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A Note From Pastor Randy
I saw a new line of colorful flags on the 4th Street bridge in downtown Waterloo and it piqued my interest. I soon learned that the flags represented the country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The flags were set up to mark an event at the Waterloo Convention Center, Aug. 16 and 17, called “Krajiski Teferic” (the first word refers to a region in NW Bosnia, and the second means “fair”). This is a Non-Profit annual event organized by Bosnian people who have resettled in the USA and Canada. It is held in rotating cities. Last year it was in Chicago. It was in Waterloo in 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2017. More than 5,000 Bosnians attend each year.
Bosnia was at war between 1992 and 1995, part of the breakup of Yugoslavia. Many war crimes were committed against the largely Muslim Bosnian population, including mass genocide. Many fled the country. It is estimated that 350,000 Bosnians now live in the USA, with about 7,000 in Iowa, of which 3,000 are in the Waterloo area.
The goal of the event at the convention center is share the Bosnian cultural heritage and traditions, including music and dance, with the communities the population has settled in. Bosnian people have a reputation for being very friendly and welcoming, with a unique sense of humor. What a great opportunity to meet some of them on Friday and Saturday. Click HERE to view the Facebook page.
The Al-Noor Islamic Community Center is a member of the Cedar Valley Interfaith Council which we Presbyterians also support. According to the Al-Noor website, they have just called a new Imam from Bosnia. When I was at First Presbyterian in Green Bay, we invited a representative from the local mosque to speak to a group at church. The thought was that if we are to love
our neighbors, we need to get to know them. Along the way, we may even discover there are things we can do together for the good of the world. This is what the Interfaith Council is all about.
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Thank You
Thanks to all who helped with the parking lot fundraiser last weekend during Irish Fest. We heard lots of cool Irish music and collected $1422. The money will be used by the Building & Grounds Committee for building maintenance. Thank you: Sue Albright, Jerry Anders, Judy Anders, Jackie Bass, Dennis Bass, Gary Catterson, Nancy Catterson, Craig Cose, Lynda Cose,
Amber Gilles. Billie Hesse, Denise Hesse, Kathy McClain, Kevin McClain, Mary Mumm, Nancy Newhoff, Sherrianne Noyes, Marsha Platt, Richard Platt, Zach Pruis, Don Schwab, and Jean
Seeland for volunteering!
Building & Grounds
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Helping Hands Fund
The Helping Hands Fund, which we use to provide utility assistance to our neighbors needing help, needs YOUR help! Donations will be gratefully received and helps fulfill our mission of Loving Our Neighbors. So far this year, First Church has assisted 96 of our neighbors needing help paying water, sewer, electric, and gas bills. Your ongoing support will allow us to continue to help those in need. Please put "Helping Hands" in the memo line of your check. Thank you for your generous help!
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All Presbyterians Gathering
The annual All Presbyterians Gathering is in just a few short weeks, on Saturday, August 24! This year, we will meet at First Presbyterian Church, 208 W State Street, Jefferson, Iowa.
Activities begin at 9:00 AM with coffee/social time and end at 3:00 PM with a social debrief. In between, there will be worship, workshop choices, lunch, and more! This gathering is the perfect time to mingle with Presbyterians from across the state. Share your joys, gather ideas, and feel the Holy Spirit at work more!
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Quilt Stories
The quilts hanging in the hallway are made by the same person.
Wendy Noyes made the quilt on the left for her daughter Sherrianne using Sherrianne’s favorite colors, orange, green, and purple.
Wendy died three years ago, so this quilt gives Sherrianne comfort coming from her mom.
Wendy also made the quilt on the right four years ago before she died. Wendy made this for Iris Gilles as a birthday gift when Iris was seven. Wendy was a non-blood grandma to Iris. Iris called her Mamaw. Wendy picked Iris’s favorite colors of teal, pink, and purple. Iris’s favorite part of the quilt is the galaxy print on the back. Iris slept every night with this quilt for years. The quilt is a lasting memory of Mamaw.
Even though the quilt on the left was made for an adult and the quilt on the right was made for a child, you can tell they were made by the same person.
Both quilts were made using the recipient’s favorite colors.
Both quilts were made with bright colored fabric.
Both quilts were made from a pattern created by the maker.
BOTH QUILTS WERE MADE WITH LOVE AND PROVIDE A LASTING MEMORY.
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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. 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!
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Church Calendar
Sunday Aug. 18: 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary
5:00 pm Sunday Supper Fellowship Hall
Monday Aug. 19: 6:00 pm NECC Painting Class Fellowship Hall
Tuesday Aug. 20: 9:00 am Bible Study
1:00 pm Church Audit church office
6:00 pm Session
Thursday Aug. 22: 5:00 pm Girl Scouts Fellowship Hall
Sunday Aug. 25: 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 September 1, 15, 22, and 29th 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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Pastor Randy Out of the Office
Pastor Randy will be out of the office from Wednesday, Aug. 21, through Tuesday, Sep. 3.
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Office Early Closure
The office will be closing at 3 pm on Wednesday, Aug. 21. We appreciate your understanding.
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Church Prayer List
With Our Sympathies:
Betty Wexter passed away late on August 14th. The family thanks you for all your thoughts, prayers, visits, cards, and flowers over the past few months.
Ongoing/Continuing Prayers:
Dan Davis
Ralph Beaver
Connie Leeper
Don Broadston
Sally Davis
Pat & Kari Narey
Jan Schwab
Steve Miller
Sherrianne Noyes
Prayer for Member Households:
Mike, Michelle, Emma, Megan, & Tye Schellhorn
David Schwab
Don & Jan Schwab
Prayer in the Presbytery:
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1301 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA 50702
Rev. Jonny Craig
Click HERE to view their website
Prayer for Local Church:
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 805 Adams St., Waterloo, IA 50703
Rev. Dr. Frantz Whitfield
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 August. If you get a chance, please join us in wishing them a very happy birthday!
August
04 Danielle DeSerano
05 Nicole Jamieson
06 Courtney Pilcher, Kira Sommerlot
07 Chris Bass, Betty Wexter
12 Iris Gilles
13 Larry Lightbody
14 Ryan McDowell
15 Marsha Platt
17 Connie Dawson
19 Craig Sage
20 Kevin DeSerano, Marsha Muir
21 Judy Lee
22 Megan Collins
24 Lucas Robinson
26 Stephen Quirk
27 Kari Narey, Mallory Sage
29 Pat Narey
30 Dennis Bunger, Will Kabel, Jennifer Lightbody
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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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