First Report - FPC Lincolnfpclincoln.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/15-Vol46-8.pdfAugust 2015/Volume...

August 2015/Volume 46, No. 8 First Presbyterian Church - “A place to belong!”

First Report

Ministers Members of Congregation

Music Director Interim Head of Staff Brian Pfoltner

Organist Charles W. Ore

Coordinator of Children’s Ministries Stephanie Nelson

Coordinator of Finance Patricia Wissink

Publications Secretary Susan Diers

Maintenance Jeff Kephart

Clerk of Session Terri Sherman

Associate Clerk of Session Joan Berglund

Church Treasurer Jim Carrier

A publication of First Presbyterian Church August 2015/Volume 46, No. 8 840 South 17th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

Update from the Personnel Committee Your YOUTH MINISTRY TASKFORCE is meeting weekly with our consultant, Youth

Ministry Architects, to reboot our Youth Ministry here at FPC. We will have a full schedule for

the upcoming year, both for Mid-High and for Senior High Youth Groups and Sunday School.

Some of our ideas will need Session approval, but we know you are going to like the new plan

for the fall and spring semesters! More on all of that soon!

Given the recent departure of Rev. Nancy De Vries to her new interim position in Detroit,

the Session took steps to make sure that Pastor Nan’s duties were being covered until a new

interim pastor can be hired by the Session. The Session appointed Dr. Brian Pfoltner as our

Interim Head of Staff, and the Worship and Sacraments Committee will be coordinating pulpit

supply. The Rev. Cathy Allen will be moderating regularly scheduled Session meetings. The

Session also appointed Carlene Waldron to serve as Parish Visitor for Lay Pastoral Care during

this transition period. And, finally, The Rev. Ray Meester and the Rev. Katie Barrett Todd will

be providing pastoral care in critical circumstances. Both have also been authorized by the

Session to perform funerals and memorial services as needed before the arrival of a new interim

pastor. — Alicia Henderson, Personnel Co-Chair

IPNC Update The Interim Pastor Nominating Committee has completed a new Interim Pastor/Head of

Staff position description. The committee will be sending it, along with a cover letter advising

executive presbyters of our opening, to Presbyteries in our region. Homestead Presbytery has

already provided us with three names to consider. We hope that this slightly broader search will

give us a strong pool of candidates. More updates to follow. — Alex Currie, IPNC Chair

Interim Pastor Nominating Committee members: Alex Currie, Chair (Personnel, Librarian,

Congregational Nominating, Foundation Board); Paul Jasa (Session Elder, Vice Chair of

Congregational Nominating, Marketing & Media); Duane Sattler (Worship & Sacrament,

defacto early service lay coordinator, parent); Suanne Stange (Choir, former PNC, PW);

Lynne Hughes (Session Elder, GPS Goals Leadership, Care of Members Chair, office

volunteer); Jeri Brandt (Session Elder, Worship & Sacrament, Choir, former PNC).

Please Welcome Jeff Kephart to First Church! The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce that Jeff Kephart has

been hired to fill the Maintenance Worker position. Jeff has over 20 years

of experience in maintenance, and has knowledge in HVAC, electrical,

plumbing, carpentry, and general maintenance. Jeff said he has been aware

of our building and property for many years, and has always admired and

respected it. He is excited to be able to be a part of it now. Jeff has an

appreciation of older things, and is dedicated to maintaining and preserving

the heritage and history of our building for future generations.

Originally from Grand Island, Jeff moved to Lincoln in 1992. He and his wife Paulma live

on an acreage near Sterling, and have two children – Austin and Amelia. In his spare time Jeff

relaxes by biking, camping, fishing, and restoring old cars.

Jeff started on July 16th, and is working Monday thru Friday from 8 until noon. If you

happen to see him in the building, stop and say hi and introduce yourself.

— Brett Richert, Personnel Committee

Jeff Kephart

Congregation Meeting Sunday, August 16, 2015 following 2

nd service in the Sanctuary

for the purpose of electing the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee)

First Presbyterian Church - “A place to belong!” 2 August 2015/Volume 46, No. 8

If you would like to add

someone to the prayer list,

please call the church office.

