A Note From Pastor Randy
As you read this, the General Assembly of the PCUSA is meeting in Salt Lake City, UT (June 25-July 4). As both a commissioner and an observer at several past General Assemblies, I have learned much about the work of the church.
What is the work of GA? On the PCUSA website we read: “The General Assembly has several specific responsibilities outlined in Chapter 3 of the Book of Order. The assembly seeks to protect our church from errors in faith and practice, is responsible for assuring that the expression of our theology remains true to the biblical standards in our historic confessions. The General
Assembly presents a witness for truth and justice in our community and in the world community. It sets priorities for the church and establishes relationships with other churches or ecumenical bodies.”
The theme of this year’s Assembly is “Live Into Hope.” The pastor and elder commissioners will discuss overtures and resolutions on several important issues. Those that caught my attention were gun violence, artificial intelligence, white Christian nationalism, and plastic pollution.
Other denominations have also been holding national gatherings this summer. Perhaps you saw news reports about some of their issues. The Southern Baptists were closely divided on whether women are allowed to be pastors (they said no). The United Methodists split over the inclusion of persons who identify as LGBTQ+ (they said yes, large numbers left). The PCUSA has
put these two issues behind us (as has the ELCA, the UCC, and the Episcopal Church), although one overture seeks to incorporate new language about sexuality into the Book of Order. I believe that past General Assemblies have been true to the biblical standards when it comes to female pastors and LGBTQ+ persons. However, these issues are still divisive.
In any event, the topics we will be debating this year are much more pressing and relevant to our neighbors and our future. If you would like to follow the news that comes out of General Assembly, you can click on this link: www.ga-pcusa.org/news/ Let us pray for all who have gathered in Salt Lake City to do the work of the church.
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Refugee Item Drive
Thank you for your kindness and generosity. With your wonderful donations, we were able to fill ten totes of sheets, pillows, stuffed toys, and comforters. These totes will be given to Lutheran Social Services for distribution to refugee families as they settle in Waterloo. You will make life happier and easier for our new residents of Waterloo. Again, thank you.
The Mission Committee
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Summer Outings
We would like to get one or two summer outings going this summer and are gauging interest. Christian Nurture will be purchasing the tickets if we have enough people to attend. If you would be interested in attending a Bucks Baseball game or an Iowa Woo Football game, please fill out the questionnaire HERE, sign up in the church office, or contact Amber directly. Thank you!
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Windows On Waterloo Online
Join us Wednesday, July 3 at 11 AM for an online Windows on Waterloo presentation!
This month's presentation focuses on the background of revitalization in the downtown and Waterloo's transformative accomplishments over the past 20+ years, thanks to a consistent vision, committed leadership, and a successful Public-Private Partnership. We are excited about the progress being made and look forward to celebrating all that has been accomplished while looking ahead to the future!
Email paige.price@wloocommunityfoundation.org or register online to receive the link for this free webinar.
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Volunteer Opportunity
July 13th from 8 am to noon, volunteers will be meeting at the Riverview Recreation Center at Harold Getty Lake for a Litter Clean Up. Water/gloves/grabbers/bags will be provided and closed toed shoes are recommended! If you would like to sign-up, you may do so at https://docs.google.com/document/d/13EH9BMnMFE8Kq2wv0pE8SCYZ7oWgl5AZPBFHh0yCClA/edit?usp=sharing
If you are unable to sign up online and would like to help please reach out to Amber in the office.
This event is sponsored by Green Iowa Americorps
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Postage Rate Increase
Time to buy some Forever stamps! The USPS will be increasing the cost of stamps from 68 cents to 73 cents effective July 14!
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Old Church Directories Available
While cleaning out the historical room, we found some old church photo directories from 2015 and 1994. If you would like a copy, please stop into the office and grab one!
