Passing of Ray Oliverius

Ray Oliverius, 86, passed away this morning in his home in Sidney. His wife of 61 years, Donna, and their children were at his side. The service has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5th here at the church.

Please call the church office if you can offer assistance with the family luncheon.

Meditation for April 30th

(church and vines at Alto Adige, Italy)

Hosea 14:5-6
"I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me. Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them."

from St John Eudes (1668)
Father of mercies and God of all consolation,You gave us the loving Heart of your own beloved Son, because of the boundless love by which You have loved us, which no tongue can describe. May we render You a love that is perfect with hearts made one with His. Grant, we pray, that our hearts may be brought to perfect unity: each heart with the other and all hearts with the Heart of Jesus, and may the rightful yearnings of our hearts find fulfillment through Him: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Four Corners Mission Trip (April 2009)

Bob & Carrie Balfour left Monday afternoon (4/28), hauling a trailer containing boxes and bags of shoes, clothing, books and more to the Four Corners area. As you can see from the pictures, the weather was perfect and the 1,200-mile round trip went off without a hitch.

The Balfour's destination was the Four Corners Native American Ministry thrift store(a ministry of the Navajo Cooperative Parish) in Shiprock, NM. After making it most of the way there, the Balfour's stopped for the night in Colorado, intending to make the delivery the next day.

The Rev. Rodney Aist (pastor of the parish) and Lorena Lynch (manager of the thrift store) were thirlled to have so much donated and quickly organized a crew to help unload the trailer.

Bob and Carrie were eager to make the return trip in order to stay ahead of the weather in the mountains. Already at home, these two wonderful witnesses are deserving of a well-earned rest!

See all the pictures that the Balfour's took at this link.

Meditation for April 29th

Psalm 19:6-8 (New International Version)
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

"Is the Son of God praying in me, or am I dictating to Him?....Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray."
--Oswald Chambers (author of 'My Utmost for His Highest')

Meditation for April 28th

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

"When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy." --Corrie Ten Boom

2009 Confirmation Class Essays

The 2009 Confirmation Class Essays are now available at this link.

The class members will be presenting these essays to the Ad Board on May 13th at 7:00p.m. and answering questions from the Ad Board members.

Confirmation Sunday is May 31st (Pentecost Sunday) and will take place during the combined Celebration Worship service at 10:00 that Sunday with a congregational potluck to follow.

Rummage Sale Wrap-up!

The fellowship hall is being returned to its 'natural' state, ready for the next church event. The echoes of the 2009 Spring Rummage Sale will be heard for some time to come however!

The unofficial tally from the sale is more than $3,300 which is really terrific!

Thanks to the volunteers who helped with the set-up, sales assistance, and pack-up: Belinda Alkula, Pastor Charles Alkula, Bob Balfour, Carrie Balfour, Myrna Billings, Arlene Christensen, Rilla Draper, Wendell Draper, Brenda Jessen, Ron Jessen, Jeff Johnson, Margie Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Warren Johnson, Lorraine Lafler, Carol Mason, Shirley Oliverius, Cindy Philips, Wayne Philips, Dan Rowan, Marilee Rowan, Marge Sabin, Lucy Stickley, Russ Stickley, Mae Talich and Rosalie Wilson.

Be sure to look at all of the photos from the Spring Rummage Sale - you just might be in a few of them!

Spring Rummage Sale - The Final Day!

The last day of the 2009 Spring Rummage Sale was the place to be in Cheyenne County this morning. The warmth of the fellowship (and coffee) inside was in stark contrast with the overcast sky (that yielded some light snow) outside!

Wayne Philips and Bob Balfour were hard at work all afternoon, hauling boxes of clothing, shoes, books and more that were being packed to the Balfour's horse trailer. Bob & Carrie Balfour are taking the items to the Navajo Ministries (in the Four Corners area). They'll be taking hundreds of pairs of shoes which should bring us close to the goal of 1,000 pairs (set by Bea Dinkel when she launched the "Shoes for the Navajo" project last year).

All the pictures from the rummage sale are available at this link.

Meditation for April 27th

(Entering the old city of Joppa - where Peter stayed with Simon the tanner)

"Let the fires go out in the boiler room of the church and the place will still look smart and clean, but it will be cold. The Prayer Room is the boiler room for its spiritual life." --Leonard Ravenhill

Acts 9:32-43 (The Message)
Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches... Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, "Gazelle" in our language. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died. Her friends prepared her body for burial and put her in a cool room.

