Information and News from
the First Presbyterian Church of Ponca and
the Ponca United Methodist Church
Any of the blue bars will bring you back here.
TWIN TOWERS
EPISTLE
Information and News from
the First Presbyterian Church of Ponca and
the Ponca United Methodist Church
Any of the blue bars will bring you back here.
We are planning a benefit for families who were recently in a fire in Ponca, NE. The Mark Hughes family, Joey McCardle, Seth Taylor and Mike Rohan. They were not able to salvage any furnishings and had no rental insurance. We have scheduled a fish fry benefit for April 2, 2000 from 4-8 p.m. at the Ponca Fire Hall. AAL branch #5899 will be matching funds. There will be a free will offering. If any one would like to help with the event or make a salad or dessert, please call Kim or Cheryl at 755-2233.
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.
The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three ...every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery, and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to theneonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby, but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.
She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a fine line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray --" Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her yes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away-" As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart!!!" "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..." The next, day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!
NEVER GIVE UP ON
THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE. LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.
PRAYER: May
today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are
exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the
infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those
gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been
given to you. May you be content knowing that you are a child of
God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul
the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun. It is there
for each and every one of you.
"Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for
one another, so that you may be healed." James 5:16
These persons are in need of our prayers:
Audrey Brown, Kenny Conrad, Roy Curry family, Dick Doren, Alice Fluent, Kay FLuent, Charlie Hodgson, Elsie Johnson, Harriet McKinley, Jane Nelson, Bonnie Roberts family, Cheyenne Stapleton, Robert Whipple
Our homebound members:
Win Addison, Audrey Brown, Marge Brown, Dick Doren, Alice Fluent, Vesta Good, Helen Harvey, Elsie Johnson, Harriette McKinley, Fern Mendenhall, Ida Olsen, Robert Whipple.
Youth Summer Mission Project
The Youth Fellowship has been busy making plans for summer. They are planning on doing their mission project right here in Ponca. They will be starting in the next couple of months, by getting to know the homebound people we have in Ponca. They will be looking for ways that they can help these persons during the summer with yard work and other household chores. At the Sunrise Service an offering will be taken to purchase any needed supplies for the jobs they will be doing. Plans are being made for some fun trips this summer. One possible trip will be to Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun in Kansas City. They will need additional sponsors for this trip.
(Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger)
The Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger is scheduled for June 23-28. Even though the event is sponsored by the United Methodist Church, there are riders from other denominations involved. Bikers average 65-70 miles a day to raise money for hunger projects. This year’s ride will begin in Madison and will take the riders to Verdigre, Yankton, Ponca and Lyons. Bikers will log a total of 331.3 miles. Contact Pastor Cindi if you are interested in riding in all or part of the Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger.
The riders will
be in Ponca June 26 after 11:00 a.m. and will leave June 27 after
breakfast at 5:00 a.m. We need to begin plans for June 26/27
while the bikers are in Ponca. We need to provide places in town
for the bikers to camp, shower facilities, supper on June 26 and
breakfast on June 27. If you would like to help with plans and
arrangements for the bikers, contact Norman Prather at
755-2770. Lenten
Services 7:00
PM April 5 FPC April
12 UMC April 20 MAUNDY THURSDAY
COMMUNION FPC April 21 GOOD FRIDAY TENBRE
SERVICE UMC EASTER SUNRISE
SERVICE (Led by youth from both
churches) United Methodist
Church Time: 6:30 a.m.
EASTER SUNRISE BREAKFAST
Served by the United Methodist Men
United Methodist Church
Time: After the Sunrise Service
9:00 - Presbyterian Church
Fellowship Time afterwards
10:30 - United Methodist Church
Why a web page for the church?
Some of you are aware I am building web pages for both churches. I am not building them because I need the practice (although I certainly do!). Nor am I writing them just to fill time.
Effective use of electronic communication and the World Wide Web are valuable tools for outreach and ministry. The Internet gives us access to information which was either unavailable before or difficult to find before. The Internet also means we can be more accessible than ever before.
A church web site allows people to find us. It is estimated that 40% of all Americans have access to the web. Because of resources such as Yahoo maps, which allow people to find and print directions and a map to any location in the world, more and more families plan their vacations using the web. Our presence on the web will mean that those people searching for information on Ponca State Park will also find the worship times for Ponca United Methodist and First Presbyterian church!
We can present those people with an attractive invitation to join us in worshipping the God who created the beauty they are enjoying. Through our websites, one for each church, those people will learn where to find us and how to contact us. That knowledge is essential in helping them feel welcome in our churches.
Using the Internet wisely will also enable us to maintain contact with congregation members in college, the military or on vacation. They can keep up with news about the church at our websites. Email contact with the pastor will allow them to share their joys and their concerns. Maintaining contact with scattered members allows the church to serve them and means they are more likely to be an active part of the congregation when they return to Ponca.
