Pastor Connection
July 22nd, 2021
A Note From Pastor Amy

This Sunday’s Scripture passage is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 

I imagine you’ve heard this passage countless times before. It’s so familiar that some might think it to be trite. I’ll never forget the time I suggested this passage to a bride for a wedding who quickly turned it down. “It’s just so overdone,” she explained.

And yet for all it’s familiarity, the passage is incredibly difficult to live out. Love is anything but overdone in our world, especially today with our extreme polarization. It is hard to love someone when we might not like them, disagree with them, or reject what they stand for. 

That’s why I suppose I am grateful for the long list of verbs and adverbs Paul uses to describe love. Christian love is not a feeling for Paul. It’s an action. That means that we can always try to act and approach people with love, even if we don’t always like them. We may try and fail. But, we can always wake up the next morning and pray for the strength and courage to act out love again.

Pastor Pat shared a poem by Mary Oliver this week at our staff meeting. It struck me as a beautiful description of trying to act out love, even when it is difficult. As you read it, perhaps replace the word “everything” with “everyone.” I leave you with Oliver’s words.

Everyone should be born into this world happy and loving everything.
But in truth it rarely works that way.
For myself, I have spent my life clamoring toward it.
Hallelujah, anyway I’m not where I started!

And have you too been trudging like that, sometimes
almost forgetting how wondrous the world is 
and how miraculously kind some people can be?
And have you too decided that probably nothing important
is ever easy?
Not, say, for the first sixty years.

Hallelujah, I’m sixty now, 
and even a little more, and some days I feel I have wings.

With love and peace,
Pastor Amy
Church Brunch and
Discussion About the Church's Future

Session is having conversations about the church's future and are asking for your input and direction. We are having a congregational gathering on Sunday, August 15, right after worship in the Fellowship Hall. Session will provide brunch. This will be an important time and we hope that all church members can attend and participate. If you would be willing to help serve the catered brunch, please contact Amber in the office, 319-233-6145 or amber@1stpresby.org. Thank you!
Moving to Live Streaming Worship

Our church plans to live stream our worship services beginning mid-September. Equipment will be installed in the coming months as we prepare for this change. With that in mind, our last pre-recorded worship service will air on August 1. We will take a break for several weeks from online worship. During that time, we hope you consider attending our in-person worship service. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will be sure to send out instructions about live streaming in September.
Communion Will Be Served!

Starting on August 8, we will resume our worship schedule of celebrating communion on the second Sunday of the month. This will change only in October when we celebrate World Communion on the first Sunday of that month. People will be invited to come forward to receive the elements. Individually packaged elements will be available for those who feel more comfortable staying in their seats. We look forward to gathering around the Lord's Table once more.
North End Arts & Music Festival

The North End Cultural Center is hosting the North End Arts & Music Fest. Please join us for our Great Local Festival, two days celebrating Waterloo's North End. We feature live music from local acts, dance, poetry, guest speakers, great food, arts and crafts, games & face painting for the kids and much, much more!! Admission is free to the public.

Gospel Celebration
July 23rd, 2021 7:00 pm
Waterloo East High School

Arts & Music Festival
July 24th, 2021
Parade starts at 10:00am
Festival starts at 12 noon
Located at Ferguson Field Park, corner of Oneida and Linden Streets

For more information check out: www.northendfest.org
Piecemakers Quilters Meeting

Piecemakers will meet on Thursday, July 29th, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. It was decided to meet on a weekday in the summer to allow those with summer activities to have their weekends free. The project will be a quilt, Cribsize-King (pattern also includes info on a table runner). The pattern is a Turning Twenty pattern called "Hope Chest Treasures". Jackie Bass will teach this class. Fabric requirements are fat quarters or a chance to raid your scrap basket. If you plan to attend this class, please email Jackie and she will see that you receive a pattern.
Irish Fest Parking Fundraiser

Irish Fest will be coming to Lincoln Park, right across from the church, the first weekend in August; August 6-8. We again plan to take advantage of our location and use our parking lot as a fundraiser. The Bell Choir, and Buildings and Grounds Committee will be the recipients of the proceeds. We need additional volunteers to help park cars and collect the fees. Each volunteer time slot will last about 2-1/2 hours. We will start Friday afternoon, then Saturday afternoon and evening, and end Sunday afternoon and evening. Someone will be in the hall on Sunday mornings to sign up volunteers. To volunteer you can also call Mary Mumm or Jackie Bass to pick your volunteer spot. The money will be spent to help with expenses for the handbell festival in summer 2022, and parking lot repair either this fall or during 2022. The Bell Choir and Building and Grounds Committee appreciates your help.
RAGBRAI Coming through Waterloo

If anyone would like to watch the bikers and help hand out water as they pass through Waterloo on Wednesday, July 28th, feel free to come out and gather at Terry and Craig Sage's farm. Be sure to come to the farm on Logan until Dunkerton Road and then down Burton. Taking this route will help you avoid the bike path.
Church Members Needed for Neighborhood Night Out

Tuesday, August 3rd is the national celebration of Neighborhood Night Out. We will gather at Harvest Vineyard/Impact Church on East 4th St from 5:30-7:30 for a potluck, good conversation, games for children, and a talent show. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and greet our fellow neighbors. Just bring a side dish to share, everything else will be provided.

