Pastor’s Pen Summer vacations are a long-standing tradition for many families. Every

year during the summer months families pack the suitcases and off they go on an adventure. For some families it’s off to go camping, for some fami-

lies it’s off to Grandma’s farm, for some families it’s off to the beach, for some it’s off to the mountains, and for some it’s a staycation, no packing

required. Staycations are becoming more and more popular and can be just as fun, as well as, helpful to a family’s budget.

I have great memories of camping trips when I was kid. That was an affordable vacation op-tion for our family. However, after I got older and had my own kids I concluded that those

camping trips were never a vacation for my Mom. She basically did all things she would normally do at home except she didn’t have the luxury of modern appliances! I’m not sure she ever got

much rest and relaxation which is usually the intended benefit of a vacation. Still, in later years when we would all get together we had fun sharing stories of the adventures we had on our family vacations. They provided a break from the routine for our family and an opportunity for

great memories to be created. Scriptures support the importance of taking a break from the routine. Even Jesus rested and

took a break from his work as found in Mark 4:35-40: That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the

crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was

in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died

down and it was completely calm. He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

And for some reason, in my mind, Jesus then groggily laid back down on his cushion and went back to sleep. We can learn from Jesus and the need for rest especially while on choppy

waters. Sometimes when we don’t get enough rest and breaks from the routine we may not be able to handle the choppy waters as well as we could. We feel overwhelmed at the slightest of

movement while on the boat causing unnecessary fear and panic. Matthew 11:28 also affirms the need for rest especially rest in Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” A break from the routine is a good and

godly thing. I pray you and your family find ways to rest in Jesus this summer plus find fun ways to relax and have fun which will lead to some great memories to share in years to come.

Pastor Gina

MICROSOFT

July 2018

THE CORNERSTONE A Newsletter to provide information &

inspiration for the members & friends of

First United Methodist Church

We at First United

Methodist Church

come together

to be a Christian

community guided

& empowered by

the Holy Spirit to:

• Make disciples for Jesus

Christ,

• Serve our neighbor,

• Enjoy our fellowship.

Miss a Sunday? Listen to Sermons

online at:

www.blairumc.org

For the past few years, we have been moving forward with our

Debt Retirement campaign, “150: Zeroing in on our Future.”

We had an original goal of retiring the debt by the year 2019 just in

time for our 150th Anniversary. However, because of your faithful

commitment, we believe we will be able to accomplish this in 2018,

a year ahead of schedule! If you are able, please prayerfully consid-

er helping us reach our new 2018 goal of paying off the debt early.

Join us in worship on August 5, 2018 to

celebrate this amazing accomplishment!

Phone:

402-426-2165

E-mail:

office@blairumc.org

Church Office Hours:

Monday thru Thursday

9am-3pm

Blair First UMC

1656 Colfax Street

Blair, Nebraska 68008

Summer Worship

9:30

July 1, 8, 15, & 22 -

Worship & Kid Zone

July 29 -

Family Worship Sunday,

United Methodist

Women

Next Meeting:

July 15th

Prepare and serve VBS meal.

Sunday

Worship

Schedule

9:30

July 1, 8, 15, & 22 - Worship &

Kid Zone

July 29 - Family Worship Sunday,

No Kid Zones

Usher Teams July 1, 8, & 15 - George Hall’s Team

United Methodist Men

Next Meeting: July 14th - 7:30 am in

Fellowship Hall.

Come & join the group for

breakfast, Christian

fellowship, fun & Bible Study’’

All men are welcome!

Men’s Book Club

A new small group has started!

A Men’s Book Club. We will be meeting about once every month or two (coordinated thru e

-mail). Each member will pick a book and a month to host. Anyone

interested can contact Craig Folkers (402-306-3730) for more details or

to be added to the Club. The next meeting will be sometime in August

(date to be e-mailed out later). The next three books are Dune, Same

Kind of Different as Me, and Ready Player One.

Morning Book Club

July 3rd, 9:30am

Reviewing-

Diary of an American Au Pair

By Marjorie Leet Ford

New readers always

welcome!

