LaCrosse United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Men met Wednesday, April 9, at 7:00am fro Breakfast and a lesson at the LaCrosse UMC.  All men of the Parish were invited.

The Empty Nester's Class sponsored a church clean-up day on Saturday, April 5, at 9:00am.  Lunch was served.  Everyone was invited to come and participate in Spring Cleaning!

Thank you! to Kristi Miller for volunteering to pay the Internet bill to keep the church office connected to the internet!  This is a wonderful thing to do!!!

An Easter Egg hunt was held for the children on April 13th following the worship service.  The children were asked to bring their own basket to find all the candy filled eggs and one special Golden Egg!  This special egg contained a big surprise!

The new pew cushions are installed!  The are beautiful and comfortable!!  Special thanks! to Frank Littler for taking the alter cushions to Yoder and for the use of his truck for the discarded material.  Memorial funds helped to make this project possible.  Additional donations are also appreciated.  If you would like to donate to this project, please note "pew cushions" on your check.

Special Thanks! to the Fitzpatricks for donating two children's booster seats to the Church.  They will come in handy for Church dinners, etc.

The Ladies Lenten Luncheon was held on Wednesday, April 16 at noon at the St. Michael's Catholic Parish Center in LaCrosse.  Those attending were asked to bring a salad.  The luncheon was open to women throughout Rush County.

Holy Thursday Services were held at the LaCrosse UMC at 7:30pm on April 17.

Rev. Barbara McLain from Ransom preached for the service on February 16th and March 2.  Verdel Krug led the services on March 16th.

The Program Council sponsored a Community Spaghetti Supper on February 23, at 6:00pm at the church.  Everyone who came enjoyed really good food and wonderful fellowship!

The Parish Men's Breakfast was held at 7:15am on February 12th at the LaCrosse UMC.

The annual Trustee Ground Hog Supper was held on Sunday, February 2 from 4:30 to 7:00pm.  The event, as always, was well attended and enjoyed by all!  The Trustee meeting was held at 7pm on February 5th.

Don't forget to email the LaCrosse UMC at lumc@gbta.net.  Send us your email address and we will add it to our "address book."  Notices of meetings, etc. can now be sent to you and save us those so-called "senior moments" of forgetting to mail cards out.

A special Thank you!  to the ladies who have been teaching Sunday School!  They have been so conscientious in seeing to it that Sunday School takes place each Sunday morning.  Their work is a very needed part of the children's spiritual growth, and ladies, your time and efforts do not go unnoticed!

2002

Singers began practicing for the Christmas Cantata sponsored by the Rush County Pro Art Club in November.  Practices were held at 7:00pm at the Bison Middle School.

The Empty Nesters Halloween Party was held on October 30th.

The Left-Overs is the name for a new class being considered for those not already in one.  Meeting times, meeting places, and study material is to be decided by the group.

Thank you! to all those who deliver Meals on Wheels or Friendship Meals.  You are doing a wonderful service to those who are shut-in and you are very much appreciated. 

Rebecca Circle is now meeting the second Monday of each month, but still at the usual time of 7:30pm.  All ladies of the church are invited to the meetings.  The meeting place is always announced in the Sunday bulletin and is also listed in the 2002 UMW book.  (No meetings in December or May through August)  The April meeting will be parish wide with Jovita Nwogwugwu as guest speaker. 

David Josefiak, former Rush Center resident, will be the featured musician for the Pro-Art musical to be held on Sunday, April 14th at 2:00pm at the LaCrosse UMC with refreshments following.

Want to go to church camp and have some fun?  If you do, the camping brochures are in! And there are lots of fun camps to attend this summer.  Books are available in the office on the hall table or talk to Rev. Kath, REv. Marilyn, or Raynell.  Camping scholarships and assistance are available for anyone wanting to attend.

TRUSTEE GROUND HOG SUPPER was held Sunday, February 17, 2002, 4:30 - 7:00pm.     All proceeds went to the trustee operating fund.

Ground Hog Supper work schedules are posted on the hall bulletin board at the church.  If you have agreed to work and are unable to do so please call the church office.  Delivered meal orders are available in LaCrosse only.  Please call the church the week before.  Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time.  Let us know how many dinners you want and your pie preference.  Meals will be delivered around 4:30pm.

The LaCrosse UMC acted as hosts to a conference event on Saturday, February 23rd from 1:00 to 4:00pm for all laity.  the event was entitled "Servant Evangelism" and all members were invited to attend.

