First United Methodist Church Ogallala, Nebraska 69153 The Messenger www.methodistchurchogallala.com 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 Cindy Karges Bishop of Great Plains Conference Ruben Saenz, Jr. IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Page 2 Tax Tip from Terry 3 Meetings This Month 3 United Methodist Women 4 Spring FunFest Requests 5 An Activity Page 6 Young People s Activities 7 A Way Forward for UMC 8 Stewards for April 11 13th Annual SPRING FUN FEST KEITH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS 1100 West 3rd Street 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Saturday, April 28th 2018 Breakfast: WaffleMan waffles, sausage, juice, coffee All you can eat - Serving from 7:00-10:30 AM Adults $6.50 - Children (6-11) $4.00 - (5 and under) FREE For Ticket info call: Jerry or Joan Speck 284-4119 Lunch: Pulled Pork Sandwich and more 12:30 PM (Extra Charge) Other Activities Include: ENORMOUS Garage Sale COUNTRY STORE SILENT AUCTION PLANT SALE BAKE SALE KIDS! There will be a petting zoo featuring goats, lambs! All at the Fun Fest!
P a ge 2 A p r i l, 2 01 8 Christian Symbols Phoenix According to the ancient legend, the phoenix lived for 500 to 1,400 years (depending on the version of the myth), at which time it would set its nest ablaze and be consumed in the flames. After three days the bird would be reborn and was said to repeat this cycle, rising from the ashes again and again. Early Christians saw in the phoenix a symbol of Jesus resurrection and of eternal life. T hank You! Thank You! Thank You! If you are one of the persons who missed a service or two and made up those offerings when you came to church the next Sunday Thank You! If you are a person who has been unable to attend church for a while due to health and/or travel reasons; and you mailed in your offerings Thank You! Faithful giving is really appreciated. Thank You! If you have made an online gift to our church Thank You! Your support is greatly appreciated. Also, Fun-Fest is coming. We could use your help. We need volunteers to help with breakfast, lunch, set-up, clean up and prayers. You can buy tickets for the Waffle-man breakfast and give them as gifts to your friends and neighbors. Please call the church office for specific areas of need. Please help make Fun-Fest 2018 another success story in our church. Also never forget that Jesus loves you! See me Sunday, Pastor Chuck
The Messenger Page 3 Charitable Giving Tax Tip Individuals age 70-1/2 or older can transfer up to $100,000 from their IRA s directly to a qualified charity. The QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distribution) are not included in the individual s income or allowed as a charitable deduction. The amounts also count towards your RMD (Required Minimum Distribution). The new 2018 income tax law changes nearly double the standard deduction ($26,600 for married joint, over 65 and $13,300 for single over age 65) which makes is very difficult Dear Church Family, Pastor and Roberta, to itemize deductions since the standard deduction is a greater benefit. The Tax free transfer from an IRA lets you benefit from making the gift to the charity even without itemizing. This way, you can still take the standard deduction and your IRA distribution is not included in your adjusted gross income and therefore not taxed. Check with your income tax advisor for additional information. Terry Johnson Meetings This Month Easter Sunday Worship Services 7:00 AM & 9:00 AM I am recovering well from my recent spine surgery on March 7th. My sincere thanks to you for your prayers of care and healing and the cards wishing me well. This congregation is such a blessing as I work through the healing process. Shirlee Knispel Board of Trustees on Wednesday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee on Thursday, April 5, 5:00 p.m. FunFest Committee on Monday, April 9, 6:00 p.m. Administrative Council on Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. EASTER IS THE SOUL S FIRST TASTE OF SPRING. ~~RICHELLE GOODRICH Special Days This Month Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 Administrative Professionals Day, April 25, 2018 Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength. ~~St. Francis de Sales Note From the Kitchen Anyone planning some kind of a dinner at the church, please check the pantry for the many plastic knives and spoons. These are the heavier kind and are very sturdy. Sometimes people order more than is needed, so they are stored unused in the pantry. Check with the Church Office for more information.
