The Seward United Methodist Fai h FULL Times

Transcription

1 The Seward United Methodist Fai h FULL Times Calling all High School & College Graduates! We want to congratulate you and are starting a list of individuals graduating this spring so we may recognize your achievements. If you are graduating, let us know what your future plans will be. We wish to honor you and encourage you in your future endeavors! Please submit a digital photograph of yourself by May 1st to umcseward@gmail.com for May 13th recognition with reception following Fellowship. Unafraid A Sermon Series based on Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times You are invited to read the book, Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times written by Rev. Adam Hamilton. We pre-ordered 10 books from Chapters Books and we ask you to call the office to reserve a copy. We will be preaching on the topics as well as studying them in Thursday morning Bible Study. Fear is a complex emotion that can save us, break us or rob us of our lives. Fear, worry and anxiety permeate our lives. They can wreak havoc on our relationships and communities. They can hold us back from the very pursuits that promise fulfillment and joy.. Let us prepare our hearts for the good news which God may have for us in these times of uncertainty in this place as the gathered community of Seward UMC. April 8 Understanding Fear April 15 Fear of the Other April 22 April 29 May 6 Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20, John 8:31-32 Failure and Pleasing Others Matthew 7:12, 22:39 and James 1:19 Loneliness Mark 2:1-5 Overcoming Fear Isaiah 41:8-10

2 robert s reflection forsaken may have been his final feeling why his last word people say dont question i reply jesus did and feared he got it so confused that even god could not reach him our panics a reflection of his own as if creation for a moment understands all those who cant help it ~robert Additional Intentional Caring Unit Coordinator Events on April 12 and 29 With 25 persons coming to March events, we invite you to hear more details and have a chance to develop Care Coordinator skills on Thursday, April 12th at 7p.m. in the Parlor or Sunday, April 29 at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. These events allow people to hear more about this important ministry that will improve our care to the whole congregation. Attending an event does not commit one to being a care coordinator, but rather allows you to prayerfully consider if you might serve in the future. Gifts and skills needed are a willingness to interact with people, a compassionate heart, an attention to detail and record-keeping skill for the caring unit. The Ad Council and Church Conference have set Congregational Care as our primary goal for We do a great job with our Faith Community Nurses, Visitation Ministry, and Card Ministry, which could be seen as three legs of our congregational care ministry stool. The fourth leg of the stool, Intentional Caring Units, will complement the ministries in place. Care Coordinators will coordinate care for a group of family units making monthly contact check-ins because 83% of people who leave a church do so when a significant life event happened to their family and no one knew or responded, so they quit attending and feel no one noticed. In order to be more consistent in our care for all members the church is looking to equip persons so we can improve and respond with care. We look forward to you coming and exploring the opportunity to serve in this important ministry for the whole congregation. Let s make 2018 the year we deepen our care for one another. Did You Know? In 25 years of the Living Last Supper, there have been 54 disciples, 33 hair and make-up artists, 12 communion stewards, 26 ushers, and 12,000 attendees who gave $16,000 to ministries in Seward. Our Confirmation class and mentors will tour the Conference Office in Lincoln and attend South Street Temple on April 13 and serve a meal for 130 folk at Matt Talbot kitchen on May 2. (If you would be willing to share brownies, bars or cookies contact Tonya Parra, )

