New Horizon

A Monthly Publication of Lowman United Methodist Church

Volume 18, Issue 2

February 2014
 
In This Issue
Auction Basket Time
Special Program during Worship
Singles Are Active
Table Talk for All Ages
Calling All Graduates!
A Word from the Pastor
UMW News
Souper Bowl Sunday
What Is Stephen Ministry?
Doorstep Corner
New Sermon Series
Sermons Now Online
JUMP Action Plan
Thank You Notes
Lent/Easter Activities
Openers Needed
Prayer Concerns
Prayer List Policy
Unplug Dinners
February Liturgists
Greeters
Helping Visitors
Opening the Church
Stephen Ministry Visitation
Ministry Teams Schedule
FebruaryCalendar
Want to Join Lowman UMC?
Stop Mailbox Overload
New Email Address?
Visit Our Website

Auction Basket Time

 

 

  

Please donate an auction basket to help send our children and youth to summer camp and institute. We will begin displaying the baskets on Sunday, Feb. 9. The auction will conclude at the end of the baked potato bar on Sunday, March 2. Everyone is always so creative and generous. Here are some ideas to get you started: chocolate, Easter, baby, kitchen, spa, tea, gardening, KU, K-State, Washburn U, services you can provide, etc. This is always a fun time and we hope you will provide a basket, bid on a basket or do both. Questions? Call Lauri Wright at 232-5267.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LOWMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRESENTS:

 

"TO GOD BE THE GLORY"

(An original chancel drama on the life & music of Fanny Crosby)

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

4:00 P.M.

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014

10:15 A.M.

 

Please join us for this special musical presentation

including an

arrangement of

"Safe in the Arms of Jesus"

by Jeannie Gish

sung by the

Lowman Chancel Choir.

 

 

 

Singles Are Active

 
  
  

The Lowman Singles will meet Friday, February 14 at the church at 7:00 pm for dinner and a movie. The entree and drinks will be provided. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Call the church office by Wednesday, February 12 to make a reservation.

 

On Sunday, February 23, the singles will go out to eat at Applebee's after church.

Anyone who is over 18, single, divorced, or widowed is welcome to join us.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Experience Fellowship on Wednesdays
  

 

 

 

Join us for Table Talk, a weekly experience for the whole church family - adults, youth, and children. We gather for dinner, fellowship, study, and conversation about key stories of the Bible.

 

Sessions begin with a meal that is served from 5:30 until 6:15. At 6:30 there will be music, the telling of the story, Table Talk questions and discussions, and activities for all ages. Each session closes with Communion.

 

 

 

 

  
Attention, Graduates:
 

 

Please notify the church office if someone in your family who attends Lowman will be graduating from high school or college/tech school this spring. They will be honored at a reception on Sunday, May 11. We would also like a picture to display on the screen. And you can even tell us your favorite flavor of cake!

 

 

 

 

A Word from the Pastor

 
  
Dear friends,
   

For the past several years, Micheal and I have been discussing the possibility of purchasing two additional dining room chairs. This past Christmas, we stopped discussing and did it! We ordered the chairs. Although they have not yet arrived, we know that the wait . . . and the expense . . . will be worth it.

 

The dining room is not only in the center of our house, it also tends to be the center of our activities. It is, after all, the place where family and friends gather for holidays and special celebrations. There are days the table is set for a banquet complete with crystal and china and entire week-ends when it is covered with sheets as it becomes a tent, fort, or cave in a far-off land. It is in the dining room where the children create their artistic masterpieces and share their dreams. It is there where conversations are held, announcements are made, and lives are blended. It is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.

 

And so it should be for Christ's Church, too. When we come together - when we gather around his table - there should be room for everyone from the youngest to the oldest, from the poorest to the richest, from the least educated to the PhD's, from those who are extremely devout to those who are filled doubts. In the body of Christ, no one should be excluded. It is among Christ's people that dreams should be welcomed, conversations shared, and questions answered. As Christ's people, we should be free to laugh and cry, discuss and disagree, serve and pray together. With Christ as the center of our being and doing, love becomes the guiding force in all we say and do.

