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 Kay Alnor

Bishop of Great Plains

Conference Scott J. Jones

Ogallala, Nebraska 69153 www.methodistchurchogallala.com

TTHEHE MMESSENGERESSENGER

First United Methodist ChurchFirst United Methodist Church

Pastor’s Page 2

Meetings This Month 3

Easter Worship Services 3

United Methodist Women 4

“Did You Know. . .?” 4

Family Fun Night 5

An Activity Page 6

Youth Group 7

SonShine Singers 7

Scholarship Applications 7

Meet Our New Members 8

Stewards for March 11

IN THIS ISSUE

W e are

currently

in the season of Lent — the

time when we prepare for the

celebration of Easter. I have

been thinking about Easter

and about how it connects to

Christmas. At Christmas, we celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus, and

at Easter we remember and celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead.

As part of my pondering and thinking, I have thought about how our cel-

ebrations of the two events compare. One thought that occurs to me is how

they differ on the calendar. Christmas is on December 25 every year. There is

no variation. You can mark your calendar years in advance that Christmas will

be on December 25. Easter is quite different. Easter is not the same day eve-

ry year. Easter is the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon that ap-

peared on or after March 21. It can be confusing. For example, this year we

must look for March 21 on our calendar. It falls on a Monday. There is no full

moon that night. The first full moon on or after March 21 this year appears on

Wednesday, March 23. The first Sunday after that full moon is March 27, so

Easter in 2016 is on Sunday, March 27.

Another comparison is the tradition of gift giving. Christmas is a time

when many persons give gifts to loved ones. Easter is not a time when many

persons give and receive gifts. You can ponder that one on your own.

There is one great thing that Christmas and Easter have in com-

mon, and that is that they are both occasions for us to remember and

celebrate the love, grace and life of Jesus!

See me Sunday!

Pastor Chuck

Page 2 March, 2016

“Ewer and Basin”

The ewer (a vase-shaped

pitcher) and basin, which

symbolize cleansing, are

related to two biblical

events from Holy Week:

when Jesus washed his

disciples' feet

(John 13:1-17), and when

Pilate "washed his hands

of" Jesus' blood before

the crucifixion

(Matthew 27:24).

Because of the foot-

washing, the ewer and

basin have become a

symbol of service

ministry.

Christian

Symbols

Page 3 The Messenger

Board of Trustees on Wednes-

day, March 2, 7:00 p.m.

Finance Committee on Thurs-

day, March 3, 5:00 p.m.

Administrative Council on

Wednesday, March 16, 7:00

p.m.

Meetings This Month

The message of Easter is not

only that Christ is risen, not only

that suffering is not the last word,

not only that God gives new life,

but this: Nothing is impossible

with God. ~~The Rev. James Martin, S.J.

“God proved his love on the

cross. When Christ hung, and

bled, and died, it was God saying

to the world, ‘I love you.’” ~~Billy Graham

Easter Possibilities

Worship Services on Easter Sunday,

March 27, 2016,

will be held at 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M.

(No service at 11:15)

Invite friends and family to join us

in the celebration of

Our Risen Savior

Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. One gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and people is to accept everything with joy.

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen.

~~Mother Teresa

and put them in the appropriate

box on the bookcase outside the

nursery door. Thank you for sav-

ing these items to help Epworth

Village achieve their goals.

The UMW Budget Committee,

consisting of the Executive Com-

mittee and the three Circle treas-

urers, will meet on Thursday,

March 10, at 11:15 a.m. Teresa

Davis, General treasurer, will be

in charge.

Mona Radcliffe

UMW President

Page 4 March, 2016

United Methodist Women

March meetings

UMW General

Thursday, March 10

12:00 noon

luncheon and meeting

in Fellowship Hall

Circle 1

Thursday, March 24

9:00 am

(Peterson)

Circle 3

Thursday, March 17

2:00 pm

Hess Lounge

Circle 5

Monday, March 21

6:00 pm

Hess Lounge

United Methodist Women in Service and Mission

The United Methodist Wom-

en of Ogallala support Camp

Norwesca and Epworth Village

with monetary contributions

each year.

Another way we support

Epworth Village is by saving

Boxtops for Education and

Labels for Education. Bertie

Siders prepares and sends

these several times a year. You

are asked to trim the boxtops

and labels as much as possible,

place them in plastic snack bags

The area behind our sanctuary, where

we gather for cookies and fellowship, is

known as Hess Lounge. It is named for the

Rev. and Mrs. Harry Hess. Rev. Hess

came to First United Methodist Church in

January of 1948, and served here to June 1,

1952.

It was during the time that Rev. Hess

was serving here that the current church

building was constructed. The cornerstone

was laid on May 29, 1951, and the church

was dedicated on June 8, 1952. This

church building replaced the one that had

been built in 1888.

Upon his retirement in June of 1952,

Rev. and Mrs. Hess moved to Lewellen and

served the United Methodist Church there

for five years in retired status. In 1957, Rev. and Mrs. Hess moved back to Ogallala

and lived in the house just south of our current church building. Years later this

congregation became the owners of that house and still own it today. We refer to it as

the tenant house, and some of our more experienced members may still call it the

Hess House.

