“Who Are the Saints?” The saints are those who, in some partial way, embody – literally incarnate – the challenge of faith in their time and place. In doing so, they open a path that others might follow. ---Robert Ellsberg (from Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp)
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.
This Sunday, November 1, we will remember those church members who have passed away in the last year – Chuck Quirk, Don Lowe, Pauline Hillman, Cass Taylor, Kitty Ott, Ruth Bowers, Jim Polacek, and Donna Harman. We will give thanks for their examples of faith and love.
As you prepare for worship, take a moment to remember those saints who have gone before you. Who has served as a picture of embodied faith in your own life? Perhaps, a parent or grandparent. A teacher or mentor. A coworker or friend. A great writer or theologian. Take a moment this weekend to whisper
their names and give thanks to God for their influence in your life. You might want to click HERE for suggested spiritual practices to help you remember, express gratitude, and your continuing love.
May our memories serve as a challenge to be called saints ourselves.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Amy
For Those Who Walked With Us
Jan Richardson
The Painted Prayerbook
For those
who walked with us,
this is a prayer.
For those
who have gone ahead,
this is a blessing.
For those
who touched and tended us,
who lingered with us
while they lived,
this is a thanksgiving.
For those
who journey still with us
in the shadows of awareness,
in the crevices of memory,
in the landscape of our dreams,
this is a benediction.
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An Opportunity to Give through PW |
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“Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
The Thank Offering began in 1988 when women were encouraged to give above their normal giving to the women’s group. Women gave sacrificially and were credited with saving the worldwide missionary movement of the church at that time. Since 1988 more than $26 million has been given to 1,700 mission projects worldwide.
The Creative Ministries Offering Committee of Presbyterian Women has selected 15 projects for funding this year. Thirteen of the projects serve people in the United States and two are international. In keeping with the Thank Offering bylaws, more than 40 percent of the selected projects are related to health ministries.
Highlights of the projects are:
1. All About U Adoptions, Presbytery of South Dakota. Works with expectant mothers who struggle to secure housing due to lack of proper identification, poor credit, and lack of income. Will help purchase a home to provide welcoming, safe and healthy transitional housing for expectant mothers as well as counseling and adoption planning.
2. Faith 4 Justice, Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Faith 4 Justice is a bridge between local faith leaders and Back and Latinx community leaders who are committed to racial equity and healing through monthly meetings, trauma-informed materials and discussions led by those directly impacted by racism. The Thank Offering grant will support training for leadership development, community organizing, and raising public awareness.
3. Gidada Theological College, Ethiopia. Gidada Theological College recognizes that educating women is key to development for the whole society. Their goal is to strengthen the quality of their education programs for everyone by increasing the number of women students. Thank Offering funds will be used for the construction of a dormitory for female theological students in Dembi- Dollo.
The Thank Offering will be received during the worship service on November 15 even though this Sunday will not be the traditional Women’s Praise Service. Checks should be payable to PWC. You may mail your check to the church office if you are unable to attend worship on November 15.
Thank you, PW Together in Service Team
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An Opportunity for Children and Youth |
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The children and youth of First Church Waterloo have been invited to join the children and youth at First Church Cedar Falls on Wednesday nights via Zoom.
At this point, the plan is to have the youth meet THIS week, Wednesday, October 21st. The younger kids will meet the following week, October 28th. The groups will alternate weeks. The meetings will begin at 6:15 and run 30 to 45 minutes. Lessons will be led by their new SHINE leader, Betsy Thompson.
For the most part, the kids will be working their way through the Beatitudes but will take some breaks to learn about important days/seasons in the church year (Advent, Lent, etc). The curriculum often has coloring pages/activities and will be emailed prior to each session.
As the kids are all getting to know one another, each child is invited to bring a bag with 3 special items in it to the time together this week. They will each get a chance to share their items and tell why they’re important to us.
Please let Pastor Amy know if you are interested in participating so that she can send your contact information to Betsy.
