"Contact" the Havelock Christian Church Newsletter April, 2005 April Brings Prayer, Study, and Fun Elders to Host Prayer Vigil On Saturday, April 9, from 1 pm to 10 pm, the church will be readied for personal prayer and meditation. There will be several prayer areas prepared, with comfortable chairs and meditation materials. An elder will be on hand to host throughout the 9-hour period. You are invited to come at your convenience and stay as long as you would like. Communion will be available if you wish to partake. Come alone or bring a friend. Take some quiet time to spend with God. Bible Studies Planned for Six Weeks Beginning the last week of March and running through the first week of May, Pastor Max will be leading both an evening and a morning Bible Study. There is group planned for Tuesdays at 7 pm and another session set for 10 am on Thursdays. Both groups will be focusing on the subject of "Grace." Let's Try Again on Pancakes Well, the snowstorm on February 8 dampened our plans for the Phirst Phat Tuesday Phellowship Pancake Pheed and Phun Night. But not being easily discouraged, the Christian Growth Task Group is going to try again! On Tuesday night, April 12, cross your fingers that it doesn't snow again, and come out for an evening of pancakes, fellowship, and Bible study, beginning at 6 pm. Everyone is invited. Children and young people are welcome. A free will offering will be received. Let's have a great turn out and scare the clouds away! It's Silent Auction Time!! The fun begins on Saturday, April 9 at 10 am, when everyone is invited to bring items or ideas for services to the church for which people might be interested in bidding. In the past, we've had everything from newly potted plants to homemade yard art; from restored bicycles, a cowboy boot footstool, lovely ceramics, floral arrangements, and home canned beet pickles to a handmade afghan. There have been offers to make pies, brownies, and dilly bread, host dinners, mow lawns, ... the variety has been great! The Builders will be on hand to help get sign-up sheets for each item or service. We ask that you have a minimum bid in mind and let us know whether you would like to reclaim the item of the minimum bid is not obtained. In the next couple of weeks, we'll have fun studying the offerings and beginning the bidding process. On Saturday, April 23, at 5 pm, we'll gather for a Soup and Sandwich Supper, $5 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under. We'll have entertainment and plenty of time to browse around before our auctioneer calls for bids to be read at 6:30 pm. The Builders Club, an HCC adult fellowship group, sponsors the annual event and uses the proceeds to help with local mission projects throughout the year. Max's Musings We've all had them! Bad days; bad weeks. Sometimes they last longer than that, seemingly an eternity. Times when events don't go right (it's the Conspiracy Theory on a personal scale). Times when the depression is so thick that it feels that you are going to be smothered to death. Times when your friends turn against you or just plain forget that you exist. Times when, no matter how hard you try to fix things, nothing can fix how you feel or what you are experiencing. These bad times can start with just about any type of provocation. A loaf of bread doesn't rise. You forget an appointment or get a call from the principal's office that you need to get there yesterday because your child is misbehaving. Maybe you have to live through some hellish event...internment at a prison of war camp, the death of a loved one, the shootings at Red Lake. Simple to tragic, we never know if this can be the start of another bad week. The real question is: how do we handle times like these? Jesus prayed. This past week, we have celebrated Holy Week. Talk about your bad week, this has got to be the epitome of all bad weeks. Jesus knows that he is about to die. He knows that someone close to him will betray him. He knows that the rag tag band of men he has spent some three years teaching and preparing just doesn't get it. Jesus knows that all of his disciples will desert him, leaving only his mother and a couple of women to watch with him. Jesus prayed. During this last week it got rough. There was no fruit on the fig tree; priests, scribes, lawyers all pushing him to the breaking point. When he sought refuge in the temple to pray...the money changers loom in the portals and courtyard of the very place he sought peace and closeness with his Abba. Jesus prayed. The ritual prayers of the Passover celebration, shared with his disciples in the upper room, were spoken. Then, in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed for his flock -- for their well being, for their oneness in