Pastor Connection March 6, 2025

A Note From Pastor Randy

On Monday, the church office received a phone call from Blake Conover, the president and founder of 1Vision Communications. He informed us that there had been a meeting at which he was going to sign over ownership of the company to Dani Gordon, who has been working on our church website. Unfortunately, the deal fell apart, and Dani is no longer with 1Vision.

Later in the week, Amber and I had a zoom meeting with Blake. He is very experienced with digital communication and will personally take over Dani’s work with us. Jennifer Miller, the graphic designer for our site, is still with 1Vision and will continue in that role.

It might actually be a good thing to have a new set of eyes looking at our new website. Blake shared some interesting ideas about how to integrate our mission statement with content. We will continue to send new content to him. He acknowledged that “it just takes time, something we don’t want to rush.” However, we agreed that work should be completed sometime in May.

Daylight Savings Time

It's that time once again!

This Sunday, March 9th,

spring forward

one hour!

Rev. Jan Dus, Speaker

On February 27, Rev. Jan Dus presented the work of his organization, Camino, in Ukraine. The evening event was well attended and included guests Ellen Smith, a PCUSA mission co-worker, and Jean Waters, from the Eastern Europe Partnership Network.

We did experience issues with the live stream, but we have edited out the problem areas so that the opening video and most of the PowerPoint presentation can now be viewed on the First Presbyterian Waterloo YouTube channel: www.bit.ly/1stpresby

The most recent email from Jan reads:

“Since the start of our Winter Appeal, we have raised an incredible $35,697. Your generosity has provided food, wood, fuel, and critical support for those who need it most this winter. But to sustain our work until the end of the winter season, we still need $13,200.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings warmth, nourishment, and hope to people who need it most. Thank you for standing with us and for the people of Ukraine.”

Donations to support the work of Camino can be made directly to the Presbyterian Foundation.

Using your card

Donation link: www.presbyterianfoundation.org/camino/

Using a personal check

Check is to be issued to: “Presbyterian Foundation”

With the memo line: “Camino - account number 102276006406”

Please send the check to:

Presbyterian Foundation

200 E 12th Street

Jeffersonville, IN 47130 

Presbyterian Foundation will send you a confirmation and will forward your donation to the Camino account.

Lenten Lunch and Learn

On the Wednesdays during Lent, the Christian Nurture Team is offering a 6-week video series and discussion time in Calvin Hall. The next meeting is March 12. Those who wish to participate will gather at noon and bring their own lunch. Pastor Randy will facilitate the short video presentation and conversation that follows. Please join us if you are free.

The video series is by Peter Enns and is based on his recent book, How the Bible Actually Works. Participants need not purchase the book. Discussion guides will be provided.

Peter Enns (Ph.D., Harvard) is professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. David’s, PA. He has written several books and is very popular on social media.

2025 Per Capita

The 2025 per capita has been set by the Presbytery of North Central Iowa at $46 per member.

Per capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Our presbytery, synod and general assembly tell us what amount of money each of them needs to coordinate and perform their functions in our Presbyterian system of government. In this way, we can all share equally in the costs of upholding that system.

In 2024, our congregation paid a total of $7,707 in per capita. We received $1,840 of per capita income from members. This is about 24% of our goal. While congregations pay their per capita amount in full, they rarely receive the full amount on the income side. A range of 30-40% is typical.

So, First Presbyterian hopes to do better in 2025. Based on our membership number, our per capita total for 2025 is $7,912. We strive toward this goal by one $46 payment at a time. If you have not yet designated your per capita gift, please do so at your earliest convenience. Thank you for valuing our Presbyterian system!

PW Card Sales

Due to the price increases and the lack of sales, the Presbyterian Women of the Congregation will not continue the sale of cards once those that are currently available have been purchased.

The price remains $5.00 per box. Thank you all for your support of our card sales throughout the years.

Women's Retreat

Take some time for YOU! All women are invited to the annual Women’s Retreat at the tranquil Lakeshore Center on Lake Okoboji. How can we use our gifts in our lives to share God’s love? Explore this idea and more, while enjoying relaxation and fellowship with other women. Learn more and register at ilovelakeshore.org.

LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP

We are now live streaming our Worship Services every Sunday! The stream will start at 10:00 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. The video will also be posted on our Facebook page and the website on Monday mornings.

You can also find the link to the YouTube page on the church website.

Please click HERE for the Sunday bulletin.

We look forward to worshiping with you every week!

Church Calendar

Friday Mar. 7:

12:30 pm 415 Walnut Collective Meeting

6:30 pm Gift of Life Music Rehearsal Gym

Saturday Mar. 8:

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym

11:30 am Gift of Life Usher Meeting Gym

12 Noon Gift of Life Wedding Service Gym

Sunday Mar. 9: Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward

10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary

11:30 am Gift of Life Service Gym

5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall

Monday Mar. 10:

6:00 pm NECC Painting Class Fellowship Hall

Tuesday Mar. 11:

9:00 am Bible Study

10:00 am Staff Meeting Church Office

10:30 am Deacons

12 noon Stewardship & Finance Church Office

5:00 pm Love INC Full Building

6:00 pm Sunday Supper Volunteer Meeting

Wednesday Mar. 12:

12 Noon Lenten Lunch & Learn (Bring Your Own Lunch)

6:00 & 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsals

Thursday Mar. 13

9:30 am Church Book Club Offsite

Friday Mar. 14:

6:30 pm Gift of Life Music Rehearsal Gym

Saturday Mar. 15:

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym

Sunday Mar. 16:

10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary

11:30 am Gift of Life Service Gym

5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall

Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed

We are accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have March 16, 23, & 30th, and all of April available. 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!

Elder Standing Team Assignments 

Stewardship and Finance:  Nancy Newhoff 

Mission and Outreach: Sally Davis, Mallory Sage, Sue Albright 

Christian Nurture and Fellowship:  Terry Sage, Dan Davis 

Worship and Music:  Sally Davis, Marsha Muir, Jackie Bass 

Personnel: Dan Davis 

Building and Grounds: Craig Cose 

Church Prayer List

New to the Prayer List:

April Pearce, Linda Wiles' daughter

Rev. Dave Kivett

The Gilles Family

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:

Mary K. Williams

Sherrianne Noyes

Jim Raggio

Ann Noyes, Sherrianne's Grandmother

Julie Clarke

Patrick Brock, Marsha Platt's brother

Dragan Rudic

Evelyn Boice

Pat & Kari Narey

Jan Schwab

Steve Miller

Prayer for Member Households:

Marsha Muir

Mary Mumm

Pat & Kari Narey

Prayer in the Presbytery:

United Presbyterian Church, 307 Walnut St., Traer, IA 50675

Rev. Bryce Hoyt

Click HERE to view their website

Prayer for Local Church:

Crystal Cathedral of Faith, 3040 Hammond Ave., Waterloo, IA 50702

Pastor Willie D. Campbell

Click HERE to view their website

 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.

Online Giving

Make a secure donation online using your phone's camera with this QR code. Tell us in the "notes" if you would like to designate your gift.

Thank you for your generosity.

Church Family Birthdays

We celebrate our members with birthdays in March. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!

March

08 Dan Davis

12 Eric Dew

13 William Barnes

15 Tom Campbell, Marge Polacek

16 Mark Bickley

18 Kim Swallow

22 Ann Sage, Heather Wheelock

23 Connor McClain

24 Cody McDowell

26 Dale Lottich

27 Cindy Trepp

First Presbyterian Church 505 Franklin St | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 | www.1stpresby.org

Office Hours: M-Th 9:00am to 4:00pm