A Note from Pastor Amy
Help Tell the Church's Story!
When you come to church on Sunday, you will see something new hanging on the wall across from the office - a giant timeline of First Presbyterian Church. On closer look you will see names of pastors, start dates of beloved ministries, and milestones accumulated over the decades. This is by no means a complete history, but it tells a part of our church's story. It is vitally important to know and share the church's story. At no time is this more important than during times of discernment. That is why at our September Session meeting, I passed out a history of our church to the Elders.
As you have heard many times now, Session has entered into a time of discernment regarding the future of our church. At their September Session meeting, Elders worked together to articulate and frame a clear question: What is the path God wants our church to take and how are we supposed to take it? Over the next month, they are engaging in their own personal work to prepare for discussion about the paths available to us. Of course, we will keep you updated as more clarity is revealed. One of the most important aspects of this preparation is rooting ourselves in the church's story.
But Session needs your help to tell the story and learn from it!
During the month of October, you are invited to add a story, memory, important ministry, milestone, influential minister's name, or life event to the church timeline. If you think something is "missing," then add it! There will be post it notes and pens for your use by the wall. I hope to see general programs along with personal marriage dates and baptismal anniversaries. Add to the timeline the things that have been important to you!
As I've said already, knowing the story of the church is important to determining the story for the future. Also, the way we tell the story of the church offers insights for the future as well.
I thank you in advance for your participation and I look forward to reading the story of the church unfold further. Through it all, remember that Jesus continues to write our story with hope, love, and grace.
Much peace,
Pastor Amy
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THIS Sunday
World Communion Sunday October 3rd
THIS SUNDAY, October 3rd, World Communion Sunday, we celebrate that Christ's peace extends throughout all the world. We celebrate together at the communion table. We celebrate that we are offered the opportunity so dearly needed to continue God's work with active peacemakers here at home and around the world. Extending the peace is part of an active, engaged faith - a witness to what it means for us to be in the Church together.
Through participation in the Peace and Global Witness Offering, we are extending Christ's peace throughout our community and our world. We commit to building a more just and peaceful world. We will commit to building a more just and peaceful community because 25% of the offering 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. Through this offering, may we find the truth found in 2nd Thessalonians, "Peace at all times in all ways". Let's celebrate peace on October 3rd through our Peace and Global Witness Offering.
*If you would like to mail in an offering please mark it as Peacemaking*
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New Banner Series
Please note the debut of two new banners hanging on the organ pipes in celebration of World Communion Sunday. They are part of a new series of banners created by the Banner Brigade. Four new banners were created over the past 2 years and include a Cross; The Trinity; Alpha and Omega; and a Chalice and Wheat. The Chalice and Wheat and The Cross are currently being displayed. The other two banners will be hung at a later time. Members of the Banner Brigade include: Jackie Bass, Evelyn Boice, Marie Fernau, Mary Mumm, and Jan Schwab.
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Help the Walnut Neighborhood
The Walnut Neighborhood is pleased this fall to have received an $11,000 grant through Link CCD from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, to plant 95 new trees along the E. 4th Corridor from Franklin to Dane St. this fall. We are gathering volunteers to help us in the effort! See the details below and consider signing up to help for a day at the link provided!
When: Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1 (sign up for one or two shifts and one or two days!)
Morning Shift each day: 8:30-11:45 a.m. Lunch provided from 11:45-12:45
Afternoon Shift each day: 12:45-4:00 p.m. Lunch provided from 11:45-12:45
Where: Park cars at 715 E. 4th St., Harvest Vineyard/IMPACT Church. Park in NORTH parking lot. We will base out the church (bathrooms, parking, lunch spot, etc..)
What: We will be planting container trees. On Thursday, we will dig holes at marked places. On Friday, we will be planting the trees, filling in the dirt, mulching, and staking/tying trees to keep upright. We are looking for 15 volunteers for each shift.
What to bring: work gloves and a shovel if you have one.
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Love Our Neighbors! Volunteer Opportunity
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.
For more information or to volunteer contact Jean Seeland, 319-493-2015.
