The Methodist. What: Annual Church Conference When: Tuesday, December 10, 7 pm Where: SUMC Sanctuary

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1 The Methodist A Publication of The Seward United Methodist Church 1400 North 5 th Street Seward, NE November 2012 Vol. 8, Issue 11 UMW Thank Offering Services (Praise Team & God s Squad) Sunday, November 18 8:15 & 10:30 a.m. You are invited to bring canned goods as an offering for Food Net. What: Annual Church Conference When: Tuesday, December 10, 7 pm Where: SUMC Sanctuary

2 November, of course, brings thoughts of Thanksgiving. As we pause to consider the many blessings we have received from God, and the many things we have to be thankful for, I would like to offer a two-fold note of thanks. First, thank you to the many folk who provided food, gift cards, cards and prayers to my wife and family following her recent surgery. What a great relief to not have to worry about cooking dinner...i can only do so many things with hot dogs and spaghetti! Secondly I would like to say thanks to the SPRC and all who remembered me during Pastor Appreciation Month. Your thoughtfulness is very greatly appreciated! As you consider the many blessings you have received, I would invite you to consider the ways in which you are a blessing to others.through your thoughts, words, and actions. As you gather around your Thanksgiving table, be mindful of the many who do not have a table to sit at, nor have food to eat. As you lay your head down on your pillow after a day of family and feasting, consider those with no place to call home, and no pillow to lay on. It doesn t take very long for us to find people who are worse off than we are, but it is good to remember that no matter what ails us, there are those who are in far worse shape. Be thankful! Prayers of our Church JOYS AND CONCERNS Please remember those with on-going health concerns through the month of October: Connie Atkinson, Beth Brown (sister of Claudia Horton), Roger Hans, Daina Cepure, Arnold Boldt. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Dorothy Hafer who passed away. Services were held Monday, October 8 at 10:30 a.m. Prayers for Marge Woolsey at the sudden death of her son Steve Woolsey. Prayers for Don and Norma Woolsey at the death of their son-in-law in Oregon. Prayers for Rod and Wanda Bruce and family at the loss of her father. We had the joy of a baptism on October 14, Welcome to Edyn Marie Chess. We lift up our prayers for the family and friends of Dorothy Robotham who passed away October 28, Services were held Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Seward United Methodist Church.

3 Miscellaneous The capital campaign committee has been meeting weekly for about 3 months, working on the details to raise monies for our Tomorrow Fund. Our next activity involves forming one-time focus groups to help us explore some of the details associated with the many decisions that must be made to move forward. We are inviting you to participate in a focus group 5:00-7:00 pm on November 11. We will be starting out with chicken noodle soup and chili. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP to the church office by November 8 so that we're sure to have enough soup. Hope to see you there! UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY November 25, 2012 A Church-wide Special Sunday of the United Methodist Church Your generous gifts provide United Methodist Scholarships and the U.M. Student Loan Fund, administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. November 5 November 7 November 11 November 12 Capital Campaign, 6:00 p.m. (library) Bright Beginnings, 6:00 p.m. ( Shannon s Choice) Mission/Outreach, 7:00 p.m. (Parlor) Bible Study, 7:30 p.m. (Basement) UMW Unit Meeting, 1:30 p.m. Capital Campaign Focus Groups 5-7 p.m. Capital Campaign, 6:00 p.m. (Fellowship Hall) Finance, 7:00 p.m. (Basement) Foundation, 7:00 p.m. (Parlor) Nurture, 7:00 p.m. (Library) November 14 Witness Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (Library) November 15 Worship Committee, 6:00 p.m. (Parlor)

4 Miscellaneous Dear Church Families and Friends of Congregations Served by Ray Nuetzman, Since you have played an integral part in our father s life and ministry we would like to announce an upcoming milestone in his life journey. On November 16th, 2012, Rev. Raymond E. Nuetzman will celebrate his 90th birthday. If you would like to send your memories and greetings to Ray, they can be mailed to Ray Nuetzman, c/o Gerald and Suzie Mayo, Box #1841, Estes Park, CO., He would love to hear from you. Thank you, Jeff & Deb Soneson, Kirsten & Evan Gerald & Suzie Mayo And JoAnn Nuetzman SUMSHY did some community service in October by taking care packages of goodies to the police station and the ER...saying "thanks" to people with thankless jobs! Seward United Methodist Youth, Thank you SO much for the wonderful bag of goodies you brought us on Sunday night! It was a wonderful surprise. Everything tasted great! From the Seward Hospital Nurses

