W

A Monthly Newsletter
Pastor, Lennie Maxwell
Cell Number: 785-955-0322

OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS

2013 M Street, Belleville KS

Adult Sunday School
9:30 am

March 2012 issue

Worship Service & JAM
Sundays at 10:45 am

Church Ofce Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Closed Friday

Church Phone Number: 785-527-5608 Church email address:

belleumc@nckcn.com

Food Bank Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 11:30 am Closed Friday

Ages 2 years thru 6th Grade Outside the Box Worship Sundays at 6:30 pm Sunday School
10:00 to 10:40 am

Church web page:

www.belleumc.org

YATT or MATT
Sundays at 7:00 pm

Hunger: the hard truth isnt a statistic

Its someones daughter, sister, brother . . .

!om Pastor Lennie

At Midnight on February 24, 8 brave youth and 3 adults set out on a journey of discovery. Nicholas, Kale, Maggie, Peyton, Shayla, Jay, Waylon, Kelby, Kevin, Kerry and Pastor Lennie spent 30 hours fasting, praying, working and learning as part of World Visions 30 Hour Famine. Most of the youth agreed that going 30 hours without food was nothing when compared to starvation. Everyone involved emerged from the experience with a new understanding and new kind of hunger. It showed as they worked to organize storage in the basement to make room for more food for the Republic County Food Bank. These God blesses those youth want to thank you for your support, both financially and spiritually. Thanks to your who hunger and thirst gifts, we will be able to feed and care for 12 children this month, or 1 child for a year. for justice, for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 (NLT) Here are some of the facts they learned about world hunger: Fact: A child dies from hunger-related causes every 8 to 12 seconds.* Thats as many as 11,000 children younger than 5 killed every day. Some actually starve. The immune systems of others are powered down by malnutrition, leaving the door wide open for deadly diseases. And hunger is only one threat facing kids. In all, more than 22,000 die every day almost all of them from simple causes with existing cures: diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, hunger, and more. Thats the real injustice that the vast majority of these deaths are 100% preventable. Fact: Globally, 925 million people are hungry. Thats roughly 3 times the population of the U.S. going to bed hungry every night. Why so hungry? Many families depend entirely on what they can grow, so theyre never more than one natural or manmade disaster away from hunger. Others work day and night, but still can barely afford enough food for their children. Fact: We can overcome hunger. Hunger is bigger than us, but its not bigger than God. Jesus fed thousands of people with one boys small lunch. Imagine what he can do when we come together in his name to fight hunger. In Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT), God You see, there is enough food in the world. But theres also injustice, because tells us what he wants us that food is not equally available even when people work hard for it. The poor need to do: This is the kind of an advocate someone who is willing to rise up, speak out, and serve the hungry. fasting I want . . . Share Thats where we come in. Together, our voices and actions can make a difference. your food with Andhungry. the Thats why we go hungry so others dont have to!
*According to UN estimates, hunger is a direct or contributing cause in one-third to one-half of preventable child deaths.

We Welcome EMILY MECKLEY as our new pastor arriving in July. Pastor Emily comes to us from Hunter, Kansas where she is presently serving two UMC churches ... Grace Chapel and Pleasant View. She is the mother of four, a story teller, formerly an OB nurse and has lived in Kansas for eleven years. Her husband, Phil, teaches religion at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. Pastor Lennie announced from the pulpit on Sunday, February 12th, that he had been appointed to Great Bend First UMC, Hutchinson District. Our love and best wishes go with him as he moves on.

The Leadership Team met on February 11th for a Vitalization Workshop in McPherson KS. The purpose of the workshop was to learn what had been discussed at the Adam Hamilton Leadership Institute last fall as well as the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Framed) goal initiative that is new to the Kansas West Conference this year. First, we heard a message on how leaders can model a well balanced life by Kirk Jones. He has written a book called Addicted to Hurry and focused on how Jesus focused on one thing and gave his all to that one thing. Next, Bill Hybels gave a presentation on the 5 things he has learned as a leader. He talked about vision, getting people engaged, memorable gatherings, pacing for the long haul, and pay
If you have any questions or concerns for the Leadership Team, please don't hesitate to ask any team member.

leadership of the church to engage the congregation in change as it happens. On the way home, we talked about SMART goals for the church for the 2012 year. We discussed how mission has been a top priority and while continuing that, we need to emphasize a few other needed things. The first one that is vitally important to our church is a Christian Education Coordinator to enhance part of our mission statement to grow in faith. The next is to enhance part of our mission statement to seek God. We want to do this by reaching others in the community that do not know God. We feel the new Outside the Box worship service is the perfect venue to reach the seekers. In God's Love, Kurt Childs, Lay Leader

attention to the whispers of God. Adam Hamilton then presented on church life cycles and what separates our church from others. It really challenged the Leadership Team to think about what our church does well and what we need to improve on. Also, how important it was for

