Contact us at: 402-391-0820

www.sunsethillschurch.org sunset@sunsethillschurch.org

Sunset Hills Church 9416 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68114

Summer Series: “He Did What?”, Questions from the Bible

Pastor Paul

This summer I propose to do a series on your Questions from the Bible (OT and NT).

Are there passages that stump you? Stories you just can’t believe? Do you have, “Now

why would God do it that way” moments?

In the next several weeks, I would love to get challenges from you about understanding

the Word. Please submit your question along with the particular passage from which

your question has arisen.

I will do my best search and message to help us in our quest to get to know God more

and more. This should be fun, or interesting to say the least.

Sunset Hills

May 2020

Newsletter

Pastor Paul Ponders For some reason this morning, I find myself thinking of flowers. Maybe it’s because it is May.

Remember this saying, “April showers bring May flowers”? This year we might say, “April

snow showers bring brighter flowers.” I hope so anyway. Coming off a cold winter then the

pestilence of COVID-19 still keeping us locked up, I think we could use a few more flowers;

it’s color that will help our dreariness.

May is the month of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day; both holidays wrapped around the gift

of flowers! There’s no better way to say ‘Thanks’ to the woman who gave you birth and raised

you. If you want to honor someone who is gone from your life (maybe your mother), flowers

on Memorial Day are a nice touch.

I can think of one more way to brighten up lives with flowers this May. Flowers are a great

way to say ‘Thank you’ to all those on the front lines; police, paramedics, firefighters, nurses,

doctors, COVID-19 wards. As we have been thinking together about how we can touch

someone during this problematic time, let’s send someone flowers and brighten their day too.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prayers for Health, Healing, and Strength Jane Ray - Recovering from surgery for broken knee

Mary Engleman - At home in Hospice care

LeRoy Anson Amber Dale Nancy Quinnette

On-going prayers of well-being for shut-ins and military personnel All who are struggling during the pandemic

Upcoming Sermon Schedule

May 3 Communion We’re All in this Together I Corinthians 12:1-11

May 10 Mother’s Day Mom’s the Word Psalm 22:9-10, 30b-31

May 17 2 months Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

May 24 Memorial Day We Remember John 15:13-14

May 31 May Flowers Matthew 6:25-34

June 7 Communion Signs John 20:30-31

Sunset Hills will continue to offer online services through May 10. After that, the Executive

Council will decide whether or not to start phasing in worship in the building. We will let the

congregation know once decisions have been made.

In order to save on the cost of postage, the newsletter and other Sunset Hills correspondence

will be mailed only to those for whom we do not have an email address. Everyone else will

continue to receive email updates.

Terry Anderson, Moderator

Now might be the time for automatic bank drafts

The COVID-19 crisis has forced so many changes in the way we live. Some make

what we do more difficult, but some also have resulted in positive moves, such as

reduced driving has improved the air quality in major cities.

One very noticeable change for us has been holding church services either in our

sanctuary with essential personnel only or piecing the various prerecorded segments

together so it seems like one continuous service. Either way, we have some terrific

technical personnel at Sunset Hills, who make the Sunday morning service seem

flawless on our website.

One key missing part of our current worship arrangement has been giving our tithes and

offerings. Fortunately, our members and regular attendees have done well getting their

financial gifts to the church office. So far, our giving has been near normal. However,

if this pandemic lingers on for more weeks, maybe even months, there is a fear that

giving could begin to fall off.

Several years ago, we provided the opportunity to have offerings sent automatically by

our givers' financial institutions. Some have made arrangements to have their weekly

or monthly giving sent directly from their bank, much like they do for their utility,

cable, internet and insurance bills.

While we hope to be back in our sanctuary soon, this might be a good time to consider

having your offerings sent from your bank via automatic drafts. If you are interested,

please contact your bank to see the procedure you'll need to follow. I think all banks

have this feature, though the process at each might be a bit different.

Meanwhile, continue to watch our Sunday morning worship service online. We look

forward to the return of worship in our church building.

Terry Anderson, Moderator

March Income $18,948 March Expenses $14,075 YTD Income $50,275 YTD Expenses $48,443 March Pledges 122% YTD Pledges 107%

SHBC Financial Scoreboard

4 Lauren Howe 7 Payton Gade 8 Jay Gordon 14 Kellye Deane 14 Rita Vetter 16 Mary Reed 17 Diana LaCroix 19 Chol Tut 23 Aaron White 27 Bill Clark 29 Darby Fon Forell 31 Travis Gilmer

6 Roy & Vicki Loeffler 25 years 25 Jack & Carol Welch 63 years 26 Ken & Rita Vetter 59 years 31 Bob & Gina Slechta 36 years

Date Giving

March 29 $2,543.00

April 5 $4,193.00

April 12 $2,855.00

April 19 $1,560.00

April 26 $2,960.00

Thank you to all who gave to the America For Christ Offering during March. Our grand total was $1,822! Your giving will help those in need during these difficult times.