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As we resume our indoor worship services, we will also resume the pulpit flower schedule. Nancy Valentine is in charge of the schedule and will be reminding people of their date and answering any questions you may have. Please feel free to call her if you have any questions.
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We have exciting news! After several months of suspending meals, Sunday Supper has begun to serve meals again on Sunday evenings from 5:00 -5:30 p.m. Clients will be given a hot, packed meal to-go delivered curbside. If you are interested in volunteering in this ministry, please contact Pastor Amy or Kari Narey. Masks and gloves will be required of all volunteers and social distancing protocols will be followed. Volunteers are asked to work from 4:30 until things are cleaned up (probably around 6:00). We hope you consider helping as you are able. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry.
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Remember that our church office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 - 2:00. Pastor Amy and Pat will be covering the office duties as they are able until a new office manager is hired. Please call before coming to ensure someone is in the building.
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We will meet again this Tuesday at 9:00 via zoom to discuss the upcoming sermon text. Pastor Amy will be following the Revised Common Lectionary until Advent. Click HERE for a full schedule of the lectionary texts. The Zoom link is:
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Thank you to all those who are continuing to faithfully give their pledges and offerings to the church. In an attempt to make giving easier during this time, we have initiated online giving to our church through the Presbyterian Foundation. Click on the button below to set up on account for continual giving. You may also give a one time gift. You may also continue to mail checks to the church. Please call Kelley if you have questions.
We are still engaging in meaningful ministry and your offerings make that ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity and please continue to give as you can.
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In Our Thoughts and Prayers |
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Updates or New to the Prayer List:
Mary Davis and Karen Hahn, who both live at Ravenwood, have tested positive for Covid. We pray for their health along with all those living and working at Ravenwood
Steve Miller goes for another outpatient procedure in Iowa City
Debbie Miller's brother-in-law, Duane Kerchoff, has COVID and is at MercyOne in ICU on a ventilator.
For specific individuals:
Ralph Beaver had another visit to the hospital and continues to struggle with health issues; Florence Ramsell is recovering at home; Pat Narey, Kari's husband, who is dealing with a bone infection in his feet; Jan Bellinger, recovering from knee surgery at home; Neesa and Lori (the Bellinger's family) recovering from surgery; Suzanne (the Bellinger's daughter in-law) awaiting surgery; Heather Dew's Uncle Richard, recovering from heart surgery; Jim Clarke dealing with cancer; Gary Lee dealing with walking and balance issues; Marilyn Lottich dealing with health issues but recovering at home; Richard Platt as he recovers from surgery at home; Steve Miller, home; Gerald Buls, who has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer; prayers of safety for Lorraine Baker's nephew and Barbara Benksin's son, who are both truckers; Kason (Connie Leeper's daughter-in-law's nephew, recovering from a car accident; Bob Cutsforth, who is undergoing cancer treatment; The Platts' friends in Venezuela who are struggling with food and other resources; Joe Fernau (Marie's son), who finished treatments for lymphoma; Sarah (granddaughter of Evelyn and Carl Boice) who is an RN at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester MN, and her husband, Dylan, who is an essential non-medical worker at Mayo; Megan and Emma Schellhorn as they work at Fareway; for Alexa (granddaughter of Janis Shea) who works in an essential business credit union and is subjected to the virus; Courtney Pilcher who works in health care services; Neva Kerr, New Aldaya (Hospice); Crystal Lorenze, recovering from back surgery; Paul Holtz, Hospice Care
Broader prayer concerns from the congregation:
All those affected by wildfires
All those affected by storms and hurricanes
that justice and lasting peace will come to our nation
leaders in all areas who are making decisions for people's well-being
all those living and working in nursing homes, assisted living, and retirement communities
workers at Tyson's
that all will stay well
all doctors, nurses, and health care providers along with their families
all those who are essential workers
those who are strictly quarantined for a variety of reasons
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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November
4 Gary Lee
7 Richard Platt
8 Shirley Barnes
9 Barbara Mead
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First Presbyterian Church | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 | www.1stpresby.org
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