March 2016

Chad Laughrey ~ Senior Minister Josh McDowell ~ Youth Minister

Arlene Stoner ~ Secretary

Sundays 9:15 am—Sunday School

10:30—Worship Mondays

7:00 pm Charlotte’s Sewing & Quilting Grp 7:00 pm Larsen’s Bible Study

Wednesdays 6:00 pm Family Meal 6:45 pm Momentum

6:45 pm Kingdom Kids 6:45 pm Choir

Saturdays 9:00 am BWTK

10:00 am Women’s Bible Study (2nd & 4th Saturday)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

March 4 5:00 until 11:00 Ladies Craft Night

March 12 10:00 am Women’s Bible Study

7:30 pm Praise & Worship Night

March 13 Daylight Savings Time STARTS!!

11:45 am Lamplighter Potluck 12:00 Board Meeting

March 18 7:00 pm Mitch McVicker Concert

March 19 2:00 pm Women’s Make & Take Craft Day

March 20th Easter Cantata

March 26 NO...BWTK

NO...Women’s Bible Study

March 27 8:00 SONrise service

9:00 Breakfast 10:30 Worship Service

March 28 NO Charlotte’s group &

NO Larsen’s Bible Study

Understanding the Apocalypse

Without question, the most debated book in the Bible is

the book of Revelation. Especially in recent years, the

book of Revelation has become the focus of numerous

books and movies. It seems everyone is interested in the

Apocalypse. The word “Revelation” is an English transla-

tion of the first word of the letter in Greek, apokalypsis.

This is where we get our word, apocalypse. The word in

Greek means to unveil, or reveal and comes from two

Greek words, apo (from, out of) and kalupto (cover, hide,

conceal). Allow me to share a few brief points that I be-

lieve are crucial to keep in mind while reading the book

of Revelation.

1. The letter unveils Jesus as the centerpiece of heav-

en and earth. In this vision, John sees all of heaven

and earth worshipping the one on the throne. Je-

sus arrives on the scene and all of heaven and

earth turns its attention toward the Lamb that was

slain. He has seven horns (all power) and seven

eyes (all knowledge). He is the Alpha and Omega

and the one who holds the keys of death and

Hades.

2. The letter unveils God’s judgment on the wicked.

This is a book filled with suffering, plagues, tor-

ment and woes. The world is filled with evil and is

under the power of the dragon who makes war

with the people of God. However, powers behind

the evil and suffering of this present age will one

day be exposed and destroyed by Jesus Christ.

Cont’d on page 2

3. The letter unveils the hope of the faithful. Over and over again the book shows the tri-

umph of those who hold fast to Jesus Christ. They are clothed in white. They are

seated on thrones. They are given crowns and every tear is wiped from their eyes.

The people of God are given beautiful pictures of the rewards of their faithfulness to

Jesus.

4 . The letter unveils the importance of endurance. Perhaps the most important thing to

understand about Revelation is that it is far more prescriptive than it is predictive.

The focus of this “unveiling” is to show God’s people why they should endure in their

faith and not compromise to the deceitful and seductive powers of this present age.

While there certainly are future elements to the letter (the return of Christ, the new

earth, the judgement of the wicked, etc.), the focus of the letter is to remind Chris-

tians of all ages that no matter how dark and difficult life can get, the Lord is on his

throne and these present trials will pale in comparison to the glories that will be re-

vealed in those who love Jesus more than their own lives.

The book of Revelation is powerful. John affirms the power of this letter in the very begin-

ning when he writes, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and

blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is

near.” (Revelation 1:3, ESV) God’s blessing is on those who see the big picture of human

history and keep their lives consistent with the call of this letter. The early Christians who

read this understood that the coming of the Lord is imminent. It can happen at any moment.

Like the faithful Israelites who were ready to leave Egypt at the conclusion of the plagues

and the faithful Israelites who were ready to leave for Jerusalem at the destruction of their

captors in Babylon, this unveiling reminds Christians that we are in a foreign land and we

must always be ready to head home. So don’t get caught up in timelines and predictions.

That is not the purpose of this letter. The letter is a much needed reminder: Jesus could

come any day and that should change how you live and what you love today.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, come.

Chad Laughrey

Thank You!

Thank you to all the volunteers who make sure the lawn is mowed, the plants and trees around the building look nice and are watered. Thank you also to those who remove the snow throughout the winter and make sure our sidewalks and parking lot are safe for all of us to walk and drive on!

