Pastor Connection August 27, 2026

A Note from Pastor Tim

Cunningham Elementary has a tradition at the start of school.  School staff and members of the larger community gather together to welcome the children into the school.  This past Monday, complete with a red carpet, the students were high-fived and greeted warmly as they walked towards the school.  Some were very excited and interactive, others more reserved, and some even were so intimidated by the process that their parents brought them down the sides away from the carpet. 

As I was standing there being a part of the larger community welcoming the children, I couldn’t help but think of pictures taken in the late 50’s and 60’s when African-American children were being escorted into schools that did not want them there -- when innocent children were being harassed and intimidated to keep them out of the schools that were supposed to accept them. But on Monday, it was a complete reversal.  All children, regardless of their status, were welcomed by an equally diverse group of adults into a place set aside for their education.  Everyone was welcomed regardless of their enthusiasm for the ‘red carpet experience”.  There was joy as returning students rushed up to staff that they knew.  The point of the ‘red carpet’ treatment was to demonstrate to the students of Cunningham that they were important, that they were seen and cared for not only by school staff but also members of the community. 

Jesus, in Luke 15, tells a parable to explain to the religious establishment why he attended to ‘tax collectors and sinners’, the people who were expelled and ignored from the larger Jewish community because of their choices and behaviors.  Jesus tells of four different ways people get lost.  They can be like sheep who wander away and can’t find their way back, the coin that slips off a headband and can’t move, a son who in essence tells his father to treat him as if the father had already died, and an older son who cannot accept his father showing grace to his younger brother.  We’re never told if the older son ever accepts his need to be found by the father, which is the point of the whole parable.  We’re all lost. The question is are we willing to be found. 

For the sheep, coin, and prodigal son their lostness ends with being found and being brought back to where they belonged with celebration and joy.  Just like the children coming down that red carpet to a welcome and joyous greetings.  The celebration has begun.  All of heaven is ready and waiting for all of us to be found and to come home to the place that Jesus has promised to prepare for us -- the place where a feast is ready and only our pride can prevent us from walking that heavenly red carpet to the celebration of love and grace. 

Peace,

Tim

PW Study Guides

The PW Study Guides for 2026-2027 are now available in the office.

If you ordered and paid for a Study Guide, please stop by the office to pick up your copy. Names are on the book. Thank you!

Hy-Vee Receipts

It's that time again! We are collecting Hy-Vee receipts dated June 1st or later for our Partner in Education, Cunningham Elementary. Please place them in Amber's mailbox in the office or bring in during the week. Thank you!

News from Celebration Ringers

We ended the spring semester strong with our concert with the Chancel Ringers at Central Christian Church in May! Both groups were really stretched to have enough music for a full concert, but both decided we would love to do it again.

This summer we created an addition to our bell equipment. Mary and Linda found two cabinets that could be reconfigured in a way to help us get the bells off the floor when stored which should make it safer to play bells now. Linda took cabinets apart, added pieces to create pegs, and repainted shelves. Mary and Jackie and Marsha helped make cushions for the shelves. Jared and Mitchell helped to move the cabinets from Linda’s house into the sanctuary. Stop by and take a look at them on Sunday, if you haven’t already.

We will start practicing September 2nd and you will hear us playing by September’s end. Music is ordered and a tentative schedule is in place!

Little Free Library

Like books? Always wanted to be a librarian? Someone to care for our Little Free Library is needed. We have plenty of books just waiting to be put in the library. We also have a cart so it is easy to take books to the library. If interested, please see Terry Sage.

Pastor Tim Out of Office

Pastor Tim will be out of the office on Monday, August 31st.

Live Streaming Worship

We live stream 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/firstpreswaterloo. 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 Aug 27:

6:30 pm Gift of Life Worship Rehearsal Gym

Saturday Aug 29:

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym

Sunday Aug 30:

10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary

11:30 am Gift of Life Service Gym

5:00 pm Sunday Supper (Gift of Life)

Monday Aug 31:

Pastor Tim Out of the Office

5:30 pm Gift of Life meeting GoL offices

Tuesday Sep. 1:

2:30 pm Christian Nurture

Wednesday Sep. 2 :

4:00 pm Gift of Life Prayer Meeting Gym

Friday Sep. 4:

6:30 pm Gift of Life Worship Rehearsal Gym

Saturday Sep. 5:

8:00 am Gift of Life Intercessory Prayer Gym

Sunday Sep. 6:

10:00 am Worship Service 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 September 6th, 20th, and 27th 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 info@firstpreswaterloo.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:  Marie Fernau

Mission and Outreach: Mallory Sage, Sue Albright, Marsha Muir 

Christian Nurture and Fellowship:  Terry Sage, Dan Davis 

Worship and Music:  Nancy Valentine, Marsha Muir, Jackie Bass 

Personnel: Dan Davis, Sue Albright 

Building and Grounds: Craig Cose 

Church Prayer List

New to the Prayer List:

Bob & Beth Hurley's granddaughter

Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:

Rev. Dr. Pat Geadelmann

Penny Bunger

Lily - Stan & Diane Ernster's Granddaughter

Karen Hahn

Cameron DiFiore - Nancy Valentine's nephew

Marsha Muir

Dan Wilson - Amber's Uncle

Lucas Christensen- Jim's Grandson

Dragan Rudic

Deb Miller

Barb Young

Janice Bellinger

The Gilles Family

Steve Miller

Prayer for Member Households:

Donna Beaver

Jo & Ralph Beaver

Janice Bellinger

Prayer in the Presbytery:

Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Ave., Ames, IA 50014

Rev. Dr. Brett Becker, Rev. Jen Hibben, Mirrah Wilson

Click HERE to view their website

Prayer for Local Church:

First Congregational Church, 608 W. 4th St. Waterloo 50702

Pastor Brandyn Miller

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 or click HERE.

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

August

30 Dennis Bunger, Jennifer Lightbody, Megan Wheelock

September

01 Karen DeSerano

02 Regina Buls, Mitchell Sage

07 Cheryl Ersland

08 Nancy Catterson

12 Karen Hahn

13 Carl Boice

18 Jean Seeland

19 Paige Bass

24 Craig Cose

29 Eddie Halvorson

First Presbyterian Church 505 Franklin St | Waterloo, IA | 319-233-6145 |

www.firstpreswaterloo.org

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