God. He prayed, much like Eddie Arnold when he sings, "Make the World Go Away," that his bad week could just be taken away. But, he knows that can't happen and continues in his prayer "not my will, but yours" (Luke 22:42). Even when all those around him cannot stay awake, Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed. Before Pilate, Jesus was silent or cryptic at best. On the road to his appointment with death, Jesus was silent, "like a lamb that is led to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). And then, at 3:00 o'clock, he prays his last: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). Yes, we all have bad days, bad weeks. What we forget is that there is an Easter for us as well as for our Lord. Just as Jesus was raised from the grave, we will share with him the raising of our spirits, the burst of joy in our souls. For Jesus meets us on the road and travels with us, even though we may not recognize him. By the time you read this, Easter day will be over. But our celebration of the resurrection will have just begun. Let Easter come to you and envelop you in the love and grace that comes only from our God. Let us share in the Good News with one another and those we meet upon the road of life. Let the light of Easter overcome the darkness. Peace and Love, -- Max Scriptures and Titles for April April 3rd: 2nd Sunday of Easter John 20:19-31 "I Will Not Believe" April 10th: 3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Generation Txt April 17th: 4th Sunday of Easter Acts 2:42-47 The Sweet Spot April 24th: 5th Sunday of Easter 1 Peter 2:2-10 Inspired by Community Dates to Remember April Birthdays 1 - Susan Hanneman 2 - Jean Crounse, Lyle Dickey 6 - Chad Sewell 7 - Sarah Dale-Piersol Stuart Vculek Robert Wilson 12 - Alvin Niemeyer 14 - Chase Thompson Elliott Hanneman 17 - Elva Schuster 19 - Judy Swanson 23 - Rosemary Shipps 27 - Martha Gadberry Michael Yost 28 - Don Riblett 29 - Shandra Yost April Anniversaries 1 - Anna and Curt Peacock 8 - Judy and Gene Seibert Prayer Focus 3 - East Lincoln Christian, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Zahller Brown 10 - Alma First Christian, Rev. Larry Doubet, Acting Minister 17 - Grand Island First Christian, Rev. Erin Curtis 24 - Nebraska City First Christian, Rev. Jerry Albright Upcoming Events Regular meetings/rehearsals set: 4 - Church Growth Committee, 7 pm Wed. nights Choir rehearsal, 7 pm 11 - General Board meeting, 7 pm 16 - Builders Club, 9 am 27 - Elders meeting, 8 pm Daylight Savings Time begins early in the morning on Sunday, April 3rd. Don't forget to spring ahead!! Dedication of Food Pantry items planned for April 3 ­ as you hurry out the door an hour earlier than usual, remember to bring a donation for the Food Pantry. With the emphasis these days on healthy foods, let's concentrate during April on fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables. Remember, anytime is the best time for sharing with those who need help. Youth events for April begin with CYF meeting on April 3 at 7 pm. A movie party is tentatively planned for Saturday, April 9. Be watching for further information on the youth calendar. Communion with home-bound members is scheduled on Sunday, April 3. Those who make these visits enjoy this time as much as those who receive the visits. Bible Studies on "Grace" continue through April. Pastor Max will lead a Bible study during Eastertide on the grace of God. There will be two sessions of the study: one on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm. The second session will be on Thursday mornings at 10:00 am. Both sessions will have 6 weekly meetings. The Tuesday session will begin on March 29th while the Thursday session will begin on March 31st. Both sessions will be held in the Library at the church. Everyone is welcome. Please invite a friend to join you. On April 9, at 10 am, please bring items and ideas for the Silent Auction to the church. Members of the Builders Club will be there to help arrange things and get the sign-up sheets in place. This event is lots of fun, and we look forward to everyone's participation. Come join the fun. Church available for prayer on April 9 from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Have you ever wished for a little quiet time when you could meditate and be alone with God? The Elders are hosting nine hours on Saturday, April 9th, when you can do just that. There are no set times to come or leave. There will be several meditation areas prepared, and an Elder will help you find a spot. Come when you can and leave when you are ready. There will be Bibles, hymnals, and some meditation books available, but feel free to bring your own resources. Coffee will be available, and communion will be prepared