Pastor s Ponderings "New Beginnings"

Transcription

1 Pastor s Ponderings "New Beginnings" Central United Methodist Church 201 S. 5 th St. Milbank, SD Worship Times: 8:30 am Traditional 9:50 am Blended 11:00 am Contemporary 9:45 am Sunday School Lead Pastor Rev. Thom Bowsher pastorthom@milbankcentral.org Emergencies: Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn pastordevern@milbankcentral.org Emergencies: Youth Director Melissa Gall Melissa.Gall@milbankcentral.org Children s Minister Kristy Liebe kristyliebe@gmail.com Office Manager Jen Aden office@milbankcentral.org Office Assistant Sandy MacMillan slmacmillan@gmail.com Custodians Todd & Peggy Morton Wow, another new year. Where did the time go? It seems like every new year I find myself asking that question? Sometimes I move beyond that question to asking myself questions like: Where did I spend my time? What got accomplished or what didn t? What were the priorities that took precedence over other things and why? I find asking myself those kinds of questions helps me start the new year off right because inevitably I m drawn to the same conclusion. That conclusion is that my time, the things I did, the priorities I set should have been, first and foremost, on Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I would like to say that every year on January 1 st I sit down and pat myself on the back and claim I lived up to putting Jesus Christ first and foremost, but I can t say that. I think it can be easy to lose sight of what our priorities in life really should be. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we live in a hectic and busy culture that doesn t allow much time to stop and catch our breath, let alone contemplate issues like this. The good news is that it s a new year and a time for new beginnings. It s an opportunity for all of us to take a moment and intentionally catch our breath as we refocus our resources, our time, our priorities, our lives, on Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul was saying that while he was alive, his priority was to serve Jesus. That was Paul s priority in life, but what are our priorities in this life? What s the most important thing(s) to us? Serving Christ while growing in Christ, Pastor Thom Where Can You Find Us? Radio: Sundays on KMSD 1510 at 11:00 am, our 8:30 am service is broadcast. Television: On ITC Cable Channel 95 our service airs on Mondays at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm; on Midcontinent Cable channel 3, the previous week s service airs on Sundays at 5:30 pm and the current week s service airs on Mondays at 11:30 am and Tuesdays at 2:30 pm. ITC customers with digital cable may watch the sermons free through their On Demand service. Web: Facebook and and #graceiscentral 1

2 NOVEMBER RECAP On December 2, both our Middle and High School younited youth completed an activity called Parable Productions. In this activity, youth are put into small groups and then they draw a number between 1-46 out of a cup. The number drawn correlates with a number on a list of the parables of Jesus from the Bible. Each group is then given the name of the parable they ve drawn, and the Scripture(s) where the parable can be found. The group then looks up the Scripture passage(s) and decides how to act it out for the entire group. The youth always have fun with this activity! The activity on Wednesday, December 9, included another lesson from Everyday Leadership. This lesson, which was completed in both age groups of younited, focused on what leadership qualities are valuable in a group setting. There was good discussion amongst both groups about what qualities and actions are helpful, and also those that are not beneficial to a group. Youth identified these characteristics in others and then reflected on those same attributes in their own leadership styles. Wednesday, December 16 was our last evening of younited for 2015! Each group of younited had a Christmas party with snacks, fellowship, and games. These parties are always a great time! Throughout the month of December, high school younited youth participated in Jorge Acevedo s study, Sent. This is the same study that the adults used throughout the weeks of Advent, however, this is a youth version of the study. The study is an easy read, and has some good questions and Scripture pairings to go along with the book reading. Wednesday, December 23, 2015: No younited Activities. Christmas break. Sunday, December 27, 2015: No Sunday School. Christmas Break Wednesday, December 30, 2015: No younited Activities. Christmas break. Sunday, January 3, 2016: No Sunday School. Christmas Break. Monday, January 4, 2016: Registration Due for Winter Connection/Confirmation Retreat #2. Please turn this information in at the Church Office. Monday, January 4, 2016: Confirmation Parent Meeting. Parents of Confirmands are invited to meet in the Youth Room at 6:30 p.m. for a meeting regarding the upcoming retreat weekend. Wednesday, January 6, 2016: No younited Activities. Christmas break. Wednesday, January 13, 2016: younited Activities and Regular Wednesday Activities Resume. Friday, January 29 Saturday, January 30, 2016: Winter Connection/Confirmation Retreat #2. This year, Winter Connection will be held in Sioux Falls, SD and we have combined it with our second Confirmation retreat. We have opened this event up to any Central 6 th -8 th graders. A letter was mailed home to our youth in those grades regarding this event. Please see the letter and poster on the younited bulletin board outside the Nursery. 2

