An Amazing Celebration Sunday Today!

Praise be to God for the worship experience we had today! It was the "5th-Sunday Celebration Service," which was led by our youth who served as missionaries to a week-long mission trip in Denver, Colorado this past summer.

They showed us a very special call to worship God... called the Boogaloo! (You had to be there to be amazed by it!)

We all really got into the special praise music. And then Emily Jessen led the Children's Time, with the help of her cousin Kelsey Arrington (who looked stunning in her boa... by the way)!

The Wesley Four were in perfect harmony; their music inspired us all!

The message was about what they youth and their leaders did during their week-long mission trip. We were shown a fabulous PowerPoint presentation which included some wonderful pictures of all of them in fellowship and service. Accompanying the presentation were a couple of awesome songs by modern-day hymn writers. Afterwards, they shared with the congregation what were the highlights of the week and what they learned from the experience.

Then Pastor Charles asked Bill and Bea Dinkel to go to the front of the church, so that he and our youth missionaries could place their hands on them and pray for their safety and the success of their upcoming mission trip to the Indian reservation at Shiprock, NM, at the end of this week. They will be taking a big shipment of clothing and goods to their Thrift Store on the reservation. (They do this twice a year.... so if anyone else wants to/ can go with them and take items to them, they are MOST welcome!) It was so wonderful to see the youth participating and leading today's worship service! They taught us; they inspired us; and they challenged us! Praise God!!!

Lisa Bickford and Pastor Charles gave special recognition to all the Christian Education leaders in the church. We are SO blessed that they are willing to serve in this capacity!

More prayer shawls were dedicated for future service in God's Kingdom. Our prayer is that whoever might receive one will feel and know that God loves him/her... and so do we! What a great witness!!!

We had five adults join the church: Belinda Alkula, Courney Beach, Amy Craig, Beau Mathewson and Mary Yahn. AND two children were baptized into The Faith: Kaylee Sue Barnett and Grace Elizabeth Draper. (Baby Grace Draper's daddy who is a professional photographer shared the picture he took while Grace was being baptized.) Both children baptized today were so beautiful, and their parents, family and friends and the congregation all committed to helping to raise them up in the Faith. Praise be to God!

During the last hymn, "How Great is Our God," some of us couldn't help but get caught up in the Sprit's movement and love. We poured out into the aisles and linked arms and prayed/sang the hymn. GOD IS SO GOOD!

After the service, we really enjoyed all the delicious desserts which were featured in our dessert potluck. One word describes it all: Yummy!

God bless Janet Rosenbaum for training six of us in the "Safe Sanctuary Training" this afternoon. It was an eye-opening training for all of us who participated in it.

And tonight, Pastor Charles led a group of us in "The Wired Word" current events Bible study. What a great group of folks is that which assembles each Sunday to search God's Word for understanding about what is happening all around us each week!

Thank you, God, for a most amazing and awesome day... a day when we could worship You and praise your Holy Name!!! It truly was a Celebration Sunday!

Preparing for the Rummage Sale of All Rummage Sales!

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!

The church folk have been SO BUSY getting ready for the 4-day rummage sale which begins tomorrow!

The pictures tell most of the story. In the first one, you can see stacks of clothing needing to be sorted. Later pictures show nicely folded clothing decked out on so many tables dotted in the fellowship hall.

The power of people getting together to accomplish a task really is extraordinary. Praise God for faithful folks who love You and Your church!!!

"The Women of Faith" Experience, Denver, CO: 21-22 Sep 07

This past weekend, a number of us ladies from Sidney, Nebraska, migrated to Denver, Colorado, to participate in the Women of Faith Conference, held at the Pepsi Center.

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!

Some of us drove there on Thursday night. The first picture shows the incredible sunset we enjoyed along the way.

There was a pre-conference session all day on Friday, with some 14,000 in attendance. The actual conference began Friday night and continued on Saturday. They announced that some 18,000 women were there on Saturday. This year's theme is Amazing Freedom. What amazing freedom we have as Christian women of faith. The Good News is, indeed, something so good and so freeing!

Before it started, someone said that they had already sold 96% of the tickets for next year's conference! And folks were planning on buying tickets for 2008!

You can imagine the energy that pulsed in that center! We sang; we danced; we laughed; we cried; we celebrated; we worshipped! It was an awesome experience to share with others! For more information about what we did:
http://www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/denver/ .

Next year's conference in Denver, Colorado, is scheduled for September 19-20 at the Pepsi Center. Mark your calendars. Plan to go! Ask Kay Hicks to reserve one of the 50 tickets she has already purchased, so you can join us next year!