Dust off those tap shoes, dig out the music to your favorite song, or practice some good jokes because we are having a neighborhood talent show that evening. Please contact the church office if you wish to share your talent.

We also need some help before, during, and after the event. A sign-up sheet for volunteers is in the church office.

This promises to be an evening of fun. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Mark Your Calendars: Bring Your Own Picnic

First Church will be holding another Bring Your Own Picnic directly following the worship service on August 8th. Please mark your calendars to join the church family for food and fellowship!
magic_ribbons_book.jpg
Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Please join us this Tuesday, July 27th, at 9am in Calvin Hall. All are welcome! Coffee will be provided. We will be looking at the upcoming sermon text. We hope you can join us!
Pastors On Leave

Our pastors will be on leave the following dates:

Pastor Amy will be on leave July 22nd through July 24th.
Pastor Amy will be on study leave July 26th through July 29th.
Pastor Amy will be leading a Pastor retreat and out of the office August 2nd through August 4th.
Office Closing Early

The church office will be closing early at 3:00pm on Tuesdays in July and August. All other office hours remain the same. Thank you for your understanding.
Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed

We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings on September 5th, 19th, 26th, and October 3rd . If you would like to donate, please contact Amber in the office to find a date that works for you. You can call the office or email Amber directly. 319-233-6145 or amber@1stpresby.org. Alternatively, you can let Nancy Valentine know on Sundays after service and she will relay your information to Amber. Thank you!
Card Shower for Liz Poole

Liz Poole is turning 90 on August 2nd, and the family has planned a card shower. Please send Liz a card to help her celebrate! If you need her address, feel free to contact Amber in the office at 319-233-6145, or amber@1stpresby.org.
Celebration of Life for Kitty Ott

First Presbyterian Church is invited to a Celebration of Life for Ms. Kitty Ott, hosted by her family on Saturday, July 31st from 1pm-4pm, at the Center for the Performing Arts in Waterloo. People will gather in the Visual Arts Studio on the second floor (follow the sign to the "Kitty Ott Celebration of Life"). The room opens to a patio overlooking the river with outside access and walking paths for all those who might still want to limit their exposure in public places. It will be an informal gathering to share stories and honor Kitty's memory.

For anyone who would like to share a story of Kitty, the family would be honored to share it on the 31st. If you'd like to send a short video, please email Kitty's daughter, Emily Millar, no later than July 23rd, at emillar@msn.com. If you'd like to share a story via email, the family would appreciate receiving it no later than July 26th.
Card Shower for Betty Wexter

Betty Wexter is turning 90 on August 7th, and the family has planned a card shower. Please send Betty a card to help her celebrate! If you need her address, feel free to contact Amber in the office at 319-233-6145, or amber@1stpresby.org.
man_praying_holding_bible.jpg
Church Prayer List
Prayers of Joy:
Cameron Mae, new granddaughter of Jim and Marianne Christensen, was born on July 19th.

New to the Prayer List:
Jean Priebe is dealing with health issues at Allen Hospital; Ruth Meade broke her wrist and is dealing with eye issues.

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Shianne, Jan and Dean Bellinger's granddaughter, pregnant with baby Hudson, dealing with pregnancy complications; Jean Priebe, at home recovering from health issues; Pam Terrell, at MercyOne Waterloo dealing with health issues; Dee May, recovering from a broken rib; Evelyn and Carl Boice's son Scott, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer and will be having surgery on Aug. 2 in Watertown, SD; Joe Fernau, son of Marie Fernau, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma; Mable, great-granddaughter of Skip and Judy Mulock and their family, struggling with health issues; Donna Beaver recovering from foot surgery; Angie (Kim Swallow's friend) who works at the Anamosa State Penitentiary; Steve Miller recovering from surgery at home



Add to the Prayer List
Click HERE to submit a prayer request online. Our pastors will be praying for you and sharing concerns with the congregation as requested.
white_pink_birthday_cake.jpg
Church Family Birthdays

We celebrate our members with birthdays in July. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!

July
1 George Day
6 Elliott Whyte
9 Louis Christensen, Alicia Russell
10 David Swallow
15 Lynda Cose
16 Tony Pruis, Carmen Trepp
19 Dorothy Hummel
21 Michael Ames, Blake Robinson
22 Evelyn Boice, Mary Mumm
23 Sawyer Swenson
24 Michael Lightbody
25 Connie Leeper
27 Barbara Benskin
28 Layla Sommerlot
29 Sally Davis, Daniel Klann
30 Madison Fairbanks, Pat Stanhope

First Presbyterian Church | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 | www.1stpresby.org