the best is yet to come - metropolitan...

September/October 2012September/October 2012September/October 2012September/October 2012 CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

MCC-Omaha lives, proclaims, teaches, and celebrates the message of Christ’s all-inclusive love.

Tearing Down Walls! Building Up Hope!

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

By July/August Interim Pastor, Rev. Terri Steed

This summer at MCC Omaha, we journeyed through the Gospel of John and considered the ques-tions posed throughout the narratives listed there. I shared with you many of the stories of Jesus and some other favorite stories of mine weekly. The story that seemed to resonate the most was “Keep the Fork.” The moral of that story was to remind folks to save their fork after dinner because something better, like deep dish apple pie or velvety chocolate cake was coming following the delicious meal. The woman in

the story wanted to be buried with her fork in her right hand because she said she wanted people to remember that the best is yet to come.

I believe the best is yet to come for MCC Omaha. You all are primed to continu-ing to ‘tear down walls and build up hope.’ You have cast the vision of growing your space, engaging your youth, emboldening your leadership, deepening your spirituality, encouraging your generosity, and serving your community. Over the summer, I’ve seen you all doing that in every way.

God has called you to a great work, and you are doing a tremendous job! I can-not wait to see what God has in store for you next. This community is better and stronger because you are part of it. This state is more justice-oriented because you continue to live out your call here to ensure those who are marginalized are in-cluded, those who are hungry are fed, and those who are disenfranchised find hope and healing. You are bringing about the realm of God and fulfilling your own vision and the mission of Jesus by doing these things.

Serving this summer as your pastor while your beloved Pastor Tom has been on sabbatical has been one of the most thrilling, spiritually uplifting, and personally transformative times of my life. You have been a huge blessing to me, and I’ll never forget any of you. Remember Jesus saves the best for last…..so keep your fork. The best is yet to come. I’ve got my fork in hand! Pastor Terri

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Rev. Thomas R. Emmett, Senior Pastor [email protected]

Rev. Dr. Pamela Owens, Clergy on Staff Pastor [email protected]

Ron Hertzberg, Director of Music [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott Bryant, Moderator

Carole Souza, Vice-Moderator

Jim Welsh, Clerk

Greg Payne, Treasurer

Ruth Marimo, Treasury Team

Dallas McGee, Creative Generosity

Tom Emmett, Property

CONTACT: [email protected]

COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES Pastor Tom Emmett, Moderator

Alan Barcus Minister of Hospitality

Michael DeVore Deacon Liaison

Tim Mohr Minister of Youth

Sharon Van Butsel Minister of Children

Eric Hays-Strom Minister of Technology

John Adkins Minister of Spiritual Development

Ron Hertzberg Director of Music


DEACONS

Michael DeVore, Kevin Marik, Scott Hays, Sharon Van Butsel, Joy Burgdorf, Carla Petersen, Tony

Harris, Bobbi Colburn/Stevens, &

Kris Colburn/Stevens

DEACONS IN DISCERNMENT

Dan Buck, Karla Oliver, & Joe Schmidt


Thanks, Pastor Terri, For

Sharing The Past Eight Weeks With Us!

We’ve Been Blessed By Your

Presence!

CONNECTIONS

MCC-OMAHA 819 S. 22nd St.,Omaha, NE 68108

402.345.2563 EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: mccomaha.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES

9:30 AM & 11:15 AM

WEDNESDAY RECHARGE 7 PM

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday Noon-5PM

MCC-Omaha is a Christian church open to ALL

people, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

CONNECTIONS, published bimonthly, is MCC-Omaha’s

official publication. Written contributions will be published at the discretion of the Senior Pastor,

Tom Emmett, and the editor, Carla Petersen.

DEADLINE FOR THE NOV/DEC ISSUE OF CONNECTIONS IS OCTOBER 24.

Send articles to [email protected]

CONNECTIONS

Printing PlusPrinting PlusPrinting PlusPrinting Plus For All of Your Printing NeedsFor All of Your Printing NeedsFor All of Your Printing NeedsFor All of Your Printing Needs

[email protected]@[email protected]@aol.com

402.333.5935402.333.5935402.333.5935402.333.5935

The MAX

THEMAXOMAHA.COM

1417 Jackson 402.346.4110

PASTOR TOM’S SABBATICAL DRAWS TO AN END!