Sunday Greeters

July 1 Sanctuary Doors:

Roger & Linda Howland

East Doors:

July 8 Sanctuary Doors:

Bob & Bobbi Thompson

East Doors:

July 15 Sanctuary Door:

Rob & Kandi Rasmussen

East Doors:

Hannah & Revlyn Rasmussen

July 22 Sanctuary Door:

Donna Lange & Linda Harkey

East Doors:

July 29 Sanctuary Door:

Dick & Nancy Goeken

East Doors:

Roger & Phyllis Barber

Coffee Hosts July 1

Kandi and Revlyn Rasmussen

July 8 Craig & Jamie Folkers

July 15 Julie Thompson and Jan Elvers

July 22 TBD

July 29 Roger & Linda Howland &

Phyllis Trumble

Acolytes July 1

Cassidy Goeken & Brady Thomas

July 8 Amelia Lorenzen & Mackenzie

Storjohann

July 15 Danny Grabowski & Garrett Anderson

July 22 Aubrey Bruck & Gaige Bolton

July 29 Hannah Mackie & Dean Udey

Information

Station

If you would like to sign

up to help on Sunday

mornings or join one of

our groups stop by the

“Information Station” just outside the main of-

fice and see what’s going

on!

Page 3 Page 3

Regular VBS: Preschool –4th Grade

will meet 6:00-8:00pm. Light Supper

served for all at 5:30. Service Squad/VBS: Grades 5th and

6th will be able to do the combined

VBS/Service Squad. Will meet each day

4:00-8:00pm. More information on the

website. Sign up now Service Squad is

limited to 14.

Decorating Day: Saturday, July 14,

9:00am-noon.

Mission: This year we will collect new

or gently used toys for a Toy Drive

that will help children at Open Door

Mission, Living Hope Food Pantry and

Lydia House to provide birthday gifts

and Birthday Cake kits (list available at

VBS). This will help children in need

receive a gift and the makings for their

own birthday cake. Mission Carnival: Will be on Thurs-

day, but we will start earlier. A closing

program and shortened VBS will start

the evening and then we will immedi-

ately go to the carnival.

Register online now! July 15th-19th Age 3 thru

6th Grade (gr. just completed) Registration: Student registra-

tion forms may be found near the

VBS Display on the shelf located on

the ramp near the Sanctuary or register online at

www.blairumc.org (event tab).

Calendar of Events July 4-August 23, Mondays @

6:30pm: “Workin’ Our Way Home”

Book study @ Neihardt Park Shelter

July 9: - Saturday Serves at Open

Door Mission in Omaha -9:30-

11:30am. Carpool @ 8:45am from

Church.

July 16 - 8:00am -Busy Women’s

Breakfast Meeting @ the Gerdes

House.

June 26, 6:30-8:30 - Glass Fusion Class

Save the Date October 27th: for a

one-day Women’s Retreat @ the Depot.

Theme: Seaside Escape! See article to the left.

A new small group has started: A Men’s

Book Club- We will be meeting in the homes of

the club members about once every month or

two. Anyone interested can call Craig Folkers for

more details, 402-306-3730.

Women’s 1-Day Retreat For all Women – Seaside Escape – Oct. 27 Time: TBD (late morning to mid afternoon) Location: Blair @ the Depot. Cost: $25

Inlcudes Gift Bag and Lunch Theme: Sarah and Hagar. Key Verse: "Be still and know

that I am God." —Psalm 46:10. Child Care: will be offered by request.

Come for uplifting worship, a time for Christian service,

and relationship-building activities to help you discover

the depth of God’s love, strength, and compassion. Sign

up at the “Information Station” near the office.

Highlights of SeaSide Escape include:

• Bible study focusing on the stories of Sarah and Ha-

gar to help women grow in their relationship with God

• Small-group discussions that will keep you engaged

while building friendships

• A meaningful service project that will allow you to extend sweet love to some-

one who needs encouragement

Upcoming Monday Night Study – Moses: In the Footsteps of the Re-

luctant Prophet This will be our first study this fall starting in September or October that is usually

held on Monday Evenings.

This study has 6-sessions. Author, Adam Hamilton explores the sites of Moses’ life,

from the Nile River to the Red Sea, from Mt. Sinai to the desert wilderness. Using

historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text, guiding us in the footsteps

of this reluctant prophet who blazed a trail of faith.

Watch for more information in future newsletters and the chip.