Julie Hastings, Jean Holtzclaw,

Bob Martin, Ronald & Peggy

Miller, Jean Pfoltner,

Mike Ryan, Zayln Soerjawitaka,

Elizabeth Sterns

Calvin Crest’s

18th Annual BBQ

& Quilt Auction Sat., Aug. 15, 2015

10:00 AM—Quilts on display

11:30 AM-1:00 PM—BBQ Lunch ($10 adults/$4 children 4-9)

10:00 AM-2:00 PM—Silent Auction

1:00 PM—Live Quilt Auction in a/c Proett Center

Open Swim & Activities / Evening Cookout & Campfire

Live online bidding available at

www.proxibid.com/calvincrest

Help support Calvin Crest’s annual fundraising event!

As many of you know, the Presbyterian Congregations of Lincoln/Lancaster County will be building a house as part of the local, national and international Habitat for Humanity mission. Volunteers are needed for the actual build. We can volunteer as a group from First Pres or you can show up on the building dates as an individual.

You will need to sign a liability form and you can find that online at, http://www.lincolnhabitat.org/group-volunteers.html. If you are building as an individual and not a group, please take the Safety Training on the Habitat website. Groups will receive training on site. The building occurs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You should call the Habitat office at 402-477-9184 if you are available to help. There are certain days which are better for groups to attend, however all other days you can come alone or in a small group of 2-3. The big date is August 8th when the walls will be raised and we will need 20 volunteers. However, to meet the August 8th date set for the wall raising, we will need 10-12 volunteers on July 30, August 4th, and August 6th. Two other group build days will be August 22nd and August 29th. All Presbyterian congregations will be securing volunteers to help on the PresbyBuild. To coordinate the First Pres

workers, we ask that you call Steve Hastings at 402-419-9050 or Bill Janike at 402-489-6779 if you are interested in volunteering as a member of a group. If you want to work any other days, please contact Lincoln Habitat directly.

We have signed up to provide a meal for the August 22nd group build date and Pam Carrier will be coordinating this event. If you are interested in helping provide food on Saturday, August 22nd, contact Pam at [email protected]. If you are interested in providing meals any Tues., Thurs., or Sat., go to http://www.lincolnhabitat.org/meal-volunteer.html to learn what to bring if you are providing meals.

Construction volunteers: If you are not going on a group build date, but want to build any other Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, take the online safety course Habitat for Humanity Safety Training, on the above stated Habitat website. Any safety equipment which is required will be provided by Habitat. You should come in sturdy, closed toe shoes and non-baggy clothing. In all cases be it to volunteer to help with the Build, or

~ Time to Get Building on the Habitat House ~ bring meals, feel free to call Michele Williamson or a staff member at Habitat for Humanity, 402-477-9184.

ANY QUESTIONS? Call Steve Hastings or Bill Janike.

F&E is heading to the Saltdogs Game Sunday, August 2 Tailgate: 3:00 PM / Game: 5:05 PM

Look for the Red tents in the South West corner of the parking lot.

Tickets are $8 - Call Steve Zoucha 402-441-4178 to order your tickets.

Our sympathies & prayers go to the families of:

● Don Marx & family in the recent death of his sister,

Dorothy Marx in Minnetonka, MN, on July 1.

● Rich Bolz and family in the death of his brother,

Roger Bolz in Omaha, on July 11.

August 2015/Volume 46, No. 8 3 First Presbyterian Church - “A place to belong!”

Sunday Adult Bible Discovery Adult Bible Discovery continues through the summer - Sundays

at 9:00 AM in the Parlor with Gary Hughes. Come any time

before the late worship service. Grab a cup of coffee and join in

the conversation. All are welcome!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Adult Studies Resume September 13th With four classes on

The Self-deceiving Self: Pharisees and Publicans

Rev. Bob Jeambey will launch this fall’s Adult Studies

amidst informal coffee conviviality in the Rousseau Room

downstairs. Bob will start a series of four class discussions on

the games our minds play when confronted by information that

tells a “hard truth” or that contradicts our beliefs.

He will relate the parable in Luke 18:9-14 to Leon

Festinger’s theory of Cognitive Dissonance. That’s Festinger’s

name for our experience of and reactions to something we’d

rather not hear or that go against our convictions. Four classes

will explore the resulting discomforts and the conscious and

unconscious ways we respond.

Bob has prepared a paper for advance reading for each

lesson. To obtain a copy of the first lesson reading paper via

e-mail contact [email protected] or speak to Bob directly

at church or 402-484-6931. (Yes, you can get the papers to read

even if you cannot attend the class.)

Rousseau Room, Sundays, 9:45-10:45, Sept. 13-Oct. 4

with coffee freshly brewed by Ruth.

