At First Presbyterian Church we are part of the connectional system of the PCUSA and are governed by the Session according to the Book of Order.
Session of FPC
Elders are chosen by the people of the Church. Together with the Teaching Elder(s), they exercise leadership, government, and discipline. The Session has the power and responsibility to administer the program and mission of the church. Session meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of Session: Joan Berglund
Class of 2011
Shirley Cole, Jan Enstrom, Steve Henderson, Don Novotny, and David Wood.
Class of 2012
Peter Spalding, Scott Lloyd, Dale Novotny, Rodney Diedrichsen, Alex Currie, and Susie Wilson Hill.
Class of 2013
Joan Berglund, Bill Janike, Jim Wagner, Nancy Field, Dave Hammar, and Lynne Hughes.
COMMITTEES of the SESSION
CARE OF MEMBERS
The Care of Members committee cares for the members of the congregation through the joys and sorrows of life. This entails keeping accurate records of church member- ship as well as overseeing specialized ministries such as Stephens Ministry and Commissioned Deacons. This committee shares in the responsibility of assimilating members (new and inactive) into the life of the church.
LaVerne Bish (Co-Chair), Shirley Cole (Co-Chair), LuEtta Anderson (card ministry), Ruth Beach, Debbie DeFrain, Nancy Janike, Dale Novotny, Eleanor Novotny, Don Marx, Marlene Marx, and Elder Representative Lynn Hughes. Staff resourcing this committee: Pastor Brent.
COMMISSIONED DEACONS
Commissioned Deacons carry out one-on-one visitation ministry (or ministry by other means of contact) with those members who are homebound, who have limited mobility or who have special needs. If you have an interest in being a commissioned deacon, contact Pastor Brent.
LuEtta Anderson, Ruth Beach, LaVerne Bish, Bill Janike, Nancy Janike, Dale Novotny, Eleanor Novotny, Don Marx, Marlene Marx, Joleen Peterson, Jerry Philippi, Sue Sattler, Jim Stange, Suanne Stange, Marlene Wagner, and Jim Wagner.
STEPHENS MINISTRY
The Stephen Ministry is a confidential, caring lay ministry, where Stephen Ministers are matched one- on-one with a Care Receiver needing short, or long term support. Stephen Ministers are trained by Stephen Leaders with 50 hours of classes which are scheduled periodically. Supervision meetings are twice monthly with continuing education. Contact Pastor Brent Johnston at 477-6037 if you, or someone you know, might benefit from a Stephen Minister.
Betty Tenhulzen, (Chair) Sue Bolz (Leader), Barb Bruning (Leader), Gary Hughes (Leader), Pastor Brent Johnston (Leader), Ruth Stephenson (Leader), Jack Cole, Debbie DeFrain, Jim DeFrain, David Hammar, LeAnn Hammar, Barbara Hanssen, Sherry Knapp, June Pickel, Jody Spalding, Carlene Waldron, Andy White.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The mission of the Christian Education committee is to glorify God through Christian education for the purpose of fostering Christian faith and commitment, nurturing spiritual growth, and developing servant-leaders. We accomplish this by providing diverse, biblically based programs and learning opportunities. We seek to develop individual’s spiritual gifts, to grow the faith of our church community through the Holy Spirit, to nurture knowledge in Jesus Christ, and to serve God. Christian Education includes Sunday school, adult education, library, Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, and children’s nursery.
Connie Philippi (Chair) Alex Currie (Vice Chair), Cindy Lloyd, Dave Hammar, Margie Carlson, and Audrey Richert. Staff Resourcing this committee: Steph Nelson, Dustin Hamren, and Pastor Brent.
CONGREGATIONAL NOMINATING
The mission of the Congregational Nominating committee is to educate the congregation on the gifts needed to fulfill the duties of an Elder and Commissioned Deacon in First Church. The committee is to bring a slate of candidates to elect to ordained office at a congregational meeting. It also recruits members of the congregation to serve on committees where they will be able to best use their talents and time.
Susie Wilson Hill (Chair) Elder Marlene Wagner (Vice Chair-Foundation Rep.) Nancy Janike (Commissioned Deacon rep.), Arta Smith (PW rep.), Tyler Mills (Youth rep.), Cathy Rauch (Elder rep.), Carlene Miller (at large), Betty Tenhulzen (at large), and Scott Svoboda (at large) and Phil Waldron (at large).
FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM
The mission of the Fellowship and Evangelism committee is to organize the congregation for sharing the Good News and the recruitment of members; to provide for the growth of members as they share in fellowship – building friendships and relationships with one another that we may grow closer as a church family; to provide evangelism opportunities to be learned and practiced – allowing members to be better equipped to articulate their faith; and to lead the session in receiving members into the church.
Walter Schacht (Chair) Elder Gary Hughes Bill Janike Nancy Janike
Katy Knoche Tyler Knoche Danette Novotny Carol Ott Schacht Carlene Waldron
LONG RANGE PLANNING (AI)
The Long Range Planning (AI) committee is to lead the congregation in strategic planning activities to define the church’s mission and to coordinate committees in setting goals and objectives and in completing the necessary tasks.
David Wood (Chair) Steve Henderson, Scott Lloyd, Jody Spalding
MARKETING & MEDIA
The Marketing and Media committee is responsible for the branding of First Church’s message through print, radio, television, and the internet – allowing those within our church and our community to know who we are and what we are about and how they might get involved.
TV and Radio Crew – Teams of four individuals provide assistance with audio and visual responsibilities during the 11:00 a.m. worship services and at other church services.
