The Methodist
A Publication of The Seward United Methodist Church
1400 North 5th Street Seward, NE 68434
Church Office: (402) 643-4156
Sun Jan 3 Caring Ministry Visitation
6:30PM - Parlor
Mon Jan 4 Nurture Comm 7:00PM - Parlor
Wed Jan 6 Witness Comm 5:30PM - Parlor
Wed Jan 11 Bldg Impr Comm 6:30PM - Parlor
Sun Jan 17 Ad Council 11:45 AM - Parlor
Tues Jan 19 BBCDC Board 6:00PM - Parlor
Tues Jan 19 Worship Comm 7:00PM - Library
Tues Jan 19 M&O Comm 7:00PM - Parlor
Wed Jan 20 Trustees Comm 7:00PM - Parlor
Thur Jan 28 Finance Comm 7:00PM - Library The Methodist Mailbox
Please join us for
fellowship following
both services.
Watch us on Cable 13
at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday
and/or
10:00 a.m. Thursday mornings.
JA
NU
AR
Y
Church Office will be
Closed on Friday, January
1 for New Year's Day and
Monday, January 18 for
Martin Luther King Day
Worship Schedule 8:30 a.m. Blended Worship 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Praise Worship
Sunday, January
17th
Free will offering
In Christ’s service,
Pastor Dale Lambert
The Methodist Mailbox
Dear friends,
Happy new year! The old year is gone, and the new year is here. 2015 certainly had its challenges, but 2016 is here.
When I was young I thought there was something magical about a new year. We stayed up late with friends and when midnight came there was much cheering and celebrating. Then on the first day of the new year I found everything pretty much as we had left it on the last day of the old year.
What I eventually discovered was the date on the calendar had very little to do with anything. When we hung a new calendar on the wall only the calendar changed. My life was pretty much unchanged. Those things that had been good in my life were still good, and those things that I would like to change in my life were still the way they were, too.
So what is the big deal about a new year? If we are in need of a fresh start it seems that a new year does very little to fix those things that need fixing.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:17) that it is possible to have a fresh start. That fresh start has very little to do with a calendar, and everything to do with God.
Paul says that the way to a new life is to have new relationship with God through Christ. He wrote, So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away: see, everything has become new (NRSV). The NIV version says, “...he is a new creation....”
I propose an experiment for anyone who has been waiting for a new calendar on the wall to give them a fresh start. I propose that each person renew his or her relationship with God through prayer, devotions, and worship.
The original Greek text is ambiguous about which of those versions of 2 Corinthians is more correct. But when we read the two versions together it tells us that when we have a new life in Christ we are made new. We will see the world in a new way. Our experience of God will be new, and because of that, our experience of other people will be new. In essence, creation will be made new for us.
If we have trouble finding good in our lives, it may be because our relationship with God needs to be strengthened. A good relationship with God will allow us to find some good in life, even when our circumstances are less than ideal.
Our reality is that sometimes our lives go pretty well, and sometimes things happen that make life hard. But a good relationship with God allows us to find something good and fulfilling in life, even when times are hard.
...if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.
May your relationship with God that comes through Jesus be strong, and may the new year bring many unexpected blessings.
Given by Given for
Alan & Janet Baldwin In Memory of Ruby Cheney
Alan & Janet Baldwin In Honor of Floyd Baldwin
Dennis & Janet Bejot In Honor of Bejot & Hitchcock Families
Martha Bender In Memory of Cletus Bender & Donna McMillen and their parents
Daughters (Kay Schroeder, Carole Briggs & Becky Colburn)
In Memory of Ralph & Alice Yerk
Carole Briggs, Todd, Michael, Stephanie & Families In Memory of Bill Briggs
Neil & Cindy Butzke In Memory of Brent Butzke
Virginia Cattle In Memory of John Cattle Sr.
