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A Note from Rev. Feltman
Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian,
You should have received a letter from the Pastor Nominating Committee introducing the Rev. Dr. Randy Argall. Rev. Argall will begin as your fulltime Interim Pastor on April 15. My last Sunday will be April 7th . I will have a taste of what it is to be fully retired, for the first time. We will see how I do with that reality.
I have been with you in this role for a year and a half. I would like to end well. You have heard me share the important steps when something or someone is coming to an end. Two of those steps are – thank the people you must thank and forgive the people you must forgive.
Let’s begin with – forgive the people you must forgive. When folks work/live together there are bumps and bruises along the way. From my perspective these have been minimal, and I bear no ill will towards anyone. I ask your forgiveness for the times I have dropped the ball, said something carelessly, or missed a pastoral care need. If it would be helpful to have a conversation, let’s schedule a time before I leave.
From my perspective we have worked well together. I will not name individuals, but you know the key players around First Presbyterian who give much of themselves for the sake of this ministry. Thank you for your welcome. Thank you for working alongside of me or allowing me to work alongside of you. It is my experience that this is a kind church. I trust that will spill over on Dr. Argall’s work here as well. Your ongoing prayers, faithful attendance, giving, and service are crucial since the ranks are small.
It will be important for Sue and me to move on. Experience has shown it is crucial for the former pastor to move over and make room for the new pastor. And, after all, I’ll be retired.
It has been a joy to be with you.
With love in Christ,
Dave Feltman
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Contacting Rev. Feltman
Rev. Feltman will be in the office one day a week. He is hoping to address routine church business on that day. For care concerns you may call the church office or his cell phone, 319-231-3570; please leave a message if he is not able to answer.
Rev. Feltman will be in the office on Tues. Mar. 26th.
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A Note from Rev. Dr. Randall Argall
I am happy to take this opportunity to briefly introduce myself. I was baptized in the Episcopalian Church, confirmed in the Lutheran Church, and am honorably retired as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church. I retired in July 2019 as the head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay, WI after 11 1/2 years.
I came to Green Bay from the University of Jamestown, a Presbyterian college in Jamestown, ND. The university hired me after I completed a PhD in the School of Religion at the University of Iowa. I served half-time as the chaplain and half-time on the religion faculty. The student body was largely Roman Catholic and Lutheran. After the move to Green Bay, I also taught theology as an adjunct at St. Norbert College and served as board president at the Mauthe Ecumenical Center on the campus of UWGB. While I am a committed Presbyterian (and somewhat of a Calvinist), my life and career demonstrate that I have a deep appreciation for ecumenism.
After I retired, I spent two months in Moscow, Russia working for Presbyterian World Mission and an international, English-speaking church. Then COVID-19 hit. More recently, I served one year as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Monticello, IA. I also just completed work on the Executive Capital Campaign Committee of the Domestic Violence Shelter in Iowa City. The new Shelter is now under construction.
I have been married to Ann for 50 years. Ann is a retired dental hygienist. We purchased a condo in Iowa City to be near our son Sam and his wife Ashley, and their two sons Fletcher (7) and Nelson (4). We live about three blocks from them! Our hobbies include biking, kayaking, reading, sports (Go Hawks!), and travel. Last year, we went to Lithuania with several Presbyterians. We are active with a Presbyterian group called the Eastern European Partnership Network.
The church in Green Bay was located in a near downtown neighborhood and faces many of the issues common to urban churches, including First Waterloo. My hope and prayer is that my experience there will translate into some beneficial steps that we can take together here.
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One Great Hour of Sharing
During Lent, we will be receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For 75 years, the Offering’s purpose of helping neighbors in need around the world remains constant, giving the PC(USA) and other Christian denominations a tangible way to share God’s love. LINKS IN RED: One Great Hour of Sharing benefits the ministries of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP). Look for an insert on the entrance tables this week, and please click on these links to learn more about the ministries supported by our offerings.
Click HERE to view the "We Are There" Insert.
THIS Sunday, Palm Sunday, will be the main day where we present our offerings. Offerings are accepted at any time.
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Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is THIS Sunday, March 24th, at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Come join us and wave palms as we begin the journey to Easter.
Passion / Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, a time in the church year when we remember how Christ gave his life in love for the world. As this service opens, the crowd waves palm branches, wanting to crown Jesus as king. But as the story of the passion unfolds, their shouts of praise turn to demands for his crucifixion; he receives a crown of thorns as he is handed over to be mocked and killed. To learn more about Palm Sunday, please click HERE.
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Joint Maundy Thursday Service
March 28, 6:00 pm at First Presbyterian, 902 Main Street, Cedar Falls. Join us for a service of contemplation. All are welcome to partake in communion. This is the joint Maundy Thursday service of the local Cedar Valley Presbyterian Church (USA) churches. Participating will be First Cedar Falls, First Waterloo, Unity Waterloo, and Cedar Heights Cedar Falls.