Scott Lloyd (Chair), Debbie DeFrain, Jim DeFrain, Dave Hammar, Paul Jasa, Russ Lloyd, Tyler Knoche, and Susan Diers (Staff).
MISSION OUTREACH
The Mission Outreach committee plans and conducts activities designed to help the congregation know and do the will of God in our community, nationally, and internationally. The responsibilities of the committee include education, mission budget, and planning activities to involve the congregation in mission.
Nancy Field (Chair), Pam Carrier, David Chuang, Sue Tillinghast, Karl Tillinghast, Catherine Johnston, and Pat Jorn. Staff Resource: Pastor Brent.
MUSIC & FINE ARTS
The Music and Fine Arts committee works with the pastor and music director to provide a comprehensive program of music and other fine arts that enhances the worship of the congregation, nurtures persons through involvement in the ministry of fine arts, and reaches into the greater Lincoln community through this program of excellence.
Steve Henderson (Chair) Russ Lloyd (Vice Chair) Jack Cole, Ruth Stephenson, John Turner, and Brian Pfoltner (Staff).
PERSONNEL
The Personnel committee is responsible for hiring staff, providing equitable compensation for staff and evaluating the staff to ensure that, within the financial means of the church, the staffing levels are appropriate in accomplishing the ministry and mission of First Church.
Jody Spalding (Chair) Karen Walklin (Vice Chair) Jan Enstrom – Elder Rep., and Ann Wood, Pastor Brent (Staff).
PRESBYTERY
The mission of the Presbytery committee is to act as commissioners to the Homestead Presbytery and as a communication coordinating body between First Church and Homestead Presbytery. The Presbytery committee responsibilities include interpreting communications and care of the candidates’ program.
Nancy Field – Elder
PROPERTY
The Property committee oversees and maintains church property (grounds and building interior/exterior) under Session guidance, oversees use of the church building and policies governing its use, and recommends to the Session major expenses to maintain the facility, including remodeling or repair as needed.
Dale Novotony (Chair), Jerry Phillipi, Scott Kasl, Trev Peterson, and Pastor Brent (Staff).
Lawn Crew – A group of volunteers performs the lawn mowing and landscape maintenance for the church by sharing responsibilities on a rotating basis. To obtain information or to volunteer to join the lawn crew, contact Don Novotny
Team A: Duane Sattler, Tyler Knoche, Kelly Peate, Karl Tillinghast
Team B: Don Novotny, Bill Janike, Russ Lloyd, Jerry Philippi
Team C: Rod Diedrichsen, John Barrett, Brett Richert, Brent Johnston
Team D: Nate Van Meter, Gary & Lynne Hughes, Scott Kasl
SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Social Justice committee is responsible to empower our members to understand the plight of, and speak in support of the marginalized and oppressed people of the world to alleviate their suffering and better model the kingdom of God on earth.
Peter Spalding (Chair), Christy Abraham (Vice Chair), Nancy Field, Jody Spalding, and Scott Svoboda.
STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE
The Stewardship and Finance committee develops and monitors the annual church budget, raises the funds to finance the ministry and mission of First Church, and drafts, reviews, and updates church financial and operating policies. The committee is responsible to teach our members that the proper response to God’s grace in Jesus Christ is gratitude and the joyous giving of our time, talents and monies to further work of the church and enable members to give in these ways.
Jim Carrier (Chair), Annette Brown (Vice-Chair), Elder Scott Lloyd, Cindy Lloyd, Hazel Anthony, LaVerne Bish, Andy White, and Patty Wissink (Staff).
WORSHIP & SACRAMENT
The Worship and Sacraments committee provides for the worship of the people of God by designing, enhancing, implementing and evaluating the regular and special worship services that support the spiritual journey of our members and visitors of all ages as we worship out of the Reformed tradition.
Shirley Jeambey (Chair) Don Novotny (Vice-Chair), Joan Berglund (Clerk) Duane Sattler, Sue Sattler, Arta Smith, Jackie Sturm, LeAnn Hammar and Bruce Gottsleben.
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT
The Youth and Young Adult committee is responsible to engage our youth and young adults with fun filled and faith forming activities in their maturation process as well as oversee that our congregation is engaged by youth in our organizational life.
Shereen Mills (Chair) Rod Diedrichsen (Vice Chair) Brett Richert, Jennifer Koolen (Youth Advisor), Kelly Peate (Youth Advisor), Dave Wood, Dusten Hamren (Staff).
FOUNDATION BOARD CLASSES
The purposes for which the Foundation was created are (a) to aid the First Presbyterian church of Lincoln, Nebraska by the solicitation of gifts of real and personal property; and (b) to accept, hold and administer gifts of real and personal property for the use and benefit of the First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska. All the members of the congregation of First Presbyterian Church are members of the Foundation. The Foundation is administered by a Board elected by the members of the Foundation for three year terms. Any one member of the Board can serve up to three terms and then must rotate off the Board for at least one year.
Class of 2011 Foundation
Phil Waldron (Treasurer), Jeff Koolen, Steve Hill
Class of 2012 Foundation
Lisa Jasa, Trev Peterson (President), Karen Walklin, Andy White
Class of 2013 Foundation
Steve Henderson, Dann Nelson, Jim Stange, Marlene Wagner (Secretary)
FPC Corporation Board 2011
Karen Walklin (President), Joan Berglund (Secretary), Jim Carrier (Treasurer)
