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HAPPENINGS
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH—LINCOLN
MAY 2015
It Was 3 Holy Weeks In A Row
The numbers of persons attending worship and
events in our First Church Building exceeded 1,000 a
week for three weeks in a row. Those who were
willing to park a long way away and still get to
worship, funeral, and Peacemaking Workshop events
are greatly appreciated. Many from our First Church
membership helped host, greet, usher, and feed people
for these events. Thank you.
The Church Office Staff records attendance at faith
groups and community events held in our First
Church building. This is at the request of our Great
Plains Annual Conference and our Bishop to do so.
For us, seeing these attendance figures enables us to
see the reach of our congregation and the spiritual
growth and community-building opportunities we are
enabling to happen.
For the week ending on Sunday, April 5 (Easter
Sunday), attendance figures indicate well over 1,200
people were in our building. Many of those persons
were at Easter, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday
worship services, but during that week we also hosted
Higher Learning Tutoring program (with over 60 fed
and attending), and our Youth Ministry’s various
youth groups for spiritual growth and fellowship (over
70 attending and fed).
In the week ending on Sunday, April 12, we had
over 2,100 persons attending events in our building.
Those included the full afternoon of Peacemaking
Workshop events attended by almost 1,000 persons.
The day before that we had large attendances at the
memorial service for Julie Baum as well as at the
wedding for Laura Hanneman and Zach Wynn.
The week ending Sunday, April 19 shows attendance
figures of just over 1,000 people. During that week
we hosted the memorial service for the son of a
church member, Scott Bankson, whose father is Kent.
Our United Methodist Women cooked and served a
meal to over 200 high school students and their
families for the National Academy of Sciences. We
also hosted the UPCO (University Place Community
Organization) monthly meeting to focus on making
the neighborhood stronger and more livable.
In all of these events, you can see how the original
genius of the founders of Nebraska Wesleyan
University, First Church and University Place is being
lived out on a daily basis, 127 years later.
Their vision was to make a place where Learning –
Faith – and Community could all work together. The
goal was to help residents learn that even if they
weren’t a part of all three parts of the community,
each part would strengthen the other parts of the
community.
Learning – Faith – Community do strengthen each
other, on a daily basis.
Thank you for your involvement in each of these
events in the past three weeks.
Thank you for your generous support through time,
treasure, and talent, to make all this ministry and
service to the community possible.
In Christ,
Pastor Larry
Page 1
“Race is an Illusion, the real problem is Poverty”
says Leonard Pitts, Jr. at First Church’s Peacemaking Workshop
The real “us” and “them” problem in the U.S. is not
about race or immigration status, Pulitzer Prize winning
syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr. told what the local
newspaper estimated as 1,000 people who crowded into
First Church’s sanctuary on Sunday, April 12.
“Poor whites are divided from other groups of people
by being taught that things could be worse--they could
be black: ‘no matter how bad you have it you are still
better than someone else.’”
“If 45 million poor people would join together, think
what could happen. If 45 million people said, “We’re
not coming to work today,” or “We’re not buying
anything today,” then politicians and corporate leaders
would listen.”
“If others would join their voices in seeking equality and
justice for all, we could re-invent American politics.”
“We underestimate the leverage and power we have. We
need to make use of it.”
“Race is an illusion,” he said. “The real problem is
poverty, and until the nation’s 45 million people living below
the poverty level tell policy makers they are not going to take
it any more, politicians and corporate leaders will continue
using divide-and-conquer techniques of racism as “weapons
of mass distraction,” he said.
Mr. Pitts stated that the concept of race is a human
construction and has nothing to do with actual genetic
differences. He told Peacemaking Workshop attenders that
the United States in its history has defined many groups as
race groups that are now included in the so-called white
category, including French, Italians, Greeks. “While race is
used to make the reality of poverty worse for African
Americans, it is true that poor African Americans and poor
white people have more in common than many think.
“Eating Jim Crow” was the title of Mr. Pitts’ speech.
He said that southern politicians invented racial segregation
laws over a century ago to divide southern white poor
people from black people by trying to convince them that
even if they were poor they were at least better than black
people.
In his speech he quoted statements by Pope Francis, Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Apostle Paul which call
persons of faith to be advocates on behalf of the poor.