Leadership Team: Kurt Childs, Leader - Kevin Johnson, Stacia Piroutek, Mikel Hadachek, Susan Childs, Jay Kallman, Tandy Rundus, Janis Houdek, Susie Arbuthnot, Pam Scoeld, Pastor Lennie

Friday, March 2 Hostesses: Belleville UMW 9:30 am @ First UMC

REPUBLIC COUNTY CHURCH WOMEN

Another month ahead, full of many blessings for God's children. Ruth Circle just finished serving the snacks at the Blood Drive site (4-H building) here in Belleville in February. We are collecting canning jars, etc. to be sent to our friends in Africa. We are busy in so many ways with local and world missions. We are involved in ways, too many areas to all be mentioned here. METour is quickly coming up in June, but the registrations are due March 25th. Women ages 15 to 22 are eligible for this. I sent our literature this past month to many of our families who have girls this age. If you did not get one, please contact me. Encourage your daughters and other friends to go on this great UMW mission trip to the SW USA!! If they would like to see Kara's DVD about her trip, please let me or Karla know. Our UMW will help with the fees. We have also been told that hopefully a busload of younger people will be going to summer camp June 21-24. We will be helping with those fees also. Be aware that donations may be needed to help in all of these great experiences for our youth. These are local missions, folks. They are each so important! The Hutchinson-Salina District UMW Spiritual Growth meeting will be held March 31, at Newton Trinity Heights UMC. It originally was set for the 24th, but I just got an email (in answer to my questioning) of the change of dates, but no registration forms yet. The district newsletter should be out soon and I'll let you know more information. March 2, is the date for Republic County Church Women, 9:30 am at our church. We have 3 women who will serve as hostesses upstairs, 5 will bring breakfast coffee cakes, napkins and orange juice have been volunteered, and Carolyn Rauch will be in charge of the kitchen and serving, with the help of at least 2 others. Don't hesitate to ask if someone needs help that morning, as we are all hostesses for the event. I will present the program and hope it will be inspiring for all. The event will all happen in Fellowship Hall. Because of the busy schedule, UMW will meet March 8th, (2nd Thursday this month). Please try to attend both events and Susannah Circle will be our hostesses and program providers for this meeting. Bring your Prayer and Self-Denial offerings to this meeting. From our prayer calendar, I have chosen a note from a woman whose birthday is not in March, but whose testimony was so interesting to me. "I wanted whatever I did to reflect my faith. After becoming a deaconess, I planned to retire from teaching. One day I got a call from my school district that they wanted me to work with newly diagnosed autistic students in a preschool setting. After much discernment it became clear that this was where I belonged--for the next 15 years! Deaconess Zelle Hammond, Operation Hope, Vista, Calif., California-Pacific Conference. Birthday, April 15. Address: 1798 Curry Comb Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069. zelleaut@cox.net Let us keep her in our prayers and maybe even write to her. Thanks also to all of you who participated in our Prayer Pal group this past year. Keep praying! In Christian Love, Janis Houdek

MARCH GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, March 8 Overow @ 1:30 p.m.

Hostesses and Program: Susannah Circle Program: Call to Prayer and Self-Denial
CIRCLE MEETINGS RUTH Saturday, March 3 @ 10:00 am Coffee Hostess: Lori Scoeld (meeting at her home) Thank you to the Ruth girls who helped with the Bloodmobile Canteen in February: Kelli, Janet, Sherry, Lori, Erin, Lynell, Jeanette, Nancy, Tanya, Huetta, Jewelda, and organizers Kim, Susie, and Kathy. UMW members Janis Houdek, Joan Grover, and Katherine Wilber also helped! SUSANNAH Tuesday, March 6 @ 3:30 pm Meeting in the Overow! Hostess: Helen Fielder Lesson: Wilma Snapp (March church responsibilities)

NAOMI Wednesday, March 28 @ 7:30 pm Program: Joan Grover Hostess: Wilma Mulch Co-Hostess: Kaye Ray
SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT March 31 Newton Trinity Heights UMC More details to follow!



is intended as a time to focus on deepening our understanding of Christian living as we approach the joyous celebration of the resurrection of our Lord with special disciplines such as fasting, worship, service, and study.