After three months of reflection, study, travel, and quiet time with God, Pastor Tom’s sabbatical is coming to an end. Sunday, Sept. 9, Pastor Tom will once again fill the pulpit at MCC Omaha. Join us for worship at 9:30 or 11:15AM. The services are certain to be memorable. We will have a Celebration & Luncheon in Pastor Tom’s honor following the Congregational Forum on Sept. 30. (see next page)

Details of his sabbatical are spelled out in Angel Wings, and you can follow his travels, his studies, and his spiritual journey as he blogs about it by going to the link below: (The comment’s link is disabled, so you cannot write him, but you can fol-low his journey.)

www.mccomaha.org/pastortom

—EDITOR OPENING— MCC Omaha is seeking a new volunteer editor for Connections our printed newsletter that is published every two months. If you have talents in the areas of layout, then we encourage you to consider applying for the position. Layout gener-ally takes fewer than 12 hours every two months. Profreedng skills r mportent! :-) Communication skills are important; part of the duties of the editor are soliciting and writing articles. Knowledge of church happenings and church leadership is helpful! Currently the newsletter is done in Publisher, but it could be done in any of a multi-tude programs. Our current printer requires Connections be submitted as a pdf file. The editor operates under the supervision/direction of the Pastor. Carla Petersen, who has served as Connections Editor, for many years will be retiring from the position of editor in December when she and her life partner of 23 years, Sharon Van Butsel, move to Venice, FL, following Sharon’s retirement from Creighton University Medical Center, where she has worked for 32 years. Carla will be available to train or assist the new editor for the November/December issue. If you are interested or have questions regarding the position, please email [email protected]. Put Connections Editor in the subject line.

MAY/JUNE 2012MAY/JUNE 2012MAY/JUNE 2012MAY/JUNE 2012

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

MCC-Omaha lives, proclaims, teaches, and celebrates the message of Christ’s all-inclusive love.

SEEKING & FINDING By Pastor Tom

Generally, we will not find more than we seek. Our

intentions and outlook on who we are and want to be

guide our seeking. When we engage in seeking we enter

into a process of becoming. Much in the same way that

we are what we eat, we are also what we seek.

I believe that real and authentic seeking leads us,

one way or another, to the Divine. Real and authentic

seeking is the ongoing activity of asking questions like:

Who am I? What is the meaning of my life? What are my

character defects and how do those hold me back?

The coming out process is a form of spiritual

seeking. During our coming out process we asked

questions like: Who am I? Why was I made this way?

Why is the world like this? Can the establishment be

challenged?

An old Rabbi once said: When you play hide-and-seek with your friend,

imagine his pain and disappointment if he hides and you stop looking for him.

When we give up on seeking God, we resign ourselves from the game of life. Yet,

this game is what gives life meaning.

When we seek we will find. The paradox, in fact, is this: to seek is to already

have found. Our search for friendship, for justice, for love and for God is possible

only because we have already found some part of these wonderful things.

Seeking, then is like opening a gift that is already ours. It is going deeper

into what is already here. This is why Jesus said: The Kingdom of Heaven is

within you.

When we seek what we have already found we will find more. Our spiritual,

emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing will blossom. Yet there is no

growth without tension. Sometimes in our journey as seekers, we will stumble.

Today, I encourage you to ask yourself what you are seeking and why. What

is the payoff? The Universe, that is God, rewards the seeker. You want God’s

blessing? Then get to it: do the next best thing, be a blessing and God will reward

you. Greatness is waiting for you, now seek it!

Tearing Down Walls! Building Up Hope!

CONNECTIONS

The Board of Directors

Invites You to a Luncheon

In Honor of Pastor Tom

Sunday, Sept 30

Following the Congregational Forum

Join the Board In Welcoming

Pastor Tom

Back to Omaha Following His

Sabbatical

4-PLEX UPDATE by Jim Welsh

As many of you may have seen, there has been a flurry of activity at the 4-Plex building. Below is an up-date of where we are and when we expect to be com-plete

The front porch roof has been framed, and we ex-pect the roof to be completed within the next week to ten days. The roof made a tremendous difference in the appearance of the front of the 4-plex when it went up. Many thanks to Cheryl Arends, Michael DeVore and Carla Petersen for their hard work with the grounds clean up. They have spent many hours trimming, clean-ing up, removing rocks, and overall making it look as nice as possible during the construction period. Greg Payne even came by with his blowtorch and other tools to cut down the metal rods that were along the north side of the unit.

The interior is where an amazing transformation has taken place. The plumbing, electric, HVAC and all struc-tural work has been completed and passed city inspec-tion. There were several changes that had to be made to bring everything up to code. It was a case of make a change, call for the inspection, hurry up and wait and then move on. It was a difficult process, but thankfully that phase is behind us. The building is 100% up to code in all respects.

Currently all drywall has been hung, taped and mud-ded in preparation for finish carpentry (trim, doors, etc.), and then painting begins. That process will take about a week. It’s amazing how much everything really began to shape up and feel “real” once the drywall was in place. We anticipate the painting beginning right after Labor Day, and we hope it will be completed within a week.