Here are some quotes from his speech:
“Race is a fiction. It does not exist. We all are the same
mix of flesh, blood, and bone. There is only one race:
the Human Race.”
“The problems attributed to race: crime, drugs,
unemployment, bad schools, lack of access to healthy
foods—they are in fact problems of poverty. The vast
majority of persons living in these realities are poor
whites.”
Page 2
Five different workshops drew hundreds of participants
for the rest of the afternoon, Leaders included Beatty Brasch
of the Center for People in Need, State Senator Patty
Pansing Brooks, Nebraskans for Peace longtime leader Paul
Olson, a group of students from Union College and UN-L,
and many others.
On Monday morning Martha Gadberry and Chris Blake
accompanied Mr. Pitts to an in-depth conversation with
writers and editors of the Lincoln Journal Star. Mr. Pitts’
columns appear regularly on the Journal Star editorial page.
Monday noon Mr. Pitts spoke to a convocation of 150
Nebraska Wesleyan University students, faculty and staff.
In a question and answer time,
he was asked if religious
fundamentalists had made it
possible for U.S. politicians to
adopt policies to marginalize the
poor by “blaming the victim.”
With his usual direct way of
speaking, Mr. Pitts said, “You have
put me in a hard place with that
question. I will give you a direct
answer. Yes. It is hard to
understand why fundamentalists
did this. I will also say it is ever
harder for me to understand why
persons who are more moderate
and liberal in the practice of their faith allowed them to do
this. There is no reason they should have.”
The Interfaith Peacemaking Coalition is a group of
persons from various faith communities in Lincoln who
organize to sponsor at least one major Peacemaking
Workshop at First Church each spring. Work on organizing
the events with Mr. Pitts began in meetings starting in early
2014. This was the 29th Peacemaking Workshop held at
First Church.
Happenings ~ May 2015
UMW News
By Ad Morrissey, UMW President
One of my favorite simple pleasures this time of
year is the luxury of being able to sleep with the
windows open. I love the fresh air. I also love to hear
the birds chirping early in the morning. I know my
husband isn't as excited about the birds as I am! I
make sure the birds have seeds, suet and water.
Getting to see the cardinals is a special treat, but our
yard is an equal opportunity feeding station. Every
winged friend is welcome.
Isn't that what we’re all about at First Church?
We’re an inclusive, welcoming community. We’re not
perfect, but we do try to do our best. Isn’t that all
God asks of us? When I enter First Church, I feel like
I’m coming home. I hope you do also.
The ladies of UMW at First Church have several
upcoming opportunities to enjoy fellowship. Saturday,
May 2nd, 10 a.m., we have been invited to a brunch by
the Waverly UMW. Thursday, May 7th, 6:30 p.m., is
our Guest Night at First Church. It will be an evening
of good food, good entertainment and fellowship. I
hope you’ll consider attending both events.
We also have an educational activity. There will be
a mini-Mission U Saturday, May 30th at the First
United Methodist Church in Waverly. Timothy
Shaw—Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights
Nebraska will present The Church and People with
Disabilities Awareness and Advocacy. Mission U will run
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a timely topic. I hope
you will consider attending.
I hope you enjoy all the simple pleasures life has to
offer.
Fabulous Finds
2702 N 49th Street, Lincoln
402-466-4006
$1.00 Sales—2nd Friday Each Month
Items will change each month.
Thanks to everyone who donated cookies for Julie Baum’s Memorial on
April 11th. We had a beautiful arrangement of cookies and will be offering
cookies each Sunday morning, as long as they last, just as Julie would have
done and would be so pleased!
Hours: Wed.—Fri. 12-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
http://firstchurchfabfind1.blogspot.com/
Fabulous Finds is First Church’s boutique with quality used clothing and
other items. Proceeds go toward Missions. Thank you for your support.
Happenings ~ May 2015
Lincoln Choral Artists
WITH ONE STEP—WE BEGIN ANEW
Focus on the youth and new composers & compositions
May 15, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Spring is a time of rejuvenation, expectation,
and new beginnings. We celebrate our first year
with Mr. Jason Horner, our new Artistic Director,
with incredible music from Eric Whitacre,
Phillip Stopford, Eric Barnam, and others;
including a multi-movement setting of
“Mary Had a Little Lamb.” We will also be
presenting music from a video game and
collaborating with a string quartet.
Come early and enjoy a beverage while
you learn about the music in this evening’s concert.
Jason Horner will lead a pre-concert discussion.
Buy Tickets on-line at
http://lincolnchoralartists.org/purchasetickets.html.
Prayer Requests
The following people have given us
permission to share their prayer requests with
the family of First Church
The family of Kent Bankson, Memorial Service for his son
Scott was on April 15th at First Church.
The family of Julie Baum, whose Memorial Service was
Saturday, April 11th.
The family of Beth Davis, Memorial Service will be
3 p.m. May 1st at First Church.
Donna Chapin and family, in the passing of her brother
Greg Sorensen, nephew of Roy Schoen
Paul & Diane Collister, Diane—in Assisted Living, Martell
Marv Stewart, Tabitha, Rm. 349
Steve Speicher, home
Sylvia Hanner, Hospice at Tabitha’s Elizabeth House
Elsie Hinrichs, home
Celia Faith, Madonna during the day and home nights
Tom & Shirley James, home
David Clark, Country House Residences, Rm. 4
Van & Marge Tyler, Tabitha GracePointe
Al & Judy Brhel, home
Dr. David Mickey, Masonic Home #270, Plattsmouth
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Statement of Purpose (Rev. 1985)-With God’s grace, First
United Methodist Church strives to be a growing, inclusive community of faith, working together, sharing Jesus’ love, and using
our gifts to build and nurture a spiritual community.
Page 3
LEARNING TO LOVE OTHERS THE WAY JESUS LOVES
By Jay Stewart
“People here [at the Church] really care for me…I know that.”
“I feel better when I am at the Church.”
“I wish I could be at the Church every day.”
Several youth have recently told me the statements above
and they have expressed their gratitude that the Church is a
safe-place to simply be “youth.” Many of our young people
have dealt with or are currently dealing with difficult
circumstances. However, they know the people of the
Church have and will continue to welcome them.
The youth ministry teams emphasize walking with each
youth as they come to understand that God sees them, hears
them, accepts them, likes them, and loves them. This
emphasis has been accomplished through the use of small
groups. The small groups are led by College Students who
have a mature faith and a grace-filled-patient heart. Each
small group leader is supported and nurtured by Jay Stewart,
Matt Borland, Heidi Hanson, Tim Kubert, and Ben Green.
We have all been amazed and humbled by the many
college-aged volunteers who have committed their time
throughout the school year in helping youth encounter God’s
Love. As a result, many of our youth have grown in their
faith. My favorite moment of the week at the Church is to
hear our youth ministry team talk about their small group
experience with the youth. Often times the small groups are
filled with much laughter in which great conversations about
faith occur. One young man told his leader recently, “Before
coming to First Church I was a bad kid… But I have learned
that God loves me without a doubt and I want to give my life
to God. My life has changed for the better. Thank you!”
Youth have been eager to invite friends and each week
there are several new faces.
In order to make sure that our emphasis continues to be
a reality, that is, to personally journey with each youth as they
encounter God, we now have two nights for youth group as a
result of having 120 or so youth active in youth ministry
happenings. The Middle School youth have and will continue
to meet on Wednesday nights from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. The
Middle School (5th through 8th grade) time includes Worship
(with a small group emphasis), food, and fellowship moments
that deepen friendships. The Senior High youth (9th through
12th grade) meet on Sundays from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. During
this time Senior High youth gather to worship, eat food, and
talk about life and faith through small groups. Separating the
Middle School from the Senior High has been a blessing since
we are better able to meet the specific developmental needs
of the respected stages of adolescents. Through this
transition, several of our Senior High youth are now “small
Page 4
group leaders” for Middle School youth group. The Senior
High youth who are leaders for Middle School youth group
have done an amazing job in assisting and leading with the
adult youth leaders. Some Preachers have said, “Christianity
is one generation away from being extinct.” We are
equipping and walking with Senior High youth who feel called
to help Middle School youth grow in their understanding of
and in relationship with God.
