FIRST UNITED FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCHMETHODIST CHURCH

Ministry TeamMinistry TeamMinistry Team

Ministers

The Worshiping Congregation

Pastor

Chuck Rager

Christian Education Director

Renee Meyer

Administrative Secretary

LaVerne Schimpf

Custodian

Ginny Volberding

Newsletter Editor

Karen Nenstiel

District Superintendent

Cindy Karges

Bishop of Great Plains

Conference

Ruben Saenz, Jr.

Ogallala, Nebraska 69153 www.methodistchurchogallala.com

The MessengerThe Messenger

First United Methodist ChurchFirst United Methodist Church

Pastor’s Page 2

“Did You Know?” 3

Meetings This Month 3

United Methodist Women 4

Thanks to Our Donors 5

An Activity Page 6

Young People’s Activities 7

Solid Rock Youth Group 8

Youth Pictures 9

New Members, Baptisms 10

Stewards for May 11

IN THIS ISSUE

Rolling River Rampage VBS 2018

May 29 through June 1, 2018

9:00 a.m. to Noon

Experience the ride of a lifetime with God at Rolling River Rampage VBS 2018! The white water rafting adventure includes exciting music, amazing science, creative crafts, fun recreation, memorable Bible Stories that will help children know God is always with them as they ride the rapids of life! And as always we have a few special surprise adventures our campers

won’t want to miss! Registration forms are available online at www.methodistchurchogallala.com

or stop by the church office and we will happily help you register your child!

Interested in helping? We have many area’s that we need help with:

Teaching, Leading Groups, Special Events, Snacks and Decorating.

Please contact Renee if you are willing to give of your time to such a worthy

event!

I truly believe God has spoken to my heart and given me an idea of

something we should try at Ogallala United Methodist Church. The idea is

to try a service on the second Wednesday of each month from September

through May. My wife and I have prayed about this and see it as part of

our ministry.

The philosophy that would guide this service is that we hold it on

the second Wednesday of the month, and that we would be reminded that

our personal will, way and life should come second to the will, way and life

of Christ. Meeting on the second Wednesday would be a symbolic re-

minder of this philosophy. This thought would be shared at each service.

Ideally, we would have a light supper in the Fellowship Hall, fol-

lowed by a worship service in the sanctuary. Light supper means some-

thing like: a baked potato bar, or a taco bar, or spaghetti or soup or,,,,well,

you get the idea. A light supper does not mean a full course meal. It is my

hope that different persons/groups/friends would care for the meal each

month. Financial assistance to help pay for the food items involved with

the meal is available. The light supper would be a free will donation. It

would be an opportunity for food and fellowship.

After the light supper we would have a worship service in the sanc-

tuary. I would have a homily that would not be a repeat of that Sunday’s

sermon. We would have Holy Communion. We would sing a couple of

songs and have prayer.

I am leaning toward a 5:30 P.M. start time for the light supper, with

the worship service at 6:15, and the worship service would typically be

about 35 minutes.

We encourage your prayer and support.

Pastor Chuck

Page 2 May, 2018

“Fleur-de-lis”

Because the fleur-

de-lis resembles a

lily — a symbol of

purity — it is

sometimes used to

represent the Virgin

Mary. Due to its

three-petal form,

the fleur-de-lis also

symbolizes the

Holy Trinity.

Christian

Symbols

Special Days This Month

The Keith County Senior Cen-

ter, a non-profit organization, invites

you to join them for a nutritious meal

and a chance to meet new friends.

The Center is open and serving

lunch Monday through Friday. The

menu for the center is printed in the

Keith County News each week, and

monthly newsletters from the Center

and the RSVP office are available

with a complete menu for the

month.

Page 3 The Messenger

Board of Trustees on Wednes-day, May 2, 7:00 p.m.

Finance Committee on Thurs-day, May 3, 5:00 p.m.

Missions Outreach Committee on Wednesday, May 9, 6:00p.m.

Administrative Council on Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 p.m.

Meetings This Month

HAPPY MOTHER’S

DAY

SUNDAY. MAY 13,

2018

Did you know a free handi-bus

ride to and from the center is availa-

ble for anyone needing this service?

