CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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1 First United Methodist Church Ogallala, Nebraska CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH December 16, 2018 Ministers The Worshiping Congregation Pastor Chuck Rager Christian Education Director Renee Meyer Administrative Secretary LaVerne Schimpf Custodian Meridee Ewert Newsletter Editor Karen Nenstiel District Superintendent Cindy Karges Bishop of Great Plains Conference Ruben Saenz, Jr. IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Page 2 CCC Chair Cleaning Day 3 Meetings This Month 3 United Methodist Women 4 UMW Officers Installed 5 An Activity Page 6 Christmas Program Pix 7 Christmas Bell Ringers 8 Stewards for January 9 Find more pictures of the Children s Christmas Program on page 7 of this issue. (photos above by Jeff Peterson)

P a ge 2 J a n ua r y, 2 0 19 Christian Symbols T Descending Dove A dove is a prominent symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Doves also symbolize baptism in general, because many Christian denominations teach that the Holy Spirit and its gifts are bestowed at baptism.

2 P a ge 2 J a n ua r y, Christian Symbols T Descending Dove A dove is a prominent symbol of the Holy Spirit. When the dove is shown flying downward, it reminds us of Jesus baptism, when, the gospel writers tell us, the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. Doves also symbolize baptism in general, because many Christian denominations teach that the Holy Spirit and its gifts are bestowed at baptism. Sometimes a dove is depicted with a three-ray nimbus around its head, indicating that it is a member of the Trinity. Doves are also commonly used as a sign of peace. his is always one of the more unusual articles for me to write each year for the newsletter. The reason is that, as I write this, we have not yet celebrated Christmas. We have not had the Christmas Eve service and had the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. Our son Ryan has not come home for Christmas but, as you read this, he will already have been here and be back in Virginia. I write this as we await our first grandchild to be born but, as you read it, he/she (whatever his/her name is) will already be ruling his/her new home with Rachel and her husband Brian tending to the child s welfare and responding to his/her decrees. I write this article in the midst of preparing for Christmas Eve and hoping all shall be problem-free. In reality, something will not go exactly as hoped. Something will pose a challenge. There is some irony and a message for us here as well. As you read this, we are all embarking on a New Year. We do not yet know what the New Year will bring. We hope and pray that everything will go smoothly. However, the reality is that there is a strong possibility that we will face some waters in our lives that are not as smooth sailing as we would like. We find some comfort in knowing that the One who was in a stormy sea and calmed those waters, is in our boat with us, offering His help and comfort throughout whatever storms we face. I wish you peaceful waters and smooth sailing in 2019, and I hope that whatever sea you sail, you sail in the presence of Jesus. Happy seas to you, Pastor Chuck

The Messenger Page 3 The Saturday morning Men s Group (Cowboy Capital Consultants) was hard at work on Saturday morning, December 15, 2018.

You warmly in your love enfold, and keep us through life s wintry days.

3 The Messenger Page 3 The Saturday morning Men s Group (Cowboy Capital Consultants) was hard at work on Saturday morning, December 15, The group spent part of that day scrubbing and cleaning all the white chairs and tables in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks guys! Another job that you did well! Thanks for all you do. (photo by Pastor Chuck) Your Church Office will be closed on December 31 and January 1 O God, you give the winter s cold, as well as summer s joyous rays. You warmly in your love enfold, and keep us through life s wintry days. ~~Samuel Longfellow Meetings This Month Board of Trustees on Wednesday, January 2, 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee on Thursday, January 3, 5:00 p.m. Administrative Council on Wednesday, January 16, 7:00 p.m. Special Dates New Year s Day, January 1, 2019 Epiphany, January 6, 2019 Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21, 2019

Page 4 January, 2019 United Methodist Women January meetings UMW General Thursday, January 10 12:00 noon Fellowship Hall Circle 1 Thursday, January 24 9:00 am (G.

United Methodist Women is the only official organization for women within the United Methodist Church, founded in 1869 in Boston with 8 members.

On November 12, 1894, in Ogallala the constitution and by-laws were adopted for the Ladies Aid Society with 13 members in this organization.