For more information about next year's conference, you can go to http://www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/dates/08dates.asp .

No doubt that next year's conference will be another awesome time for us. Praise be to God, from whom all blessings flow!

The India’s Children’s Choir

On Friday, October 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, Sidney, NE will be privileged to host a concert by the world renowned India Children’s Choir. Please bring your family and friends to this free event.

The India Children's Choir is on a ten-month tour of the United States. They come from the hills of Manipur in North East India, along the India - Burma - China border.

Over 90 years ago, the Word of God transformed the Hmar tribe of India – from fierce headhunters into Christians and winsome Hearthunters. The India Children’s Choir is sponsored by Bibles For The World and is made up of 22 children, ages 8 to 12, who are direct descendants of those former headhunters.


How can you help?

First, please attend and bring your family and friends to this free event.

Second, please be a First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Host Family for the children and adult leaders for the nights of October 18 and 19. The choir consists of 22 children (12 girls and 10 boys, ages 8 to 12) and 5 leaders.

Third, please volunteer to help with dinners on October 18 and 19 and lunch on October 19.

Lastly, please volunteer to help with the details of publicity and set up before the event or with the event itself on October 19.

An informational and organizational, meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sunday September 23 at 9:00 a.m. Sign up sheets to volunteer will be in the Welcome Center.

To volunteer or to receive more information, please contact the church office at 308-254-4505.


For further information on the India Children’s Choir and its sponsorship, please visit the following web sites:

India Children’s Choir:
http://www.biblesfortheworld.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=160

India Children’s Choir Video:
http://www.biblesfortheworld.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=156&EXPAND=153

Bibles For The World:
http://www.biblesfortheworld.org/

United Methodist Women (UMW) Sensational Salad Supper

Yum, yum, yum: We enjoyed a sensational salad supper tonight in the church's fellowship hall! There was a feast of salads, great fellowship and a fun "kick-off" to the UMW's fall season.

The Bell Choir is Back: Praise God!

Wow! At the 10:00 a.m. worship service yesterday, Sidney's First UMC bell choir lifted our worship to another level: Praise be to God!!!

The "Gloribells" and their beautiful music was awe-some! Can't wait 'til the 3rd Sunday service at 10:00 a.m., when they play again!

Kick-off Sunday to the Fall Church Program

What a terrific outpouring of the Spirit there was in the church today! From the sounds of children on the upper level to the smells of delicious food coming from the Fellowship Hall, the church was alive with people savoring all that God has for us.

The morning began with a kick-off breakfast of biscuits and gravy, donuts, juice, coffee.... oh, my! Margaret Sprenger and her crew really put on a spread, giving everyone who came the energy to do their best!!

At the 10:00 service, the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Marva Schiessler, offered some excellent music and Janet Rosenbaum gave a neat children's message about living, loving and God.

The Confirmation Class got its start today as well - what a terrific bunch of young people! They gathered at the parsonage for a chance to hear what the confirmation process would be like for them. We are really excited about the journey with the next generation of church leaders!!

The afternoon was given over to worship services at the Memorial Health Center and at the Golden Living facility. Nearly 30 residents enjoyed a time of worship with Pastor Charles sharing the message. A big thanks goes to Linda Walter who agreed to serve as the pianist for both services! The folks really enjoyed her playing those good old favorite hymns that they love so well!

Tonight, the first Sunday evening study was held featuring material from "The Wired Word," an on-line publication that Pastor Charles helps to prepare. A good turnout on a chilly evening enjoyed the discussion and the opportunity to understand current events through their faith.

We're off and running here at FUMC; come along and see for yourself!

UMW @ the Great West District Meeting

Today was the first gathering of the UMW in the Great West District, and what a gathering it was! A wonderful group of ten folks gathered at the church in Sidney to carpool to Chappell UMC where the meeting was to take place.

A full schedule was in store with refreshments, singing, the business of setting up the new district and much more. Highlights included a presentation by a representative from Epworth Village (in York, NE), a facility that offers support for young people here in Nebraska. Each of the units (local church UMW groups) brought items for the facility which was exciting to see brought forward. Another treat was the presentation of more than 300 quilts which had been hand made for children and others in hospitals and treatment facilities.

It was a great time to be in fellowship with so many wonderful people from all over the district which stretches over about 1/3 of the state.

The UMW at Sidney is off to a great start and will be doing some amazing things in the coming months, come back to see what!

FALL CHURCH PROGRAM

SIDNEY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ANNOUNCES THE KICK- OF OUR FALL CHURCH PROGRAM ON SUNDAY, SEP 9th, 2007

SUNDAY MORNINGS
8:00 am: Early Worship Service
9:00 am: Children’s Church School (Preschool to 5th)
Adult Church School (Over 50’s)
Junior High Youth Group
10:00 am: Family Worship Service
11:00 am: Senior High Youth Group
Young Adults (under 50’s)
Confirmation Class.

- Childcare is available from 9 am to noon on Sundays.
- In months with a 5th Sunday, there is one worship service at 10:00 am, a time for baptisms and reception of new members. Afterwards, we celebrate fellowship with a potluck lunch.

OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday, 6:00 pm, The Wired Word:
A contemporary study with issues taken from the headlines and considered through the lens of faith.
Tuesday, 6:30 am, Son-rise Bible Study: Start your day off with time spent in God’s Word!
Tuesday, 8:30 am, Bible Study: We meet in various homes in the Gurley/Dalton area, using Max Lucado’s book, “Traveling Light.”
Tuesday, 7:00 pm, Bible Study: Our study will be Liz Curtis’ book, “Bad Girls of the Bible.”
Wednesday, 6:00 pm, “Simpson’s” Study: Discussing episodes of the TV show and learning about Life! This isn’t your typical church group!
Thursday, 7:00 pm, Book of Revelation: We’re studying this challenging portion of Scripture. This study takes place in church members’ home in Sidney.

CHURCH IS NOT SOMETHING WE ATTEND. IT IS WHO WE ARE. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US, AS WE GROW IN FAITH TOGETHER!

For more information, please contact the church office at (308) 254-4505. Check out our website at www.sidney-firstumc.org.

Newsflash: "Hot from the oven!"

United Methodists are an AMAZING group of people!

I have heard it told that Margaret Sprenger is one incredible cook, but today I know it to be true, first hand!

In some of these pictures, you can see her cooking in a demolished kitchen. Yes, I said demolished kitchen! She was not about to let the fact that the church kitchen has been demolished in preparation for a complete renovation to stop her!

The Outreach Commission and the Care Share Ministry Team have teamed up to prepare goodie boxes which will be distributed to all our church families this week. The church is filled with the most delicious aroma. Those muffins smell fabulous. We are all in for a treat!

And that's not all! This Sunday, they are providing a biscuits and gravy breakfast from 8:00 to 9:45 a.m. It will serve as the "Kickoff Breakfast" for all church school activities this fall. So come hungry, y'hear?!

Many thanks to all the folks who are baking muffins for this outreach ministry! And thanks to today's volunteers who are helping to box up the goodies!

Praise be to God for faithful servants who love the Lord and all His people... and who are willing to bake and cook for them!

Elva Lostroh's 94th Birthday Party!

The highlight of the day was our opportunity to attend the 94th birthday of a wonderful member of FUMC, Elva Lostroh. Her children and husband had invited the church family to attend the party at the care facility in which she resides. It was wonderful being there!

The Prayer Shawl ministry team presented her with a shawl, which turned out to include her favorite color, coral pink. A good time was had by all, and it made for a special day for all who attended.

Announcements for Week of Sep. 2

BRING A FRIEND SUNDAY: Sunday, September 16th, is being designated as “Bring a Friend” Sunday here at FUMC. There will be tours of the church, special music, and more. This is a great opportunity to show off God’s house to our neighbors!

SEPTEMBER SERMON SERIES: Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service – these are the ways we say that we support our church when we join a United Methodist Church. Starting September 2nd, we’ll be exploring these vows as part of a four-week sermon series entitled: Faith-based Building Blocks.

COUNTY-WIDE YOUTH EVENT: Wednesday night, starting at 6pm, the youth are invited to a fantastic concert at The Upper Room (above Steffans Furniture). Three Bands, food and more await at this FREE show!

THURSDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: Resumes Sept. 6th at the home of Jim & Evie Jones, 1345 Lodgepole Rd. This fall, Pastor Charles will be leading a study on the Book of Revelation. Class starts at 7pm.

CHURCH SCHOOL KICK-OFF: Next week starts the fall schedule here at FUMC and that means Church School! The Outreach Ministry is sponsoring a biscuit and gravy breakfast to help get you ready to learn about God's Word!

The Church Vitality Indicator (CVI) Congregational Survey contains 66 statements about some element of congregational life. For each statement, please rate how true it is for our congregation right now. Please give your honest opinion from Totally Disagree to Totally Agree. Please answer all the questions. Your answers are totally confidential. Complete the survey by clicking the button to indicate your level of agreement with each statement. Go to www.CVIndicator.com/survey and enter the Survey ID. For our congregation, the Survey ID is: 1188399962.