 

So, pull up a chair! Join the fellowship! Gather around the table! Share in the conversation! In this place that God has entrusted to us - in this congregation that has pledged itself to pray, share, learn and witness together - let us make certain that all are invited to share the bounty and the blessings that are ours through Christ.

 

 

See You in Church,

 

Rev. Kathleen

 

 

 

 


United Methodist Women's News

 

 

 

 

February Circle Meetings

 

Feb. 18      2:00 pm         Drury Place

 

Feb. 18      7:00 pm         Commons

               Hostess: Megan Bond-Toney

 

Feb. 19      9:30 am         Golden Beacon

               Hostess: Nadine Chandler

 

 

 

UMW Saturday & Sunday

 

UMW Saturday and Sunday will be February 15 & 16. Dr. Sharon L. Sullivan, Washburn University professor, will present STARS (Stop Trafficking And Reject Slavery.) All UMW members are encouraged to wear red, white, or black.

 

 

 

February Mission Project

 

Our February Mission Project is to bring items for STARS (Stop Trafficking And Reject Slavery.) Please leave your donations on the table in the hallway.

 

 

 

Calendar

 

Feb. 5        Executive meeting   10:30 am

 

Feb. 9/10   Legislative Event      First UMC

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Doorstep's Souper Bowl Sunday is February 2nd. Please bring soup and crackers to help stock Doorstep's food pantry. Leave your donations

on the table in the hallway. THANK YOU!!

 
 What Is Stephen Ministry?

 

 

Stephen Ministry is a ministry in our congregation in which trained and supervised lay persons, called Stephen Ministers, provide one-on-one Christian care to individuals facing life challenges or difficulties. They also perform periodic visitations to hospitals and other care facilities in the area. 

Stephen Ministers have completed 50 hours of training to become caregivers to serve the members of our congregation. We currently have 12 Stephen Ministers. They are:

  

Carol Babcock
 Bess Brewer
 Susan Conrade
 Sandra Crump
 Kay Farley
 Argell Jantzen
 Kim Jantzen
 Margaret Jantzen
 Betty Nelson
 Diane Schafer
 Judy Steves
 Craig Sylvester

 

 

 

 


Doorstep Corner

  

 

Doorstep is grateful for the support and donations we received during the holidays which helped us provide Christmas for 240 households. In addition, we want to say "Thank You" for all of the support we received throughout 2013 to help us provide emergency assistance to our neighbors in need.

 

In February we have SouperBowl Sunday the first weekend where we ask our congregations to collect soup and crackers to help stock our food pantry shelves. A can of soup is often a meal and we need your help to collect as many cans as possible.

 

February is also the 28th annual Project Topeka month. The community is asked to collect food and money to help feed our neighbors in need throughout the year from this one-month food drive. Doorstep is one of 7 recipient agencies of Project Topeka that receives food free of charge and it literally helps to fill the holes on our shelves throughout the year.

 

On February 26th Doorstep will have our 11th annual Operation Soup Line at Ag Hall near the Expocentre. This is our major fundraiser for the year and we want to see as many of our supporters and friends in attendance as possible. We will have chili, chicken tortilla, and Portuguese green soup again this year along with theme baskets, entertainment and local celebrity servers. Look for details and get your tickets in advance or at the door.

 

The need for Doorstep's services has not decreased and new families and individuals are seeking our assistance each month. Please help as you can this month by picking up some food, attending our fundraiser, or making a monetary donation.

 

 

  

UPCOMING SERMON SERIES:

 

"MORE THAN A CHILDREN'S STORY"

 

(What David teaches us about growing in our faith)

 

BEGINS THE FIRST WEEK-END IN MARCH


Sermons Are Online

 

 

Pastor Kathleen's sermons are available on the Internet. They are posted on Lowman's Facebook page and on YouTube. Type www.youtube.com in your browser and search for Lowman UMC. Click on the words Pastor Kathleen.

 

 

 

 

Topeka JUMP on the Path with Nehemiah Action!

 

 

The prophet Nehemiah defeated those with money and power by assembling the voices of the community. Topeka JUMP (Justice & Unity Ministry Project) is in the process of identifying an injustice within the education community that we can change. 