2nd Sunday in Lent

March 4th 10:45 am Worship Service Holy Communion Served! Stewards: Janis Houdek, Joan Grover, Eloise Ray, Helen Fielder
3rd Sunday in Lent

March 11th Daylight Saving Time begins

4th Sunday in Lent

10:45 am Worship Service One Great Hour of Sharing (offering) Noon-Potato Bar Fundraiser for Missions

Share an Easter Lily for Easter Sunday given in memory of, or in honor of, a loved one. Schedule your flower(s) to arrive to the church by Wednesday, April 4 before noon! Or, rather than an Easter Lily, consider this instead . . . Make a donation to the Worship Team to help purchase supplies needed to decorate our Altar in all the beautiful and meaningful designs we enjoy every Sunday.

Thankfulness is an everyday occasion for Christians. God pours out so many abundant blessings on us. When I am unloving, God loves me. When I am uncaring, God cares for me. When I am unkind, God is kind to me. When I am least deserving, God rescues me from the grasp of sin. For the selfless act of forgiveness on the cross, I am thankful.

Holy and Loving God, thank you for the numerous acts of kindness you show me. Help me to reflect your kindness in my dealing with those who are unkind to me. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
devotional by John E. Windell

CONGRATULATIONS to: Cassie & Jon Klug, of Miami, on the birth of a daughter...

Georgia Clementine
8 lbs. 6 oz. - 21 3/4 in. born on February 21st Great Grandma is Shirley Tallent!
To My Church Family, At times like these, words fail me. Your generosity to the children of RCDC has overwhelmed me and humbled me. When Kelli called me and told me what the church was planning to do, she also asked me to make a list of RCDCs needs. As we compiled the list, my thoughts were: is this list too long, too hard? My next thought was how nice it would be to get just a few things from the list. Oh, how wrong I was... RCDC received EVERYTHING on the list and in such ABUNDANCE! Thats how First United Methodist people serve God...in abundant love, and it was never more evident today. It has positively affected the lives of our very young children in our community. I want to thank you so very much. You give the gift of LOVE as God intended! Through your generosity, God has blessed RCDC today. Now may He also bless you and this church. Sherry Skinner

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers. Come to UMYF March 4, 18 and April 1 at 6:00 pm to DOWNLOAD and learn about a approach to answering questions like HOW do you decide whats worth your time? WHAT standards do you use to decide what you like and dont like? WHEN it comes to media content, how do you personally judge whats good media or bad media? Bring some of your music to use as examples. Afterwards, stay and listen to some real good media at . . .

Kevin & Kerry Johnson will be facilitators on March 4th and Mikel Hadachek will take March 18th.

As you know, I had a fall and fractured my pelvis. I spent 5 days in the hospital and 5 weeks in therapy rehab. I just got back to my apartment. I thank everyone for my cards. It was nice to know my Belleville friends were thinking of me. Love, Pecky Stafford

A Church Conference was held in the church Fellowship Hall, February 12, 2012, at 1:00 pm. District Superintendent Rev. Lew Van Der Wege presided. He began with prayer. The purpose of the meeting was to vote whether or not to build a new fair stand facility. There were questions and discussion. It was reported by the Task Force that the estimated cost of the fair stand would be $66,395.31. There is $69,906.59 pledged for this project. After the discussion session, a vote was taken by written ballot. The count was 56 yes; 9 no. There will be a loan from the Endowment Fund of up to 1/2 the cost of the Food Stand construction or $30,000.00 maximum whichever is the least. It will be a 15-year note and 1% interest will be charged for the first five years. It will be reconsidered after a term of five years if another interest rate is necessary. The note will be amortized. The vote on the above was unanimous. The meeting was closed with prayer and adjourned by the D.S. Joan Molzahn, Recording Secretary The Fairstand Task Force would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. If you made a pledge and would like to start contributing, you may turn your contribution in to any task force member or leave it at the church office. You may also leave it in the offering plate on Sundays as long as it is designated to the Fairstand Building fund so your donation can be properly recorded. Task Force: Allen Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Terry Skinner, Kim VanNortwick, Stacia Piroutek, Jeanette Sheets, Marvin Houdek

Free-will donation for Missions! Table Service provided.

Sponsored by Fellowship Ministry and Mission Teams

Ms. Erin would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who saved milk jugs for us! The support was overwhelming and much appreciated! Our igloo was built with about 300 jugs and held 9 children inside. Erin Cossaart

WORSHIP LEADERS MARCH 4 - Gina Aurand 11 - Carol Nicholson 18 - Marcy Johnson 25 - Susan Childs GREETERS MARCH 4 - Clay & Gina Aurand Family 11 - Huetta & Lillian Derowitsch 18 - Larry & Karen Cheney 25 - Marvin & Janis Houdek LENTEN WORSHIP TEAM Pam Scoeld, Music Stephanie Splichal, Visuals Mikel Hadachek, Worship WORSHIP BABYSITTERS Maggie & Riley Woodward BUS DRIVER MARCH Chris Rice

