THE MESSENGER. First United Methodist Church IN THIS ISSUE. Ministers The Worshiping Congregation. Pastor Chuck Rager

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1 First United Methodist Church Ogallala, Nebraska THE MESSENGER FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Ministry Team Ministers The Worshiping Congregation Pastor Chuck Rager Christian Education Director Renee Meyer Administrative Secretary LaVerne Schimpf Custodian Ginny Volberding Newsletter Editor Karen Nenstiel District Superintendent Kay Alnor Bishop of Great Plains Conference Scott J. Jones IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Page 2 Meetings This Month 3 Easter Worship Services 3 United Methodist Women 4 Did You Know...? 4 Family Fun Night 5 An Activity Page 6 Youth Group 7 SonShine Singers 7 Scholarship Applications 7 Meet Our New Members 8 Stewards for March 11

2 Pa ge 2 March, 2016 Christian Symbols Ewer and Basin The ewer (a vase-shaped pitcher) and basin, which symbolize cleansing, are related to two biblical events from Holy Week: when Jesus washed his disciples' feet (John 13:1-17), and when Pilate "washed his hands of" Jesus' blood before the crucifixion (Matthew 27:24). Because of the footwashing, the ewer and basin have become a symbol of service ministry. W e are currently in the season of Lent the time when we prepare for the celebration of Easter. I have been thinking about Easter and about how it connects to Christmas. At Christmas, we celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus, and at Easter we remember and celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. As part of my pondering and thinking, I have thought about how our celebrations of the two events compare. One thought that occurs to me is how they differ on the calendar. Christmas is on December 25 every year. There is no variation. You can mark your calendar years in advance that Christmas will be on December 25. Easter is quite different. Easter is not the same day every year. Easter is the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon that appeared on or after March 21. It can be confusing. For example, this year we must look for March 21 on our calendar. It falls on a Monday. There is no full moon that night. The first full moon on or after March 21 this year appears on Wednesday, March 23. The first Sunday after that full moon is March 27, so Easter in 2016 is on Sunday, March 27. Another comparison is the tradition of gift giving. Christmas is a time when many persons give gifts to loved ones. Easter is not a time when many persons give and receive gifts. You can ponder that one on your own. There is one great thing that Christmas and Easter have in common, and that is that they are both occasions for us to remember and celebrate the love, grace and life of Jesus! See me Sunday! Pastor Chuck

3 The Messenger Pa ge 3 Worship Services on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, will be held at 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. (No service at 11:15) Invite friends and family to join us in the celebration of Our Risen Savior Meetings This Month Board of Trustees on Wednesday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee on Thursday, March 3, 5:00 p.m. Administrative Council on Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. Easter Possibilities The message of Easter is not only that Christ is risen, not only that suffering is not the last word, not only that God gives new life, but this: Nothing is impossible with God. ~~The Rev. James Martin, S.J. God proved his love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, I love you. ~~Billy Graham

4 Pa ge 4 March, 2016 United Methodist Women in Service and Mission United Methodist Women March meetings UMW General Thursday, March 10 12:00 noon luncheon and meeting in Fellowship Hall Circle 1 Thursday, March 24 9:00 am (Peterson) Circle 3 Thursday, March 17 2:00 pm Hess Lounge Circle 5 Monday, March 21 6:00 pm Hess Lounge The United Methodist Women of Ogallala support Camp Norwesca and Epworth Village with monetary contributions each year. Another way we support Epworth Village is by saving Boxtops for Education and Labels for Education. Bertie Siders prepares and sends these several times a year. You are asked to trim the boxtops and labels as much as possible, place them in plastic snack bags The area behind our sanctuary, where we gather for cookies and fellowship, is known as Hess Lounge. It is named for the Rev. and Mrs. Harry Hess. Rev. Hess came to First United Methodist Church in January of 1948, and served here to June 1, It was during the time that Rev. Hess was serving here that the current church building was constructed. The cornerstone was laid on May 29, 1951, and the church was dedicated on June 8, This church building replaced the one that had been built in and put them in the appropriate box on the bookcase outside the nursery door. Thank you for saving these items to help Epworth Village achieve their goals. The UMW Budget Committee, consisting of the Executive Committee and the three Circle treasurers, will meet on Thursday, March 10, at 11:15 a.m. Teresa Davis, General treasurer, will be in charge. Mona Radcliffe UMW President A Tidbit from Our Church s History Upon his retirement in June of 1952, Rev. and Mrs. Hess moved to Lewellen and served the United Methodist Church there for five years in retired status. In 1957, Rev. and Mrs. Hess moved back to Ogallala and lived in the house just south of our current church building. Years later this congregation became the owners of that house and still own it today. We refer to it as the tenant house, and some of our more experienced members may still call it the Hess House. Rev. Hess served this church very well during the four-plus years that he was appointed here. This is a vital part of our church history. I am honored to stand in the same pulpit where Rev. Hess once stood. Pastor Chuck Rager Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen. ~~Mother Teresa

