Pastor Connection 5/26/2022

May 26th, 2022

Pastor Connection

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to the span of your life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you - you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or ' What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Pentecost Special Offering

The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world.

investing in our greatest resource

Help youth begin a life with a solid foundation of faith.

Psalm 71 testifies that a foundation of faith established during childhood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person's life. By receiving the Pentecost Offering, you are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come - children, youth, and young adults.

your impact

Nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through the ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

First Church will be collecting this special offering next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, June 5. Please give as your heart leads. You may also mail an offering to the church. Please write Pentecost on the memo line of your check.

Foster Care Graduation Reception

You are invited to a very special graduation reception on Friday, June 2 from 4:30-6:00 pm at Hawkeye College's Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson, Waterloo. The reception is for young people who are also graduating out of Foster Care as well as High School.

As the eighteen-year-olds' placement in foster care ends, not all of them are able to celebrate the milestone of high school graduation. However, a group of local volunteers plan to honor these graduates at the reception. The public is encouraged to bring cards for the seven graduates. Through the mission team, First Presbyterian has donated to help provide the graduates with necessary items so that they can live independenty.

Please plan to attend and wish the graduates well!

First Wednesday Club

Come join the First Wednesday Club for lunch, conversation and a closer look at the Bible. Bring your own lunch and take part in this very informal time of fellowship. Like the name says, we will meet on the First Wednesday of every month, in Calvin Hall, at noon. This month's meeting will be this upcoming Wednesday, June 1. We look forward to seeing you there.

Bring Your Own Picnic

First Church is planning the first summer "Bring Your Own Picnic" June 5, following the Worship Service. This will tentatively be held at Exchange Park in Waterloo. More details to follow.

A Journey Through Parkinson's Disease

June 15, 22, & 29 at 4:00 pm. Located at the Black Hawk County Extension & Outreach, 3420 University Ave, Waterloo. This interactive program is designed to help participants:

recognize the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD)
understand what causes PD and how treatments work
learn about therapeutic activities that can be done in the home

Three 45-minute sessions will be led by a trained ISU Extension and Outreach staff. Registration deadline June 10 at noon.

For more information or to register:

Jill Weber, Human Services Specialist, Food and Health

jrweber@iastate.edu, 319-234-6811

https://go.iastate.edu/NBWYHO

First Church Supported Missionaries

Here at First Church, we directly support specific Presbyterian missionaries around the world through our National and Global Mission and Outreach budget.

James McGill

Water, sanitation, and hygiene specialist

Niger and South Sudan

Jim resources the water, sanitation, and hygiene programs of the Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger (EERN) and travels to South Sudan to facilitate similar work with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan. Home presbytery: Greater Atlanta

Dr. Larry and Inge Sthreshley

Country director for Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) World Health (Larry) and agricultural consultant (Inge)

Democratic Republic of Congo

Larry works with partner churches and organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help build capacity of health ministries. His work with IMA World Health assists partners implementing large, internationally funded health programs with positive impact on community health. Inge's work with the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa and IMA World Health focuses on training volunteers to help communities address malnutrition through nutrition and home gardening education and improved cook stoves. She also assists the Methodist Presbyterian Hostel, a mission guest house and conference center, facilitating mutual mission between groups from the U.S. and Congolese partners. Home presbytery: New Hope

The Presbyterian Women also directly support missionaries

Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez

Philippines and Southeast Asia

Cathy and Juan work to address the issues of migration and human trafficking. The UN's International Labor Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of coerced labor and/or forced into sexual exploitation. Recently, their work in this area has been challenged by the pandemic and destruction from typhoons. Juan has been working with colleagues to address the social and mental issues of children and teenagers caused by school closures and government restrictions forcing young people to stay inside for extended periods of time.

Hy-Vee Receipts for Next School Year

Hy-Vee receipts are still being accepted at the church office. They will be delivered to Cunningham School, our Partner in Education, for the next school year. The school receives $1.00 for every $250.00 in receipts, plus the top three schools receive a bonus gift.

The Ritual of Friendship Sign-In

At the end of each pew is a black binder with "The Ritual of Friendship" forms in them. If you are comfortable, please add your name and information so that we can once again celebrate our friends who attend service together!

Mark Your Calendars: Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack

Mobile Pack Event at Westminster Presbyterian. October 17-19, 2022. More information to come in the following months.

FMSC offers volunteers a one-of-a-kind experience. You'll hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to our incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world.

Through volunteering with FMSC, you'll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You'll experience what it's like to make a tangible difference today.

Volunteers Requested

Volunteers are needed to help Amber on Thursdays to stuff envelopes. This starts at 9:30 am and you will be done by 11:30 am, if not sooner. Most volunteers have been done by 10:30 am. If you are willing to help, there is a sign up for the Thursdays in June on the counter in the church office. Your help is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

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. Updated April 2022. 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

Bible Study will NOT be held this upcoming Tuesday, May 31, due to the Memorial Day Holiday. We will resume Tuesday June 7. Thank you!

LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP Now Available!

We are now live streaming our Worship Services EVERY Sunday! The stream will start at 11:00 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 the 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 11:00 am.

Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed

We are once again accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have openings May 29, Jun 19 (Father's Day), Jun 26, and July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. 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:

Mon June 06: Stewardship and Finance 12 noon church office

Mon June 06: Christian Nurture and Fellowship 2:30 pm

Tue June 07: Mission and Outreach 4:00 pm

Tue June 21: Session 6:00 pm

*All meetings held in Calvin Hall unless otherwise noted*

Church Office Closed

The church office will be closed this upcoming Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 31.

Church Prayer List

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:

Pat Narey, Kari O. Narey's husband, recovering at home from complications from his foot surgeries in February; Betty Wexter, dealing with health issues; Don Broadston had shoulder surgery on Friday, May 13, and is recovering at home; Joe Fernau, son of Marie Fernau, will be having a bone marrow transplant in the next few weeks; Don Broadston's friend, Jean Singer, struggling with lung health problems, Ed Halvorson, recovering at home from gall bladder surgery; Lorraine Baker, recovering from heart surgery; 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; 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 and settling in to her new home at Friendship Village; Joann Lockard, health issues; 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.