The Methodist. Administrative Council Mtg has. been changed to Sunday, October 25th at 11:45 a.m. COMMITTEE MEETING TIMES

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1 The Methodist A Publication of The Seward United Methodist Church 1400 North 5 th Street Seward, NE Church Office: (402) Please contact Sandy in the church office at if you would be interested in volunteering to do a little data entry work to get the One Call Now sub-groups set-up as well as attendance records. Seward United Methodist Church has a calling system of which we are in the process of working out the kinks. The system only allows for 400 phone numbers which means we can only include one number per family. Your home phone number will be used as the primary number unless you no longer have a land line. Please let the church office know if the number we are calling is not the appropriate number to be using. We try to keep calling to a minimum so as not to be an annoyance and are in the process of setting up subgroups so calls concerning Sunday School will only go out to families with students in Sunday School and calls concerning committees will only go out to committees, etc. The only time we would call the church as a whole would be if church services were cancelled or there were some important item that affects the entire church body. Administrative Council Mtg has been changed to Sunday, October 25th at 11:45 a.m. COMMITTEE MEETING TIMES No Nurture Meeting in September Wed Sep 2 Witness Comm 5:30PM - Library Tues Sep 15 BBCDC Board Tues Sep 15 Worship Comm Tues Sep 15 M&O Comm Thur Sep 17 Finance Mtg Tues Sep 29 Trustees Mtg 6:00PM - Parlor 7:00PM - Library 7:00PM - FH 7:00PM - Parlor 7:00PM - Parlor

2 Dear friends, One of the most difficult subjects in the church is money. Many people don t like to talk about money in the church. They think it is unspiritual, they have the idea that all the church thinks about is money, or the pastor is just being greedy. Pastors tend to avoid preaching about money because sometimes it seems to be a hot button issue. In other words, they are afraid people will react negatively after a sermon about money. We need to get over it! Money is a deeply spiritual thing. The importance we put on money and where we invest our money says a lot about what we think is important. The way we use our money really does indicate our values. Jesus did not shy away from talking about money. Twelve of 38 parables in the gospels are about money and possessions. The question is, who owns our possessions? As I read through some material about stewardship written by the late Rev. Hilbert Berger, I came across some things that influenced his thinking about money. Then I began to think about my life, and how my attitudes about money were developed. I decided the things and events that most affected my attitudes about money are: 1. Being born into a family where giving was expected. 2. Society s push for more and more money and possessions. 3. A business failure. 4. My decision to enter ordained ministry. 5. Serving churches and observing generous Christians. 6. Hearing people s hopes and dreams for Christ s church. Sometime between #3 and #4 Nancy and I decided to try tithing. We had no assets, but we had a huge business debt, which we were determined to repay. We have never looked back. In fact, our tithe (10% of our gross income) is our beginning point for giving, and we have surpassed that amount every year for quite a few years. Giving makes me feel good. It has changed the way I think about life, God s generosity toward us, possessions, and how blessed I am. Rev. Bill Ritter, our Dist. Supt., says that when they began tithing he discovered he owned money, and money no longer owned him. That is also my experience. I encourage you to think about what things and events have most shaped your attitudes about money. After making your own list, I encourage you to read the Gospels, paying particular attention to what Jesus said about money and possessions. Then I urge you to prayerfully consider what God hopes for you. You may want to ask God whether tithing is right for you, or what portion of your income is appropriate for you to give in appreciation for God s gracious gifts to you. One thing I know: when we invest in Christ s ministry on earth, the money is not wasted or used up. It is invested in something much larger than ourselves. It is an investment in God s hopes and dreams for the world. In Christ s service, Pastor Dale Lambert

3 Pastor's Bible Study Begins September 17th Thursdays 9:30 a.m. (Parlor) EVERYONE WELCOME Worship Schedule 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Blended Worship Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School Praise Worship Beginning September 13th, an Adult Sunday School Class at 9:30 a.m. with Facing Your Giants as the topic by Max Lucado. Sign-up sheet by Welcome Center. The Adult Sunday School Class has started a new study called The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel a former atheist who investigated Christianity and became convinced of the life and destiny of Jesus Christ. He interviews many Christian authorities in his search for a living faith. This class meets in the library at 9:30 on Sundays. Watch us on Cable 13 Bring a snack to share and your own beverage. at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday and/or 10:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. Monday Nights - Bible 7:30 p.m. Library Thursday Mornings - Bible a.m. Parlor Sunday Mornings - Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Library PRAYERS AND CONCERNS Please remember those who were lifted up in prayer for on-going health concerns. Prayers For: Prayers for the family of T.J. Fraser on his passing. Prayers for healing after surgery for Kendra Marker. Prayers for Greg Canning who is in the Burn Unit in Lincoln. Prayers for Greg's family and friends for strength. Congratulations to Jon and Laura Schwartz on the birth of their son, Reid Schwartz, born August 17th, 2015.

