Pastoral Perspective. Lenten Study

Transcription

1 Pastoral Perspective February 2019 Making decisions is part of being human. God s plan includes waiting for us to make choices and then knowing that God will join us in the creative processes. We are practicing discernment when we pray and seek to keep God in our daily decisions over the long haul. There is a long history of discernment in the Christian tradition. The apostle Paul lists discernment as one of the spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12:4-10. When we make the daily choice to open our eyes and notice where God is at work and to align ourselves with divine goodness, discernment becomes a daily practice. With Jesus as our model, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we grow in trust and over time mature in self-reflection and prayer. In discernment, we constantly choose life over death, kindness over thoughtlessness, and loving in small and in magnificent ways. In the knowledge that we are beloved sons and daughters of God we are birthed and transformed. Within our community of faith at St. Paul, we study the options and seek the best for this moment while honoring the identity of each person as children of God with sacred worth. This is a continual process and as we become more aware we stop to ask once again, How can our lives bring the greatest praise, devotion, and service to God? Please turn to page 2 in this newsletter and read the information that Pastor Scott has provided regarding the Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church. While the global UMC has been discerning what the best options are regarding human sexuality, we at St. Paul have participated in studies that identified the history of sexuality in the Bible, in our culture, and the UMC. Our congregation is also discerning how we can best demonstrate acceptance and the love of God for all. These are exciting times! And also unsure times! May we make a commitment to pray so that we may respond faithfully as Disciples of Christ to loving God and neighbor. Pray, and be assured that God will accompany us into the unknown. God s peace and hope, Pastor Marta Lenten Study Ash Wednesday is March 6 with worship at 6 p.m. The Wednesday evening Lenten study the six following Wednesdays, (March 13 through April 17) will be the new book by Adam Hamilton entitled Simon Peter (Flawed But Faithful Disciple). You may pick up the book in advance, in the church office, for $10. The study will be at 6 p.m. each Wednesday.

2 Saint Paul Church 5410 Corby St. Omaha, NE FAX Rev. Scott Shreve Lead Pastor Rev. Jerry Brabec Minister of Worship Rev. Marta Wheeler Associate Pastor Rev. Kathy Rice Director of Stephen Ministry Stephanie Rosenberger Director of Children s Ministries Sue Bobek, Membership Secretary Connie Almgren Financial Secretary Sue Bacon Communications Coordinator Chris Jones Building Engineer St. Paul Child Development Center Katy Smith, Director Community Counseling x23 Julie Lord, LIMHP & PLADC Tabitha Jameson, MA, LIMHP The inspiration is published monthly. Information is due to the editor by the 19th of the month to be included in the next issue. Editor: Sue Bacon To contact the editor: Phone sbacon@stpaulomaha.org Address: Corby Street Omaha, NE Stewardship Sustainable Future-Balanced Budget and Mission Connected: 2018 Final Numbers Church Gifts $469,623 Church Expenses $469,528 CDC Income $557,326 CDC Expenses $583,232 Thanks for your support, prayers and active expressions of ministry! Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church Over the past two years, the United Methodist Church has debated, reflected and fervently prayed about the future of The United Methodist Church. The special General Conference is set for Feb , 2019, in St. Louis. Now, the task of finding a way through the denomination s dispute over homosexuality is in the hands of General Conference delegates. There are nearly 900 elected delegates from around the world. Bishops have no vote at General Conference. However, they still have a role to play as presiders during the plenary sessions of the denomination s top lawmaking assembly. The delegates will consider a report by the bishop-appointed Commission on a Way Forward, which includes three different plans for the denomination s future, as well as any other legislation in harmony with the plans. Building trust will be a challenge before the multinational and multilingual legislative body. General Conference delegates from around the globe will only have three days to complete their legislative work. The first day when people arrive from around the globe and possibly deal with travel delays delegates will spend largely in prayer. The next day, Sunday, Feb. 24, delegates will seek to determine which of the multiple plans the majority wants to refine. On Monday, Feb. 25, all delegates will meet in a single legislative committee to do that refining work and vote on all legislative petitions. This is to fulfill the denominational policy that all petitions receive a vote in legislative committees. The delegates will return to plenary on Tuesday, Feb. 26 for final voting. Disciple Bible Study We now have eight people who have committed to Disciple Bible Study. There is still room for four more. We will meet on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 until 5:30, beginning on February 10th in the library. For more information, please contact Kathy Rice ( ) or kar68134@hotmail.com. 2:23 Prayer Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr. of our Great Plains Conference has asked every member to join in prayer each day at 2:23 p.m. by saying the Lord s Prayer and reciting Psalm 23 as we remember the delegates and their preparation for the special General Conference meeting on February 23, 2019, that is 2:23. The delegates will decide the policy for the United Methodist Church regarding ordination and marriage for LGBTQ clergy, members and friends. You may get more information by visiting the Great Plains website under the category of Way Forward Team. 2