Rev. Hess served this church very well during the four-plus years that he was

appointed here. This is a vital part of our church history. I am honored to stand in the

same pulpit where Rev. Hess once stood.

Pastor Chuck Rager

A Tidbit from Our Church’s History

The Messenger Page 5

Family Fun Night — Sunday, February 21

Daylight Saving Time Begins on Sunday,

March 13, 2016

Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday

night

February 15, 2016

Grand Prize Winner

Karen Knudsen

Answer: D (See Matthew 27:41-42)

Page 6 March, 2016

A Bible Quiz

An Activity Page for Younger People

A. Priests

B. Scribes

C. Elders

D. All of the above

All Children are

invited to join us for

an Easter Egg Hunt

at the church during

Sunday School hour

on Easter Sunday

While Jesus was dying on the cross, who mocked him, saying, “He

saved others; he cannot save himself”?

Answer key available in the Church Office.

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”

―Rainer Maria Rilke

The Messenger Page 7

YOUTH GROUP will meet on

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

and

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

at 7:00 P.M.

All youth from 6th

through

12th

grades are welcome!

The Sonshine Singers will practice on Friday, March 11, at the church from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. They will sing for church on Sunday, March 13. All chil-dren from Kindergarten and up are welcome!

It’s time for the high school seniors,

and those already in college, to begin

thinking about scholarship applications.

Ogallala First United Methodist Church

offers 3 scholarships, due to the generosity

of several former and current members:

1) The Dowling Family Scholarship is

given in loving memory by the Phil and

Betty Dowling family. Mr. and Mrs. Dowling

were long time Ogallala residents and

faithful members of the Ogallala UMC, who

believed in supporting area youth and their

community.

2) The Draucker Family Scholarship

Fund was established by the Draucker

family of Ogallala. The purpose of the

Fund is to provide financial assistance for

members of the Ogallala UMC who wish to

further their education following graduation

from high school.

3) The Haggard-Samp Scholarship

was started and dedicated to the memory

of Marge Haggard from the Haggard

family, and in honor and memory of Rod

Samp, by Rod's family in 2003. Combining

the assets provided a scholarship to be

offered each year to an Ogallala UMC high

school graduate.

Scholarship Application Deadline Is Nearing

To receive these scholarships, the

applicant must be a member of the

Ogallala UMC. The recipient may be a

graduating high school senior or a student

already attending a post-secondary school

or any adult (of any age) who is enrolled,

or planning to enroll, as a full-time student

during the ensuing school year. Students

who receive the scholarship in one year

are eligible to apply in future years. Any

student may apply for all three scholar-

ships by filling out just one form, but he/

she must apply to be considered.

Scholarship application forms are

available in the Church Office. Completed

applications, along with all attachments

and recommendations, should be returned

to the Church Office no later than Friday,

April 1, 2016. If you have questions about

the scholarships, please see Pastor Chuck

or one of the committee members.

2016 Scholarship Committee

Becky Plate, Chair

Janean Lindauer Jo Teaford

Pam McBride Allen Cerny

LeAnn Ayres Barb Jeffres

John York Pete Peterson

Renee Meyer Rev. Chuck Rager

First Day of Spring is

on Palm Sunday,

March 20, 2016

Meet the New Members of Ogallala FUMC

Page 8 March, 2016

Beverly Frates-McMahon

with Harper and Savanna

Kayla Scott

Jack and Tricia Quinlivan

Kay Kimberly

Christine Ballard

The Messenger Page 9

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Jim O’Dell

Ken Hagge

Haley Kay Hansmeier

with her mother Tonya

Kim Bassett with Jack,

Jarrett and Jonah

Dwight and Bea Hatch

Larry and Doris Keller

Michelle Walker with

Kaden and Tylie

Page 10 March, 2016

Preparations for the 11th

Annual

Spring FunFest are underway. This

special all-day event, sponsored by

Ogallala First United Methodist Church,

will be held at the Keith County Fair-

grounds on Saturday, April 30.

The FunFest includes a number of

special activities in which you will want

to participate. The list below includes a

number of the activities that will be in-

cluded and persons to contact if you

would like to donate items or volunteer

to help:

Breakfast

Dennis & Teresa Davis 284-8262

Ticket Sales

Jerry & Joan Speck 284-4119

Lunch

Mary Eisenzimmer 889-3228

Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades 289-4777

Spring FunFest on Saturday, April 30 Garage Sale

Mary Steinwart 284-4473

Bake Sale

Barbara Nootz 284-4370

Shirley Rankin 284-4323

Plant Sale

Mona Radcliffe 284-4555

Country Store

Bonnie Taylor 284-3212

Jean Slagle 284-2130

Treasures and More!

Gigi Berol 289-5111

Silent Auction

Jo Teaford 284-3072

Dorothy Glenn 284-3845

Overall Chairperson for the FunFest

is Marge Blaase (284-4185). Contact

her for answers to all your questions!!

