1. education
2. school

MIDDLE SCHOOL/
TEAM 4:12 NEWS
A Publication of Gretna United Methodist Church—January 2015
Gretna United
Methodist Church
11457 South 204th Street
P.O. Box 96
Gretna, Nebraska 68028
Sunday Worship
9:30 Worship
10:30 Fellowship Time
10:45 Sunday School
Clergy
Pastor Janice Japp
Home: (402) 691-8787
Pastor Janice’s Cell Phone:
(402) 650-0586
E-mail:
[email protected]
Church Office:
Office Hours
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs.
8:00 am—4:00 pm
Office:(402) 332-3213
Fax: (402) 332-2547
Internet Site:
www.gretnaumc.com
www.greatplainsumc.org
Staff
REACH Coordinator:
Mary Lou Kane
[email protected]
Director of Christian Education
Anna Kippley
[email protected]
Office Administrator:
Amy Jensen
[email protected]
Accompanist:
Paul Parker
Confirming His Faith in Christ
Caleb Spilinek has quite a few friends in GUMC’s Middle School youth group. The 6th,
7th, and 8th grade group is known as Team 4:12, a reference to the Bible passage of 1st
Timothy 4:12, Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech
and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (NRSV).
Because Caleb values the Team 4:12 experience, he has invited friends from beyond the
congregation, like Cole. Then Cole invited his friend Jarod! Team 4:12 has been a
place where youth feel comfortable bringing their friends.
His parents, Jeff and Renee, moved to Gretna while he was still in preschool; so, this is
the only congregation that Caleb remembers. There are quite a few things that Caleb
enjoys about his youth group. “I loved helping with some of the mission projects, like
making the YES bags.” A few times a month Team 4:12 will have a hands-on mission
project of preparing sandwiches and adding in various snack treats for the Youth
Emergency Services, to be provided for homeless and at-risk youth. Team 4:12
members are discovering that even just offering a modest effort can make a big
difference to someone else. “It doesn’t have to be something big and fantastic [to share
God’s love] – it can just help a few people.”
Caleb has also found other ways to share God’s love: “I like helping out in Vacation
Bible School,” serving as an assistant crew leader. The young VBS participants really
look up to the youth as examples of faith.
Because Caleb’s dad volunteers as a youth group leader, Jeff sometimes asks Caleb’s
opinion about topics that middle school students might find interesting. Caleb finds that
the theme of “How to Make Wise Choices” is an ongoing issue, so several times the
Sunday or Wednesday
discussions address that concern. The conversations are closely
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
related to Bible teachings, so that the youth learn how their faith relates to their daily
Thank You!
life.
The worship committee, along with the children of the congregation, would like to thank
Caleb is part Charlie
of the Confirmation
which
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Verbeek
for creating
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haschildren’s
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since
the aim
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Advent.
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wood an
andoverview
the two men
the Christian faith.
At the
conclusion
the Confirmation
series,
those the
in the
sessions
magically
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for each youngster
attending
sermons
during
are invited to Advent,
“confirm”
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onethe
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given
each
Sunday.
In Confirmation, students have some additional responsibilities, like making notes
during worship service. Students also select an adult mentor to have conversations with
beyond the class. Paul Parker is serving as Caleb’s mentor. For the service project,
Caleb will probably choose to do special music
for the worship service.
Music is a big interest for Caleb both in the
congregation and at Gretna Middle School.
Caleb is a member of the Joyful Noise handbell
choir. At GMS, he really enjoys band class, and
he has earned All-State honors for the baritone
saxophone!
Most important, Caleb is learning how to follow
Christ not only at church but also at school.
Thank you, Caleb, for inviting others to also learn
how to follow.
We held our regular Wednesday night
meetings and continued with our one page
and DVD lessons.
We continue our monthly mission of putting
together lunch bags for Youth Emergency
Services (YES). These bags are handed out
to the homeless and at-risk youth of the
greater Omaha area.
Several of the kids donated an hour of their
time on a Saturday to ring bells with the
Optimist Club.
SENIOR HIGH/ SWAT NEWS
SWAT in ACTION:
December is full of tradition for the SWAT
group. It’s typical to see the kids around the
church decorating on one Wednesday night,
serving the advent dinner on another
Wednesday night and then caroling around
town and doing their live nativity. The
caroling created many smiles and
brightened many people’s days. The youth
group in their live nativity was a hit as
usual. Thank you to everyone who stopped
to listen to the kids sing.
Our waffle breakfast was served on the
14th. Thank you to everyone that came!
With the proceeds from our calendar sales
and breakfast donations, we were able to
purchase 12 Christmas gifts from a local
angel tree. The kids enjoyed shopping for the
gifts and wrapping them.
We have some calendars left. Please let us
know if you would like a calendar and
haven’t had the chance to pick it up. They
are $7.00. Roxanne will be happy to make
sure that you get it.
January events will be:
4th – Sunday school and Confirmation
class
7th - pizza for supper and regular
activities
11th – Sunday school and Confirmation
class
14th – pizza for supper, YES bags and
regular activities
18st – serve breakfast, Sunday school
and Confirmation class
21st – Bowling at Sempek’s (We need
parent drivers)
25th – Sunday school and Confirmation
class
28th - pizza for supper and regular
activities
As always, please feel free to bring a friend
or two with you!!
We invite all parents to come hang out with
your kids and see what we do.
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MMMMMMM..... WAFFLES!!!! Our
Middle School Youth (with the help of Jason
Brewer, and Doug Osborn plus other adults)
will be preparing and serving BREAKFAST
for church family and friends on
January 18
The serving line will be open from 8:30am9:15am. EVERYONE is invited! In fact, if
you know of a family in your life that could
use a nourishing meal and some loving
fellowship, INVITE THEM - what a great
way to reach out to others in our
community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday School begins!!!
Sunday School will begin again for PreK5th, Team 4:12 and SWAT will start again
on January 4th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOOMERS - is a group for those from
the "boomer generation". An outing is
planned by this group on January 25 at 5pm
at the church. We will be watching a movie
and having a potluck dinner. The group
enjoys lots of laughs, great food, and fun
fellowship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Opportunity!
Find Your Ministry
Would you like to be involved in
something new?
All ages are welcome.
Leading & Participating
If you are interested in being involved
in with ministries involving:
Puppets
Stix (creative movement to songs)
Drama
Children’s Handbells
Praise Band
(or if you have an exciting idea)
Contact Anna Kippley:
(402)332-3213
[email protected]
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
Thank you to Jamie
We would like to extend a HUGE Thank you
to Jamie Hamm for all she has done as the
Children’s Ministries Chair Person. Her
leadership has been greatly appreciated. She
is stepping down from this position. We are
excited to have Anna Kippley here to help to
coordinate the Children’s Ministries Events.
Jamie has been a big help getting Anna
acquainted with the current program.
Christmas Program
“Angels, Lambs, Ladybugs, and Fireflies”
were busy blessing us with the news about
Jesus birth on Sunday, December 14th at the
Christmas Program. As you entered the
Church you were escorted though a live
portrayal of the Christmas Nativity presented
by SWAT. The evening began with 12
excited Preschoolers singing “Go Tell it on
the Mountain” (their favorite song), “Away
in a Manger” and “Happy Birthday Jesus.”
We enjoyed watching the story of Jesus’
unfold from a different perspective, of the
lambs and their friends, during the program.
The 36 children in Kindergarten – 5th grade
recited their parts and showed us that all of
God’s creatures rejoiced when Jesus was
born that night. Their singing touched our
hearts. Cookies and milk and fellowship
time were enjoyed after the program.
Thank you to:
All the children who put their hearts into this
program.
Their parents who helped them prepare.
Anna Vandenberg and Jacy VerMaas for
their dedication to the program and making
all the pieces fall into place.
Holly Campbell & Rhonda Lottman for
helping the children lift their voices to share
the good news.
Lenny Vermaas, Kara Johnson and Whiskers
for helping the preschoolers put on a great
performance.
Deb Owens and Niki Osborn for their help
making the kids look the part.
SWAT and their leaders for the captivating
live nativity.
Charlotte VerMaas for setting up the
fellowship time.
The Sunday School teachers for all their help
during the practices.
Nathan Ray for making sure the children
could be heard.
Team 4:12 and Roxanne Wheeler for
providing cookies for the kids after rehearsal.
UMW NEWS
Prayers for Healing
Sunday, January 4th
at 11:00 a.m.
All healing is from God.
On Sunday morning,
January 4th in the Pastor’s
office, we will share a special time for
prayer and “laying on of hands” for
anyone who desires prayers. Join us
following the worship service, about
11:00 a.m.
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If a person gets his attitude toward
money straight, it will help straighten
out almost every other area
in his life. ~~Billy Graham
Have you remembered GUMC in your
estate plan?
If you would like a full copy of the monthly
Treasurer’s report, please contact Amy in
the office. She can email you one or print
one out for you to pick up.
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United Methodist Women is open to
all women in the church! Come join
us!
Pantry Food Item for January
Pantry Sunday is January 4th. The food item
for January is macaroni & cheese. There is a
great shortage of food at the pantry and
many are in need. The pantry items will be
taken to the U M Food Pantry at Living
Hope United Methodist Church, located in
Omaha. Bring them to the church and
place them in either the grocery cart or the
baskets in the entry way in the education
wing.
UMW Meeting
January 8th at 1p.m.
Pledge Service
Hostesses: Sheri Farrar & Donna Doolittle
Mission Project: Midwest Distribution
(Patterns)
Chair: Donna Doolittle
Sarah Circle
January 22nd at 7p.m.
Program Leader & Hostess: Gaye Kubicek
Book: Strong was her Faith
Missouri River District Study
January 24th at 9am-3pm
at Papillion St. Paul UMC
Registration at 8:30am
Lunch is $7.00
Childcare is available
Register by January 18th for lunch and
childcare. Bring a sack lunch for the
children.
Study: “The Church & People with
Disabilities: Awareness, accessibility, and
Advocacy” Presented by Timothy F. Shaw,
JD Chief Executive Officer, Disability
Rights Nebraska
Contact: Carol Michaels 402-734-0857 or
email at [email protected]
What’s new at GUMC
Anna Kippley, our new Director of Christian
Education, began her full-time
responsibilities on December 8. Anna
will be concentrating her efforts in
providing leadership for the Children’s
Ministry area, for preschoolers through
5th grade.
A building Study task force has begun
discussing the strengths, challenges, and
opportunities associated with our current
facility. Our Trustee chair, Jason
Brewer, has been leading the discussion.
In addition, Dennis Owen, Nicole
Hunter, and Shannon Jones are assisting
in looking at our needs, as well as
soliciting input from members of the
congregation.
A new women’s Bible study begins in
January, entitled The Best Yes. Amy
Purintun leads Wednesday morning
discussion, and Aprile Snyder
coordinates the Tuesday evening
conversation.
A GriefShare ministry will begin in
February. Joan Rogers and Ed Mantler
will lead the first series, which will meet
Sunday afternoons, February 1 through
May 3.
Children and youth will resume Sunday
School discussions on January 4.
GUMC is partnering with Youth Emergency
Services in hands-on mission. Several
times a month, groups from the church
are putting together bags of sandwiches
and a few other goodies to offer to youth
who are homeless or at-risk. YES
distributes the food to the youth who are
counseled or receive their services.
A workshop on Maximizing your Social
Security Benefits will be offered at
GUMC on Thursday, January 29. A
financial planner will provide the
information, which is free and open to
the public.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GOT IDEAS? If you have an idea for the
next Women’s Ministry event/program
please contact Shirley Boyer or Joan Rogers
to discuss.
ALL WOMEN OF THE CHURCH
Please come Thursday, January 22nd,
6:30 PM. The Women Ministry 2015 Event
Planning session will be in the church
fellowship hall.
See you then.
HELP WANTED:
WINTER SNOW REMOVAL
Volunteers are being asked to sign up for a
one week period starting on Monday night
through Sunday to provide snow shoveling
and ice salting for the church sidewalks and
a few parking stalls. We want to provide a
safe and hazard free entrance into the church
for any activities during the week and
Worship Service on Sunday morning.
The Trustee committee will provide snow
shovels and ice melt material which will be
located at the church and more detailed
information will be posted by the sign up
sheet. Any questions concerning this
project may be directed to Jason Brewer or
any member of the trustees committee.
If you sign up for a week that ends up being
“snow free”, please consider signing up
again. Please sign both name and phone
number.
Thank you in advance
Trustees Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THANK YOU!!!
Christmas is a special time, a time of
joy. A time to pause and give thanks for
the blessing we have in you. Epworth
Village is about hope and healing, faith
and family. Thank you for being such
an important part of our family. We
appreciate your donation of $377.
Please know that your contribution to us
this Christmas season is truly a gift.
