Bulletin

Memorial Day

May 30, 2010

Gathering

Welcome and Announcements

Hymn

SR # 46

In the morning, O God

Call to Worship

Leader:

We gather to remember those who have died.

People:

Many have gone before us.

Leader:

We recall those who nurtured us,

People:

gave us life and helped us grow.

Leader:

We remember friends who shared with us part of the journey of life...

People:

We cherish the memory of those more dear to us than words can tell.

Leader:

With thanksgiving and sadness, grief and joy, we remember those who have died.

People:

With faith and hope we enter the presence of God.

Hymn

WB # 565

My faith looks up to Thee

Sharing and Prayer

Hearing the Word

Children's Story

Donna Yost

Tithes and Offerings

(younger children are dismissed to the nursery)

Scripture

Luke 24:13-17, 28-32

Sermon

Vanished from Their Sight

Responding to the Word

Sharing of Memories

Hymn

WB # 327

Great is thy faithfulness

Lighting of Candles

Memorial Litany

Leader:

We remember those who have gone before us,

People:

Whose souls are in the hands of God,

Leader:

We see that they have died;

People:

In the eyes of faith they appear in glory.

Leader:

To human minds their death was destruction;

People:

In the mind of God, transformation.

Leader:

They were embattled;

People:

They are at peace.

Leader:

They were distressed;

People:

They are at ease.

Leader:

They were alone;

People:

They are with the Lord.

Leader:

In life they fought their own mortality;

People:

In death they yield to immortality.

Leader:

In life they dimmed, their bodies tarnished;

People:

In death they shine, their spirits burnished.

Leader:

Like gold in a furnace they were tried and tested;

People:

Like gold in a wheat field they reached the harvest.

Leader:

We remember those who have gone before us.

People:

Their souls are in the loving hands of God.

Songs

Majesty

Our God reigns

Scripture

Revelation 21:1-5

Hymn

WB # 611

Soon and very soon

Benediction

Assisted listening devices and large print hymnals are available at the audiovisual desk.

Memorial Litany adapted from Litanies and Other Prayers- Year B

Worship Leader:  Wade Thiessen

Music Leader:  Jolene Boshart

Flutist:  Anita Breckbill

Greeters:  Jim & Donna Buller

Children's Story Next Sunday:  Anita Breckbill

Drivers Next Sunday:  Rick & Wanda Stauffer

Mowers This Week:  Brett & Mary Stauffer

Nursery Today:  Emma & Erin Cooney

Nursery Next Sunday:  Chad & Kathy Boshart

Snacks Next Sunday:  Nancy Peters, Glen & Tammy Riedel

Calendar

Tues. June 1, 7:00 pm

Economic Justice Team

Wed. June 2, 7:00 pm

Be Well Small Group - Troyers

Thur./ Fri. June 10 & 11

FMC Vacation Bible School

Sun. June 13, 12:00 pm

Potluck Meal

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Tuesday, June 1 - Gerry & Mary Cooney Anniversary

Saturday, June 5 - Jerry & Susan Burkey Anniversary

Record for May 23

Attendance  110

Offering  $2,493

May Budget  $11,375

May Offerings  $8,636

YTD Budget  $47,775

YTD Offerings  $43,617

Birthday Offering  $77

Announcements

BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING - Vacation Bible School will be on June 10th and 11th from 9:30 to 3:30.  We are looking for volunteers to teach, be in dramas, and lead stations.  Let Heidi Hochstetler know if you can help, and mark you calendars now.

GIFTS DISCERNMENT FORMS - Pray for our gifts discernment committee as they prepare to fill offices and committees for next year.  And please return your form by June 6, either online or to one of the committee members (Gerry Cooney, Heidi Hochstetler, Rick Stauffer, David Orr).  We want your input.

JUNIOR YOUTH REGISTRATIONS - Hey Junior Youth!  Please turn in your Youth Escape registration to Troyers or Nitzsches if you can go this summer, July 29 - August 1.