5 Heartwarming Worship Worship Schedule 8:15 a.m. Worship 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship for all CAN T BE IN WORSHIP? Watch us on Cable 13 at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday and 10:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings. Join us for Thanksgiving worship November 18th, 8:15 & 10:30 services. This is The United Methodist Women Thank offering Service led by the Praise team with special music from God s Squad. We will have a guest speaker from Epworth Village of York Nebraska to help kick of the Mission/Outreach Project for the Christmas Season. This will be a special Thanksgiving Service where our congregation is invited to share the blessing they have received with those less fortunate by bringing non-perishable food items for Food Net. The items will be brought forward during worship and placed by the altar. COMMUNITY THANSGIVING SERVICE Friedens United Church of Christ November 21, :00 p.m. You are invited to bring canned goods which will be donated to Food Net or cash will be given to Blue Valley. Churches involved: St. Andrews Episcopal, Faith Lutheran, Seward United Methodist & Friedens. Be sure to make plans to join us on November 25th for one service of worship at 9:30 a.m. This will be a special service including Hanging of the Greens in preparation for the season of Advent. We are decorating a bit early this year so that our church is ready to be visited by folks who are participating in the Chamber of Commerce s Tour of Churches. Our church will be open for tours from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 25th.

6 Risk Taking Missions BLUE VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PANTRY Collection item for October 28-November 4 Canned Fruit November 18, 2012 The World Thank Offering A channel of undesignated giving that offers individuals an opportunity to give in gratitude for God s abundance and in celebration of the joys of life. WINTER COATS AND JACKETS The Mission-Outreach Committee will again be collecting gently-used winter coats and jackets for children, teens and adults. Collection will be through November 25, 2012, so the clothing can be available to Blue Valley for distribution all winter. As you are switching seasonal clothes, remember to help support this mission! Thank you for all who have contributed to Food Net with garden produce, canned/ packaged foods, and all miscellaneous items. All of this generous giving helps extend what Food Net is able to offer families on Thursday. Food Net averages families each week with one to seven members in a family. The need continues making all contributions welcome. Thank you for remembering Food Net. The Bazaar Committee would like to thank every one who contributed items, attended the Bazaar and who helped in every way to make the 2012 Bazaar a success.

7 Gracious Generosity OCTOBER - BY THE NUMBERS Offerings Received in October: General Funds:$20, Trustees Funds: $3, Average Worship Attendance for October: 255 Mission Share/Apportionments remaining in 2012: $ SEWARD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION On Sunday, October 21, we celebrated Foundation Sunday, expressing gratitude to the generous donors who have contributed to our church and the Foundation over the years. The Seward United Methodist Church Foundation was founded in 2008 and now manages more than $1.3 million. During its 4½ years of existence, the Foundation has distributed 32 grants within the church for a total of $123,056, or an average of more than $3,800 per grant. Grants have been used to support outreach mission trips, work in the parsonage, video equipment, hand bell restoration, and Bright Beginnings improvements, among other things. The Foundation Board is committed to providing each graduating senior member of the church a post-high school scholarship grant in the amount of $500. The Foundation Board recently approved changes to the Foundation s information on the church s website and the financial information and minutes are no longer password protected and are available to all members of the church to review. The Foundation Board is honored to be entrusted with managing the generous gifts and in helping do God s work.

8 Vital Faith Formation Bright Beginnings is having our 2 nd annual book fair. It will be held November 7 th -14 th. The proceeds will go to provide books and games for the daycare. You will be able to purchase books during the hours of 8 am 4:00 pm throughout the week and it will be opened on Sunday before and after church services. We appreciated the support from last year with our book fair. We were able to purchase many books some games and our curriculum. Thank you! Don't forget current issues of The Upper Room and Alive Now are available in the rack by the front door of the church! NEW MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES Our church is filled with so many talented adults, youth and children! The 10:30 service, starting in January, will be using small groups of singers and instruments to lead a nontraditional worship. Praise Team will lead the third Sunday and I will be working with new groups to participate in leading worship for the other Sundays. If you are interested in a small group possibility please let me know! Cindy Mavis Christmas music has started in Sunday School. Children will learn the songs and receive speaking lines in Sunday School classes The services will be held Sunday, December 16th, during the 8:15 and 10:30 Church Services. If you have a child that is in pre-school through sixth grade, bring them to Sunday School during the 9:15 hour so they can experience and be included in such a wonderful time of year!! Our dress rehearsal will be Saturday morning, December 15 from 10:00 -Noon. We will have a great time!! Sunday, Dec. 16 th 8:15 and 10:30 Worship Children s Christmas Program