(The UNL’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will be

offering again, beginning later in October at FPC, Bob’s

published dissertation on Built-in Differences That Require Yet

Challenge America’s Democracy.)

— ADULT STUDIES —

— KIDSMIN: VBS—July 10-12, 2015 —

Stay tuned for the upcoming 2015-16 Arts for the Soul

Concert Season... Coming Soon! ————————————————

Join the Adult Choir or Handbell Choir Adult Choir & Handbell Choir rehearsals resume this fall.

Open to ages high school & up (bell choir spots are limited).

If you are interested or have questions please contact Brian

Pfoltner at 402-477-6037 or email [email protected].

— MUSIC —

We had an amazing weekend absolutely filled with the

Spirit. Thank you all so much for sharing your time, talent and

energy to make this year's VBS a wonderful celebration of

God's vision for our church!

Joan Berglund, Margie Carlson, Lisa Jasa, Eleanor Novotny,

Lonnie Roth, Gary Hughes & Marlene Wagner all helped

with feeding everyone :)

Pam Carrier, Steve Hastings & Sue Tillinghast taught Mission

Debbie DeFrain & Brittany Pfoltner taught music

LeAnn Hammar, Carlene Waldron, Mary Pfoltner & Dave

Hammar taught Individual Growth class

Maddy Diedrichsen, Olivia Diedrichsen, Brittany Pfoltner &

Shea Koolen led a spirit-filled campfire on Friday evening

Lynne Hughes & Marlene Wagner created a neighborhood

scavenger hunt

Shirley Bair helped cut out flowers

Paul & Lisa Jasa, Dale Novotny & Jacob Synowicki taught

good soil science

Nyalat & Mayuom Buom helped with the little ones

Carlene Waldron filled her sketchbook with VBS ideas

Cindy Lloyd helped with VBS pre-planning

David Peabody, Jeri Brant, Dave Hammar, Connie Philippi,

Debbie DeFrain & Mary Pfoltner voiced our adorable puppets

Mary & Brittany Pfoltner spent weeks designing decorations

Dave Hammar had the original idea for this year's VBS

Connie Philippi spent many, many hours in preparing and

organizing details

and to so many, many others for helping with a MILLION

details..... THANK YOU!!!

— Steph Nelson

(VBS pictures on pages 4 & 5)

On behalf of the CE Committee, I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU

to ALL of our wonderful VBS volunteers!!

Hymnal Giveaway Looking for the words or music to a

hymn you love to sing? Perhaps one that

was in one of the old hymnals? Now's

your chance to get one or a compliment

of retired First Pres hymnals. Previous

editions of the green, red, and blue

hymnals as well as the paperback “Sing

the Faith” will be offered free after the

first and second services Aug. 2 and

Aug. 9. Stop by the table in the

East Entrance. — Lisa Jasa


— KIDSMIN: VBS—July 10-12, 2015 —


— SESSION HIGHLIGHTS: JULY 9, 2015 —

Our 10:00 a.m. Sunday church

service is broadcast on Lincoln’s Time Warner Channel 71.11. To learn more about us at

First Church visit us at

www.fpclincoln.org.

— MISSION OUTREACH —

Purchase Grocery Cards! For one of the easiest ways to earn money for the church, see Lynne Hughes on Sundays in the East Entrance after the worship services. She can sell you grocery cards at no added cost to you. The grocery stores give the Deacon’s Benevolence Fund a percentage of the sale. We can easily raise money for the church if we all purchase cards. Cards are available for: A Street Market, HyVee, Ideal, Leon’s, Russ’s Market, and Super Saver.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Continue to Collect Labels! Please continue to collect General Mills Box Tops Education points, Best Choice bar-codes, and Campbell’s Soup Labels for Education and drop them off in the church office.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Congregational Nominating

Welcome to new church officers: Nate Van Meter was elected to serve in an at-large position on the Congregational Nominating Committee; Luka Thor was elected and ordained (7/5/15) as an elder; and Shannon Diedrichsen was elected to serve as a director on Foundation.

Will hold a congregational meeting on *Aug. 9 to elect the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee). (*Changed to Aug. 16)

Marketing & Media

All computer systems have been upgraded. The electronic sign is now operational.

The speaking volume in the sanctuary has been adjusted. Will research the need for upgrading the phone system.

Music & Fine Arts

The Arts for the Soul concert series is being finalized.

A donor will be providing a stop mechanism for the organ.

