THE SPIREFirst

United Methodist Church

131st Year of Ministry

Every Member in Ministry

Newsletter for the

First United Methodist Church in Pratt, KS

April 2017

photo by Louis Keeling

April 2017THE SPIREPastor’s Thoughts

Prepare your heart for GodIsn’t it amazing what medical science can do these days? I remember about

forty years ago when my mom’s best friend had to have open heart surgery. Back

then, open heart surgery was not only a marvel of science and medical technology, it

was also very new and very scary. Now, open heart surgery is a common procedure

and people who undergo this surgery are usually up and around in no time. Doctors

are even able to do heart transplants and with the way our world progresses, it will probably be no time at

all before heart transplants are as common as open heart surgery.

But doctors and medical science will never, ever, ever be able to do for our hearts what God does

for our hearts. Doctors can make our hearts beat regularly and pump stronger, but only God can remove

wrongful desires and motivations and replace them with good and healthy desires and motivations that will

bring true healing to our hearts, as well as bring honor and glory to God.

As you continue through this season of Lent, spend time with God. Let God show you what needs to

be removed from your heart, and then be willing to let God do it. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “A new heart I will

give you, and a new spirit I will put within you.” Prepare your heart for the glorious celebration of the

resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by allowing God to work within your heart to renew your

spirit.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Marvin

April 2017THE SPIREYouth News

YOUTH NEWSApril 2017

April 2017THE SPIREChildren’s Ministry

April 2017THE SPIREAnnouncements

2017 Snack Supper Schedule

Pitch PartyEvery 2nd Saturday

6:00 p.m.

Bring a snack!

Attention 2017-18 College Students The Pratt First United Methodist Church Endowment Committee will offer two Humble Endow-ment Scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year. The Humble Scholarship is $1250.00 per semester. If the student maintains at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale the first semester, $1250 will be awarded for the second semester. The application is found online at http://prattumc.org/scholarship.html and may be filled out and submitted online. Accompanying materials (please read the scholarship instructions carefully) must be turned in to the church office by May 1st, 2017 in order to be considered. The applicant must be a mem-ber of the Pratt First United Methodist Church and may be an undergraduate or graduate student. Past and present involvement in the church is a major consideration for awarding this scholarship. Please note you may apply for both the Humble Endowment Scholarship and the General Church scholarships using the same application form. The General scholarship applications are not due until the first Monday in July. The requirements for the general scholarship are also listed. If you fill out the Humble Endowment Scholarship and would also like to be considered for the General Church scholarship please check “BOTH” and submit appropriate materials. You may not receive both scholarships.

April 2017THE SPIRELadies and Men of Faith

Ladies StudyWednesday 6:00 p.m.

Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer

You have an enemy . . . and he’s dead set on destroying all you hold dear and keeping you from experiencing abundant life in Christ. What’s more, his approach to disrupting your life and dis-crediting your faith is specific. Personalized. Targeted.

When? 6:oopm Wed evenings, Starting March 22Where? The ParlorBooks? Contact Peggy Ellison 770-0469 by March 8th or the book can be ordered from Amazon or CBD.

Ladies StudyWednesday 10:00 a.m.

War RoomThis 5 week study utilizes clips from the War Room movie to illus-trate the need for prayer as a weapon (This study is not about mar-riage) The study will coach us into a closer spiritual relationship with God and a stronger prayer life.

When? 10.00am Wed mornings, Starting March 29Where? The Heritage RoomBooks? Contact Peggy Ellison 770-0469 by March 15th or book can be ordered from Amazon or CBD

To receive messages from Bishop Saenz and to stay up to date on news happenings around the Great Plains United Methodist Conference, please sign up for the weekly GPconnect email newsletter at http://gp-email.brtapp.com/subscribe, or send an email to rdelisi@greatplainsumc.org.

April 2017THE SPIREUMW News

United Methodist Women News Youthville is an outreach of the United Methodist Church. It is a non-profit child wel-

fare agency in Kansas to be a residence for homeless and abandon children. Youthville is

involved in Foster Care, Adoption, Residential Treatment, Counseling and Therapy. They

exercise custody of over 1,400 Kansas children and is one of the largest nonprofit organiza-

tions in the state of Kansas.

Secure Care is within the framework of Youthville. It is located in Newton, Kansas

and designed to serve girls, ages 10-18, who have chronic runaway behaviors and have

been adjudicated by the courts as “Children in Need of Care”. This 24-hour, highly struc-

tured and safe environment allows females to address behaviors in a safe, home-like set-

ting.

Our local UMW unit, donates money to Youthville as one of our mission projects. Just

recently, we collected items such as body wash, personal items, writing tools, and books

just to name a few to send to the girls at Secure Care. The collection was overwhelming

and Eunice Proctor, committee chairwoman would like to thank all the women who pro-

vided items.

Scripture tells us that Christians should consider the interest of others and help those in

need. When we do these righteous things, we are doing God’s will, working for God, and

bringing happiness and blessing on others.

Kim Claycamp

UMW President

April 2017THE SPIREMissions

Volunteer In Mission The preliminary calendar is out for Great Plains VIM opportunities in 2017. Look at your calen-

dar and see which opportunities work for you. We will be going to 5 United Methodist conference camps

where lodging and meals are included with the registration fee.