Remember to Register for

Camp! Please contact Debbie

Foust if you are in need of a

Camp Scholarship.

Pie Baker’s Needed On Thursday, July 26th, beginning at

9:00am we will be making 40 pies. These will be sold at the Washington

County Fair on Friday, July 27th from 5:00

-9:00pm. Proceeds will benefit UMW Mission work

and Blair Youth. Please call Diane at the office if you can or

have any of the following in your freezer

that you could donate:

Frozen sliced peaches

Frozen Rhubarb

Frozen Tart Cherries (pitted)

Come buy some pie and enjoy the fair!

Thank you

For your donations

for VBS.

It has been a real

blessing!

Food Drive for Washington County Food Pantry (located at Joseph’s Coat 1737 Washington Street)

Donations may be placed in the “Feed My Lambs” box just outside

the Church Office. If you’d like to make a financial donation, please

make your check out to “First UMC” and put “Food Pantry” in the

memo line. Every gift and donation makes a difference in our

community-join us as we restock the shelves and serve our

neighbors! Thank you! for your support!

Bible Study Opportunities

Pastor Gina’s Contact Info:

You may contact Pastor Gina

in the following ways:

*Cell Phone: 620-794-1345

*Church Phone: 402-426-2165

Email:

ggile@greatplainsumc.org

You may also friend her via

Facebook: Gina Miles Gile.

She will friend youth but they

must get their parent’s permis-

sion first per the Great Plains

Annual Conference Safe Gath-

erings policy.

* When calling via the cell

phone number or church

phone number please leave a

detailed message and contact

information. Pastor Gina is

accessible but not always avail-

able and will return your call as

soon as

possible.

Direct Your Dollars - Collected to date: $36,079.00 !

If you shop at Family Fare, please save your receipts!

(the whole receipt is needed)

We have a basket just outside the office where you can put your receipts. For

each$150,000.00 in “Direct Your

Dollar's we collect we will

receive $1,000.00 for our church!

Blair First UMC 1656 Colfax Street

Blair, Nebraska 68008

Phone: 402-426-2165

E-mail: office@blairumc.org

Church Office Hours:

Monday thru Thursday

9am-3pm

Washington County Fair

100th Year Celebration The United Methodist Women and the Youth Groups

will be joining forces this summer in a fundraiser at the

Washington County Fair. We will be looking for help

in making pies in July! More information will be coming as to our “Pie Baking Day”

and the day we will be at the fair manning the “Pie Booth” at the fair. The funds raised

will be divided between the UMW and the Youth Groups.

Please see the sign up sheet outside the office

You can also find us on the web,

www.blairumc.org

*Thank you so much for your support & thoughtfulness. They prayer

shawl & fellowship cake after the service was greatly appreciated.

God Bless, Colton Wiemer

*Blair Special Olympics would like to thank you for all your support

of the team. Sincerely, Coach Dixie

Direct Your Dollars Thank you for your support!

If you shop at Family Fare, please save your receipts!

(the whole receipt is needed)

We have a basket just outside the office where you can put your receipts. For each

$150,000.00 in “Direct Your Dollars” we collect we

will receive $1,000.00 for our church!

Neighbor in Need & WCMA Updates

The Neighbor in Need Fund assists people in our community through

the Washington County Ministerial Association & through our congregation.

Money collected helps people with rent, utilities, emergency shelter, gas,

food, and more! Thank you for your support of the Neighbor in Need Fund.

Your gifts are making a real difference in so many lives!

Thank you for your support of our local food pantry “Joseph’s Coat”!

Donations may be brought anytime and dropped off in our

“Feed My Lambs” box located by the elevator on the lower level.

If you would prefer to donate by way of cash/check just note

“Food Pantry” in the memo or on the envelope.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the

question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. John 21:17

Share the Harvest is Back!! Do you garden? Do you like to enjoy locally grown produce? Partici-

pate in Share the Harvest this year! When planting your garden, plant

an extra plant or two, then bring your surplus to the church for Sunday

morning. Everyone else, stop by the Fellowship Hall every Sunday &

see what your church friends brought to share. Your donation for the produce will stay in our church & be

used for Neighbors in Need. Produce that isn’t taken home will be donated to Joseph’s Coat & Crowell

Home.