Some of the disciples had heard that Peter was visiting in nearby Lydda and sent two men to ask if he would be so kind as to come over. Peter got right up and went with them. They took him into the room where Tabitha's body was laid out. Her old friends, most of them widows, were in the room mourning. They showed Peter pieces of clothing the Gazelle had made while she was with them. Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: "Tabitha, get up."

She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive. When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in the Master. Peter stayed on a long time in Joppa as a guest of Simon the Tanner.

Chapel services on Sunday afternoon

Members of the youth group, led by Janet Rosenbaum and Beau Mathewson, accompanied Pastor Charles to the Memorial Health Center Chapel and Golden Living Center Chapel services this afternoon. Sponsored by the Cheyenne County Ministerial Association, these weekly services are an important outreach to the residents of these facilities.

The youth (Kelsey Arrington, Scott Bagnell, Jay Linton, Michael Sukup, Lucas Rosenbaum, Savanna Rosenbaum and Jaide Wachtel) shared music from their 2008 mission trip, sang and danced, read scripture and a shared a poem. It was a special treat for the residents!

More pictures from today are availble here.

Sunday - Morning (April 26)

What a wonderful morning we enjoyed at the First UMC. There was so much energy and joy being shown on each level of the church building!

Our worship this morning was full of energy as the community of faith came to praise God! Announcements included the UMW spring breakfast on May 7th at 9:00 a.m. and the tally from the first three days of the rummage sale stands at just over $2,200!Thanks to William Draper and Alex Biberos (at 10:00) for serving as acolytes and Kerri Sheldon (8:00) and Pam Arrington (10:00) for serving as lectors.

Following the 10:00 service, a large group gathered in the "round table" room downstairs for one of the best potluck meals you'll find anywhere. What fantastic cooks we have in this community of faith. Next month (on May 31st) you'll want to be there as we break bread following the confirmation service.

There were some of our number that took advantage of the opportunity to explore the rummage sale offerings and share in fellowship as we walked off the delicious meal!

See more from this morning at this link.

Meditation for Sunday, April 26th

Psalm 95:1-7 (New International Version)
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Heavenly Father, thank you for those I rely on. Make me someone whom others can rely on.

Thank you, good Lord,for the opportunity to follow you closely and become more like you. Help me to walk the way of love.

For all that brings me happiness, I bless your name, O Lord.

How wonderful God's love is. Let everyone give thanks to him. His love goes on and on; it never comes to an end.

(from the Wesley Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, UK)

Reminders for Sunday, April 26th

Sunday, April 26th is the last Sunday of the month, please remember these two opportunities for ministry:

Community Food Pantry - donations are always needed for this important community-wide ministry but are particularly welcomed on the last Sunday of the month. Donations are taken to the Salvation Army store on 10th Ave. during the last week of the month.

Congregational Potluck - We gather together following the second service in the "round table" room for a time of food and fellowship on the last Sunday of each month. Why not invite someone to come with you and share in the life of the church as we break bread together?

Spring Rummage Sale - Day 3

The cooler weather, accompanied by grey skies could not deter a busy day of shopping at the First UMC in Sidney!

The savvy shoppers were out in force this morning, looking for treasures that had been missed in the first two days of the spring rummage sale. There were happy faces on shoppers and volunteers alike as the sale passed the half-way point.

(all the pictures from the rummage sale are available here.)

Meditation for April 25th

Revelation 3:19-21 (New International Version)
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."

Peace be Still!
Our Lord Jesus spoke to the storm, saying "Peace, be still." As we gather in worship, Jesus speaks to our hearts and spirits now, saying "Peace, be still." As we rest in your presence, Lord, may all our storms grow quiet within us. Bring rest to our hearts, O Lord; may we feel like a leaf after a storm, when the wind is still. May we know both your presence and your peace; May you receive both our praise and our thanksgiving. Amen.

Spring Rummage Sale - Day 2

Cooler weather couldn't stop the discerning shoppers from making their way to the First UMC fellowship hall this morning. All ages could be seen making their way up and down the aisles, assisted by our crack volunteer staff.

This isn't the only activty taking place this morning, Margaret Sprenger was seen bringing in items to be used for the bi-monthly Care/Share meal (to be served tomorrow). What a great time to be involved in the life of the church!