4 Chancel Choir will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bell Choir will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. God's Squad begins Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Children Grades K- 4 are welcome! If you are interested in participating in one of our music groups, please contact Cindy Mavis at or umcseward@gmail.com Welcome back to all of the Sunday School students. We are excited to start the new year with all of you! Classes ARE available for all ages. Refer to this newsletter for more information or call the church office at

5 UMW Unit meets on Wednesday, September 2nd at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our program will be on The Church and People with Disabilities led by Jeanne Gee. Refreshments and business meeting will follow the program. UMW is for every WOMAN! Would you enjoy being in mission in this church, the Seward community and the larger world? Women participate in regularly scheduled programs and periodic special events. There are also activities that can be pursued at home. The following 2 pages of this newsletter contain ways you can be a part of the work of UMW in Seward. SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 SUMC ALL CHURCH FOUR SEASONS BAZAAR Bazaar Planning Committee will meet at the church September 14 1:00 pm PLEASE JOIN US!!! YOU ARE WELCOME! (At home participation italicized.) UNIT MEETINGS - Program, Fellowship, Planning - First Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. Contacts: Evelyn Hastings or Jeanne Gee geewhiz12024@gmail.com EVENING GROUP - Fellowship, Special Events, Mission Projects - Third Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Contacts: Marty Bender Linda Swanson QUILTERS - Every Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. Contact: Rosie Westerhoff rwesterhoff@neb.rr.com KNIT WITS - Knitting and crocheting of prayer shawls and baby blankets for baptisms - Third Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. (Patterns and some yarn available for knitting/crocheting at home) Contact: Sarah Shively essbee32@yahoo.com SEWING SATURDAYS - Mission sewing projects - work available for all sewing skills. Meets one Saturday a month at 8:30 a.m. Watch newsletter for dates. Patterns available for work at home. Contact: Phyllis Hronik READING GROUP - Discussion of books recommended by UMW on issues affecting women and children - Wednesday 5:00 p.m. at Maxine Moore's home (bring a sandwich/drink provided). You can be a reader for your own education without attending the group discussion. Contact: Maxine Moore mmoore00@connectseward.org BAZAAR WORK GROUP - Meets as needed to plan/set up the all church bazaar. Join in the planning of the bazaar or working at the bazaar itself. Bazaar items can be made at home. Contact: Jeanne Gee geewhiz12024@gmail.com An INFORMAL GROUP meets every Monday 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CrossMakers of Seward, 331 Jackson St. to help make the palm crosses given to people who are ill or in need of other spiritual inspiration. Contact: Pam Jackman bj94114@windstream.net NEW! YOUNG WOMEN'S GROUP IN ORGANIZATIONAL STAGES. Child care is planned. Watch the newsletter for further information. Contact: Lou Bauman louweige@gmail.com OTHER AVAILABLE MISSION ACTIVITES - Serving at funerals or events. Contributing to the UMW Pledge to Mission. Praying for missionaries and missions. Information is available on UMW missions and missionaries. Contact Evelyn Hastings or

6 A Special Event, A Special Person, for Special People! What: Interactive Drumming Circles led by Rev. Kelly Karges When: Thursday, September 17. Refreshments at 7 p.m. with the program at 7:30. Where: Fellowship Hall Who: The entire congregation is invited. 5:30 pm 1400 North 5 Fellowship Hall th Street - Seward, NE Mary Ann Bede will present our program. You will certainly enjoy getting to know Patricia St. John, an English nurse who spent much of her life as a Protestant missionary nurse in Morocco. R.S.V.P. on/or before Sept. 22nd geewhiz12024@gmail.com Cell # A WORLD OF THANKS! The United Methodist Women annual World Thank Offering Service will be held Sunday, Sept. 27th at both services. World Thank Offering is an opportunity for each of us to respond to God's abundance and grace with spontaneous gifts of gratitude. These funds are then used in the global mission program implemented through United Methodist Women. Please take time to prayerfully consider financially supporting this event. 30th UMW Leadership Team Meeting 3:30 PM Tuesday, October 6, 2015 No Sewing Saturday in September weather with a Warm-Soup Get-Together! 17th Evening UMW 7:00 PM and you are invited to celebrate the cooler Sept at Seward United Methodist Church 2nd Unit Meeting 1:30 PM Fellowship Hall Now the pastor of the Doniphan and Rosedale United Methodist Churches, the UMW is delighted to welcome Kelly back to Seward. He will be bringing a trailer of hand drums and other percussion instruments for us to play. Please join in the fun, the fellowship, and sharing the heartbeat! 16th UMW Book Group 5:30 PM Maxine Moore's Have you ever wondered what the heartbeat of God sounds like? Since Rev. Karges left Seward, his ministry evolved as he started facilitating Drumming Circles. A drum circle is a fun, exciting and powerful way to bring individuals together through music and to touch our souls. It offers equality because there is no head or tail and includes people of all ages and musical abilities. The main objective is to share rhythm and get in tune with each other and ourselves.

