A Weekend of Thanksgiving!

There was a lot of activity at our church yesterday. Courtney Beach and friends relaxed in the northeast fellowship room downstairs, and they scrap-booked and had a "spa day," complete with facials and lotions and such.

In the afternoon, we celebrated the 80th birthdays of two of our dear church family members: Lucille McCaslin and Erla Thompson. It was such a delight to see so many family and friends gathered together to rejoice at these ladies' legacy of love. The fellowship hall was alive with the energy that is always present when there is a grouping of generations, i.e., the wonderful sound of children playing and adults laughing and recounting stories.

Today we had a wonderful morning of worship and fellowship. Pastor Charles and the children in the "Children's Time" had a great discussion about Thanksgiving and what it really means. Afterwards some of the Youth Group gathered in our beautifully remodeled kitchen to make "Gift in a Jar" cookie mixes for them to sell at the upcoming Christmas Bazaar.

What a wonderful weekend of thanksgiving to God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us SO much!

"Saint Beau" and His Merry Band of Young Fellows...

God bless "St. Beau!" He faithfully and courageously set forth from the church this afternoon with five young stalwart fellows... bound for Denver and the Dare 2 Share conference! Our prayers sent them forth. We know that God is in their midst. We look forward to hearing all about their adventure, upon their return on the morrow!

P.S. For more info about this conference, you can go to this website: http://www.dare2share.org/denver .

AND to see their schedule, you can go to

http://media.dare2share.org/pdf/weekendschedule.pdf .

Fair Trade Program Begins at FUMC!

The FUMC Fair Trade - Equal Exchange Program began today, with the arrival of the first shipment of teas, coffees, chocolates and travel hot drink mugs!

Stop by at the church office, and see what is in store for you!

It is a justice issue.... come and learn more about it all!

Praise be to God!!!

To read more about this program which is sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), you can go to this webpage:

http://www.equalexchange.com/umcor .

Wow: What a Difference 3 Months Makes!

The first picture was taken in our church kitchen in August.
The second picture was taken today, November 5th. What a difference!

Kitchen Renovation News

Here are some pictures that were taken today in our church kitchen. Wow! Thanks so much, John Eastman, for doing such an awesome job of the kitchen renovation project! We are so thankful for your attention to detail!

Thanks so much, Bea Dinkel and Marilee Rowan, for championing this project! Our church family is so grateful for all that you have done to make the vision a reality: Praise be to God!!!

A Wonderful Sunday in Sidney, Nebraska!

What a wonderful Sunday was today! It was All Saints Sunday, a day when we remember those special people who have gone before us... who impacted our lives in so many special ways! Names were announced; candles were lit; the bell was sounded; we remembered and gave thanks!

The first picture shows Rilla Draper reading the Scriptures at the 8:00 a.m. worship service. Confirmation class member Cody Armbruster did a fine job assisting Pastor Charles with communion at the 8:00 a.m. service.

At the 10:00 a.m. worship service, the congregation presented Gerald Raines with a prayer shawl, along with our prayers and thanks to God for the gift that is Gerald in our midst!

The next picture shows some of the other confirmation class members assisting in the All Saints Remembrance Service at the 10:00 a.m. service.

The last picture shows Courtney Beach with the prayer shawl that she will be sending to her dear friend John, who is dealing with some health issues right now. Request prayers for him.

Praise God for a wonderful church family who takes time to remember the saints who have gone on before us... for faithful servants who are in service to one another... and for friends who care enough to send love and prayers to others, both far and near!

Care Package on its Way to Our Missionary!

Yesterday, Belinda Alkula and Marilyn Wiles got together at the church and prepared the care package for Marilyn's niece Debarrah Prentice.

All the items that church members lovingly donated were carefully packed and itemized so the customs form could be accuarately completed.

This picture shows Marilyn with the completed package. It was taken to the Post Office, and now it is on its way. Considering it is going all the way to Zimbabwe, Africa, the postage cost of $113.70 seems like a bargain. (Imagine having to buy an airline ticket to get it there!)

It should get to Debarrah sometime during the week before Thanksgiving! Our plan is to send another package just after Thanksgiving, so it will get to her before Christmas.

Praise be to God for faithful folks who demonstrate gracious generosity to those around them, both near and far... even as far as Africa!