Once we get to this point, we are in the home stretch. The electrician will come and put in ceiling fans and light fixtures as well as install outlets and switches. And he will then say “Let There Be Light,” and this will be good! Following the electrician, the next step is the installation of flooring, and kitchen and bath cabinetry, which will be followed by appliance delivery and installa-tion. Then there will be the final cleaning, making every-thing shine! At that point we will hear the words we’ve be so anxious to hear. “FOR RENT” and all will be well!

What all this means is that with minimal unantici-

pated delays, we should be ready to rent in early to mid-

October 2012!

CONGREGATIONAL FORUM SEPT. 30

The Board of Directors encourages all members and friends of MCC Omaha to plan to attend the Congregational Forum on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Topics for the Forum will include the following: • 4 Plex Update • Generosity • November Elections to the Board • MCC Omaha Vision • Questions/Answers Following the Forum there will be a luncheon in the Social

Hall honoring Pastor Tom and celebrating his return following his three-month sabbatical. Lunch will be provided at no charge to all who attend. During the luncheon, Pastor Tom will be invited to share experiences from his sabbatical. Feel free to bring cards of welcome and appreciation for Pastor Tom.

BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER As you may recall, two years ago we changed the bylaws that impacted the election process. Part of that change was

that a nominating committee is to be formed before each election. The committee is charged with selecting from applicants for three openings on the board of directors and compiling the slate of three that is then presented to the congregation for vote at the Congregational meeting. That time is once again upon us. As you may also know, that nominating committee is to consist of two board members, one deacon, and two members of the congregation, one of whom must have been a member less than a year. The election will take place at the November 11 Congregational Meeting. The minimum qualifi-cations to run for a Board member position are as follows: - Must be an active member of MCC Omaha for at least six (6) months prior to the date of the election. - Employees of MCC Omaha and their spouses or family members and spouses or family members of any current member of the Board Of Directors are not eligible to serve on the Board. - Must be willing to submit to and clear a criminal background check prior to or within 2 weeks of election. - Submit a letter of intent to Pastor Tom which states - Why they want to serve on the Board. - What do they bring to the Board of Directors, ie gifts, skills.

CONNECTIONS

GATHERING TOGETHER & REJOICING TOGETHER AS ONE COMMUNITY

Mark your calendars for a fun filled day of shopping, eating, celebrating and lis-tening to some wonderful music. Everyone is welcome to the Autumn Bazaar to be held Saturday October 13, 2012 from 10 am - 4 pm. The address is Metropolitan Community Church, 819 S. 22nd Street, Omaha . There will be vendors inside and outside with their wares for sale. There will be baked goods, crafts, jewelry, collectibles, antiques, husker gear and so much more. There will be lunch from 11am-2pm. There will be lots of special surprises throughout the day. If anyone would like to set up a table, the cost is $20. Please contact Kevin Marik at 402 658-8494 or email [email protected].

Later that night the community will be entertained by Macy Riley, Heather Wilhelm and Justin Ryan. Justin Ryan is an upcoming Christian singer from Nashville, Tennessee. The concert will be in the sanctu-ary beginning at 7pm. Free admision. There will be a free will donation taken after the concert. Proceeds from the events will benefit MCC and Proud Horizons.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS Three groups from MCC Omaha are now studying and discussing the “Living the Questions” curriculum.

The Monday daytime class is nearing the end of Section 1 and soon will begin Section 2. In that section the group will talk about the seven lessons: Restoring Relationships; The Prophetic Jesus; Evil, Suffering, & A God of Love; The Myth

of Redemptive Violence; Practicing Resurrection; Debunking the Rapture; and Reclaiming the World. The Tuesday evening group is now in Section 3. They’ll be talking about A Kingdom with-out Walls; Social Justice: Realizing God’s Vision; Incarnations: Divinely Human; Prayer: Intimacy with God; Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry; Creative Transformation; and Embracing Mystery. Each group meets for 90-120 minutes weekly, watching a video of renowned theologi-ans and discussing their comments on these topics. The Monday Niters will soon begin the se-ries, discussing these topics: An Invitation to the Journey; Taking the Bible Seriously; Thinking Theologically; Stories of Creation; Lives of Jesus; A Passion for Christ: Paul; and Out into the World: Challenges Facing Progressive Christians.