3 inworship Due to the liturgical calendar in 2019, the season of Epiphany is celebrated for nine weeks and lasts all of Feb- ruary. The Epiphany sermon series on Divine Signs continues, as well as the long standing St. Paul custom to celebrate Black History Month with the intentional singing of the African-American spirituals that are documented in the United Methodist hymnal and denominational supplements. Enjoy the rich musical tradition that we can celebrate together! The mid-month M & M service, Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. in Roth Chapel, will continue our focus on the Spiritual Disciples led by your clergy. Preaching Schedule Theme Divine Signs February 2/3 Luke 4:21-30 Passing Through Rev. Shreve February 9/10 Luke 5:1-11 Peace with Justice Rev. Carol Windrum February 16/17 Luke 6:17-26 New System Ahead Rev. Wheeler February 23/24 Luke 6:27-38 District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Anglemyer Clergy Corner ~ Rev. Jerry Brabec (On staff at St. Paul Church since 1990, Rev. Brabec has been appointed to serve in an ordained clergy capacity since 2000.) At the time of this reading there will be less than four weeks until the special called General Conference in St. Louis, February The opportunity this conference may provide could be to change the exclusionary language in the United Methodist Book of Discipline in regards to the ministry of all believers, in particular the LGBTQ community. The Reconciling Ministries Network is an organization seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of United Methodist Church. It is one of many Welcoming Congregation organizations that emerged in American Christianity in the 1980s. The ministry currently has over 900 affiliated congregations and 35,000 affiliated individuals. There are presently four open and affirming United Methodist churches in our Missouri River District; First, Hanscom Park, St. Luke s and Urban Abbey are all RMN member congregations. As we prepare for the special General Conference and its potential outcomes, your clergy will host a series of question and answer sessions about what it means to be a Reconciling congregation. The presentations are listed below with each session to be held in Roth Chapel at 6:00 p.m. In this time of finding a way forward St. Paul members and friends have been faithful in their study of, prayer for, and preparation on how to be in ministry with and minister to all God s children. Together, let us continue to discern God s call as we effect change in our community, in our nation, and around the world all in the name of Christ. Souper Bowl Chili Sale Wednesday, January 30 ~ The Rev. Marshall Johnson Wednesday, February 06 ~ The Rev. Chris Jorgensen Wednesday, February 13 ~ The Rev. Steve Griffith Wednesday, February 27 ~ Is St. Paul Ready? The Youth have been taking orders for chili to be delivered after worship services on Saturday, February 2, and Sunday, February 3. With the help of the Mercy & Justice Team, they have made red chili with beef, white chili with chicken, and vegetarian chili. Also available will be cornbread muffins and cinnamon rolls. They plan to have extra chili, cornbread muffins and cinnamon rolls available, so if you were not able to get your order in, you will have an opportunity to purchase food to serve while you watch the big football game. Proceeds will go toward the Youth s summer mission trip to Colorado. 3