4 Page 4 January, 2019 United Methodist Women January meetings UMW General Thursday, January 10 12:00 noon Fellowship Hall Circle 1 Thursday, January 24 9:00 am (G. Johnson) Circle 3 Thursday, January 17 2:00 pm Hess Lounge Circle 5 Monday, January 21 6:00 pm Hess Lounge Exciting News!!! United Methodist Women will celebrate 150 years of service in United Methodist Women is the only official organization for women within the United Methodist Church, founded in 1869 in Boston with 8 members. There are now approximately 800,000 members internationally. On November 12, 1894, in Ogallala the constitution and by-laws were adopted for the Ladies Aid Society with 13 members in this organization. Their first commitment was to adopt a plan to help raise money to apply toward the church debt. They held a bazaar in 1896 and netted $34.95 to apply toward that debt. The organization has had several names, including: The Foreign Missionary Society; Ladies Aid Society; Women s Society of Christian Service Thank You.... and several others. Now, as Ogallala United Methodist Women we strive to continue living out the purpose which states: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the Church. The first meeting of 2019 will be January 10 at noon in Fellowship Hall, please join in the excitement of Bea Hatch UMW President... to the following persons who worked and/or furnished food for the Wayne Young funeral coffee on November 29, 2018: Shirley Rankin Bonnie Taylor Jane Terrell Gwen Johnson Darlene Peterson Judi Adkins Jennifer Tophoj Mary Whittemore Robbie Kupper Terry Henry... to the following persons who worked and/or furnished food for the Don Bassett funeral luncheon on November 30, 2018: Marge Blaase Shirley Parks Doris Keller Marlene Kosmicki Rhonda Duba Judy Cross Ramona Upright Norma Schrack Laura Sexson Julie Neill Bev Johnson Phyllis Reed Bonnie Taylor Bea Hatch Pat Davis Barbara Draucker Linda Fuller... to the following persons who worked and/or furnished food for the Liz Mitchell funeral luncheon on December 12, 2018: Beverly Armour Jen Blackman Dorothy Glenn Jan Haggard Twila Haney Doris Hickam Karen Nelson Bertie Siders Sharon Terry Thanks to the Cowboy Capital Consultants for the meat!

The Messenger Page 5 UMW officers and Mission Coordinators for 2019 were installed on December 13 by Pastor Chuck Rager. Officers shown in the front row (l. to r.

In the back row are: Bertie Siders, Social Action; Doris Hickam, Spiritual Growth; Janice Cerny, vice-president; Teresa Davis, treasurer; and Bea Hatch, president.

Mary E. Liz Mitchell, who died on December 6, 2018.

5 The Messenger Page 5 UMW officers and Mission Coordinators for 2019 were installed on December 13 by Pastor Chuck Rager. Officers shown in the front row (l. to r.) are: Bonnie Taylor, Membership Outreach and Nuture; Karen Nenstiel, secretary; Barb Nootz, Education and Interpretation. In the back row are: Bertie Siders, Social Action; Doris Hickam, Spiritual Growth; Janice Cerny, vice-president; Teresa Davis, treasurer; and Bea Hatch, president. Ginny Steinke (Nominations chairperson) was on the other side of the camera. Our Christian love and sympathy to the families of: Robert Waldhelm, who died on December 5, Mary E. Liz Mitchell, who died on December 6, Robert Cottrell, who died on December Since your newsletter editor is no longer in the church office every day, it has become more difficult for her to be aware of all the hustle and bustle happening in the church family. Sooooo we need your help in sharing and spreading the latest news. If you have ideas, pictures or articles to submit for the February, 2019, issue of The Messenger, please have them turned in no later than Monday, January 21. Please respect this deadline so that the newsletter can be prepared and distributed in a timely manner. Submissions may be made to the Church Office, or you may them directly to the newsletter editor at: ogallalaumcnews@gmail.com. Thanks so much for your help!