In conjunction with one of the concerts we will be hosting some Earth Day activities. Participants, vendors and reception ideas are being looked at for that event.

Fellowship & Evangelism

50 people traveled to Valentine for the Spring Trip. Next year to Fort Robinson.

Root Beer Floats will be served on July 5th and a Saltdogs event is planned for August 2nd.

Stewardship & Finance

Treasurer reported the following: Contributions and covenant income for May was 25.5% ABOVE budget, and expenses were 9% ABOVE budget. For the month of May only, in-come exceeded total income by $11,147. For the first six months of 2015, contributions and covenant income was 4.5% BELOW budget and expenses were 4.1% HIGHER than budget.

Property

Wednesday Men’s Lunch Group’s will purchase new pew cushions.

The office will be remodeled through a gift to the church.

Patty’s office will be painted and they will put in new floor-ing in the supply room.

The foundation outside the tunnel will be built up.

Personnel

New Maintenance Worker has been hired.

Personnel was informed by Pastor Nan of her intent to not renew her interim contract set to expire July 15, 2015.

Rev. Cathy Allen, First Pres Lincoln’s COM liaison, during the interim period, has been appointed by COM to serve as Session Moderator and Moderator of the Congregation until an interim is in place.

Worship and Sacrament will be in charge of pulpit supply.

Rev. Ray Meester and the Rev. Kathy Barrett Todd will provide pastoral care beginning July 16, 2015. Carlene Waldron has been appointed by the Session to the Care of Members Committee ex officio in this capacity.

Brian Pfoltner to be designated Head of Staff beginning July 16, 2015.

Worship & Sacrament

Our church has been offered for the Community Interfaith Thanksgiving service.

Miscellaneous

Sudanese committee has been formed with the following people on this committee: Luka Thor-Chairman, Taban Thok Lul, Sarah Lul, Rebecca Bangot and Jeri Brandt to come on in January.

A Youth Task Force committee was formed and Steve Hill was named the Chairman.

Back Pack Wish List: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, Pop Tarts, Spaghetti O’s, mac & cheese, canned fruit, canned vegetables, concentrated fruit juice (non-refrigerated non frozen)

2015 Foundation Board

Officers Elected Congratulations to the newly-elected

Foundation officers. They are:

President: Jim Carrier

Vice-President: Karen Walklin

Secretary: Lisa Jasa

Treasurer: Phil Waldron

Thanks to everyone for keeping up-to-date

on your contributions to the Church. Current Covenants are only 5% behind budget through June;

and contributions from members who give regularly, but did not

pledge, are 15% ahead. Thank you for your generosity in both

time and money for the mission of First Presbyterian Church.

Gathering Place: August 4 - Stephen Ministers

Saturdays: August 1 & 15 8:30 a.m.: Doors Open

9:30 a.m.: Set Up 10:00 a.m.: Food Distribution

SCHOOL STARTS SOON: School starts on August 12th and now and throughout the school year, McPhee could use boxes of Kleenex and bottles of hand sanitizer of all sizes. There will be a box in the office to accept your donations.