Call the Keith County Senior

Center (284-6740) to make a reser-

vation or for more information.

National Day of Prayer, May 3, 2018

Ascension, May 10, 2018

Mother’s Day, May 13, 2018

Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2018

Pentecost, May 20, 2018

Victoria Day (Canada), May 21, 2018

Trinity Sunday, May 27, 2018

Memorial Day, May 28, 2018

Tired of Cooking? Tired of Eating Alone?

At the April 18, 2018, Adminis-trative Board meeting the Board voted unanimously to eliminate the

11:15 service. The last 11:15 ser-vice will be May 20, 2018. Much thought and information was pro-cessed as part of this deci-sion. Pastor Chuck and/or the Church Office can share the infor-mation that was part of that deci-sion.

The Board also voted to imple-ment a new service beginning in September. This new service will be called Second Wednesday ser-vice and will indeed take place on the second Wednesday of each month. A light supper will be served at 5:30 and a worship ser-vice at 6:15. Pastor Chuck and/or the Church office can provide more information.

11:00 a.m. in the kitchen for a short

meeting before setting up for the

lunch.

This will be the last meeting until

September. A big thank you to all

members who have served in vari-

ous ways so far in 2018.

Mona Radcliffe

UMW President

Page 4 May, 2018

United Methodist

Women May

meetings

UMW General

Thursday, May 10

12:00 noon — Potluck

Fellowship Hall

Circle 1

No Meeting this month

See you in September!

Circle 3

Thursday, May 17

2:00 pm

Hess Lounge

Circle 5

Monday, May 21

6:00 pm

“Eat Out”

The UMW General will meet for

a pot luck lunch on Thursday, May

10 at 12:00 noon in Fellowship Hall.

All women are welcome and urged

to attend. Beverly Roberts will have

devotions and Shirley Rankin is in

charge of the program.

The UMW Executive Committee

will be hosting for the potluck lunch-

eon. The Committee will meet at

Todd Neill upon the passing of his Mom, Marjorie Neill,

who passed away on March 31.

Vance Nelson, whose brother Todd passed away on

April 14.

Jane Terrell’s name was acci-

dently omitted from the lists of con-

tributors for the funeral luncheons

for Nancy Graff and Dorothy

Sexson. We thank Jane very much

for her willingness and generosity

and sincerely apologize for the

omission.

Thank You!

Confirmation Sunday will be

on May 20, 2018. This year 5

Confirmands will be received into

full membership in Ogallala First

United Methodist Church.

Confirmation Sunday

Submissions for the June issue of The Messenger

need to be in the editor’s hands no later than Monday,

May 21. Bring items to the Church Office, or you may e-

mail them directly to the newsletter editor at:

ogallalaumcnews@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for your help!

The Messenger Page 5

Gift Basket—Jim Persinger/Dakota Mac “Think Spring” Basket—Buenz Gifts

Ten Commandments Wooden Plaque—Herb & Charlotte Ruser 4” Round Utility Flood Light—Humphrey’s Auto Supply

T-Shirt Quilt—Claudia Stevenson Plastic Pedal John Deer Tractor—21st Century Equip./John Deer

7lb. Pro Plan Cat Food—Baltzell Vet Clinic 18lb. Pro Plan Dog Food—Baltzell Vet Clinic

NE Basket w/2 Tickets to Troy Home Game—Doug & Linda Fuller 2lbs. Homemade Jerky—Larry Keller

Fishing Gear Basket—Bill & Deb Boutwell 18 x 24 Mt. picture by Sullivan—Gwen Johnson

6 Haircuts—Bud Haney 2 day Fishing Trip/Instruction & Equip.—Jerry Steinke

Goose Hunting Trip for 2—Pete Peterson 2 $50 Gift Certificates—Open Range

Fly Fishing Excursion—Big Mac Fly Fishers Cookies/Bars—2 Doz. Monthly—Teresa Davis