ACCOMPANISTS MARCH 4 - Marge Waring 11 - TBA 18 - Pam Scofield 25 - Tana Trost USHERS MARCH Mikel Hadachek Russ Piroutek Tom & Cheryl Hiatt ACOLYTE Hayley Hiatt CAF DEL SOUL HOSTESS MARCH 4 - Molly Williams 11 - Lizz Skocny 18 - Carol Monsanto 25 - Sherry Skinner

PRAISE TEAM Sid and Pam Scofield, Amanda Keilers, Jillian Couture Stacia Piroutek, Waylon Sheetz John Surber, Kevin & Kelby Johnson, Pastor Lennie & Carolyn Maxwell AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNICIANS Kurt Childs Gary Hadachek Mikel Hadachek Rich Schintler Annette Bredthauer MULTI-MEDIA ASSISTANT Janet Heyka

Thursday, March 1 Meals on Wheels 9:30 am - Church Chat at CPCL 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts, Fellowship Hall Friday, March 2 Meals on Wheels World Day of Prayer 9:30 am - Rep. Co. Church Women First UMC, Belleville Saturday, March 3 10:00 am - Ruth Circle Coffee (Lori Scofields home) Sunday, March 4 2nd Sunday in Lent Communion Sunday 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service 6:00 pm - UMYF 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - MATT Monday, March 5 5:00 pm - Men & Boys Dinner; Rally at 6:30 pm, Beloit UMC 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts, Youth Room 6:30 pm - 4-H, Fellowship Hall Tuesday, March 6 10:00 am - BHC Bible Study 3:30 pm - Susannah Circle, Overflow 5:00 pm - Headstart, Basement Wednesday, March 7 6:30 am - Commodities delivered 9:00 am - Psalms Bible Study 10:30 pm - LTC Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 7:15 pm - Praise Team Thursday, March 8 1:30 pm - United Methodist Women Sunday, March 11 3rd Sunday in Lent Daylight Saving Time begins 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - YATT Monday, March 12 3:00 pm - Hospice, Overflow 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, March 14 9:00 am - Psalms Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 6:30 pm - Trustees, Overflow 7:15 pm - Praise Team Thursday, March 15 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts, Fellowship Hall Saturday, March 17 St. Patricks Day Sunday, March 18 4th Sunday in Lent One Great Hour of Sharing (offering) 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM Noon - Potato Bar 6:00 pm - UMYF 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - MATT Wednesday, March 21 9:00 am - Psalms Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 12:30 am - Ministerial Association 7:00 pm - Leadership Team 7:15 pm - Praise Team Friday, March 23 8:45 am - Mothers of Preschoolers Sunday, March 25 5th Sunday in Lent 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - YATT Monday, March 26 5:30 pm - Girl Scout Service Team 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts, Fellowship Hall 7:30 pm - PEO, Overflow Wednesday, March 28 9:00 am - Psalms Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 7:15 pm - Praise Team 7:30 pm - Naomi Circle Thursday, March 29 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts, Fellowship Hall Saturday, March 31 UMW Spiritual Retreat, Newton

BIRTHDAYS
March 1 Ryan Bird Megan Holmes Dan Seacat March 4 Wilma Mulch March 5 Jeanette Sheets March 6 Shirley Richecky March 10 Frank & Bessie Krob March 12 Carolyn McEwen March 13 Tom Hiatt March 14 Alan & Celise Lawson Warren McCracken Nellie McChesney March 15 Bill & Vivian Thompson March 16 Mike Skocny March 22 Dick & Charlotte Childs March 23 Joyce Willoughby March 24 Erin Cossaart Myron Runft Margaret Duffey March 28 Jon Snapp Layne & Karrie Holmes March 29 Bill Thompson Gloria Nondorf March 30 Matthew Rice Jerry Richecky

and
A N N I V E R S A R I E S

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2013 M STREET BELLEVILLE, KS 66935

March 2012

Our mission is to prayerfully: Seek God Grow in faith Love and Serve others For the transformation of lives!

An Irish Blessing...
I wish you not a path devoid of clouds, nor of a life on a bed of roses, not that you might never need regret, nor that you should never feel pain. No, that is not my wish for you. My wish for you is: That you might be brave in times of trial, when other lay crosses upon your shoulders. When mountains must be climbed and chasms are to be crossed; when hope scarce can shine through, That every gift God gave you might grow along with you. And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you. That you may always have a friend who is worth that name. Whom you can trust, and who helps you in times of sadness. Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side. One more wish I have for you: That in every hour of joy and pain, you may feel God close to you. This is my wish for you, and for all who care for you. This is my hope for you, now and forever.
Author unknown: translated by Charles Mitchell (A special friend shared with me...so now I share with you.)