Open Connection February 2018

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, PLATTSMOUTH, NE. 402-296-6905

OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Tues. Wed.) 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Thurs.) Mon. & Fri. - CLOSED

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

Thoughts from Pastor Lane Bailey

CHURCH MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 485, PLATTSMOUTH, NE. 68048-1855

LIVING ON THE EDGE

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Valentine’s Day marks the beginning of Lent this year. The last time Ash Wednesday fell on February 14th was in 1945, but I can not think of a more appropriate day to begin a renewal of our commitment to the One who loves us most, Jesus Christ. Lent is the season, 40 days (excluding Sundays) of fasting, prayer, penance and reflection leading up to Easter. The 40 days reminds us of Jesus’ time of fasting and temptation in the wilderness, in preparation for his ministry. It is a time traditionally used to train new converts in the faith and to prepare those who have fallen away to be reunited with their Lord and his body, the church.

Tell me, where are you in your faith journey? Have you “arrived,” confident that you have this “Jesus thing” down, or do you feel like you are just going through the motions, unsure of just where you stand with God? Maybe you feel overwhelmed or defeated, even confused about just what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Then I invite you on a Lenten journey that has the potential to renew your love affair with Jesus and transform your life.

Beginning Tuesday, February 13th and extending through Lent and Eastertide, we will be exploring in depth what it means to be a disciple of Jesus

Christ and how together we can experience a deeper relationship with God and one another. I will be offering a sermon series based on Romans Chapter 12, 21 verses that constitute a concise description and explanation of what it means to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. In conjunction with this series, I will also be leading a study written by Chip Ingram called Living on the Edge: Dare to Experience True Spirituality. This study combines weekly readings with 10, one-hour classes, involving video presentations and discussion. The classes will be offered on Sunday mornings during our regular class time, from 10:30-11:30 and on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:00; they will begin on February 18th and 19th respectfully. The books for the class are $15. Please contact the church office to reserve your place. I owe Bill Rishel a debt of gratitude for making me aware of this material.

We will have a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner from 5:30 to 6:45. Shrove is the past tense of “shrive”, a verb meaning the act of a priest hearing the confession of a penitent. Also known as Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday), Shrove Tuesday commemorates a tradition of consuming all the animal products not allowed during the Lenten fast, such as lard, butter and eggs. I’ve decided to have our “Ash Wednesday” service that evening, following the Pancake Dinner, at 7:00, in deference to all our romantic couples. This is a 45-minute service. Members of our church have written daily devotions for the season of Lent so that together we can reflect upon the meaning of our faith as we prepare for the resurrection.

Join us for this most holy season of the Christian faith and rediscover the depth of God’s love and forgiveness for you.

Grace and Peace – Pastor Lane

Don’t Forget!

First Sunday Giving

And Receiving

United Methodist Ministries Items

For February:

White / Clear Kitchen Sized Trash Bags

Serving the Church in February

USHERS ~ Dovenbarger Family

If you are willing to serve as an usher or liturgist

(Scripture Reader) please contact the Church Office.

A special thank you to Ruth Roby for all

the beautifully crocheted blankets that

she donates to the church. These blankets

travel with Pastor Lane when he goes on

visitations, and he blesses them before

distributing them to the people he visits.

Thanks to the guys who helped with the

basement water problems. It was greatly

appreciated!

Thanks to all who bought gifts for our

adopted family of 5 and for all the

blankets you purchased to keep those

who have been through natural disasters

warm. This congregation is always most

generous in helping those in need.

First United Methodist Church members

and friends: You certainly know how to

come together when the call is put out to

help. Thank you to each one of you that

donated your beautiful nativities to our

“Nativity Sunday” event. We had over 60

different displays. For our first efforts at

this, it was amazing. Also a huge thank

you to Raylene and Mike Weber, Eva Reed,

Kay Bailey, Sue Heyen, Gretchen Dietzel

and Alyce Bowsman for helping set up and

get organized. Let’s do this again next

year for our “Second Annual” Nativity

Sunday! ~ Ryn Hahn

BULLETIN & NEWSLETTER DEADLINES

Items that are to be included in the upcoming BULLETINS for each week, NEED to be in the Office to Rae Jean by 10:00 Tuesday Mornings.

The Deadline for the NEWSLETTER is the third Tuesday of the month. Newsletters are sent out on the Last Wednesday of the month.

Please have information to Rae Jean in the Church Office by the above deadlines to have your items included in the Bulletins / Newsletter. Thank you!

