Newsletter

December Newsletter – 2011

First United Presbyterian Church

2310 H Street

Fairbury, NE  68352

402-729-6129

Pastor Steven Frazier

402-729-7246     Home

402-587-1480   Cell  

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Advent Math…

                What do you get when you add 17, 18, and 24?  Uh, 59?  What’s the big deal with adding those numbers up?  Nothing, really.  So let’s try again.

                What do you get when you add December 17, December 18, and December 24 up?  A whole lot more than a plain old 59. 

·         On December 17 we will hold a Saturday evening worship featuring a Mossy Creek sermon and a performance by the Flatland Hillbillies.  It will be a little like Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Home Companion.  The Mossy Creek sermon will be without a manuscript.  I’ll be sitting on a stool in the chancel telling you a story straight from scripture and Mossy Creek.  The Flatland Hillbillies (Beth Kenney, Tyler Weishahn, and I) will be singing a variety of songs including traditional Appalachian Christmas hymns.  Our Old-Fashioned Christmas will start at 6 PM with a half hour of food and fellowship in the fellowship hall.  Worship will begin at 6:30.  Old fashioned music, an old-fashioned Christmas story, and food—you can’t beat that.  Join us on December 17 for an Old-Fashioned Christmas!

·         On December 18 our young people and children will be providing leadership during worship.  Some of them will be reading the liturgy for the Advent wreath and lighting the Advent candle.  Others will be reading our scripture lesson as members of FPC’s Reader’s Theater.  Finally, others will be singing Christmas songs, playing bells and chiming. It will be like a kids’ Christmas program, just better.  December 18 will be a great day of worship and a great way of seeing our children and young people leading us in worship.

·         On December 24 we will celebrate Christ’s birth in worship at 5 PM.  That will be the one service of worship this Christmas Eve.  That service will center on Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, an anthem by the choir, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  We will conclude our worship creating a circle around our circle drive and lighting our Christmas candles (weather permitting) as our witness to the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World.

Those are just some of the great things that are going on here during Advent.  Each Sunday features music from Handel’s Messiah and sermons from the scriptures Handel used to write The Messiah.  Advent is a season of expectation and worship.  So do your Advent math.  Add up December 17, 18, and 24, and you will get a great time of worship with your church family.  Join us, and as always, bring a friend or member of your family.

Pastor Steve

What Are We Reading?

You go to church one Sunday morning.  You’re sitting in a pew when the person next to you asks, “What are we reading?”  Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it?  It’s the Bible.  That would be the perfect answer to that question if no one ever asked any more questions about what Christians are reading in worship.

                But they do.  And sometimes Christians are the ones doing the asking.  So, what are we reading?  And what did it mean to the person who wrote it?  What does it mean to us?  And how do we understand it now?  Those are great questions.  More people ask them than you might think.

                What are we reading?  The Bible.  It is one book that is a set of books.  The books of the Bible were written to deal with specific questions and practical concerns.  They were also written to answer broader, theoretical questions.  But those questions and concerns usually come down to this: What does God want us to believe?  How does God want us to live?

                What are we reading?  The Bible.  It is one book that is a collection of books written by human beings at specific times in specific places.  They wrote because God directed them to write.  And God’s Spirit told them what to write.  But the Spirit didn’t tell individuals to record God’s words like a secretary.  Human beings could never figure God out with that kind of perfect clarity.  That is why human beings needed the Spirit’s Help to write the books that make up the Bible.  And that is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what those ancient words mean for us right now.

                So each Sunday we pray that God will send His Spirit to help us understand what He is saying to us in scripture.  If there was only one message for each passage from the Bible someone would have written one sermon for each of those scriptures a long time.  That one sermon would always be clear, true, and helpful.  It wouldn’t matter who read it.  And it wouldn’t matter when or where they read it.  But scripture doesn’t work that way, and neither does the preaching of God’s Word.

                Take this for example: Paul says women should be silent in the church. (1^st Cor. 14:34)  That seemed reasonable then.  It reflected the cultural beliefs of the people he was writing to.  But that doesn’t seem reasonable now.  Women fully participate in the life of American society and the church.  And they should.  Why?  Because Paul also says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male and female; for you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)

Now imagine someone saying, “But the Bible says what it means and means what it says.”  If that person is a woman, does she wear hat in church?  Probably not.  But Paul says she should. (1^st Cor. 11:3-9).  If that person is a man, does he tell his wife to wear a hat to church?  The answer to that question has been “no,” for a long time.  Even the most traditional Christians don’t adhere to that dress code any longer.  Our society and cultural beliefs have changed.  That is why we need God’s Spirit to help us understand those passages.  The Holy Spirit helps us understand how much importance to attach to passages that reflect different times, places, and cultures.

