First Presbyterian Church Volume XXXV Number 9 September th Avenue, Kearney NE (308)

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1 First Presbyterian Church Volume XXXV Number 9 September th Avenue, Kearney NE (308) INTERIM PASTOR Rev. Nancy Tuma SESSION Clerk: Georgia Byrn ELDERS Class of 2018 Richard Elliott Sandy McKirahan Ingrid Orsted Julia Tye Class of 2019 Orlena Moyer Ben Nonhof Judy Rothenberger Tiffany Tarvestad Class of 2020 Kit Alff Bryan Allen Jill Hurt Matt Miller DEACONS Class of 2018 Sally Bryson Fred Krause Jill Sage Ruth Smith Annabelle Wells Class of 2019 Barb Friskopp Barb Icenogle Cindy Krause Barb Meyer Larry Meyer Class of 2020 Charlene Allen Robin Bowers Beth Miller Dirk Shultz COMMITTEE MODERATORS Christian Education Julia Tye, Jill Hurt Finance Ben Nonhof In-Reach (Congregational Life/Memorial) Orlena Moyer, Bryan Allen Nominating Ingrid Orsted, Julie Tye Out-Reach (Evangelism/Mission) Ingrid Orsted, Tiffany Tarvestad, Matt Miller Personnel Richard Elliott, Ben Nonhof, Kit Alff Property & Grounds Richard Elliott, Judy Rothenberger Worship & Music Sandy McKirahan, Judy Rothenberger TEACHER NEEDED The Christian Education Committee is seeking a PreK-2nd Grade teacher. If interested please contact Lynette Cobb at or lcobb.cns@citlink.net. This position could be shared with a couple of teachers. Sunday School for all ages begins Sunday, September 9, Youth classes meet at 9:30 am to 10:15 am. We are excited to announce new curriculum. Pre-K through 5th grade will be using Growing in Grace and Gratitude while our Middle School and High School youth will be exploring Faith Questions. Both series are from our Presbyterian Church USA publishers. Adult classes meet at 9:15 am to 10:00 am. Rev. Tuma will be leading an adult class Engaging the Word based on a study of the lectionary. The Seeker s Seminar led by John McKirahan and Charlie Pickens will continue to explore our relationship as Christians to our larger community. Please Join Us! CHIMES DEADLINE 15th of each month

2 NOTES FROM NANCY Hi! As I am sitting here writing this I have been here all of nine days and I have already missed my first deadline to Rose for the newsletter by a week! Not a very auspicious beginning! We, my husband Dan and I, are so happy to be here (although Dan does live in Denver and will be coming to visit most weekends). It has been an interesting and busy week and a half, meeting so many of you and attending meetings and trying to get my arms around the workings of this congregation. Please know that my office door is always open and I am looking forward to meeting each of you, answer any questions you might have, or concerns you have. I want you to know a little about me, so you will feel a little more comfortable with me as a minister and a person. I was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma while my dad was getting his PhD there. We spent most of my growing up years in university communities about the size of Kearney, so I feel right at home here. I am a cradle Presbyterian, also known as a life-long Presbyterian. My mom s mom was even a Presbyterian, but became a Methodist because the Presbyterian Church in Munden, Kansas only spoke Czechoslovakian and English was spoken at the Methodist church! I was divorced and Dan is my second husband and he is my best friend. We love road trips! Although he doesn t live here, he loves visiting and meeting all of you. We have a son, Matt (my step-son) who is 28 and is a mechanic living in Dillion, Colorado, working in Vail. Dora is our American Bulldog mix dog, whom many of you have already met. She is a good church dog, who doesn t bark much and likes to sleep and chew on beef bones! Dan has our 17-year-old Siamese cat, Kitty in Denver. She is very vocal and loves having her back scratched! I am a second career minister, who went to seminary at Iliff School of Theology. It is a Methodist seminary, but allowed me to stay in Denver for school and I did take all of the needed, necessary Presbyterian classes. Before I went back to school, I was in various types of sales; selling everything from advertising to food to promotional products to hotel conventions. I always enjoyed the relationship aspect of selling better than the selling, so this call seems like a perfect fit for me! I interned in the NICU at Children s Hospital Colorado in Denver as well as at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, working mostly with missions and the youth groups. September 25, 2018 will be my second anniversary of my ordination, so I am new at this, but have found much overlap from my previous career (and I thought I was leaving sales and event planning behind)! It is thrilling to be in a church with so much possibility. I know that things are not perfect, but nothing ever is and things can always be worse! It is when we are challenged and pushed that we can learn the most. We have so much to learn from each other and what an exciting, joy-filled time to be here! I am delighted to be in this space and place with each of you! Thank you to all of you who have been so wonderfully friendly! It is always good to have a smiling face. Grace and peace to each of you, Pastor Nancy

