Arms of Faith

Faith Presbyterian Church

My seminary roommate and I only lived together for a year. Then we went on to our respective internships and lived in different towns, seeing each other during classes on Mondays during our Senior year. Our standard parting was “see you Monday,” even when we knew it might be several weeks before we came together again. When we get together now, every few years, we still part company with “see you Monday.” We love knowing that, at some point, we will come together again to share our lives and our faith. There are many ways to say goodbye: “See you soon”, “Catch you later,” “Until tomorrow,” “Go well,” “Stay well,” “God be with you,” to name just a few. Parting is always difficult, but it is made gentler, easier to cope with, when we can separate with the under-standing that eventually, we will, indeed, be together again. Know-ing that we part for now, but not for always, leaves us with hope for a future that includes this person that we love. Easter is our reminder that life promises temporary farewells. Jesus’ resurrection, his victory over death and the grave gives us hope that nothing, NOTHING, can separate us from God’s love, and from the ones we love in Christ. Holy Week takes us from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the disgrace of crucifixion. And we would be without hope if that’s where the week ended. But it doesn’t. Holy week ends with an empty tomb and Jesus’ sur-prised followers, gripped by the glory of life turned upside down. Nothing will ever be the same again, because the Spirit is loose in the world. God can no longer be contained in the temple or boxed into beginning/middle/end of life. There are no goodbyes, only “see you later” and “God be with you until we meet again.” And so that is what I would say to you all, my Faith friends. We have journeyed together for a time, learning from each other, sharing what God would have us share. Pastor Portia will come, and you will journey together for a time learning and growing together in other ways. You will change and challenge her, as you have changed and challenged me. And we will meet again at some point on our journey, whether here or in the hereafter. Blessings on you all, and thank you for letting me share this season of growth with you.

Pastor Sally

“To know, to grow, and to show Christ to all people”

2017

Holy Week Services

Palm Sunday April 9th Palm Sunday Parade “What do you see?” A mixture of people

stood in the crowd on Palm Sunday, some

believing in Jesus and some scoffing.

The Puppet Team and the LOGOS choir will

lead our reenactment of Palm Sunday. Our sermon is

“The Triumph of Forgiveness”

Maundy Thursday April 13th

A Service of meditation & communion.

Good Friday April 14th “It Happened on

Good Friday” The Trial, The Denial,

The Crucifixion. Step into the evening our Lord was crucified through drama, singing,

and a visual representation.

Easter Sunday April 16th

“The Lamb of God” The women at the tomb

and the grace Jesus gave Peter will lead us to

the Glorious Resurrection of our

Lord.

FAITH—FAMILY—FUN!

APRIL 2017

Faith Kids Sunday Morning

Calling all Faith Kids ages pre-school through 6th grade and their families! It’s April—the month known for the beginning of Spring and rain showers bringing new flowers! In other words: the earth is cleansed of the winter and the old and ready for a brand new beginning! The Easter season is upon us and Jesus Christ offers us all a new beginning! This is what the focus of all our studies are about this month, and we don’t want you to miss out on any of these lessons and all the fun games, crafts and other activities we are doing that reinforce this awesome promise. Come join us and learn how to Bloom for Christ! Here are the stories and God’s Messages that we will be focusing on for the month: April 2— Jesus, the Son of God— God’s Message: To understand my kingdom you must have the faith of a child. Love me with all your heart and love others. April 9— The Hour of Darkness — God’s Message: Jesus has finished His task on earth, but soon joyful sounds of triumph will fill the air. Death has no power over My Son! The best is yet to come! April 16 — EASTER! HE IS RISEN! — God’s Message: Please worship with your family and Celebrate your Risen LORD! April 23—The Resurrection—God’s Message: Share it with everyone! Christ is risen! Hallelujah! April 30—New Beginnings - God’s Message: The Holy Spirit has come just as I promised. Let the Spirit’s comfort bring you peace. Let the Spirit’s power fill you with courage.