It has been an absolute blessing to see Senior High youth
alongside adult youth leaders as they have conversations with
and much laughter with Middle School Students over a shared
meal. Sharing a meal with one another has helped create
deeper friendships among all persons involved. The
nutritious homemade meals cooked by Lulu's Lunchery (who
pay their employees a livable wage) have been well received
by all the children and their families, and everyone involved
with the youth ministry. Lulu's Lunchery has a great heart in
helping feed others and they have made feeding our children
and youth affordable with the average cost of meal for each
youth being $1.50 to $1.75. Every meal has been covered by
contributions outside of the regular church budget. This has
been an amazing year of feeding the youth physically and
spiritually and we are eager to see where God leads us this
summer and beyond.
Thank you for your support and prayers!
Jay Stewart, Matt Borland, Heidi Hanson,
Tim Kubert and Ben Green
VBS Planning Meeting
God’s Love in Action
Vacation Bible
School
July 27-30
Vacation Bible
School Sunday
August 2
Sunday, May 3, 2015
following 10:45 a.m. Worship in E103
All are invited to attend!
All parents, grandparents, guardians,
and friends are invited to download
the new “Grow, Proclaim, Serve” app!
Games, music, Bible verses, and more
that go along with the lesson from
Sunday School and Children’s Church.
Grow your faith by leaps and bounds
Happenings ~ May 2015
Building projects underway
Among the new building projects
underway, coordinated by the Trustees
(Building Committee):
 Signing of a contract with a civil
engineering firm to work on the
placement of exit ramps from the
Sanctuary level and the Fellowship
Hall level
 Installing electric eyes on all elevator
doors so persons using the elevators
will not be bumped by closing
elevator doors ($4000)
 Beginning Phase 3 (final phase) of
light fixture and light bulb changes
so that all lighting in the church will
be energy efficient ($9000), with
rebate from Lincoln Electric Service
 Preventative maintenance on our air
conditioning and heating system,
including repairs to our cooling
tower and our heat pump boilers, to
extend the life and efficiency of our
heating and cooling equipment.
 After Boy Scout Troop 456 garage
sale (May 30), the garage will be
taken down and a small metal shed
will be installed beside Fabulous
Finds for use for storage of items
that need not to be inside our
building.
 More fundraising is needed, but also
in the works for 2015 is installation
of electric door openers for the
northeast Sanctuary doors,
northwest Sanctuary doors, and
doors to the North Parking Lot.
Costs for this project rose when the
need for windows in the Sanctuary
doors became apparent (so persons
do not push the automatic door
buttons when someone is
approaching from the other side).
Wiring costs and costs of installing
windows with similar glass panes as
in the doors between Narthex and
Sanctuary has taken the project to
the $20,000 cost level.
The Trustees also met with President
Fred Ohles of Nebraska Wesleyan
University and other elected church
leaders on Sunday, March 22 to discuss
NWU’s plans to ask the City of
Lincoln for a variance to close 50th
Street from St. Paul Ave. to Baldwin
Ave. for the new Science Center
building at NWU.
All from First Church agreed they
want to see Nebraska Wesleyan grow
and improve facilities. Some concerns
about the amount of unrestricted
parking places that would be lost along
50th St. were expressed. Also a major
concern is access to and visibility of
the Church and Old Main if that block
of 50th St. is closed. That includes
access for fire and rescue vehicles, the
city bus line, and access to the Church
from the southeast parts of Lincoln.
In a subsequent meeting on April 10,
the architect for the Science Center
building, Thomas Celli from Pittsburg,
PA and the new Vice President of
NWU for Administration and
Facilities, Tish Gade-Jones, met with
First Church’s architect, Dan Mulligan
of Lincoln and Pastor Larry to have a
discussion about concerns raised by
concept drawing for the new Science
Center building. Nebraska Wesleyan
officials indicate that any request to the
City of Lincoln for a variance to vacate
50th St. will not happen now before
August of 2015.
Companions in Christ 2015-2016
The Companions in Christ foundation study begins
again Wednesday evening Sept. 9 and concludes in
April, with breaks on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, three weeks during Advent and Christmastide
and for Ash Wednesday.