S E P T E M B E RS E P T E M B E RS E P T E M B E RS E P T E M B E R

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10AM Cleaning

Commandoes Clean

Church

10PM Miracles NA

2 9:30, 11:15AM Worship

10:15 AM Fellowship

Time

3

Labor Day

(Church Office

Closed)

Bulletin & Angel Wings

Deadline

4

6:30 Dinner/ 7PM

Bible Study & Living

the Questions

5 7PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Deacons

Meeting

7:30 PM Choir

6

6PM LifeSong 6:30 Praise Singers Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

2 1/2 Bagels Pick Up

Panera 8:45 PM

7 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—MCC Serves

NAP Lunch Here

10 PM Miracles NA

8

9AM Dust Eagles Clean

Church

10AM Children’s Sunday

School Teachers’ Meet-

ing

5PM Ecumenical

Catholics Meet Here

9 9:30 & 11:15AM Worship

10:15 AM Fellowship Time

11:15 AM Children’s Sunday

School

10 10:15 AM Living the

Questions

6 PM Council of

Ministries Meeting

Bulletin & Angel Wings Deadline

11

5:50 PM Worship

Team Meets

6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM


the Questions

12

7PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

13

6PM LifeSong 6:30 Praise Singers Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

Dough Boys Pick Up Panera 8:45 PM

14 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP Lunch

Here

6:30 PM Treats &

Movie Night w/ Out & About “Auntie

Mame”

10PM Miracles NA

15 10AM Dust Bunnies

Clean Church

Noon-4 PM Youth

Picnic

5PM Ecumenical

Catholics Meet Here

16 9:30 & 11:15AM Worship 10:15 AM Fellowship Time


School

12:45 PM Board of

Directors Meeting

17

10:15 AM Living the

Questions

7 PM Prayer Shawl

Ministry

Bulletin/Angel Wings

Deadline

18

6:30 Dinner/7 PM


the Questions

19

7PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

20 6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise Singers

Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

Bread Rollers Pick Up

Panera 8:45PM

Liturgist Scheduling Deadline

21 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP Lunch

Here

10PM Miracles NA

22 9AM Maid by God

Cleans Church

23/30 9:30 & 11:15AM Worship



School

3 PM Monday Niters meet off-

site (Sept. 23) 12:45 PM Congregational Forum

Lunch & Celebration for Pastor

Tom (Sept. 30)


Questions

Bulletin & Angel

25

6:30 Dinner/7 PM


the Questions

26

7PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

27 6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

Bread Masters Pick Up

Panera 8:45 PM

28

OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP Lunch

Here

10PM Miracles NA

29

10AM Cleaning

Commandoes Clean

Church

CONNECTIONS

eath or

PANERA BREAD MINISTRY

The Panera Bread Ministry consists of five teams. Each picks up bread on Thursday night once a month….except for one team, who only picks it up once every 3 months!

The bread is donated by the Saddle Creek store when it closes at 9 PM and taken to the church where it is re-bagged for distri-bution to NAP clients on Fridays at their lunch and on Sundays to our congregation. The sweets are used Sundays for FelloW-ship time! We’ve participated in this ministry for nearly 7+ years! More volunteers are needed to fill in the weekly teams. Contact Russell Sorbello if you are interested. Email him at [email protected]. In the subject line write Bread.

Social Justice POTLUCK

Sunday, Oct. 7 12:45 PM

In the Social Hall

Everyone interested in being involved in MCC

Omaha’s ministry for Social Justice is encouraged to come.

O C T O B E RO C T O B E RO C T O B E RO C T O B E R

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:15 AM Living

the Questions Meets

6 PM Council of Minis-

tries Mtg.

7 PM Prayer Shawl

Ministry Meets


2

6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM

Bible Study &

Living the Ques-

tions

3

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Deacons’

Meeting

7:30 PM Choir

4 6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise Sing-

ers Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

2 1/2 Bagels Pickup

Panera 8:45PM

5 OFFICE CLOSED

MCC Serves NAP

Lunch Noon

10PM Miracles NA

6

9AM Dust Eagles

Clean Church

7 9:30 & 11:15AM

Worship

10:15 AM Fellowship

Time 12:45 PM Social Justice

Potluck

3 PM Monday Niters Meet

8

10:15 AM Living the

Questions Meets


9

5:50 PM Worship

Team Meets

6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM

Bible Study &

Living the Ques-

tions

10

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

11

6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise Sing-

ers Rehearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

Dough Boys Pickup

Panera 8:45PM

12 OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

6:30 Treats & Movie

Night w/ Out &

About

10PM Miracles NA

13 10 AM Autumn Bazaar

10AM Dust Bunnies

Clean Church

5PM Ecumenical

Catholics Meet

7PM Concert

14 9:30 & 11:15AM

Worship


11:15 AM Children’s Sun-

day School

12:45 PM Membership

Class


Questions Meets

7 PM Prayer Shawl

Ministry Meets


16

6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM

Bible Study &

Living the Ques-

tions

17

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

18

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Re-hearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