Stewardship Report for January

Attendance

Worship Sunday School

Jan. 7 66 19

Jan. 14 48 12

Jan. 21 58 13

Jan. 28 61 12

Offerings

General Fund Building Fund

Jan. 7 $1092.49 $25.00

Jan. 10 $2189.00 —0—

Jan. 21 $4981.00 $100.00

Jan. 28 $3360.77 $200.00

Income as of December 31, 2017

$155,849.72

Expenses as of December 31, 2017

$183,254.90

A Mission Moment

The Little Jewels Child Care and Enrichment Center in York will hopefully open in January 2018.

They have had an overwhelming confirmation with the announcement of this program with families calling and being placed on a waiting list.

As of December, financially they have raise $16,200 from the Board of Directors, Foundation and other entities. The goal of $45,000 is needed to start the Center.

We continue to inform you of the happening of Epworth and continue to support their ministries and programs.

Box Tops for Plattsmouth Community Schools

January Total - $5.00

Total for 2018 - $5.00

Thank you for your Support!

The United Methodist Women

Youth News

We will have our 3rd Annual Super Bowl Party….

With a Twist!!

It will be a “First Half/Halftime Party”!!

February 4th ~ 5:30 - End of Halftime

Menu - Taco Soup

Kids to bring munchies, drinks...and a Friend!

Elementary Sunday School

We welcomed everyone back to the

new year with a study of Daniel in the

Lion’s Den. Remaining rotations

include:

February 4 - Drama

February 11 - Art

February 18 - Review Activities

Our new unit, “The Last Supper”, will

begin with a video on February 25 and

will take us to Easter.

Join us at 9:15

Tuesday, February 13

Pancake Supper

5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Service

On TUESDAY,

February 13

7:00 p.m.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies go on sale

February 2nd through March 4th.

See Raylene Weber or Nikole Jaixen

if you would like to purchase some.

ABOVE: Mickey & Nancy Carroll, Alyssa Higgins

Light an Advent Candle.

BELOW: Casey Dovenbarger

lights an Advent Candle.

CHANCEL CHOIR

Donna Glynn directs the Chimes For

Christ group during a recent

Church Service.

On January 14, 2018 we welcomed Don & Sharon Bartlett into our Church Family.

During 2017 the United Methodist Women Supported:

First United Methodist Church and its ministries; the general fund; stained glass window re-leading; purchased a pie at the church auction; Chris Ross, Yucatan school supplies; Sharon Smith, outreach; Jim McKnight , Happy Camp; Camp Scholarships 4 Zimmerman girls.

Plattsmouth Community and Cass County projects: Plattsmouth Sr. Center; CASA; SENCA;

UMW Supported ministries: Epworth Village; Open Door Mission; Lydia House; United Methodist Mission (UMM)- includes the Big Garden; Justice for Our Neighbors [In January 2018 JFON took a new name: Immigration Legal Services, ILS]

Direct gifts to UMW through district, Annual Conference and General Church:

2 Star giving items include - GPAC Corsages for Mission and Dedicated light.

5 Star giving to National UMW include- Annual Pledge, Gift in Memory Cards, Gift to Mission Cards, Special Recognition pins, Prayer and Self Denial Offering; and World Thank Offering .

This year UMW will again have its Spring Rummage Sale to continue our level of support.

Rummage items, except for TV’s and Computers, will be accepted in the Old Church Nursery in the basement, beginning March 1st.

The Rummage Sale will be April 12-14th.

--

Love and Prayers, Elly B.

Kaelyn Williams and Alden McKnight Receive their 3rd grade Bibles

donated to them By First United Methodist Church.

First United Methodist Church

Church Advisory Council Meeting

January 10, 2018

Michele Jenkins, Council Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Elly Biederman offered an opening prayer. Minutes from November, 2017 meeting was reviewed. Michele Jenkins noted date of meeting should be changed to January 10, 2018 (minute’s state January 18, 2018). Motion to approve minutes with change by Sabrina Dovenbarger, 2nd by Sharon Smith. Motion passed.

Chair’s Topics: (Michele Jenkins) None

Trustees’ Report: (Mike Weber)

• Mike discussed the recent problem with water pipe break in men’s restroom. Insurance adjustor has been at Church and hopefully next week will find out how much insurance will cover for cost of repairs. Adjustor did recommend getting baseboard heat in the restrooms to keep warmer and also putting heat tape on pipes. Frank Eyster is in the process of providing contractors and referrals/references. Bathroom door has been put back on and all wainscoting has been removed.

• Other repairs will need to wait until Spring weather (wider driveway)

• Still discussing how to repair ceiling in Sanctuary due to limited tiles.