Women at Faith - This is for You!

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!

It’s time to enjoy the warm weather, sit on the deck, gaze at the budding trees and blooming flowers, relax and read a book! Housework work can wait, after all it’s spring! Enjoy the fever! This month we are going to read: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. This story is about a labor and delivery nurse at a Con-necticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, she begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The hospital tells her the parents of the baby are white supremacists and don’t want her to touch their child because she is an African American and that she is to comply with their request. The next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while she is alone with it in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene? When asked about this book by People Magazine, Picoult said “Small Great Things goes beyond those tough conversa-tions. I talk all the time in my books about subjects that peo-ple don’t really want to talk about,” she says. “But to me, this feels different. I think racial awareness is one of the most pressing conversations that we really need to have in our country, and it’s something that a lot of people don’t want to talk about because it makes them uncomfortable.” This books promises some interesting conversation! HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 11:30 and at 5:30 in the Library. Everyone is welcome to join in. May’s Book: For the Love by Jen Hatmaker June’s Book: Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O’Reilly

Attention All Egg Hunters! The annual Easter Egg Hunt for all children, toddlers through 4th Grade ,will be held at 10:30 Easter Morning . We will meet downstairs in room 14/15 to decorate our bags and the Hunt will begin. Can’t wait to see

you!

Beth Moore fans and those who would like to be one, get ready! At the end of April we will begin a new study on Sunday mornings written by her and titled DAVID—Seeking a Heart Like His. This study of David will show us that we are a lot like him in our doubts, temptations, losses, family problems, and other personal trials. David will delight and disap-point you. You might find yourself wanting to be just like him at times and absolutely nothing like him at others. If you’re willing to search your heart and let God rule over it this study, is for you! Oh to have the heart of the shepherd! This class is open to all who wish to participate in it and will be facilitated by Meg Dorsee. Please sign up for this class at the table in the Cen-trum or e-mail Anne at anne@faith-presbyterian.com or call her at 402-331-6944.

April 2 Ranae Overton April 3 Steve Harmsen April 3 Glenda Ackland April 3 Ben Jamieson April 6 Michael Elland April 6 Rob Crick April 8 Sam Dickey April 9 Janet Marcley April 14 Lesli Pool April 17 Ginny McKulsky April 17 Peter Svoboda April 19 Debbie Kippley April 19 Barb Rooker April 20 David Olney April 21 John O’Brien April 22 John Davey April 22 Marta Davis April 23 Al Levene April 29 Roberta Shafer

Clothing Give Away

Thanks to everyone who had already donated or helped sort. We will be sorting clothes on Wed. May 3, 10, 17

and 31 from 9-11.

We will be setting up on Thurs. June 22 from 6-8 and all day Fri. June 23. The actual give away is June 24 from

9-12. Questions? Call Terri O'Brien at 402-301-9520 or

e-mail terri@seamstobequilts.com.

Farewell and Best Wishes for Sally

Please join us on Sunday April 9th immediately following

the 11:00 service for a potluck in the Family Life Center.

We will be honoring Sally while we say, “thank you and

best wishes” as she moves on to her next adventures. It

will be a fun time and we hope that all of you can be

there! If you have questions, please contact Meg Dorsee

at 402-619-1811 or Carolyn Ernst at 402-991-3184.

Happy Birthday

YOUTH BANQUET The Youth Banquet will be held in Fellowship Hall on

April 30th after the 11:00 a.m. service. During the Ban-

quet we’ll have a celebration for our high school sen-

iors. All youth in grades 7-12 and their families are in-

vited. Invitations will be mailed out in March. If any

high school senior or other youth doesn't receive an

invitation, please contact Susie. Please RSVP to Susie

Melonis by April 19th at susiemelonis@gmail.com or at

402-339-0455. Let her know if you will be attending

and how many there will be in your group.