You are appreciated!

Resurrection Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter, or whenever you want to give this lesson.

You will need: 1c. whole pecans 1 tsp. vinegar 3 egg whites a pinch salt 1c. sugar 1. Preheat oven to 300. 2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small piec-es. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. {Read John 19:1-3} 3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. {Read John 19:28-30} 4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. {Read John 10:10-11} 5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' fol-lowers, and the bitterness of our own sin. {Read Luke 23:27} 6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. {Read Ps. 34:8 & John 3:16} 7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. {Read Isaiah. 1:18 & John 3:1-3} 8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax pa-per covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound rep-resents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. {Read Matt. 27:57-60} 9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. {Read Matt.27:65-66} 10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' fol-lowers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. {Read John 16:20 and 22} 11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give every-one a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

VBS is closer than you think. Please help Jane by saving and bringing in your empty 2 liter pop bottles or any larger bot-tles that did not have chemi-cals (i.e. bleach, etc.) in them and also any craft paper or brown paper sacks. If you have any questions please see Jane Wentz.

zipper baggie wooden spoon tape your bible

Hey crafty ladies...

Remember how much fun

we had making the Thanks-

giving blocks. We are plan-

ning our next craft project

make & take on March 12th.

Sign up at the connecting

point desk and stop by to

see an example.

Once we have the example

we will know the cost or sup-

plies you will need.

Community Good Friday Service

7:00 P.M.

E-free Church

There will be NO Wednesday Activities on

March 23rd Enjoy your spring break!

Kids Korner

As spring approaches us we notice how things

change. Flowers start to bloom, the jackets are

packed away, & all those birds come to visit

leaving their mess everywhere. As things change

outside our walls of the church , we are going

to be focusing on some major changes within

our children’s ministry. We are presenting the

Gospel Project curriculum to every area of our

children’s ministry. This change will take place

within March & will ultimately be sustained in

April. From nursery all the way up to 5th grade

the children will all be learning the same lesson

which makes a more fulfilling discussion time

after our services for your entire family. We

are going to simplify the Children’s Ministry while

creating a more rounded teamworking atmos-

phere. We still would like some more volunteers

to help make this successful. If you are inter-

ested, please attend the Children’s Ministry

meeting on March 5th here at the church start-

ing at 11am. We will also be discussing our sum-

mer VBS briefly. We want to make more of an

impact on the little ones who attend here fre-

quently & sometimes changes need to happen.

Please be in prayer for this process as I’m sure

we will hit a few bumps in the road. Also keep in

mind that we are planning a weekend event to go

visit the Children’s Museum around mid March.

Student Section I hope everyone has had a fun yet chal-lenging time learning about Passion & being Bold these last 2 months. In March, our focus will be on Worship…& no, I’m not just talking about singing. There are all sorts of ways we can wor-ship & we are going to try to help open your eyes about the importance of daily worship. Spring is getting near & it’s about time for us to start going outside for some play time. The new sports game, Splutrz, might debut in March if the weather is user friendly. Anyone can play this game & I think it will be a blast! Here’s a couple of heads up dates to mark on your calendars: On March 12th there is a student ministry meeting here at the church beginning at 11am. At 7pm, March 18th, we are having a con-cert in the main sanctuary. The opening show will be local high school national talent Taylor Lebsock. The main perfor-mance will be Mitch McVicker. Be on the lookout for some strange instru-ments you might have never seen before. Please get the word out for anyone to come. We want to have a good turn out as we will also have a free will donation for their performance. Last but not least, by the end of March we need the information turned in for the new names of the ministries. Hop to it, Students!!!

V A L E N T I N E

B A N Q U E T

2 0 1 6

This lovely lady sits alone each year so that we have an auctioneer. Thanks for your sacrifice to raise money for the kids!!

