Be Still and Know that I Am God!

Connecting people…at First United Methodist Church
Rev. Matt Fowler
Worship Services: Sat. at 5:00 p.m., Sanctuary & Sun. at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
October 2014
www.firstumcsb.com
Be Still and Know that I Am God!
I don’t know about you but I have yet to
capture the true essence of being still. I
love the concept. I try to be still. But
then I let my mind start to drift. I start
thinking about all the things I need to
do. All the things I want to do.
Thoughts just seem to bombard my
mind and I find myself no longer being
still. I find it harder work to be still than
to move.
I remember one time in seminary when
my Theology professor, Dr. Shubert M.
Ogden, told my class at the beginning of
our first test with him; how he use to
take seminary exams. He would spend
the first 45 minutes simply thinking,
being still, and the last 15 minutes
writing down one or two sentence
answers to the questions.
His
observation was that he got A’s on all of
his tests. I tried it. I lasted about 3
minutes and then was off writing as
frantically as I could. He was able to still
his mind to create the perfect answer to
the questions. I was just hoping to say
something correct in all the words I put
on the paper. For the record I did pass
his class.
Here is the irony. If we stay still in God,
life will actually get easier. We are more
in tune with God. Being still becomes
easier not harder to do. We are less
stressed.
Psalm 46:10
I am always appreciative of the kind
words you all give after worship about
my sermons. But it seems to me that
the sermon I gave on Stress in
September seemed to hit a cord with
many of us.
We all deal with stress in our lives. I
want to take a moment and once again
encourage us to be still. It is in the
stillness that stress is released. Don’t
be afraid to hit the pause button in
your life. Even if it is for a couple of
minutes, just breath (deep breathes)
and pray to God for stillness.
Recognize that someone else may very
well be dumping their stuff on you. It is
not yours. I have said it before and I
will say it again, “It is not my circus and
they are not my monkeys.” We do not
need to care someone else’s stuff. We
can help them through whatever they
are going through, but that does not
mean doing it for them. And last, and
by last I mean first, take time to pray, in
the shower, eating breakfast, driving,
walking, working, studying, playing,
watching T.V. spending time with your
family. There will always be a moment
to pray. It does not have to be indepth with a lot of big words, just heart
felt. Being still for even a few seconds
can truly be a refresher to the soul and
the heart.
Grace and Peace
Matt
Dear Lord, I am drowning in
stress and I have tried
everything to relive it – except
for you. Today, I invite You into
my circumstances, and into my
life, and ask You to open my eyes
to see the real truth and stress
relief that You provide my heart.
Amen
Church Events

Sept. 29 Educational
Conference

Oct. 9 Bingo

Oct. 16 Newsletter Deadline

Oct. 22 Senior Lunch

Oct. 23 Bingo

Oct. 25 Maze Event Set Up

Oct. 26 A-MAZE-ing Trunk
or Treat Event
Communication TRUSTEES
Comments
Thanks to those
who are able for
not parking in our
parking lot on
Sunday mornings.
You may be making
it possible for those
with mobility issues
to attend worship.
Communications
Team appreciate
those who
contribute
materials for our
newsletter,
Connections.
When you
contribute an item,
please sign it with
your name and
cite the source if
indicated.
Readers may want
to read more or
ask for more
information.
Barbara Ropp,
Chair Communications
Team
Mexico Mission
Is this your year??
MEXICO MISSION – IS THIS YOUR YEAR??
When:
January 30 to February 7, 2015
Where:
What:
Mercedes, TX and Nuevo
Progresso, Mexico
Building casitas for
impoverished families
Qualifications: None
Cost:
Why:
$100 per person plus your
travel expenses to Texas
Opportunity to live your faith
Benefit to you: Immeasurable
Want more information? Contact Dan Windhorst or
Tom Holyoke
Chairman Leo Heinemann presided at the September 17
meeting of the Board of Trustees. Budget items were reviewed with plans made to
update
the
downstairs
women’s bathroom.
The
planting of the south garden
was postponed until next
spring. Where needed the
church carpets have been
shampooed by Chem Dry and
Oregon Trail Plumbing has
done a boiler check. The parlor lighting has been completed with the exception of a
few light fixtures which are on
order. A cleaning service has
been hired for the cleaning of
the church.
The next monthly meeting was
scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 at 5:30 in the library.
Jenell Eckerle
FALL FESTIVAL
– VBS
We will be having a
Fall Festival VBS on October 19, from 1-3:30
for all kids who want
to join in. We will
have an afternoon of
fun with games, stories, snacks and great
fun fellowship. It is
open to kids from PreK through 5th grade.
Any older kids are welcome to come and help
us out!! Any questions, call Missi at 2252527 or
miasillo@aol.com.
Kids First
Our PreK class enjoyed lunch at Runza in support of
the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library. The children love
going to story time at the library and wanted to help.
Kids First has been voted Star Herald Readers choice
Favorite Preschool and Favorite Daycare…3rd year in a
row. Thank you to everyone who showed their support. We are truly blessed with great staff and great
families.
Bobbi Neideffer
Lynn’s Wonderings
BOO! October is here! Fall is here! Eighty four
days (October 1st) till Christmas Eve  YIKES!
Enjoy these last few days of Nebraska Fall.
October is our A-MAZE-ING FAMILY FUN.
This is a very popular event for all of our
community families. In case you don’t remember this activity is set in the FTC
parking lot all the way back to the old Albertson building on 27th street. Great
Western Sugar lets us borrow about 130
bales of straw that weight 1000 lbs plus to
make a LARGE MAZE. The area is set up
with a carnival atmosphere. There will be
lots of games, three bounce houses,The
New Song Band, A live radio remote, &
lots more. This year we are asking everyone to decorate their trunk
for trunk or treats. There
will be a traveling trophy
for the winner. Use you
imagination to turn your
trunk into a monster, a princess, a mouth, treasure chest full of
candy & etc.
Have you ever seen a parking lot
crowed???? The entry to this fabulous
day is ONE CAN OF FOOD OR ANY NONPERISABLE ITEM PER PERSON…..The food
will then go to a food bank. Last year we
estimated we had over 2000 people. This
is a day for families to enjoy a fun day
without spending lots of money. This year
we are asking the Gering Methodist
Church, the West way Church of Christ
and The Wesleyano United Methodist
Church, to help with volunteers and collecting candy in their church. Very soon
there will be a sign up sheet to help with
this very fun and exciting mission.
Our fourth annual HOMESPUN BOUTIQUE
is right around the corner. We take the
entire first floor and turn it into a Holiday
YOUTH GROUPS AND SUNDAY
SCHOOL GROUPS FOR KIDS
Our Youth Groups are in full swing
and I encourage you to invite your
neighbors, grandkids and any other
kids to join in the fun!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS:
Supper from 5:30-6:00 (price $3)
Youth Groups 6:00 – 7:00
KIDZ CLUB – pre-K through 2nd grade
(Children’s Chapel downstairs)
3TH-5TH GRADE – Wesley Hall
6th-8th – GRADE – Youth Room downstairs
SUNDAYS:
Sunday school – 9:45 – 10:45
Confirmation – 9:45 – 10:45
9th – 12th GRADE – 3-5 pm
For more information contact Missi at
225-2527 or miasillo@aol.com.
wonderland. The date is Saturday, November
15th, from 9am till 3pm. Lunch will be served in
our larger eating area. The rooms will be divided
into a Holiday Room , A Pantry, Childrens Corner.
And the Home Based Business’s will be spread all
over with a direction map for everyone. We will
be looking for card tables, Christmas decorations,
any kind of treasures, knick knacks, volunteers to
make candies, cookies, chex mix, popcorn, carmel
corn… anything that reminds you of Christmas’s
past. What can you do to help make this a very
special day? Talk with Lynn, Linda Thruston, or
Raylene in the office. Please and Thank-you!
Homespun meets each Wednesday at 10am and
5pm for about an hour and a half. If you can sew ,
cut , glue, arrange, visit, come meet with us.
Lynn
Introducing ………….
Kyle & Mary Sasse joined FUMC on Sunday, Sept. 14. Kyle does audits for Nationstar and Mary is a pre-school teacher and day-care provider. Their son, Keaton,
18 months, was baptized last year in our church.
Mary is a life-long local resident, while Kyle has lived here 10 years. Since they
came from different church backgrounds, they were looking for a church home they could share. Kyle
said, “We visited this church and everyone was so welcoming and genuine that it kept us coming back.”
Kyle also stated that though they don’t have any special family activities, having family meals together
is one thing they really enjoy.
Please welcome and introduce yourselves to this family.
Don Osborn was born and raised in this community and attended First United Methodist Church. After being away for 30 years, he and twin daughters, Ava and Marlowe, moved here to be closer to family --- for those who don’t know, Bill and Anita Osborn are Don’s parents. Don renewed his membership Sept. 14.
As a widower, Don is enjoying the family support and closeness that the move from Vancouver provided. His memories of FUMC include many choir tours with Gary Bacon and the friendship of Bill
Bliss, whose father was the pastor at our church. Don is doing marketing for 21st Century Equipment.
Please welcome Don, Ava and Marlowe to our church.
OCTOBER’s Outreach Ministry is Operation Christmas Child which is part of Samaritan’s
Purse. Its purpose is to bring joy to children in desperate situations around the world through
gift-filled shoe boxes. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on mission project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.
1. SHOE BOX - Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a plastic container.
You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly,
pray for the child who will receive your gift.
2. BOY OR GIRL? Decide if your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age cate-
gory: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 and mark the box accordingly
3. FILL WITH GIFTS -Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on
the bottom of this page.
4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION -Please donate $7 for each shoe box you prepare to cover shipping and other project
costs. Place in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one
shoe box, please make one combined donation.
5. DROP OFF -Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the church – the boxes will be taken
to the local Collection Center.
Shopping List for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes:
TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light
up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar
calculators, coloring and picture books.
HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips,
toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE -In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you
include your name and address, the child may write back.)
Sun
6
Mon
8:00 Deposit Counting, L
9:15 COOL, L
2:00 Bible study, L
5:30 Prayer & Share, L
6:30 Beth Moore, WH
6:30 Boy Scouts, FH
Monday Events
OCTOBER’s Outreach Ministry is Operation Christmas Child.
Its purpose is to bring joy to children in desperate situations
around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.
All ages can take part in this ministry to help spread the true
meaning of Christmas. Instructions are available in the newslet-
6:30 UMM, WH
10:00 Staff, L
5:00– 6:30 Cubs, FH,
WH
2
9:00 Oasis, WH
10
9:00 Oasis, WH
3
5:00 Casual Worship, S
11
8:30 New Life, Tea Garden
5:00 Casual Worship, S
4
Sat
1
96:30 UMM, WH
Fri
Wednesday Events
11:30 KF Board, L
10:00 & 5:30 Home
Spun, Back FH
10:00 Staff, L
Thu
5:30 Supper, FH
6:00 Methodist Bells
6:00 Kidz Club, WH
7:00 Chancel Choir, S
8
Wed
7
14
15
6:30 UMM, WH
16 Newsletter Deadline
9:00 Oasis, WH
24
9:00 Oasis, WH
17
25
5:00 Casual Worship, S
18
9:45 Rose Bible Study,
WH
21
9:00 Sewing Circle, WH
12:00 Senior Lunch, FH
10:00 & 5:30 Home
Spun, Back FH
5:30 SPPRC, L
22
30
9:00 Oasis, WH
31
5:00– 6:30 Cubs, FH, WH
1:00 Beth Moore, L
11:00 New Life, Senior Center
10:00 Outreach, P
23
7:30 Benefit Recital , S
5:30 Habitat for Humanity, P
5:00– 6:30 Cubs, FH, WH
1:30 Bingo, WH
1:00 Beth Moore, L
9:45 Rose Bible Study,
WH
9:45 Rose Bible Study,
WH
6:30 UMM, WH
Set up for Maze
5:00 Casual Worship, S
6:00 WWIP, L
29
5:00– 6:30 Cubs, FH, WH
1:30 Bingo, WH
1:00 Beth Moore, L
10:00 Staff, L
28
9:00 Newsletter Folding
10:00 & 5:30 Home
Spun, Back FH
6:00 WWIP, L
10:00 & 5:30 Home
Spun, Back FH
5:30 Trustee Mtg, L
6:00 WWIP, L
9:00 PEO, P
10:00 & 5:30 Home
Spun, Back FH
Tue
October 2013
Sunday Events
8:30 Worship, S
9:45 Adult Sunday School,
P, L
9:45 Confirmation, B
9:45 Sunday School, C
11:00 Worship, S
3:00 HS Youth Group, WH
5
Communion Sunday
9:00 UMW, P
1:00 Communications, L
6:30 Stephen Ministry, P
13
20
12
19
3:30 Caring Circle, P
6:30 Stephen Ministry, P
27
9:45 Finance Mtg, WH
Fall Festival VBS
26
9:45 Ad Council, WH
1-4 pm A-MAZE-ing Family Fun Maze and Trunk
or Treat
6:30 UMM, WH
10:00 Staff, L
1:00 Beth Moore, L
5:00– 6:30 Cubs, FH,
WH
9:45 Rose Bible Study,
WH
3:30 Visitation Tea, P
6:00 WWIP, L
FIVE SIMPLE THINGS TO HELP PROTECT THE EARTH
* Go for seconds. Recycling doesn’t mean
only separating cans and bottles; it can
mean using things a second (or third)
time. For example, instead of throwing
away that padded envelope you got in
the mail, scratch out the address, tear
off the stamps and use it again.
* Watch your waste. Items you may be
throwing away can contaminate the
soil and water for thousands or even
millions of years. Follow the city’s disposal instructions for items like oil,
batteries, and CFL light bulbs.
* Paper NOR plastic. Bring your bags with
you when you shop! The average
American uses 350 plastic bags each
year, bags which can cause the death
of marine life if they end up in streams,
rivers and oceans.
* BYOB. Fill up a reusable water bottle at
home and bring it with you. Last year
Americans went through 50 billion
plastic water bottles, most of which
weren’t recycled.

Get off. Catalogs are great when
they’re from companies you like to order from, but if you’re getting catalogs
from companies you don’t buy from,
call them and ask them to remove you
from their mailing list.
Ann Duey
STEPHEN MINISTERS: THE AFTER PEOPLE
People often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?” One way
to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the after people.
Stephen Ministers are there:
... after the phone call you hoped you’d never get.
…after the divorce papers are served and the bottom falls out of your life.
…after the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you’ve held
at bay come crashing in on you.
…after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”
…after the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, “Welcome to your new home.”
…after the last child honks the horn, waves, and drives away—and the house suddenly seems
empty.
…after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, and your loved one is led away.
…after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamed possible.
…after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck.
…after your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, but you still need to
talk it out.
Stephen Ministers are the “After People”. They are ready to come alongside you---or
your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives---and provide comfort and support for as long
after as needed.
If you are interested in taking the training to become a Stephen Minister or you or
someone you know might benefit from receiving care from a Stephen Minister please contact
Myrt Bacon, Carolee Marker, Marg Dredla , Barbara Ropp, Pastor Matt or the church office.
Primarily from Stephen Ministries, submitted by Barbara Ropp
October Birthdays
We would like to thank everyone who attended our
50th anniversay celebration and/or sent cards. You
helped make this a very special day for us.
John and Krissa Randall
Thank you to the Markers for the Love Basket full of
goodies. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and
your visit.
Allen and Connie Meyer
Dear Friends,
Many thanks for the plate of delicious cookies and
candy send to Jim on his discharge from the hospital! We both enjoyed them immensely and loved
being remembered by you !
Sincerely,
The Masseys
Thanks to the wonderful friends from the Methodist
Church. Dear Lynn and Myrt that came to visit me
during my stay in the hospital. Markers in bringing
the “Love Basket,” and the nice visit after I got
home. It’s a Great church to be part of . Also, are
thanks to the members that came to visit, brought
food, and sent cards. It all helps so much.
Love & Blessings,
Jan & Curt Curtright
Thank you so much for your generous gift to Camp
Norwesca. We are greatful for your support of the
mission & ministry of the Camp as we continue to
impact the lives of children and youth as they travel
on their faith journey.
God’s Bessings
Christy Balthzell
Dist. Admin. Assistant &
Camp Norwesca Advocate
My heart felt thanks for the lovely visits and beautiful
prayers I received when I was in the hospital. They
were greatly appreciated.
God Bless
Lenore Henderson
10. If you open it, close it.
TOP TEN RULES OF LIVING
9. Neither a borrower nor a beggar be.
8. A stitch in time saves nine.
7. Early to bed, early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy
and wise.
6. Waste not, want not.
5.
Marian Mihane, Christine Dill………………………...1
Jason Temple, Lorraine Osthoff...……...…………..2
Marcia Keller……………………………………...…….3
Thomas Mihane, Richard Shaver..………...………..4
Taylor Homan………………………………...………...5
Bud Stoddard……………………………..…………..6
Patricia Lee…………………………...………………...7
Cindy Morrison, Breck Holten………………………...8
Bobbie Johnson, Brock Parker, Travis Erman…....9
Mary Schmidt, Jon Morgan, Penny Pahlke, Koy
Potthoff……………...…………….……...…………...10
Jerod Post……..………………...……………………11
Allison Hazen…………………...…………………….12
Frank Balderson, Ivan Rush, Krissa Randall, Dustin Cheek………………………………………...…….14
Darrel Atchison, Travis Eckland...…………….…….15
Thordis Kleager, Judy Hinze, Kim Tomoi…….....16
Jackson Howard, Rylan Cheek, Carl Roland, Weston
Jellinek……………………………………………...…17
Shelli Dredla, Zach Durbin………………………......18
Shelley McCoy……..……………………………...….20
John Hennings, Connie Rounds, Kristin Harkins,
Ian Galindo…….……………………………………...21
Amanda Sakazar…………………...………………...22
Heidi Larson……………………………………...…...23
Paityn Homan, Chary Hutzel, Michele Howard…...24
Ruth Tomoi, Linda Fowler……………………...…..25
Garry Teghtmeyer, Patricia Gillen, Doug Stuckert,
Nathan Lofing………………………………...……….26
Vicky Margheim…………………..…………..………27
Ward Krichau……………………………………..…..28
Dylan Cardiff……………………………………...…..29
Dick Thompson, Alyce Randall, Loinel Newberry,
Spencer Pahlke………………………..…………......30
Gil Bailey, Leone Carlson, Lorene Shear,
Tom Tomoi, Martin Brandt…...……………………...31
Go the second mile. (Matthew 5:41)
4. The Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17)*
3. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Matthew
7:12 & Luke 6:31)
2. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39 & Leviticus 19:18)
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37-38 & Deuteronomy
6:5; 10:12)
*Ten Commandment does have ten rules but here it only counts as one.
Barbara Ropp
CONNECTIONS is published monthly by the First United Methodist
Church, 2002 4th Avenue, Scottsbluff, NE 69361-2099
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