Page 4 April, 2018 Wilma Floro from Sidney will be the featured speaker at our April 12 General meeting. She is bringing some of her quilts and stories about them. Circle 5 will host, and Karla Lawler will have devotions. The Great West District Spring meeting will be in Hay Springs, NE, on April 7, with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. Cost is $10.00 If interested in attending, please contact Mona Radcliffe at 284-4555. Reservations need to be made by April 2. The UMW finance committee will meet at 11:15 to set the budget for 2019. Executive Committee meeting will follow. All women are welcome to the General meeting, come and enjoy food, fellowship and quilts!! Mona Radcliffe UMW President United Methodist Women April meetings UMW General Thursday, April 12 12:00 noon Fellowship Hall Circle 1 Thursday, April 26 9:00 a.m. (Kupper) Circle 3 Thursday, April 19 2:00 pm Hess Lounge Circle 5 Monday, April 16 6:00 pm Hess Lounge Thank You....... to the following persons who worked and/or furnished food for the Lenten luncheon on February 28, 2018: Judy Cross Judy Markussen Becky Plate Barbara Draucker Pat Davis Roberta Dunkel Claudia Stevenson Betty Kupper Shirley Bassett Kelli Smith Bonnie Taylor Marge Blaase Linda Sheldon Bea Hatch Doris Hickam Shirley Rankin Rhonda Duba Rose Holechek Deb Kupper Mona Radcliffe Beverly Johnson Shirlee Knispel Karen Powell Gloria Fowler Mary Steinwart Maxine Kolste Ferne Sutton Sherri Walker Janice Cerny... to the following persons who worked and/or furnished food for the Dorothy Sexson funeral luncheon on March 1, 2018: Cena Graves Sherri Walker Nancy Drake Jen Blackman Ester Bowen Shirlee Knispel Karen Powell Christy Baltzell Misty Biel Sharon York Laura Sexson Gwen Rezac Beth Stulich Jennifer Tophoj Penny Benda Carmen Troxel LeAnn Ayres Lisa Albee Irene Harmonson Vicki Snogren Gigi Berol Joan Speck Marj Breece Jo Teaford Karen Nenstiel Teresa Davis Jane Ruppert Jonnie Peterson Arlene Dahlgrin Mary Whittemore Carla Flansburg
The Messenger Page 5 How Can I Help with the FunFest? SILENT AUCTION ~~~~Our Silent Auction Committee is putting out a call for All who would like to donate to our Silent Auction for the Spring Fest on April 28, 2018. It's a grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat fund raiser for our church!!!! We have been so fortunate to always have such willing people who donate every year, and we would like to take this time to Thank Them sooooooo much, and to make sure that Everyone has an opportunity to give to this function!!!! ~~~~We welcome All to give whatever...you name it...we want it!!!!! The sky is the limit!!!!! If you would cook a special meal for 8 or?????, plan and give a party for????, bake?????, make craft things, have things to sell, pictures or art work, cabins or houses to let someone use, organize or clean houses or offices, can teach a foreign language, tutor, carpenter services, football, basketball, or baseball tickets, fishing or hunting opportunities, woodworking or metal items, sewing or quilting skills, hair, pedi, or nail services, painting services, handyman services, music or art talents, lawn mowing, garden or yard services, babysitting, want to do a theme basket, or have a place to take a trip to?????...please contact Jo Teaford, Judy Cross, Judi Adkins, or Dorothy Glenn right away!!! We Want and Appreciate YOUR talents or gifts!!!! ~~~~Hurry and please let us know by April 15, 2018 if there is something you would like to give to the Silent Auction so we have an opportunity to get things ready for the Auction!!!! ~~~~We Always need bidders too, sooooooooo bring your friends and bid, BID, Bid away!!!!! ~~~~Thank you... ~~~~Jo Teaford, Judy Cross, Judi Adkins, Dorothy Glenn... PLANT SALE Count down to Fun Fest and plant sale. This is a fun day for the community. Many people look forward to buying plants and garden items. We are so grateful for each item donated house plants, perennials, bulbs, garden tools, garden art, flower pots, we take it all!!! Questions? Call Ramona Upright at 284-4715 or Mona Radcliffe at 284-4555. Terri Henry is also on our committee. WAFFLEMAN BREAKFAST Volunteers are needed to help with the Waffleman breakfast. Duties are: setup; batter mixers; sausage warmers; whipped cream maker; kitchen helpers; coffee and juice servers; and tear down team. Youth as well as adults are welcome and encouraged to help! Contact Dennis or Teresa Davis to volunteer. GARAGE SALE Cashiers are needed for the garage sale tables. Garage Sale donations will be received at the Keith County Fairgrounds building from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on April 26 and 27. All donations need to be in clean, usable condition. No electronic equipment or old mattresses, please. Saturday, April 28, 2018 WaffleMan Breakfast Garage Sale Plant Sale Country Store Bake Sale Silent Auction Lunch Petting Zoo Kids Activities
Answer: C (See John 10:9, 11) Page 6 April, 2018 An Activity Page for Younger People A Bible Quiz In John 10, what metaphor does Jesus use to describe himself? A. I am the gate B. I am the good shepherd C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B