3 GESS EYE HOSPITAL FOCUS OF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY Roger and Melanie Reiners are making plans to return to Sierra Leone in late January accompanied by Dr. Lowell Gess. They will be joined in Sierra Leone by a team of researchers from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Dr. Steven Yeh and Dr. Jessica Shantha, who are planning to establish a research unit on the compound of the Gess UMC Eye Hospital. This team of doctors treated the Ebola patients who were brought to Emory for treatment including Dr. Ian Crozier. When Dr. Gess was in Africa in January and February of this year, he treated the vision conditions of patients who had survived Ebola but later experienced loss of vision due to a condition called uveitis. He was able to diagnose and prescribe medications which were sightsaving. He shared this information with the team from Emory after his return. It has been determined that the Ebola Virus remains in the vitreous of the eye long after the person has recovered from the disease. This led to involvement with the World Health Organization, Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health, and other international medical organizations. Just recently, Dr. Gess spoke to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Las Vegas of his findings. After making a trip to Sierra Leone some months ago, the research team has determined it would be most feasible to have a research unit in West Africa and the eye hospital at Kissy was chosen. The purpose of this trip is to assist in choosing the site for the unit and whether an existing building can be redesigned to meet the safety standards required or if a new facility will need to be constructed; to determine a budget for the project; and to discern if other organizations will be involved. The research team has already begun the writing of grants to fund the project. It is truly exciting for the eye hospital to be a part of this research and the benefit it will provide for the people of West Africa. This project, which began with a team from Central Church in 1982, continues to offer sight-saving treatment while, at the same time, sharing the saving grace of Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways 34 years later. LENTEN OFFERING Traditionally the special offering gathered during Lent is designated for special mission emphases. The Missions Commission has designated two projects to receive these Lenten gifts. This year s offering will be divided between the Zimbabwe Farming Project to increase acres farmed; and, the family of long-time Gess Eye Hospital employee Reginald McCarthy. McCarthy died of diabetes complications earlier this year leaving a young wife and two small children---son, Samuel-age 6 and daughter, Reginette-age 3. These gifts will go toward an education fund for the children. Be watching later this month for your annual Lenten Blessings Calendar. HATS, MITTENS, AND SCARVES The much-needed gifts of hats, mittens, and scarves are still being collected. These items will be distributed to the area schools in the next few weeks. 3

4 SEASONED CITIZENS JANUARY DINNER The January meeting for the Seasoned Citizens of Central will be a noon luncheon at the Abbey of the Hills on Thursday, January 7, The lunch, consisting of soup, a sandwich, desert, and coffee will be served at the Abbey of the Hills. The cost will be $10.00 per person. Participating persons need to call the church office by Monday, January 4, to make reservations for the luncheon. Those needing a ride should also designate so. We will gather at the church at 10:00 am. The bus will leave at 10:45 am and lunch will be served at 11:30 am. Following the lunch someone representing Abbey of the Hills will give us a history of the Abbey. LENTEN DEVOTIONAL SAMPLE Though it seems early to plan for Lent, devotional articles must be submitted by January 31. This is a great time to share how you have seen God at work in your life this past year. Below is a sample however, if you need help in writing contact Sheila Dailie by January 10. Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Though I believe in prayer, sometimes God reminds me that He does answer and He CARES. Last week as we traveled west from the Cities, the snow seemed to fall faster and visibility became less. Even in good weather, a four-hour drive home in the dark is getting harder. So as we left the heavy traffic around the metro area, I posted a request for prayers. I had faith that God would watch over us and protect us. In fact, every time I awakened the night before, I asked that God would clear the road like he did for Moses through the Red Sea. Within FIVE minutes, God lightened the snow fall. Then all the way home, minus about seven miles, visibility was great. We could definitely SEE the slush and the other drivers on the road. So take heart, God hears your prayers. May that comfort you on your walk with Him today. Thank you, Father, for caring about the everyday things we face. And even more, thank you for reminding us that you do care! Amen. NEW YEAR S EVE OPEN HOUSE This year, Central will be holding a New Year s Eve Open House from 4-7 pm on December 31. This will include a self-directed, contemplative service with communion elements, liturgy, and devotion in the Sanctuary. There will also be an open-ended game time in the FS Hall beginning at 4:00 pm. Pizza will be served around supper time. Please sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office at by 3:00 pm Wednesday, December 30 as this will help in ordering enough pizza. We hope you will join us as we prayerfully ring in 2016! 4