9 Miscellaneous Quilters need quilts to quilt. Please contact Rosie Westerhoff SEWARD MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING CAMPAIGN Saturday, November a.m. - 9 p.m. Wal-mart Parking Lot Sign up to ring the Salvation Army Bell at the Welcome Center. Light Up Your Life With Books! At the Bright Beginnings Child Development Center Bookfair With Chapters Books & Gifts In the Church Parlor November 7-14, 2012 I would like to thank you all for your prayers, visits, cards and phone calls following the loss of my son, Steve. It was very much appreciated and reminds me of the comfort found in having a church family. Marge Woolsey

10 Risk Taking Missions Mission and Outreach Epworth Village, of Your NE, will be the Mission project for the Christmas Season. Epworth is a National Mission Institute of the United Methodist Church. Serving over 200 boys through residential and day treatment services and over 1200 family members through in-home and foster care services, each year. On November 18 we are excited to host Jaimee Cline, from Epworth, at both services. She will share her excitement for this important project. Watch for more information beginning November 11th, What s Coming? UMYF CINNAMON ROLL SUNDAY December 2, 2012 UMW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON December 5, 2012 Noon CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION MUSIC SUNDAY Enjoy all of our music groups coming together for a wonderful Christmas Worship! December 23, 2012 Both Services CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM December 16, 2012 Both Services

11 New Worship Opportunities Coming in January! At their October meeting, the Administrative Council approved a change in our worship schedule and offerings beginning in Seward UMC will offer three different worship experiences each and every Sunday. Our prayer is that everyone will be able to worship in a setting that best meets their needs, and helps them to connect with God in a meaningful way. S ervice OF THE Beginning in January 2013, our worship schedule will be: 8:00 a.m. A very traditional service with Holy Communion offered every Sunday. Bulletins and hymnals no PowerPoint 9:15 a.m. A blended service with both traditional and contemporary elements. Holy Communion still offered on the first Sunday of each month. Bulletins & PowerPoint In Worship 10:30 a.m A non-traditional service with more contemporary elements and themes. Holy Communion will still be offered on the first Sunday of each month. No bulletins-all PowerPoint HELP WANTED The Staff Parish Relations Committee has reconfigured some of the staffing needs for our church. At the end of the year, Julie Moody will be stepping down as Church Treasurer. Additionally, effective January 1, Cindy Mavis will begin serving in the new position of Director of Worship and Music, and will no longer be serving as the church s Administrative Assistant. The SPRC has opted to combine the positions of administrative assistant and treasurer into one. Interested in applying? Know of someone who might be interested? Here are the details: Administrative Assistant & Financial Position: To provide clerical & administrative support to church staff & organizations, treasurer/bill paying duties, providing central contact point for activities of the church. Computer experience including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel required. Hours - 9:00-3:00 M-F, and some evenings. $10.00/hr. To apply submit resume by November 16th to Seward United Methodist Church, 1400 N 5th Street, Seward, NE

12 Seward United Methodist Church 1400 North 5th Street Seward, Nebraska Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Seward, NE Permit No. 62 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Phone: ; Fax: Website: Doug Griger, Pastor; Every Member, Minister REMEMBER Call the Church ( ) or Pastor Doug if you are going to be hospitalized and wish to have the Pastor visit. Due to privacy laws, hospitals cannot disclose information. DECEMBER MAILBOX DEADLINE IS Monday November 26, 2012 Deadline for the Mailbox is Monday, November 26. You can articles to the church at or call Cindy, office administrator, at Seward United Methodist Church and Bright Beginnings Local Church Activities Chair persons for NOVEMBER are: Carole Briggs ( ) Julie Moody ( )