We Need Odd Jobs for Church Has Left the Building!! On Sunday, August 19, we will be going out into the community and helping our neighbors. For about 2

hours that morning we will be doing odd jobs. Missions Committee is now looking for those odd jobs. Do

you have anything that needs done in or around your home? Do you know a neighbor that could use a

group from our church that could help them out? In the past, we have painted, cleaned up gutters, cleaned

windows, and done yardwork. Use your imagination and help us find those odd jobs we could get done for

you. Please call Susan Poling, 402-533-2702 or the church office if you know of something for us. When

you call, please let us know about how many people you think it will take and if we need to bring any tools.

Upcoming dates

Church Has Left the Building - August 19

Progressive Dinner - October 7

We Need Odd Jobs for Church Has Left the Building!! On Sunday, August 19, we will be going out into the community and

helping our neighbors. For about 2 hours that morning we will be do-

ing odd jobs. Missions Committee is now looking for those odd

jobs. Do you have anything that needs done in or around your home?

Do you know a neighbor that could use a group from our church that

could help them out? In the past, we have painted, cleaned up gutters,

cleaned windows, and done yardwork. Use your imagination and help

us find those odd jobs we could get done for you. Please call Susan

Poling, 402-533-2702 or the church office if you know of something for

us. When you call, please let us know about how many people you

think it will take and if we need to bring any tools.

Mowing Help Needed-The mowing crew is in need of 2 more people to help

with mowing at the church this summer. If interested, and we hop you will be, call

Ron Williby, 402-533-3188.

Childcare attendant Wanted -Blair 1st is seeking a Childcare Attendant. This

person must be 16 years of age and will report to the Childcare Coordinator. Job

duties are as follows: Provide childcare on Sunday morning, some weekday church activities and meetings as well as

other times such as Christmas Eve services. We are seeking a person who has had experience with young children.

This person will be responsible for providing age-appropriate care which includes: feeding, changing diapers, escorting

to the bathroom, maintaining a safe environment, putting children down for naps, holding, or sitting with and cheerful-

ly interacting with children through games, stories, play and prayer. An application and full job description is available

on the table outside the office.

Commission on A Way Forward -

As a United Methodist, you may have heard about some of the things happening in our church today around the

issues of human sexuality, and the work being done by a group called the Commission on a Way Forward. Their im-

portant work has and will help shape the future of The United Methodist Church. Our Great Plains Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz will be holding Town Hall meetings throughout the Great Plains

Conference. Missouri River District Town Hall, which is open to all United Methodist Clergy and Laity, will be held

on Saturday, August 25th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., St. Luke UMC, 11810 Burke St, Omaha. Refreshments will be

served. Please plan to join Bishop Saenz for an informational discussion regarding the Great Plains Conference, The

Way Forward, 2019 General Conference, and so much more. If you have questions regarding the event or specific questions you’d like to get answered please contact Pastor

Gina she would be happy to have a conversation with you. You may also send questions to Kris at the MRD office,

missouririver@greatplainsumc.org and she will make sure they get personally sent to Bishop Saenz so he can be pre-

pared with the best and most complete possible answer.

Watch for more updates in the August Newsletter.

Coming Up In Worship

July 1 – Scripture: Mark 5:21-43 Sermon: Get Up!

Holy Communion Celebrated July 8 – Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Sermon: Wherever July 15 – Camp Fontanelle Joyful Noise Campers Lead Worship

July 22 – New Shoes Quartet – Music Leaders for Worship

July 29 – Family Worship

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do

not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom

of heaven belongs.” --Matthew 19:14

COMING IN JULY – SAVE THE DATES- Munchies With the Minister: Family Style! Families with youth and children of all ages are invited to join Pastor Gina for food, fun, and fellowship. We will begin our

time by munching on hot dogs, chips, and veggies for a light supper and then end our time together by creating and munch-ing on our very own ice cream sundae. Yum! In between munching, we will offer a time for “get to know you” games, a

family craft, and storytelling. We hope you can join us for these gatherings which will provide Pastor Gina and those in attendance an opportunity to get to know one another better. Call the church office to RSVP. Space is limited to 12 so

RSVP soon! Here are the dates and times. July 10 – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

July 11 – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM July 12 – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

We are offering our second Family Worship experience. We are offering those on the

last Sunday of each month during the summer. While this service is geared

toward families with children, all are welcome. There will be no Kid’s Zone that day with

our aim being the full, and active participation of worshipers of all ages.