5 JOURNEY OFF THE MAP THEME FOR JAM AND BREAD! Starting January 13, the JAM kids will take the road less traveled, one full of adventure into uncharted territory! A Journey Off the Map: Unknown to Us, Known to Him, the 2015 VBS from Lifeway, explorers (kids) encounter the unexpected while seeking the heart of God. They learn that obedience to God leads us beyond the expected! Theme Verse: And whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: "This is the way. Walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) Bible Content: Week 1: Know Your Guide (Jesus) - Galatians 4:4-5 Week 2: Follow Your Guide (Daniel) - Daniel 1 Week 3: Trust Your Guide (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) - Daniel 3 Week 4: Stay on Track (Daniel) - Daniel 6 Week 5: Keep Watching (Promise for the future) - Daniel 10:7-12, 12:13 We are very excited to kick off 2016 with this adventure! Hope to see you there! We had an awesome turn out by the Kids Hope kids for the Christmas party! They had a fun time making pasta ornaments, decorating sugar cookies, and going shopping for family members. The kids heard the story of the Legend of the Christmas Stocking. For their Christmas present, they received a stocking with a gift card for Taco John s, movie passes, and candy. Hopefully the whole family can go out for a night of fun. We ended the party with pizza. It was an awesome opportunity to get together for fellowship with our Kids Hope families! Kristy Liebe is desperately in need of people to step up and become mentors!! There is a waiting list and she hates to disappoint the kids! Would you please consider becoming a mentor? Kristy would love to visit with you about this life changing opportunity! WINTER WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY If Milbank Schools are cancelled because of inclement weather, then the church will be closed and all church activities for that evening are also cancelled. 5

6 Our People in Military Service: Marty Nygren Our People in Overseas Mission: Staff at Gess (Kissy) Eye Clinic Agape School for Boys, Kenya Haiti Solar Oven Project, Rick Jost Dr. Emmanuel Mefor, Mutambara, Zimbabwe Mission Our People in Care Facilities: Park Place: Nadeane Buri Dorothy Bishop Dorothy Bracht Jim Loeschke Emmet Stengel St. William s: Marie Buri Wava Butler Del Cardwell Shirley Hanson Kathy Trapp Golden Living: Velma Busk Mavis Knaus Jenkins Living Center: Betty Dammer Rita s Elderly Home Care: Wilbert & Arlys Helmbrecht Long Term Prayer Requests: Cheryl Pauli Mike & Linda Pillatzke Lori (Loeschke) O Brien Ralph Schmidt Tim Lenards Del Cardwell Jesse Bergerud Shirley Hanson Joe Olson Jordan Volkenant Ken & Anna Mae Frost Brenda Bohn Joan Bohn Ione Brehmer (mother of Renae Fox) Paula Berry Matthew Smith Roxanna Bohn Marland Schultz Mary Warrey Jim Weber Scarlett Holmquist (If you have any updates or know of a name that should be removed, please call the church office.) Committee of the Month: Evangelism Commission Church of the Month: Our Savior's/Trinity Lutheran Church AUTOMATIC CLEARING HOUSE (ACH) No longer will you need to remember to bring your checkbook or that seemingly nonexistent thing called CASH to church. ACH (automatic debit) giving is now available at Central as an alternative to writing a check to the church each week or month. You can elect to have a withdrawal done on the 1 st or the 15 th of each month. The sign-up forms can be found in the Church Office and periodically in the bulletins. For more information please contact Adam Koplin or Jason Kettwig. 6

7 Dear Central United Methodist Church Thank you all so much for your cards, gifts, treats, and well wishes during the Christmas Season. Have a Happy New Year! The Staff at Central A big thank you to the JAM cooks and helpers for the delicious Thanksgiving Feast I enjoyed Wednesday evening. Also, thanks to Lee & Jan Zuver and Gary Ellingson who so ably loaded us in our church bus bringing us there helping those of us who needed help with food and then bringing us safely back to our living quarters. God Bless you all, Helen Carlson Dear Ladies, I received one of your hats as a gift. What a wonderful project? I was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 18 and I start treatments on November 18. Thank you, Gloria Letrud Thank you for the care package you sent me! It meant a lot to know you are thinking of me! School is going good here at Presentation College. Thanks, Eric Hofman Thank you - to all that shared their poinsettias with the church family during the Christmas season. -to those that sang in the Anthem choir in December. -to each person that helped decorate the church for Advent/Christmas season (Lindsey Keller, Amy Thue, Deb Bowsher, LeAnn Kuper, Roger and Mary Hoff). -to the readers and musicians for the Christmas Eve service. The Worship Commission A sincere thank you to all the friends from Central who helped me in my transition from my house, after 37 years, to my new home at Park Place. From the young men who started helping me downsize by hauling books etc. to the Thrift Store to the gentlemen who helped with the final move of furniture etc. The many words of encouragement from all of you, to the visits I have had since my move, will remain with me forever. I am very happy in my new home. My niece, Brenda and nephew, Byron join me in thanking you for all your kindness to me. God is Good! May the Blessings of the Christmas Season remain with you throughout Merry Christmas! Deloris Richards Safe Sanctuary & Sacred Space Policy This policy has been revised and will be available from the church office in January. Back Pack $425 Gess UMC $90 Total Budget Offering $477,816 Total Budget Goal $502,747 Love Gifts $2,270 Turban Ministry $10 UMCOR World Hunger $10 Seminary Students $125 7