3 ALL IN THE CHURCH FAMILY Thank Yous: Dear Fellow Presbyterians, Thank you for the many thoughts, prayers, and flowers that have been sent my way as my Right knee has been healing. No injury or surgery, just healing from an injection to delay the need for surgery. Again, thanks for prayers and caring. Fia Feese Dear Church Family, Thank you to our church family for the calls, prayers, hugs, cards and the beautiful church alter bouquet, during JoHanna s week at CHI. She is mending at the Alma Hospital- Swing Bed facility now but will hopefully be released soon. Blessings, Betty Lewis-Fisher and JoHanna Lewis Dear First Presbyterian Church, Thank you so very much for your recent donation! It is awesome to see all three homes progressing so well! To build these 1,150 square foot homes does require a substantial amount of building materials. You have certainly helped make this possible. God bless you. Kearney Area Habitat For Humanity Directory Update: (Call the church office to get information.) Rev. Nancy Tuma, contact information Teen Topics: Kennedy Cobb is practicing cheerleading and will help lead a pep rally at Kearney High at the beginning of school. Kennedy's cheerleading squad was invited to do a pregame routine for the Citrus Bowl in Florida over New Year s. They hope to visit Disney World also. Kennedy is also taking some exciting classes this fall as a freshman at Kearney High School. Alma Gaeth... 9/6 Kelly Koch... 9/16 Gayle Woodruff... 9/6 Patricia Elliott... 9/21 PJ Panowicz... 9/8 John McKirahan... 9/23 Royal Jester... 9/10 Larry Meyer... 9/23 Sally Bryson... 9/12 Vern Plambeck... 9/23 Fulton Moyer... 9/12 Lee Sanks... 9/23 Madison Cobb... 9/13 Suone Stehlik... 9/23 Kay Eckwert... 9/13 Kennedy Cobb... 9/24 Cindy Krause... 9/13 Tom York... 9/24 Steve Rothenberger... 9/14 Gisele Guthard... 9/27 Kay Payne... 9/15 Jagger Guthard... 9/27 Charlie Pickens... 9/15 Betty Lewis-Fisher... 9/27 Robert Vohland... 9/15 Viola Pimper... 9/27 Pat Hild... 9/16 Mary Kulhanek... 9/30 If your birthday is not on our list, please contact the church office. Thanks!

4 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS The Chancel Choir started a new church year on Wednesday, August 29. If you like to sing, the choir needs you! Rehearsal time is 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings. THANK YOU! Thank you so much to the following musicians who enhanced our summer services with their talents: Linda Blackman, Clayton Moyer, Kevin Cheng, The Kearney Area Barbershoppers, Natalie Radcliffe, Sue Wallace, Addie Miller, Caleb Rohrer, Connie Moon, Miranda, Maleah, Marissa and Angela Wright, Hewitt Moyer, Carson Hemmer, Shayne Donovan, Fulton Moyer, Hannah York and Tom York. A special thank you to Sue and Connie for their accompaniments. BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER! Becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is an important way to help care for children in our community. You would be the independent eyes and ears of the court, investigating in the field and speaking out for a child. You can become a volunteer by attending the next training (30 hours) beginning October 2, 2018 from 5:30 pm-9:00 pm. The training is on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you are interested and/or have questions please call and ask for Christina. SEPTEMBER MINISTRY OF COMPASSION KEARNEY PUBLIC SHOOLS EMERGENCY FUND The Ministry of Compassion in September is the School Emergency Fund for our schools. The purpose of this fund is for the school personnel to provide clothing and hygiene items as needed for school students of all ages. Your generosity enables us to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we reach out to those in need in our schools. The fund s immediate needs are: Socks (all sizes) Underwear Sweat pants Shorts Plain t-shirts (no picture or logo) Toiletry items (bars of soap, lotion, tooth paste and brushes, shampoo/conditioner) Feminine hygiene products Cash for lice kits Many thanks for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Annabelle Wells, moderator Martha Circle MISSION OF CHANGE The Mission of Change recipient of donations collected in September and October is the Kearney Public Schools Emergency Fund. Please keep donating all your coins (not just dimes). You must include your name with the coin total amount for the donation to be listed on your estimate of giving statement.