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Mission Opportunities
There are two mission opportunities upcoming through the North Central Presbytery.
December 4-10, 2021: Mission Delegation to US-Mexico Border
Your are invited to join Presbyterians from across Iowa on a mission delegation to the US-Mexico Border. This delegation is planned in partnership with Frontera de Cristo, one of five Presbyterian Border Region Ministries. We will worship with and be in mutual mission with brothers and sisters in the Presbyterian Church in Agua Preita, and experience life and ministry along the US-Mexico border. The cost is $750 per person plus airfare. Register online at https://presbynciowa.org/frontera-de-cristo-application
March 3-16, 2022: Mission Study Israel-Palestine
Join Presbyterians from across Iowa as we visit biblical sites, meet local Christians and church leaders as well as representatives from the Jewish and Muslim communities and learn about the Israel-Palestine conflict and peacemaking and reconciliation efforts. The cost is $2,750 for double occupancy (single occupancy available at a higher cost) plus airfare. Scholarships available. Register online at https://presbynciowa.org/israel-palestine
Flyers available in the church office
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Live Streaming Worship
We are still working to live stream our worship services! Some of our equipment ended up on back order. However, equipment has been delivered now and we are moving forward with installation and other details. We are close to offering online options for worship, during the beginning of October. 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
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2021 Cedar Valley Book Read
We have been invited again to participate in this year’s Cedar Valley Community Book Read starting in October. This year’s book selection is Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Isabel Wilkerson.
Are you interested in participating? Pastor Amy is gauging interest in order to pick days and times to meet.
Why we hope you’ll participate:
Dismantling racism is a priority and will not happen without ongoing intention, prioritization, and strategic focus. A collective reading of Caste can help our community by:
*creating shared history of what lies under the surface of American life today.
*growing understanding through the reading and by listening to our Cedar Valley neighbors.
*building new and stronger connections with Cedar Valley neighbors.
*forging a collective sense of urgency and value to work together as antiracists toward the vision of a more just community.
*providing a launching pad for further discussion and strategic action.
*It is never too late to join. If you are still interested you may email or call Pastor Amy.*
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2021-22 Knowing Your Neighbor Series:
“Loving Others / Worship Practices”
The Cedar Valley Interfaith Council is 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 will be shared. Presentations are made at each faith community's place of worship in order to bolster understanding.
October 10th SESSION 1 PRESENTATIONS
3:00— St. Edwards Catholic Church
1423 Kimball Avenue Waterloo, IA
4:00— Payne Memorial AME
1044 Mobile St, Waterloo, IA
October 17th SESSION 2 PRESENTATIONS
3:00— Masjid Al-Noor Masque
2110 Sager Ave., Waterloo, Iowa
4:00— First United Methodist Church
718 Clay Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa
October 24th SESSION 3 – Q&A
3:00 to 4:45 St. John Lutheran
715 College Street, Cedar Falls
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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 5th, 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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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.
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Committee Meetings
Mission and Outreach: Tue. Oct. 5th at 4:00 pm
Stewardship & Finance: Tue. Oct. 12th at Noon, in the church office
Christian Nurture & Fellowship: Tue. Oct. 12th at 2:30 pm
Deacons: Tue. Oct. 12th at 6:00 pm
Session: Tue. Oct 19th at 6:00 pm
All meetings in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted
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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.
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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.
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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 on October 24th, 31st, and November 7th and 14th. 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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Church Prayer List
New to the Prayer List:
George Day, who has pneumonia; Lynda Cose, heart concerns
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Sheryl Berry-Rudic who broke her hip and her femur in two places; Marsha Platt, healing after surgery and for any other treatment decisions; Dee May, recovering at daughter's house; Don Broadston's friend, Taylor, who was recently diagnosed with kidney damage and liver failure; Connie Dawson, recovering from surgery on her feet, at home; Marsha Muir recovering following knee replacement surgery; Barbara Benskin's brother, Bill Brenton, who has had a stroke; Ruth Meade broke her wrist and is dealing with eye issues; Pam Terrell, dealing with health issues at home; 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
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Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm
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