(more pictures from the rummage sale are on this link)

Meditation for April 24th (Arbor Day)

Hosea 14:4-8 (The Message)
"I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out. I will make a fresh start with Israel. He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He'll put down deep oak tree roots, he'll become a forest of oaks! He'll become splendid—like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars! Those who live near him will be blessed by him, be blessed and prosper like golden grain. Everyone will be talking about them, spreading their fame as the vintage children of God. Ephraim is finished with gods that are no-gods. From now on I'm the one who answers and satisfies him. I am like a luxuriant fruit tree. Everything you need is to be found in me."

Prayer for Arbor Day
Good God, Creator of the world, draw us into prayer and celebration as we gather to remember the gifts of your earth and the stewardship you have entrusted to us as tillers and tenders in your image.

We know that in the gathering of the people, power is present among us; your Holy Spirit stirs and moves and gives us courage to remember that all good gifts come first from you.

We praise you for this creation in the words of the Psalmist, sung by our ancestors in faith for generations: "God speaks: the heavens are made; God breathes: the stars shine. God bottles the waters of the sea and stores them in the deep all earth, be astounded, stand in awe of God."

Keep us faithful to this gathering in faith and "bless this vine your right hand has planted." Now and forever, Amen.

(Prayer taken from liturgy materials used on Earth Day 1997 at Seattle University)

Link to Arbor Day Foundation

The Spring Rummage Sale is Underway!

A picture-perfect spring day opened the four-day rummage sale today and there were eager bargain hunters waiting for the doors of the church to be opened early this morning.

With furniture, clothing, toys, antiques, and much more, this has all the makings of the best rummage sale ever! According to Marilee Rowan, this semi-annual event has been taking place for at least fifteen years and somehow it gets better with each succeeding sale.

More pictures from the spring rummage sale may be found on this link.

(Thanks to Dan Rowan for placing the rummage sale sign on 11th Ave. and for all the volunteers helping today).

Meditation for April 23rd

(First UMC -Sidney)

"The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better people. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through people. He does not come on machinery, but on people. He does not anoint plans, but people - people of prayer." E. M. Bounds

Acts 6:1-7 (The Message)
During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—"Hellenists"—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines. So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word."

The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose— Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas, a convert from Antioch. Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task. The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically.

Spring Rummage Sale - Pricing Day 2

The lights in the fellowship hall were burning after hours today as the final touches were put on the spring rummage sale.

Thanks to everyone who has helped this week and who had a hand in the tremendous effort that takes place twice each year behind the scene of the First UMC rumamge sales.

Spring Rummage Sale - Pricing Day !

The tables are set up, the racks put together and the sorting is done. All that remains is the pricing, simple, right? Well, the volunteers at work in the fellowship hall had their work cut out for them as treasures of all sort and sizes had to be priced. This is not as easy as it seems as the balance between setting a price low enough to attract buyers and high enough to make the hard work profittable.

Come tomorrow and see what you think of all the hard work that has been done this week!

(Rummage sale pictures are found on this link).

Meditation for April 22nd

(picture courtesy of NASA and the Goodard Space Flight Center)

"You heavens above rain down my righteousness, let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I the Lord have created it." - Isaiah 45:8

Prayer for the earth
God bless the earth and all that lives within it
God bless the earth and all that lives on it
God bless the earth and all that lives above it
God bless the soil on which we live and work and make community.
In your mercy may it bring forth goodness to nourish and renew the whole community who share it

(adapted from the Holy Island Prayer Book)

Springtime in Sidney

What a beautiful day we are enjoying in Cheyenne County! Spring is upon us and with it the promise of warmers days to come.

The volunteers were able to set aside the allure of the nice weather and were hard at work once more in the fellowship hall continuing to unpack, sort, and prepare for the rummage sale now less than 48-hours away! Tomorrow is "pricing" day which is always an interesting spectacle!

Meditation for April 21st

The Believers' Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

"Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.' Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Count-down to the Spring Rummage Sale!

The fellowship hall is bursting at the seams with treasures of every sort and size! Dedicated volunteers were hard at work this morning and well into the afternoon continuing the task of bringing order to the mountain of contributions already on hand as more donations were being brought to the church.

More help is needed over the next two days to get ready for the start of the sale on Thursday. Please call the church or Marilee if you can help or just stop by, every little bit is appreciated.