Bread Rollers Pickup

Panera 8:45PM

19 OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

Youth Hayrack Ride

(tentative)

10 PM Miracles NA

20 9AM Maid by

God Cleans Church

Liturgist Scheduling

Deadline

5PM Ecumenical

Catholics Meet

Montana’s Show,

MAX, 6p cocktails, 7Show

21 9:30 & 11:15AM

Worship


11:15 AM Children’s Sun-

day School

12:45 PM Board of Directors’

Meeting

3 PM Monday Niters Meet

Off-site

22

10:15 AM Living the

Questions Meets


Deadline

23

6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM

Bible Study &

Living the Ques-

tions

24

CONNECTIONS

DEADLINE

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 PM Choir

25 11 AM

Neighbors United

Meets Here

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Re-hearse

AA Meeting 7 PM

8:45PM Bread

Masters Pickup Panera

26 OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

10PM Miracles NA

27

10AM Cleaning

Commandoes Clean

Church

28 9:30 & 11:15AM

Worship

10:15 AM Fellowship

Time

11:15 AM Children’s

Sunday School

29

10:15 AM Living the

Questions Meets


Deadline

30 6:30 Dinner/ 7 PM

Bible Study &

Living the Ques-

tions

31

7 PM Healing

Service

7:30 PM Choir

CONNECTIONS

MCC OMAHA

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Sunday, October 14

Social Hall, 12:30 PM

Come explore your faith journey with us! Learn the about the history and governance of MCC.

Explore your spiritual gifts!

MCC CHOIR REHEARSALS Wednesdays

7:30 PM

Calling all singers, experi-enced and new. Never sang in a choir before? Come take the plunge and share the fun. It’s

time to step up and sing. You don’t have to read music. Just have a desire to make a joyful sound. Questions?

Contact Dan Adams, (402) 709-6175 [email protected]

CONNECTIONS

YOUTH RETREAT AT LAKE ANITA

This past August 3, 4 and 5, eight young people (ages 11 thru 15) participated in MCC Omaha's first ever Youth Retreat. Accompanied by three chaperones, the youth traveled to Lake Anita, Iowa. They unanimously decided to name the Camp Emmett (after MCC's beloved Pastor Tom Emmett). The group created a Sacred Circle from objects they found around the campsite. The Sacred Circle became the place that we would do all of our shar-ing. The youth worked as a great team setting up camp and then escaped from the hot Friday August afternoon by swimming at the beach at Lake Anita. The youth were given notebooks to act as journals for writing assign-ments and to learn the importance of journaling and ex-pressing themselves. After a meal of hot dogs and ham-burgers cooked over an open fire, some s'mores for de-sert and a night time game of flash light tag, the youth turned in for the night.

Saturday morning, we learned that a thunderstorm was heading right for us. Again, the youth all pitched in to cover everything up and hid in a tent, playing Uno, while the storm passed. Afterwards, we were treated to a beau-tiful day. We went on a meditative hike, walking around the lake in complete silence, to spend some time with God and to look for objects that spoke to them spiritually. After the hike, we shared what we had found in our Sa-cred Space. Later, the youth split into groups of four where they were given the assignment of creating their own church, complete with ministries and a church mis-sion. These activities really showcased how spiritually gifted and aware of themselves our young people, filled with maturity and a willingness to help others. On Saturday night, after a another trip to the beach, dinner and a few games of kickball and water-balloon baseball, the young people wrote essays that they shared in the Sacred Circle. about all the experiences they had and what they had learned in camp. Then we sang some songs and told wild stories around the campfire before heading to bed.

Sunday morning, after a breakfast of pancakes and eggs cooked over the open fire, it was time to pack up and head home. But we gathered one last time in our Sacred Circle, held hands in prayer and thanked God for the incredible time we had and offered thanks for allowing us all to become a family.

We are very grateful for all the support we've had from so many people in the church who loaned us camp-ing gear and everybody who prayed for us, and espe-cially thankful to Laura Doocy, Carole Souza and Tania Betts for all their help while at camp. And this is just the first year. The plan is to have these retreats every sum-mer: Each year bigger and better with even more people. And all the young people agreed to share the essays they wrote on camp with anybody who wants to read them. There is a copy up on the bulletin board in the church basement and another copy near the Sunday School area. Please feel free to read and enjoy them. We have some gifted and wise young people at MCC Omaha, and we should be proud of all of them.