Traci Gilmer, Missions Ministry

All-Age Adult Sunday School Update - Ron Reed

The study of The Promises of God is a timely one for all we are going through. This 6-part DVD presentation by Dr. Charles Stanley will begin right after the Covid-19 gathering restrictions are cancelled and it is once again safe to meet. We look forward to resuming our Biblically-based studies.

Stewardship Ministry Update - Ron Reed

In addition to seasonal building maintenance, April was a busy month in that the narthex and lower-level hallway carpets were cleaned; as well, many carpet spots in the sanctuary, fellowship hall and classrooms were cleaned. Leadership is addressing the erosion and ice melt damage to the east lawn off of the north parking area. Permanent solutions are being sought from landscape pros so we don’t have to deal with the problem every spring. Proposals for storm windows to protect the main building’s art glass windows and help improve energy efficiency for the sanctuary and fellowship hall are in the hands of leadership. Proposals for professional exterior cleaning of the art glass windows are part of this decision. A recommendation will soon be presented to the Ministry Council for consideration.

Men’s Group Update - Ron Reed

The Men’s Group Study will begin the study of Marcus J. Borg’s, Evolution of the Word once the Covid-19 gathering restrictions are lifted. Zoom meetings have been attempted with marginal success. We’re looking forward to meeting in person when it’s safe to do. Interested newcomers have the time to order a copy of this book on Amazon Smile. Please enroll with Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Omaha to receive Amazon Smile’s donation when you make any purchase from Amazon Smile. It would be great to have others join us as we grow our faith in Biblical study and fellowship with other Christian men.

Sunset Hills Baptist Church Ministry Council Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2020

Attendees: Pastor Paul; Terry Anderson, Moderator; Scott Darden, Treasurer/Vice Moderator; Don Zak, Music/Worship; Gina Slechta, Prayer; Traci Gilmer, Mission/Outreach; LaShawnda Woods, Discipleship; Ron Reed, Stewardship; Pam Hamlin, Shepherding; Rev. Jason Workman, Safety/Security; Telly Woods, Clerk/Pastor-Staff Relations Devotion & Prayer (Pastor Paul): COVID-19 has created a wilderness that has changed our lives and the way in which we live. While it has ushered in uncertainty, loneliness, pain, and fear, we can be comforted that God is with us though this journey. Ministry Council: The Ministry Council is working on a plan to resume Sunday services in the sanctuary. Once we have a plan in place, we will communicate it to the congregation. Treasurer Report (Scott Darden): Scott Darden provided a finance update and will provide a treasurer’s report for April soon. Stewardship (Ron Reed): Roof repairs have resumed and are expected to be completed soon. All upholstery in the sanctuary and carpets have been cleaned. Prayer (Gina Slechta): Prayer ministry is planning a drive-thru prayer on May 4 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. More details to come. Worship/Music (Don Zak): The Ministry Council approved and authorized $5,000 to fund and replace cameras for video streaming. If you are interested in working on or with a ministry team, please feel free to contact one of our Sunset Hills Baptist Church ministry team leaders or members for more information.

Terry Anderson, Moderator Scott Darden, Vice Moderator/Treasurer Ron Reed, Stewardship Ministry Traci Gilmer, Mission/Outreach Ministry Pastor Jason, Safety/Security Ministry Pam Hamlin, Shepherding Ministry Don Zak, Worship Ministry LaShawnda Woods, Discipleship Ministry Gina Slechta, Prayer Ministry Telly Woods, Pastoral/Staff Relations Ministry The next meeting will be Monday, May 18, 2020. Complete copies of all Ministry Council meeting minutes are available in the church office.

Drive Thru Prayer

Monday, May 4 is just a short time for you spend in the church parking lot.

Just drive through the church parking lot and follow the cones.

We ask that you stay in the safety and comfort of your car.

As you pass the prayer team, they will stay eight feet away from your car and share a blessing

with you.

How Can We Pray for You?

We are separated by miles during this time, but we are united by love for God and for each

other. And nothing will stand between our prayers for

each other and God’s ears. We consider praying together

one of our greatest privileges, and we would be honored to

pray for you today. Please leave your prayer request on

our website. It is then emailed out to our prayer team. If

you would like to receive prayer requests or be a part of

the prayer team, email gslechta1@me.com or

prayer@sunsethills.org. Let us gather together, in His

name, with confidence that He is among us.

On an ABC-NE Region Expo Zoom meeting last Saturday, Moses Merrill Camp and

Conference Center Director, Bev Pacas, mentioned that she had some prayers about camp that

she would like our churches to be praying for.

Please pray for:

God's wisdom for camp leadership as we make decisions concerning summer camp and

events during this historic time.

Pray for our summer campers and guests.

Pray that we are always moving in the direction that God is leading

us.