Lilacs—Max Peterson Family 4 Football Tickets/Home Games—Terry & Gwen Johnson

1 Car Quest Booster Cable/8 Gauge—12 ft.—Terry Johnson 3 Hours Handyman Work—Lou Hoak

4-$500 Gift Certificated for Dental Work—Dr. Jim Rezac Horse Shoe Art—Voloice Schroeder

Quilt—Rhonda Duba, Janet Koperski, Ramona Upright 4 New York Strip Steaks from Hehnke’s—Jerry & Joan Speck

4 Hours Light Manual Labor—Cowboy Capital Consultants/Meth. Men Art Work—Jonnie Peterson

Husker Football Tickets/Home Game/TBD—Watering Hole 2 Gift Cert./18 Holes Golf + Cart—Crandall’s Creek Golf

$50 Gift Certificate—Front Street/Stacey & Kat Bauer 2018 VB Camp Tuition (grades 4-12) - Steve & Kate Morgan

One/Year Long Adult Movie Pass—Prairie Theater Himalayan Salt Lamp—Kenfield Petrified Wood Gallery

Food Basket—Trails’ End Floral Pattern Tea Pot with 2 Cups—Trail’s End

$25 Gift Certificate—Valentino’s 2 Rounds/18 Holes Golf + Cart—Bayside Golf Club/Suzy Hiltibrand 2 Rounds/18 Holes Golf + Cart—Bayside Golf Club/Suzy Hiltibrand

Spa Pedicure—In Your Shoes/June Towell Ladies Hair Care Basket—Absolute Attractions/ Linda Tuttle

48 qt. Cooler—Dorie Nolde (Coca Cola/Dr. Pepper) 1 Gift Cert./Lube/Oil & Filter/Tire Rotation—Town & Country Service Center

Go Cart—Ryan & Mary Dickinson Family Gas Powered Mini Bike—Ryan & Mary Dickinson Family

Bus Trip/Lodging/Food Coupons for 2 to Deadwood, SD October 26-28, 2018—Ogallala Tour & Travel/Laura Sexson

Hand Crafted Wooden Boxes—Lynn Davis 1-45 minute in Home Sermon Delivered by Pastor Chuck—Pastor Chuck Rager

2 - Hand crafted Glass Bird Feeders—Allen Cerny Teapot wall hanging w/Teapot Lamp—Church Basement Quilters & Sandi Chamberlin

Family Movie Night Basket—Petal Pushers 2 Hand Made Canes—Lynn Davis

Crocheted Baby Blanket & Lap Blanket—Corine Sexson Everything you need for a great day at lake (8 items) - Ogallala Hometown Shopko

Gardening Starter Kit—Shawn & Dawn Haney Waterfall LED Fountain & Two Sugar Shack Candles—Office Service/Shawn & Dawn

Haney Autographed Husker Football in Case—Larry & Shirley Schlem

Oil change, car wash & vehicle inspection—Wolf Auto Ladies & Men's Hair Care Baskets—Kendace's Hair Clinic

Thank You to FunFest Silent Auction Sponsors

Page 6

May, 2018

Answer: E (See Acts 2:9-11)

A Bible Quiz

A. Egypt

B. Libya

C. Crete

D. Rome

E. All of the above

F. A, B and D

While in Jerusalem for Pentecost, people from many faraway

lands miraculously heard the disciples preaching in their own

native languages. Which of the following modern-day places

was/were represented?

An Activity Page for Younger People

The Messenger Page 7

Pentecost Sunday

May 20,2018

Hunting Eggs on a Snowy Easter Morning

photos by Renee Meyer

and Jeff Peterson

Page 8 May, 2018

Solid Rock Youth Group

We’ve had a great year at Solid Rock Youth!

Some of the activities for the year:

Roller Skating in Grant one evening.

Helped pack flood buckets that the church donated.

The youth purchased and filled 38 shoe boxes for Samaritans purse.

Attended Ash Wednesday Service.

Attended Easter Pageant.

Had Dr. Rezac for guest speaker (thank you, Dr. Rezac).

Had Pastor Chuck Rager as guest speaker (thank you, Pastor Rager).

Went as a group to the movie “I Can Only Imagine.”

Went bowling.

Held a pizza-making fund raiser.