5 T h e Me s s e n g e r Page 5 Family Fun Night Sunday, February 21 February 15, 2016 Grand Prize Winner Karen Knudsen Daylight Saving Time Begins on Sunday, March 13, 2016 Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night

6 Answer: D (See Matthew 27:41-42) Pa ge 6 March, 2016 An Activity Page for Younger People All Children are invited to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt at the church during Sunday School hour on Easter Sunday A Bible Quiz While Jesus was dying on the cross, who mocked him, saying, He saved others; he cannot save himself? A. Priests B. Scribes C. Elders D. All of the above Answer key available in the Church Office.

7 The Messenger Pa ge 7 YOUTH GROUP will meet on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 and Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. All youth from 6 th through 12 th grades are welcome! It s time for the high school seniors, and those already in college, to begin thinking about scholarship applications. Ogallala First United Methodist Church offers 3 scholarships, due to the generosity of several former and current members: 1) The Dowling Family Scholarship is given in loving memory by the Phil and Betty Dowling family. Mr. and Mrs. Dowling were long time Ogallala residents and faithful members of the Ogallala UMC, who believed in supporting area youth and their community. 2) The Draucker Family Scholarship Fund was established by the Draucker family of Ogallala. The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance for members of the Ogallala UMC who wish to further their education following graduation from high school. 3) The Haggard-Samp Scholarship was started and dedicated to the memory of Marge Haggard from the Haggard family, and in honor and memory of Rod Samp, by Rod's family in Combining the assets provided a scholarship to be offered each year to an Ogallala UMC high school graduate. The Sonshine Singers will practice on Friday, March 11, at the church from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. They will sing for church on Sunday, March 13. All children from Kindergarten and up are welcome! Scholarship Application Deadline Is Nearing To receive these scholarships, the applicant must be a member of the Ogallala UMC. The recipient may be a graduating high school senior or a student already attending a post-secondary school or any adult (of any age) who is enrolled, or planning to enroll, as a full-time student during the ensuing school year. Students who receive the scholarship in one year are eligible to apply in future years. Any student may apply for all three scholarships by filling out just one form, but he/ she must apply to be considered. Scholarship application forms are available in the Church Office. Completed applications, along with all attachments and recommendations, should be returned to the Church Office no later than Friday, April 1, If you have questions about the scholarships, please see Pastor Chuck or one of the committee members Scholarship Committee Becky Plate, Chair Janean Lindauer Jo Teaford Pam McBride Allen Cerny LeAnn Ayres Barb Jeffres John York Pete Peterson Renee Meyer Rev. Chuck Rager First Day of Spring is on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016 It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart. Rainer Maria Rilke

8 Page 8 Ma r c h, Meet the New Members of Ogallala FUMC Beverly Frates-McMahon with Harper and Savanna Kayla Scott Jack and Tricia Quinlivan Christine Ballard Kay Kimberly

9 T h e Me s s e n g e r Page 9 Sunday, January 31, 2016 Jim O Dell Haley Kay Hansmeier with her mother Tonya Ken Hagge Kim Bassett with Jack, Jarrett and Jonah Michelle Walker with Kaden and Tylie Larry and Doris Keller Dwight and Bea Hatch

10 Pa ge 10 March, 2016 Spring FunFest on Saturday, April 30 Preparations for the 11 th Annual Spring FunFest are underway. This special all-day event, sponsored by Ogallala First United Methodist Church, will be held at the Keith County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 30. The FunFest includes a number of special activities in which you will want to participate. The list below includes a number of the activities that will be included and persons to contact if you would like to donate items or volunteer to help: Breakfast Dennis & Teresa Davis Ticket Sales Jerry & Joan Speck Lunch Mary Eisenzimmer Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades Garage Sale Mary Steinwart Bake Sale Barbara Nootz Shirley Rankin Plant Sale Mona Radcliffe Country Store Bonnie Taylor Jean Slagle Treasures and More! Gigi Berol Silent Auction Jo Teaford Dorothy Glenn Overall Chairperson for the FunFest is Marge Blaase ( ). Contact her for answers to all your questions!! Plan a Gift for Later There are several ways you can make a gift to your church without immediately giving up assets. What s more, many planned gift have important tax advantages. Examples include: You may include your church in your will. You can give a specific amount or leave a percentage of your estate. You many change your mind at any time. You may donate assets within your retirement plan. All you need to do is name your church as a beneficiary of a designated percentage of your plan s assets. You may name your church as a beneficiary or one of the beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. For more information, contact your financial advisor or Anita Crisp, Executive Director, Nebraska United Methodist Foundation ( ). Monday, March 21 If you have ideas, pictures or articles to submit for the April issue of The Messenger, please have them turned in no later than Monday March 21, Earlier submissions would definitely be welcomed and appreciated! Submissions may be made to the Church Office, or you may send them directly to your newsletter editor at kfnenstiel@hotmail.com. Thanks so much for your help!