Maxine Moore, Sue & Bruce Dickinson In Memory of Orval & Allene Lawritson
Bruce & Sue Dickinson Family In Memory of Gilbert & Maradelle Dickinson
Linda, Jasmine & Miguel Dubs In Memory of Terry Gardner
Jim & Nancy Eitel In Memory of Ardaith Eitel
Virginia Fraser In Memory of Rev. T. J. Fraser
Jim & Jane Gardner In Memory of son, Terry Gardner
Jim & Jane Gardner In Memory of parents, Gladys & Lester Schermer & Katie & Guy Gardner
Tom Gee Family In Memory of Logan, Alex & Matthew's Grandparents (Solon & Ruth Ellen Gee)
Tom Gee Family In Memory of Logan, Alex & Matthew's Grandparents (Wilbur & Pearl Mundhenke)
Nita Goings In Memory of Jack & Henrietta Clark
Nita Goings In Memory of John Hoffman
Nita Goings In Memory of Dean Goings
Lori Shriner/Randy Halder In Memory of Ray Halder, Wayne & Lucille Shriner
Lori Shriner/Randy Halder In Honor of Betty Halder
Ric & Claudia Horton In Memory of Teri Horton, Calvin & Betty Ray, Elmer & Thelma Horton
Jeannie Jeary & Family, Virginia Jeary In Memory of Robert Jeary
Virgina Jeary & Jeannie Jeary & Family In Memory of Walter & Bonalyn Jeary & Wilbur & Lillie Wright
Jeannie Jeary & Family In Memory of Wilbur & Lucille Hauder & Thomas & Bernice Wright
Chuck & Jan Matzke In Memory of Stan & Polly Matzke
Chuck & Jan Matzke In Memory of Roy & Erma Swanson & Glenn Swanson
Bruce, Cindy & Elizabeth Mavis In Memory of Harry & Lois Giesselman & Herrold & Dorothy Mavis
Todd, Susan & Kyle Riley In Memory of Grandparents, Budd & Alice Yerk & Uncle Bill Briggs
Dale & Sandi Rocker In Memory of Family & Friends
Rojewski Family In Memory of nephew & cousin, Cpl. Adam James Lambert, USMC
Carla Schwahn In Memory of Richard Schwahn
Cris & JaLena Slack In Memory of our nephew. Dawsyn Rother & honor of our parents
Rosie Westerhoff In Memory of husband, Al Westerhoff
Ron & Sally Viets & Family In Memory of Les & Dorothy Viets
Ron & Sally Viets & Family In Memory of Chapin & Dorthy Hand
Verlon & Elaine Vrana In Memory of Anton & Florence Vrana
Greg & Dixie Zabka & Family In Memory of William & Helen Zabka & Dayle & Rosa Rumsey
Monday Nights - Bible Study
@ 7:30 p.m. Library Cliff Lowell - Leader
Thursday Mornings - Bible Study
@9:30 a.m. Parlor Pastor Dale - Leader
Thursday Evening - Bible Study
@6:45 p.m. Parlor Disciple Fast Track
LaQuita McKibbin - Leader
Sunday Mornings - Sunday School @ 9:30 a.m. - Library "The Case for Faith" Cliff Lowell - Leader
Sunday Mornings - Sunday School
@9:30 a.m. - Parlor "Facing Your Giants"
Dana Galusha - Leader
the greeter there for a wheel
an usher to
In order to accomplish the above policy, there will now be a greeter at the east door
The Methodist Mailbox
The new January/February copies of the Upper Room and Alive
Now are available in the rack by the west
entrance. Also available in large print.
HELP YOURSELF
FAMILY GAME NIGHT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH
5:00 PM
Thank you to those who volunteered for
our snow teams.
Team 1
Bill Snell
Clay Shepherd
Rod Barth
Team 2
Larry Chapman
Pete Wegman
Jim McHugh
Xander McHugh
Tim McHugh
Team 3
John Moody
Marc Guthrie
Doug Barker
Subs
Roy Josoff
Bruce Mavis
Team#`
Monday Sunday
#1 Dec 14 to Dec 20
#2 Dec 21 to Dec 27
#3 Dec 28 to Jan 3
#1 Jan 4 to Jan 10
#2 Jan 11 to Jan 17
#3 Jan 18 to Jan 24
#1 Jan 25 to Jan 31
#2 Feb 1 to Feb7
#3 Feb 8 to Feb 14
#1 Feb 15 to Feb 21
#2 Feb 22 to Feb 28
#3 Feb 29 to Mar 6
#1 Mar 7 to Mar 13
#2 Mar 14 to Mar 20
#3 Mar 21 to Mar 27
As you may have noticed, we have new
concrete in our fire lane and walkways.
PLEASE NO ice or snowmelt of any kind is to
be placed on any of the concrete at our
Church until after November 2016. Use of any ice or snowmelt will void our new
concrete warranty. If needed, we are to use
sand for ice or snowmelt purposes. Thank
you. - Your SUMC Trustees.
Human Relations Day
January 17, 2016
Your gift supports the Community Developers Program and community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services, related to the General Board of Global Ministries, and at risk teens.
Monthly Budget: $30,134
November 2015
Donations: $30,400
Expenses: $28,341
Donations: General Operating & Mission Shares
Expenses: Budgeted Items Only
The Methodist Mailbox
JANUARY
PANTRY COLLECTION
Jackie Wilke
Administrative Council Meeting Sunday,
January 17th at 11:45 AM
FLANNEL DONATIONS REQUESTED
The Sewing Saturday Group of our UMW have the goal in 2016 of making diapers and receiving blankets for the Midwest Distribution Center. We would like to match or exceed the 35 diapers and receiving blankets we did 2 years ago.