The Messenger Page 7 SONSHINE SINGERS will rehearse on Friday, April6, 4:00-4:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 8, at 8:30 a.m., and sing in the 9:00 a.m. service. The group will meet again on Friday, April 20, and sing in church on Sunday, April 22. This will be a special SonShine Singers event, featuring a debut performance by a guest trumpeter. Our True Power Source The story is told of someone who plugged a power strip into itself and then couldn t understand why the system wouldn t turn on! We get a kick out of such tales, yet how often do we try to power our own lives? We frequently think we need to be the source of our own strength, joy, peace, energy and wisdom. Jesus doesn t teach us to find life within ourselves or in any human being or earthly circumstance, object or philosophy. Rather, calling himself the good shepherd, Jesus says, I have come that [my sheep] may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). We don t access that abundant life by plugging into ourselves. Instead, Jesus invites us to plug into his power and joy, peace, hope, truth through prayer and Scripture, worship and service, fellowship with other Christians and the beauty of God s world. Wednesday, April 25 Thank you to Vern Schimpf, Renee Meyer and Ginny Volberding for all they do to keep us running smoothly! Since your newsletter editor is no longer in the church office every day, it has become more difficult for her to be aware of all the hustle and bustle happening in the church family. Sooooo we need your help in sharing and spreading the latest news. If you have ideas, pictures or articles to submit for the May, 2018, issue of The Messenger, please have them turned in no later than Friday, April 20. Please respect this deadline so that the newsletter can be prepared and distributed in a timely manner. Submissions may be made to the Church Office, or you may e-mail them directly to the newsletter editor at: ogallalaumcnews@gmail.com. Thanks so much for your help! FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Page 8 April, 2018 Delegates Early Thoughts on Way Forward (This article is reproduced as it appeared in the United Methodist News Service) By Heather Hahn March 14, 2018 UMNS In finding a way forward for The United Methodist Church, bishops have their work cut out for them. That s apparent from talking to delegates to the special General Conference, the lawmaking assembly that will have the final say on whatever the bishops propose when it meets Feb. 23-26, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri. The denomination s Council of Bishops recently held a rare winter meeting to discuss options presented by the Commission on a Way Forward, a group advising the bishops on how to preserve church unity after 45 years of debate over how the church ministers with LGBTQ individuals. It s a topic on which bishops themselves disagree. With the special General Conference less than a year away, United Methodist News Service asked delegates of varied views to offer their preliminary thoughts on the current possibilities. The six delegates who responded to UMNS differed on whether the bishops should submit one or more plans and how they saw the plans being considered. Still, most expressed sympathy for the difficult task the bishops face. If this were easy, we would have worked it out 30 years ago, said Dr. Steve Furr, a lay delegate from the Alabama-West Florida Conference. At the end of the meeting, the bishops announced in a press release that they were asking the 32- member Way Forward Commission to continue working on two possible models for the church s future. The one-church model: Under this plan, each annual conference would be able to decide whether to ordain LGBTQ individuals as clergy. Each pastor would be able to decide whether to perform same-sex weddings or unions. Each local church would be able to decide whether to allow same-sex weddings in its sanctuary or receive an openly gay pastor. Those who could not in good conscience participate in same-sex weddings or ordination of LGBTQ clergy would not be required to do so. Central conferences church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines could maintain their own standards on ordination and marriage, just as they do now. The multi-branch, one-church model: Under this plan, United Methodists would share doctrine, services and one Council of Bishops, while also creating different branches. The five U.S. jurisdictions would be replaced by three connectional conferences, each covering the whole country, based on theology and perspective on LGBTQ ministry progressive, contextual and traditional branches. Contextual means allowing churches flexibility in ministry with LGBTQ people as best fits their mission field. Annual conferences would decide with which connectional conference to affiliate. Central conferences would remain as they are or could choose to affiliate with one of the three connectional conferences. Under either plan, congregations that did not want to remain in The United Methodist Church would be able to exit under terms not yet spelled out. Not listed in the bishops press release was what commission members call the traditionalist model, which affirms the church s current bans on same-gender marriage and the ordination of self-avowed practicing gay clergy. That model also aims to add more strength to enforcement of those restrictions. While not on the list, the traditionalist model is not off the table, said Dakotas-Minnesota Area Bishop
Delegates Early Thoughts.... continued The Messenger Page 9 Bruce R. Ough, the Council of Bishops president. We continue to think deeply about the values held by traditionalist, centrist and progressive elements of The United Methodist Church and are seeking to consider how these various values inform and impact the various sketches of a way forward, Ough said. We continue to invite and welcome new ideas. United Methodist News Service reached out via email or phone to 14 General Conference delegates in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Philippines with a goal of representing the denomination s geographic and theological diversity. Six delegates five from the U.S. and one from Liberia responded. This story does not reflect a representative survey of the 864 delegates who will be at 2019 special General Conference, but it is intended to give some early impressions on the task ahead. Bishops preside at General Conference but do not serve as delegates. Bishop Bruce R. Ough reads a statement about sexuality and the church from the denomination's Council of Bishops on May 18, 2016, at General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS. Most bishops are already engaged in dialogue with their