8 Jan. 1 Andrew Riggin Jan. 3 Avery Jo Whitesitt Jan. 4 Jennifer Seehafer Jan. 6 Karen Loeschke Jan. 7 Meredith Biel Madison Liebe Jan. 8 Jan Bierschbach Jan. 9 Dale Prisinger Jan. 11 Don Hofman Jessica Mogard Jan Zuver Jan. 12 Whitney Falk Keegin Carlin Jan. 13 Wally Runge Molly Rick Jan. 14 Nancy Anderson Hilary Grabow Lindsey Keller Jan. 15 Aaron Knaus Alexis Oliver Will Cummins Sarah Grabow Tanen Schmieg Jan. 16 Faye Runge Jan. 17 Marla Tillman Jennifer Brown Jamie DeVaal Jan. 18 Jeanne Gonzenbach Judy Radtke Dan Frevert Eric Hofman Jan. 19 Riley VanderWal Jan. 20 Olivia Mueller Jan. 21 Nadeane Buri Lennox Spors Jan. 22 Maiah Brown Justin Berry Jan. 23 Trudi Niedert Teresa Stoddard Autumn Fox Alejandra Nava Jan. 24 Kathleen Cummins Jan Dietman Laura Mueller Nick Staehling Jan. 25 Jesse Schneck Jan. 26 Tana Mundwiler Stephanie Bagaus Ty Kettwig Jan. 27 Arlen Conrad Karen Tillma Jaimee Bender Jan. 28 Abram Fischer Easton Kasuske Jan. 29 Maren Pearson Jan. 30 Dorothy Bishop Jan. 2 Jan. 3 Jason & Kristy Liebe Aaron & Arlene Knaus Roger & Melanie Reiners Jan. 7 Mark & Jan Bierschbach Jan. 16 Jim & Jan Dietman Graf, Tim & Jean Davis, Robert & Jane Denholm, John & Marlys Thomas, Kim Elder, Maxine Gonzenbach, Dave & Stacy Gonzenbach, Max & Jeanne Grabow, Jason Keller, Tyler & Lindsey Loeschke, Matt & Jackie Mielitz, Jerry & Cheri Schulte, Calvin & Jena *Schultz, Marland & Bev Schwenn, Rick & Miriam Spors, Steven & Kayla Staehling, April Stengel, Eric & Sarah Stengel, Tim & Sue Zuver, Leland & Jan We are continuously trying to update our lists. Please notify the church office with any additions or corrections at office@milbankcentral.org or

9 GIVING FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFERING HAS BEEN OVER THE TOP! Dear Young People, To all the youth who gave to the school nurse and the adults that helped, I am so grateful for each one of you! You filled my heart so much that it overflowed. What a surprise for me - all the boxes of tissues, cough drops, paper towels, granola bars, and juice that you donated. As I put some of the supplies away, I thought about each one of you. I so believe in God, and children are one of His greatest gifts. What a gift each one of you were to me today. I have been blessed. In return, I have asked Our Awesome God to bless each one of you also. I have prayed that each of you know love and peace your whole lives, and that Our God keeps each of you safe. Thank you to all who shared their love with the Koch School Nurse! For September we set a goal of buying 10 sets of chicks for Heifer Projectbut the kids collected enough money to buy 15! For November, we brought items for the school nurse. Here is a photo of all of the items given for her to use. The kids received the thank you (a copy is below the photo) from the school nurse. For December, money was collected to buy gifts for the Angel tree. In two weeks we collected around $200! As you can see the giving our kids have done through the Sunday School offering has really impacted the lives of others! We are so grateful for your generosity! Looking forward to new opportunities for giving in the New Year! NO SUNDAY SCHOOL There will be NO Sunday School on December 27 or January 3. Thanks to everyone who has helped make the new Sunday School rotation plan possible this year. We are looking forward to continuing after the New Year on January DAY TITHING CHALLENGE Throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it (Malachi 3:10). Just a reminder to prayerfully consider signing up for the 90 Day Tithing Challenge. The tithe is a very practical and tangible way to put God first. If you are not tithing already, a great way to start is with the 90 Day Tithing Challenge. If God doesn t hold true to His promises of blessings when you take the 90 Day Challenge, Central UMC will refund 100% of your tithe. No questions asked. The sign-up sheets are located in the pew offering envelope slots and in the Church Office. For more information, contact Adam Koplin or Jason Kettwig. 9

