CHURCH NEWSLETTER Presbyterian and Christian Churches in Pawnee City, NE

H APP Y N EW Y EAR! ! This New Year is an opportunity to renew our faith, rededicate our lives to Christ, turn over a new leaf, commit ourselves to stop a bad habit, start a good habit, or take a risk and work toward something that has only been a dream to this point in our lives. I would suggest that we begin with our family and those closest to us and then move beyond to anyone the Holy Spirit might lead us to. This always involves prayer. Lord, how can we be better spouses, parents, grandparents, friends and how can we better reach out to those who are in need of love and the Good News that Jesus was born for and died for. Do we need to spend more quality time with those closest to us, really listening, or maybe there is someone we need to forgive? Lord, who can I encourage today, who needs a phone call, a visit, or a note or text of encouragement. It is important to start small but be intentional. Even if we have a goal to reach out to one more person in 2016, that is one more than we did in 2015. Or if we dedicate ourselves to say a simple prayer as mentioned above each day or say something simple like “Thank you God for loving me, who can I show love to today.” May God bless you and keep you and may his light shine up on you and give you peace in 2016.

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FOOD & FELLOWSHIP The monthly Second Sunday Lunch will be held January 10, 2016 and February 14, 2016. The main dish will be provided, as well as table service and drinks. Please

bring a side, salad or dessert for sharing. If you run out of time and didn’t

bring a food offering, please stay and join us for the meal

and fellowship. There is always plenty of food! We can have the ovens on to

keep food warm and plenty of room to plug in crock-

pots during church services. Immediately following

church, we will meet in the basement for a non-fundraising, no-fuss

fellowship.

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RESULT OF THE “E” GROUP HALF SHEETS

Our caroling, food, and a movie night went well. We were able to carol for 10 people before we ran out of time and energy. Please let us know if you would like to be on our list for the next time. Our After School kids may do some more singing in January and you can always request to have our Celebrate Jesus group sing. Thanks to those who sang. Thank you Linda for providing the food and motivation and Virginia Mort for bringing “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Do you remember the Half Sheets that were handed out to you in November? Here they are again along with the results: An “E” Group is a group of 6-10 people who will meet together for six session during a 2-3 month period depending on when the group can get together six times without conflicts for anyone. The “E” Group will go through six videos and a workbook together. It is up to each member what they do with the workbooks, and how much they participate, but it is important that they attend all sessions. The “E” stands for evangelism but it is a much different way of looking at evangelism than you may have heard before. The emphasis is on understanding, caring, and listening rather than on preaching, telling, or being pushy. The setting is inviting, hospitable, comfortable, and group members form closer relationships. You have heard in worship from the 10 members of the first group who really enjoyed this time together and feel that everyone should have an opportunity to participate in an “E” Group. 2 - I am ready to participate in an “E” Group as soon as possible. 3 - I am ready to join an “E” Group starting in January. 2 - I would like to be part of an “E” Group but not right now. Perhaps in (Spring) months. 2 - I am still thinking about joining an “E” group but am undecided. 0 - I am not interested in participating in an “E” Group but I support those who do. It is recommended that we have 6-10 in a group so those above will make a nice group with room for more. We will probably start the first group in March depending on the wishes of those who have signed up. Please let us know if you are interested. This is something that you can pray about doing in this coming year, and if needed, we can always have more than one group at the same time. As you heard, one of the greatest benefits was the fellowship and getting to better know others in our church families.

YOUTH GROUP Our After School Youth Group or Monday School as some of the kids call it, will continue on January 11. We greatly appreciate those who have donated food and we are always in need of help. You are invited to share a hobby, a life experience, a story, or a craft project with the children. We are even willing to load the kids up and come to your place if you would like. On the other hand, if you are just not comfortable with kids then we can always use help with food, or clean up, or making phone calls, etc. We would really like to split the children into 2-3 groups but we need several more helpers to be able to do this.

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Special music is truly a special treat for all of us so don’t be bashful about joining choir, Celebrate Jesus, providing something on your own, or twisting the arm of family members when they are in town to sing or play for us. We

can usually work it in even if it is a last minute addition to our service.

January 4, Presbyterian Pastor Meeting, Wymore January 6, 7:00 AM, Faith Baptist, Men’s Breakfast January 10, Following Church Service, Food & Fellowship Lunch January 17, Christian Church Annual/January Board Meetings January 17, 3:30 PM, Premiere Estates Service January 18, 6:30 PM, Session Meeting for January/February February 3, 7:00 AM, Presbyterian/Christian, Men’s Prayer Breakfast February 7, Following Church Service, Souper Bowl Sunday Lunch February 14, Following Church Service, Food & Fellowship Lunch February 21, 3:30 PM, Premiere Estates Service Mondays, 3:45-4:30 (Unless Posted), After School Youth Group Wednesdays, 9:30 AM, Bible Study at Pawnee Village Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, Celebrate Jesus Sundays, 9:00 AM, Adult Sunday School Class

ANNOUNCEMENTS

IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO START THINKING ABOUT SUMMER CAMP AT EITHER CALVIN CREST OR KAMP KALEO. THERE ARE CAMPS FOR ALL

AGES, INCLUDING FAMILY CAMPS.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL THIS YEAR WILL BE HOSTED BY THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

WILL BE COMING SOON. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET IN ON THE PLANNING FOR THIS YEAR’S VBS.

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BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

JANUARY 2 Matthew Turnbull 2 Phyllis Wherry 3 Kathy Turnbull 5 Matthew Thiemann 6 Lewis Rogers 8 Mandi Skuban 19 Leah Carpenter 22 Jim & Virginia Chittick 23 Annie Valenziano 24 Jason Vetrovsky 26 Jamie Poskochil 27 David Bowman 29 Emily Turnbull 30 Laura Turnbull

16 Rick Mach 17 Deb Niss 18 Lynn Curtis 19 Roger Thiemann 22 Mitchell Turnbull 24 Kurt Benson 27 Joe Phelan 27 Janice Snyder Potter 28 Bob Smith 29 Joan Packett Roby

FEBRUARY 1 Brian Miller 4 Zac Hanna 5 Marnie Weddle 6 Gerald & Joan Snyder 7 Dan Weddle 9 Kris Kubik 9 Diane Mort Garner 10 Charlene Chittick 10 Jana Kramer 11 Connor Sweeney 11 Betty Kimes 13 Larry Spitser 14 John Sweeney 14 Leora Hofmann