Over fifty members and friends of First Church
have participated in this study of spiritual formation
which includes:
~ A basic exploration of spiritual formation as a
journey toward holiness and wholeness, individually and in community through the grace of
God.
~ An introduction to several ways of meditating
on and praying with scripture.
~ Experiencing various forms and styles of prayer.
~ The notion of vocation or call; giving ourselves
to God in radical obedience and receiving the
gifts of the Holy Spirit.
~ Different ways of receiving and offering spiritual guidance from one-on-one to spiritual
growth groups to guidance in congregational
Happenings ~ May 2015
life as a whole
Participant books and journals are provided. Child
care also is provided.
To register, complete a registration form off the
First Church website, www.firstumclincoln.org, look
for the brochures in the literature racks in the narthex
and outside the office off the east entrance; or contact
the church office, 402.466.1906.
To learn more, visit with someone who has participated or contact one of the facilitators: Brenda Venhaus, [email protected], and Margrethe
Ahlschwede, [email protected].
Registration deadline is
August 23, 2015.
Also available on Wednesdays
Open Table Bible Study (on the Scriptures for each
week) in E203 with Pastor Larry from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Contact Pastor Larry or the Church Office for more
information at 402-466-1906.
Page 5
The articles on this page are by Coleen Seng
UPCO Board Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 5:30 p.m.
First Church, Room E103
University Place Community Market
Produce, Crafts, Food, and more!
Open every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m.
June 10th through September 16th
48th & Madison Streets
Guidance to Success
The Guidance to Success (GTS) tutoring
program is held on Mondays (when LPS is in
session) at 5:30 p.m. Nebraska Wesleyan
University students are the tutors, and First
Church volunteers provide a meal for the
youth, tutors and volunteers each week. The Spring session
ends on Monday, May 4th with a Pizza Party!
Human Needs Fund
On Wednesday mornings our intake process
operates only from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Our priority is to help
families with children living in or near the University Place
neighborhood. Whenever funding is available, assistance will
be provided. Members of First Church will always have
assistance provided.
PLEASE HELP! The Human Needs Fund is low
on funds and can always use donations. Thank you to
all who have contributed to this fund in the past.
Please know that these funds are being used as
judiciously and graciously as possible.
Anyone may contribute to this fund by making a check
out to First Church. Write “Human Needs” on the memo
line or place cash in one of the giving envelopes in the pews
and write “Human Needs” on the outside.
Community Arts Afternoon
Sunday, June 7, 1-4 p.m.
Join us at the LUX for an afternoon of free hands-on art
projects for the whole family!
For information on Summer Camps & Art Classes,
call the LUX at 402-466-8692
With our Church Family…
Birth:
Elaina, born on March 31,
parents are Kyle & Jen Luttgeharm
Baptism: Avery Kaalia Hardy, parents Boyd and Heather
Hardy, siblings Aidan & Tenley, March 29
Wedding:Aaron & Mattie (Johnson) Bertels, March 14
Zach & Laura (Hanneman) Wynn, April 11
Funeral/Memorial: Julie Baum, April 11
Scott Bankson, April 15
Page 6
Sponsored by: University Place Community Organization
What does Putin want?
What do we want?
The U.S., Europe, Ukraine, and Russia
A Discussion
This discussion will be held in the Unitarian
Church of Lincoln at 6300 A Street from 7:00 to 8:30
p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th.
It will focus on a group of tensions that have led
many observers to assert that the United States and
Russia have initiated a new Cold War threatening a hot
war.
The meeting will feature as discussants Jerry Petr,
retired professor from the UNL Economics Department, David Forsythe, retired professor from UNL
International relations, and Mark Orsag, Professor of
European History at Doane College. It will also use a
brief YouTube analysis by Professor Stephen Cohen,
the Russian expert from Princeton and NYU and Nation Magazine as a starter piece. Half of this session will
be panel discussion and the other half will be panel/audience discussion.
Sponsored by The Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans for Peace
and the Unitarian Church of Lincoln
First Saturday Nooners
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015 AT 12 NOON
Granite City,
6150 O Street
Please call the Church office by Wednesday, April 29th
to place your reservation or call Sharon Johnson.