4 inmission Stove Builders in Guatemala 2019 If you would like to explore the idea of being on the St. Paul Stove Builders team this November or December please gather in the church library at 10:15 following the Fusion Service on February 3rd. Mary Cave will provide details and answer questions. If you cannot attend but have interest please contact Mary Cave at or HyVee Receipts Update Many thanks to everyone who saved their HyVee receipts dated September 1 to December 31. The receipts that were turned in totaled $63,909.23, which will earn $ for the St. Paul Child Development Center. They will get a check from HyVee in March or early April. Also special thanks to Diane Cunningham-Becker for collecting all the receipts and taking them to the HyVee store. The Big Garden Says Thanks for Our Support The Big Garden is funded, in part, by Mission Shares from United Methodist Churches in the Missouri River District. In 2018, your financial support enabled us to Teach more than 1500 low-income children and youth to grow, cook and preserve fresh garden produce. Grow 30,000 open-pollinated heirloom herbs, vegetables and perennials in our greenhouses. Plant 106 fruit trees and brambles at 8 sites around Omaha. Offer 17 free farmers market tours to 214 participants (mostly women and children), who received $930 market bucks and learned how to select, purchase and prepare fresh garden produce. Attend the GBCS conference in Washington, D.C. Build 10 new community/school gardens. Mark Your Calendar Undie Sunday is Coming Up The Mercy & Justice Team will be collecting packages of new underpants, t-shirts, bras and socks on Undie Sunday, March 10. All sizes are needed. BART Refugee Clothes Closet Set for Saturday, April 13 Donations needed: Clean spring and summer clothes, New underwear/socks (all sizes), colored preferred over white Gently used shoes/housewares January Special Offering, Human Relations Day $

5 Mental Illness ~ Spiritual Support: God is our Refuge and Strength It is easy to talk about physical health and even spiritual health within our culture, but conversations about mental health are more difficult to have. Yet, maintaining good health includes body, mind and spirit. If you are looking for resources in this area they can be accessed at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Nebraska Family Helpline operated by Boys Town at or the Community Counselors at St. Paul Church, Julie Lord and Tabitha Jameson, x23. 5

6 Learning, Serving, Praying, and Playing: We ve had good times together in January when meeting at church, selling chili orders, attending the Winter Jam Concert, and going to the Rose Theatre for the Return to Niobrara dramatic presentation about the Omaha trial of Chief Standing Bear. When we meet we have a goal of growing closer to one another and to God. We catch up on their lives, often play a game, have some serious conversation about God and culture, and relate that to their lives. Often a friend or two that the youth bring along are welcomed. Adolescence is a time of questioning and wondering why the world is like it is. It s a springboard for adulthood, so good decision making is reinforced. Most young people are uncomfortable talking about their faith in other places; providing this space is one of the most valuable things we do at youth group. Feb. 10 th -4-5:30 pm Youth Group at St. Paul. Meet by the chapel doors at 4:00 pm. Feb. 17 th -3-6 pm All-Church Ice Skating Party at Mahoney State Park. Next Summer: June 23-28th-Mission Trip to Denver, CO. and exciting and fun adventures in Winter Park.We plan to take Amtrak to Denver and to Winter Park and will use public transportation while in Denver. Due to the generosity of church members, we are able to hold the cost to each youth at $200. $100 is due by March 1 st and also May 1 st. Pastor Marta Wheeler St. Paul CDC Provides Summer Care for School-Age Children Can we all just take a minute and think about warm air, windows open and long summer nights!! AHH, the good old dog days of summer. It is that time again to think about summer care for your school age child. We are currently enrolling for summer school age care. We offer full or part time care for children five through 12 years old. If you or you know anyone who may be interested in our summer program, please give our CDC office a call for more information. Katy Smith, Director 6