7 Check us out on our FaceBook page. Lots of pictures of the kids and activities! Bright Beginnings Phone# A little bit about Miss Gretyl...I attended Concordia University to receive my Bachelor's Degree in elementary education (K-8). After just recently graduating in December 2014, I spent a semester as a substitute teacher. I really enjoyed this, but decided I wanted something a little bit more stable. I am so excited to be able to teach preschool here at Bright Beginnings this year! I just recently got married on June 20, 2015 to my high school sweetheart, Albert Bader. He is currently working towards his bachelor's degree in History at Concordia. We love spending time outdoors, doing all sorts of activities such as, hunting, fishing, boating, etc. We will be moving next summer to Fort Wayne, IN where Albert will be attending Concordia Theological Seminary to become a Lutheran pastor. I am thrilled to be spending my last year in NE teaching your children to love learning. Hi there! My name is Shanon Koranda...I am your child's Pre-Kindergarten teacher this year! I graduated high school and attended Southeast Community College in 2010 where I served as Vice- President for the National Association for the Education of Young Children's student group. After I received an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, I spent the next 2 years teaching Pre- Kindergarten in Lincoln. I'm happy to be here in Seward with you and your family as we move into an exciting year. I recently got married to my husband, Devin and thoroughly enjoy my life as step -mommy to Makenzie. We love spending time outdoors, relaxing with movies and spending time with our wonderful families. We have 2 very energetic dogs, 2 horses, turkeys, chickens, peacocks, rabbits and more. Pictured above front row left to right: Stephanie Leising, Shanon Koranda, Alyssa Covert & Elizabeth Mavis. Back row left to right: Jamie Bader, Varelina Waldman, Lauren Teinert, Nikki Kozisek, Cynthia Mick, Gretyl Bader, Kerry Hurley & Carson Farr.

8 Monthly Budget: $30,134 July 2015 Donations: $22,264 Expenses: $27,061 Donations: General Operating & Mission Shares Expenses: Budgeted Items Only A campaign to raise donations to repair the swimming pool, improve the sewer system, renovate the cabins, repay indebtedness and establish an endowment at the UM Camp Comeca near Cozad, NE, was instigated at this year's annual conference held in Wichita, KS. The goal is to raise $994,000 in gifts and pledges by August 31, About half of that will build an endowment to strengthen the camp's financial base. The Lloyd Wilson Foundation, which earlier created many improvements at the camp, has challenged the conference to match their $250,000 grant toward the endowment. Gifts to the Great Plains Conference are tax -deductible. Pledges, which may be met over a three-year period, are payable by December 31, A similar plan was implemented by the Kansas Conference for their camps at an earlier time. For more information and how to donate and make a pledge, contact Cliff Lowell at clonacottage@yahoo.com or call The Nominating Committee is looking for people willing to serve on the following committees. Please contact Pastor Dale if you would be interested or know of someone that would be good at representing our congregation. Thank you. Board of Trustees S/PPRC Finance Nominating (Lay Leadership) Mission & Outreach Nurture Witness Worship Administrative Council Fellowship

9 155.4 ST-E "A" Is for Adopted - An Alphabet book for children By Norma Strange YO Adoption is a Family Affair By Patricia Johnston 225 HO The Bible - New Testament - NIV on 12 Cassette Tapes Hosanna Publishers AM 40 Days, 40 Ways, A New Look at Lent By Marcellino D'Ambrosio 973 CA One Nation By Ben Carson, MD Dr. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon at the John Hopkins Medical Institute and candidate for U.S. President, analyzes what has happened in the United States to make it what it is today. He discusses the dangers facing our country, including the growing national debt and deteriorating morals, that have driven us from the founders' intent. He calls for a return to the principles that made America great. Missing Missing from the church library for over two years: The Bible on Cassette, Narrated by Steven B. Stevens The first set of 12 tapes - Genesis thru 2nd Samuel 10:4 Tape #14 from the 2nd Set - 1st Kings 6 thru 18 The family of T.J. Fraser wishes to express our deep appreciation for the many "dear hearts and gentle people" of our church family for your thoughtfulness, generosity and concern during T.J.'s illness and passing. The spiritual support of Pastor Lambert and all of your prayers and messages have helped us through a difficult time. We especially want to thank the United Methodist Women, and all who furnished food, for the luncheon, express gratitude to the congregation for the use of all the church facilities for the service and luncheon, and voice our appreciation to those who sent cards, flowers and memorials. Thanks to those who gave us hugs and shared fond memories of our husband, father and grandpa. The Family of T.J. Fraser SEPTEMBER CANNED MEAT PANTRY COLLECTION

10 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 Label SEPTEMBER Issue Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M-F Phone: Fax: umcseward@gmail.com Website: Facebook: BBCDC: ~SEPTEMBER~ MAILBOX DEADLINE Tuesday, September 22nd Submit News by NOON Drop off your article at the office, call Sandy at the church office OR articles to umcseward@gmail.com UMW Local Church Activities Chair persons for SEPTEMBER are: Sue Dickinson Maxine Moore