"Contact" the Havelock Christian Church Newsletter February, 2007   Benefit for Roger Hammons Silent Auction At Bethany Christian Church 1645 North Cotner Lincoln, Nebraska February 10, 2007 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Entertainment by The Prairie Grass Pickers Benefit will help with medical expenses from Roger's kidney transplant, heart surgery, and recent hospitalizations. Let's open our hearts and come help ones in need. (If you can't attend, contributions may be sent to the Roger and Barbara Hammons Fund c/o John and Jean Dale, 6110 Leighton, Lincoln, NE 68507. If questions, call the Dale household at (402) 467-1085.)   Pastor's Ponderings: February is known for the month of love and Valentines. We all search for the special gift to surprise our true love with at this time of year. Yet, what is love? What does it mean to love someone with Christ-like love? How do we love another with the eyes and heart of God? In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never failsAnd now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." This kind of love is hard to fulfill, and it takes a lifetime to perfect. Yet, this is the love that we as Christians need to strive for each and every day, and not just one month of the year. True love looks at our special someone, with blind eyes to their faults, and weaknesses. True love looks at our special someone, seeing what they can become as a child of God, and not how we hope to change them. As Christians, unconditional love should be for all people in all places. When the love of Christ dwells within us, our eyes look at others as God love them, and seeks to build them up for the glory of the Kingdom. This Valentine's Day let us pray that the world will learn to love one another as Christ has loved us. In Christian Service, Giovanna   Dates to Remember February Birthdays 2    Matt Buell 13  Edna Green 16  Amy Willadsen 17  Lane Phillips       John Brown 20  Cameren Phillips 22  Curtis Peacock 26  David Niemeyer (Birthday/Anniversary note - In the last 12 months, the Contact has included short biographical sketches on birthday and anniversary folks. I hope it has helped all of us to feel like we know each other a little better. We'll continue to include notes on our newer folks as their special days come up, or if you were accidentally missed, please let me know. Thanks to all of you for providing information for these segments. It's been a fun feature.)   Prayer Focus 4    Brock Christian Church, Supply Pastor 11  CrossBridge Christian Church, Rev. Jim Gordon 18  Ashland First Christian, Rev. Nancy Gillette, Interim Pastor 25  David City Congregational-Christian Church, Pastor Jack McDonald   Upcoming Events Regular Meetings 5    Friendship Bridge, 7 pm 12  General Board, 7 pm 26  Worship Committee, 7 pm 27  PRC, 7 pm Every Week Sundays - Sunday School all ages, 9:15 am Coffee Fellowship, 10:15 am Music for Kids, 10:15 am WWJD Crew, 7 pm Wednesdays - Bible Study, 10 am (except 2/14) Choir Rehearsal, 7 pm (2/7, 2/14) 7:30 pm (2/21, 2/28) Thursdays - Bible Study, 7 pm (except 2/15)   Other Important Dates "Souper Bowl of Caring" on February 4 - Some 15 years ago, a single youth group was inspired to reach out and help the hungry in the community. They started the "Souper Bowl of Caring," a youth-led movement that has raised more than $33 million for food-related charities across the country. In 2006, the event raised over $5 million to share with local charities chosen by the participating youth. Our youth group, the WWJD Crew, will be participating in this national effort on Sunday, Febr. 4. Please bring a donation of money or a can or two of soup for the Northeast Area Emergency Food Pantry. This is a way that young and old alike can reach out to "the least of these" in our community. Communion to those who are shut-in -- On February 4th or sometime during that week as arranged, the Elders and Members of the Diaconate will be bringing communion to our members who don't get out easily. This is a time for catching up on church news, sharing health updates, and being together in prayer and partaking of the sacrament of communion. It is a time of blessing both for those who visit and those who are visited. February 10th, 4-7 pm -- Benefit for Roger Hammons at Bethany Christian Church! As most of you know, Roger had a kidney transplant, heart surgery, and a lengthy hospitalization a little over a year ago. Through Medicare, the kindness of many friends, and the generosity of several of Roger's health care institutions, bills that had totaled well over half a million dollars were down to about $10,000. When we began planning this event, we were hoping to raise enough to help wipe out those final debts. In December of 2006, however, Roger was again stricken with a ferocious infection that resulted in another lengthy hospital stay and more therapy. We're amazed and blessed with his continuing recovery in 2007. Needless to say, there are again significant medical costs, which make our task even more important. At our benefit last year, we raised over $8,000. We're hoping that this year's event will allow us to continue addressing those remaining debts so that, soon, the Hammons can have a fresh start. How can you help? Plan to attend and eat supper; invite some friends to join you. Bring something yummy for the bake sale (items needed by 3 pm on February 10). Bring a dessert to serve at the Soup Supper. Sign up to work for a shift - we need helpers to start at 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Put together a gift to offer for sale at the silent auction (a new item, a basket of gifts centered around a theme, handwork, a service you'd be willing to perform, etc.) and bring it to Bethany Christian by 2 pm on February 10. Plan to bid on some of the silent auction items. HCC is planning soup for about 400 people - chili, chicken noodle, and vegetarian corn chowder. The menu also includes various relishes and toppings, along with yummy bakery bread from The Grain Bin Bakery. We need people to bring desserts - cakes, pies, brownies, cookies - whatever suits your fancy. If we have too many desserts, we'll shift them over to the bake sale table. Lots of people from groups with which Roger has been associated are providing items for the Silent Auction. Some exciting gifts that we have already seen include: sets of two tickets each to Husker basketball games (Texas A & M on Febr. 10 and Kansas State on Febr. 13); several lovely handmade afghans and blankets (some sized for the extra tall among us), a hand-made desk clock, a beautiful brass wall hanging from Egypt, a hand-made wooden suitcase with individual drawers for storing slides or small collectibles, a hand-carved walnut turntable (lazy susan). The Prairie Grass Pickers from Southview Christian Church, and Kathy Petree, one of Roger's fellow ELM students, will be providing musical entertainment throughout the evening. This year there will be an early auction of several items at about 5:30 pm, including the basketball tickets for the Texas A & M game, so that the lucky winner can make it to Devaney for tip-off time at 7 pm. The second auction will be held about 6:30. If you can't stay until the winners are called, you may still bid on items. If you are one of the lucky winners, you'll be contacted, and we'll see that you get the gift. If you can work a shift, please let John or Jean Dale know. Phone #'s are 467-1085 or cell phone #499-5941. If you can bring baked goods or a gift for the auction, please just do so. Gifts need to be at the church ahead of time so we can record them and get them set up with a bidding sheet. Please feel free to recommend a minimum bid for your gift. This will be an exciting event, and a wonderful way to show our love and support for Roger and Barbara. Please plan to come and help in any way that you can. Lenten Play Practice Lunch set for February 11th -- On that day, we will be looking at all of the opportunities to participate in the Lent and/or Easter activities. We need lots of folks - all ages, differing talents. We'll need people to read monologues for the Lent Soup and Worship evening worships and the lighting of the Lenten Candles. We need participants for the play for the Easter Sunrise Service. And this year, we are in charge of the joint HCC-Bethany Christian Church Maundy Thursday Service, where we will need folks to be in a dramatic re-enactment of the Lord's Supper. If you want to be part of the fun and excitement of the Lenten Season, please be sure to bring a sack lunch and stay after church on February 11th. Call Pastor Giovanna for more details or to volunteer for a part if you cannot stay that day. Pastor Giovanna to be on vacation Febr. 13-19 -- During the week of the Pastor's vacation, please contact Chair of the Elders Roger Hammons (475-6558) or John Dale (467-1085 or 499-5941) if you need assistance. Rev. John Dale will be filling the pulpit on January 18th. Ash Wednesday begins Lenten series -- Ash Wednesday is February 21st, and begins the 6-week journey to Holy Week. The "Soup and Worship" series is returning by popular demand. "Encounters with the Miracle Man" will be our theme this year. We gather about 6:30 pm for prayer, a simple meal of soup and bread, followed by a short worship service. The entire event will last about an hour, with choir practice following around 7:30 pm. The Soup and Worship series includes the following dates: Febr. 21 and 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, and 28. We still need some volunteers to provide soup and bring bread for about 30 people (bread Febr. 28, Mar. 21, Mar. 28, and soup Mar. 21 and Mar. 28). If you would be able to help out, please contact Dori Yost at 464-1667.   FYI and Kudos Update on Christmas Offering - Another $40 was received for the Christmas Offering during January, bringing HCC's total to $790! Thanks, one and all, for your generous support for this important offering. Members come together to redecorate the sanctuary - An ambitious group of volunteers gathered at HCC on January 13th to put away the Christmas decorations and return the sanctuary to a "quieter look." Many thanks to: Jack Rosecrans, Deb Herman, George Buell, Bobbie and Glen Buchanan, Pastor Giovanna, Dori and Duayne Yost, Mike and Judi Yost, John and Jean Dale, and Gene and Judy Seibert. Thanks, too, for gifts of storage "totes," so that decorations will be fresh and lovely again in December. Thank you received from Lincoln Action Program - A special note of thanks was received from the Lincoln Action Program (LAP) for the gifts of hats and mittens from Havelock Christian. We're especially grateful for all of the beautiful handwork done by Lola Trosper that made our basket of warm clothing so special. Lots of little and big heads and hands will be much warmer this winter, thanks to the caring of our church family. Shorts from the Board New officers were welcomed, including Bobbie Buchanan (Hospitality Committee), George Buell (Memorial Committee), Curt Peacock (Financial Secretary) Anna Peacock (Clerk). Gift of cabinets and counter top provided by a client of Yost Decorators will be added to HCC kitchen. Another gift of a desk will be used in church library. Audit committee named to review 2006 church books (John Dale, Judy Seibert, Darrell Plumb). Second family of Ukranian immigrants arriving in Lincoln Jan. 12. Board voted to sell five of the heavier church tables to Prairie Bowmen at $35 per table. Intent is to replace with lighter fiberglass tables. Committee named to conduct search for nursery attendant. Committee named to review funds for foundation repair. Scholarships approved for Shandra Yost, Kayla Yost, Julie Hefner, Roger Hammons. Something Old, Something New...You may recall a little newspaper called the Nebraska Christian that came to our homes several times a year. Due to financial constraints, it was no longer possible to publish the news in that format, so Dr. Ken Moore and the staff have come up with a new way of communicating! The Regional News is now being created on a single page (front & back) and sent out electronically to the churches. There's lots of good information in the January edition (enclosed). Please take time to read it. We'll look forward to including it monthly with the Contact. Annual Buffalo Feed at Grand Island set for Febr. 11 - The Christian Men's Buffalo Feed will be held at First Christian Church, Grand Island, with guest speaker Todd Landry from Child Saving Institute. Registration begins at 4 pm, and the cost of tickets is $10. The Christian Women's Fellowship will be sharing a meal at one of the local restaurants at 5 pm. Around 6:30 pm, all men and women will join together for the program. For more details, we can call Rev. Dr. George H. Mullins at (308) 382-6738. Invite your Valentine for dinner and a song -- The Warren United Methodist Women are sponsoring a Valentine dinner of herbed chicken with trimmings for the bargain price of $7.50 / person. There will be music provided by Dick Patterson. The date is, of course, Wednesday, Febr. 14, 2007, at 6:30 pm. If you would like to make a reservation, please call 466-5238, by February 11, 2007 for tickets. Our good friend Minnie Stephens will probably answer your call. Men's Rally - Saturday, Febr. 24th is the date for the Men's Mid-Winter Rally at First Christian Church in Nebraska City. (See Regional News.) The registration deadline is February 19. Jack Rosecrans and Mike Yost attended last year and had a great time. Please contact the church office if you would like to attend - the cost is $15. Week of Compassion Offering to be Received February 18th and 25th -- The Theme this year for Week of Compassion is, "Who is my Neighbor?" At HCC, we know that there are many opportunities to be good neighbors, and our church family responds ever so generously. Gifts to Week of Compassion support programs that help our neighbors around the world build lives and communities that are healthy, safe and sustainable, making a huge difference in the lives of millions of families - creating sustainable sources of income for rural villages providing women micro-credit to start poverty-escaping businesses teaching trades and job skills to people maimed by land mines offering children a chance to survive past the age of five and go to school helping rebuild communities ravaged by natural disasters and so much more. Most recently we've gotten word that Week of Compassion support has come to the area of Nebraska hit so hard by the ice storms at the beginning of the year. Through our Week of Compassion offering, we can again be Good Samaritans. Through our gifts, we show the kindness, compassion and mercy to which Jesus calls us. Please give generously . Friendship Bridge: "Christian T-Shirt Sale" -- Have you ever seen the cool T-shirts that some people wear about their faith? Now is your chance to have one, while at the same time helping send our children and youth to camp. The Friendship Bridge is sponsoring the sale of T-shirts and other accessory items to raise money to help cover some of the costs of sending our kids to Kamp Kaleo this summer. T-shirts are $15. They can be ordered in a wide range of sizes, colors, and expressions of faith. Check out the coat rack in the hall at church, and contact Michael Yost to order a shirt. In Our Church Family Our hearts go out to Hope Bickford and Zachary Richards, with the death of their infant son Jeremiah Christian on Sunday, January 28th. A memorial service will be held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 So. 14th, on Thursday, February 1, at 3 pm. In addition to the service, the church family is invited to join Hope and the family for an informal luncheon at HCC at noon on Thursday. We send our sympathy also to JoAnn Duncan and her family with the death of JoAnn's sister Helen Thrasher, of Omaha, on January 19th. Helen was an accomplished vocalist and participated in a number of special performances over the years. JoAnn and Howard traveled with the family to the Helen's memorial service on January 24th. Valentine greetings to all of our members who find it hard to get out of their homes: Keith and Elaine Althouse, Jim Donaldson, Beverly Helmkamp, Kathleen Lass, Alta Perkinton, and Don Riblett. Weare thinking of you and wishing you well. We think as well of our brave young people who are serving our country at this difficult time. They include: Jeremy Bickford, Missy Bickford, Greg Bissell, Vern Blackwell, Cody Carlison, Mike Keith, Josh Markle, and Jake Whitaker. We pray for your strength and comfort, as well as your safe return. Three members of our church family are facing difficult times because of employment issues. We are keeping Glen Buchanan, Hope Bickford, and Steve Miller in our thoughts and prayers as they seek new employment. Continuing in our prayers are our own members, as well as friends and family members of the HCC family, including: Les Beaman, Robert Bickford, Rick and Mary Bickford, Michelle Bright (Debra Herman's friend), Julie Boon (Bobbie Buchanan's niece), Dillon Capps (friend of Barbara Hammons), Claudein and Harold Egbarts (mother and stepfather of Mary Bickford and Debra Herman), Lesa Eichenberger (Pastor at Shubert and Verdon), Marjorie Gregg (Julie Hefner's grandmother), Annie Griffee (Rhonda Nimmich's sister), Meghan Griggs (Bobbie Buchanan's granddaughter), Roger Hammons, Glenda Hazelwood (Anna Peacock's niece), Mason Nimmich (Rhonda Nimmich's grandson), Diana Pashby (Ryan Pashby's mother), Jamie Lynn Peterson (granddaughter of the Woodrums), Ralph Reed (brother-in-law of Mary Reed, Jean Dale's sister), Bert & Millie Turnwall (Judi Yost's parents), Our Youth and Children, All suffering from the winter storm damage, and All who are suffering with colds and flu. What a joy to have Jean Holt back with us on Sunday! She's still moving a little slowly and there is an upcoming surgery, but we're grateful for the improvement. Take care, Jean. It was also good to see Les and Marjorie Beaman back with us last Sunday. Les has been feeling better for awhile, but the weather has been too nasty for getting out. Great to have you back, you two. Roger Hammons is making steady improvement, thanks to his good daughter/nurse (Nikki Booe) and her helper Jeni Phillips. These two gals have been doing some pretty complex wound care on Roger's feet, and the doctors are impressed with the results. Roger's back into one regular shoe, which helps his balance considerably. Keep up the healing, Roger. Thanks, Nikki and Jeni. It was great to have Kate Robbins and Maxine Gillespie back in church last Sunday. Kate has been under the weather for several weeks with a wicked bronchial infection. Take care, Katie. We're always glad to have Maggie Britt join us on Sunday mornings. With Mary and Lee Reed providing constant care for Ralph these days, Maggie has joined the Dale family for her ride to church. Please make her feel welcome. We're so proud of Judi Yost, who was awarded the "Excellence in Coaching" award at the Team Mates Award Banquet on January 25th. Judi is the Facilitator for the Team Mates program at Dawes Middle School. Way to go, Judi!! Congratulations as well to Steve Niemeyer who was honored recently for his work with the Lincoln Police Department.   In Closing Valentines Day and Week of Compassion bring us to thoughts of love and caring for one another. Let us be about the business of loving one another, which we can do so well because God first loves us.   Calendar: February 2007 1 - Thursday 7 pm - Bible Study 2 - Friday 3 - Saturday 9:30 - Christian Church in NE Regional Board Meeting, Nebraska City 4 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee Music for kids 10:45 - Worship 7 pm - WWJD Crew 5 - Monday 7 pm - Friendship Bridge 6 - Tuesday 7 - Wednesday 10 am - Bible Study 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 8 - Thursday 7 pm - Bible study 9 - Friday 6 pm. - Set up at Bethany Christian Church for Roger Hammons Benefit 10 - Saturday 4 - 7 pm -- Roger Hammons Benefit at Bethany Christian Church 11 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee Music for kids 10:45 - Worship Noon - Lunch and Play Practice 7 pm - WWJD Crew 12 - Monday 7 pm - General Board Meeting 13 - Tuesday Pastor Giovanna begins vacation, until 2/19 14 - Wednesday No Bible Study 7 pm - Choir Rehearsal 15 - Thursday No Bible Study 16 - Friday 17 - Saturday 18 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee Music for kids 10:45 - Worship Week of Compassion 7 pm - WWJD Crew 19 - Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 - Wednesday 10 am - Bible study 6:30 - Ash Wednesday Soup and Worship 7:30 - Choir Rehearsal 22 - Thursday 7 pm - Bible Study 23 - Friday 24 - Saturday 25 - Sunday 9:15 - Sunday School Pastor's Class 10:15 - Fellowship Coffee Music for kids 10:45 - Worship Week of Compassion 7 pm - WWJD Crew 26 - Monday 7 pm - Worship Committee Meeting 27 - Tuesday 7 pm - PRC 28 - Wednesday 10 am - Bible Study 6:30 - Soup and Worship 7:30 - Choir Rehearsal   Newsletter Archive Serving During February: Elders: Presiding - Sharon Jordal Shut-in Communion - Jack Rosecrans, Anna Peacock Members of the Diaconate: Preparing - Judy Seibert Serving - Lacy / Kristina Nimmich, Judy Seibert, Gene Seibert, Bill Seier / Judi Yost Shut-in Communion - Gene Seibert, Bill Seier Worship Leader: Dori Yost Greeters: Gene and Judy Seibert Editor - Jean Dale Copying and Mailing - Anna Peacock Web-site Editor - Curt Peacock Mailing Labels - John Dale

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