The youth will have some neat activities as we head into Autumn. On Saturday, September 15, there will be a youth picnic from Noon to 4:00pm at a local park. We will have a picnic lunch, play a few games and work on a fun project de-signed to help others in the community. We are also planning a hayrack ride for October, tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 19. More details on this will become available as we approach the date. And in November, it’s time for our Fall Lock-In. This is scheduled for the overnight of Friday, No-vember 2. The lock-ins have become incredibly popular and as our youth group grows in numbers, this lock-in will prove to be the best one yet. More specific details will be coming, but make sure you save these dates!

As always, these youth activities are open to ANY young person ages 11-17. The only requirements are that you want to make new friends, hang out with old friends and learn more about your spiritual self and have a great time while doing it! And we are always looking for adults to help chaper-one these events as well. So if you are interested in helping out or have any questions, please contact Tim Mohr at [email protected]

CONNECTIONS

NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT OUT By Alan Barcus

Every year on the first Tuesday of August is National Night out. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to: Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Metropolitan Community Church participated by having it’s 3rd Neighborhood Night Out on our church grounds. Neighbors got to know each as we as they enjoyed the games, music, bouncy castle clowns, great food and our popular school supply give-a-away.

From kindergarten to 12th grade, we had 190 kids who received the necessary school supplies they needed for the upcom-ing school year. Everything from pens, pen-cils, crayons, and notebooks were some of the items they received.

Back packs and lunch boxes were given to the children in the neighborhood commu-nity prior to this awesome event. Flyers were given to neighbors and businesses to bring community awareness of Neighborhood Night Out.

We had city officials, Channel 42 media, police and fire department present. Of course the highlight was the fire truck, which extended its ladder and turned on the sprinkler hose and gave us our own “rain shower” on the south lawn. The kids (and adults) loved playing in the rain. What beauty, when the shower caused a natural rainbow. Simply amaz-ing.

This was by far the best Neighborhood Night Out event yet. Over 350 people were in attendance.

On a personal note, I want to thank EVERYONE who

helped make this the success it was. It wouldn’t have been

possible without the volunteers, and I mean that. Each per-

son had a specific tasks to do. From monitoring the bouncy

castle, to greeting people as they come in, to putting on

name tags on our neighbors, you guys rock!

HELP NEEDED TO CLEAN THE CHURCH

By Mary Riley We are truly blessed with a beautiful church. To keep it

that way we need more congregants to help with the weekly cleaning. Currently there are four cleaning teams, each team cleaning once every four weeks. The schedule is in the weekly bulletin and in each issue of Connections.

Cleaning is done on Saturdays, but other days could be arranged. The tasks are the same as when we clean our own homes: vacuum, dust, clean the restrooms, glass win-dows in doors, etc. It can take from 1 ½ to 2 hours, depend-ing upon how many are cleaning. Start times have been either 9 or 10 am.

It can be a good way to service God, meet other congre-gants, provide an important service to this church. All of you who are interested and/or want more information can con-tact Mary Riley, 402-341-6565.

OMAHA VIGIL AGAINST VIOLENCE

JULY 26 — MEMORIAL PARK By Erin Anderson & Ruth Marimo

Over 2,000 people were in attendance for this gathering that was started, to show support for one of our LGBTQ sisters, Rainbow Jane of Lincoln. Our community rallied together. Erin Anderson (Omaha GLBTQ vigil page), Beth Rigatuaso, Royal Bush and others came together to or-ganize this amazing event. In a time when we seem to be making progress for our equality, we were all shocked, terrified, and angry. Rainbow Jane is one of the several that endured brutal hate crimes in the last 6 months. Tif-fany, a 19-year-old transgender woman was stabbed to death in Chicago, as well as Page Play, another trans-gender woman shot and killed in April. Two teenage girls in Texas, Molly and Christine were shot in the head and left to die, as they walked through a park. Molly was killed, Christine has lost all ability to use the right side of her body, the killer is still at large. A 15-year-old girl in Ken-tucky, was brutally beaten by grown men, because she was a young outspoken lesbian. This is what prompted this vigil, a beautiful vigil, full of love and light, support and pride. We had amazing speakers, such as our amazing Mayor, Jim Suttle and our outstanding Councilman, Ben Gray. The support of these two men alone show that it will get better, and our voices are being heard. The end of the evening was beautiful, Amazing Grace was sung, while a large rainbow flag was carried out by members of the LGBTQ community and allies and laid in front of everyone gathered. It was a powerful evening. To stand among such a large group and feel our power is life changing. We are not alone, and it will get better. A huge thank you to all who attended in person and spirit.

In light of the recent events of Rainbow Jane's arrest, it is important for us all to understand that many members of the LGBTQ community have been victims of hate crimes and continue to be targeted. Our coming together the way we did for this vigil gives many of us hope; it is a reflection to our youth that we care about them, and we will stand up and speak up for them. We must continue to hold our heads high and come together as a community whenever necessary. We must always stand united.