2000 - 2001

The Pro-Art Christmas Cantata was held Sunday, December 2 at 4:00pm at the Otis Trinity Lutheran Church.

The UMW and Circles held their Christmas Potluck on Wednesday, December 5th at noon.

Christmas Eve Services were held Tuesday, Decmeber 24th at 6:30m. 

The Annual Pastor/Staff Christmas gift was a practice started about 12 years ago as a "thank you" at Christmas time for the pastors and staff of the church.

Happy Birthday to You...!  An "all Church Birthday Party" was held Sunday, November 4 at 6:30pm.  No matter when it is or how old you are this was a time to come and celebrate!

Help decorate the church on Sunday, November 25, at 5:00pm for the Christmas season.  A soup supper will also be served following.

The LaCrosse UMW is sponsoring a Clothing and Miscellaneous Items Drive for Mexican American Ministries in Garden City, for those who lost their jobs at the meat packing plant there.  Items need to be at the church by Nov. 14.

Pro-Art of Rush County will present their Christmas Cantata on Sunday, Dec. 2nd at the Otis Lutheran Church.  Time to be announced later, but be sure you mark your calendars for this special event.

The annual "thanks" offering will be taken during November.  There is a basket on the hall table for your gifts.  Please notate on your checks:  "Thanks Offering." This offering is taken each year to pay apportionments in full for the year and other budget requirements.

The "Empty Nesters" sponsored a church grounds cleanup work day and hot dog barbeque, Saturday November 10th at 11:00am.  All church members were invited and encouraged to attend.

The Sunday School children again came this yearto homes of our congregation to Trick or Treat for Paper goods.   The paper goods are for use in our church.  Goods needed were: paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, and napkins. 

Young Adults were invited to Rush Center on Sunday, October 7th, for a cookout and organizational for a new class.  Guests were requested to bring a side dish.

Empty Nesters study group for the 40 to 60 age group has lessons about grown children, retirement, taking care of elderly parents and being a grandparent.

Calendars were marked for Sunday, September 16th for an All Church Potluck, Softball Game and Sing-Along.  The fun started at 6:00pm.  Those wanting to play, brought their mitts or if just watched and brought their lawn chairs.  Inside there was an old-fashioned sing-along. 

UMW Ladies  had a "Salad Supper" as their first fall meeting on Wednesday, September 12th at 6:00pm. Thelia Brack of Otis and our connecting link was their guest.

Sunday School began on Sunday, September 16, at 10:30am.  There will be classes for preschool through elementary and one for high school.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU  to the men of the church who mow the vacant lot...the generous individual who hired Dalton Mowing to mow the church grounds this summer...those persons who have pulled weeds, trim and other help on the church grounds.  Your efforts are very much appreciated and they don't ever go unnoticed!

A big THANKS! to all who delivered "Meals on Wheels" and "Friendship Meals" in June.  The people that receive the meals appreciate your dedication!  Thanks! 

Former LaCrosse UMC pastor Glenn Tombaugh and his wife Diane go back to Russell Trinity for year 10.  Rev. Mark Anderson is on leave of absence.  Rev. Robert Winters and Mary Beth are returning to Sharon Springs-Weskan.

The LaCrosse Administrative Council held a Silent Auction on Sunday, June 3rd following the worship services and during a Trustee Ice Cream Social.  The proceeds from the Ice cream Social went to Trustee church repair projects and the proceeds from the Silent Auction went to Church Apportionments.

La Crosse youth and McCracken youth combined their talents for joint Bible School this year.  It was lots of fun, had really good snacks, great crafts and the curriculum was out of sight!!!! 

A dedicated "Faith Quest" class at the LaCrosse UMC recently completed a seventeen week curriculum about strengthening our church for making disciples for Jesus Christ.  The group's energy for witness and service is a great gift. 

The  LaCrosse UMC Ladies hosted the annual Ladies Lenten Luncheon on April 11 at 12:00 noon at St. Michael's Parish Center in LaCrosse, They serving a large number of ladies in a short time so that the employed women can return to work.  Thank you to the individuals who helped with set-up at 11:00am, were greeters and persons to take the dishes to the tables when the ladies arrived, and helped with cleanup,  Thank you for including this special time of fellowship in your busy schedules and making others feel welcome.