Sharon (402-304-8871) or
the Church office (402-466-1906)
Happenings ~ May 2015
May Lectionary
DATE
May 1
May 2
Birthdays
1
2
4
5
6
8
9
10
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Angie Hauser
Joey Bacon
Brent Shaw
Phyllis Vculek
Peggy Hall
Tony Kose
Edythe Cascini
Samantha Presley
Tina Siebrandt
Sue Kirkland
Sharon Koepke
Jennifer Honebrink
Ruth Peters
Linda Smith
Al Campbell
Brian Hosler
Ron Svehla
Michael Hoefs
Julianna Lanxon
Cassidy Besse
Rachael Peters
Marcus Wendt
John Helter
Ken Vogel
Harrison Admire
Cindy Bair Van Dam
Timothy Francis
Jeremy Hickenbottom
Jim Bryant
Janet Fulmer
Harold Dietrich
Libby Baum
Linda Purser
Shandra Bergt
Stephanie Buchli
Alexander Fern
Peyton Griffin
Gina Bryan Moore
Deb Fisher
Roy Schoen
Russell Spadt
Katy Kirkland
Ermal Collister
Larry Moffet
Jennifer James
Jim Neumann
Bonnie Amen
Kyson Bryan
Don Delaney
Karl Harris
Malcolm Sattler
Bill Noble
Happenings ~ May 2015
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
PSALM
OLD TESTAMENT
EPISTLE
GOSPEL
am: 40, 54
pm: 51
Josh 13:14-32
Col 3:1-11
Luke 7:1-17
am: 55
pm: 138
Josh 14:1-15
Col 3:12-17
Luke 7:18-35
am: 24, 29
pm: 8, 84
Josh 17:14-18
2 Thes 2:13-17
Matt 7:7-14
am: 56, 57, 58
pm: 64, 65
Josh 18:1-10
Col 3:18-4:18
Luke 7:36-50
am: 61, 62
pm: 68
Josh 20:1-9
Rom 12:1-21
Luke 8:1-15
am: 72
pm: 119:73-96
Josh 21:43-45, 22:1-6
Rom 13:1-14
Luke 8:16-25
am: 70, 71
pm: 74
Josh 22:7-20
Rom 14:1-12
Luke 8:26-39
am: 106:1-18
pm: 106:19-48
Josh 22:21-34
Rom 14:13-23
Luke 8:40-56
am: 75, 76
pm: 23, 27
Josh 23:1-16
Rom 15:1-13
Luke 9:1-17
am: 93, 96
pm: 34
Josh 24:1-28
1 Tim 3:14-4:5
Matt 13:24-34a
am: 80
pm: 77, 79
Deut 8:1-10
Jam 1:1-15
Luke 9:18-27
am: 78:1-39
pm: 78:40-72
Deut 8:11-20
Jam 1:16-27
Luke 11:1-13
am: 119:97-120
am: Lev 26:27-42
am: Jam 5:13-18
pm: 68:1-20
pm: 2 Kng 2:1-15
pm: Rev 5:1-14
Luke 12:22-31
am: 8, 47
pm: 24, 96
Eze 1:1-28b
Heb 2:5-18
Matt 28:16-20
am: 85, 86
pm: 91, 92
Eze 1:28-3:3
Heb 4:14-5:6
Luke 9:28-36
am: 87, 90
pm: 136
Eze 3:4-17
Heb 5:7-14
Luke 9:37-50
am: 66, 67
pm: 19, 46
Eze 3:16-27
Eph 2:1-10 Matt 10:24-33, 40-42
am: 89:1-18
pm: 89:19-52
Eze 4:1-17
Heb 6:1-12
Luke 9:51-62
am: 97, 99, 100
pm: 94, 95
Eze 7:10-15, 23b-27
Heb 6:13-20
Luke 10:1-17
am: 101, 109:1-30
pm: 119:121-144
Eze 11:14-25
Heb 7:1-17
Luke 10:17-24
am: 105:1-22
pm: 105:23-45
Eze 18:1-4, 19-32
Heb 7:18-28
Luke 10:25-37
am: 102
pm: 107:1-32
Eze 34:17-31
Heb 8:1-13
Luke 10:38-42
am: 107:33-43, 108 am: Eze 43:1-12
am: Heb 9:1-14
pm: 33
pm: Exod 19:3-8a, 16-20 pm: 1 Pet 2:4-10
Luke 11:14-23
am: 118
pm: 145
Isa 11:1-9
1 Cor 2:1-13
John 14:21-29
am: 25
pm: 9, 15
Deut 4:9-14
2 Cor 1:1-11
Luke 14:25-35
am: 26-28
pm: 36-39
Deut 4:15-24
2 Cor 1:12-22
Luke 15:1-10
am: 38
pm: 119:25-48
Deut 4:25-31
2 Cor 1:23-2:17
Luke 15:1-32
am: 27:1-18
pm: 37:19-42
Deut 4:32-40
2 Cor 3:1-18
Luke 16:1-9
am: 31
pm: 35
Deut 5:1-22
2 Cor 4:1-12
Luke 16:10-18
am: 30, 32
Deut 5:22-33
am: 2 Cor 4:13-5:10
pm: 42, 43
pm: Eph. 3:14-21
Luke 16:19-31
am: 146, 147
pm: 111, 112, 113
Deut 6:4-9
Eph. 4:1-16
John 1:1-18
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
An Open-Spirited Community of Faith & Action
PAID
Located just West of Nebraska Wesleyan University