11 Easter Sunday Palm Sunday Daylight Saving Time Begins The Messenger Pa Pa ge ge 11 STEWARDS FOR M ARCH, 2016 Mar. 6 Greeters 9:00 Larry & Mary Cumming, Herb & Karen Knudsen Fellowship Gerold & Mona Radcliffe Nursery 9:00 Claudia Stevenson, Acolyte 9:00 Parker Catlin, Payton Catlin Children s Moment 9:00 Ginny Steinke Ushers 9:00 Group 6: Larry & Shirley Schlem, Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Chuck & Nancy Graff, Larry & Doris Keller, John & Shelia Turner Mar. 13 Greeters 9:00 Norm & Rhonda Duba, Cliff & Shirlee Knispel Fellowship Jim & Dorothy Glenn Nursery 9:00 Collette VanBorkum, Grace & Emily VanBorkum Acolyte 9:00 Mason Knudsen, Cedric Knudsen Children s Moment 9:00 Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades Ushers 9:00 Group 7: Jim & LeAnn Ayres, Allen & Janice Cerny, Herb & Karen Knudsen, Casey & Emily Mack Mar. 20 Greeters 9:00 Jim & Dorothy Glenn, Buck & Judy Markussen Fellowship Max & Darlene Peterson Nursery 9:00 Judy Markussen, Shelly Reil Acolyte 9:00 Tristan Lumpkin Children s Moment 9:00 Penny Benda Ushers 9:00 Group 8: Lloyd Johnson, Pete Knudsen, Bud Haney, L.D. Walker, Ted Slagle, Jim Hixon Mar. 27 Greeters 9:00 Milly Schwasinger, Roger & Judi Adkins Fellowship Pete & Jonnie Peterson Nursery 9:00???? Acolyte 9:00 Ian Shaw Children s Moment 9:00 Pastor Chuck Rager Ushers 9:00 Group 9: Buck Markussen, Eric Troxel, Earl Schenck, Paul Catlin, Ryan Holechek Apr. 3 Greeters 9:00 Barbara Draucker, Dennis & Teresa Davis Fellowship???? Nursery 9:00 Pete & Jonnie Peterson Acolyte 9:00 Ryder Smith Children s Moment 9:00 Carmen Troxel Ushers 9:00 Group 10: Fred Olmsted, Dave Sheldon, Todd Neill, Dave Baltzell, Sharen Terry, Cena Graves Apr. 10 Greeters 9:00 Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Brian & Claudia Stevenson Fellowship Janice & Allen Cerny Nursery 9:00 Barb Jeffres, Judy Cross Acolyte 9:00 Elliott Pickering Children s Moment 9:00 Jonnie Peterson Ushers 9:00 Group 1: John Stulich, Lonnie Peters, Craig Draucker, Jeff Peterson, Jim Persinger 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.

12 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 ( ) F a x : ( ) 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 : u m c o g a l l a l q w e s t o f f i c e. n e t R e n e e : u m c o g a l l a l a _ r e n e q w e s t o f f i c e. n e t P a s t o r C h u c k : u m c o g a l l a l a _ p a s t o q w e s t o f f i c e. n e t 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 Last Supper Pageant during Holy Week "The Last Supper Pageant" will be presented on Maundy Thursday, March 24, and Good Friday, March 25, at 7:00 p.m. This very meaningful event will be an inspirational part of your journey toward the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. For those who have not experienced the pageant in previous years, the LIVING DRAMATIZATION of Leonardo da Vinci s THE LAST SUPPER is a recreation of da Vinci s world-famous painting with thirteen living characters. Each of the disciples, in his turn, expresses his thoughts about the coming trials of Jesus. This inspirational presentation will be a welcome addition to your Easter season. You will not need tickets and there is no charge to attend the pageant. A free-will donation will be taken to benefit a mission project chosen by the cast. Roger & Judi Adkins ( )