"Contact" the Havelock Christian Church Newsletter February, 2005 Max's Musings We are about to end the observance of Epiphany and begin a time of preparation for Eastertide that we call Lent. Lent is a sacred time that leads to the paschal feast celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Originally the period of Lent was seven days, somewhat like our Holy Week. It didn't take too long before that period was expanded to 40 days. The choice of 40 days parallels the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness following his baptism by John the Baptist. In the early church, the time of Lent was used to accomplish two purposes: 1) the imparting of Christian teachings to new converts as they prepared to be baptized and, 2) the renewal of faith for believers through the personal disciplines of worship and meditation, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving. We at Havelock Christian Church have an opportunity to participate in this season of preparation in the same way that our ancestors of faith participated, through the use of the traditional disciplines. To aid in the worship we will conduct our SAW (Soup And Worship) services again this year. Each Wednesday, starting with Ash Wednesday on February 9th, we will gather for a simple meal of soup and bread followed by a short worship service. The theme this year is "This Lenten Road." Each service will start at 6:00 pm with the meal, so if you run a little late, don't worry. You're never too late to eat with family. As an aid to the personal/family meditation, the booklet by Fred Craddock, "Fellowship of Prayer," will be available. As a part of the meditation many people fast for a day or another period of time or give up some particular thing for the season of Lent in order to reduce the number of distractions one faces when trying to open one's life to God's direction. Finally, the discipline of almsgiving. This discipline is based upon the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross. We as Christians are called to be sacrificial in our lives as well. This year we have many needs before us: the survivors of the Asian rim, the homeless of Lincoln, the victims of abuse.... Palm Sunday and again on Easter Sunday, a special offering for the Disciple Mission Fund (DMF) will be taken to aid those who are suffering. Of course, any time, a gift to the Week of Compassion can be made by putting a check in the offering plate with "Week of Compassion" in the notation section. But what is the purpose of this preparation? It is a time to learn or re-learn our Christian heritage, our story. It is a time to reflect upon the new identity we are given by our Lord. It is a time in which we seek ways to live our life in Christ in such a manner that we become the "light upon the hill." This Lent, the general theme of my sermons will deal with faith. Our faith, God's faith. Come, let us begin the journey on this Lenten road. Peace & Love Max Scriptures and Titles 6th: last Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 17:1-9 "4 Steps Down the Mountain" 13th: 1st Sunday in Lent Matthew 4:1-11 "A Season of Slackitude" 20th: 2nd Sunday in Lent Romans 4:1-5 "Faith - The Real Deal" 27th: 3rd Sunday in Lent Romans 5:1-11 "What's the Message?" Dates to Remember February Birthdays 10 Matt Buell 12 Jan Davis 13 Edna Green 16 Amy Willadsen 17 John Brown 21 Pierce Thompson 22 Curtis Peacock 26 David Niemeyer Prayer Focus 6 Ashland First Christian, Rev. Roy Paterik 13 David City Congregational-Christian, Pastor Jack McDonald 20 Falls City, Rev. Steven Wainwright 27 Unadilla, Pastor Joseph Chadwick Upcoming Events Elders and Members of the Diaconate meet on February 1 - The Elders and Diaconate jump right into action on the first day of the month with a Tuesday night meeting (please note the change in day). The time is 7 pm. Choir rehearsal will flex a little with Lenten schedule - On February 2, the time is 7 pm. For the rest of the month, rehearsals will begin at the conclusion of the Lenten worship services, probably around 7:15. Easter music is already being planned. If you enjoy singing, come join us. Dedication of Food for the Pantry set for February 6 - Let's make it a special point to remember folks who suffer at this cold time of the year from poverty and want. We'll dedicate gifts for the Northeast Pantry on Sunday, February 6th. Soup and Worship (SAW) to begin on Ash Wednesday - Pastor Max's wonderful homemade soups, bread provided by the elders, fellowship around the tables, and Lenten worship has become a tradition we look forward to each year. Ash Wednesday is February 9th, the date for the first SAW service. Supper begins at 6 pm, but if you're a little late, that's fine too. The soup's on. Come be part of the family of God. Youth have an ice skating party planned - The CYF can't let winter slide by without enjoying a turn on the ice. The party begins at noon on Saturday, February 12. All young people are invited to come and bring a friend. At the end of the skating, the kids will come home to a... Valentine's Spaghetti Supper - Pasta, a choice of sauces, garlic bread, salad, dessert and a drink, all for only $4.00 per person. Children 3 and under eat free. The date is Saturday, February 12, the time is from 5 to 8 pm. Invite your friends, families, and everyone you see. Let's have a great turn out for this festive event! Group Photo to be taken Sunday, February 13! As a wrap-up to our 100th Anniversary celebration, Bob Olson, "The Picture Man," will be at the church following the worship service to take a group photo of the congregation. PLEASE PLAN TO STAY FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER CHURCH, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, TO BE PART OF THE PHOTOGRAPH. Members, friends, and guests are all welcome and are encouraged to be part of this important event. The group photo will be professionally blended with an exterior picture of the church. Once finished, pictures will be available for purchase in two formats: 8x10 and 11x14. Each photo will include a list identifying who is where in the picture. Order forms for you to use will be available on February 13th. The 8x10 will sell for $10 each, and the 11x14 for $17. If it is to be sent to you by mail, there will be an additional $2 postage and handling fee per photo. This historic centennial anniversary photograph is intended as a complementary piece to the church photo we have taken in about 1919. Whether your family has been part of the Havelock Church family since its beginning or you've found us in the last few years or even months,...we want your smiling face in the February 13th photo. After all, it won't be a real "Family" photograph without you. Week of Compassion Offering to be received February 13, 20, and 27 - We are aware, in light of the recent tsunami disaster and the reports John has been sharing, that our Week of Compassion Offerings are very important and very much needed. Through the Week of Compassion, a number of denominations reach out cooperatively to create a strong arm for disaster relief. Together, we are able to give immediate assistance wherever it's needed, in times of greatest need. The phrase used by Week of Compassion, "Around the World, Around the Year" indicates pretty well the on-going strength of this effort. Being HCC, I know you'll respond generously. FYI Thank you notes have been received - From Cindy Nelson, a delightful hand-made card you'll want to look at on the bulletin board at church. It lists all of the courses she has already completed at Wayne State College on the front, and the two she's working on right now inside, with her Graduation Date of May 7, 2005, 2:00 p.m., Wayne, Nebraska. She writes, "I'm almost there! Thanks for the scholarship to help me reach this goal!" Cindy Nelson And the note from Shandra reads, "I wanted to thank you for the scholarship money I received this spring semester. It is very helpful in paying for books and the other expenses of school. Thanks again, God Bless." Shandra Ann Yost Shorts from the Board Moderator Mike Yost welcomed new Officers and introduced new Task Force Chairs. Jean Dale will fill the clerk position. New Task Force Chairs include Deb Herman, Special Events Coordinator; Jerry Cunning, Property Chair; Karen Cunning, Chair of the Memorial Committee; and Gene and Judy Seibert, Welcoming Committee Chair. The members of the anniversary committee will constitute the new Christian Growth Task Group. Dori Yost will continue as Worship Chair and John Dale will continue as Education/Spiritual Life Chair. Devotional booklets for Lent have been ordered. Youth plans include a Febr. 12 ice skating party at Mahoney, a March 11th bowling party and lock-in; an April 9th movie party; and a May event in coordinating with church night out on May 6th. The copier will be leased instead of purchased outright. The cost is $115 a month for 60 months. Scholarships for second semester were approved in the amount of $300 apiece for Shandra Yost, Cindy Nelson, and Judy Yost. Roger Hammons receives help with the ELM program expenses through a combination of scholarship funds and special gifts. Ron Uarich had lots of excellent pictures from the 100th anniversary. I'm not sure where he found the time, but he put together a wonderful scrapbook with pictures from each of our events this fall. He has offered to replicate his book for those who are interested. It even includes a compact disc with all of the pictures on it for digital reproduction. Orders for scrapbooks have been turned in by members of the congregation, and Ron is in the process of putting books together now. If you are interested and didn't get your order in, you might check with Ron to see how his workload is. The books are $35 apiece, a real bargain for all that is included. Thanks, Ron, for helping us preserve these wonderful memories. Health Kits requested - Church World Service is asking for donations of health kits to be sent to the areas of destruction related to the tsunami. To put together a health kit, one need a one-gallon zip-lock bag. Into the bag, place the following items (no substitutions, please): one hand towel one wash cloth one comb (any size) one metal nail file or a nail clipper with nail file attached one bar of soap (bath size) one adult tooth brush one tube of toothpaste (4 oz.- 7 oz. size) 6 Band-Aids The kits can be delivered to the church in the next week or two. Max will send them to the appropriate central location for distribution. Southview Christian Church calls a new minister - Our sister congregation has voted to call the Rev. Robert Arnold as their pastor. He and his family will be moving to Lincoln from Bertram, Texas, and Rev. Arnold begins work March 1st. Rev. Arnold and his wife Giovanna have a 13-year old daughter and a son who is 11. We want to keep the Arnold and the Southview congregation in our prayers during this transition. Mid-Winter Men's Rally scheduled for February 26, 2005 - "Living Healthfully and Faithfully" is the theme for the Mid-Winter Men's Rally at First Christian Church, Nebraska City, set for Saturday, February 26, from 9 am to 4 pm. The resource leader is Ronnette Sailers, Coordinator of the Nebraska Health Ministry Network, Interchurch Ministries in Nebraska. The registration fee of $15 includes lunch and refreshments. Registrations are due to CCN by February 21. Elders' Retreat set for March 18-19 in Hastings - Elders will want to mark their calendars for the Fifth Annual Nebraska Elders' Retreat at First Christian in Hastings. The retreat leader will be the Rev. Johnna Camp, speaking on the theme "Elders: Bearers of the Message of our Christian Faith." Registration deadline is February 28. In Our Church Family We begin with our thoughts for our shut-in members: Jessie and Don Riblett, Howard Sewell, Olive Montgomery, Keith and Elaine Althouse, Nellie Covert, Jim Donaldson, and Eva Barnes. We hope you're staying toasty warm these cold days. Elmer Staberg is hospitalized at St. Elizabeth's following a flare-up with his heart this past Friday. The doctors are still evaluating, so we don't know yet what the next step is. Sister-in-law Mike reports that Elmer is upbeat and feeling better now. We'll be keeping you in our prayers, Elmer and Wilma. (A Sunday update - Elmer had three stints put in at 10 am on Sunday, and by early afternoon was in his room eating a roast beef sandwich. Jean Holt reports that his color was just great, and the nurses reported that he was giving them a hard time. Jean was grateful to get her Sunday hug from Elmer.) Sharon Jordal is home from the hospital following surgery for a toe infection this last week. She says Stew is doing a good job of taking care of her. She's feeling ok, but it will be a few weeks before she can be back with us. Take care, Sharon. Karen Cunning is recovering from surgery also. We hear she got a good report from the doctor recently and is hoping to be able to be out and about a little here soon. We're keeping you in our prayers, Karen. We continue to keep John Charles and his family in our thoughts and prayers. John is now living in Omaha, and he is very grateful to have the support of his church family. In our extended church family, we're keeping Janeen Bruner of the Regional Office in our prayers as she recovers from a broken leg. Janeen fell on the ice in the parking lot of the Regional Office recently. We're thinking of church members who are doing battle with colds and what have you recently - Pastor Max and Cindy Nelson, Jack Rosecrans, Katie Robbins, and John Dale are ones I know about. Y'all take care and get better. Congratulations to Merlin Dana, who celebrated Birthday # 87 last week! Merlin and Jean continue with their busy lives, caring for and showing their bunnies, taking care of their other animals, and keeping tabs on the family. Best wishes, Merlin! Congratulations are also in order this month for John Dale, who retired from Lincoln City Libraries following a 27 *-year career there. He's making plans for the next stage of his life, and I'm pleased to report that he's already making progress on his "Honey Do" list. Best wishes, John. While visiting with Mike Staberg, I heard about another retirement in the HCC family - Larry Staberg retired recently after a long career with Gooch Mills. Congratulations to Larry. Kudos for January go to... The good group of folks who helped take down and pack away the Christmas decorations on January 8th; Mike Yost for his work clearing the sidewalks; Jean Holt for arranging the YWCA swimming party for the youth; Hope Bickford and Joe Herman for hosting the young people on a day-time skating party during semester break. Judy and Gene Seibert, our new welcoming committee chairs for the delicious coffee cake and breads recently for our coffee fellowship time. Patrick Peacock, for his excellent work as lay leader for January. Thanks, Patrick! Mary Reed for filling in at the organ while I was away at work. In Closing Here's a message shared by Virginia Woodrum. There are small ships and big ships, But the best ships are friendships. Calendar Week of Compassion Offering Received February 13, 20, and 27th. Please Give Generously February, 2005 1 - Tuesday: 7:00 pm - Elders Meeting 2 - Wednesday: 7:00 pm - Choir Rehersal 6 - Sunday: 9:15 am - Church School            10:15 - Coffee Fellowship            10:45 - Worship            Shut-in Communion 8 - Tuesday: Phat Tuesday, Phamily Phellowship, Pancake Pheed and Phun Night - 5:30 to 8:00 pm 9 - ASH WEDNESDAY 6:00 Soup Supper / Worship            7:15 - Choir Rehersal 12 - Saturday: 12:00 noon - CYF Ice Skating Party            5:00 to 8:00 pm - Valentine's Spaghetti Supper 13 - Sunday: 9:15 am - Church School            10:15 - Coffee Fellowship            10:45 - Worship            Week of Compassion Offering,            12:00 - Congregational Picture Taken 14 - Monday: 7:00 pm - Board Meeting 16 - Wednesday: 6:00 pm - Soup Supper / Worship            7:15 - Choir Rehersal 20 - Sunday: 9:15 am - Church School            10:15 - Coffee Fellowship            10:45 - Worship            Week of Compassion Offering 23 - Wednesday: 6:00 pm - Soup Supper / Worship            7:15 - Choir Rehersal 27 - Sunday: 9:15 am - Church School            10:15 - Coffee Fellowship            10:45 - Worship            Week of Compassion Offering Serving During February: Elders: Presiding - Jean Holt Shut-in Communion - Mike Yost, Jack Rosecrans, (Elders) Mary Bickford, Patrick Peacock, (Diaconate) Members of the Diaconate: Preparation - Jean Dana Serving - Ron Uarich, Mike Staberg, Anna Peacock, Dan Herman / Hope Bickford Lay Leader: Dori Yost Greeter: Roger Hammons Editor - Jean Dale Copying and Mailing - Anna and Curt Peacock Mailing Labels - John Dale

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