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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We are now holding in-person worship in our sanctuary on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. We are excited to be gathering again in our church's beautiful sacred space! For those who are not ready to gather inside, we will still be offering online worship services each week.
Before you join us on Sunday, please be prepared for certain actions listed below. Also, if you invite guests or family members, please inform them of our policies.
- All worshipers are required to wear masks inside the church building, regardless of other face covering.
- The main entrances to the building will be the small doors on Franklin St. and Park. These two entrances will require people to use stairs.
- The side entrance on the East side of the building (usually seen as the main entrance) will be reserved for elevator riders only. If you plan to ride the elevator, we encourage you to come 15 minutes before the service.
- We are asking people to refrain from hugging or shaking hands.
- To the best of your ability, please maintain 6 ft. of distance in hallways as you move to the sanctuary. Markers and volunteers will help guide you.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building.
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Once in the building, volunteers and ushers will direct you where to sit. Please be prepared to sit in a different place than you might usually sit. Worshipers will sit 6 ft. apart. Households may sit together.
- Worshipers are encouraged to take care of bathroom needs before leaving home. The renovated bathrooms on the main floor will be open for use, one person at a time.
- We will be discouraging people from congregating inside the building. If you’d like to catch up with friends, please do so in the parking lot outside or at another time.
- Hymnals and Bibles have been removed from the pews. We encourage you to bring your own Bible.
- The Sanctuary and bathrooms will be the only rooms opened on Sunday morning. All other rooms are closed.
- While children are always welcome at our worship services, there will be no nursery or childcare available yet.
Whether you choose to worship in-person or online, we hope you join the community of faith as we praise God together.
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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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Spiritual Practices for the Week |
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Listen to a contemplative worship service in the style of Taize, with music, prayer, and silence from St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Seattle. Click HERE to listen. What did you find meaningful about the service?
Frederick Buechner wrote, “To sacrifice something is to make it holy by giving it away for love.” Reflect: What does “sacrifice” mean to you? Can you cite examples of sacrifices you have made, as well as those that have been made on your behalf? How has that affected your life?
“Earth care as a spiritual formation exercise” is the title of an article by Rev Rachel Young published online by Presbyterian Outlook. Read the article HERE. What practices and habits of yours contribute to the stewardship of creation? What new practices might be goals for you? How do these practices inform and nurture your faith, as well as creation?
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October Congregational Meeting Postponed |
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Our congregation usually meets each year on the last Sunday of October for the purpose of electing church officers for the following year. This year, we are postponing that congregational meeting. We let you know when it is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.
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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:
Ralph Beaver had another visit to the hospital and continues to struggle with health issues.
Florence Ramsell fell and had to stay visit the hospital last week. She is home again recovering.
For specific individuals:
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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26 Gloria Frerichs
27 Sue Albright
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First Presbyterian Church | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 | www.1stpresby.org
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