If you have questions or suggestions about electronic ministry talk to me at church or drop me a note at Perhaps I’ll write more articles (assuming Pastor Cindi approves of course!).
Where: Gering United Methodist Church, Gering
When: April 28 & 29, 2000
For Who: All persons interested in the Lay Speaking Ministries program.
Cost: $20 per person, (Cost includes text and workbook)
Schedule: Friday evening (supper on your own) 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A light breakfast & lunch together with snacks will be furnished by the Gering UMC. Saturday eveing meal on your own.
Arragements: All participants are on their own for lodging. Several motels in the area.
Requirements: Register by April 20, 2000 in order to receive the materials which must be read before the course. Send registration to: Northwest District Office, PO Box 469, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
If interested, please contact the church office for registration forms.
College Merit Scholarship Program
Pastor Cindi has applications for the United Methodist College Merit Scholarship Program.
Census 2000
The Constitution of the United
States mandates a census every 10 years to determine how many
seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.
But community leaders use it for everything from planning schools
and building roads to providing recreational opportunities and
managing health care services. Fill out your census questionnaire
and send it back. Include everyone living in your home, even
people who are not related to you. This is your future.
Don’t leave it blank.
UMW – March 9, Thursday 12:30 p.m.
Lunch was served by Ardith Chappelear & Arlene Everton.
The business meeting opened with a prayer by Rev. Cindi.
The secretary’s minutes were read and approved.
The treasurers’ report was read and approved.
Birthdays for March were recognized. Arlene Everton received a corsage from the President. Corsages will be mailed to Fern Mendenhall, Cheryl Nelson and JoAnn Brennan. Vernice Kingsbury has made new covers to hold them.
Rev. Cindi stated that she is planning a Senior recognition Sunday in May.
Rev. Cindi and family will host an open house the evening of March 17 6:30-9:00 p.m. and asked for help with cookies and bars.
Arlene Everton passed out literature from St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary and discussed some of their programs.
The meditation moment was given by President Sievers.
Rev. Cindi will see that the flood buckets are received by the Annual conference at Lincoln.
The April meeting will be a salad supper. The evening group will do the serving and decoratiing.
Donna Frahm held an interesting meeting on Reflections on our lives and the life of Christ. Stimulating conversation followed on problems of home, public and national nature.
The meeting closed with a prayer by Rev. Cindi.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene Everton, Secretary
2000
Promotion Announcements
For
The 2000 informational guide and registration brochure for the summer camping season was included in the February "Nebraska Messenger". Additional information and brochures have arrived at our church. There are many exciting camp events for you to consider. Remember that the best way to be accepted for the camp of your choice is to register early.
See Rev. Cindi for brochures and other information.
The Nebraska Conference provides camping experiences designed specifically for youth from the first grade through adults. These camps will be held at the three camp sites; Camp Comeca, Camp Fontanelle and Camp Norwesca. Individuals can attend a camp at any of these locations regardless of where they live. The camps provide a "Ministry in the Out-of-Doors" that can provide a significant experience in Christian living.
Sunday, April 16th
2:00 p.m.
for
Molly Brennan
Volunteers needed: We need volunteers to mow the church lawn this summer. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the church annex.
Please help if you can. Thanks
United Methodist Church acolyte for April:
Sarah Crosgrove
United Methodist communion server for April:
Ron Polkinghorn
April:
United Methodist Church:
Scott Heaton and Troy Bostwick
Alternate: Russ Fleury
First Presbyterian Church:
Cal Harder and Bob Curry
Conference Volunteers in Mission trip to Sager-brown, Baldwin, Louisiana, October 21-29, 2000
At Annual Conference in June, local churches will be bringing health kits, school kits and flood buckets which will be sent to the UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana.
An adult team will "follow the buckets" so to speak and help UMCOR get supplies ready for shipment around the world!
Various other tasks might be needed as well, such as home repair or light construction.
Approximate cost of trip (including transportation, lodging, food and work materials) is $435 per person. We are encouraging team members to ask for local church/district support with this cost.
If you are interested in going, please contact Carol Windrum at Peace with Justice Ministries, 3735 No. 39th St, Omaha, NE 68111-2621, 402/455-4281.
Deadline for registration is June
9th!
Saturday, April 8, 2000
The Youth Mission Tour is designed for
seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders to see the Church at work in
Omaha. It is an excellent exposure opportunity for Confirmation
classes, Sunday school and youth groups.
Compassionate Community in the Inner City
Redesigned to show the relationship between urban congregations and mission agencies in the inner city.
Registration deadline: Noon, April 3, 2000
Cost: $15 per person. Prepay with registration.
Fax and email registrations accepted until noon on April 3.
Must register one adult sponsor for every five youth participating. Get registration forms from the church office.
Email: umm-gprm@radiks.net
Fax: 402-898-9865
"If your parents didn’t have children, chances are you won’t either." – Dick Cavett
IS THERE LIFE BEFORE DEATH?
"I just bought some used paint. It was in the shape of a house." – Steven Wright