• Stained Glass Windows – end of January the south windows will be brought back and installed. These windows and windows on north side have been paid for. The Arches will be more expensive and had not been paid for.

• Metal Roof will need to be replaced in spring.

Discussed not replacing projector and purchase 2 flat screen televisions in place of. Roy Smith did volunteer his projector if church would need to use one.

UMW: (Elly Biederman)

• UMW provided lunch for two large funerals (John Engle and Donna Biederman). UMW would like to thank everyone who helped.

• Rummage sale has been scheduled for April 12 – 14th.

Elly provided a breakdown of funds donated from UMW for different projects which included First United Methodist Church and its Ministries, Plattsmouth Community and Cass County projects, UMW supported ministries and to UMW through district, Annual Conference, and General Church fund.

Finance: (Bob Hahn)

• 100% paid apportionments.

In regards to Budget for giving, at 82% vs. last year at 86%. Bob would like to review the last three years to look at trends.

Outreach: (Sharon Smith)

• Able to provide Christmas for two families this year- one from elementary school and one from Open Hearts.

• Overlap with Benevolence committee meeting so being handled with email responses. $1,000.00 donation from Under His Wings but these funds have been depleted.

Will have 2 graduates this year for Graduation Breakfast. If know of others, please let Sharon Smith know.

No reports were given for Congregational Care, Worship Team, SPRC, Member’s Concerns or Pastor’s Report as Pastor Lane was not in attendance.

Next meeting has been scheduled for March 14th at 6:00 p.m. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Attending: Michele Jenkins, Mike Weber, Elly Biederman, Bob Hahn, Roy Smith, Sharon Smith, Sabrina Dovenbarger

** Anniversaries

* Birthdays Activities February 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

1:00 - UMW

5:00 - 6:30 - Open Hearts Kitchen

2

Office Closed

7:30 - AA

3

4

9:00 - Worship 9:15 - Children’s Sunday School

10:15 - Adult Sunday School 7:00 - AA

* David Hanson

5

Office Closed

6

7:00 - Girl Scouts

* Rylee Hellbusch

7

7:00 am - Men’s Breakfast / Bible Study

6:15 - Chimes For Christ 7:00 - Choir 7:00 - Board of Trustees

8

5:00 - 6:30 - Open Hearts Kitchen 6:30 - Education Meeting

9

Office Closed

7:30 - AA * Hillary Piper

* Nancy Johnson

10

11

9:00 - Worship 9:15 - Children’s Sunday School

10:15 - Adult Sunday School 7:00 - AA

* Marilyn Rishel

12

Office Closed

* Don Grove

13

1:00 - Quilting Guild

5:30 - 6:45 - Shrove Tuesday/Pancake supper 7:00 - Ash Wednesday Service

* Ernie Heyen

14

7:00 am - Men’s Breakfast / Bible Study

* David Huffines

15

5:00 - 6:30 - Open Hearts Kitchen

16

Office Closed

7:30 - AA

* Becky Foster

17

* Sean McCoy

18

9:00 - Worship 9:15 - Children’s Sunday

School

10:15 - Adult Sunday School 7:00 - AA

** Dave & Deb Landon

19

Office Closed

* Jenny Jaixen

20

Newsletter Deadline

7:00 - Finance Committee 7:00 - Girl Scouts

21

7:00 am - Men’s Breakfast / Bible Study

6:15 - Chimes For Christ 7:00 - Choir

* Judy Straw

22

5:00 - 6:30 - Open Hearts Kitchen

23

Office Closed

7:30 - AA

24

25

9:00 - Worship 9:15 - Children’s Sunday School

10:15 - Adult Sunday School 7:00 - AA

26

Office Closed

* Linda Hanson

27

7:00 - Girl Scouts

28

7:00 am - Men’s Breakfast / Bible Study

6:15 - Chimes For Christ 7:00 - Choir

* Clyde Thompson

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH U.S. POSTAGE PAID

P.O. BOX 485 Non - Profit

PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA 68048-1855 Permit #64

Schedule:

9:00 a.m. - Worship

10:15 a.m. - Sunday School All Ages

fumcplattsmouth1@gmail.com

www.fumcplattsmouth.com

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

United Methodist Women

February 1, 2018 ~ 1:00 p.m.

Lesson, Devotion & Hostess - Ann Ramming

Theme - Pledge Service

Important Meetings

February 7, 2018

Board of Trustees

7:00 p.m.

February 20, 2018

Finance Committee

7:00 p.m.

Important Dates

February 8, 2018

Education Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, February 13, 2018

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

5:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Service

7:00 p.m.