CONNECTIONS

PANTRY NEWS By Shelley Foster

We have been giving out so many pantries to our neighbors & members, that we are going to get some new volun-teers to come in from noon till 3:00 PM. Cheryl A. is already covering Wednes-days for me, so that I can get all my work done during me shift. Now we need someone to volunteer on Monday and another for Thursday. I may have to volunteer for one of those days because I miss giving food out to our neighbors. It makes me feel so good inside to be helping others put food in their kitchens.

Several of you have dropped off food for the pantry shelves in early August. We really appreciate that. From week to week our supply changes, and we have on-going needs that we cannot supply from the Food Bank. You all do such a great job! Keep bringing those donations! What a wonderful outpouring of love from our members!

I think I'm getting the hang of working with the Food Bank of the Heartland. There are some great people work-ing there, and they have been very helpful.

COMMUNITY MEAL NEWS Four Saturdays a year, we volunteer to prepare and

serve meals at the First Baptist Church. On August 18, Shar B. got a group of people to help her. We all had a fun time serving 180 meals. Carla ordered lasagna and green beans, I picked up some salads and and tomatoes all from the Food Bank of the Heartland. When the free food from Trader Joe's arrived, we found some great desserts and breads.

Everything is coordinated by Neighbors United, and some of their members are always there to help us in any way we need. Our next meal is scheduled for Saturday, November 3, and we need some nice person to volunteer to prepare a menu, get some more volunteers, and work with me to get the food. Would you like to be the one to coordinate the next meal? Contact me at the church on Wednesday afternoons or call me (Shelley) at 712-310-4720.

NAP LUNCHES

We serve clients of the Nebraska Aids Project the first Friday of every month, in our Fellowship Hall. Two or three people arrive early to prepare a meal for approximately 25 people. We need some volunteers for the following dates: October 6, November 2, December 7, and January 4. If you and a couple of friends would be interested, please contact Shelley Foster at 712-310-4720.

ON-GOING PANTRY NEEDS Ramon Noodles Evaporated or Dry Milk

Peanut Butter Instant Potatoes Jello & Pudding Spaghetti & Spaghetti Sauce Vegetables

Canned Meats: tuna, chicken Soup Leave donations in the kitchen on the counter, any

time you come to the church. Thank you for supporting the pantry

THE IRRESISTIBLE CHURCH By Tony Harris, Deacon

What is it that makes a Church irresistible? Bet we have all wondered that! I have certainly thought about this question as I have gone through life in many churches.

When I say “irresistible,” I am actually talking about what makes a local church “irresistible” to Heaven. A church that the angels look down upon and say EN-CORE!! The local church belongs to Jesus, not to us. An irresistible church does not mean a “big” church numeri-cally. Blessing is not always about numbers – at its core, blessing is all about spiritual impact.

According to Wayne Corderio’s book The Irresitible Church here are some of the most important characteris-tics of an irresistible church (to Heaven)...

(a) you grow spiritually at this church; (b) you witness a very strong sense of mission; (c) you long to go to this church every week; (d) you want to invest in this church for the long haul; (e) you tell others about this church; (f) you relax at this church, knowing that it is a

model of growth, not perfection; and (g) you are delightfully challenged.

So how well does MCC-Omaha measure up? A church sometimes may have a case of “forgotten

identity.” For example…. (a) when a church becomes busy doing the wrong

things --- churches may be busy with many activi-ties, but if those activities do not lead to spiritual transformation, a church is focused on the wrong initiatives;

(b) when a church becomes an end rather than a means to an end – the true end of a church is to influence society so that people come to Christ and lives are transformed; and

(c) when the Christian subculture sets in or becomes too prominent in your church – God wants us to be a counterculture, not a subculture, a culture that does what’s true and right and good even when darkness is all around it – God asks us to be in the world not yet of the world.

An irresistible church…. (a) hungers for the presence of God; (b) remembers who she is; (c) lives heart first; (d) practices gratefulness; (e) promotes healthy relationships; (f) is always learning; (g) promotes spiritual self-feeding; (h) connects everything to a soul; (i) chooses to love; (k) takes risks; (l) humbles itself; and (m)has a plan.

I have found this book to be most revealing and now ask you again – how are we doing?

Ultimately, a church is irresistible because it reflects Christ’s glory --- and Christ is the one who is truly irre-sistible.

CONNECTIONS

BECOME A HERO TO A CHILD By Sharon Van Butsel, Minister of Children

There is nothing more heartwarming than to have a child look up at you with a smile as they walk by your side, know-ing they are on their way to a fun new adventure. You can enjoy this experience by joining our team of Sunday School teachers. Teachers work one or two Sundays each month, teaching and playing with children ages 4 – 10 as they learn about God’s love and begin to develop their faith.