if you wish to partake. Pancake Supper set for Tuesday, April 12 ­ Bring your families, bring your friends, bring your appetites, join in the fun. We'll enjoy pancakes and all the trimmings, fun and fellowship, and continue with discussions about grace. All are welcome. This is a church fellowship event, not a fund raiser. Come to get better acquainted and enjoy fellowship around the tables. Soup and Sandwich Supper/Silent Auction begins at 5 pm on Saturday, April 23 ­ By this time, you'll have had a chance to look over all of the great items and special services offered by church members for sale at the Silent Auction. The supper includes homemade soup, sandwiches, desserts and drink, all for only $5 for adults, $3 for kids 12 and under. Between 5 and 6:30, as we enjoy the meal, folks will be wandering around the tables and placing their final bids on items they are interested in purchasing. There's bound to be some hot competition on several items. At 6:30, Auctioneer Max will begin reading off the bids. Even if you might not think you want to bid on anything, plan to come anyway and enjoy the fun. The supper will be yummy, and the fellowship is great. The last minute bidding gets pretty spirited. Max makes a great auctioneer, and we guarantee that you'll have a grand time! FYI Easter brought a special celebration of new life at HCC this year. With joy, we welcomed back Samantha and Sabrina Nimmich, their sons Mason and Braydon, and the families. We had another very special little fellow too, Thomas Edward Vanderheiden, great grandson of Elva Schuster, son of Bryan and Shannon Vanderheiden of Connecticut. The babies and their families were recognized in a special dedication service during the 10:45 worship service on Easter Sunday. HCC was blessed to have a mission speaker -- On March 13, Bonnie Carenen brought us greetings from the African country of Namibia. Bonnie and her mother Carol, along with our Regional Minister and wife, Ken and Susan Moore worshiped with us on March 13. Bonnie made real to us the ravages of the AIDS epidemic in Africa, especially the tragedy for the thousands of orphans it is leaving. She also made real the hope and pride the church brings to the people of Namibia. Our Easter Offerings provide assistance to the many general ministries of our church, among them Overseas Ministries like the one in which Bonnie was engaged. HCC has given $483 so far in the Easter Offering. We're hoping a few more folks will still participate to bring us at least up to our $518 mark from last year. Just four more gifts of $10 each would take us over the top. Week of Compassion Offering - Disciples churches across the country have responded generously to the victims of the tsunami disaster in Asia. HCC contributed $575 to the Week of Compassion during February so that assistance is always available when tragedies strike. Thanks, all, for a great showing. A Word from Our Moderator I wanted to congratulate you all on a fantastic year so far. You can really tell that there is so much excitement and enthusiasm among the HCC congregation. As the Moderator of the congregation, I want to personally welcome all the new members that have joined in the last couple of months. It is so great to have you a part of the HCC family. I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of some issues that have come up in the last few months. As we all know, we are still raising funds for the stained glass windows. The process has been slow but we are still doing some investigating before we move ahead. Some of you may be aware our building is aging, and we are doing some problem solving and research regarding the building's structure. The major problem is some settling in the building, but we are confident we can work this problem out. If you have any questions, you can call me at 464-0955. I look forward to serving you as the Moderator, and I will be in touch with you frequently through the newsletter. I look forward to seeing you in church. God Bless, Mike Yost HCC has a website! If you're on the Internet and looking for information about Havelock Christian Church, you can now find it at www.havelockcc.org. Thanks to good help from Curt Peacock, you'll find some interesting things about us on line. There are maps, calendar items, a section for Teens, the most recent Contact (in case you've misplaced yours), Max's Recipes, and all kinds of photographs from our 100th anniversary. There's a section about the congregation and a link to the Regional Ministry and General Ministry of the Christian Church. What a neat resource for our members and friends, as well as for folks who might be looking for a church to visit. Thanks to Curt and all those who have helped make this a reality! Shorts from