Pastor Connection April 10, 2025

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29


1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his steadfast love endures forever!


2 Let Israel say,

"His steadfast love endures forever."


19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,

that I may enter through them

and give thanks to the LORD.


20 This is the gate of the LORD;

the righteous shall enter through it.


21 I thank you that you have answered me

and have become my salvation.

22 The stone that the builders rejected

has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing;

it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day that the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD!

O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!


26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.

We bless you from the house of the LORD.

27 The LORD is God,

and he has given us light.

Bind the festal procession with branches,

up to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

you are my God, I will extol you.


29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.


Holy Week Services


The five Presbyterian congregations in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo community are uniting for worship during Holy Week. Pastors from each of the congregations will be participating. You are invited to prepare for Easter by attending these services.


Maundy Thursday, April 17

6:00 PM at Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church

A meditation titled “Seven Reflections, Seven Candles”

(A series of short reflections/prayers, adapted with resources from the Iona Community)

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Offering designated for Camino Projects in Ukraine


Good Friday, April 18

6:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church

Tenebrae Service with readings from the Gospel of John

Combined Choir Anthem “Father Forgive Us”

Palm Sunday April 13


On Palm Sunday, April 13, after placing your belongings in a pew, please come to the back of the church. Grab a palm! Then proceed following the choir to joyfully enact the welcoming of Jesus into Jerusalem with our church family.

UNI Cantorei Concert


"Cantorei" - a chamber ensemble consisting of 22 advanced singers in the choirs at UNI, will perform at First Presbyterian Church, 902 Main Street, Cedar Falls on Sunday, April 13, 7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering


OGHS is the single largest way Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Three programs are supported by this offering:

 32% goes to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)

 36% to the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP)

 32% for the Self-Development of People (SDOP)


In 2023, OGHS outcomes included:

 $6.1 million granted by PDA for 27 U.S. states and 46 countries.

 84 PHP grants, totaling $1.1 million, impacting the U.S. and 19 countries.

 Since SDOP’s inception, over 5,000 projects in economically poor communities in the U.S. and around the world have provided the opportunity to develop solutions to their own challenges.


Please be joyful and generous in giving to this offering on Easter Sunday! Use the OGHS offering envelop with your name noted or by check payable to First Presbyterian Church, with One Great Hour in the memo line.

Synod School 2025


Registration will open April 1st at noon.


When is Synod School 2025? July 20 afternoon through July 25 at noon. 

Where is Synod School 2025? Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa

What is this year's theme? 'Re-Forming “Normal”: Expanding HOPE'

Who will be at Synod School 2025? You could be there. Presbyterians from all over the US (and a few came from Canada last year). 


All are welcome!


Is there a catalog of the courses that will be offered? Yes. There are two catalogs to view in the church office. The catalog contains detailed information about this year's theme, fun activities, mission projects, housing, fees, registration form, etc. There is a scholarship for those first-time attendees.

Choir Director Search


The Personnel Committee, with assistance from organist Linda Wiles and choir member Mary Kabel, has opened a search for a Choir Director to succeed Marcos Antunez. Marcus has informed us that his last Sunday will be May 18. The following announcement will be circulated to area churches and the UNI music community:


First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo is seeking candidates for the position of Choir Director. We are a beautiful downtown church with a rich history of quality music. The choir is a small ensemble of congregants and students from UNI. For more information about the position or to recommend a candidate, please email lindabwiles@gmail.com or call the church office at

(319) 233-6145.

Organ Task Force


The organ TF appointed by session consists of Craig Sage, Mary Mumm, Mary Kabel, with assistance from organist Linda Wiles and Pastor Randy. The TF held its second meeting on April

2. The team reviewed a draft of the Case Statement that will be distributed to the congregation and beyond on April 13. The Statement includes:


 an introduction

 the history of repairs on the Skinner organ

 the rationale for a rebuild

 photos illustrating organ issues

 the rebuild proposal from P. J. Swartz Pipe Organ Services

 a funding outlook


After worship on April 27, the TF will lead a presentation and Q & A on the organ. A fundraising effort will follow. The TF hopes to have a recommendation for Session at its meeting on May 20.

Quilt Stories


This quilt was made by Marie Fernau. The pattern name is “Windmill”. This is a scrappy quilt that uses left over fabric from other projects. The pattern suggested to just place the fabric randomly as you sew. Since she didn’t trust how the finished quilt would look, she chose to control where the fabric was placed in a block.



The quilt was made using the paper pieced process, This process gives more accurate points. Talk to Marie if you would like more information about how this process works.

Presbyterian Women


The cost for the 2025-2026 PWC Bible Study Guides has gone up. Please see the prices below.


Regular print: $14.00

Large print: $20.00


Anyone wanting a study guide may bring money to the April 16th PWC meeting or leave it in Susan Wexter's mailbox in the church office before April 16th. The Guides will be ordered after the April meeting.

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!


Staff On Leave


Pastor Randy will be on vacation April 7-13. Please call the church office with any needs. Thank you.

Church Calendar

 

Friday, Apr. 11

6:30 pm Gift of Life Music Rehearsal Gym


Saturday, Apr. 12

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym


Sunday Apr. 13:

10:00 am Worship Service Palm Sunday/Communion Sanctuary

11:30 am Gift of Life Service Gym

5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall


Monday Apr. 14:

1:00 pm Deacons Flower Arrangements

6:00 pm Gift of Life Leadership Meeting Gym

6:00 pm NECC Painting Class Fellowship Hall


Tuesday Apr. 15:

9:00 am Bible Study

10:00 am Staff Meeting

5:00 pm Love Inc Full Building

6:00 pm Session Meeting


Wednesday Apr. 16:

9:30 am PW Meeting

12 Noon Lenten Lunch & Learn

6:00 & 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsals Sanctuary


Friday, Apr. 18:

6:30 pm Gift of Life Music Rehearsal Gym


Saturday, Apr. 19:

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym


Sunday Apr. 20:

10:00 am Worship Service Easter Sunday Sanctuary

11:30 am Gift of Life Service Gym

NO Sunday Supper

Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed


We are accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have April 20 (Easter) and 27th, and May 4 and 25th 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, Sue Albright 

Building and Grounds: Craig Cose 

Church Prayer List



New to the Prayer List:

Gloria Frerichs

Janice Shea


Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:


Jordan and Bernadette, Sunday Supper Guests

April Pearce, Linda Wiles' daughter

Rev. Dave Kivett

The Gilles Family

Julie Clarke

Patrick Brock, Marsha Platt's brother

Evelyn Boice

Pat & Kari Narey

Jan Schwab

Steve Miller



Prayer for Member Households:


Alicia Russell

Ann Sage

Craig & Terry Sage


Prayer in the Presbytery:

First Presbyterian Church, 101 N. Main St., Algona, IA 50511

Revs. Tamara and Bob EnTin

Click HERE to view their website



Prayer for Local Church:

Impact Church of Hope, 710 Broadway St., Waterloo, IA 50703

Rev. Dr. Marshaundus Robinson

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 April. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!


April

03 Bradley Mananga, Tommy Roberts

04 Paul Kabel

07 Jim Christensen

08 Cathy Bowers, Alixandra Wimberly

09 Diane Ernster

10 Nicky Newhoff

11 Jo Beaver, Brian Powell

12 Brennan Shull

17 Gregory DeSerano

18 Peter DeSerano, Ryan Steere

19 Abby McClain

21 Charles Christensen

24 Randy Argall, Karen Dew, Bradley Jessen

25 Tye Schellhorn

26 Molly Bovy

27 David Schwab

29 Amanda Bovy



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

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

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