Pastor Connection 4/7/2022

April 7th, 2022

Pastor Connection

Luke 19:28-40

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

After He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

When He had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.' " So those who were sent departed and found it as He had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" They said, "The Lord needs it." Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As He rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.

As He was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power they had seen, saying,

"Blessed is the king

who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory in the highest heaven!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."

*Preaching for us this week is Rev. David Feltman. Please join us at 10:00 am! *

HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE:

Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 10, 2022, 10 am. In-person here and

live-streaming.

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 14, 2022, The Presbyterian Churches of the Cedar Valley are holding a shared service at 6:00 pm at First Presbyterian in Cedar Falls, 902 Main St., Cedar Falls, IA 50613. This will be live-streamed at (click here) www.facebook.com/firstprescf/

Good Friday: Friday, April 15, 2022, The Presbyterian Churches of the Cedar Valley are holding a shared service at 6:00 pm HERE. This will be live- streamed on our YouTube channel

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 17, 2022, Please join us for our Easter Sunday service here, at 10 am. In-person here and live-streaming.

One Great Hour of Sharing

On THIS Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, we will dedicate our special offering gifts for One Great Hour of Sharing. Please write OGH in the memo line of your check.

This offering provides relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed. Europe is facing its largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. The United Nations estimates up to 18 million people, both internally displaced and refugees, will eventually be impacted.

According to reports from Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance, Ukrainians are facing reduced or disrupted services in water, heating, electricity, transportation and telecommunications. Health services have deteriorated rapidly due to shortages of medical supplies and personnel.

Refugees, mostly women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly, had to leave their homes and spend days traveling to neighboring countries for safety, with almost nothing with them.

Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing allow for an immediate response from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) when emergencies first occur, often responding to crises that never make it into the news.

In this volatile situation, PDA was able to provide urgent funding to trusted, established partners with the expertise to carry out humanitarian aid. Reformed and Orthodox church partners, like the Community of St. Egidio and Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, are working closely with local churches and organizations to provide food, water, clothing, shelter, psychosocial support and other basic items for survival. They are the “boots on the ground,” listening and responding to the needs of those impacted.

To stay informed about the work Presbyterians are doing in and around Ukraine, visit pcusa.org/pda/ukraine. To learn more about One Great Hour of Sharing and the vital ministries it supports, visit pcusa.org/oghs.

In this season of Lent, pray for our siblings in Ukraine. Pray for peace. And pray that all of us will remember that we are the Church, together

Celebrating Together: Our Spring Holy Days

On Wednesday (4/13), the Cedar Valley Interfaith Council is presenting a special program at Cedar Heights Pres. Church at 7:00 PM. We’ve decided to take advantage of the fact that Lent/Easter, the Jewish holy days of Passover, and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan all overlap. And so, we’re going to celebrate these holy days together in a way that’s educational, participatory, and joyous. Come, learn, and dine with us!

Saying Farewell to Pastor Pat

As most of you know, Rev. Dr. Pat Geadelmann's last Sunday Worship Service will be Sunday, April 24th. Before she goes, we want to show our appreciation and love.

On April 24th, we will be honoring Pastor Pat at the church fellowship following the service. A brunch will be served, and a card shower basket will be available. We are also collecting a love offering for Pastor Pat.

If mailing a card to the office, we encourage you to send it to the church office by Wednesday, April 20th. If you wish to contribute to the love offering, please send your gift to the church office by the same date with a note indicating what it is for.

RSVPs for the meal are needed. The final day to RSVP is Monday, April 18th. There will be forms in the bulletins. You can also access a copy HERE or call the church office to RSVP.

Thank you for helping us honor Pastor Pat as we send her off with our love.

First Church Book Club

Please join the book club on Thursday, April 14th. The club is currently reading "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict, to be discussed at this meeting. We will be meeting at The Market at Jorgenson Plaza at the Western Home South Campus, 5307 Caraway Lane in Cedar Falls, at 9:30am. Counter service starts at 10:00 am. Coffee or other beverages will be available and muffins and sweet rolls.

If you are interested in joining, please reach out to Mary Kabel for more information!

Tyler Gajewsky Senior Recital

Our Sanctuary Choir Director, Tyler Gajewsky is having his senior vocal recital on Tuesday, April 12, at 8 pm in Davis Hall. Davis Hall is inside Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at UNI. The concert is free and open to the public. Please attend and show Tyler our love and support!

Volunteer Help Requested

Do you have a few hours free on Thursday mornings? Do you like doing easy tasks that will greatly help someone else? We have a place for you. Each Thursday morning, Amber sends out the Pastor Connection and the weekly bulletin. She could use some expert help in folding, stuffing and sealing envelopes. Come at 9:30 a.m. It should not take more than a few hours and you will be done by 11:30 or before. If you are willing to commit one Thursday morning a month to help, please contact Jean Seeland, 319- 493-2015 or sign up in church office.

Hy-Vee Receipts

Have you been saving Hy-Vee receipts and wonder if they are still being collected? Well they are! Please drop them off to the church office before April 30 to benefit Cunningham School (our partner in education) this year. The school with the highest total in receipts will receive a monetary prize. Thank you for saving your receipts!

Lenten Lunch and Learn

Our church will hold our annual Lenten Lunch and Learn from noon to 1 pm, every Wednesday through next week, 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!

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. Every quilt has a story!

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.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Please join us this Tuesday, April 12th, at 9am in Calvin Hall. All are welcome! Coffee will be provided. We hope you can join us!

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.

Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed

We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings April 17 (Easter Sunday), and May 1, May 22, and May 29. 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!

Upcoming Church Meetings

Stewardship & Finance: Mon. Apr. 11, noon Church Office

Deacons: Tue. Apr. 12, 3:30 pm

*All Meetings Held in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted

Easter Sunday, April 17th, there will not be a coffee hour following the Worship Service.

Birthday Card Shower

The children of Jo Beaver are hosting a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday, April 11, 2022. You can send cards to her at 38 Grays Hill Acres, Beaufort, SC, 29906.

Church Prayer List

New to the Prayer List:

Ed Halvorson, having gall bladder surgery at MercyOne

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:

Lorraine Baker, recovering from heart surgery; Pat Narey, Kari O. Narey's husband, recovering at home 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; Joann Lockard, health issues; 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.