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 umcseward@gmail.com

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: umcseward@gmail.com

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: