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CENTRAL RAYS
September 2014
Central United Methodist Church
201 S. 5th
St. Milbank, SD 57252
605-432-4766
Fall Worship Times 8:30 am Traditional
9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Blended
Wednesday Renewal 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
Lead Pastor – Rev. Thom Bowsher [email protected]
Emergencies: 432-5363
Youth Pastor – Rev. Melissa Gall [email protected]
Pastoral Care Pastor/Children’s
Minister – Kristy Liebe [email protected]
Office Manager – Jen Aden [email protected]
Office Assistant – Sandy MacMillan
Custodians – Todd & Peggy Morton
January 2017
WHERE CAN YOU FIND US? Television: Radio: ITC Cable Channel 95 KMSD 1510 Mondays at 10:00 am & 7:00 pm Sundays at 11:00 am Midcontinent Cable Channel 3 Sundays at 5:30 pm www.milbankchurch.org Mondays at 11:30 am #graceiscentral Tuesdays at 2:30 pm
The following comes from The Monday Memo:
Best Kept Secret by Steve May
"Fifty some-odd years ago a conference on comparative reli-gions was held at Cambridge University. Theologians and schol-ars from around the world had come together to explore vari-ous religious ideas.
One such topic was, "Which belief (or doctrine) is unique to the Christian faith?" Many of the things that Christians believe, other religions believe, too. Other religions have stories of incar-nation and resurrection and various plans of salvation … so the question asked was: What is unique about the Christian faith?
C.S. Lewis happened into the room and someone said to him, “We’re discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among the world religions.” Lewis said, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”
After some discussion and debate, those at the conference agreed. Christianity is the only religion that suggests that God’s love is offered to us for free, with no strings attached, and that his mercy is available to everyone … even the most undeserving.
This is certainly the church’s best news, and often our best kept secret. Remind others today — yourself, if necessary — of God’s never-ending love."
As Steve May points out: the grace of God through Jesus Christ: is "our best kept secret". But is shouldn't be, should it? The grace we have received so freely should never be a secret locked away deep inside of those of us who call ourselves
Pastor’s Ponderings
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Winter weather cancellation policy for Central Church is
if Milbank schools are closed, then all church activities
are cancelled.
Christians. We should never consider God's grace as a trade secret or proprietary recipe that no one else can know about. It should be con-sidered "open source" or free to the public.
With a new year upon us may we find our-selves engulfed in God’s grace. May we be over powered by a great sense and desire to share what we know with others so that they too can experience the grace of God through Jesus Christ
Serving Christ while growing in Christ,
Pastor Thom
Romans 3:24 - "They are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". (NRSV)
Happenings for Children’s Ministries in January
There will be No Sunday School on January 1! We will resume with regular Sunday School on January 8. The children will be learning about Jesus as He grows up and begins His ministry! We are looking forward to having the kids return after the break!
Wednesday Night Activities will resume on January 11. We will once again have a meal at 5:15 pm, with kid’s activities beginning at 6:00 pm. The children will be focusing on the power of PRAYER for our winter activities, plus we have lots of fun family events for everyone to attend!
We are pumped up to see what amazing things God has in store for the kids of our church! Join us!
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Meals from the Heart Planning Meeting
A planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10, for Meals from the Heart at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Darci Ganske, who is now the head of the program, hopes to get new ideas to improve the service and determine which current practices are working and get sug-gestions for improvements to the meals and program. If you have a recipe to share or suggestions,
By Pastor Kristy Liebe Children’s Minister/Pastoral Care Pastor
I don’t know about you but I’m ready to say goodbye to 2016 and look forward to start-ing 2017. 2016 has been a year of many changes for me and has left me grieving in a lot of ways!
I started a new job here at the church; so, I’ve had to grieve not getting to be at the school with the kids. I’ve had to lay aside dreams that I’ve had for years. What do I dream about now? My friend moved away and I miss her often! My oldest is getting married; so, I’ve grieved the changes that I know that will bring. That’s a lot of tears and changes for me!
So, I find myself hopeful in looking to 2017! I’ve been enjoying my job here at the church more and more. Not only do I enjoy it, but I feel called by God to be here, in this place, for this time. It is great to have purpose, after wondering what my purpose may be! I know that when I am called to lay down a dream, that God has bigger, better plans than I could ever imagine! My friend is farther away, but I still get to be in contact with her! I have also been blessed beyond words with friends that I hold very dear! I am loved and supported in ways that I have never experienced before! I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world to call them “friends”! Finally, I get to add a wonderful daughter-in-law to my family! She is amazing and fits into our family like a missing puzzle piece!
I think it is ok for me to grieve some of the things I’ve been through, but I need to change my perspective and focus on the blessings. So, I’ve decided that I’m going to make Ro-mans 15:13 my verse to focus on in 2017!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
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Make a New Year’s Resolution to Make a Difference!
By Pastor Kristy Liebe
I cannot express how much the children of today are in desperate need of caring adults in their lives. Our kids are hurting in ways that are hard to imagine! They are experiencing loss and longing for love. We simply can’t afford to do nothing about this!
One powerful way to help is to become a Kids Hope mentor! You can deposit love into a child that is craving the love and attention of a caring adult! It is a life changing commitment! You can make an immense impact in a child’s life, and I promise your life will never be the same! God works in powerful ways through this ministry! Please prayerfully consider becoming involved.
Kristy will be offering training early in 2017. Please contact her if you are interested. She has one student who needs a guy to step up and be his mentor. This student had a mentor, who decided he could no longer meet with him. This young man has already been a part of the program and needs someone new to meet with him. So guys, rise up to the challenge! We need you!
Reading Through the Bible
By Sheila Dailie
Even if you don’t make New Year’s resolutions, have you ever thought about trying to read through the Bible in the New Year? A fresh calendar, a fresh start, not yet falling behind on the reading for the day!
Starting in Genesis with the familiar stories of creation, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses went along quite well. However, after a day missed here and there, Exodus usually was the ending point of my reading.
Two things changed that for me: One was giving myself the GRACE to skip a reading if I missed the day. The second was the format of the chronological Bible which has each reading dated. Somehow it was easier to not feel “behind” when I just had to find the date and read the Scripture portions that followed it.
Perhaps this could be YOUR year to set this goal. Bibles are available in the church office.
Daily thoughts spawned by the day’s Scripture are posted on Reading Through the Bible on
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Prayer Requests
OUR PEOPLE IN OVERSEAS MISSION Staff at Gess (Kissy) Eye Clinic Agape School of Boys, Kenya Solar Oven Partners Dr. Emanuel Mefore, Mutumbara, Zimbabwe Mission LONG TERM PRAYER REQUESTS Cheryl Pauli Jesse Bergerud Ione Brehmer (mother of Renae Fox) Paula Berry Matthew Smith Mary Warrey
(If you have any updates or know of a name that should be removed, please call the church office.) COMMITTEE OF THE MONTH Evangelism Commission CHURCH OF THE MONTH Trinity Lutheran Corona
Description of the Evangelism Commission
The Committee on Evangelism has the responsibility of organizing the evangelistic outreach, the spir-itual development and growth, and the caring and sharing ministry of the membership of Central Church. It seeks to identify the un-churched in the community, plan for visitation programs within the church commu-nity, nurture the new members and plan for any specific evangelism meetings or events.
Our Mission Statement is:
“Reaching out to our community with love and grace while encouraging others to become committed fol-lowers of Jesus Christ!”
The Evangelism Committee meets on a monthly basis and continuously attempts to identify ways in
which we can come in contact with those that might be in need of a church home. We plan and participate
in many different types of activities throughout the year. You may find our members serving gourmet coffee
in the Narthex on Sunday mornings, handing out candy at Treat Street or welcoming everyone to church at
the Candlelight Christmas Eve services.
OUR PEOPLE IN CARE FACILITIES
Park Place Nadeane Buri Dorothy Bishop Dorothy Bracht Deloris Richards Francis Van Sambeek
St. Williams Marie Buri Wava Butler Del Cardwell Shirley Hanson Verla Miller Kathy Trapp Ruth Wibbens
Golden Living Center Emmet Stengel Caroline Gommer Jenkins Living Center Betty Damer Rita’s Elderly Home Care Arlys Helmbrecht
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It is with much gratitude that we say “Thank You.” We are in awe of all the wonderful people who donate food, money and time to the Grant County Food Pantry. Without your help it would be difficult to help those in need. Please know you are truly appreciated.
Many blessings to you.
Sincerely,
The Grant County Christian Service Council Grant County Food Pantry
Thank You for the wonderful frozen meals after my surgery. It was so great to have yummy meals for the family while I was recuperating at home.
Thanks so much!
Amber Amdahl
Thank you for thinking of me while I am at college and sending a very thoughtful care package! I love and miss all of you, my church family, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sup-port you’ve given me over the years.
Thanks again,
Abby Wollschlager
To our Central family,
We so appreciated and are still overwhelmed by all that you have done for us during this time of loss concerning our son, Aaron. The prayers, visits, kind words, food, memorial gifts, and cards have deeply touched our hearts. We are very grateful to all that played a role in the beautiful "celebration of life" service, gravesite service, and the meal afterwards.
Thank you so much,
Jim & Mary Dahl
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Pray Without Ceasing
By Sheila Dailie
The following is the first part of the invocation delivered by Franklin Graham in 2001 at the inauguration of president-elect George W. Bush. It is a great reminder that God is in control. What a great prayer for the peaceful transfer of power this month.
