregations as they begin to work together, pray together, worship together, and serve God’s people together.

I pray that just as our children bubble over with excitement and joy in anticipation of Christmas that we also overflow with the same degree of excitement and joy as the new Christian year begins.

Friends, as you talk with God keep Joel and his family in your prayers and also the leaders of each congregation. Remember Jesus instructions to his disciples, love your God with your whole being, love your neighbors as much as you love yourself, and make disciples everywhere you go. Do this knowing that you aren’t alone. God is with you all the way.

God loves you, my friends, and so do I.

Pastor David

Sunday School Christmas Program

The annual Sunday School Christmas program will be December 21^st during worship at 9:00 AM. Come and enjoy watching our youth (and adults) perform and sing.

Food Pantry

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

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women’s group will meet on Dec. 3^rd at 12:30 at Emma Jean’s.

All women of the church are invited to attend.

You know you’re grown up when none of the things you want can be bought in a store.

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. 20^th 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. 20^th if you can help.

‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.’

Jimi Hendrix

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.

‘Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.’

George Carlin

Golden Oldies

The first Golden Oldies meal will be at our church at 11:30.

Jan 20 – First Presbyterian - Walnut

‘There’s something about Christmas that’s magical. Money seems to disappear into thin air.’

Melanie White

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 27th. 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 12th.

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

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children they’re all 30 feet tall.

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.

‘The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home.’

January Ushers and Communion Servers

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

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”

Henri J.M. Nouwen

New Minister Starting In Avoca

Our new minister (starting in Feb.) has moved to Avoca and began preaching there Nov. 24^th. Pastor Joel Jackle-Hugh, wife EmJ, and son Kyle have moved from Dubuque where Joel attended seminary. Pastor Jackle-Hugh will be in a ministry partnership with our church and the United Church of Avoca.

Session Minutes

November 11, 2014

Moderator Pastor David Krueger opened the joint session meeting with United Church of Avoca and Walnut First Presbyterian Church with prayer.

Chuck Ploen from the Avoca and Walnut Joint Transition Team presented their recommendations for worship times and secretary. The worship times suggested were 8:45 AM for Walnut and 10:30 AM for Avoca. It was also proposed to share a part-time secretary (10 hours per week) between the two churches.

Also presented to the sessions were the dates for Joel to begin worship services at United Church of Avoca and the date for the moving van to arrive. The total moving cost is $4,005.16 to be divided equally between the two churches. A check needs to be available for the movers at the time of arrival.

Joel and EmJ will be staying at the Super 8 Motel in Walnut until the manse is ready and their household items are moved in. The cost for lodging will be divided equally by both churches.

Preparation of the manse and where to store the household items if the manse wasn’t ready was discussed. It was decided to unload the items in the United Church of Avoca fellowship hall if the manse wasn’t ready.

The worship times agreed to by both sessions was 8:30 AM for Walnut and 10:15 AM for Avoca.

The joint meeting was adjourned.

First Presbyterian Church Session Meeting

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian Church met in regular session on November 11th in the south Sunday School Annex.

Those in attendance were Cathy Shutters, Greg Mertz, Kathy Hansen, and Gloria Walter.

The minutes of the October meeting, the treasurer’s report, and the pastor’s report were approved.

There was one death. Russ Lehnhardt died November 1, 2014 at the Allen House, Atlantic, IA. Graveside services were held November 5, 2014 at Layton Township Cemetery where his cremated remains were buried.

New Business

Youth group fund signatories are to be changed to Cathy Shutters and Robin Tooley. This action was approved.

The estate of Joy Sievers has been settled. The final report was presented to the session.

The Christmas Eve service will be held at 10 PM. The Youth Group will decorate the Christmas tree.

It was moved decrease the number of elders on session from 9 to 7 members. This action was approved.

