A Note from Pastor Amy
I believe in the power of words. Just the right word can have an enormous impact on a person for good or harm. Words can build up or tear down. Words can soothe or bristle. Words can inspire or deflate.
This is one of the reasons I have found preaching to be such a privilege. Bringing a word to the congregation, especially a word from God, is an enormous responsibility and gift. First Presbyterian Church has given me this gift for quite some time. In cleaning out my office this week, I counted close to 400 sermons. That’s a lot of words, and I deeply appreciate the way you have not only listened to those sermons but have responded to them in such remarkable ways. Preaching is never a one way event. Preaching is the work of the congregation. The Word of God is alive and performs in worship moving back and forth between preacher and listener and then lives on after the service to influence our lives in powerful ways. Thank you for letting me be a part of God’s living Word at First Presbyterian.
I must admit, however, that even with all my sermons I have received more response over words that I actually didn’t write - the benediction I give every Sunday. I first heard it during seminary at the church I was attending. When I asked the pastor at the time if he wrote it, he quickly said no. The first lines are familiar as they come from Numbers 6:24-25. The rest comes from a hodgepodge of sources with William Sloane Coffin’s word predominating. I’ve altered a few words here and there over the years.
I decided early that I would share this benediction every Sunday as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church because I personally was so influenced by it. As I said, there is power in words, and words of blessing can change a person. They can build up, soothe when needed, and inspire when called. I thought early on that if people don’t hear anything else during the service - if the sermon stinks that week, if I spill the communion juice, if I walk away thinking that the whole worship service went badly and I was bad too - at least people will hear those words. At least they will hear the power of God’s word blessing them and offering them grace.
In many ways, I leave First Presbyterian this week feeling a similar way.
I have been so grateful for the ways people have expressed stories of how my ministry and words have influenced their lives and their families. As I said before, it has been a privilege and gift to walk through life with you these 10 years participating in the Word of God alive in our world. I also recognize that there have been times when I’ve fallen short. No one is perfect and neither am I. I appreciate the many ways that you have offered me grace over the years. Your words both spoken and expressed in action have blessed my life in so many ways.
But, if you remember nothing else, I pray that you remember the power of God’s blessing over your lives. God speaks over us every day and will continue to speak over the people of First Presbyterian now and always.
And so….
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord’s face shine upon you and give you grace -
Grace not to sell yourself short,
But grace to risk something big for something good.
Grace enough to see that world is now too fearful for anything but truth
And too small for anything but love.
So, may the Lord take your minds and think through them.
May the Lord take your lips and speak through them.
May the Lord take your hands and work through them.
And may the Lord take your hearts and set them on fire.
Amen.
With much love,
Pastor Amy
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Meeting of the Congregation THIS SUNDAY March 13
Session is calling a meeting of the congregation on March 13 to dissolve Terms of Call with Rev. Dr. Amy Lea Wiles. The meeting will be held in the context of worship at 10:00 am.
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Daylight Savings Time
Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday, March 13th!
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Lenten Devotional Booklets
Lenten devotional booklets are available in the church office. If you would like one mailed to you, please reach out to Amber in the church office, 319-233-6145 or amber@1stpresby.org.
Art: "Fullness of the Tomb" by Lauren Wright Pittman copyright 2022 A Sanctified Art
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Lenten Lunch and Learn
Our church will hold our annual Lenten Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 pm, every Wednesday through April 13. This year, we will be learning from Adam Hamilton’s 6-weeks series on the Lord’s Prayer. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch to eat as we engage in discussion. We hope to see you there!
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Presbyterian Women Meeting
The PW will be meeting Wednesday, March 16th, from 9:30 am to 11 am in Calvin Hall.
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Piecemakers Quilters
The Piecemaker Quilters will meet on Saturday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The project is the “Tropic Quilt” which comes in four sizes (lap – king). Diane Castle and Mary Jones will be our instructors. Lunch will be Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos. The chicken will be provided and you are asked to bring the taco toppings, a side dish or dessert to share. Contact Jackie Bass to let her know which topping you will bring. As always, remember your “Sew and Tell” for after lunch. If you need fabric requirements for the project, contact Jackie.
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Antique Quilts Wanted
We have been showing off new quilts in the hallway and keeping members updated on modern patterns or methods of making quilts. Starting in March and continuing for several months, we will be displaying in the hallway antique quilts belonging to members. Each quilt will be displayed for one month. Do you have a family heirloom quilt you would like displayed? Contact Mary Mumm. We are looking for quilts that have a story.