If you have ideas, pictures or arti-

cles to submit for the April issue of The

Messenger, please have them turned in

no later than Monday March 21, 2016.

Earlier submissions would definitely be

welcomed and appreciated!

Submissions may be made to the

Church Office, or you may send them

directly to your newsletter editor at

kfnenstiel@hotmail.com.

Thanks so much for your help!

There are several ways you can

make a gift to your church without im-

mediately giving up assets. What’s

more, many planned gift have important

tax advantages.

Examples include:

You may include your church in

your will. You can give a specific

amount or leave a percentage of your

estate. You many change your mind at

any time.

You may donate assets within

your retirement plan. All you need to do

is name your church as a beneficiary of

a designated percentage of your plan’s

assets.

You may name your church as a

beneficiary or one of the beneficiaries

of a life insurance policy.

For more information, contact your

financial advisor or Anita Crisp, Execu-

tive Director, Nebraska United Method-

ist Foundation (877-495-5545).

Plan a Gift for Later

Monday, March 21

Mar. 6 Greeters 9:00 Larry & Mary Cumming, Herb & Karen Knudsen Fellowship Gerold & Mona Radcliffe Nursery 9:00 Claudia Stevenson, Acolyte 9:00 Parker Catlin, Payton Catlin Children’s Moment 9:00 Ginny Steinke Ushers 9:00 Group 6: Larry & Shirley Schlem, Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Chuck & Nancy Graff, Larry & Doris Keller, John & Shelia Turner Mar. 13 Greeters 9:00 Norm & Rhonda Duba, Cliff & Shirlee Knispel Fellowship Jim & Dorothy Glenn Nursery 9:00 Collette VanBorkum, Grace & Emily VanBorkum Acolyte 9:00 Mason Knudsen, Cedric Knudsen Children’s Moment 9:00 Michelle Kimberly-Rhoades Ushers 9:00 Group 7: Jim & LeAnn Ayres, Allen & Janice Cerny, Herb & Karen Knudsen, Casey & Emily Mack Mar. 20 Greeters 9:00 Jim & Dorothy Glenn, Buck & Judy Markussen Fellowship Max & Darlene Peterson Nursery 9:00 Judy Markussen, Shelly Reil Acolyte 9:00 Tristan Lumpkin Children’s Moment 9:00 Penny Benda Ushers 9:00 Group 8: Lloyd Johnson, Pete Knudsen, Bud Haney, L.D. Walker, Ted Slagle, Jim Hixon Mar. 27 Greeters 9:00 Milly Schwasinger, Roger & Judi Adkins Fellowship Pete & Jonnie Peterson Nursery 9:00 ? ? ? ? Acolyte 9:00 Ian Shaw Children’s Moment 9:00 Pastor Chuck Rager Ushers 9:00 Group 9: Buck Markussen, Eric Troxel, Earl Schenck, Paul Catlin, Ryan Holechek Apr. 3 Greeters 9:00 Barbara Draucker, Dennis & Teresa Davis Fellowship ? ? ? ? Nursery 9:00 Pete & Jonnie Peterson Acolyte 9:00 Ryder Smith Children’s Moment 9:00 Carmen Troxel Ushers 9:00 Group 10: Fred Olmsted, Dave Sheldon, Todd Neill, Dave Baltzell, Sharen Terry, Cena Graves Apr. 10 Greeters 9:00 Lyle & Barbara Nootz, Brian & Claudia Stevenson Fellowship Janice & Allen Cerny Nursery 9:00 Barb Jeffres, Judy Cross Acolyte 9:00 Elliott Pickering Children’s Moment 9:00 Jonnie Peterson Ushers 9:00 Group 1: John Stulich, Lonnie Peters, Craig Draucker, Jeff Peterson, Jim Persinger

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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Our Vision: “To be a dynamic church, sharing and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ”

Our Mission: “To love God, love each other and extend that love beyond our church”

T h e M e s s e n g e r

F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h

4 2 1 N o r t h S p r u c e P . O . B o x 9 1 6

O g a l l a l a , N e b r a s k a 6 9 1 5 3

R e t u r n S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

“The Last Supper” Pageant during Holy Week

"The Last Supper Pageant" will be presented on Maundy

Thursday, March 24, and Good Friday, March 25, at 7:00 p.m. This

very meaningful event will be an inspirational part of your journey

toward the celebration of Resurrection Sunday.

For those who have not experienced the pageant in previous

years, the LIVING DRAMATIZATION of Leonardo da Vinci’s “THE

LAST SUPPER” is a recreation of da Vinci’s world-famous painting

with thirteen living characters. Each of the disciples, in his turn,

expresses his thoughts about the coming trials of Jesus. This

inspirational presentation will be a welcome addition to your Easter

season.

You will not need tickets and there is no charge to attend the

pageant. A free-will donation will be taken to benefit a mission

project chosen by the cast.

Roger & Judi Adkins (284-2326)