General Conference delegations and/or clergy and lay members of their respective conferences to begin the process of reflecting on the key concerns and sketches related to a way forward, said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Council of Bishops president. The Commission on Way Forward will devote much of its final meeting in May to developing resources to help interpret the final recommendations, he added. We envision a collaborative process of interpretation and preparation for the special session of General Conference that will be shared by the bishops, commission members, the various delegations and other stakeholders, he said. Ohio West Area Bishop Gregory Palmer, who is also a commission member, made a similar point. At varying times, the council and the commission have given energy in different places across those three sketches, he said in a recorded interview for his conference after the bishops meeting. And it s not always been the same or an equal amount of energy at every moment. But all of them are still possibilities. Furr said he personally is intrigued by the multi-branch model but needs more details. He suggested the church might be better served by having just two branches one progressive and one traditionalist. He also wondered if the branches needed to share the same Council of Bishops. Maybe the bishops need to decide, I am a progressive or I am traditionalist, and this is the group I really want to work with, Furr said. If you really do that, then hopefully both will prosper because they are all doing what they believe in. The Rev. David Livingston, a delegate from the Great Plains Conference, is open to the multi-branch option. But that option feels to me more like a separation before the divorce, he added. He also is skeptical it could pass, since it would require constitutional amendments. Livingston leads St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lenexa, Kansas, which identifies as a Reconciling Congregation, meaning the church advocates for equality of LGBTQ individuals in all aspects of church life. He sees the one-church model as a compromise short of full inclusion but one he can support. The Great Plains Conference submitted similar legislation to the 2016 General Conference. That plan and others like it did not make it out of committee in 2016, but he is hoping the dynamic has changed.
Page 10 Delegates Early Thoughts.... continued April, 2018 If the vote we are taking in 2019 is whether or not we approve of homosexuality, I don t think it will pass, he said. But I don t think that s the vote. The question is: Is our difference of opinion of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination strong enough that it overrides the unity of the church? Like Livingston, Randall Miller a California-Nevada lay delegate to the 2016 General Conference also sees the one-church model as a compromise. He leans in the direction of that plan, but added that members of the unofficial advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network are not all of one mind. I also know that there is some level of angst among some LGBT and allied folks that a fully-inclusive model is not on the table, he said. California-Nevada is among the few conferences yet to choose delegates to the special General Conference. Miller is a candidate. The Rev. George Weagba, a delegate from the Liberia Conference and vice president at that country s United Methodist University, said he doesn t think anything short of the traditional plan will pass muster with his fellow African delegates. In my view, the two (other) plans do not uphold biblical Christianity or the Scripture, which supersedes tradition, reason and experience in our theological thoughts, he said. These two plans will definitely change our Book of Discipline s position on same-sex wedding and ordination, and weaken, if not, undermine our unity. And this approach will not be in the interest of our church. The Rev. Keith Boyette, a reserve delegate from the Virginia Conference, is the president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association. That unofficial advocacy group, at its first meeting in October 2016, put the Way Forward Commission on notice against any break with current church teachings. The group also announced that it would not support any plan that leaves questions of ordination and marriage up to congregations or conferences. Boyette said those commitments haven t changed, and his group has significant reservations about the multi-branch plan. In the meantime, he said the Wesleyan Covenant Association is working on its own legislation. He also indicated separation remains an option. We will continue to evaluate and prepare for next steps to ensure that those who are aligned with us are assured of a landing place in the aftermath of the special called 2019 General Conference should one become necessary, he added. In 2016, his congregation submitted legislation calling for a commission to form a plan of separation. That legislation did not make it out of committee. The Rev. Mike Slaughter, a delegate from the West Ohio Conference and pastor emeritus of Ginghamsburg Church, holds out hope most of the church can stay together. He is part of Uniting Methodists, an unofficial advocacy group formed with that goal. The group announced that it supports the one-church model, which Slaughter sees in line with Scripture s call for unity. But he knows that for some, the model will not work, and he expects the one-church model to offer a way to exit with property. Whatever happens in 2019, he and other delegates predict the church will see change. We re at the point where we can t keep passing this down, Slaughter said. The bishops do not plan to make any determinations on what to submit to General Conference or even if they will submit one or more plans until they meet April 29-May 4 in Chicago. The deadline for legislation to General Conference is July 8.