LaCrosse Easter Sunrise Service:  Drama and Worship, Music by Denise and Alisha Johnson and Larry Schneider, Crisp Morning Air, Good Fellowship, and Breakfast to follow!  Be sure to join us at the Church at 6:45am for Easter Sunrise Service.  The service will be on the lawn with chairs available.  If the weather is too cool or rainy, we will have the service in the church.  Don't miss this special celebration of Easter!

Raynell has received many calls and letters in the past and recently requesting dates for marriages, baptisms, and membership for the LaCrosse EUB Church.  The office has only two record books for the EUB.  One book contains member names only, dating from 1851 through 1977, and just a partial list of membership and deaths.  Many people need these records for various reasons, so if anyone knows of where other records may be or even if you have any EUB records, please bring them by the office.  They can be copied or kept in our safe.  We really need them in the worst way and it also helps preserve the history of the EUB church.  Please contact Raynell if you can help!

Thank you!   To the faithful ladies preparation for the Ground Hog Supper.  To everyone who donated food items, and monetary gifts for the supper.  For cards, flowers, and well wishes to those who have been ill.  For the donation of a "safe" fiberglass stepladder for use in the church.  For all the thoughtful things everyone does every day. 

The LaCrosse UMC Community Supper was held Sunday, Feb 25 at 5:30pm.  This outreach event is sponsored by the Program Council and the Faith Quest Class.  A free meal was provided to the LaCrosse-Rush Center community as a way to welcome new people to our church.  It came at the end of the month when finances for many (especially this winter) are tight and a free meal and hospitality are good gifts to share with those around us.  Many persons from the congregation attended and helped us welcome guests and old friends alike.  Watch your church bulletins in the weeks ahead for more information and opportunities to volunteer.

The study group at LaCrosse focuses on "The Upward Call."  Often we sense a deep hunger for more of God, but are uncertain how to fill that need in the busyness of our lives.  This study presents ways to heed the upward call of God to grow more like Christ.  "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14, NKJV)  Join the study for this special time of study and fellowship. 

June is Meals Month for LaCrosse.  If you have never helped out and would like to, please contact Raynell.  Friendship Meals are delivered each Wednesday and Thursday, and Meals on Wheels, each Tuesday through Friday.

Thanks! to the Pro-Art Music Club for bringing "Cowboy Christmas to the county for the Christmas season!  Words cannot describe how very wonderful the concert was, but by looking at the faces of the audience, the expressions and smiles describe it all. We all hope that the Schwartzkopf brothers and team come again soon!  And thank you for the reception following each performance...and Yes!...the baby was real!

Thanks go out to those who helped make it possible for the choir to obtain their new choir robes.  They are burgundy with white.  Thanks!

The LaCrosse UMW  met Wednesday, September 13th, 2000 for a Salad Supper.   Jeanne Lambert, the District Connecting Link, was the guest speaker. 

Monday, September 25th, 2000 the LaCrosse UMW sponsored an Ice Cream Social for the residents of the hospital Long Term Care.   The residents appreciated the party and visit so very much.

The newly revised Church Directory is on the church hall table.  If you have any changes to your address, name, or a family member please let Raynell know.

Thanks to a memorial donation, the UMW has replaced the kitchen flooring.  Many thanks to those who worked at removing the old floor and to those who did the replacement work.  It looks great!

Dolores Pokorny presented a program on her recent trip to the Panama Canal at the UMW October 18th meeting. 

Raynell has this to say about a book she received as a gift:  "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch - "It is WONDERFUL, it will tug at your heartstrings, bring a smile to your face and maybe even a tear to your eye.  I strongly suggest you read it.  The book is in paperback for and wonderfully illustrated.  It is about the enduring nature of parents' love and how it crosses the generations.

Pastor Marilyn extends her gratitude for the improvements in lighting at the LaCrosse parsonage.  A special thank-you goes to Vern Melton for making the beautiful wood framing, installation of the fixtures, and moving of a mirror.  It has made a tremendous difference!

"I was so excited about the donation to a special project here in Zambia. After much prayer and consideration, I have allocated this money to the AIDS Orphan Project based at Mukinge Hospital where I work.  Your gift makes up approximately1/2 of the amount that will be used towards the yearly school fees in January and required uniforms for over 100 children in this group.  Thank you for sharing God's love with these children and Zambia in this special way.  God Bless and thank you on behalf of the Mukinge AIDS orphans and the grandparents and families caring for these orphans."

Stephanie West, Mukinge Hospital, Box 120092, Kasempa, Zambia