3 A Royal Garden Party Make plans to attend or help! Our Royal Garden Party is on Saturday, May 19th from 12 noon until 2 p.m. with refreshments, program, music, and fellowship. Mark your calendar and plan to sign up soon at the table in the front hall. All ages are invited and welcome to attend. We would love to have your help for this annual tea party in our courtyard (FH if inclement weather). We will need garden workers, folks to bring goodies, folks to help with clean up, etc. Contact Jo Ellen if you can be of help or would like more information. Prayer Exchange Board... This will be available for you to add your prayers of joy, concern, etc. on the little Methodist papers. If you place the INK OUT we will know that others may take your paper and join you in prayer for whatever you have written. If you place the INK IN we will know that this prayer is just between you and God. We will use the big prayer board until our new smaller board can be hung where family of all ages can reach it. Please plan to pray together! Notes from Jo Ellen Church Family Life As I look ahead to the warmer months, I see we are already beginning plans at SUMC for an Arts Week, June 4th-8th and a VBS week, July 30th to August 2nd. It hardly seems possible that we are already making plans with our friends in ministry at Faith Lutheran and St. Andrew s Episcopal for community outreach this summer. Actually, I love what the church family can do over the summer as it allows us time to get out of our usual routines and experience worship, ministry, and fellowship in different ways. I am looking forward to attending licensing school this summer as part of my new appointment to SUMC as your Associate Pastor (beginning July 1st.) I am both thankful and grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow in faith, mission, and ministry alongside this great church family. It is my prayer that you will consider how you might serve this summer in Sunday School, and our other special weeks already in the works. We will enjoy it together! Love and prayers, Jo Ellen Unafraid. New series... For anyone struggling with fear, worry, or anxiety, or who wonders how families and communities can live as peacemakers in troubled times, Unafraid offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions. We will be using this series/book as a basis for worship in the weeks following Easter. Join us as Easter People who are unafraid! Sign up now for camp! Information is on the board across from the main office. UMW again will pay for 1/2 of campers fees! Return forms to Jo Ellen please.

4 Notes from Jo Ellen Continued Sunday School News: Sunday School Leadership Meeting with Nurture Committee on Monday, April 9th at 6p.m. School Year SS classes to end on May 20th with celebration of our leaders of all children s and youth ministries at both worship times. Sunday School Singers share today! Confirmation on Sunday, May 20th. Summer Sunday School plans to begin on Sunday, June 3rd. Looking at curriculum selection for next fall bring ideas and feedback to the meeting on April 9th please. Continuing to get all leaders finished with the Safe Gatherings process, which qualifies for approval for four years. Bright Beginnings Child Development Center We are off to a great spring! Be sure to like our new facebook page to keep up with all the learning and fun we are having. We love to post lots of pictures of the children and the classrooms full of activity! YOU are invited to volunteer your time to rock and play with the Infants and toddlers, to play with the older toddlers and preschoolers, and to assist with the schoolagers in inside/outside activities. Please let us know if you would like to serve, complete your background check paperwork, and we will set you up with times that work for you. What a great way to support this extension ministry of the SUMC to our community. Remember to pray for our teachers/staff, families, and children as we begin a new creative curriculum together this spring! Front Porch Faith Palm Sunday at SUMC for more pictures see our facebook page Making Jesus Biscuits, inside egg hunt, palm parade, and Sunday School Singers at worship! New small group opportunity See Jo Ellen for details

5 SUMC...On the Move April newsletter (A component of the Faith Community Nursing Program) JUMP for Joy! The dark of winter has transitioned to the light of spring with longer hours of sunlight and the promise of new life literally, figuratively, spiritually. SPRING into the new season upon us. Our April focus is jumping. Research shows that leaping improves balance, coordination, and strength. This needn t be Olympic jumping! You might start by jumping over a broom handle or another short object. Move your body as a whole unit. Keep a straight spine, don t bend over. Hold your arms flexed at the elbow, slightly away from your body. Land softly on flexed joints. For extra stability, use the back of a stationary chair. Always wear athletic shoes when jumping. Our April group activity will be an after-church Greenwood Cemetery walk. The walk will be later in the month. Details will be in the mid-month update. Dates to keep in mind: Sunday, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15 Monday, 4/16 Sunday, 4/22 or 4/29 Leave your March activity log in the shoebox. Drawing for the winning March movers. Greenwood Cemetery walk following second service. If you haven t enrolled in SUMC On the Move: Please know that you can register at any time. The registration forms and activity logs are on the information table in the hallway. Registrations can be left in the shoebox! J All ages are welcome. Remember to take a red water bottle from the shelf. February Winners: Susan Walsh, Sally Wurst, Carole Briggs As we continue to move forward, please direct questions or comments to Lynette: Jack: Lynette.Broderick@connectseward.org Jack.Broderick@connectseward.org Continue to keep activity logs and sip from the shiny red, stainless steel water bottles as an advertisement for this program. Please remember to turn in your monthly logs for the monthly prize drawings. We love to give things away!

