October 21st, 2021
Pastor Connection
Autumn brings to the soul relief,
as hot Summer days, slip to an end
God sent the season for weary hearts
to restore, repair and mend.

Unlike the Autumn trees,
that shed their changing leaves
God sent the season for failing hearts
to adhere, embrace and cleave.

Just as with the Autumn winds,
there comes a new refreshing rain
God sent the season for fraying hearts
to increase, grow and gain.

The Autumn sun is slow to climb,
and dips much earlier into the night
God sent the season for sleepy hearts
to rise, shine and awake in His light.

God gave to us the Autumn season,
so we could have a respite and rest
for it is the season for our beset souls
to see how much we are blessed!

by Deborah Ann
Trick or Treating in Downtown Waterloo
Saturday, October 30, 10:00 am - noon

Our church is helping again with trick or treating in Downtown Waterloo! Kids from all over the community are invited to visit different organizations and businesses on October 30 from 10:00 am to noon for a little treat. Our church will be handing out candy in front of Try Pie which is on the designated route.

We are inviting church members to bring bags of candy THIS SUNDAY to help with this effort. We will be taking treats through Wednesday, October 27. If you'd like to help hand out candy on the 30th, please contact Terry Sage, 319-233-7782.

We hope you help bring a little fun and cheer to the children in our community!
Meeting of the Congregation

The congregation will meet after the worship service on Sunday, October 31, for the purpose of electing new church officers and changing the church by-laws to reduce the number of church officers. Please mark your calendars.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS AND PLAN FOR REDUCING THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS.
Peacemaking Offering

On October 3, we celebrated World Communion Sunday and collected money for the Peace and Global Witness Offering. A total of $903.00 was raised by our wonderful congregation

Through participation in the Peace and Global Witness Offering, we commit to building a more just and peaceful world. 25% of the offering, $225.75, will stay with our congregation to be given to Friends of the Family. Friends of the Family provides advocacy services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking and homelessness. The remainder of the offering will be sent to the Presbytery; Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

Thank you again for your generosity!
Finding the Important Dates in Your Life
Sunday, October 31

Have you forgotten the date of your baptism? How about confirmation? Or when you joined the church? Have you ever wondered exactly when your parents joined the church? Or grandparents?

On October 31, you have the opportunity to find out! Jackie Bass and Jan Schwab will be available before and after the worship service with our church's permanent record books. They will be available to look up baptisms, marriages, confirmations, and more for you and your family members. They will be in Calvin Hall before the service and in the hallway after the service. There will even be some sticky notes for you to write down the dates and share them on our church timeline.

We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to delve into your history.
All Saints Sunday, November 7th

On All Saints Day, Christians celebrate the connection we share as God's children both in heaven and on earth. All Saints Day is a meaningful time to remember those who have passed on and who now enjoy communion with God for all eternity.

On Sunday, November 7th, First Presbyterian Church will take some time during worship to honor those who have passed away since March 2020. While we remembered some of these beloved members last year online, we recognize that this will be the first time our congregation has gathered in person and remember those whom we've lost. On that day, there will be a memory table set up in the hallway with pictures of those who have passed away. There will also be a special coffee hour after the worship service for church members, family, and friends to share stories and condolences.
Piecemaker Quilters Anniversary

This October marks the 15th anniversary of the Piecemaker Quilters. Rita Campbell taught the Missouri Star quilt pattern to a Calvin Hall full of eager students on Saturday, October 21, 2006. Since that time, the Piecemakers have continued to meet the third Saturday of every other month (except 2020) to practice their skills and make projects ranging from quilts, to table toppers, to casserole carriers, to purses and bags. First Church quilters and fellow quilters from the community now take turns teaching classes that help increase our quilting skills; the group also shares fellowship and a delicious lunch together. The Piecemakers have made and donated numerous pillowcases to the Cedar Valley Hospice, catheter bag covers to local nursing homes, and given quilts to the Waterloo Warming Shelter and the Iowa Mother's Association. Following Rita's example, the Piecemakers have made and given quilts to First Church members who have had surgery or are facing other health-related issues. To date, 119 quilts have been lovingly made and given to church members. This group welcomes and is eager to share their love of quilting with anyone interested. Contact Jackie Bass, Marie Fernau, or Mary Mumm if you are interested in learning more about the Piecemakers.
Book Study of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson

Our church is participating in the Cedar Valley Book Read of Caste by Isabel Wilkerson. We will meet every Monday at noon through November 8. You can feel free to bring a lunch.

October 25 - Parts 3 and 4 (please note these are parts, not chapters)
November 1 - Parts 5 and 6
November 8 - Parts 7 and 8, closing remarks

Participants have been asked to purchase the book on their own and read ahead for discussion. Drop ins are still welcome! Please let Pastor Amy know if you need help purchasing the book.
Love Our Neighbors! Volunteer Opportunities

1) Become a virtual conversation partner and help an English Language Learner (ELL) student practice and improve English through conversations. Hawkeye College's Van G. Miller Center will provide training and support. Conversations may include anything of interest (culture, hobbies, family, everyday life). However, politics and religion may not be discussed because this is a government program. This is a vital program for those new to our community. You will be fulfilling an important role in someone's life.

