Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church

Page created by Lance Osborne
 
CONTINUE READING
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
THE MESSENGER
A PUBLICATION OF LENEXA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                                         Epiphany

                                                         Luncheon

                                                         SPAGHETTI & ICE
                                                         CREAM P.6

                                                         Tuesday

                                                         Bible Study

                                                         LAUNCH THE YEAR
                                                         WITH US, P.4

                                                         Preschool

                                                         Registration

                                                         READY OR NOT,
                                                         REGISTRATION
                                                         BEGINS IN A FEW
                                                         WEEKS, P.9

                                                         FCA

Art Cafe
                                                         Chapter at

                                                         LUMC

                                                         MEETINGS WILL

Launches
                                                         TAKE PLACE IN
                                                         THE
                                                         UNDERGROUND,
                                                         P.9
GET YOUR CREATIVE
JUICES FLOWING ON
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS,
P. 11

 JANUARY 2018                        WWW.LENEXAUMC.ORG
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
CHURCH
  STAFF
         Peggy Hillmon     LEAD PASTOR

               Ron Bell    ASSOCIATE PASTOR

         Jennifer Bryan    ECCUMENICAL
                           OUTREACH PASTOR

            Mary Clow      CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
             Ann Ober

          Lisa Freeman     YOUTH MINISTRIES

         Lori Campbell     PRESCHOOL/CDO
                           DIRECTOR

             Trey Bures    MUSIC STAFF
           Jenny Ewing

            Nan Hulett

           Blair Penney

        Liesel Stephens

        Charity Becker     OFFICE STAFF
            Kristen Bell

          Linda Stokes

 P. 2
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
P. 3

PASTOR'S PEN
“Happy New Year!” I imagine we will greet one another with that phrase several times
during the first few days of January 2018. While I find it difficult to get my mind around
the fact that it is, indeed, 2018, I am always grateful for new beginnings.

The truth is I heard the phrase, “I will be glad when this year is behind us,” several times
in 2017. Though I personally did not feel that way about this past year, there have been
years when those words did come out of my mouth as I contemplated putting the past
behind and beginning the new year with a sense of hope for better days ahead.

There is something quite freeing about starting fresh, and what better time than the
beginning of a new year. There will perhaps be resolutions to live healthier, more
thoughtful, disciplined lives in the days and weeks ahead. But, old habits die hard and
unless we put a plan in place to support us in our resolutions, by the end of the first
month, we may find that we have reverted to old behaviors.

With the celebrations of Christmas behind us, we follow the “star” to Bethlehem as the
Light that shone in the darkness calls us to a new way of being in the world. The gifts of
the Magi are offered in response to God’s gift to the world in Jesus, as the distant
travelers journeyed in search of a King. What they found instead was a child and the
new possibility that child represented for a world stuck in its old ways. These Magi were
the first to change the course of their journey as a result of their encounter with the
manger child.

The church, in its wisdom, has chosen to celebrate Jesus’ baptism on the second
Sunday in January. It seems we have twelve days to celebrate the wonder of Christmas
before we are faced with the question of what God’s light will mean for our darkness.
How will our manger encounter compel us to give birth to new possibilities in the
world?

 Continued on Page 4
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
P. 4

PASTOR'S PEN, CONTINUED
One week later, we hear John’s reoccurring reminder, “I baptize with water, but the one
who is more powerful than I, is coming after me….He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit.” We know John’s voice, for we heard it as part of our Advent journey—“You
brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of
repentance.” Yikes! It sounds like John would have us resolve to be better, kinder,
more faithful people and to keep our resolutions for more than a few weeks.

Whether or not he realizes it, John’s words indicate that we are going to need help with
those resolutions. “I baptize with water….He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” There
is a sense in which the Holy Spirit is God’s support plan for us. This Spirit will fill us with
Christ’s presence and provides guidance as we respond to God’s call on our lives and
help God’s kingdom to come in the world.

Each time we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, we are called to remember our own—to
remember that we have help to resist all that is dark and hurtful in the world—we have
help to do the right thing when we are tempted to do the convenient thing—we have
help when we feel overwhelmed with the day to day challenges we face—we have help
as we seek to become the people God has called us to be. So, Happy New Life! May
you discover in 2018 the source of all you need to navigate the journey to which you are
called.