6 April UMW Dates to Remember Sunday, April 1 Wednesday, April 4 EASTER SUNDAY 1:30 pm Unit Meeting in Parlor The Sacred space of Transfiguration Prayer & Self-Denial ~ Sue Dickinson Hostesses: Jean Kinnamon & Virginia Jeary Wednesday, April 18 5:00 6:30 pm Reading Group Maxine Moore s Home Thursday, April 19 Wednesday, April 25 Saturday, April 28 6:00 pm Creative Hands Ministry 7:00 pm Evening Group Missions Connie Kamprath, Program Hostesses: Deb Kramer & Jeannie Jeary Devotions: Marty Bender 3:45 pm Leadership Team Meeting 8:30 am Sewing Saturday Fellowship Hall Brown Bag Lunch Blue River District UMW Spring Event Dorchester UMC ( 612 Lincoln Dorchester, NE) 9:00 am 3:00 pm Registration Due April 23 BIG Garden THANKS Red Bird Mission, Red Bird Clinic and Red Bird Christian School have been providing ministries in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky since Today the need remains critical in this isolated, rural distressed area. Chronic poverty, lack of jobs, poor housing, and rugged mountainous terrain provide obstacles to a fuller life for the residents of this area. Many, many thanks to those who helped the United Methodist Women label hundreds of plant tags used this spring in the NE community gardens grown under the watchful eyes of The Big Garden, a UMC National Mission Institution in Omaha. GREAT JOB! Red Bird Christian School redeems our BOX TOP 4 EDUCATION coupons and then can purchase additional need equipment and educational materials. UMW and our congregation have been collecting BOX TOPS 4 EDUCATION coupons for years now we have an opportunity to contribute to this worthy UMC Mission Institution. PLEASE CONTINUE CLIPPING THOSE BOX TOPS!!!! Collection box is with UMW Bulletin Board along with product lists.

7 UMW Evening Circle Will be making kid friendly fleece throws on April 19th. Donations of fleece cut into 1 1/3 yard lengths needed. Can be one piece or coordinating pieces. Please place in bin in front hallway. Thank you in advance for your generosity & help! Spring Workday Saturday, April 14th 8:00 am - 4:00 pm A list of needed jobs will be available in the Fellowship Hall for members to choose from - rain or shine! An hour or two spent by many folks would save church funds and keep our building and grounds in better condition. Thank you in advance for any help you can give. If you are not able to help, snacks for those who can help is always appreciated! Contact Carla Schwahn or Sue Imig with questions. FoodNet Request for April Boxed Meals Blue Valley Community Action Family Game Night Sunday, April 22nd 5:00pm 7:00pm Fellowship Hall Please come join! Soups Freshman/Sophomore Godparent Group We continue to collect items to use in creating bags of need for persons who are homeless. We thank you for your continued support of this mission project!

8 April Committee Meetings Witness Committee - Parlor Wed. Apr. 4th, 5:30 pm Nurture with Sunday School Leaders Parlor Mon. Apr. 9th, 6:00 pm Foundation - Resource Room Sun. Apr. 8th, 9:30 am BBCDC Staff Meeting - FH/Kitchen Tues. Apr. 10th, 6:00 pm Ad Council - Parlor Sun. Apr. 15th, 11:45 am BBCDC Board - Fellowship Hall Tues. Apr. 17th, 6:00 pm Trustees - Bsmt Youth Room Tues. Apr. 17th, 7:00 pm Mission & Outreach - Parlor Tues. Apr. 17th, 7:00 pm Finance - Parlor Thurs. Apr. 19th, 7:00 pm SPPRC - UMYF Tues. Apr. 24th, 7:00 pm Worship Committee - Parlor Thurs. Apr. 26th, 6:00 pm Join me, Abby Rood, in celebrating my graduation! May 5th, 12-3 in the Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you there! New to the Newsletter~ In upcoming newsletters, we would like to include birthdays and anniversaries. If you don t see your birthday or anniversary, it is because it is not listed in our Church records. Contact the church office to have this information added. Men s Group Saturday, April 21st 8 am Breakfast & devotion April project: General Operating Fund February 28, 2018 February Year To Date Expenses $32, $60, Giving $26, $58, Yard shades for BBCDC Garden tilling Join us for a great time of fellowship as well as investing in our church deficit ($5,350.38) ($1,940.14) The Finance Committee has decided sending quarterly statements at the end of March does not give much information to the congregation on their specific giving. Therefore, the Committee will be sending statements at the mid-year point for giving through June 30, and then again at the end of the year to the congregation. Individual pledges will be included on giving statements for a comparison of how close your giving is to your pledge. Reminder~ Church Office and BBCDC closed Good Friday & Easter Monday. Have a blessed Easter weekend as we celebrate a risen Christ!