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Easter Flower Orders
Our Sanctuary will be adorned with Easter flowers on Sunday, April 17th, 2022. You may order flowers in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone, or as a gift to the church. The flowers will be ordered from Petersen & Tietz Greenhouses:
Easter Lily- $13.00
Hyacinth (3 bulbs)- $19.00
Tulips (5 bulbs)- $19.00
Florist Mums- $19.00
Please write “FLOWERS” in the memo line of your check.
The deadline to order your flowers is Wednesday, April 6th. No orders will be accepted after that date.
Click HERE to access an order form. You may also call or email Amber in the church office.
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Easter Egg Hunt
The church is holding an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am to noon. Flyers will be put up at the Boys and Girls club and other locations to invite local children. The Christian Nurture and Fellowship team is asking the congregation to please donate plastic eggs and bite sized candy for this community outreach project. Please contact Terry Sage with any questions.
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Dementia Friendly Training
Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley is a program of the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging that trains and certifies businesses, organizations, and individuals in practices which are “Dementia Friendly” (sensitive to and supportive of individuals with dementia). Megan Zimmerman, the Director of Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley, will meet with church leadership (elders, deacons, and staff) on Monday, March 21 at 6:00 pm at the church to present the program for our church to receive designation as a “Dementia Friendly Church.” All interested members are invited.
A second program offers training for individuals to become “Dementia Friends.” Megan Zimmerman will attend the Adult Forum on Sunday, March 27 from 8:45-9:45 in Calvin Hall to lead this process. All are invited to attend.
Megan is a graduate of UNI’s Gerontology program under the leadership of Dr Elaine Eshbaugh. They have worked closely together on the Dementia Simulation House that has been established at UNI as a “learning lab” for students and the public to gain a greater understanding of environments that challenge individuals with dementia and strategies to mitigate those challenges.
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Updated Church Directory
An updated church directory is now available! There are printed copies available in the church office, or click HERE to access a copy. If you need one mailed, please reach out to Amber in the church office, 319-233-6145, or amber@1stpresby.org.
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Lakeshore Center Camp Brochures
The Summer 2022 Lakeshore Center at Okoboji camp brochures have arrived and are available in the office.
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Please join us this Tuesday, March 8th, 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!
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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.
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.
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Upcoming Church Meetings
Session: Tue. Mar. 15, 6:00 pm
Presbyterian Women: Wed. Mar. 16, 9:00 am
Piecemaker Quilters: Sat. Mar. 19, 9:00 am Fellowship Hall
*All Meetings Held in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted
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Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed
We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings April 10, April 17 (Easter Sunday), April 24, and May 1. 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!
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Birthday Celebration Reception
The family of Ann Sage invites you to an 85th Birthday Celebration at First Presbyterian Church on March 20th. This event will be held in Calvin Hall from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. A light lunch will be served. The family asks for no gifts but cards are welcome. Hope to see you there!
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Church Prayer List
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Lorraine Baker, recovering from heart surgery; Pat Narey, Kari O. Narey's husband, recovering at Allen inpatient rehab from a bone infection in his foot ;Richard Gajewsky, Tyler's grandfather, who was recently diagnosed with cancer; Sam Christensen, recovering from a severe fall at the Med Center in Friendship Village; Pat Koenig, dealing with back pain; Janice and Paul Graham, Jennifer Lightbody's parents, who are dealing with health issues- especially Paul who recently fell and severed a vertebrae; Sara Wexter, Betty's daughter-in-law, recently diagnosed with a severe health condition; Gloria Frerichs, recovering from a stroke at Northcrest; Marilyn Lottich, recovering from health issues at home; Joann Lockard, health issues; Marsha Platt, recovering from surgery, 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.
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Church Family Birthdays
We celebrate our members with birthdays in March. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
March
08 Dan Davis
12 Eric Dew
13 William Barnes
15 Tom Campbell; Marge Polacek
16 Mark Bickley; Brady Swenson
18 Kim Swallow
22 Ann Sage; Heather Wheelock
23 Connor McClain; Rev. Dr. Amy Wiles
24 Cody McDowell
26 Dale Lottich
27 Cindy Trepp
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Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm
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