August 2015 - Life in the Church

Sat., August 1

8:30-11:30 - Jacob's Well/S, EE

5:00 - Schacht/Drey Wedding/S

Sun., August 2 Communion Sunday

Charles on vacation

8:30 - Worship/GH

9:00 - Adult Bible Disc/Parlor

10:00 - Worship/S

12:30 - Nuer Worship/Chapel

Mon., August 3

8:30 - ESL SCC Classes/208, 215

9:30 - ESL SCC/B18

11:30 - ESL SCC Class/215

11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

5:00 - Worship & Sac/115

5:30 - Cong. Nom/Parlor

5:30-7:00 - Irish Dancers/GH

7:00 - Men's AA/FH

Tues., August 4

7:00 - Men's Breakfast/K


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

1-4:00 - Lincoln Lit Class/115

4:30 - Gathering Place/Stephen Ministers

6:00 - Women's AA/FH

7:00 - Mission Outreach

7:00 - Personnel/115

Wed., August 5


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18

11:00 - Staff Meeting/115


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

12:00 - Men's Lunch/Stauffer’s

5:30 - F3 Meal/FH

Thurs., August 6


9:00 - Sewing Group/FH

9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



5:30 - Stewardship & Fin/115

Fri., August 7

Sat., August 8

8:30-11:30 - Stephen Ministry/FH

Sun., August 9

8:30 - Worship/GH


10:00 - Worship/S


Mon., August 10


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

7:00 - Men's AA/FH

Tues., August 11 Session reports due



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14



Wed., August 12 LPS – School starts


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14


5:30 - F3 Meal/FH

6:00 - Social Justice

Thurs., August 13 First Report deadline



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



6:30 - Session//GH

Fri., August 14

Sat., August 15

8:30-11:30 - Jacob's Well/S, EE

Sun., August 16

8:30 - Worship/GH


10:00 - Worship/S


Mon., August 17 Susan on vacation


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

5:30 - Music & Fine Arts/RR

6:30-8:00 - Irish Dancers Open House/GH

7:00 - Men's AA/FH

Tues., August 18 Susan on vacation



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14



7:00 - Personnel/115

Wed., August 19 Susan on vacation


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14


5:30 - F3 Meal/FH

Thurs., August 20 Susan on vacation



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



Fri., August 21 Susan on vacation Homestead Presbytery Stated Mtg/Calvin Crest

5:30 - Amgwert/Givens Wedding Rehearsal/S

Sat., August 22 Homestead Presbytery Stated Mtg/Calvin Crest

4:30 - Amgwert/Givens Wedding/S

Sun., August 23

8:30 - Worship/GH


10:00 - Worship/S


Mon., August 24 Susan on vacation


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

5:30-8:30 - Irish Dance Classes/GH

7:00 - Men's AA/FH

Tues., August 25



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14


5:30 - Property/115


Wed., August 26


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14


5:30 - F3 Meal/FH

7:00 - F&E/Parlor

Thurs., August 27



9:30 - ESL SCC/B18



4:00 - Care of Members/115

Fri., August 28 Patty on vacation

Sat., August 29

Sun., August 30

8:30 - Worship/GH


10:00 - Worship/S


Mon., August 31 Patty on vacation


9:30 - ESL SCC/B18


11:30-1:30 - ESL SCC GED/B14

5:30-8:30 - Irish Dance Classes/GH

7:00 - Men's AA/FH


PERIODICAL First Presbyterian Church 840 South 17th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 www.fpclincoln.org 402.477.6037

Next First Report Deadline:

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Articles received after this time may not

be included in the Newsletter.

Please notify the church office of any name,

address, email, and/or telephone changes.

The FIRST REPORT (USPS 198-380) is published monthly for $15 per year by First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68508. Periodical Postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Report, First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.

First Presbyterian Church, a place to belong! Where faith is nurtured, curiosity is encouraged, diversity is welcomed, and all are loved.

If you ever need a ride to a worship service at the church on Sundays, please contact a Sunday Morning Driver or the church office, 402-477-6037. More drivers are needed, please call the church to help.

Sunday Morning Drivers

Nancy Field 402-466-7848

Steve Hastings 402-419-9050

Lynne Hughes 402-489-1435

Nancy Janike 402-489-6779

Betty Tenhulzen 402-486-4439

For after-hour calls to the church office,

402-477-6037, the staff voicemail

extensions and e-mail addresses follow:

Church Fax Number: 402-477-6048

Church website: www.fpclincoln.org

Music Director/Interim Head of Staff:

Dr. Brian Pfoltner

x 121 [email protected]

Organist: Dr. Charles W. Ore

[email protected]

Coordinator of Children’s Ministries:

Stephanie Nelson


Coordinator of Finance: Patty Wissink x 102 [email protected]

Publications Secretary: Susan Diers


Church Office


August Birthdays Birthdays are important events. If your birthday is missing from our list, or listed wrong, please call the church office so we can correct it: 402-477-6037.

2 Nyapuoch Makuach

3 David Peabody

4 Duol Duol

4 Aaron Rouse

6 Duane Sattler

7 Alex Thiemann

9 Trev Peterson

10 Jillian Hoistad

11 Gary Hughes

12 Daniel Berger

12 Timothy Berger

13 Gary Evans

13 Nyaboth Gatkek

13 Nyaduoth Gatkek

15 Arta Smith

16 Scott Edwards

16 Jo Ann Templeton

18 Brad Hinrichs

22 Clifford Albright, Jr.

22 Margaret Carlson

22 Tyler Mills

23 Sarah Wiew

24 Mary Lou Busch

24 Peter Gony

27 Randy Beach

28 Kirby Smart

29 Ralph Beach

29 Sarah Gony

30 Roberta Anderson

31 Connie Philippi

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