9 Service schedules will no longer be mailed separately. Please check newsletter to see if you are scheduled to serve. April /01/ /08/ /15/ /22/ /29/2018 8:15 Service Easter; Chancel Choir Communion; God's Squad Chancel Choir Bells Welcome Center Sandi Rocker Bruce Dickinson Nancy Eitel Christina Chapman Julie Moody Greeter - East Chuck Matzke Dennis Sloup Jim Gardner Ed Zak Gus Gish Greeter - West Jan Matzke Judy Sloup Jane Gardner Carol Zak Margo Gish Usher 1 Doug Barker Billy Snell Jim Eitel Ric Horton Rosie Westerhoff Usher 2 Mary Barker Deb Snell Kelly Wergin Larry Chapman Carole Briggs Usher 3 Steve Hambek Neil Butzke JB Ketner Doug Brand Jack Fuller Usher 4 Sharon Hambek Cindy Butzke Carla Ketner Gail Brand Angie Fuller Liturgist Cliff Lowell Sue Dickinson Rick McConnell Claudia Horton John Moody Acolyte 1 Addilyn Sugden Kyle Riley Lawson Luebbe Kylee Josoff Addilyn Sugden Acolyte 2 Avery Rodocker Kayson Salyer Layne Luebbe Brynlie Robbins Kathryn Naber Communion Server Deb Snell Communion Server Bruce Dickinson Communion Server Sue Dickinson 10:30 Service Easter; Chancel Choir; Praise Team Communion; Chancel Choir; Praise Team God's Squad; Praise Team **Please be responsible for finding a substitute if you are unable to work as scheduled. Notify the church office of any changes. THANK YOU for volunteering! Bells; Praise Team Welcome Center Nita Goings Jean Kinnamon Marty Bender Terri Siebert Janet Bejot Greeter - East Virgil Canning Merlyn Nielsen Justin Salyer Randy Swartz Jon Eberspacher Greeter - West Sarah Shively Elaine Nielsen Tammy Salyer Jessica Engel Jill Eberspacher Usher 1 Tom Gee Bruce Heidbrink Todd Riley Todd LaVelle Marc Guthrie Usher 2 Jeanne Gee Elaine Heidbrink Susan Riley Mindy LaVelle Martie Guthrie Usher 3 Evelyn Hastings Don McKibbin Tom Hanson Franklin Hronik Vernon Curtis Usher 4 Maynard Steckly LaQuita McKibbin Janni Hanson Angie Kenney Sue Curtis Acolyte 1 Connor Matzke Kathryn Naber Cooper Hill Jena Eberspacher? Acolyte 2 Brecken Matzke Karsyn Fields Zach Parra Jackie Eberspacher? Communion Server Elaine Heidbrink Communion Server Jean Kinnamon Communion Server LaQuita McKibbin Money Counters R Halder & D Welch S Imig & J Ferris M Steckly & K Yelden L Broderick & C Briggs R Halder & K Yelden Faith FULL Times

10 Seward United Methodist Church 1400 North 5th Street Seward, Nebraska Service schedules will no longer be mailed separately. Please check newsletter to see if you are scheduled to serve. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Seward, NE Permit No. 62 ADDRESS SERVICE RE- QUESTED Label April Issue Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M-F Phone: Fax: umcseward@gmail.com Website: Facebook: Robert Henre, Pastor rhenre@greatplainsumc.org Cell Phone : (402) Pastoral Appointments can be made by texting or calling Pastor Robert Jo Ellen Axthelm, Ministry Assistant joellenaxthelm@gmail.com Every Member, Minister BBCDC: UMW Local Church Activities Chair persons for April are: Juanita Hill Margaret Brock ~ May ~ Newsletter DEADLINE ~ Friday, April 20th Submit News by NOON articles to umcseward@gmail.com