7 7

8 FEBRUARY 2019 EXECUTIVE BOARD *************** President Marjorie Shreve Vice President Mary Stolzer Secretary Connie Crawford Treasurer Lorraine Hahn Advisor Kathy Rice Mission Focus Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, Tennessee Mission Witness Description of how the Church and Community Workers work varies as much as we do as individuals, and that love binds us as sisters and brothers in God s family. We each bring something special to the table and share gladly, just as God does with us. Box Tops for Education Save for Rose Hill Elementary School Saturday, February 2, 9:30 a.m. UMW General Meeting Featuring Linda Mead s Road Scholar Tour of Civil Rights Sites in the South President s Update The Spring luncheon is coming Saturday, April 27, Kim Stokely will present Treasures from the Bible Women s Legends in a dramatic and musical presentation. The price will be $ MarilouDohe is preparing treasure boxes for table decorations and is asking for old jewels or jewelry (not to be given back) to use in the boxes. She would like to have them by March 1. Our February 2 meeting will be Saturday at 9:30 in the parlor featuring Linda Mead with a slide presentation of her Road Scholar Tour to Civil Rights sites in the South. The next Mini-Mart is almost here! It will be February Thanks in advance for all your support for our local, national and international missions. February 9 is also Ecumenical Legislative Day at Christ UMC in Lincoln. Registration is on line or starts at 8 am the day of the meeting but preregistration is needed for lunch. Our January meeting had 24 members and 3 guests come to hear Miriam Seaver talk about her work in with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She works at some undisclosed location in the Middle East. She gave a history of Bible translation and told how her work involves translating selected Bible stories for youth in the churches in the local language, some presented on social media. Scott gave a short version of our Guatemala trip. March 23, 1869 was the start of the precursor of the United Methodist Women with a group of 8 women organizing to send 2 female missionaries to India. We are marking 150 years of service this year with contributions to the Legacy Fund to support the administrative aspect of the UMW. Marjorie Shreve, President 8

9 intouch Hospitalizations Patti Griffiths, Bill Cadwalader, Shirley Edwards, Peg Reed Christian Sympathy To Rozanne Christensen in the death of her sisterin-law. Honorarium For Scott & Marjorie Shreve & Jerry Brabec Dennis & Marta Wheeler Congratulations To Daryl & Ashley Shreve in the birth of their daughter, Mara Ruth, born January 14. Mara s grandparents are Rev. Scott and Marjorie Shreve. Lock Car Doors Memorials For Estelle Potter Pauline Phillips, Donna Kennah For Jane Ott Judy Kluver, Steven Ott, Judith Fischer, Danny & Adrienne Phelps, Susan Nastase, Jan Springer, Jan Tuttle, Laurie Dunaway, Midwest Financial Services, A.J. & Judy Sundberg, Alfred & Joan Miles, Robert & Jo Larsen For Mary Buono Judy Buono For Jackie Pospisil Steve Pospisil & Brian Gilligan For Pauline Himes Robert & Sherry Hulme For Betty White David White For Frank Brabec Jo Harman Over the past several months individuals have been seen in our parking lot checking doors to cars that are parked. They are looking to find open cars and remove anything of value from them. Please lock your doors. In addition, on the weekend and evenings when doors to the church are unlocked, please do not leave valuables like purses, key, etc. unattended. Better safe than sorry! Thanks. Benson Area Refugee Task Force (BART) Update BART s Yale Park displaced family received a doll house for the youngest daughter from a special donor and a turkey. Our citizenship class here at St. Paul is continuing with 3-5 regular students and in the next months will be working on either incorporating ESL in the class or doing it separately. The HomeDish program continues strong and had Syrian cooks on January 27. We are developing our first scholarship programs through Benson High. Thanks for all your support for Refugees. The Dinner Group will meet on Saturday, February 23, at LongHorn Steak House. Meet outside the chapel after the 5:00 p.m. worship, or meet the group at LongHorn Steak House, 7425 Dodge Street, at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome. Book Club The Blessed Earth, by Ted Genoways, is the book the Book Club will be discussing at their February meeting. The Book Club meets at Immanuel Village on Saturday, February 9, at 8:30 a.m. For directions, call Dee Maycock at Stephen Ministry in Action: My Stephen Minister listens really listens. He doesn t judge me or tell me what to do but walks side by side with me. I never realized how helpful and healing that can be. With his care and support, I m making it through. Brian 9

10 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit 636 OMAHA, NE Corby Street, Omaha, NE RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED inworship Saturday Evenings 5:00 p.m. Roth Chapel Sunday Mornings in February 9:15 a.m. FUSION Fellowship Hall 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary 12:30 p.m. African & Bhutan Services inoffice Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday If the Omaha Public Schools are closed because of inclement weather, the church office, preschool, and child care are all closed, and all meetings and other activities are canceled. Saturday and Sunday Worship Service cancellation announcements: 1. Call the church office ( ) 2. Check the website ( 3 Check the KETV, Channel 7 cancellation board. inspiration