Maundy Thursday encourages us to remember the new commandment that Christ gave us in word and deed as he taught us how to love one another, washing our feet as a servant. We also celebrate the Lord’s Supper, remembering the meal Christ shared with his disciples before his death.
An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 113-116, 131-132):
The name is taken from the commandment of Christ that we should imitate his loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:14-17). The term mandatum (maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of the foot washing on this day. *Please note, there will be no foot washing during this service*
To learn more about Maundy Thursday and its origins, please click HERE
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Joint Good Friday Service
We will be holding a joint Good Friday Service on Friday, March 29. It will begin at 6:00 pm. This is the joint Good Friday of the five local Cedar Valley Presbyterian Church (USA) churches. We encourage everyone to join us! There will be a joint choir from all of the churches.
Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. The hours of noon to 3 p.m. are particularly significant as these commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross. It is an especially important time to pray for the church and the world for whom Christ gave his life. The Good Friday service is a penitential service, yet it is also a celebration of the good news of the cross.
Good Friday is a day in which to allow for numerous contemplative moments, and to permit the power of silence to speak for itself. To learn more about Good Friday and its origins, please click HERE
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Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is March 31st. Come and join us at 10 am to celebrate the empty tomb and the resurrection of Christ!
The festival of the Resurrection of the Lord (or Easter Sunday) is the center of the Christian year. On this occasion the church joyfully proclaims the good news that is at the very heart of the gospel: that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. To learn more about Easter Sunday, please click HERE.
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Coffee Hour Update
There will be NO coffee hour on Easter Sunday.
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The Gospel of John Through Lent
Pastor Dave has prepared a Study of the Gospel of John through Lent. There are printed copies available in the office, or you can access an electronic copy HERE.
If you would like a hard copy mailed to you, please reach out to Amber in the office.
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Lunch and Learn Continues...
Lunch and Bible Study will continue the 1st Wednesday of every month at noon, beginning April 3rd in Calvin Hall. Bring Your Own Lunch (a microwave is available) and enjoy fellowship and the Word of God.
*For our First Wednesday on April 3rd, Rev. Brad Braley will be joining us at noon in Calvin Hall for lunch and speaking with us about his recent visit to the US/MEXICO border with a group from the North Central Iowa Presbytery. Be sure and join us for this very informative presentation.*
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Sunday Supper Treat Drive
Do you have an urge to do some baking? If so, Sunday Supper would love to have some cookies or bars. We will freeze them until we need to use them. We really do appreciate the generosity of our bakers here at First Presbyterian!
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Sunday Supper Can Drive
Sunday Supper is in need of your help! We will be holding a canned food drive, please place any donations on the cart in Calvin Hall. Thank you for your generosity for this important ministry to the people in our neighborhood!
This will run through the end of April. Thank you for your generosity!
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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.
You can also find the link to the YouTube page on the church website.
Please click HERE for this week's bulletin.
We look forward to worshiping with you every week!
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Church Calendar
HOLY WEEK BEGINS
Sunday Mar 24: 10:00 am Palm Sunday Worship Service Sanctuary
5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall
Tuesday Mar 26: 9:00 am Bible Study
5:00 pm Love INC full building except Calvin Hall
Wednesday Mar 27: 6:00 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary
Thursday Mar 28: 6:00 pm Combined Maundy Thursday Service, 1st Pres Cedar Falls, 902 Main St.
Friday Mar 29: 6:00 pm Combined Good Friday Service, Sanctuary
Sunday Mar 31: 10:00 am Easter Sunday Service, Sanctuary
NO Coffee Hours NO Sunday Supper
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Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed
We are accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. WE STILL NEED A PULPIT FLOWER CENTERPIECE FOR EASTER SUNDAY, March 31, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. We currently have April 28, May 5, 19, and 26 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!
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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: Mary Kabel, Marsha Muir, Sally Davis
Personnel: Dan Davis
Building and Grounds: Craig Cose
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Church Prayer List
With Our Sympathies:
Mary Mumm recently lost her brother-in-law. We keep her family in our prayers
New to the Prayer List:
Pat Narey
April Wiles
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Gerald and Regina Buls
The Gilles Family
Tom Wiles
Gloria Frerichs
Sherrianne Noyes
Steve Miller - Recovering at home
Jan Schwab - Recovering at Home
Joe Fernau, Marie's son
Prayer for Member Households:
Megan Collins
Craig and Lynda Cose
Steve Cose
Prayer for Church in the Presbytery:
First Presbyterian Church, 643 6th St., Jesup, IA
CRE Pastor Dawn Person
Click HERE to view their website
Prayer for Local Church:
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 3815 Ansborough Ave., Waterloo.
Pastor Sean Scheele
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.
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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, Brady Swenson
18 Kim Swallow
22 Ann Sage, Heather Wheelock
23 Connor McClain, Amy Wiles
24 Cody McDowell
26 Dale Lottich
27 Cindy Trepp
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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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