~Harrietta Reynolds
President/CEO
Epworth Village, York NE
Words cannot describe the gratitude and
love we have experienced when we
received your gift. We are truly grateful
and can’t thank you enough. Because of
your gift, we have been able to impact
and transform the lives of so many in
our community in a very real and
tangible way. Keep us lifted in prayer
so together we can continually work
towards the greater glory of God.
~Pastor Andrew
Living Hope UMC
Help Wanted -- Volunteer
Help Wanted - Volunteer
Ushering and Greeting for Worship
Services- It’s fun and easy. You just show up
a little early before worship, we provide the
written directions. (Seasoned ushers and
greeters can also answer your questions that
day.) Not ready to plunge in alone? Then you
can help another group for a few worship
services. Just sign up on usher/greeter sheet
on the bulletin board outside the church
office. If you have any questions, contact Jan
Spurgeon at 402-332-3088 or
[email protected].
Warm Clothing needed for the Youth
Emergency Services, which currently
operates: A Shelter Program that offers a
structured home and family-style
environment, an Outreach Program that
assists street-dependent youth with their
immediate needs, A Drop-in Center where
street-dependent youth receive positive help
and support. The center provides a safe place
for youth to receive services such as a hot
meal, shower and laundry facilities while
collaborating with community organizations
to offer a variety of services including legal,
medical, education and employment
services. There is a great need for clothing
(warm clothes now that winter has arrived)
for both young men and women that are
made available to the youth through the
Clothing Closet, located in the Drop-In
Center. Possible ideas for donations would
be gloves, hats, coats, warm socks, thermal
underwear, hand warmers and sweat pants
and shirts; all welcome treasures to those that
are living homeless on the streets. Place
donations in the large blue box in the foyer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bethlehem House: Volunteers wanted to
paint a couple of rooms at the Bethlehem
House! This is a wonderfully rewarding
project with lasting rewards. We plan to
paint during the day time hours of either
January 6, 7 or 8, 2015. What a refreshing
way to start a new year…with fresh new
paint and a splash of new color. If you would
like to join the fun while serving these young
mothers please contact Mary Lou.
Volunteers interested in attending a
Mission Exploration Outing on Thursday,
January 15 from 12:30PM-2PM at The New
Hope life Center For Women. New Hope
Life Center was created to see individuals
receive healing from past pain and failure,
establish new paradigms for living, and
successfully become able to sustain and grow
their own physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual life throughout all of life.
This is accomplished through knowledge,
application and experience with the love of
God through Jesus Christ, as personalized by
His Spirit.
Volunteering at the New Hope Life Center
for Women may look a little different than
you might initially think. We have a variety
of opportunities for volunteers to be
involved. We have opportunities for groups
who want to serve just one time or
individuals who want to volunteer for a
committed amount of time! If interested in
joining us on this Mission Exploration
Outing…please contact Mary Lou, REACH
Coordinator.
Volunteers are needed to assist in getting
flyers out into the community regarding Matt
Greens Presentation entitled Savvy Social
Security Planning: What Baby Boomers
Need to Know to Maximize Retirement
Income. Matt Green is with Trinity Financial
Group and will be conducting a free one hour
community wide workshop on Thursday,
January 29, 2015 at 6:30PM at Gretna United
Methodist Church. Contact Mary Lou,
Reach Coordinator.
THANK YOU!!!
I want to take a moment to say thank you
to all who come to help fold the
newsletter each month. You are a great
help and an wonderful gift!! Also, thank
you to Rex Bottger, Joan Rogers, and
LaVada Hopkins for coming in each
week to fold the bulletins! You three are
a great help and joy to have in the office.
Thank you so much to you all.
~Amy
Thank you for your generous donation of
food, personal products, cleaning
supplies and monetary donations. All
will allow us to provide assistance to
those in need in our community. A
special Thank you to SallyAnn Willett
for delivering to our pantry.
~Gretna Neighbors
Thank you for giving to The Jesus Film
Project. Your gift has been a great
blessing to us, but most importantly to
the Kingdom of Christ as The Gospel
continues to be preached throughout the
entire world to the glory of God.
~Judith Ortiz
WEDNESDAYS IN THE WORD
-- WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE
STUDY FOR WOMEN -This is a community wide Bible study that
happens at the GRETNA United Methodist
Matt Green from Trinity Financial Group
Church on Wednesday Mornings. Women
will be conducting a free one hour workshop
come from all area churches, and you are
on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 6:30PM at
invited to join us as well.