Employee evaluations were discussed as well as financial compensation. It was approved to increase the hourly rate for the janitor.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy Shutters, Clerk pro-tem

December 2014
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Confirmation classes will begin Dec. 7 at 5:30 PM	1 Joel/EmJ Jackle-Hugh Anniversary	2 COM at New Horizon P.C., 4:30	3 Salem Lutheran Homes, 9 AM 12:30 UPW @ Emma Jean’s Alice Richter	4	5	6
7 Church 9:00 Communion Sunday School 10:15 Peace Haven 11:00	8	9 Allen Place, 9 AM Session, 7 PM	10	11	12 Xavier Gregory	13 Joel Jackle-Hugh ordination at UCA, 1 PM
14 Church 9:00 Sunday School 10:15	15 Noah Heilig	16	17	18 Peace Haven, 7 PM	19 Michelle Mertz JoJane Walter	20 Kyle Jackle-Hugh
21 Sunday School Christmas Program 9:00	22	23 Trista Sievers Sam/Brinda Shirley	24 Christmas Eve Service 10:00	25 Christmas Day	26 Donna Heiny	27
28 Church 9:00 Jeff Hansen	29	30 Avoca Nursing, 2 PM	31

December Ushers – Jean Bornholdt, Craig & Linda Woltmann

Communion Servers—Michelle Mertz, chm, Jean Bornholdt, Allan Sievers, Gloria Walter

Monday, October 27, 2014

November Gleaner 2014

Pastor’s Notes

First a reminder to set your clocks back one hour on November 1^st, All Saints Day, so you won’t be sitting by yourself Sunday morning waiting for everyone else to arrive.

The church calendar is fast approaching the end of Ordinary Time; the church year ends with Christ the King Sunday, November 23^rd. The following Sunday is the beginning of Advent.

Advent is that time when we begin, again, to prepare for the arrival of the Messiah into our broken and sinful world.

It’s also a good time for the Church to consider how to prepare for the arrival of new things like new worshippers, new ideas, new folks in the community, new businesses, a new school system, new technology and whatever else that comes to us that we’ve not expected.

I’ve a friend who just can’t wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We have seen many posts on Facebook telling us how many days until Christmas. Summer wasn’t over and already the days were being counted down. This friend was excited and could hardly stand waiting for Christmas.

So, what about you? Are you excited? Are you looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ again this year? Yes….no?

How about if we think about Advent and Christmas as not only a time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus but as the ‘advent’ of Christ’s coming again. How about, this year, along with celebrating the baby Jesus’ birth we also look forward with joyful anticipation the return of our Lord.

Friends, at this time of year quite a few folks are planning for family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Shopping lists are being made for food and decorations and who to be sure to invite to the feast that’s planned.

So, my friends, how do we prepare for Christ’s second coming? Maybe that’s one reason the church calendar is divided into festivals and seasons that are different than those on our Gregorian calendar.

As people of the reformation we believe that God is continually at work reforming and redeeming his creation. Being in a relationship with God we therefore celebrate and remember significant times in the life of Jesus and the people of God.

So, what are the times in Jesus’ life that we celebrate? I’ve given you one, Advent, now it’s your turn to go to the church calendar or Google and find the other significant occasions the Church celebrates. There are 7, but it’s possible that you may find as many as 5 more.

Friends, this journey we’re all on has many seasons. When we’re young we don’t think about that very much but as our hair turns gray, or white, we begin to think about how quickly the seasons pass by.

Jesus told his disciples that he was going away but that one day he would return. This Advent season think about Christ coming back and, with me, prepare yourselves to see Him again.

God’s grace and peace be with you all,

Pastor David

Fall supper work schedule is included in this Gleaner. Please check to see your duties. The Bazaar/Supper is November 19^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 the supper by 3:30-4:00.

Thank you for your help.

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry has a need for these items in November

Macaroni & Cheese

Jelly

Hamburger helper

Canned fruit and veggies

Toothpaste and toothbrushes

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.

Minden United Church of Christ Dinner and Sale

Nov. 16^th

At the Minden Community Hall

Turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, corn, rolls, and dessert

Dinner 11:00-1:00

Auction 12:30

Freewill Offering

“We’re all just walking each other home.” Ram Dass

December Ushers and Communion Servers

Ushers: Jean Bornholdt, Craig & Linda Woltmann

Communion Servers: Michelle Mertz-chm, Jean Bornholdt, Allan Sievers, Gloria Walter

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

Christmas Poinsettias

If you contribute a poinsettia for the church alter please let me know so I can acknowledge it.

