A Note from Pastor Pat
Martin Luther called the Psalms “a little Bible.” For Dietrich Bonhoeffer the Psalms were his prayer book during his imprisonment during World War II. Within the Book of Psalms we find every emotion in the prayers lifted to God. The poetry celebrates creation with joy and protests abandonment with fervor. The greatest number of Psalms are those of lament. A closer look often reveals that Psalms are not singular in orientation. They can move from a place of orientation to disorientation to reorientation, just as the ups and downs of our lives.
In worship this week, the Psalm 71 is designated by the Revised Common Lectionary as our text. It has been variously labeled as “Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Health,” “Teaching about Managing Doubt,” and “I Will Hope Continually,” depending on the version of the translation. Open your Bible(s) and see what you find in your version. Is there a title? If not, what you put after reading it.? How does Psalm 71 speak to you at this period in your life? Where do you relate to the Psalmist’s expressions of lament, despair, praise, hope, plea, and longing for God’s embrace? How do you describe God’s presence in your life today?
Joan Chittister writes, “Hope and despair are not opposites. They are cut from the very same circumstances. Most of all, every life finds itself forced to choose one from the other, one day at a time, one circumstance after another. The only difference between the two is that despair shapes an attitude of mind; hope creates a quality of soul....Despair says there is no place to go but here. Hope says that God is waiting for us someplace else. Begin again."
“Begin again.” Every day we begin again, and God is with us. Thanks be to God!
I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday.
Peace, Pastor Pat
|
|
LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP Now Available!
We are now live streaming our Worship Services EVERY Sunday! The stream will start at 10:00 am on Sundays, and you can view it live on our YouTube channel wherever you have internet access!
If you are unable to watch the service live, the video will be recorded and you can watch at any time by clicking on the video on the YouTube page. The link is (Click Here) bit.ly/1stpresby.
If you do not immediately see the live stream, please keep refreshing the page, and it will show up.
You can also find the link to the YouTube page on the church website.
Click HERE for this week's bulletin.
We look forward to worshiping with you every week!
PLEASE NOTE: We will continue to meet IN PERSON at the church every week on Sunday at 10:00 am.
|
|
Saying Goodbye to Athena-Sade Whiteside
Athena-Sade has served our congregation for many years as a Section leader. We have been blessed by her talent and wonderful heart for our church. She has been given opportunities in Oregon and will be moving. So, this Sunday, Jan. 30, will be her last Sunday with us. Please join us for a special coffee hour after the worship service to share your gratitude as we send her off with our love.
|
|
Upcoming Adult Forum Series
The Mission and Outreach Committee is planning another series of adult forums designed to explore our neighbors in Waterloo and the services they provide for us. The first forum will be Sunday, February 6th, at 8:45 am in Calvin Hall. Our speaker, Sheritta Stokes, will talk to us about the 1619 Freedom School, recently established to enhance literacy in Waterloo. The 1619 Freedom School is a project created by Nicole Hannah Jones, a Pulitzer Prize winning author originally from Waterloo.
Future speakers will include individuals from People's Health Clinic, Operation Threshold, and Love, Inc. Please plan to attend these informative sessions.
|
|
Annual Meeting of the Congregation
February 12, after worship
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our the annual meeting of the congregation. Annual reports are available in the church office for any church member. Deacons, Elders, and Foundation members can find the reports in their church mailboxes. We will not be live streaming the meeting, so please make plans accordingly.
|
|
Pastor Connection Distribution Time
Going forward, the Pastor Connection will be emailed out in the afternoon, rather than the morning. Thank you for your understanding!
|
|
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Please join us this Tuesday, February 1st, 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!
|
|
Our Section Leaders to be in the UNI Opera
|
|
Piecemakers Quilters Meeting Rescheduled
The Piecemakers have been rescheduled to meet on Saturday, February 12th, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. This month's project offers three options: a set of four 14.5" placemats, a 19.5" table topper, and a 24.5" table topper. This pattern lets us practice our use of partial seams. For fabric requirements or questions, contact Jackie Bass. Chicken Tortilla Soup or Cheeseburger Chowder will be provided for lunch. Bring a salad, dinner rolls/garlic bread, or a dessert to share if you wish. Remember to bring your "Show and Tell" following lunch!
|
|
Upcoming Church Meetings
Mission & Outreach: Tue. Feb. 1, 4:00 pm
Stewardship & Finance: Mon. Feb. 7, Noon Church Office
Christian Nurture & Fellowship: Mon. Feb. 7, 2:30 pm
Deacons Meeting: Tues. Feb. 8, 3:30 pm (Please note the time change.)
*All Meetings Held in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted
|
|
Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed
We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings January 30th, and February 13th, 20th, and 27th (and the entire year of 2022 if you would like to lock in a later date). 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!
|
|
Church Prayer List
New to the Prayer List:
Janice and Paul Graham, Jennifer Lightbody's parents, who are dealing with health issues- especially Paul who recently fell and severed a vertebrae; Betty Wexter, Susan Wexter, and Cindy Trepp, who have been battling a severe case of the flu; Sarah Wexter, Betty's daughter-in-law, who was recently diagnosed with a severe health condition
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Gloria Frerichs, recovering from a stroke at Northcrest; George Day, dealing with health issues, Marilyn Lottich, recovering from health issues at home; Joann Lockard, health issues; Lorraine Baker, heart concerns; Marsha Platt, recovering from surgery, Cindy Trepp, health concerns; Barbara Benskin's brother, Bill Brenton, who is in hospice care; 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; Steve Miller, ongoing health issue
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.
|
|
Church Family Birthdays
We celebrate our members with birthdays in January and February. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
January
27 Jennifer Bass, Libby Whyte
31 Stacy Robinson; Mike Shea
February
01 Jan Schwab
04 Gerald Buls
06 Blandine Mananga
07 Donald Broadston
08 Andrew Jamieson
09 Colleen Jessen; Florence Ramsell
11 Harold Haasis
12 Bruce Bowers; Carol Carroll; Jean Curran
13 Sheryl Berry-Rudic; David McQuilkin; Susan Wexter
16 Samuel Christensen
17 David Dutton
20 Emma Schellhorn
21 Marvin Carroll
22 Krystal Matthias
24 Linda Wiles
25 Jan Bellinger
26 Jacob Quirk; Aubrey Robinson
27 Lucas Trepp; Mary K. Williams
28 Dean Bellinger; Nick Ellsworth
29 Michelle Schellhorn
|
|
Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