QUARTERLY MISSION OFFERING - At the First Mennonite retreat this winter we experienced the frustration felt by many people in need.  To increase our ability to respond to the needs of individuals and families with whom we have contact, we will use the June 20 quarterly mission offering to fund "Samaritan Grants" of $100 (more if needed, less if you really insist) to be given by any member to anyone in need.  No questions asked as the money lasts.  Reporting on the use of the funds, with appropriate respect for recipients' privacy, is encouraged.  We suggest $100 because someone with a $63 need probably has a $37 (or greater) need as well (see Luke 6:38).  We hope that this unusual way of giving will connect members with people in need in a wonderful way and help us to understand other ways we might help.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SIGN-UP IS HERE!!  We are so grateful to our Sunday school teachers who have been dedicated each week to inspire our children to love God and follow Him.  We like to give them a break for the summer, so we need your help.  Please consider taking a Sunday or two this summer, and connect with our children and youth by teaching a class.  Materials are provided; sign-up is on a table in the fellowship hall.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NEEDS LUNCH PROVIDERS -   After working all morning, Habitat construction volunteers welcome the sight of the lunch provider bringing a simple meal.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays providers plan for 12-15 volunteers; on Saturdays 20-25 volunteers. Lunch providers bring a simple meal, beverage and any paper products needed to serve the meal. The cost of providing the meal is a tax deductible gift to Habitat. If you, or your group, would like more information about providing lunches,  please call the Habitat office at 477-9184.

LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS - Leadership Board met on May 20.  David Breckbill will serve as chairperson through August to fill the unexpired term of Brenda McLey who has resigned due to demands on her schedule.  A pastor-congregation evaluation is being organized.  Stan Harder has agreed to serve as a delegate to Central Plains Mennonite Conference.

DRIVER FOR DAVID - One of the remaining requirements for David S. to be released from the Regional Center is transportation to weekly aftercare appointments in Seward.  Sessions have not been scheduled but will probably be during the day, Monday through Friday.  Let David Orr know if you would be willing to help.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - There will be two adult Sunday School classes this summer.  One will study the uniform series topic "Christian Commitment in Today's World," based on scripture passages from I and II Thessalonians and Philippians.  The second will discuss the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective  in light of the four central affirmations in the Proposed Central Plains Mennonite Conference Unity Process:  "1. Jesus is Lord; 2. Scripture is authoritative; 3. The Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective guides us; 4. We prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit's guidance."  The goal of both classes is to deepen our relationship to God and to one another in Christ's body, the church.  Please attend the class of your choice!

OUR DAILY BREAD - The daily devotional booklets have arrived for the next quarter.  Help yourself to one above the church mailboxes.

GOLF TOURNAMENT IN JUNE - The MCC Golf Tournament is June 5th, at Galaway Creek Golf Course in Henderson.  It's a 2-person scramble with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.  Call the golf course at 402-723-4828 to sign your team up or reserve a cart.  Go to www.NebraskaMCCSale.org for details.

EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE MINISTER - David Boshart has been appointed as the new executive conference minister for Central Plains Mennonite Conference.  David is well acquainted with the issues facing CPMC, having pastored within the conference for over 20 years, most recently at West Union Mennonite Church in Parnell, IA.  David is an articulate, visionary leader; a theologian firmly committed to Mennonite Anabaptist faith; and a profound missional thinker.  David is also the scheduled keynote speaker for CPMC's annual meeting June 24-27 in Mt. Lake, MN.  He is married to Conference Youth Minister Shana Peachey Boshart; they have three grown sons and one granddaughter.  Plans are for David to begin with conference September 1.  For more information, check the bulletin board or visit www.centralplains.mennonite.net/Home/Conf_Min_Search

POTLUCK ON SECOND SUNDAY - Our monthly potluck meal will be on Sunday, June 13, rather than the usual third Sunday of the month.