Seniors’ Night Out

All seniors 50 and over, join us

April 7 at 5:30 pm.

This month we will meet at Ragazzi’s Pizza,

5170 S 72nd St #106 (near 72nd & Q St) in

Ralston.

Thanks to everyone who

helped with the Ash Wednes-day service. Thanks to your

generosity, $333 was col-lected. After the expenses

were paid, $100 was donated to the Prayer Shawl Ministry

at Faith Church and $79.00 was donated to Crossroads

Connection. Thanks again. Terri O'Brien

Found in the church

parking lot - lady’s ring. May be part of a wed-

ding band set. Please call or stop in at the

church office if it is yours.

Ranae, the church secretary, will be out for knee

replacement surgery for the next few weeks. Shirley

Glissman will be covering the phone along with Sally

and other staff members.

An Invitation to Mission

After his Resurrection Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times and told Peter

to feed and care for His sheep in John 21:15-20. After that Jesus gave the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This is the heart of the Mission Evangelism Committee.

Today’s research says that people join churches because of their mission projects

and service to the community and then they come to worship.

The Mission Evangelism Committee is looking for individuals to help us feed and

look after His sheep in our community.

Mission Evangelism meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7PM in room 9. Please prayerfully consider joining our team.

Per Capita

Each year all PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA) members of congregations are asked to contribute by paying Per capita for the good of the whole church system. Our denomination describes Per capita as used to fund “ecclesiastical and administrative” functions that are shared by the whole church. “Per capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian church to partici-pate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordina-tion and evaluation of mission; and of performing ecclesiastical legislative, and judicial functions that identify a Reformed Church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians” (GA Minutes, Part 1, 1995) “In essence, Per capita is a set amount (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger Presbyterian Church USA. Each Presbyterian shares in the benefit of the PCUSA’s system of government, so every Presbyterian is asked to share the expenses associated with coordinating and performing the functions of that system.” One important part of the Per capita process is this: each member is as-sessed the same amount. In PMRV (Presbytery of Missouri River Valley), the Per capita for 2017 in $36.00. Of that amount, $7.50 is set aside and sent to GA (General Assembly), $5.30 is set aside and sent to our Synod, and the remaining $23.20 is used for PMRV. Each congregation is asked to pay based on its membership. Last year Faith Presbyterian Church had 326 members X $36 = $11,736.00 (membership num-bers are always a year behind). What you may not know is the Faith pays that $11,736 at the beginning of the year. We follow through on our commitment to the larger church by helping fund not only the Presbytery, but Synod and General Assembly. I guess you could say this is the cost of being a Presbyterian and part of the connectional system of the PCUSA. Why all this information? Because we ask you as members and friends of the congregation to pay your individual Per capita of $36.00. If we all pay the Per capita, that $11,736 goes back into our budget for the work of our local congre-gation doing our mission and work right here on the corner. If you would like to help someone else offset their Per capita, please do so. Some families working on small incomes have four or five members in their fam-ily, and your addition of a few dollars can help them reach that goal of paying Per capita. Dave Wennstedt

Sund

ay

Mon

day

Tues

day

Wed

nesd

ay

Thur

sday

Fr

iday

Sa

turd

ay

1

2 3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

12:3

0p

m P

up

pe

ts

1:0

0p

m Y

ou

th G

rou

p

1:0

0-5

:00

pm

Vo

lleyb

all -

FLC

6

:00

pm

Tab

le T

en

nis

- FL

C

11:3

0am

AB

C B

oo

k C

lub

- Li

br

5:30

pm

AB

C B

oo

k C

lub

- Li

br

6:3

0p

m B

ell

reh

ear

sal

7pm

De

aco

ns

Me

eti

ng

- 14

/15

7:0

0p

m P

rais

e R

eh

ear

sal

7:30

pm

Su

pp

ort

7:0

0am

Cam

pu

s Li

fe -

FLC

7:

15p

m F

aith

Gro

up

- 9

7:

30p

m C

ho

ir -

Ch

oir

ro

om

3:0

5pm

Cam

pu

s Li

fe

7:0

0p

m M

aun

dy

Th

urs

day

Se

rvic

e

Pas

tor

Sal

ly’s

last

day

10am

Org

an P

ract

ice

Pal

m S

un

day

12

:00

pm

Po

tlu

ck f

or

Sal

ly

1:0

0p

m P

NC

- 4

2:

00

-5:0

0p

m V

olle

ybal

l - F

LC

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

6

:00

pm

Yo

uth

Gro

up

1:30

pm

LO

Ls -

8

6:3

0 p

m K

nit

tin

g G

rou

p –

1

6:3

0-8

:30

Cu

b S

cou

ts 2

,3,4

,7

7-9

:30

Bo

y S

cou

ts -

8,9

,14

/15

7:0

0p

m G

oo

d F

rid

ay

S

erv

ice

Eas

ter

Su

nd

ay

9-1

1am

Eas

ter

Bru

nch

- F

H

10:3

0am

Eas

ter

Eg

g h

un

t 1-

6p

m S

ud

ane

se U

nit

y

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

Off

ice

Clo

sed

6

:30

pm

Kn

itti

ng

Gro

up

– 1

6

:30

-8:3

0 C

ub

Sco

uts

2,3

,4,7

7-

9:3

0 B

oy

Sco

uts

- 8

,9,1

4/1

5

1:30

pm

PW

Cir

cle

- FH

6

:30

pm

Be

ll re

he

arsa

l 7:

00

pm

Pra

ise

Re

he

arsa

l N

EW

SLE

TT

ER

AR

TIC

LES

DU

E

Pas

tor

Po

rtia

’s f

irst

day

1

2:30

pm

Pu

pp

ets

1:

00

pm

PN

C -

4

1:0

0-5

:00

pm

Vo

lleyb

all -

FLC

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

6:0

0p

m Y

ou

th G

rou

p

3:0

5pm

Cam

pu

s Li

fe

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

7:

00

pm

Se

ssio

n m

ee

tin

g -

FH

10am

Org

an P

ract

ice

10

am M

ug

s &

Mu

ffin

s -

o

ffsi

te

8am

Me

n’s

Bre

akfa

st -

FH

9am

Sw

ee

t A

de

line

s 10

am O

rgan

Pra

ctic

e

6:3

0p

m O

mah

a C

hri

stia

n

S

ing

les

- FH

1:

30p

m L

OLs

- 8

6

:30

pm

Kn

itti

ng

G

rou

p –

1

6:3

0-8

:30

Cu

b S

cou

ts 2

,3,4

,7

7-9

:30

Bo

y S

cou

ts -

8,9

,14

/15

Su

nd

ay W

ors

hip

Tim

es

Tra

dit

ion

al:

8:3

0 a

m

Ble

nd

ed

:

11:0

0 a

m

Su

dan

ese

: 12

:30

pm

- FH

Fe

llo

wsh

ip:

9:3

0 &

10

:45

Cla

sse

s fo

r A

du

lts:

9

:45a

m

Fait

h K

ids:

11

:00

am

7:0

0am

Cam

pu

s Li

fe -

FLC

5:

00

pm

Ch

oir

Ch

ime

s 5:

45-

8:3

0p

m L

OG

OS

7:

15p

m F

aith

Gro

up

- 9

7:30

pm

Ch

oir

- C

ho

ir r

oo

m

3:0

5pm

Cam

pu

s Li

fe

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

Te

am M

ee

tin

gs

6:3

0p

m L

ead

ers

hip

- 7

6:3

0p

m W

ors

hip

- 8

7p

m F

acili

tie

s T

eam

- 12

7p

m M

issi

on

/Eva

ng

elis

m- 9

7p

m F

ello

wsh

ip T

eam

- 14

/15

7pm

Dis

cip

lesh

ip T

eam

- 7

5:30

pm

Se

nio

rs’ N

igh

t O

ut

D

rag

on

Caf

e

6:3

0p

m B

ell

reh

ear

sal

7:0

0p

m P

rais

e R

ehea

rsal

1:30

pm

LO

Ls -

8

5-9

:00

pm

Yo

un

g A

du

lt

S

oci

al-o

ffsi

te

6:3

0 p

m K

nit

tin

g G

rou

p –

1

6:3

0-8

:30

Cu

b S

cou

ts 2

,3,4

,7

7-9

:30

Bo

y S

cou

ts -

8,9

,14

/15

7:0

0am

Cam

pu

s Li

fe

7:15

pm

Fai

th G

rou

p -

9

3:0

5pm

Cam

pu

s Li

fe -

FLC

6

:00

pm

Tab

le T

en

nis

- FL

C

7pm

Ste

ph

en

Min

istr

y - R

m 4

10am

Org

an P

ract

ice

12:3

0p

m P

up

pe

ts

12:0

0p

m Y

ou

th

B

anq

ue

t - F

H

1:0

0p

m P

NC

- 4

1:0

0-5

:00

pm

Vo

lleyb

all -

FLC

6:0

0p

m T

able

Te

nn

is -

FLC

6:3

0p

m B

ell

reh

ear

sal

7:0

0p

m P

rais

e R

ehea

rsal

7:0

0am

Cam

pu

s Li

fe

5:0

0p

m C

ho

ir C

him

es

5:4

5-8

:30

pm

LO

GO

S

7:15

pm

Fai

th G

rou

p -

9

7:30

pm

Ch

oir

- C

ho

ir r

oo

m

1:30

pm

LO

Ls -

8

6:3

0 p

m K

nit

tin

g

G

rou

p –

1

6:3

0-8

:30

Cu

b S

cou

ts 2

,3,4

,7

10am

Org

an P

ract

ice

1:

00

pm

An

n’s

Mu

sic

Wo

rld

S

anct

uar

y/lib

rary

30

20

17

31

A Note of Introduction from our next Bridge Pastor

“Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is with a

sense of joy and anticipation that I begin to serve you in this time of transition as you

continue your search for a new pastor. While I’ve met members of your HR Commit-

tee and Session, let me introduce myself.

I was born in West Virginia, although all the other members of my family - my

parents and sister - were native Nebraskans. West Virginia was a wonderful place in

which to grow up in the 1950s. A short distance from our home was the birthplace of

Nancy Hanks, the mother of Abraham Lincoln. The author of “Frosty, the Snowman”

grew up in our town. And the inspirational writer Catherine Marshall was a daughter

of our Presbyterian Church. In addition to writing for Guideposts for many years, she

authored A Man Called Peter, the story of her husband Peter Marshall’s ministry as

Chaplain of the US Senate and pastor of the Washington, DC church where President

Lincoln worshipped, which became an Academy Award winning movie. I come from a

great tradition of Presbyterian women.

After graduation from Colby College in Maine as an English major, I worked in

Washington, DC for a few years as a House of Representatives and Senate staffer.

Within a short time I was in New York City where I spent 17 years as a professional

actress. You may still catch me somewhere in the background of a “Law and Order”

rerun.

In 1992 acting on a religious calling that had always been mine, I began my stud-

ies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, graduated in 1995 and was or-

dained in The Presbyterian Church (USA). My first church was in New Jersey on the

beach.

The hospitalization of both of my parents in 1999 led me to relocate to Platts-

mouth so my parents could continue to live in their own home on the family farm. I

feel blessed that both my mother and father lived to age 90.

Since 2005 I have worked in interim or transitional ministry serving the Meth-

odist, Disciples of Christ (Nebraska Christian Church), UCC and Lutheran (ELCA) de-

nominations as well as the Presbyterian Church. My most recent pastorates were 15

months at Murray Presbyterian and then in February of this year completed 6 months

at Plattsmouth First Presbyterian (a “second time around” as I’d served them in 2011-

12 also). I love the creativity and stimulus of transitional ministry and look forward to

serving you in this period in the life and work of Faith Presbyterian Church.