Contact Chuck and Linda Buchmueller – 620-770-0411

We participated in 9 projects this year traveling to Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, 2 sites in Nebraska

and 4 sites in Kansas. We helped with various projects including: put up paneling, prep work before floor-

ing was installed, built 7 wheel chair ramps, replaced a privacy fence, repaired the covered wagon at Camp

Horizon, built bunk beds, built pew/benches, built 3 rabbit hutches, cleaned carpet, applied many gallons

of paint and enjoyed several sewing projects.

Dates and places for VIM in 2017 Registration fee $150 per person per project

April 2-7 – Camp Horizon-Ark City, Kansas

April 30-May 5 – Youthville-Newton, Kansas

June 11-16 – Camp Norwesca-Chadron, Nebraska

June 18-23 – Camp Comeca-Cozad, Nebraska

July 9-20 – Buckhorn Camp-Fort Collins, Colorado

August 13-18 – Alpha Christian Children’s Home-Perry, Kansas

September 17-22 – Camp Lakeside-Scott City, Kansas

October 8-19 – Alpha Christian Children’s Home-Perry, KS

April Anniversaries

April 1 Bob MooreApril 1 Jeremy DemuthApril 3 Michael BonhamApril 4 Shannon SterlingApril 5 Rebecca StoneApril 6 Velma SimmonsApril 6 Jason MayApril 6 Kevin GatesApril 6 Jake GarrettApril 8 Rose Ann LuntApril 8 Earlene PlogerApril 9 Joan ClarkApril 9 Betty HeapeApril 9 Erin KirbyApril 9 Makenna Blasi

April 10 Suzanne HagemanApril 11 Sydney HenkeApril 12 Lewis HearnApril 13 Kelli SmileyApril 14 Jane BilesApril 15 Heather WinklepleckApril 16 Jimmy LeeApril 16 Kevin YounieApril 17 GeorgeAnne DavaultApril 18 Tom JonesApril 18 Elly SneathApril 19 Bryan WestApril 19 Elly FowlerApril 19 Keagan DavidsonApril 20 Kasi Stelzer

April 20 Gene StottsApril 21 Ruth Anna StottsApril 21 Brynn WilsonApril 21 Blake BlasiApril 22 Nita LesuerApril 23 Iola CorbinApril 23 Norma CarlsonApril 24 Morgan TrinkleApril 25 Shelby StevensApril 25 Kylie RiffeyApril 25 Samantha SnellApril 26 Kenneth HolderApril 26 Justin BaileyApril 28 Colby BarradasApril 30 Rose Wehling

April 6 Lu & David KramerApril 7 Pam & Jason HowellApril 8 Marie & Alan Hanson

April Birthdays

April 2017THE SPIREBithdays/Anniversaries

April 8 Heather & Clinton SkaggsApril 16 Tracy & Daryl TrimpeApril 26 GeorgeAnne & Bob Davault

Thank YouThe family of John Fowler would like to thank all those who gave food, flowers, memori-als, cards, prayers and love to us in our time of need.

Regular Happenings

Sunday: 8:15 a.m. Informal Service 9:05 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 50/50-Kum Double Class, Parlor 10:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:40 a.m. Meet Loaf, FH 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

If you have something that you would like to put in The Spire, please email Jane Bolen jane.bolen@yahoo.com or call her at 672-3198

by the 20th of the month before the next Spire.

Monday: 9:30 a.m. Quilters 10:00 a.m. Moms’ Group

Wednesday Activities begin again Sept.7 7:00 a.m. Ladies Prayer Group, CR 10:00 a.m. Ladies Bible Study, Heritage Room 4:15 p.m. Puppets 5:00 p.m. Snack Supper

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Jesus & Me, Basement 6:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Ladies’ Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Middle School Youth 6:00 p.m. Contemporary Worship Practice 7:30 p.m. High School Youth

Friday: 10:00 a.m. Mom’s Day Out

April Calendar

April 2017THE SPIRENews/Staff

StaffPastor...............................................Marvin EwerttChildren’s Ministries ...........................Liz KrehbielYouth Director ..................................... Kelli BarkerBusiness Manager ....................Jacqueline JohnsonFacilities Coordinator ....................... Louis KeelingOrganist/Pianist .......................................Jane BilesAudio Coordinator .............................. Stan ReimerVideo Coordinator ..............................Sherri EwerttNursery ...........................................Georgie Fowler

Phone: (620) 672-6473FAX: (620) 672-3101Pastor Marvin’s cell (316) 655-1716email: jjohnson@prattumc.orgWeb site: www.prattumc.org

First United Methodist ChurchThe Spire

P. O. Box 316100 N. JacksonPratt, KS 67124

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

You may pick up your copy of the Spire at the church. If you wish to have your name added to the email list, please advise Jacqueline jjohnson@prattumc.org or Jane Bolen jane.bolen@yahoo.com of your address.

Recycle at FUMCHere comes April, Easter and EARTH DAY. What a special time to bring awareness to things around you--that aluminum can in the street, that plastic cup from the beverage...It will make a HUGE difference if we all pitch in to Reuse. Reduce. and Recycle!Love,The UMW Recycling Team of Helen Bailey, Kim Claycamp. and Annette Van Blaricum

REDUCE, REUSE,

RECYCLE, REJOICE!

I have created a QR (quick read) code that once scanned will take you to

the website. The home page is then viewable from your mobile phone.

Other QR codes can be generated for facebook, church event info, vid-

eos… ect. You should be able to download the code by clicking on it for

printing in the bulletin and Spire. Let me know if you have questions,

email me or call at 620-341-8473

Your web servant, Sherri Ewertt