Pastor Connection

October 15, 2020

The Joy of Worship

We will be holding in-person worship in our sanctuary THIS Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m. We are excited to be gathering again in our church's beautiful sacred space! It is important that you read through the following actions so that you know what to expect and can make appropriate decisions given your specific needs. We understand and respect people's differing needs and know that some are still not ready to worship inside. For those who are not ready to gather inside, we will still be offering online worship services each week. Before you join us on Sunday, please be prepared for certain actions listed below: The main entrances to the building will be the small doors on Franklin St. and Park. These two entrances will require people to use stairs. The side entrance on the East side of the building (usually seen as the main entrance) will be reserved for elevator riders only. If you plan to ride the elevator, we encourage you to come 15 minutes before the service. All worshipers are required to wear masks inside the church building at all times. We are asking people to refrain from hugging or shaking hands. To the best of your ability, please maintain 6 ft. of distance in hallways as you move to the sanctuary. Markers and volunteers will help guide you. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building. Once in the building, volunteers and ushers will direct you where to sit. Please be prepared to sit in a different place than you might usually sit. Worshipers will sit 6 ft. apart. Households may sit together. Worshipers are encouraged to take care of bathroom needs before leaving home. The renovated bathrooms on the main floor will be open for use, one person at a time. We will be discouraging people from congregating inside the building. If you’d like to catch up with friends, please do so in the parking lot outside or at another time. Hymnals and Bibles have been removed from the pews. We encourage you to bring your own Bible. The Sanctuary and bathrooms will be the only rooms opened on Sunday morning. All other rooms are closed. While children are always welcome at our worship services, there will be no nursery or childcare available yet. Whether you choose to worship in-person or online, we hope you join the community of faith as we praise God together.

Pictures from Outdoor Worship

Thank you to all those who helped to make outdoor worship possible through rain and shine!

Pulpit Flower Schedule

As we resume our indoor worship services, we will also resume the pulpit flower schedule. Nancy Valentine is in charge of the schedule and will be reminding people of their date and answering any questions you may have. Please feel free to call her if you have any questions.

Sunday Supper Resumes

We have exciting news! After several months of suspending meals, Sunday Supper has begun to serve meals again on Sunday evenings from 5:00 -5:30 p.m. Clients will be given a hot, packed meal to-go delivered curbside. If you are interested in volunteering in this ministry, please contact Pastor Amy or Kari Narey. Masks and gloves will be required of all volunteers and social distancing protocols will be followed. Volunteers are asked to work from 4:30 until things are cleaned up (probably around 6:00). We hope you consider helping as you are able. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry.

Prayer Services in the Sanctuary

Thank you to those who joined us for moments of prayer in the Sanctuary over the last two weeks. We hope you found the time peaceful, meaningful, and helpful. With worship resuming in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings, we will no longer offer organized prayer services during the week. However, people are still welcome to use our Sanctuary for prayer during regular office hours as space and time is available. Just call the office to let us know you'd like to come. Thank you again!

Spiritual Practices for the Week

In the meditation “Be Like a Tree,” Drew Benson, PhD, LP finds the changing colors of the trees to be a source of inspiration and a metaphor for the challenging times in which we live. Read his observations here. What stood out to you? What meaningful or memorable experience have you had with trees? Take a walk, notice the color, and ponder. View and reflect on an art exhibit from the Wisdom Ways Spirituality Center titled: the seven allusions scrolls: the journeys within The scrolls allude to the inner experiences of “ordinary radiance, memory, reckless abandon, grace, wonder, rapture and faith. View the exhibit here. Which of the scrolls spoke to you? What was surprising?

October Congregational Meeting Postponed

Our congregation usually meets each year on the last Sunday of October for the purpose of electing church officers for the following year. This year, we are postponing that congregational meeting. We let you know when it is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.

Office Hours

Remember that our church office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 - 2:00. Pastor Amy and Pat will be covering the office duties as they are able until a new office manager is hired. Please call before coming to ensure someone is in the building.

Zoom Bible Study

We will meet again this Tuesday at 9:00 via zoom to discuss the upcoming sermon text. Pastor Amy will be following the Revised Common Lectionary until Advent. Click HERE for a full schedule of the lectionary texts. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82958792124?pwd=TGpYNlVxNE9DZVNsaHFpdHZ5UWxBdz09

Online Giving Available

Thank you to all those who are continuing to faithfully give their pledges and offerings to the church. In an attempt to make giving easier during this time, we have initiated online giving to our church through the Presbyterian Foundation. Click on the button below to set up on account for continual giving. You may also give a one time gift. You may also continue to mail checks to the church. Please call Kelley if you have questions. We are still engaging in meaningful ministry and your offerings make that ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity and please continue to give as you can.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Updates and New to the List: Heather Dew's Uncle Richard had heart surgery this week Jan Bellinger's knee surgery went well. She is recovering at home. Jan and Dean's granddaughter, Neesa's, surgery also went well. Their daughter-in-law, Lori's surgery went well and the doctor thought they removed all the cancerous cells. Suzanne, another daughter-in-law goes to see a specialist for thyroid surgery on Nov. 4. Jan has knee replacement surgery next Tuesday. Barbara Benskin's daughter and son-in-law have recovered from Covid. Thank you for prayers. For specific individuals: Ralph Beaver as he continues to recover from a stay in the hospital; Jim Clarke dealing with cancer; Gary Lee dealing with walking and balance issues; Marilyn Lottich dealing with health issues but recovering at home; Richard Platt as he recovers from surgery at home; Steve Miller, home; Gerald Buls, who has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer; prayers of safety for Lorraine Baker's nephew and Barbara Benksin's son, who are both truckers; Kason (Connie Leeper's daughter-in-law's nephew, recovering from a car accident; Bob Cutsforth, who is undergoing cancer treatment; The Platts' friends in Venezuela who are struggling with food and other resources; Joe Fernau (Marie's son), who finished treatments for lymphoma; Sarah (granddaughter of Evelyn and Carl Boice) who is an RN at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester MN, and her husband, Dylan, who is an essential non-medical worker at Mayo; Megan and Emma Schellhorn as they work at Fareway; for Alexa (granddaughter of Janis Shea) who works in an essential business credit union and is subjected to the virus; Courtney Pilcher who works in health care services; Neva Kerr, New Aldaya (Hospice); Crystal Lorenze, recovering from back surgery; Paul Holtz, Hospice Care Broader prayer concerns from the congregation: All those affected by wildfires All those affected by storms and hurricanes that justice and lasting peace will come to our nation leaders in all areas who are making decisions for people's well-being all those living and working in nursing homes, assisted living, and retirement communities workers at Tyson's that all will stay well all doctors, nurses, and health care providers along with their families all those who are essential workers those who are strictly quarantined for a variety of reasons 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.

Happy Birthday!

16 Don Schwab 22 Dennis Bass, Loren Sommerlot 23 Sue Halvorson 24 Debbie Miller

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

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