With joy in beginning as your transitional pastor, Portia Iverson

Faith Youth Sunday Morning

Starting Sunday, March 5th through April 9th our Sunday morning class -TODAY! will do a study focus-ing on the people involved in the last week of Jesus’ life. As we look at Peter, Judas, Pontius Pilate, to name a few, we will look at how they would fit in our society today, or are they already here—do we know them - are we one of them? Promises for some great discussion! This class meets in the Gathering Room at 10:15 am. All youth, 8th grade through 12th are invited. Donut holes and fruit are available. Come check us out!

YOUTH CALENDAR FOR APRIL

Sun. 4/2 – 1:00pm—Youth Group Family Fun Center XL Wed. 4/5— 5:45pm—LOGOS A to Z Sun. 4/9 – 6:00pm - Youth Group Mission Night Wed. 4/12 –5:45pm – LOGOS Last LOGOS—Party Time! Sun. 4/16– EASTER! - Easter Brunch 9:00—11:00am No Youth Group Wed. 4/19 – 6:00pm Youth Sunday Practice We’re Out of Here! Sun. 4/23 — 6:00pm—Youth Group A Day in the Park Wed. 4/26 – 6:00pm Practice for Youth Sun. Sat. 4/29— Final Practice to be Announced Sun. 4/30—Youth Sunday!

Youth Banquet/Celebration

P

H

O

T

O

-

M

O

V

I

E

N

I

G

H

T

APRIL 2017

GenOn Youth Summit Up-Date

This year’s Summit will be held July 9th – 15th at the

YMCA Camp of the Rockies. Our deposits have been sent

in and as of this date we have 12 people going: 2 adult

sponsors, 4 young adults and 6 youth! Right now we are

busy planning some fun and different fundraisers so that

our trip costs can be reduced! Our first fund raiser will

be the Easter Brunch served Easter morning from

9:00—11:00am. We ask that everyone come hungry

and ready for some great food! Cost is $7.00 per adult,

children under 12 eat for free!

If you have questions or need more info, contact Anne

at (402-331-6944) or anne@faith-presbyterian.com

F. Y. I. FAITH YOUTH INFORMATION

Youth Sunday!

April 30th is Youth Sunday! It starts out with a bang and ends with an even bigger bang! Sunday morning at 11:00 we lead the worship service and follow it up with our Youth Banquet and Senior Celebration! This year we have a na-tionally known local speaker coming to inspire us! His name is Kevin Kush. Kevin has been a teacher and coach for more that 20 years and is known nationally as one of the most outstanding motivational speakers around. He was honored as an ABC News “Person of the Week” for leading his Boys Town School football team of at risk youth to an undefeated regular season. He is the author of sev-eral books and many publications. It is an honor to have him as our guest and have the opportunity to hear him speak. He will be discussing “Doors of Opportunity” and what lays ahead in the world for a person like - YOU!

This is a Sunday you don’t want to miss!

Arms of Faith A publication of Faith Presbyterian Church

“To know, to grow, and to show Christ to all people.”

Office: 402-331-6944

Pastor Sally Carlson (C) 402-305-7704 Sally’s Office hours:

Sun 7:30am-12:30pm

Mon - Wed 10am-4pm

Web: www.faith-presbyterian.com Face book: www.facebook.com/

faithpresby

Your Session

Fellowship Meg Dorsee

Leadership Dave Olney Chris Hayes (YE)

Facilities Phil Westerfield Mission & Evang Debbie Kippley

Discipleship Stacey Dunbar Jeana Svoboda

Support Dave Wennstedt

Scott Jamieson Human Res Mark Jewett

Kit Zimmerman Worship Terri O’Brien