Art Cafe Launches - Lenexa United Methodist Church
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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
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
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
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.
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.
P. 6
Epiphany Luncheon
Sunday
January 7th
FREE SPAGHETTI & ICE CREAM
hosted by LUMYouth
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 SchneebergerYou can also read