2) The Waterloo Schools are seeking volunteers 55 years or older to be Reading Buddies with children in first grade who are participating in the Reading Recovery program. The time commitment is once or more a week. The time and day of the visit is determined by the volunteer and the teacher. Be an important part of a young person's learning.

3) Do you like to sew? Do you want to volunteer but do not want to leave home? Residents of Pillar of Cedar Valley (formerly Country View) need clothes mended. Mend or alter clothes for the residents in your own home. Arrangements can be made for someone to drop-off and pick-up clothes at your house.

For more information or to volunteer contact Jean Seeland, 319-493-2015.
Live Streaming Worship

We are happy to report that our live streaming equipment is installed. Now, we are looking for a part-time staff member to run the camera and computer equipment each Sunday. If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please let Pastor Amy know. We are close to offering online options for worship. We will certainly let you know when things are up and running. Previously recorded church services continue to be available on the Vimeo website, located here: https://vimeo.com/user93382018
2021-22 Knowing Your Neighbor Series:
“Loving Others / Worship Practices”

The Cedar Valley Interfaith Council has been hosting a three part series as an opportunity to hear multiple faith traditions ways of caring for others, especially others different than ourselves. Also a few basic worship practices have been be shared. Thank you to those who attended. The last Session is this Sunday. It will be a time for concluding questions and reflections on the past two weeks.

October 24th SESSION 3 – Q&A
3:00 to 4:45 St. John Lutheran
715 College Street, Cedar Falls

Join the Choirs!

It's never too late to join a choir! If you have musical interest and would like to participate in worship, please consider joining the bell choir or sanctuary choir. If you'd like more information, please call the office or contact Tyler Gajewsky or Melody Steed.

Bell Choir Rehearsal, Wednesdays 6:00-6:45 pm
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 pm
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Please join us this Tuesday, October 26th, 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!
Sunday Coffee Fellowship Before Worship at 8:45am

Please join us each Sunday at 8:45am before the worship service for fellowship in Calvin Hall. Coffee will be served.
In Person Gatherings and Worship Resumes!

We are happy to report that we will be resuming in person meetings!
 From the information we have gathered, it seems there was not wide spread illness from gathering on October 3.

Therefore, all committee meetings, choir rehearsals, and in person worship will resume immediately.

We encourage people to continue to do the following:

  • Stay home if you feel sick for any reason.
  • Get tested as needed.
  • Report to Pastor Amy if you have tested positive for Covid. She will hold this information in confidence. This is important for contact tracing.
  • We encourage people to wear masks where you are at high risk for illness.

Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you Sunday!

COVID-19 Testing Options

If you are feeling ill, there are multiple low cost or free options to get tested. Some of them are also extremely accessible. Click on the link HERE (or enter into your website search bar: https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/pages/testing-locations) to find out where you can be tested based on your location.

There are several COVID-19 testing options available, including community and at-home testing.
· Many COVID-19 tests are free, such as Test Iowa (https://www.testiowa.com/en)
· Health care providers may charge insurance for their time.
· Private labs may charge insurance or a flat fee.
· Other tests can be purchased from a pharmacy or other retailer to be done at home.

You can also go to any urgent care location to be tested.
Records Update

If you have any personal information that has changed, such as a new address, a new phone number, phone number no longer in use, or a child's address which has changed due to attending college, please call or email the update(s) to Amber in the office. amber@1stpresby.org or 319-233-6145.
October Church Calendar Print Version

If you would like a version of the October church calendar to print for your records, please click to access the calendar here.
Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed

We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings on October 31st and December 5th. 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!
In Memory of Sue Roberts

Sue Roberts' service will be on Saturday, October 23, 10:30 am, at Kearns Funeral home. Visitation will be held one hour before the service.
Staff on Leave

Pastor Pat will be on leave Monday, October 25, through Sunday, October 31.
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Church Prayer List

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Lloyd Hesse, hospice care; The family of Pam Terrell as they continue to grieve her passing; The family of Sue Roberts as they continue to grieve her passing; Cindy Trepp, who is dealing with back pain; Lynda Cose, heart concerns; Sheryl Berry-Rudic who broke her hip and her femur in two places; Marsha Platt, awaiting surgery in November; Marsha Muir recovering following knee replacement surgery; Barbara Benskin's brother, Bill Brenton, who is in hospice care; Ruth Meade broke her wrist and is dealing with eye issues; 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 issues



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 October. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!

October
01 Katie Swallow
04 Isabelle Whyte
05 JoEllen Pruis
10 Emmalea Steere
11 Kimberly Jessen
13 Jerry Anders, Murtis Smith
14 Robert Dew
19 Polly Sorenson
26 Gloria Frerichs
27 Sue Albright

First Presbyterian Church | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 | www.1stpresby.org
Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm