Valentine’s Day Fellowship Dinner

Just a reminder of the Valentine’s Day Fellowship Dinner at Valentino’s Saturday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m.

From the Secretary

Wonder of wonders, the Annual Meeting of 2015 was so snappy quick,
taking care of necessary business, that I made it easily to my stint at
the Welcome Center with time to spare.  Thank you Lynn and Blaine!  It
is nice to have church business running smoothly so we can focus on
important issues, such as thanking Mary Zach for her faithful teaching
of Sunday School, the Mission Committee for expert handling of raising
funds and outreach, Joan for years of service on the Board, and Aaron
for deft handling of technology and church music needs.
Both Jan Zach and Patti Bohlen were nominated and chosen for the Church
Board, with Jan later elected President to replace Lynn Handy (who did a
fine job this past year).  The group congregated for the monthly meeting
so quickly that the Pastor missed it.  They then had to meet again to
arrange for the Valentine*s Day Fellowship Dinner at Valentino*s this
month (look for sign-up sheet after the service), and a Children*s
Message to be conducted by various members of the congregation at the
Sunday services,
Please note that in the Annual Report booklet Elizabeth Hartnett*s name
needs to be added to the Mission Committee, and Shirley Lawton*s phone
number needs to be changed to 402-217-2216.
On the 8th of February the children*s Sunday school class will be making
cards for Valentine*s Day by cutting, stamping, gluing, embossing.  If
you know of a child who would like to join in, please bring them to
Church by 8:45 a.m.
And finally, please join in an interesting Bible Study and potluck on
the second and fourth Sunday at 5 p.m. (or as announced in the
bulletin). We are reading a booklet on Oswald Chambers and his interest
in how we pray.**
               From Marcia Little, Board Secretary

A Little Card Making Fun…

Madison had a good time this morning making Valentine cards with the help of Joan, Marcia, and Mindy.

Pastor’s Thoughts

From the Secretary

May the Christmas Spirit of 2014 continue throughout the New Year of
2015, in the giving of care and attention to others, by helping build
our fellow*s faith in God*s love through uplifting actions of support.
Sometimes we may think we fall short of Christ*s expectations. However
our small acts of kindness are so often paid forward; they snowball into
the mighty spirit of God*s love further down the road.  Think of one big
snowball fight in Heaven someday.
Think of the food you put on the table, the harvest brought in and
shared with family and neighbors, a pat on the back, a handshake,
forgiveness of other people*s shortcomings, and so on and so forth.
Everyday you act out what you have learned of God*s love through Christ
Jesus, sometimes unknowingly.
So, thoughts of Pastor Blaine*s sermon before Christmas fuel my
thoughts.  I offer them up as there is not much secretarial business to
share with the congregation, other than the upcoming Annual Meeting on
January 18th, in which hopefully everyone will participate.  The church
has strengthened over the years (from what I hear and see).  This brings
joy to many old-timers, and the rest of us as well.
Oh, you may get a phone call some blizzardy day, to say that Sunday
service is canceled.  Otherwise, you may have to be the judge as to
whether you want to risk hazardous conditions to get to church.
Marcia Little, Secretary

Pastor’s Thoughts

The adage *how time flies* certainly is apropos to 2014 as it is for
almost every year.  As one advances in age the faster the days, weeks,
and years pass. When I was in high school my thought was the year 2000
would take forever to arrive but when it occurred I said* that was
quick" My years are now counted by my grandchildren, one will be a
freshman in this New Year, another only a few years away and the last
one will be in pre-school.
*Much in our world is occurring at rapid speed; one event headlines the
daily news, only to be replaced by the next dramatic event. From Ebola
to Isis, Hong Kong, North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Syria, to places in the
United States, Ferguson, MO, and Midwest snow storms, and southeast
tornadoes to Congress and politics.
  *What I’ve learned is that this New Year will probably mirror 2014.
One can expect the unexpected. More wars and rumors of war, famine,
sickness, strange weather patterns, pain, suffering and uncurtaining
will abound.  The one assurance that I have is that God is faithful
through all seasons, events and trials.  I can trust in God*s love, care
and peace to sustain me.
*So what does 2015 have in store for me and you?  I don*t know, but I do
know who holds the future and life is worth living because Jesus Christ
lives and reigns.
*May 2015 bring more opportunities to serve our Savior and Lord.

Pastor Blaine

Wishing You A Blessed New Year