PRESBYTIDINGS
August 2010
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Nebraska
(402) 375-2669
A WORD FROM THE PASTOR: WORSHIP, Part 6
This is the final installment of my articles on the meaning and movement of our worship service at First Presbyterian Church. Whew! I have already covered the first three elements of our Service for the Lord’s Day: The Gathering, The Word, and The Thanksgiving. And the last movement of the symphony we call worship is The Sending.
Christians have often talked about the "church gathered" and the "church scattered." Remember: the church is not a building, but the church is Christ’s redeemed people, the communion of saints. Christians are always a part of "the church," whether we are sitting in a sanctuary together or are traveling the far reaches of the planet. For most of the week, we are scattered to workplaces, homes, recreational destinations, and schools. But for a brief time on Sundays, we gather together with our church family to glorify God and enjoy intimate fellowship with him and with one another at the intersection of worship. When we assemble in our building and lift our hearts, we are sitting in the heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), and our songs of praise join the worship that is already happening before the throne of God in heaven (see Revelation 7:9-12).
So just as the Call to Worship invites us to be the "church gathered," so The Sending propels us out into the world to be the "church scattered." During our communal encounter with the living God, we are renewed in our inner selves (2 Corinthians 4:16) and filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), as though we are fueled up in preparation for going out into the world to fulfill our vocation as evangelists and missionaries to a darkened and broken world (see John 20:21; Matthew 10:16; and Matthew 28:18-20).
Closing Hymn
During the closing hymn, we are given one more opportunity to sing God’s praises, to hear his message, and to give thanks for his faithfulness. The Scriptures over and over encourage God’s people to offer up, not just words, but songs of praise. In giving instructions for a holy life, the apostle says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16 TNIV) It doesn’t matter if we use the words of the biblical psalms, songs of faith written by believers past (called "hymns," from the biblical Greek word humnos), or other musical expressions inspired by the Holy Spirit; it doesn’t matter if our music is "contemporary" or "traditional"; and it doesn’t matter if we sing them well or not. It matters that our hearts overflow with song, in gratitude for all that God has done for us. (See also Psalms 33, 96, 98, 144, and 149 for invitations to song.)
Liturgically speaking, the closing hymn also gives one more repetition to the theme of the worship service, whether it’s Jesus the Good Shepherd, evangelism, Jesus’ death on the cross, his resurrection, God’s love, or whatever. Practically speaking, it also gives the Fellowship hosts time to sneak out of the sanctuary and make sure the snacks are set out!
Acolytes
I have not mentioned the work of our acolytes before, but their silent movement is significant to understanding the church gathered and scattered. Prior to the worship service our acolytes (second graders through middle schoolers) bring forward a flame and light the candles on the Lord’s Table. Light and fire are common symbols for God in the Bible. In our assembly, the lit candles signify God’s presence in our midst, his illumination for our path, and the light of Christ that shines in and through our lives. At the end of the service, usually during the closing hymn, the acolytes extinguish the candles and carry the light out of the sanctuary. Likewise, we are challenged to bear the light of Christ out into the world and not merely enjoy it while we are gathered.
Benediction
Reformed Christians do not necessarily espouse the idea that the pastor or worship leader represents Christ in any meaningful way, as other liturgical Christians envision their priests. However, there are some instances when pastors are vested with Christ’s authority to speak on his behalf. For instance, when pastors preside at the Lord’s Table, they re-enact Christ’s covenant by repeating his words and actions. Likewise, at the closing of the worship service, it is the pastor’s privilege to pronounce God’s blessing on the people as they are sent out into the world.
In the Old Testament, after the priests made sacrifices on behalf of God’s people, they came out of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) with a word of peace from God—that all was well, that reconciliation had been accomplished, that their sins were forgiven, and that they could live in peace. This is similar to what pastors do in the benediction: they bless the people and announce that all is well, usually with the words of the priestly, Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.
Threefold Amen
"Amen" is an ancient Hebrew word that means, "May it be so," and it has functioned as a statement of hearty agreement in prayer to God. So what could be more appropriate than for our congregation to add its threefold (or Trinitarian?) "amen" to all that has been said and done during the worship service!
These are the four movements to our Service for the Lord’s Day at First Presbyterian Church: The Gathering, The Word, The Thanksgiving, and The Sending. Like journeying to the center of a labyrinth and then back out again, the order of our worship leads us out of the world and into an encounter with the living God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—before leading us back out again. I pray that all who worship in our church family will be blessed, edified, and challenged by the Holy Spirit in our midst.
Soli Deo Gloria! (Glory to God Alone)
Pastor Ray
SUMMER PROGRAM: MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Our always-creative Discipleship Team is moving beyond the traditional Vacation Bible School model and experimenting with fun, interactive, life-changing summer programming. On Sunday, August 15, we will be making a difference! Here is the schedule:
9:15 – Kids (ages 4-10) will learn about clean water mission in the world;
10:00 – During worship, we will be challenged to support efforts to bring clean water to places who don’t have access to clean water, including an offering for Living Waters for the World;
11:00 – Following worship, we will be packing backpacks with school supplies for needy children in our community and region, including children who are being helped by Haven House.
Please donate generic school supplies for elementary-aged children (lists are at Pamida) in the box in the Fellowship Hall.