Elder’s Meeting Minutes ~ February 2016 Present: Chad Laughrey Max Richardson Greg Smith, Roger Watson Tim Erickson Greg Linn Josh McDowell Max opened with prayer Minister's report: Chad Laughrey Josh McDowell (briefly and oral) Custodial Duties. Because of Crystal Stocks illness, Max/Greg Linn will check with Jim Lar-son (Brite Way) to see what is needed- may request volunteers if neces-sary. Church Officers Selected: ~Chairman, Max Richardson ~Vice Chairman, Roger Watson ~Secretary, Greg Smith ~Treasurer, Ron Wymore Greg Linn (initiated by Ron Wymore) proposed that we continue the Freedman Nebraska -Texts of encouragement sent daily to members. Board approval-yes. Greg Linn proposed a Facebook Group-"Praises and Prayers". It would members. Board approval pending on the cost. Tim Erickson: Proposed looking at the church family being divided into small groups ("Flocks") with each Elder responsible for a group. No action taken. Closed with Prayer Roger Watson

Mark Butts

Jan Wymore

Don &

Jane

Woolley

Tom Silvers

Alexa Warner

Brooke Weiler Melissa Anderson

Bethany

Anderson

Kevin Isaac

Tim Erickson

Harriet Lunbery Pam Watson

6:00 Wed. Meal

6:45 Choir

6:45 Kingdom Kids

6:45 Momentum

6:00 Wed. Meal

6:45 Choir

6:45 Kingdom Kids

6:45 Momentum

6:00 Wed. Meal

6:45 Choir

6:45 Kingdom Kids

6:45 Momentum

6:00 Wed. Meal

6:45 Kingdom Kids

6:45 Momentum

Spring Break

7:00 Charlotte’s

7:00 Larsen’s

Small Group

7:00 Charlotte’s

7:00 Larsen’s

Small Group

7:00 Charlotte’s

7:00 Larsen’s

Small Group

9:15 Sun. School

10:30 Worship &

LocoMotion

9:15 Sun. School

10:30 Worship &

LocoMotion

11:45 Lamplighters

12:00 Elder’s Mtg.

9:15 Sun. School

10:30

8:00 SONRise

Service

9:00 Breakfast

10:30 Worship

7:00 Charlotte’s

7:00 Larsen’s

Small Group

5:00 on Ladies

craft night.

(bring your project (s) in

progress & fellowship)

9:00 BWTK @

BK North

11:00 Children’s

Ministry Meeting

9:00 BWTK @

BK North

10:00 Women’s

Small Group

7:30 Praise &

Worship Night

7:00 PM Mitch McVicker

Concert

9:00 BWTK @

BK North

9:00 BWTK @

BK North

10:00 Women’s

Small Group

March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27

Entrance Greeters HS Class Women’s Friendship Class Classroom A-1 Classroom A-2

Sound Booth Techs Ron Wymore

Joe Warner

Aaron Cudaback

Casey Hollis

Ron Wymore Mark Butts

Brian Vavra

Instrumentalists Tim Sharky

Mike Cudaback

Aaron Weinberg

Nancy Schanbacher

Tim Sharky

Aaron Weinberg

Mike Cudaback

Chad Anderson

Tim Sharky

Aaron Weinberg

Mike Cudaback

Carter Hollis

Vocalists Max Richardson

Mark Butts

Randy Stocks

Jan Wymore

Susan Weiler

Hannah Baker

Randy Stocks

Ceara Robles

Lynnea Isaacson

Randy Stocks

Bethany Shaw

Susan Weiler

Kid’s Worship Josh McDowell

Chad Anderson

Melissa Anderson

Art Apple

Art Apple

Willing Volunteer 1

Willing Volunteer 2

Willing Volunteer 3

Josh McDowell

Art Apple

Willing Volunteer 1

Willing Volunteer 2

Josh McDowell

Art Apple

Willing Volunteer 1

Willing Volunteer 2

Communion Thought Greg Swinney Brian Blakley Dewayne Brand Max Richardson

Servers **Backup servers

Roger Watson Tim Erickson Greg Swinney* Nate Oberg Brian Vavra Scott Hoffman Rich Krieg Ray Shields Jeff Collison**

Joe Warner Chad Anderson Brian Blakley* Mert Feikert Brent Hollis Murl Tiede Tom Silvers Chris McClemens Ray Shields**

Lonnie Allison Greg Linn Dewayne Brand* Jeff Baker Mark Butts Greg Smith Mark Loseke Kevin Shedd Lucas Houchin**

Ben Kinnison Ron Wymore Max Richardson* Don Burwell Bryan Chase Jim Larsen Casey Hollis Steve McBee Caleb Collison**

Nursery Alisha Cudaback Sarah Cudaback Christine Vavra Katie McClemens

Communion Prep Aaron & Sarah Cudaback

March