GRACE & PEACE,
PASTOR PEGGY

         • BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITY •
Our Tuesday morning Bible Study group will begin the New Year by exploring the
book of Genesis--which literally means "beginnings." The many layers of meaning
found in the Genesis stories give us insight into God's action in the world and
our human response to that action. Each week we will examine a new story,
asking: "What does this story say about God...about human beings...and about
the relationship between the two?"

You are invited to join us in the Wesley Room from 10:00-11:00 each week for
study, prayer and fellowship, as we explore God's word together. Our first
meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday, January 9th.
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
P. 5

             LUMYOUTH
            HAPPENINGS                            MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

           Sunday, January 7th - 5 to 7 pm
                           LUMYouth fun!

                         …then from 7 to 8 pm
 PEANUTS Mission Trip Planning Meeting
             All adults and youth who will be
  participating on the July mission trip need
  to attend these planning meetings. These
  meetings will be held in the Wesley Room.
                                                  SUNDAY, JANUARY 14TH
 Also, all participants should complete their     LUMYOUTH ICE SKATING AT CROWN
 participation form and turn in their first $25   CENTER ICE TERRACE
        toward their participation fee of $150
                                     minimum.

 Sunday, January 14th - 11:35am to noon
     LUMYouth Parent Information Meeting
     Today we plan. We recruit. We set the
 calendar for our many events and projects.
Show your support for LUMYouth Ministries
                              by attending.

                         …then from 4 to 7 pm
 LUMYouth goes Ice Skating at the Crown           SUNDAY, JANUARY 7TH 11:45AM
                           Center Ice Terrace     EPIPHANY SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON
                                                  HOSTED BY LUMYOUTH
Returning to the ice rink is always fun. Bring
 $11 for the day. It will be $6 for admission,
 $3 for skate rental, and $2 for snack supper
              upon our arrival back at LUMC.

             Sunday, January 21st 5-7 pm
                          LUMYouth fun!

               Sunday, January 28th 3-7 pm
        LUMYouth Fire & Ice at Rockbottom
    It is time to set some fires and challenge
  ourselves a bit. Dress for the weather and      SUNDAY, JANUARY 28TH 3-7 PM
      be ready to have a blast in the country.    LUMYOUTH FIRE & ICE
 Parents drivers are MUCH needed. Sign up         AT ROCKBOTTOM
                              in Schneeberger.
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
P. 6

       Epiphany        Luncheon

              Sunday

            January 7th

       FREE SPAGHETTI & ICE CREAM
             hosted by LUMYouth
Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
WORDS ON WORSHIP – THEME FOR EPIPHANY –
                                                                               P. 7

WHO ARE YOU?
January 7     Epiphany Sunday – “Follow Your Star ”
              Matthew 2:9-10; Rev. Peggy Hillmon preaching;
              Communion at both services; Chancel Choir at 10:30

January 14    The Baptism of our Lord – “Connect with Your
              Belovedness” Matthew 3:16-17; Rev. Peggy
              Hillmon preaching; Growing in Grace Children’s
              Choir and Chancel Choir at 10:30

January 21    3rd Sunday after Epiphany – “Know Your Name”
              John 1:38, 41; Ron Bell preaching; Communion at
              9:00; Chancel Choir at 10:30

January 28 4th Sunday after Epiphany—“Claim Your Vocation”
           Matthew 4:19-20; Rev. Peggy Hillmon, preaching;
           Joy Bells playing at 9:00; Celebration Bells and Joy
            Bells playing at 10:30

Finance Campaign Corner
We did it! We set a goal to end 2017 with outstanding debt
under $500,000. On December 12th, we made a payment of
$18,000 which put our outstanding debt at $482,651! As of this
writing, we have one more $5,514 payment to make before the
end of the year. So, with that payment and any additional pledge
payments we might receive, we will end 2017 well under the
$500,000 mark. What we really like is that now over $4,000 of
our $5,514 monthly payment goes against the debt, with the
balance being interest on the outstanding debt. Thank you for
your generous support of our church and our ministry.          Pledges
                                                                 32%

Here are the results through December 20, 2017:
                                                                                Debt
            Outstanding Pledges: $304,926                                       50%

        Gap {Amount Still Needed}: $177,725

                                                                         Gap
             Outstanding Debt: $482,651                                  18%
Children's Ministries
  P. 8

                                  Join us for Sunday School!
                         9:00 am                                  10:30 am
               Nursery: Birth - 3 years old              Nursery: Birth - 4 years old
          Kid’s Court: 4 years old-Kindergarten     Kid’s Connect: 5 years old-6th Grade
           Kid’s Kingdom: 1st grade-6th grade

          Note: The first Sunday of each month Kids Connect will stay in the sanctuary for
               the 10:30am worship service to experience worship and communion.