2723 North 50th Street—Lincoln, Nebraska 68504-2765
Lincoln, NE
Permit No.
335
www.firstumclincoln.org
You’re Always Welcome!
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Sunday Worship ~ 8:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School ~ 9:30—10:30 a.m.
Office Hours ~ Monday—Friday, 8:30 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Office phone—402-466-1906
Larry Moffet, Pastor
Cell/Text: 402-770-7355, [email protected]
Coleen Seng—Director Community Ministries
[email protected]
Brent Shaw—Minister of Music
[email protected]
Jay Stewart—Minister with Youth, Children, and Families
[email protected]
Carol Ann Clark—Office Manager
[email protected]
Laura Sheldon—Office Assistant
[email protected]
Tim Van Meveren—Sunday Custodian
Tom Schroeder—Custodian, Wednesday Setup & Closing
EARLY Deadline for the June 2015 Issue of the
HAPPENINGS Friday, May 15, 2015.
Worship at First Church
May 3—Spring Music Sunday—Both 8:30 and 10:45
services will feature special music. We’ll pull out all the
stops at 10:45 with choir, bells, soloists, brass, and
organ. This is Marathon Sunday in Lincoln and many
of the streets in the central part of the city are hard to
cross. For those coming from the south, a safe route to
Church is to travel to 84th St., go north to Adams, then
south on 50th St.
May 3—4:00 p.m. Guest organist, Peter Yardley-Jones,
Organist of the Swiss Church in London
This free organ recital is part of his USA tour.
May 10—Mother’s Day—8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
The nurturing Love of God is a focus on Mothers’ Day.
Some of us grew up wearing on this day a red flower if
our mother was alive or a white flower if our mother
had passed. No need to buy a flower: come to worship
and sing pray, and give God thanks for all the love in
our lives.
May 17—Children’s Sunday, Ascension Sunday, Graduates’
Communion—8:30 and 10:45 a.m. The growing
children’s ministry in our church will start the 10:45
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service. We’ll focus on God’s presence in all the stages
of our lives. We will also celebrate our Graduates from
High School, Universities, and Graduate Schools. Do
you know the name of a graduate who is part of our
church family? Call the Church office, 402 466-1906.
Special Guest organist at both services: Dr. Christopher
Marks, Professor of Organ at UN-L.
May 24—Pentecost & Memorial Sunday—8:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Feel free (but not compelled) to wear red – the
traditional color of the Holy Spirit. On the first
Pentecost, the followers of Jesus, a few days after his
Ascension, not knowing what to do, came together
anyway to worship and were filled with spiritual power
and energy by the Holy Spirit. What they did from that
point on is astounding, and it is a model for what we
are called to do today. They went to every land, lived in
every culture, and shared the Grace of God with
everyone they met.
Read Acts, Chapter 2: “I will pour out my Spirit on
All Flesh, and your young will see visions and your
old will dream dreams,” says the Lord.
Happenings ~ May 2015