Contact us at: 402-391-0820

www.sunsethillschurch.org sunset@sunsethillschurch.org

Register at campmerrill.com or by mail

Our speakers will be the women of First Baptist Church and

Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall, pastor of FBCL

Cost: $115 for the entire weekend $80 for Friday/Saturday

or Saturday/Sunday $40 Saturday only

Sunset Hills Church 9416 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68114

Reclaiming Prayer

A Fall Women’s Retreat dedicated to Learning new ways to pray

October 23-25, 2020

Camp Moses Merrill, Linwood, NE

October 5-7 Pastors Fall Retreat

Sunset Hills October 2020

Newsletter

Pastor Paul Ponders October. Seems like more of the same; still under a pandemic, still arguing about who should

be elected president, still facing protests that some hi-jack into violence and hatred, still

breathing smoke from California’s record-breaking fire season, still watching storms ravage

the Gulf states and Eastern USA. As I talk with people (with proper distancing, of course, or

over the phone) it appears that all that is ‘still’ going on is weighing heavy, leaving a sense of

despair or ‘I don’t care anymore’ crowding out our usual cheery attitudes.

The apostle Paul writes to a young church facing the difficulties of being a band of Christians

in a hostile world. In chapter two he says, “If you have any encouragement.” Don’t you think

that Encouragement would be a welcome addition to our days?

One of J.K. Rowling’s better quotes is, “Don’t let the muggles get you down.”

Too many muggles and not enough snuggles is what I have to say!

Back to Paul. Encouragement comes from being united with Christ, receiving comfort from

his love, fellowship with the Spirit, and tenderness and compassion. He says if we agree with

him and show it through our love coming from our connection with love’s spirit and purpose,

we will make his (Paul’s) joy complete. He encourages not to focus only on our own interests,

but to look to the interests of others.

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Encouragement comes when we live like the Family of God; Christ as the Head and the Spirit

working with us, belonging to each other. Paul says his joy will be complete when we “do

unto others.” Good feelings wash over us, memories are made, and encouragement comes for

the ‘other’ as our ‘joy’ is made complete.

It’s so hard to live a life of encouragement right now. But if we work to be encouraging to

others, encouragement is sure to come back to us. Remember, we are in this together. If

you’re struggling, it’s likely we all are.

October. Autumn is coming and so are Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church is coming

back to life. Joy…encouragement… are on the way! God bless!

Pastor Paul

Article based on Philippians 2:1-4 (but keep reading- it’s the best chapter ever!)

Upcoming Sermon Schedule

October 4 The Secret of the Supper I Corinthians 10:17

October 11 A Giving Fellowship I John 3:16-18

October 18 The Place of Prayer and Song James 5:13

October 25 An Accepting Fellowship Acts 10:34-35

November 1 Freedom in our lives together John 8:31-32, 36

Sunset Hills Baptist Church Ministry Council Meeting Minutes

September 21, 2020 Meeting Attendees: Pastor Paul, Terry Anderson, Scott Darden, Pastor Robert Molby, LaShawnda Woods, Ron Reed, Don Zak, Jaron Nallathambi, Pastor Jason Workman, Telly Woods Devotion and Prayer: Pastor Paul Clerk: A motion was made to accept the minutes from the August 17, 2020, Executive Council meeting - motion passed. Pastor/Staff Relations: Staff self-reviews are scheduled to go out by the end of September. If you have any feedback you would like to share, please contact Telly Woods or any other member of the Pastor/Staff Relations ministry team. Staff: Pastor Paul, Denise Lenhart (Administrative Assistant), Marge Todd (Praise Team Director), Momoro Ono (Pianist) Sunday Service Review: No issues noted since return to in-person Sunday worship services. Stewardship: • Treasurer’s Report: Scott Darden presented the financial statement for August 2020. A motion to accept the August 2020 financial report was made and passed. • 2021 Budget Preparation: Please submit funding requests for 2021 special projects/ activities to Scott Darden by mid-October for annual budget review. • Parking Lot Erosion Project: The erosion abatement project is scheduled to begin on September 22, 2021 – 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Facility Use: Ministry teams are encouraged to coordinate with Safety/Security (Pastor Jason) and Stewardship (Ron Reed) on plans to resume ministry team activities i.e. Adult and Youth Sunday School, ABW sponsored events, etc. Closing Prayer: Pastor Paul Next meeting: October 19, 2020

August Income $ 10,908 August Expenses $ 17,362 YTD Income $123,619 YTD Expenses $133,880 August Pledges 75% YTD Pledges 99%

SHBC Financial Scoreboard

3 Wade Gilmer

8 Ken Vetter

12 LaShawnda Woods

15 Tom Thompson

17 Trent Gade

20 Theresa Clark

21 Jasper Gilliland

22 James Gilliland

22 Becki Pike

24 Pam Whitebread

27 Cindy Anson

28 Jim Hedrick

28 Karrol Nelson

29 Mary Engleman

25 Terry and Nalini Anderson 34 Years 25 Darby and Carol Von Forell 52 Years

Please remember to help the Sunset Hills

budget when you order from Amazon.