If you want to be part of this team, contact [email protected] and plan to come to a meeting of Sunday School teachers at 10AM on Saturday, September 8. Sunday School is held during the 11:15 AM worship ser-vice on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of each month. Classes range in size from 1 child to 10 children. All teach-ers and helpers must past a background check.

HEROES OF THE BIBLE The Children’s Sunday School classes will begin a new

adventure this Autumn as they learn about the Heroes of the Bible. They will learn about some of the greatest characters in the Bible along with the life lesson that each of these he-roes had to learn. Daniel – “It isn’t always easy to be faithful” Jonah – “God’s Love is for everyone” Joshua – “All things are possible for God” Noah – “We can depend on God’s promises” David – “With God’s help we can do important things” Miriam and Moses – “We can show love to family members” Esther – “God helps us stand up for what is right” Paul – “We can ask Jesus for help when we are afraid” Lydia – “We can tell others about Jesus”

Children ages 4 – 10 come to Sunday School during the 11:15 AM service every Sunday of the month except the first Sunday. If you have a child this age, please plan to bring them to church every Sunday, so they don’t miss out on any of these lessons.

SOCIAL JUSTICE POTLUCK

SUNDAY, OCT. 7 A potluck will be held after church on Sunday, October

7, to consider how to best do social justice ministry at MCC Omaha. The primary agenda will be open discussion of what we all think that a social justice ministry means and includes, in general, as well as what specific activities we might want to try to get started right away. We will also discuss whether, with the election coming up in No-vember, we want to be doing some non-partisan voter education and get-out-the vote work and, if so, how to make that happen. Please bring ideas and a dish to share. Everyone is invited. For more information, please contact Pastor Pamela at [email protected].

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT By Carla Petersen

Throughout the summer, our children have been learning about the “fruit of the spirit.” They have learned about patience, love, joy, peace, self-control, etc. They have heard stories from the Bible of people who were filled with God’s Spirit and who lived lives of love, of joy, etc.

Along with other activities geared to stress the various Fruit of the Spirit, each week the children selected a fruit that is familiar to us here in Nebraska and made construction paper copies of that fruit and posted it on our tree of life. Over and over, we talked about how with God, nothing is impossible. So as you can see from our tree above, with God a tree can produce grapes, water-melon, cantelope, apples, kiwi, oranges, etc. Just as in each of us God’s presence can be evidenced by our love, our patience, our self-control, our peace, and our joy.

BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES WITH THE KINGS

& PROPHETS The Tuesday night Bible Study has studied the kings of

Israel and Judah up through the 8th century BCE, along with the prophets who preached in those years. We have completed Amos and Hosea, who were prophets to the Northern Kingdom (Israel), as well Micah and part of Isaiah, prophets to the S o u t h e r n K i n g d o m (Judah). We will be con-tinuing with the kings who reigned in Jerusalem after the fall of the Northern Kingdom and will move into the 6th century proph-ets, leading up to the fall of Jerusalem. Anyone is welcome to join us for Bible Study on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. We have a pot luck supper ahead of class at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. You do not have to make a commitment to come every single week in order to be in the class (although of course we hope you will). For more information, please speak to Pastor Pamela or to David Rose.

P.O. Box 3173

Omaha, NE 68103

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Omaha, NE

Permit #485

CONNECTIONS

MCC OMAHAMCC OMAHAMCC OMAHAMCC OMAHA

Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.

Sunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday Worship CelebrationCelebrationCelebrationCelebration

9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM

Children’s Sunday SchoolChildren’s Sunday SchoolChildren’s Sunday SchoolChildren’s Sunday School During 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM Service 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Sunday Monthly2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Sunday Monthly2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Sunday Monthly2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Sunday Monthly

WednesdayWednesdayWednesdayWednesday ReCharge ServiceReCharge ServiceReCharge ServiceReCharge Service

7 PM7 PM7 PM7 PM

VISIONVISIONVISIONVISION

Deepen SpiritualityDeepen SpiritualityDeepen SpiritualityDeepen Spirituality

Serve Our CommunitiesServe Our CommunitiesServe Our CommunitiesServe Our Communities

Embolden LeadershipEmbolden LeadershipEmbolden LeadershipEmbolden Leadership

Encourage GenerosityEncourage GenerosityEncourage GenerosityEncourage Generosity

Engage YouthEngage YouthEngage YouthEngage Youth

Grow SpaceGrow SpaceGrow SpaceGrow Space

the best is yet to come - metropolitan...

Documents