5 MARTHA CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY Greetings, I trust your summer has gone well. In September we are again thinking of the Kearney Public Schools Emergency Fund. They need sweat pants in children and youth sizes, socks, underwear, t-shirts without a logo or picture, and hygiene items and cash for lice kits. Thanks for your generosity. Our program year will begin with a kick-off potluck on September 5 at 6:00 pm. Please bring a dish to share with others and come for fellowship and to celebrate the beginning of another year of the women in ministry and Bible study. Lesson one preview with Rev. Nancy Tuma will be September 12 at 2:00 pm in the classroom. Circle will meet on September 19. Please plan to come. It is open to all women. The theme this year is God s Promise: I am with you. September 22 will be the Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women of Central Nebraska Presbytery. It will be at Lexington at 9:00 am. The keynote speaker is Susan Ingels, who traveled with other women to Indonesia last year and will talk about how her life was changed because of it. Registration forms will be available. It is 9:00 am until 1:30 pm. Upcoming dates: September 5-6:00 pm, Potluck Supper, Family Life Center September 12-2:00 pm, Lesson 1 Preview, Classroom 3 September 19-2:00 pm, Circle Meeting, Classroom 3 I judge less when I listen more. -unknown Blessings in Christ, Annabelle Wells, Moderator SISTERS IN SPIRIT (SIS) STUDY GROUP Mondays at 7:00 pm SIS (Sisters In Spirit) Study Group continues to meet Monday nights at 7:00 pm at the church. On August 6th we started our studies of the Horizon Bible Study "God's Promise". Join us as your schedule allows. MEN S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays at 7:30 am The Men s Wednesday Morning Prayer Group meets at 7:30 am on Wednesday mornings. We continue to study using the Revised Common Lectionary that is used each Sunday in the morning worship service. REJOICING SPIRIT SERVICE Sunday, September 16-3:00 PM First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center Rejoicing Spirit Service is an inclusive worship service adapted to meet the needs of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities! Participants come from a variety of community churches while First Presbyterian hosts this monthly Rejoicing Spirits worship on the third Sunday each month for the summer. Although the Rejoicing Spirits service is adapted to more readily engage people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it remains inspiring and meaningful to everyone who attends. The Rejoicing Spirits ministry intentionally reaches out to these individuals and invites them to hear about God s love and grace. For more information, or if you would like to assist in the worship experience, contact Pr. John Gosswein at pr.john.foc@gmail.com or call the Family of Christ Lutheran Church office at