When not doing all these activities, we had great lessons given by the adult

leadership with small group discussion. Played a game, ate snacks, closed

with a prayer and dismissed by 8:30.

We have included some pictures of our activities for the year.

As spring has sprung, the days get longer and warm weather appears, the

youth have begun other activities like late track practices, baseball practices

and soccer practices. We have had an awesome bunch of kids this year that

we are very thankful for, as well as a great group of adult leaders. Our adult

leaders are Jeff Peterson, Penny Benda, Sharon York and Liz Meyer. We are

very thankful to all these adults for their hours of devotion and commitment.

We are thankful to all the parents who have shared their youth with us and

provided transportation to and from the Church and our activities. It has been

a great joy to get to know this inspiring group of students.

A special thank you to Pastor Chuck for his guidance and encouragement

throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Jeff and Renee Meyer

photos courtesy of

Renee Meyer

The Messenger Page 9

Youth Group Activities and Events

Page 10 May, 2018

Ogallala First UMC received new members into the church family on Sunday,

April 22. Pictured above (left to right) with their sponsors are: Terri and Mike

Henry (sponsored by Herb and Karen Knudsen); Janet Curtis (sponsor, Marge

Blaase); Gary Williams (sponsor, Richard Johnson); Kari and Maia Petersen

(sponsors, Pete and Jonnie Peterson). Welcome to the church family!

Monday,

May 28, 2018

Your Church Office

will be closed in

observance of the

holiday.

Bentley Grace Nugent was baptized

on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Her par-

ents are Robert and Taylor

(Persinger) Nugent.

Derek James Sexson was baptized

on Sunday, April 15, 2018. Derek is

a member of the 2018 Confirmation

Class. (photos by Jeff Peterson)

At his graduation, a young man tasked with giving a speech began reading from some notes. “I want to talk about my mother and the wonderful influence she had on my life,” he said. “She’s a shining example of parenthood, and I love her more than words can ever do justice.”

The graduate then paused, appeared to struggle a moment and looked up at the audience with a mischievous smile. “It’s really hard to read my mom’s handwriting,” he said.

May 6 Greeters L.D. & Sherri Walker, Ken Hagge Fellowship Lyle & Barbara Nootz Acolytes Abigayle Bassett, Sawyer Smith Children’s Moment Carmen Troxel Ushers Group 9: Buck Markussen, Eric Troxel, Parker Reil, Hunter Reil, Ryan Holechek

May 13 Greeters Ken & Edna Meyer, Jim & Becky Plate Fellowship Acolytes Emma Spiehs, Tylie Walker Children’s Moment Bea Hatch Ushers Group 10: Cena Graves, Dave Sheldon, Todd Neill, Dave Baltzell, Ron & Sharen Terry May 20 Greeters Herb & Karen Knudsen, Norm & Rhonda Duba Fellowship Acolytes Amaris Cobaugh, Jamie Biel Children’s Moment Pastor Chuck Rager Ushers Group 1: Jeff Peterson, Lonnie Peters, Craig Draucker, John Stulich, Jim Persinger May 27 Greeters Cliff & Shirlee Knispel, Jim & Dorothy Glenn Fellowship Acolytes Ella Dam, Jasmine Biel Children’s Moment Jonnie Peterson Ushers Group 2: Steve Shull, Burrell Albee, Terry Johnson, Jerry Speck, Richard Johnson, Lou Hoak June 3 Greeters Buck & Judy Markussen, Roger & Judi Adkins Fellowship Larry & Doris Keller, Larry & Shirley Schlem Acolytes Ethan Dickinson, Jarrett Bassett Children’s Moment Ginny Steinke Ushers Group 3: Dennis & Teresa Davis, John & Sharon York Todd & Kim Peterson, Wendell & Ramona Upright June 10 Greeters Barbara Draucker, Dennis & Teresa Davis Fellowship Acolytes Hayden Erwin, Claudia Rhoades Children’s Moment Penny Benda Ushers Group 4: Roger Rankin, Pete Peterson Phil Armstrong, Ken Meyer

If you would like to have your name added to the rosters for any of the service opportunities listed above, please contact the church office.

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