                So, what are we reading?  Our Book of Confessions puts it this way: “The one sufficient revelation of God is Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, to whom the Holy Spirit bears unique and authoritative witness through the Holy Scriptures.  The Scriptures, given under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are nevertheless the words of God’s people, conditioned by the language, thought forms, and literary fashions of the times and places at which they were written.” (Confession of 1967)

                What are we reading?  The Word of God that calls us to be thoughtful.  The Word of God that we study and understand with the Holy Spirit’s help.  The Word of God that helps us grow in our faith and discipleship.  There is no limit to what we can learn if we just keep attending worship, reading, and listening.  What are we reading?  The Word of God for the people of God.  Thanks be to God. (This is the sixth in a series of articles on Reformed worship.)

Pastor Steve

What We Deserve…

                Look at the first frame of the cartoon.  Calvin is writing to Santa Claus.  He is just about to tell Santa just what kind of kid he has been for the past year.  I bet he is going to tell Santa he has been…

                Extra good?  Are you kidding me?  If you have ever seen any of the books of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons, you know Calvin.  He is the worst. 

                And Hobbes knows it.  Just look at the second and third frames of the cartoon.  Hobbes is just about to die laughing.  He knows the truth.  But Calvin really believes that he has been extra good.  Wow!  What do you call a statement like that?

                A lie.  In the last frame Calvin tells Hobbes, “Perhaps you need a drink of water.”  Oh, yeah.  Calvin doesn’t want Hobbes hanging around to see how his letter turns out.

                Why is Calvin going to lie to Santa Claus?  He wants to make sure that he gets what he wants for Christmas.  He also doesn’t want to get what he deserves.  You see, Calvin doesn’t deserve much of anything.

                Now think of the gifts the wise men brought Jesus when He was a baby. (Mt. 2:11-12)  Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—trust me, they cost a fortune.  It’s amazing, really.  The wise men didn’t even know Jesus, but they brought Him those gifts.         

We’ve never met Jesus face to face, either.  But He has brought us the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, new life, and a place in God’s family.  Jesus bought those gifts with His life.  Like Calvin, if we tell God we have been extra good and deserve what we want, we won’t be telling the truth.  Extra good?  We have a hard time being plain good. 

                “But the proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)  Jesus didn’t do that because we’re extra good.  He did that because we aren’t all that good and really need His help.  Take the time to remember that this Christmas.  Thank goodness, we won’t get what we deserve.  But we will get what we need: the gift of a Savior.  That isn’t extra good—it’s the best!

            Pastor Steve

From the Trustees:

Thanks to everyone for your Per Capita payments and returning your 2012 pledge card.  If you have not paid your Per Capita or returned your pledge card you may do so at any time.  As we near the end of the 2011 church year we ask that everyone check to see that the financial gift you pledged for this calendar church year is current.

Thank you for your financial support of our church family.

Roger Starck, Bobbie Likens and Jeff Hammer

Minutes of Session Meeting

FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FAIRBURY, NEBRASKA

Monday, October 24, 2011

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Session was held at the church at 2310 H Street, Fairbury, Nebraska on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Steve Frazier presiding.   Members present were:

            Class of 2011                          Class of 2012                          Class of 2013 

            Kari Fisher                              Lois Knigge                            Jeff Hammer                                                   Lois Gentzler                                  Galen Napier (absent)             Amy Hasselbring (excused)

            Tim McAllister                        Kirk Weichel                           Debbie Hellbusch                                            Roger Starck                           Delbert Zweifel                       Bobbie Likens

            Mikaela Schroeder     

A quorum was present.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Steve.

Devotions were by Bobbie Likens.                                                        

Minutes of the regular September 26, 2011 meeting were approved.

Steve mentioned that Homestead Presbytery will meet at Camp Calvin Crest Nov. 17.  Bobbie will be the session representative for that meeting.

Clerk of session:  Bobbie Likens: No report.

Finance:  Roger Starck reported that current bills will be paid by the end of the month and noted that the congregation is to be commended for their financial stewardship.  The budget for 2012 was presented for approval.  Motion made and seconded.  After discussion, it was approved. 

Stewardship:  Debbie Hellbusch reported that the campaign is underway and pledge cards will be dedicated on November 20th.