the Board Winter bills are still straining the church budget. If you can make a little extra contribution, it would be greatly appreciated. Vacation Bible School dates set for June 24-25 with Bethany Christian Church. The Board authorized Mike to contact a firm that works with foundations to provide an assessment and recommendations on how to fix the settling. New hot water heaters were priced, but the project was tabled until we know the cost of the foundation repair. Youth plans reviewed, including a visit to a Purim festival at South Street Temple, bowling party, regular meetings, and a movie outing. The Board approved scholarships for all youth wanting to attend church camp, to pay for half of the cost of registration. General Assembly will be held in Portland in July. The Board expressed support for sending Max and Cindy if details can be worked out. In Our Church Family We are keeping Maxine Gillespie in our thoughts this month with the death of her brother Bill Cotton in Arizona. The Herman family traveled to Oklahoma in the last couple of weeks for the funeral of Joe's aunt. In the same week, Deb Herman and Mary Bickford's great aunt passed away. We are keeping the families in our thoughts and prayers. Our thoughts are also with Zach Richards, Hope Bickford, Jarred, and the family with the recent death of Zach's grandmother. Our prayers are with Elva Schuster with the death of her sister-in-law Leona Jackson of Beatrice in March. We send Easter greetings to our members who are homebound ­ Elaine and Keith Althouse, Howard Sewell, Olive Montgomery, Jessie and Don Riblett, Nellie Covert, Jim Donaldson, and Eva Barnes. We hope the sights and smells of Easter lilies and other spring flowers have helped you to relive the joy of Easter and the hope we have through the gift of our Lord Jesus. Our thoughts and prayers continue with Sharon Jordal as she heals from her recent surgery. She says it is going well ­ just slowly. She's anxious to be back to church, and we're certainly looking forward to that too. We are keeping Rosemary Shipps in our thoughts and prayers. She is having some health problems, and we ask for strength for Rosemary and her family. Elaine Althouse is having a tough time right now with an upper respiratory virus. Take care, Elaine. We hope you feel better soon. It was wonderful to see Betty Niemeyer back at church on Sunday. She's been struggling with a leg wound for a number of weeks. Take care, Betty. Welcome back! We're so glad to have Cindy Nelson back as well. Some of the health issues she has been battling with all winter seem to be diminishing with spring. Wow, what a relief! We send special thoughts to our members who continue to fight various viruses and ailments ­ we hear Judy Seibert is under the weather, Kayla Yost has been having some problems, and Barbara and Roger Hammons continue to have health concerns. Take care, everyone. We also continue to keep Jim and Wanda Cameron in our thoughts with Jim's recovery. We hope things are going well with the Colorado arm of the HCC family. Congratulations to Jessica Niemeyer, daughter of Bob and Diane Niemeyer and granddaughter of Betty and Alvin. Jessica recently entered a national contest sponsored by the Wrigley Company. Her project, to win funds to replant a number of the trees destroyed by the tornado that ravaged the area around Norris High School last summer, took top honors nationwide. On April 23, area young people are invited to participate in the planting activities, and the young people will get to attend a big concert as part of the winnings. What a wonderful project, and what an honor Jessica has won for herself, her family, and her school. Congratulations to Kayla Yost, who has recently been accepted at the University of Nebraska - Kearney. Kayla is still in the process of applying for scholarships and looking at colleges to find the best fit. We're proud of you, Kiddo. It was so good to see John Charles in church on Easter Sunday. John received recognition during the fellowship time for his participation in storm watch alerts last summer through the Lincoln Amateur Radio Club. John Dale presented John with a nicely monogrammed stainless steel thermos for his outstanding volunteer efforts. Good job, John! What a week-end Sunday Elva Schuster had over Easter! Her daughter and son-in-law Mary and Richard Vanderheiden from Arizona came for a visit. Elva knew Mary and Richard were coming, but what she didn't know was that grandsons Bryan and Paul and families would be coming too. Bryan and Shannon Vanderheiden and their 7-month old son Thomas Edward from Connecticut and Paul and Megan from California surprised Grandma in celebration of Easter and her upcoming birthday. We're so happy for you, Elva. Congratulations to Zach Richards on receiving his GED!! That's great news, Zach. We're happy for you, and we know Hope and Jarred are especially proud. We send our best wishes to bride and groom Lindsey Portsche and Matt Cox who were married on March 7 in Las Vegas. Lindsey is the daughter of Vickie and Bob Portsche and granddaughter of Mike Staberg. Lindsey is employed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Matt works at the Journal-Star. And extra special happy wishes to Joyce Wells and Calvin Weeks with their approaching wedding on April 1st. Joyce is the sister of Jean Uarich and Jack Rosecrans. Kudos for March go to... Pastor Max, for wonderful Soup and Worship events throughout Lent, an out- standing meal and Maundy Thursday Service with Bethany Christian, a very meaningful Easter Sunrise Vigil, and a joyous Easter worship service. We're deeply grateful for all you do for us, Max. Cindy Nelson, for her amazing artwork during the Maundy Thursday service, her leadership in the Easter Sunrise service, and for just being there to encourage and support Max. Ron Uarich, for the fantastic photo albums and cd's with pictures from the 100th anniversary celebrations. Those are works of art, Ron! Judy and Gene Seibert, for winning the "Dancing the Night Away" award at Rick and Mary's 25th anniversary celebration. Boy, are these two great dancers! Judy also gets kudos for the terrific kids' worship bags she created to help keep our youngsters occupied and interested during church, and Gene has repaired the roof on the doll house in the church nursery. Little fingers thank you, Gene. Judy Nyhoff, for sharing her supply of yummy grapefruit with the church family. Many of us thank you, Judy. For all who purchased daffodils and teddy bears, in support of the American Cancer Society and in memory and celebration of loved ones. For those who shared beautiful Easter lilies with us for the worship service on Easter Sunday. Jack Rosecrans and Minnie Stephens, for the sumptuous Easter morning breakfast. It just gets better every year. What a gift, you two! George Buell, for his brightly colored and delicious Jell-O eggs that have become a tradition at the HCC Easter morning breakfast table. For all who contributed health kits to go to Church World Service to help victims of disasters. Virginia Woodrum, for the delightful Easter treats for all of "us kids." Joe Herman, for the gift of the prayer rocks, as a reminder to all of us to remember to be prayerful. The folks from HCC and Bethany Christian who participated in the Maundy Thursday drama. The service brought renewed meaning to the events of Holy Week. In Closing Howard and Irene Sewell shared an Irish blessing entitled, "For You" from the Ambassador daily newsletter. Thanks, Sewells! May each day that you live Bring you comfort and peace. May your sorrows diminish, Your blessings increase. May each day be embroidered With love, joy and grace. May the moon tuck you in With a smile on your face.   Newsletter Archive Calendar, April 2005 3 - Sunday - Daylight Savings Time begins, Spring Ahead 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee 10:45 - Worship Communion to Shut-ins 7 pm - CYF Meeting 4 - Monday 7 pm - Church Growth Committee 5 - Tuesday 7 pm - Bible Study 6 - Wednesday 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 7 - Thursday 10 am - Bible Study 9 - Saturday 10 am - Bring Silent Auction items to church 1 to 10 pm - Prayer Vigil 10 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee 10:45 - Worship 11 - Monday 7 pm - Board Meeting 12 - Tuesday 6 pm - Pancake Feed 7 pm - Bible Study 13 - Wednesday 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 14 - Thursday 10 am - Bible Study 16 - Saturday 9 am - Builders Club 17 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee 10:45 - Worship 19 - Tuesday 7 pm - Bible Study 20 - Wednesday 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 21 - Thursday 10 am - Bible Study 23 - Saturday 5 pm - Soup and Sandwich Supper and Silent Auction 6:30 - Silent Auction Bids read 24 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee 10:45 - Worship 26 - Tuesday 7 pm - Bible Study 27 - Wednesday 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 8 pm - Elders Meeting 28 - Thursday 10 am - Bible Study Serving During April: Elders: Presiding - Jack Rosecrans Shut-in Communion - Jean Holt, Mike Yost Members of the Diaconate: Preparing - Ron Uarich Serving - Mary Bickford, Kayla Yost, Ardelle Boardman, Jerry Cunning Shut-in Communion - Mike Staberg, Dan Herman, Hope Bickford Lay Leader: John Dale Greeter: Jean Holt Editor - Jean Dale Copying and Mailing - Anna and Curt Peacock Mailing Labels - John Dale

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