We are asking for flannel in 1 yard increments: 1 yard will make 1 receiving blanket or -- 1 yard will make 2 diapers. A basket near the UMW bulletin board across from the office will collect your donations.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Phyllis Hronik
402-643-6077
COURT VISITOR PROGRAMS
The Office of Public Guardian, which is under the
direction of the Nebraska Supreme Court, is looking
for volunteers to be Court Visitors. Court Visitors are
trained to gather information to help the court
determine how best to help people who are
incapacitated and have no one to help them. Each
case will take less than 60 days from start to finish. If
you are interested in helping people who have no one
to help them call the Office of Public Guardian at 402-
471-2862.
Daniel Joseph Purdham
November 29, 2015
YOU ARE INVITED to attend:
Wednesday, January 6th 1:30 pm
UMW Monthly Unit Meeting
Wednesday, January 20th 5:30-6 pm
Reading Group at Maxine Moore’s
Thursday, January 21st
Evening Group
6 pm Dinner at Dragon Palace
7 pm Ecumenical Unity Service
Wednesday, January 27th
3:30 pm
UMW Leadership Team meeting
Saturday, January 30th
at 8:30 am
Mission Saturday
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN - 2016
Blessedness as a state of our lives is oftentimes
confused with 'blessings'. Blessedness as seen in the
Beatitudes and other examples from Scripture is a
fullness of life as we relate with Christ and grow in
our discipleship.
United Methodist Women across our globe will be
discovering in 2016 how we personally experience
blessedness beginning with our relationship with Christ
as well as discovering how UMW is a source of blessing
as we participate in Christ's mission here on earth.
All women (including non-church members) are invited to participate in
our United Methodist Women programs, events, and/or activities. Out brand
new 2016 Program Books are available for pick up in the hallway across from the
church office. Please sign your name when you pick up a booklet.
If you have any questions, please
contact members of our
2016 UWM Leadership Team:
President: Evelyn Hastings
Vice President: Nita Goings
Secretary: Susan Walsh
Treasurer: Carole Briggs
Mission Coordinators: Maxine Moore,
Sue Dickinson, Margo Gish, Kay
Schroeder, Phyllis Hronik, Jeanne
Gee, Jeannie Jeary, Sarah Shively,
Marian Fosler, Connie Kamprath, Deb
Kramer and Virginia Fraser.
PRAYERS AND CONCERNS
Please remember those who were lifted up in prayer for on-going health concerns.
Prayers For:
Rudy & Beth Hentzen at the death of their sister-in-law in Idaho Falls
Ruth Jaudon who is recovering from a stroke
Ruth Downing as she recovers from a fall
The Methodist Mailbox
The worship committee would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Martie Guthrie and Larry Chapman for all of their hard work designing and creating the new pulpit and altar cloths for our church! They are beautiful!
Thank you to our Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Brent & Pam Jackman
Doug Brand
Maxine Moore
Virginia Fraser
Parra Family
Doug Barker
Hastings Family
Fields Family
Greg & Dixie Zabka
Karen & Jennifer Yelden
Shriner-Halders
Gary & Daina Sain
HVAC SYSTEM
Please do not try to change the settings for the heating and air conditioning system. Every Sunday some people say they are too warm and some people say they are too cold. It is impossible to keep the sanctuary at a temperature that is pleasing to everyone.
Several times during the past few weeks someone has turned part of the system to “cool”, and the other part of the system was left on “heat”. Part of the system was trying to heat the sanctuary, and part of the system was trying to cool the sanctuary at the same time. This is not good stewardship of the resources that have been given to us.
We have set the sanctuary temperature to keep it between 68 and 70 degrees this winter. Opening the windows will only make the system pump more heat into the sanctuary to keep it in this temperature range.
Thank you for your cooperation in being good stewards of our resources.
Thank you for the many Christmas cards and expressions of love and care. The members of this church are a great blessing to Nancy and me. Pastor Dale
~FEBRUARY~ MAILBOX
DEADLINE
Wednesday, January 20th
Submit News by NOON
Drop off your article at the office,
call Sandy at the church office OR
e-mail articles to [email protected]
Virginia Fraser
402-643-0563
Jolene Wiegardt
402-643-9664
Church Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. M-F
Phone: 402-643-4156
Fax: 402-643-4159
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sewardumc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sewardunitedmethodist BBCDC: 402-643-2141
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Seward, NE
Permit No. 62
Seward United Methodist Church 1400 North 5th Street Seward, Nebraska 68434
Label
JANUARY Issue
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
UMW Local Church Activities Chair persons for JANUARY are: