Tuesday Study Group is the place to be!

The Tuesday Study Group was hopping this morning with six lively ladies in attendance! The group is studying "Pray Big: The power of pin point prayer" and today they really were on fire for the Lord!

Julie Rowan couldn't help but stop by to check on the excitement pouring out of Sandy Long, Rilla Draper Marilee Rowan, Janet Rosenbaum, Belinda Alkula and Cindy Phillips!!

They invite everyone to join them, men too! Tuesdays at 11:00a.m. they meet for a time of fellowship followed at Noon for the study itself. Please join them!

The Rummage Sale is Over!

With a push toward the finish, the Fall Rummage Sale is history!

Monday is 1/2 Price day at the sale and this year over $650 was taken in on the last day! The four-day tally is over $2,800, thanks to everyone who helped to make this event possible.

To see all the pictures from this year's fall rummage sale, please visit the church web site, www.sidney-firstumc.org and follow the link to the FUMC PHOTO GALLERY.

Fellowship time and more on Sunday!

There was something for everyone today at First UMC in Sidney!

Pastor Charles and the Confirmation Class developed a covenant that will be signed during next week's 10:00 service. Elsewhere during the church school time, Bob Long and Janet Rosenbaum led the children and youth through the adventure that is Christian Education. The Stitching Faith Class and The adult Bible study class also were meeting and learning more about their faith.

During the 10:00 service, eight more prayer shawls were dedicated, and six new disciples joined our church. Praise God for the faithful witness to the Good News in our midst!!!

Following the 10:00 service, a small, but hungry gathering enjoyed some wonderful food at the monthly congregational potluck. A few folks took advantage of the quiet downstairs to get a sneak peak at the rummage sale offerings.

Still to come tonight: The Alpha Course and Sunday Night Youth Group. Whew, the joy never ends!

Care/Share makes it happen

The Care/Share ministry was at it again this weekend with a hard-working crew cooking on Friday night and another dedicated crew delievering the meals on Saturday morning.

Thanks to everyone who participates in this ministry!

Fall Rummage Sale, Day 2

A beautiful September morning broke over Sidney this morning and the discerning shoppers took advantage of the weather to come to the second day of the Fall Rummage Sale.

More donations were being brought in throughout the morning which made the adventure of looking for bargains even more enticing.

Thanks to everyone who came yesterday and who are helping today to make this event such a success.

Fall Rummage Sale, Day 1

The Fall Rummage Sale is underway on a beautiful September morning! Downstairs in the Fellowship Hall of First UMC the area is awash in the energy being generated by happy shoppers!

We are also blessed with a number of dedicated volunteers who have donated time and energy to make this effort the success that it always is.

Prayer shawl for Pauline Carr

A prayer shawl was delivered to Pauline Carr at the Memorial Health Center today. This shawl represents the love and affection her church has for this wonderful lady and with it rest our prayers and hopes for her and her family.

Next door to Pauline's room lives another long-time member, Elva Lostroh. Elva enjoyed sharing some memories about Pauline with Pastor Charles.

Please continue to lift Pauline up in your prayers.

If it's Wednesday, then it must be...

PRICING DAY at the Fall Rummage Sale!!! The ladies are hard at work this morning pricing each and every item for the hordes of bargain-hungry shoppers expected over the next few days.

Thanks to each and every person who has donated their time in getting this sem-annual sale ready to go!

Judy Rosenbaum is installed as a UMW District Officer

Our very own Judy Rosenbaum was installed as the treasurer of the UMW here in the Great West District. This took place on Saturdays, September 20th during the District Annual Meeting at Lewellen UMC.

In the second picture, Judy is the fourth lady from the right side.

We are very proud of Judy and know that she will represent our church at the District level with distinction!!!

The Rummage Sale is Coming!

The behind-the-scenes work is underway downstairs in the Fellowship Hall with a dedicated group of ladies working deligently at the task!

Be sure to come and be a part of the effort and tell a friend to come and get some amazing bargains starting Thursday morning!

The Rummage Sale Preparation is underway!

The effort for the Fall Rummage sale is in full-swing in the FUMC Fellowship Hall.

There is a need for volunteer support in the days ahead, so if you're looking for a way to get involved, come on by, we'll find something for you to do!

A Great Sunday at Sidney First United Methodist Church!

We had such a wonderful Sunday morning at Sidney First United Methodist Church!

We enjoyed two great services, at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:00 a.m.

Highlights of the 10:00 a.m. service are as follows.

- Bea Dinkel made a very special presentation to Ms. Martha Walker. The local church's United Methodist Women (UMW) unit recognized her at this weekend's Great West District UMW's annual meeting. A "dedicated light" was lit in her honor, for all that she has contributed to the life of the church.

- Seth McMillen and his mother chose a special prayer shawl for Mullen, an 8-year-old boy in Lodgepole who is struggling with health issues. Seth picked out the shawl because it has Cornhusker football team colors in it, and he thought that Mullen would like that particular shawl. All our prayers go to Mullen and his family at this difficult time.

- Bill Walters was recognized for his many contributions to the care and maintenance of the church and its grounds. His efforts, in particular this last year, helped the church experience significant savings. When one thinks of "faith in action," one has to think of Bill Walters and all that he has done and is doing for the church.

- The choir sang beautifully, as always!

In between services, the third floor of the church was rocking!
- Pastor Charles led confirmation class; they discussed the meaning of communion.
- Bob Long and Elizabeth Draper were busy teaching their Sunday school classes.
- Janet Rosenbaum and the youth group were hopping... or should we say hula hooping?!

Pastor Charles conducted the final session of the church newcomers orientation. This next Sunday, we will celebrate folks joining the church, the youth presentation on their summer mission trip, and we will enjoy a potluck after the 10:00 a.m. service. Come hungry, y'all!

Women of Faith Weekend in Denver, Colorado!

Yee-haw! Hundreds of women living in our Cheyenne county made a pilgrimage this weekend to Denver, Colorado, to attend the Women of Faith Conference held at the Pepsi Center. Over 10,000 women joined in on the fun... to celebrate God's goodness and grace. The theme this year: Infinite Grace.

It was some party!

Above are some pictures that were taken along the way: Getting ready to travel on the light rail from our hotel to the Pepsi Center, travelling on the light rail, enjoying the presentations (dramatic, musical, lecture, etc.), informal discussions in between formal sessions, etc.

For more info about the conference, the website is
http://www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/denver/default.asp .

They already have the dates set for next year: 25-26 Sep 09. We highly recommend that you begin planning to attend this conference! Now is the time to reserve your ticket!

For more about next year's conference: http://www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/dates/09dates.asp

Thanks be to God for this amazing opportunity to enjoy such an amazing conference with a few friends.... say 10,000 or so friends... sisters in Christ.... who come together each September in Denver, to praise God and to learn more about Him and His direction for each of us!

United Methodist Women's Fall Salad Supper

It was a bountiful table that was set before the ladies of the UMW tonight! Nineteen turned out on a beautiful September evening to sample the delicious fare, enjoying the fellowship and making plans for the upcoming year.

Kelsey Arrington, accompanied by her mother, Pam, came by to provide the evening's entertainment. Kelsey sang a selection from the musical, "Okalahoma."

Look for more from the ladies in the coming months!

Shopping Trip to Walmart for School Supplies for the Wesley House

This afternoon, Marilee, Cindy and Belinda visited our local Walmart to purchase items for the Wesley House in Omaha.



Thanks to Marilee's conversation with the Walmart manager last week, he was willing to give us amazing discounts on school supplies. Walmart's generosity netted our purchase of school items worth just over $100 for the price of $65!

All folks willing to donate towards the purchase price are welcome to contribute! Donations can be left at the church office. Please note that the money is for the Wesley House school items.

God bless ALL who are willing to take care of the needs of school children!