A Wonderful Week in Sidney!

What an amazing week it has been! We had a very stimulating Bible Study last Sunday night with "The Wired Word" group, the group that meets weekly to discuss a current event of the week and relate it to Scripture readings and individuals' life experiences! Tuesday night's "Bad Girls of the Bible" study was a LOT of fun (as always)! Wednesday night's Simpson's Bible Study led to some very insightful and deep discussions about faith. Thursday night's study on The Book of Revelation was awesome; we are really learning a lot as we journey through that part of the Bible!

The church folks have been SO busy with preparing for and running the 4-day Rummage Sale Extravaganza, which concludes Monday, October 1st.

Julie Rowan gave us such a wonderful gift of fall vegetables from her harvest. Belinda arranged them in one of the baskets she bought at the rummage sale. It sits proudly on our breakfast nook table. It makes us smile everytime we see them! It reminds us of this great season/time of the year!

We got the October church newsletter out on Wednesday, and most folks received theirs the next day. Wow! Compliments to the local Post Office staff who do such a great job for all of us!

Belinda stopped by Tom and Vicki Millman's home, where she took a picture of their gorgeous multi-colored rose bush. It is absolutely breath-taking to see!

Charles orchestrated a wedding rehearsal Friday afternoon, and the wedding took place at 5:00 p.m. today in the church sanctuary. The bride was stunning! And, of course, the wedding couple seemed so in love and so perfect for one another.

Belinda mowed the lawn today (Saturday). Whew! It is a two-hour job to get that done!

Tomorrow will be a day of celebration, indeed! Two babies are to be baptized, and five folks are joining the church: Praise be to God!!!

The week that was in Sidney

Looking back at our diary for this past week it might look as though this was a quiet week. And still we find ourselves here on a cool Sunday morning tired, but excited at the activity happening here in Sidney.

We did a lot of work, Charles edged the sidewalks at the church and Belinda worked hard at getting the house ready for visitors on Sunday. This sounds easy, but we're trying hard to model hospitality both at church and home and it takes effort!

Thursday was a very special day, the first Thursday evening Bible study. This is held at the home of Jim and Evie Jones' and there were fourteen of us there to begin a study of the book of Revelation. Charles is leading this class and from the early reactions it is going to be a super group.

Friday morninig saw Charles conduct another funeral, this for a local resident who was without a church home. It was a challenge of course, offering comfort in a chuch setting to a family who is not religious and for someone not known to the congregation. Still, it was a good service and the family appreciated the time and the message.

Saturday was given over to the UMW and their meeting as the new district. We drove over to Chappell, about 1//2 hour east of Sidney, and had a wonderful time. There were woman (and a few men!) from all over the Great West District which covers nearly 1/3 of Nebraska. We enjoyed the fellowship and the fabulous casserole the ladies of that church served at lunch!!! When we arrived back in Sidney, we were tired but happy to have been around such wonderful people.

So much is about to happen here today, check back tonight to see how we fared!!!

Elva Lostroh's 94th Birthday Party!

The highlight of the day was our opportunity to attend the 94th birthday of a wonderful member of FUMC, Elva Lostroh. Her children and husband had invited the church family to attend the party at the care facility in which she resides. It was wonderful being there!

The Prayer Shawl ministry team presented her with a shawl, which turned out to include her favorite color, coral pink. A good time was had by all, and it made for a special day for all who attended.

Camp Comeca Retreat

Pastor Charles took a needed break this week and attended the 24-hour "Covenant Group West" retreat at Camp Comeca, near Cozad. This retreat is open to those who have attended a Five-day Academy for Spiritual Formation event. The purpose for this event is to provide its members with an on-going faith formation accountability group.

The attendees really enjoyed the special setting that is Camp Comeca, and Pastor Charles really found the time to set aside to "just be" especially rewarding.

On his way home, Pastor Charles took the chance to visit the Robert Henri museum in nearby Cozad. Henri was a painter whose father founded the town!

Belinda in the meantime enjoyed the much-needed quiet and enjoyed a personal retreat of her own! The pace is going to be really picking up here in Sidney and at First UMC. Keep looking for the latest news!