6 Page 6 January, 2019 An Activity Page for Younger People A Bible Quiz Answer: A and C (See Luke 2:1-2.)

7 Th e Me s s e n g e r Page 7 CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM (photos by Jennice Samuelson)

8 Page 8 J a n u a r y, Salvation Army Bell Ringers 2018 A Big Thank You to all who braved the elements to ring the Salvation Army bell. It was a fun experience and shoppers were very generous. Dennis and Teresa Davis, Ken Snyder, Gigi Berol, Christine Ballard, Lou and Melinda Hoak, Roger Rankin, Vance Nelson, Jeremy,Kelli, Ryder,Sawyer and Harper Smith, Collette and Grace VanBorkum, Marge Blaase, Bonnie Taylor, Pat Davis, Vern Schimpf, Evan and Dick Jones, Phyllis Reed and Mick Nichols. Because of you donating your time and kindness you have benefited many individuals and families this year. Merry Christmas, Judy Cross Missions Committee

Page 9 The Messenger Page 9 STEWARDS FOR JANUARY, 2019 Jan.

Armstrong, Ken Meyer Jan. 13 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Jan. 20 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Jan.

Radcliffe, Todd Benda, Shawn Haney Dennis & Teresa Davis, Cena Graves Marge Blaase, Norma Schrack Zaden Peterson, Sawyer Smith Carmen Troxel Group 6: Larry & Shirley Schlem, Lyle & Barbara Nootz,

Ayres, Allen & Janice Cerny, Herb & Karen Knudsen Feb.

9 Page 9 The Messenger Page 9 STEWARDS FOR JANUARY, 2019 Jan. 6 Greeters Jim & Dorothy Glenn, Buck & Judy Markussen Fellowship Buck & Judy Markussen Ryder Rezak, Rock Rezak Children s Moment Ginny Steinke Group 4: Roger Rankin, Pete Peterson, Phil Armstrong, Ken Meyer Jan. 13 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Jan. 20 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Jan. 27 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Roger & Judi Adkins, Barbara Draucker Eric & Carmen Troxel John VanBorkum, Ethan Dickinson Penny Benda Group 5: Jim Glenn, Mike Samuelson, Gerold Radcliffe, Todd Benda, Shawn Haney Dennis & Teresa Davis, Cena Graves Marge Blaase, Norma Schrack Zaden Peterson, Sawyer Smith Carmen Troxel Group 6: Larry & Shirley Schlem, Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Chuck Graff, Larry & Doris Keller, John & Shelia Turner Brian & Claudia Stevenson, Lyle & Barbara Nootz Herb & Karen Knudsen Hayden Shaw, Hayden Erwin Pastor Chuck Rager Group 7: Jim & LeAnn Ayres, Allen & Janice Cerny, Herb & Karen Knudsen Feb. 3 Greeters Judy Cross, Shirley Bassett Fellowship Pete & Jonnie Peterson Tylie Walker, Tai Le Children s Moment Bea Hatch Group 8: Lloyd Johnson, Pete Knudsen, Bud Haney, L.D. Walker, Ted Slagle, Jim Hixon Feb. 10 Greeters Fellowship Children s Moment Doug & Linda Fuller, Bev Johnson Gerold & Mona Radcliffe Tayven Lumpkin, Amaris Cobaugh Jonnie Peterson Group 9: Buck Markussen, Eric Troxel, Parker Reil, Hunter Reil, Ryan Holechek If you would like to have your name added to the rosters for any of the service opportunities listed above, please contact the church office.

10 F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H P. O. B o x N o r t h S p r u c e S t r e e t O g a l l a l a, N E P h o n e : ( ) or ( ) P a r s o n a g e : ( ) E - m a i l a d d r e s s e s C h u r c h O f f i c e : o g a l l a l a u m g m a i l. c o m R e n e e : o g a l l a l a u m c e d u c a t i o g m a i l. c o m P a s t o r C h u c k : o g a l l a l a u m c p a s t o g m a i l. c o m N e w s l e t t e r : o g a l l a l a u m c n e w g m a i l. c o m JUST FOR FUN! T h e M e s s e n g e r F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h N o r t h S p r u c e P. O. B o x O g a l l a l a, N e b r a s k a NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OGALLALA, NEBRASKA Permit No. 74 R e t u r n S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d Our Vision: To be a dynamic church, sharing and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ Our Mission: To love God, love each other and extend that love beyond our church

THE MESSENGER. First United Methodist Church. Thursday, December 24 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

THE MESSENGER. First United Methodist Church. Thursday, December 24 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services First United Methodist Church Ogallala, Nebraska 69153 THE MESSENGER www.methodistchurchogallala.com FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Ministry Team Ministers The Worshiping Congregation Pastor Chuck Rager