10 READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN 2016 January is a time to look back and look forward, examining what you like in your life and what you might like to do differently. As Christ followers, we are told to do this each time before we take communion. (1 Corinthians 11:28). Reading through the Bible seems like a daunting task, and like me, you may have started a few times, but got bogged down in it after the Israelites escape slavery and Egypt. The Chronological Bible that we read from helps me when I skip a day or two, as I can just flip to the current day and read there. If you are on Facebook, we have a closed page that is open to anyone who would like to join. There are even a few people in our community that are part of the group, so feel free to invite a friend. When I began this discipline two years ago, I was just excited that I completed reading most of the Bible in a year. But as I look forward to another year, I anticipate hearing more from the Holy Spirit about God s great love for me, and YOU. Won t you join us? Bibles are available for $10.50 at the church office. Any Bible will work and reading guides are available. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING Have you ever been so burdened and heavy-hearted that you don t even know HOW to pray? These words from a friend of mine help us understand those times of struggle. Sometimes breathing is the only prayer we can pray, and God hears our sigh and once again breathes the breath of life into us. We exhale, and it seems like such a little thing. But some days it is everything. It is communion-intimate and more than breathing oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. It is sacred and it is holy: this agreeing with God that we need God, for all of everything, and his joyful entering into our lives and ourselves and our very souls to make us one with him. We are gulping and breathing and sighing and gasping, and we realize our deep, deep hunger inside. From Every Little Thing Making a World of Difference Right Where You Are by Deidra Riggs Join us for prayer on Sunday morning at 10:00 am in the church library. What better winter activity can you find than studying the Word of God in your home, then braving a short cold trip to Central United Methodist Church to experience the warmth of fellowship with others from the community as you study the book of James together? Community Bible Study will be starting a six week study of James on Monday, January 4. This would be an opportune time to join the class. A 12 week study of I and II Timothy and Titus will follow the study of James. Worship music, small group discussion, and a teaching time are included as the class meets each Monday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. For more information, or to enroll in Community Bible Study, call Pam Nelson at or Norma Kruger at

11 BUS MINISTRY EVOLVING INTO MEANINGFUL VENTURE Don t we all want to know that we have contributed something that made another person feel good? Participation in the developing bus ministry within Central Church might be just what we are looking for. This ministry is beginning to add fresh joy to some of our senior citizens. The experience of aging tends to take the freedom of mobility from people. For some, that loss of mobility begins to be replaced by a sense of being confined. Even when living within a safe and comfortable residence, the loss of the freedom to participate within one s larger social world, and especially to be denied the freedom to attend a Sunday worship service, can be quite desponding. Those who have been active in the shaping of the new bus ministry have had the pleasure of sharing in a new endeavor for some senior residents. This new ministry has enabled some senior citizens to become a more active participants in a larger world. When the invitation was given to take people on a tour of our local Christmas lights, 27 people responded. And a goodly number are anxiously waiting for us to assist them in being able to regularly attend Sunday worship at the church. The development of this new ministry is a learning process. Those presently involved in the bus ministry are discovering some basic techniques necessary for the safety and comfort for the passengers. However, for this new ministry to become a regular service, a strong and vibrant band of volunteers is needed. Each trip with the bus calls for a qualified driver and two - three assistants. More than a few of the riders need the assistance of walkers and a few need wheelchairs. Many of the riders need assistance in walking from their residence to the bus. Two assistants--one at the bottom of the bus steps and one at the top are needed to assure these potential passengers of their safety in entering the bus. Once seated, someone needs to assist riders in securing their seatbelts. The loading and unloading of a resident in a wheelchair and safely securing the wheelchair and its passenger necessitates the assistance of two people. But what a sense of satisfaction when those assisting hear the expressions of thankfulness by those who have been able to participate in what many of us take for granted. We invite you to consider investigating whether or not this would be where our Lord wants to use you and your gift of caring. The opportunity is available for men and women, for husbands and wives, and even families with teenagers working as a team. Do understand that your inquiring about participation in this ministry does not mean that you are committing yourself to it, but you must have an understanding of what this ministry involves in order to know whether or not this is where the Lord would want to use you. Feel free to speak with Lee Zuver or Pastor DeVern. Lee home phone number is:

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