Gretna United Methodist Church.
Savvy Social Security Planning:
What Baby Boomers Need to
Know to Maximize Retirement
Income
Matt specializes in helping retirees and
those transitioning into retirement reduce
tax burdens and increase income. It’s our
mission to make sure you enjoy your hardearned retirement using strategies that fit
your specific needs.
Matt has passed the Series 65 Uniform
Investment Advisor Law Exam and is an
Investment Advisor Representive with
Client One Securities, LLC an Investment
Advisor. He has dedicated Trinity Financial
Group to helping his clients protect and
preserve their assets. Matt and his wife of 15
years, Mindi have seven children, and they
are actively involved in their local church.
Matt honorably served his country for six
years in the United States Marine Corps and
now serves on the school board at Nebraska
Christian Schools.
Next session begins on JANUARY 7th.
What time: 9:15 AM to 11:00 AM (coffee
is ready at 9AM!)
Where: Gretna United Methodist Church
Childcare? Yes, we provide childcare for
those who request it.
Topic: Our next study will be THE BEST
YES by Lysa TerKeurst.
Here is a paragraph from the back of the
book: “Do you find yourself spending a lot
of time figuring out when to say yes and
when to say no, thinking about how to
manage your time, reduce stress, do your
best for your family and still find a little time
for yourself? Lysa TerKerst found herself in
The topics that will be discussed during the that same situation until she learned the
presentation are: Will Social Security be
power of “the best yes,” the choice that
there for me? How much can I expect to
shapes all of our other choices. In this sixreceive? When should I apply for Social
session video-based study, Lysa uses her
Security? How can I maximize my benefits? signature mix of transparency, ScriptureWill Social Security be enough to live on in laced insight, and “been there” humor to
retirement?
suggest usable strategies for making wise
decision day by day.”
Matt is donating a Free Financial Analysis
to those who attend along with a drawing for Feel free to sign up by contacting Amy
a $25 gift card!
Purintun either by phone - 402-332-2624 or
Make plans now to join us by calling Mary
via email at [email protected]
Lou, Reach Coordinator and reserving your
place.
If Wednesday mornings don’t work in
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your schedule, there is also a Tuesday
evening option meeting from 6PM to 8PM
beginning on January 13. Aprile Snyder
facilitates the Tuesday evening study, and
you can contact her at
[email protected]
Coming Soon!!
Grief Share at GUMC
Starting February 1st
for more information
call Joan at 402-332-3991 or
e-mail: [email protected]
COMMUNION OFFERING
FOR JANUARY:
TOGETHER INC.
The Church In Mission
Youth Emergency Services Inc. located at
2679 Farnam Street in Omaha is truly turning
young lives around and Gretna United
Methodist Church is working alongside their
efforts. The Mission is clear…To serve and
protect homeless and at-risk youth by
providing shelter, programs, advocacy and
education that promote personal and family
development. Currently Y.E.S. operates a
Shelter Program that offers a structured home
and family-style environment, an Outreach
Program that assists street-dependent youth, a
Drop-in Center where street-dependent youth
receive positive help and support, a
Maternity Group Home that provides a home
for pregnant and parenting youth as well as a
Transitional Living Program that supports
homeless youth as they transition to
independent living.
Many of the youth referred to the program
are victims of abuse and neglect. They may
be homeless, runaways, wards of the state,
and/or under the jurisdiction of the juvenile
court system.
Gretna UMC is extending a hand after
recognizing an opportunity to assist the Street
Outreach Program staff that patrols the
streets in the Omaha area in search of streetdependent youth who need help. The team
carries backpacks loaded with supplies and
other resources to provide immediate
assistance. All of the Street Outreach services
are available free of charge.
Twice a month we have committed to
making sandwiches that are placed
inside of brown paper lunch bags
along with a small bag of chips and
raisins. These brown paper bags are
then delivered to the 2679 Farnam Street
location the following day to be dispensed to
the youth on the streets by the Street
Outreach Staff.
Team 4:12 has taken on this monthly labor of
love with great enthusiasm along with the
generous adults that regularly attend the
Seekers Sunday School class.
If you would like to assist Youth Emergency
Services in their work please contact Mary
Lou REACH Coordinator. Donations of
Peanut Butter, Jelly, Brown Paper Bags,
chips, raisins, and plastic sandwich bags
would joyously be accepted!