Easter Sunday Page 11 The Messenger Page 11 STEWARDS FOR APRIL, 2018 Apr. 1 Greeters Dennis & Teresa Davis, Lyle & Barbara Nootz Fellowship Happy Easter Acolytes Ethan Dickinson, Jarrett Bassett Children s Moment Pastor Chuck Rager Ushers Group 4: Roger Rankin, Pete Peterson, Phil Armstrong, Ken Meyer Apr. 8 Greeters Brian & Claudia Stevenson, Cena Graves Fellowship Ted & Jean Slagle Acolytes Andrea Bassett, Abigayle Bassett Children s Moment Bea Hatch Ushers Group 5: Jim Glenn, Mike Samuelson, Gerold Radcliffe, Todd Benda, Shawn Haney Apr. 15 Greeters Fellowship Acolytes Children s Moment Ushers Apr. 22 Greeters Fellowship Acolytes Children s Moment Ushers Apr. 29 Greeters Fellowship Acolytes Children s Moment Ushers Judy Cross, Ted & Jean Slagle Lori Armstrong Hayden Erwin, Claudia Rhoades Jonnie Peterson Group 6: Larry & Shirley Schlep, Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Chuck Graff, Larry & Doris Keller, John & Shelia Turner Don & Shirley Bassett, Doug & Linda Fuller Bea & Dwight Hatch Zaden Peterson, Andrea Bassett Ginny Steinke Group 7: Jim & LeAnn Ayres, All & Janice Cerny, Herb & Karen Knudsen, Casey & Emily Mack Jim & LeAnn Ayres, Bev Johnson Roger & Judi Adkins Hayden Shaw, Kallie Eisenzimmer Penny Benda Group 8: Lloyd Johnson, Pete Knudsen, Bud Haney, L.D. & Sherri Walker, Ted Slagle, Jim Hixon May 6 Greeters L.D. & Sherri Walker, Ken Hagge Fellowship Lyle & Barbara Nootz Acolytes Abigayle Bassett, Sawyer Smith Children s Moment Carmen Troxel Ushers Group 9: Buck Markussen, Eric Troxel, Parker Reil, Hunter Reil, Ryan Holechek 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.
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 9 1 6 4 2 1 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 6 9 1 5 3 P h o n e : ( 3 0 8 ) 2 8 4-8 4 5 5 or ( 3 0 8 ) 2 8 4-8 4 5 6 P a r s o n a g e : ( 3 0 8 ) 2 8 4-0 1 3 7 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 : o g a l l a l a u m c @ g m a i l. c o m R e n e e : o g a l l a l a u m c e d u c a t i o n @ g m a i l. c o m P a s t o r C h u c k : o g a l l a l a u m c p a s t o r @ g m a i l. c o m N e w s l e t t e r : o g a l l a l a u m c n e w s @ g m a i l. c o m JUST FOR FUN! 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 4 2 1 N o r t h S p r u c e P. O. B o x 9 1 6 O g a l l a l a, N e b r a s k a 6 9 1 5 3 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 Misery Be Gone On the Sunday after Easter, some churches celebrate holy humor. Laughter is a gift from God, who wants us to be joyful. A happy disposition is also an effective and infectious way to share our faith. I cannot think that when God sent us into the world, he had irreversibly decreed that we should be perpetually miserable in it, said John Wesley. If taking up the cross [implies] bidding adieu to all joy and satisfaction, how is it reconcilable with what Solomon expressly affirms of religion, that her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace? (Proverbs 3:17, KJV) Bible Humor We take Scripture seriously, of course, but God also gave us the ability to laugh and it s healthy to do so! Enjoy these Bible-based riddles: Q: Who was the fastest runner in the Bible: A: Adam. He was first in the human race;. Q: Where is baseball played in the Bible? A: Genesis 1:1 reads, In the big inning. Then Eve stole first, and Adam stole second. Cain struck out Abel, and soon everything was rained out. Q: Who was the best financier in the Bible? A: Pharaoh s daughter. She went to the Nile bank and pulled out a little prophet. Q: What was Boaz like before he got married? A: Ruthless.