“If you think you’re enlightened go spend a week with your family.” Ram Dass

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women will meet Wednesday, Nov. 5^th at 1:00 at the church. Principal Sarah Kock will join us after our meeting to give a talk on “Our School – Today and Tomorrow.”

Flowers for Pulpit

November 2 -------Margo Matthies

November 9--------Cathy Shutters

November 16 ------Darlene Stuart

November 23-------Darlene Stuart

November 30-------Linda Woltmann

Save the earth…..It’s the only planet with chocolate!!

Thank You

Thank you to Jim and Bobbie McDermott and their family for hosting a fish fry for our church family on Oct. 18^th. Once again, everything was delicious and good fellowship was enjoyed by all. Thank-you to Kathy Hansen also for the fun decorations and door prizes.

“Service is the rent we pay for living in this world of ours.” Nathan Eldon Tanner

November 2^nd Daylight Savings Time Ends

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

OCTOBER 12, 2014

Immediately following the October 12, 2014 church service, Pastor and moderator David Krueger called a special congregational meeting to order. The purpose of the meeting was to vote on accepting candidate Joel Jackle-Hugh as our new pastor.

With a good attendance, we had a quorum present. Jim McDermott moved that we cast a unanimous ballot to accept Joel in lieu of using a paper ballot. Larry Shepherd 2^nd the motion. Motion carried. After a unanimous show of hands, it was voted to accept Joel as our new pastor. Joel then accepted our call.

Meeting adjourned.

Linda Ploen

Clerk of Session

Session Minutes

October 14, 2014

The session of Walnut First Presbyterian church met in regular session on October 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm in the Sunday School south annex. Session members present were: Allan Sievers, Cathy Shutters, Dustin Jensen and clerk of session-Linda Ploen. Absent were: Michelle & Greg Mertz, Kathy Hansen, Jim Tooley, and Gloria Walter.

Moderator David Krueger opened the meeting with prayer and a reflection entitled “Time” from Psalm 31:1-15. We also watched a brief clip from a video on hope and healing. David asked for permission to purchase the video. It was approved to allow him to do so.

The minutes of the September meeting were read and approved.

There was no Treasurer’s report available this month.

Pastor David’s report was given and approved. He traveled 448 miles this month. He had a funeral and many visitations.

Linda read a letter on the minimum compensation for 2015 and also reported on our General Mission Pledge. We will discuss this next month.

There was one death, that of Eldon Ranney. He died on September 6, 2014 in Cambridge, Minnesota. Funeral service was here with interment in Evergreen cemetery in red Oak, Iowa.

We need to set a date to receive Jolene Jensen as a member.

New Business

The nominating committee for 2014 is Linda Ploen, Jim McDermott and Margo Matthies. They will need to find new elders and make sure all other offices will continue their jobs. We also need to look for a new secretary and someone to run the computer at church.

MRV Presbytery meeting is October 25^th at Korean P.C.

Cathy reported for the PNC. It was moved and 2^nd to split moving costs for our new pastor evenly between the two churches. The pastor’s salary will be $400 less than reported. The pay package for Joel was approved by the session.

Stewardship and Mission

Kathy and Greg will be working on our stewardship campaign. We also need to find out which church is in charge of UNICEF this year. We will be collecting hats, gloves and mittens and coats for Castelor P.C. For mission ideas you can look at http://www.pmrv.org/index.php/newsletters/monday-morning.

Christian Education

Sunday School is slowly growing. Youth group is going well. It meets every Sunday evening. Average attendance is about eight. There was a good attendance for the concert they attended. They will be helping with the fish fry on Oct. 18. It was moved and 2^nd to allow them to go to a Haunted House. Motion carried.

Worship

David stated that it had been a pleasure to work with our new pastor Joel Jackle-Hugh.

Finance and Property

Our new heating and AC installation is complete. We also need another dehumidifier. Chuck Ploen will purchase this.

Personnel

Work on By-laws!!

The meeting was adjourned and closed with prayer.

Next meeting will be November 11, 2014 at 7:00 pm.