Invocation delivered by Franklin Graham
Blessed are You, 0 Lord, our God. Yours, 0 God, is the greatness and the power and the
glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, 0
Lord, is the kingdom. You’re exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You. You are
the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and to give strength to all.
As President Lincoln once said, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven.
We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers,
wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown, but we have forgotten God. It behooves
us then to humble ourselves before the offended powers, to confess our national sins and to
The Heritage Room Sunday School class will begin the new year with the video series titled, “Is This the End.” The biblical scholar Dr. David Jeremiah brings attention to current issues and headlines and connects their meaning to biblical texts. Each session will stand alone, but is better seen in sequence.
The message from Dr. Jeremiah is divided in two parts: “ Is this the End for America” and “ Is this the End for the World.” The first session is “The Age of Anything Goes.” In the light of Scrip-ture, Dr. Jeremiah gives practical ways for us to face the ongoing challenges of today. I have been through the book, and I find fresh insight on many of today’s issues. There is a study guide that goes with the video and the book. We will have both available for you.
Pick up your coffee and come to the Heritage Room at 9:50 am. We will introduce the video and then have time for discussion. Sunday School classes resume on January 8. Everyone is wel-come.
Heritage Sunday School Class to Study Prophesy
Schulte, Anne (Chairperson *Bohn, Marge Brown, Tim & Jennifer Cross, Delwyn & Deloris Fields, Jerry & Marylynne Grabow, Elli Hofman, Don & Nancy Hupke, Dave & Darcy Krahn, Sue Ann
Lindeman, Gary & Cheryl Nomeland, Steve & Brenda Seehafer, Jeff & Holli Smith, Darrel & Florrie Steege, Duane & Jerelynn Vander Wal, Paul & Dawn Wendland, Jim & Sheri Winquist, John
Fellowship and Service Group for January
Group 7
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January Anniversaries
Jan. 2 Jason & Kristy Liebe Jan. 3 Aaron & Arlene Knaus Roger & Melanie Reiners Jan. 7 Mark & Jan Bierschbach Jan. 16 Jim & Jan Dietman
Jan. 3 Avery Jo Whitesitt Will Voeltz Jan 4 Jennifer Seehafer Jan. 6 Karen Loeschke Jan. 7 Meridith Biel Madison Liebe Jan. 8 Jan Bierschbach Jan. 9 Dale Prisinger Jan. 11 Don Hofman Jessica Mogard Jan Zuver Jan. 12 Whitney Falk Keegin Carlin Jan. 13 Wally Runge Molly Rick Jan. 14 Nancy Anderson Hilary Grabow Lindsey Keller Jan. 15 Aaron Knaus Alexis Oliver Will Cummins Sarah Grabow Tanen Schmieg Jan. 16 Faye Runge Jan. 17 Marla Tillman Jennifer Brown Jamie DeVaal Jan. 18 Jeanne Gonzenbach Judy Radtke Dan Frevert Eric Hofman
Jan. 19 Riley Vander Wal Jan. 20 Olivia Mueller Jan. 21 Nadeane Buri Lennox Spors Jared Schrupp Jan. 22 Maiah Brown Jan. 23 Trudi Niedert Teresa Stoddard Autumn Fox Jan. 24 Kathleen Cum-mins Jan Dietman Laura Mueller Nick Staehling Jan. 25 Jesse Schneck Jan. 26 Tana Mundwiler Ty Kettwig Jan. 27 Karen Tillma Jaimee Bender Amy Schrupp Jan. 28 Abram Fischer Easton Kasuske Hether Voeltz Jan. 29 Maren Pearson Jan. 30 Dorothy Bishop Grace Voeltz
January Birthdays
DECEMBER FINANCE NUMBERS AS OF
DECEMBER 29, 2016 TOTAL BUDGET OFFERING $ 44,917.00
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 53,129.00
Sunday School Offering $79.00 BackPack Program $1280.00 Gess UMC Eye Hospital $130.00
UMCOR $150.00 Zimbabwe Mission $20,000
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SUNDAYS 8:30 am Tradi-tional Worship 9:30 am Sunday School 10:00 am Prayer Group 10:30 am Blended Worship
MONDAYS 9:00 am The Gathering 5:30 pm CBS Leader’s Meet-ing
7:00 pm CBS
Classes
TUESDAYS 6:30 am Men’s Study 9:15 am Staff Meeting
2:30 pm Life
Quest
WEDNESDAYS 3:30 pm MS yoUnited 5:15 pm Advent Meal 6:00 pm JAM Activities 6:00 pm HS yoUnited 6:00pm Wednesday Renewal—Fellowship Hall