         This month we are studying The Samaritan Woman at the Well in Kid’s Kingdom.

                                           Mark your calendars
                                      Easter Egg Hunt March 25
                                 VBS Rolling River Rampage June 18-22
                                                                                        FREE
                                       Evening Camp August 1-4
Wednesday Night Music                                                       Free Stuff for Kids
Growing in Grace Choir for Pre-                            We send out a monthly email with
Kindergarten through 8th graders                                      Free Stuff for Kids in the
starts back up Wednesday, January                          Lenexa/Shawnee area. It includes
10. Join us from 6:15-7:00pm on the                         activities for all age levels. If you
2nd floor of the education building.                      (or someone you know) would like
Following Growing in Grace, 2nd                                 to be added to the email list,
graders and up are invited to join                                        please contact Mary,
Celebration Bells from 7:10-7:55pm in                            mary.clow@lenexaumc.org.
the music room in the main building.
                                                                 Preschool News
Club 56                                              LUMC Preschool now has a Facebook page!
All 5th and 6th graders are invited to               We would love for you to head over, check it
Club 56: a youth group experience                            out, and give us a “like!”
with dinner and activities. Club 56
meets on the 3rd Sunday of each                                        Search:
month from 5-7pm. The next Club 56                        "Lenexa United Methodist Church
is on January 21.                                                 Preschool/CDO"
P. 9

                      Ministries              The Ladies Bookclub:
 Fellowship of Christian Athletes
 Finds a Home at LUMC                         We will meet January 17 at noon in the
 The Shawnee Mission Northwest                church Library to discuss a new book:
 Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)       Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbuey .
 Huddle Group is now meeting in the           This is an Oprah Book Club choice and
 Underground. The non-                        is about a Cameroonian immigrant living
 denominational group is comprised of         in Harlem to provide a better life for his
 high school boys and girls. The              family. There are multiple copies in the
 Northwest Huddle Group would like to         Johnson County Library. We discussed
 invite students from other high              having an international "theme" for this
 schools to join us at our next meeting,      year although it isn't absolute.
 Monday, January 8th beginning at             3rd Annual Praising God through
 7:30 pm and ending at 8:30 pm. Van           Music Event
 Rose (vanrose@smsd.org) is one of the        Our various music groups will share a
 sponsors.                                    night of "Praising God through Music"
                                              with us. This year's event will happen on
                                              Wednesday, January 24, at 6:30 in the
                                              sanctuary. Mark your calendars and plan
              Financial Update                to join us at 5:30 in Schneeberger Hall for
    General Operating Fund Contributions      our Wednesday night meal followed by a
        Received Nov. 2017 $32,905            wonderful evening of music together.
Designated Mission Share Income Received $0
 Building Use, Fundraising and Other Income   Preschool News
               Received $5,874                Happy New Year! We are glad to be back
           Income from Bequest $0             after winter break, and we are excited
 Total Operating Income Received Nov. 2017    for a new semester!
                   $38,779
                                              Enrollment for the 2018-2019 academic
   Mission Shares Paid Nov. 2017 $4,300       year begins this month . If you are
     Mission Shares Paid YTD $46,860          interested in our awesome Preschool
   Budgeted Mission Shares YTD $46,814        and/or Children’s Day Out program,
    Total 2017 Mission Shares $51,070         please contact our Director, Lori, for
                                              more information.
                                              Wishing you a blessed 2018!
P. 10

                        Outreach
  SUNFLOWER
  EDUCATIONAL                                        HUMAN
  SUPPORT                                            RELATIONS
  To those of you supporting the students
  at Sunflower with your monetary gifts,
                                                     DAY
  saying a simple “thank you” to all of you
  seems hardly enough. By giving these
  gifts you have certainly helped to make        On January 14, we will
  kids and their families have a happier         recognize Human Relations
  Christmas. We were able to purchase            Day with a special offering.
  gifts cards for 41 kids and also give a gift   Celebrated on the Sunday
  card to each of their families for food.       before the birthday
  These kind acts will certainly make an         observance of the Rev. Martin
  impact with these kids and their families.     Luther King Jr., Human
  Also, because of your generosity, the          Relations Day calls United
  support team will be able to do more           Methodists to further the
  throughout the school year to assist the       development of improved race
  students.                                      relations and to recognize the
                                                 right of all God’s children to
  Sunflower Elementary is an incredible          realize their potential as
  school and their staff does so much in so      human beings in relationship
  many ways to make each student feel            with one another.
  special. The teachers are so very
  appreciative of LUMC’s efforts to assist in
  any way we can.                                        Did you know?
                                                  Over October and November,
  So – THANK YOU for your generous                LUMC members donated over
  contributions to Sunflower Educational          457.5 pounds of food items to
  Support. We are exceedingly grateful             the Johnson County Human
  that you are helping us to share with           Services North Central Multi-
  these students.                                        Service Center.
P. 11