The service will be interactive and educational with the young and not so young

functioning in roles of worship

leadership. Our theme will be: The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20.

We hope you will join us for this exciting and “not so new” worship experience!

Minneapolis, MN Mission Trip 2018

Thank you everyone who helped support our youth in

going on their Mission Trip. They learned about

facing adversity, how we can react to adversity in our

own lives and help others facing adversity, 1 Peter

5:10 and James 1:2-4. They also learned about being

“salty”,

Matthew 5:13-

16. A slide show

of our trip will

be presented

during service

on July 8th.

WHO: Girls who just finished 8th-

12th grade

WHEN: 3-4 pm every Thursday

June 9th-Aug 30th

WHERE: Church, light snack will

be provided

We will delve into Sisterhood of Faith:

365 Life-Changing Stories about

Women Who Made a Difference

BIBLE STUDY

SERVICE

SQUAD

2018 WHAT: Service

projects in our area to share our talents and

our love of God WHO: Youth who

just finished 5th & 6th

grades

WHEN: July 15th-19th WHERE: We will

meet at the church Sign up on the church

website.

Staying

Connected

Follow us on Facebook at

First United Methodist Youth

Blair or on Instagram @

bumy_believers

Email:

blairumcyouth@gmail.com

Sheri’s cell:

402-960-8085

Note: Caring Hands will not

meet in July. We will again on

August 4th.

Blair First UMC Vision Statement : “We are a faith-centered, welcoming

congregation that serves God, our community, & the world through our diverse ministry &

mission work. We are real people, with real lives, & real faith. We dig deep into the Word

so that we are prepared to work in the world & to help change lives in the name of Jesus

Christ. We are Blair First United Methodist Church.”

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:30 Worship &

Kid Zones

10:30 Coffee Fel-

lowship

2

6:30 Study at

Neihardt Park

“Workin’ Our

Way Home”

3

9:30 Book Club

8-5:00 Life Line

Screening

4

Office Closed

5

3-4 Youth Bible Study

@ the Church

6:00 TOPS

6

Office Closed

7

8

9:30 Worship &

Kid Zones

10:30 Coffee Fel-

lowship

9

6:30 Study at

Neihardt Park

“Workin’ Our

Way Home”

10

11

10:30-2:30 WIC &

Building Blocks

12

3-4 Youth Bible Study

@ the Church

6:00 TOPS

7-8 Special Olympics

13

Office Closed

14

7:30 UMM in

Fellowship Hall

8:45-11:30 Saturday

Serves at Open

Door Mission

9:00-Noon VBS

Decorating Day

15

9:30 Worship with

“Joyful Noise”

Camp Fontanelle

No Kid Zones

10:30 Coffee

Fellowship

16

Skipping Bible

Study

17

18

19

10:30 Carter Place

Bible Study

3-4 Youth Bible Study

@ the Church

6:00- TOPS

Newsletter

Deadline

20

Office Closed

21

8:00 Busy Women’s

Breakfast @ Gerdes’

House.

22

9:30 Worship with

New Shoes Quar-

tet & Kid Zones

10:30 Coffee

Fellowship

23

6:30 Study at

Neihardt Park

“Workin’ Our

Way Home”

24

1:00 Memorial

25

26

9-? “All Day”

Pie Baking Day for

Fair

10:30-2:30 WIC &

Building Blocks

3-4 Youth Bible Study

@ the Church

6:00 TOPS

27

Office Closed

5-9:00 Pie Booth at

Washington Co.

Fair

28

29

9:30 Family

Worship Sunday

No Kid Zone

10:30 Coffee

Fellowship

30

31

July 2018 First United Methodist Church

Office Hours– M-Th 9am-3pm

Church Office: 402.426.2165

Church Website:

www.blairumc.org

Email: office@blairumc.org

VBS - Rolling River Rampage: Dinner @ 5:30, VBS 6:00-8:00pm; Service Squad 4:00-8:00

5:30-7:00 Family Munchies w/ the Minister in the Parlor

Call the Church Office to Schedule