Also, if you would like to order a fetching orange FPC t-shirt, please visit with Sandra Metz; the cost is $3.50.
PASTOR RAY’S HOUSING UPDATE
After a long process of buying, fixing up, and moving into a house (503 Pearl Street), the McCallas moved out of the manse in early June. His first official date of receiving a housing allowance was June 16. On June 28, the session met and decided to put the manse on the market in hopes of selling it, pending presbytery approval. Elders and volunteers have been working to spruce up the house and get it ready to be listed. If you know of any interested parties, please refer them to a session member or Pastor Ray.
BACK TO (CHURCH) SCHOOL!
If you have ever dreamed of making a difference in the life of a young person, plan on attending the church school organizational meeting Wednesday, August, 11, at 5:15 p.m. We will talk about curriculum, church school leaders, and a back-to-school party.
CHURCH SCHOOL
Church school will resume for the fall semester on Sunday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. We will have classes for kids ages 4 through 7th grade. Come and invite a friend!
YOUTH GROUPS
Our youth groups will begin meeting during September. Here is the proposed schedule:
High School Youth Group = 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Middle School Youth Group = 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Come, and invite a friend!
QUILT AUCTION AND BARBECUE
Calvin Crest is a vibrant ministry in eastern Nebraska and offers exciting programming, restful retreats, and life-changing conferences to more than 10,000 guests each year. The Quilt Auction and Barbecue is one of their major fundraisers that makes their ministry possible. Consider making the trip down this year! Here is the schedule for Saturday, August 21:
10:00 a.m. – quilts on display
12:00-1:30 p.m. – BBQ lunch ($8 adults, $4 kids) in the Dining Hall
1:00 p.m. – Quilt Auction in the Proett Center
Bid online, live, at www.proxibid.com/calvincrest. Proceeds this year will help purchase a tractor.
SEWING SOULS
Sewing Souls will not meet during August, but will meet again in September. Watch for details!
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
PW will also not meet during August, but will meet again in September. Watch for details!
BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
Rachelle McCalla has two new books out. The first, called Troubled Waters, is a sequel to her first book, Survival Instinct. The second, Out on a Limb, is set in southwest Iowa and is the beginning of a three-book series. Her books are available at Inspiration Christian Book and Gift in Wayne.
Mary Connealy’s latest book is Doctor in Petticoats. Many of her books are on the library shelves in the Fellowship Hall. Both Rachelle and Mary spoke at our Annual PW Tea on July 14, 2010. It was interesting and fun to hear them discuss their writings!
If you enjoyed Dee Henderson’s books, you will definitely enjoy Irene Hannon’s Heroes of Quantico series. Find out more about the lives of FBI Rescue Team members in Against All Odds, An Eye for an Eye, and In Harm’s Way. All three books are on the library shelves in the Fellowship Hall.
LATINO MINISTRY
Nearly every Sunday since late February, our sanctuary has been home to a Spanish-speaking congregation led by Sam and Holly Torres. Roughly 20 souls have met in our building for prayer, singing, and hearing God’s Word proclaimed. We rejoice in this new relationship and pray that they would be richly blessed.
SESSION
Session will meet on Monday, August 9, at 7:00 p.m. for their summer meeting.
COMMUNION
Our church will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, August 8, and we will take Communion to residents of The Oaks at 1:30 p.m. If you have ever been an elder or deacon, please consider signing up at the Opportunity Table to set up the elements for worship or go to The Oaks with Pastor Ray.
GREAT PLAINS PRESBYTERIAN PILGRIMAGE
The Great Plains Presbyterian Pilgrimage #8 will be held on October 21-24, 2010, at the Calvin Crest Camp Conference and Retreat Center. A pilgrimage is a three day renewal to deepen your faith, heighten your joy, and invigorate you life in Christ to last a lifetime. For more information visit the website at www.gpppilgrimage.org or call Shelly Story at 402-586-2634
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Volunteers are still needed for the Habitat for Humanity home that started construction this summer. Help is needed during the week and on Saturdays starting at 9:00 am. The building site is the Western Ridge Subdivision in Wayne.
AL-ANON IS HERE TO HELP
Al-Anon and Alateen are world-wide fellowships with one purpose: to provide comfort and support to relatives and friends of alcoholics, and to provide understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Anyone who is troubled by another person’s drinking behavior is welcome to attend, whether or not there is an admission of alcoholism. The Wayne Al-Anon group meets on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in the southeast conference room on the fourth floor of the Municipal Building (306 Pearl, beside our church’s facility). Please call Nancy H. at 518-1062 or visit www.al-anon.alateen.org for more information.
HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY
Our presbytery will gather at First Presbyterian Church in Schuyler on Thursday, August 26, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Dr. Tom Long, a dynamic preacher and professor, will lead the presbytery in worship. If you would like to attend, please visit with Pastor Ray.
THANK YOU
We would like to thank all of you for your support in agreeing to give us a housing allowance. We love our new house, and we are grateful to be building equity! I am blessed to live and serve among you, and we pray that our church family would bear much fruit together. Thanks also for your patience during this transition time as we have moved from the manse into our own home. And please, don’t hesitate to drop by our new place and take the nickel tour!
The McCallas