 ART CAFÉ FOR CREATIVES
 or creative wannabes!
 We have something new in ministry for 2018! On the
 first Wednesday evening of every month all creative
 wannabes are invited to join us for “Art Café”!

 Don’t be intimidated. This is going to be fun. All
 persons who are even marginally interested should
 come give the Art Café a try. All materials will be
 provided. You are invited to bring your Bible for
 inspiration.

 The Art Café is going to be a place where some may
 work out their ideas, and others will practice and
 document their growth as an artist. While others may
 explain that it’s a safe gathering to work out their        The first Art Café will be held January 3rd.
 feelings through a creative activity. It can be a retreat
 to escape from stress, or a place to explore our inner
 landscape. We might play with art supplies while we
 share our faith, while we heal, while we reduce stress,
 to learn more about who we are as people of faith.
                                                                We will make messes.
                                                                         ART CAFÉ
Pay Your Contribution                                        WHEN: the first Wednesday of
Automatically                                                            each month
Do you have a New Year’s                                      WHERE: Room 123 at LUMC
Resolution to never get behind                                    TIME: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
on your giving to the church?                                BRING: yourself and your Bible
 Let us help you by having your                                       if you think of it
contribution automatically                                      ALSO BRING: a friend who
deducted from your checking or                                  might enjoy the fellowship
savings account. You may sign                                   QUESTIONS: Contact Lisa
up for a weekly or monthly                                     Freeman at 913.649.6748 or
deduction. Pick up a form                                     lisa.freeman@lenexaumc.org
outside the sanctuary or contact
Linda Stokes (913-888-5600 or
linda.stokes@lenexaumc.org).
P. 12

SPOTLIGHT ON WORLDWIDE METHODISM
  World Service Fund
  “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
  -Matthew 10:39, NRSV

  Basic to the financial program of The United Methodist Church, the World Service Fund (one of
  seven apportioned funds) is the primary way to support the denomination’s global mission and
  ministry. This vital fund connects local churches with ministries across the denomination through
  church agencies and other national and international programs.

  Giving to the World Service Fund enables the people of The United Methodist Church to play an
  active role in reaching the denomination’s four areas of focus. The World Service Fund equips
  United Methodist boards and agencies to work in developing principled Christian leaders for the
  church and the world, creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations,
  engaging in ministry with the poor, and stamping out killer diseases of poverty by improving health
  globally.

  The World Service Fund truly demonstrates the mission of The United Methodist Church by
  supporting work with children, youth, students, people with mental and physical challenges,
  adults and older adults.The fund also provides leadership and coordination for denominational
  ministry with youth and continues its commitment to quality under-graduate and post-graduate
  education, as well as giving certification to United Methodist professional Christian educators,
  communicators and musicians.

  The World Service Fund makes sure that United Methodists speak and work to encourage a more
  ethical, just and humane world. World Service maintains a proud tradition of cooperation and
  dialogue with other faith traditions through interdenominational and ecumenical work.

  Thank you!
  To the members of Lenexa UMC:
                                                                        The Deadline for the February issue
  Thank you for your hospitality and the use of Schneeberger Hall
                                                                          is noon, Thursday January 25th.
  on October 28 for my mom’s 90th birthday celebration.
                                                                        Submit items to Kristen Bell (Church
  We arrived in Lenexa in 1951. It was my dad’s first full-time
                                                                                mailbox or via email:
  appointment. For my mom, the parsonage there was her first as
                                                                            Kristen.Bell@lenexaumc.org.
  well. It was also the church’s first full-time minister. All this
                                                                         The Messenger is available online,
  makes it very special for us to celebrate Mom’s birthday there. Too
                                                                            or you may pick up a copy at
  bad the water tower is not still in the back yard! Thanks again.
                                                                                       church.
  Love,
  Sadie Schneeberger
You can also read