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Quilt Stories
QUILT SIZE: 54 ½” X 75 ½”
QUILT PATTERN: LAKE SIDE
MADE BY: MARY JONES (Piecemakers Quilters)
QUILT QUILTED BY: CAROL KERN (Piecemakers Quilters)
This quilt was made by Mary Jones a member of First Presbyterian Piecemakers Quilters. She made the quilt for her husband, Richard Jones. Rich enlisted in the navy after high school and was trained as a medic. He was sent to Vietnam with a layover in Japan. When the plane landed in Japan, they found his lung had collapsed. The doctor there said he didn’t have anyone to setup the procedure, but Rich said he could. Rich setup his own procedure, the doctor performed the procedure, and Rich was in the hospital a week. When he was ready to be discharged, the Colonel came in and said his orders were changed. He would be staying in Japan and not going on to Vietnam. He was in Japan for four years. He later found out his unit that went to Vietnam was killed including two high school classmates. This would haunt him the rest of his life.
After Japan, he reenlisted and went to Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was in the Navy a total of 10 years, his last years spent at Bethesda. His time spent in Japan was a meaningful time for him. It would guide him into his life’s work.
When he saw the Japanese fabric in a quilt shop here in the states, his Japanese memories came back to him. He wanted a quilt and a Kimono. He picked out all the material and the pattern for the quilt. Mary used the Lake Side pattern for the quilt. This pattern used 2” and 5” stripes sewn together to form a tube. The tube is cut into triangles which form the blocks that are sewn together.
Rich wrapped up in his quilt until he died two years ago. It remains on the back of their sofa.
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Synod School
If you would like to attend the upcoming Synod School, the church will cover half of the cost. Please reach out to Dan Davis or Jean Seeland for more information. There is a flyer on the bulletin board outside of the church office.
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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 the Sunday bulletin with hymns and creed.
We look forward to worshiping with you every week!
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Church Calendar
Thursday Jun 27: 5:00 pm Girl Scouts Fellowship Hall
Saturday Jun 29: 8:00 am 415 Walnut Collective Fellowship and Calvin Halls
Sunday June 30: 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary
5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall
Monday Jul. 1: 6:00 pm NECC Painting Class Fellowship Hall
Tuesday Jul. 2: 9:00 am Bible Study Parlor
9:00 am to Noon: Website Team Meeting (Office temporarily unavailable)
6:00 pm NECC Crochet Class Fellowship Hall
Thursday Jul. 4: Church Office Closed
Friday Jul. 5: 12:30 pm 415 Walnut Collective Meeting
Sunday June 30: 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary
5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall
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Pulpit Flower Volunteers Needed
We are accepting donations of flower arrangements for our Sunday Services. We currently have July 21 and 28; and August 4, 18, 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!
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Office Closures
The church office will be temporarily closed Tuesday, July 2 from 9 am until noon due to Web Site Task Force meetings. Regular hours resume at noon.
The church office will also be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Thank you for your understanding.
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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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Thank You
To Our Friends at First Pres,
We want to thank all of you for the continued prayers, cards, and thinking of us.
Steve still has good and bad days. We travel to Iowa City every other week for Steve's appointments.
Thank you again,
Steve & Debbie Miller
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Church Prayer List
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Sally Davis
Liz Poole
Pat & Kari Narey
Regina Buls
Betty Wexter
Jan Schwab
Steve Miller
Sherrianne Noyes
Joe Fernau, Marie's son
Prayer for Member Households:
Mary Mumm
Pat & Kari Narey
Doug & Nancy Newhoff
Prayer in the Presbytery:
The National Staff of PC(USA)
Prayer for Local Church:
Corinthian Baptist Church, 915 Willow St., Waterloo, 50703
Rev. Troy Starks
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 June and July. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
June
28 Kevynne Wimberley
30 Theresa Braby
July
06 Elliott Whyte
07 Jack Rozeboom
09 Louis Christensen, Alicia Russell
10 David Swallow
15 Lynda Cose
16 Ann Argall, Tony Pruis, Carmen Trepp
19 Dorothy Hummel
21 Michael Ames, Blake Robinson
22 Evelyn Boice, Damon Mananga, Mary Mumm
24 Michael Lightbody
25 Connie Leeper
27 Chris Fischels
28 Layla Sommerlot
29 Sally Davis, Dan Klann
30 Madison Fairbanks, Pat Stanhope
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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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