Log in at smile.amazon.com. Thank you.

September Attendance Giving

(August 30) — $1,941.00

6 29 $2,007.00

13 30 $4,616.28

20 33 $ 983.00

27 TBD TBD

ABW has some upcoming

projects that require

fabric. If you would like

to donate any unwanted

fabric that you might have, please talk to

Pam Whitebread. Thank you.

Prayers for Health, Healing, and Strength Carol McCormick Margaret Dappen Ken Vetter

Amber Dale Yvonne Swearingen Mary Engleman

LeRoy Anson Nancy Quinnette

On-going prayers of well-being for shut-ins and military personnel

All who are struggling during the pandemic

Stewardship Ministry for October - Ron Reed

The project to control erosion and water off of the north parking lot is expected to be completed

by October. It has been a much needed improvement. Thanks to Wade Gilmer, Grounds

Steward, for overseeing the work.

Men’s Group Study for October - Ron Reed

We have just finished studying Matthew in Marcus Borg’s Evolution of the Word. Men, you

are welcome to join us currently on Zoom. Please contact us if you’d like to study with us.

Pastor Bob Molby and Steve Bottom are currently leading the study.

All-age Adult Sunday School for October - Ron Reed Due to an initial minimal response to restart the class, we are holding off until mid-October

before we address this again. We will re-invite church family and provide where in the

building and how we will meet safely. We will study the 6-part series, The Promises of God,

from Dr. Charles Stanley.

The Executive Council at Sunset Hills Baptist Church has approved a recommendation to not allow church functions other than the worship services that existed as of September 20. Jason Workman, leader of the Security/Safety Ministry, and Ron Reed, leader of the Stewardship Ministry, specifically addressed the requests to hold a Soup and Pie Luncheon, a Trunk or Treat Halloween event, a church potluck and all Sunday School gatherings. The Wednesday night Bible study will also take a step back and not meet during the month of October. The recommendations were made because: • Nebraska COVID positive test returns are on the rise again; • States surrounding Nebraska, including Iowa, have very high numbers and are rising

again, and; • The Centers for Disease Control has recommended against such gatherings. For those who aren't aware of what various ministries handle, the Stewardship Ministry watches over the physical property, indoors and outdoors. The Security/Safety Ministry provides physical protection for all people who use the church facility and property. With growing potential for violence throughout the years, it was added to the church by-laws in January 2016. The recommendations stated Sunset Hills can maintain its current status with Sunday worship because it is well controlled with mandatory masks, social distancing and other special precautions, including no fellowship times before and after the service. In the Fellowship Hall, the recommendations are to remain as is, with socially distanced chairs and not returning tables to the layout for the groups that meet at Sunset Hills. The groups will continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing and, after meetings, sanitize all surfaces that the groups contact. Without tables, it would be very difficult to have food events, including luncheons, potlucks and breakfasts, in the Fellowship Hall. The Security/Safety Ministry did not feel it could provide adequate protection for the outdoor Trunk or Treat event in the church parking lot. We have been very conscious of possible retaliation or violence by or against large, visible groups. For instance, in May when the protests turned dangerous at 72nd and Dodge Streets, there was word spreading that the mass of people might move to 90th and Pacific Streets. That was alarming, especially with our large outdoor space and the indiscriminate damage done to property in the Crossroads Mall area and the Old Market.

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The World Mission Offering will be collected during the

month of October. The theme this year is “I once was

blind, but now I see,” reflecting on the story of Jesus’

healing of the blind man in Mark 8:22-25. The story

reminds us that genuine transformation often happens over

time rather than in an instant. Just as it took both an initial and then a second touch from Jesus

to restore the blind man’s sight fully, making disciples of Jesus involves both leading persons

to an initial commitment to Christ and ongoing formation in the way of following Jesus.

Your support makes possible transformative

work around the globe, from ministries of

evangelism and discipleship to work in

health and wellness, abolition of global

slavery, peace and justice and much more.

Please consider giving to The World

Mission Offering this month.

(Continued from Page 6) Trying to appease all individuals or families in the congregation on all matters presented is virtually impossible. Information provided in many forms to the Council is taken into consideration when Council members make decisions. These past six months have been filled with twists and turns, worries and concerns, and anxieties about the corona virus, business interruptions, lost jobs, stay-at-home requests and disrupted schedules. I want the congregation to be aware that all Council decisions are made with the best interests of the entire church in mind. We are aware that members are wanting certain measures taken before they'll return to live worship services, and that's fine. As we've said all along, each individual will need to make up his or her mind when they feel it is safe for them to return. We hope that is soon. Attendance at worship on Sunday was a bit larger than the previous week, as we have expected. Meanwhile, any plans and procedures that Council members consider will continue to be reviewed as conditions are updated. Terry Anderson, Moderator