Property:  Tim McAllister reported that the lawn sprinklers are still on due to the dry weather.  They will be turned off when the weather dictates, either cold or rain. Richard Hellbusch has all the lights working, including outside on the south side of the church.  On the playground, the north swing set has been repaired; the slide needs to be replaced.

Personnel: Jeff Hammer noted that several members of the Steele City Session had met with the trustees and Gale Barnhill (from the Commission on Ministry) earlier that evening.  After considerable discussion, they had agreed to implement their portion of the raise for Pastor Steve proposed by the Fairbury session.  (The raise was included in the budget presented to the session by the trustees.)

Missions: Kari Fisher reported that highway clean-up had gone very well Oct. 9, with 9 people working.  “Backpack Herbie” had only collected $10.00 as of October 16.

Worship: Lois Gentzler reported that 94 were served communion October 2.  Next communion will be November 20.

Pastor Steve told of the plans for an “Old Fashioned Christmas” service for Saturday, December 17.  It would be advertised for the community and would include a “Mossy Creek” sermon and music by Beth Kenney, Tyler Weishahn and Pastor Steve.  Steve asked the session for approval of funding for the radio advertising, noting that there was money available in several different funds.  A motion was made to allow the expenditure,  seconded and after discussion, was approved.

The living crèche is planned for Sunday December 4.

Christian Ed:  Kirk Weichel reported that Sunday School is going well, with an average of over 25 youth attending, plus the Moms Group and Adult class.

Fellowship: Lois Gentzler reported for the committee that the Thanksgiving dinner will be November 20 after worship.  They would like people to bring salads or desserts.

Evangelism:  Lois Knigge said November 20 will also be “Bring a Friend” Sunday.

Memorials:  Roger Stark: No report.

Nominating: Amy and Debbie reported that their job is complete, as noted in the September minutes.            

Pastoral Report and Concerns: Steve reported that he continues to call on church members. 

New Business:  Steve noted that a congregational meeting will be held after worship Sunday, October 30 for the purpose of receiving nominations for elder, deacon and nominating committee and to present the 2012 budget. 

Old Business:   There is a need for someone to see that the can corral is emptied when needed.  Bobbie Likens said her husband Jerry and she could do that.

Next regular meeting will be November 28, 2011.

The meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Bobbie Likens                                                                                                                

Clerk of Session

DECEMBER 

BIRTHDAYS                                                                        HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

  1   Amanda Wendland                                              2         Roger and Barb Starck

  2   Leonard McCord                                                             8          Jay and Bonnie Sydow

  3   Tony Grummert                                                   13        Harvey and Sharon Jurgena                                               

  4    Jason Krause                                                       14        Ron and Jlee Yantz

  5   Mikaela Schroeder                                               27        Thayne and Misti Tatro                      

  6   Bobbie Ortgies                                                    

  9   Cody Medina                                                     

       Bill Talkington                                                     USHERS

10   Alison Buchli                                                       4         Judd Stewart Family

11   Keith Trimm                                                         11        Darrell and Susan Witt

12   Mindi Summers                                                    18        Sunday School Youth

13   Sharon Jurgena                                                    25        Mike and Deb Holes

       Jace Snook                                                          

14   Amy Hammer                                                     

16   Randy Simpson                                                    GREETERS

17  Kellan Garber                                                        4         Walt and Marge Manley

Wesley Snook                                                       11        Etta Austen                                        

20  Kylie Farringer                                                      18        Shirley Howell

21  Dorothy Betzer                                                     25        OPEN

23  Devin Lovgren                                                    

24 Mike Baumfalk                                                     

     Christopher Fisher                                                  ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS

27  Roger Markham                                                    4         Worship Team

28  Rich Lierman                                                        11        Elders/Deacons

      Cheryl Trimm                                                        18        Sunday School Youth

29  Faith Medina                                                  

31  Gary Junker                                                          

      Kane Hasselbring                                                 CANDLE LIGHTERS 

                                                                                     4         Evangeline Schwab and Delainey Stewart                                                                                  

                                                                                    11        Colton Starck and Devin Trimm

                                                                                    18        Sunday School Youth

                                                                                    25        OPEN                        

Christmas Eve                                                        

  5:00 pm – Ushers: Bob and Lois Yantz; Mike and Deb Holes

                    Communion Ushers:  Judd Stewart and Mike Holes

                    Communion Elders:  Lois Gentzler, Debbie Hellbusch and Tim McAllister