6 YOUR DEACONS AT WORK The Board of Deacons sponsored the July Ministry of Compassion which was the serving of the Jubilee meals to those in need each Thursday evening. Each week 56, 46, 64 and 60 people were served a supper of chili dogs, sloppy joes, chicken casserole and pizza. Side dishes and dessert rounded out the meals. So many members of our congregation donated food, some donated several times, and money, which was used to buy pizza. Our good neighbors, the ARC of Buffalo County, also provided food. Fifteen saints helped serve, some more than once. Many thanks to all who donated food, served and cleaned-up afterwards. Our guests were truly appreciative. Thank you for serving God and this ministry! Serving the Jubilee suppers is one of the many rewarding and heart-warming duties of the Board of Deacons. If you are interested in Loving, Learning and Serving on the Board, please contact Barb Icenogle at barbicenogle@yahoo.com or any Deacon. MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS Members from our church deliver Meals on Wheels on Tuesdays on a Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month basis. Please contact Pat Hild at if you would like to help. It takes an hour to an hour and a half for teams of two people. Join us in this worthwhile mission. September 11 drivers John and Shirley McCammond, Lorraine and Gary Feind, and Jill Sage and Barb Friskopp September 25 drivers Phil and Fia Feese,, Sue and Bob Wallace, and Jill Sage and Barbara Stevenson HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LUNCH SIGN-UP Our church will be serving the lunch at the Habitat for Humanity work site on Saturday, September 15th. The Deacons will be signing up people to provide food for the lunch. Please sign up for bringing food. We will also need workers from our church on September 9th, so plan to come and work for Habitat for Humanity that day. The workday begins at 8:00 am every Saturday except for Holidays. You can stay all day, or a portion of the day. The build sites for this season are at 17th Street and Avenue M. Please check out our website at: for building details, announcements, and other information. Thank you in advance for your help! ELMER HOLZRICHTER ARTWORK First Presbyterian Church has received a gift of works of art by Elmer Holzrichter. Margaret, Eric and the entire Holzrichter family have made this remarkable gift possible and the church gratefully thanks them for their efforts. The gift includes seven banners and two cut letter collages. The two largest banners and four of the smaller banners have been hung in the Sanctuary in a way that simulates the large stained glass windows of old cathedral churches. Another banner and the collages are hung in the small conference room adjacent to the main office. These artworks add significantly to the spiritual aesthetic of our building and we hope all members will enjoy them for many years to come. Please offer a personal thank you to Margaret and Eric whenever you see them.

7 SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEER LIST LITURGISTS September 2 Charlie Pickens September 9 Sharon Swett September 16 Jean Johnson September 23 Carol Smith September 30 Josh Hofer ACOLYTES September 2 Kili Diestler September 9 Derrick Nonhof September 16 Addison Miller September 23 Hewitt Moyer September 30 Derrick Nonhof COFFEE HOSTS September 2 Germaine Oldfather and Mary & Tom York September 9 Worship & Music and In-Reach Committees September 16 SIS Study Group September 23 Bev & John Gustafson September 30 FLOWERS September 2 Rodger & Kay Payne September 9 Gary & Mary McGee September 16 Jack & Pat Hild September 23 Gary & Mary McGee September 30 HOSPITAL CALLERS Aug. 27-Sept. 2 Carol Smith September 3-9 Jill Sage September Jordan Nelson September Beth Miller September Karen Diestler REMINDER If your schedule does not permit you to be here on your assigned Sunday, please trade with someone else and notify the church office at before Wednesday morning so the bulletin information can be accurate. USHERS/GREETERS September 2 Team 5 Beth Johnson Judy Rothenberger Eldin & Annabelle Wells Shawni Wright Lissa Woodruff September 9 Team 6 Dwayne & Vianne Anderson Jill Hurt John Icenogle Earl & JoAnn Rademacher Alan Rees September 16 Team 7 Pat Hild Josh Hofer Mary Kulhanek Larry & Barb Meyer Tiffany Tarvestad September 23 Team 8 Jon & Leslie Abegglen Robin Bowers Doug Giles Joan Giles Randy Tonniges September 30 Team 9 Mike Bryson Rodger & Kay Payne Ken Slominski Cecil & Carol Smith COMMUNION SERVERS September 5 Linda Blackman Karen Diestler Sandy McKirahan Kay Payne Rodger Payne Ruth Smith

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9 First Presbyterian Church th Avenue Kearney, NE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNIITES GENERAL ASSEMBLY TALK Sunday, September 23 9:15 AM Exciting things are happening at the YOUTH (Age 3-12th Grade) Nursery Available for infants Sundays 9:30 am WOMEN Sundays 9:15 am 3rd Wednesdays 2:00 pm Mondays 7:00 pm MEN Sundays 9:15 am Wednesdays 7:30 am national and international levels of our Presbyterian denomination! Sharon Rees represented the Presbytery of Central Nebraska at the biennial meeting of the General Assembly in St. Louis, MO in June. She will share what she learned on Sunday, September 23 at 9:15 am. Come and hear about how Presbyterians worldwide are participating in the mission of God.