 

Tuesday, January 21st the following general statement was accepted by the research group:  "Poverty disrupts the opportunity for students' high achievement in school. Children and families require wrap-around services which include assistance with securing basic needs and mental health services during pre-school and throughout the education process. The funding for the most effective prevention and intervention services has been consistently reduced (in schools as well as in the community) over the last decade." There are several injustices within the statement such as unfair funding cuts. 

 

The research is not complete and we need to hear from Lowman. We will be asking numerous Lowman groups to complete a short, 5 minute community survey. This will allow issues of injustice to surface and the people of Lowman to be part of the research.  If you have questions or you want to voice your opinions,  contact Topeka JUMP committee members:

 

Rosie Cooper at 817-3047

email [email protected]

 

Kay Farley at  478-3741

email [email protected] 

 

Tammy Call at 213-2572

email [email protected]

 

Carol Babcock at 234-0823

 

Look for results in the next newsletter or come join the Lowman Topeka JUMP Committee right after lunch on Sunday, February 9th.

 

 

 

Thank You Notes

 

 

A big thank you to Carolyn Miller, Dianna Massie and Barbara McLain for their help in working Fridays in the clothing room at Doorstep. This involves helping clients get the clothes they need as well as sorting out incoming clothing to put in bins. January is Lowman's month to help at Doorstep with food and by volunteering to work.  

 

Susan Venis, Coordinator

 

 

 

 

Looking Ahead

 

 

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending the following special observances of this holy season:

 

March 5        

 Ash Wednesday Service 

  7:30 pm in the chapel

 

April 13       

 Palm Walk   Time TBA

 

April 17    

Holy Thursday Communion Service

   7:00 pm

 

April 18    

Good Friday Service

Noon

 

April 20    

   Son's Up Service   

        7:30 am

    

 Chancel Choir Cantata 

 10:15 am

 

 

 

 

 

 Openers Needed

 

 

If you like the church doors open and the coffee hot on Sunday mornings, please consider signing up to be an opener for a month or two next year. The sign up sheet is on the visitors' desk.

 

 

 

 

 


Prayer Concerns

 

  

  •  Mary Alice Smith is in Presbyterian Manor.

 

  •  Randy Banks--health concerns

 

  • Wayne Icenogle is recovering at home.

 

  • Kirby Family on Hazel's death:  Hazel was JoAnn McKinley's mother.

 

  • Kuhn Family on the death of Dustin's grandfather

 

 

  

 

  

  

  

Prayer List Policy

 

 

 

Our policy is to list names on the prayer list for 3 weeks. If you let the office know, your name can be listed for an additional 3 weeks.

 

 

 

 

Unplug Dinner Providers

 

 

 

Feb. 5       Laura Royer & Shirley Fouse

 

Feb. 12     Dianna Massie & Angela Hartness

                      

Feb. 19     Diane Schafer & Phyllis Hays

 

Feb. 26      Maxwells

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liturgists in February

 
   

               Feb.  2       Dick Shermoen

 

               Feb.  9       Jan Maxwell

 

               Feb. 16      UMW members

 

               Feb. 23      Micheal Whitmore      

 

 

 

February Greeters

  

 

 

Tim, Laura, Ethan and Jonas Royer are the February greeters.

 

 

 

 

At the Visitors' Center

 

 

Craig Sylvester is at the visitors' desk this month.            

 

 

Opener


 

 

Opening the church in February is

 

Craig Sylvester.

 

 

 

  

Stephen Ministry Visitation

  

   

 

 

Jan. 27 - Feb. 2        Argell Jantzen

 

Feb. 3-Feb. 9            Carol Babcock

 

Feb. 10-Feb. 16         Diane Schafer

 

Feb. 17-Feb. 23         Kay Farley

 

Feb. 24-March 2        Susan Conrade

 

 

 

 

Stephen Ministers: Remember to attend our monthly meetings on second Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at the church.

 

Betty Nelson

 

 

 


 

Lowman Ministry Teams Meeting Schedule


   

 

         

First Sunday of odd #'d month

 

11:45 am          Missions Team

 

 

Second Sunday of each month

 

11:45 am         

 

 Adult Education Team-every month

                        

 Trustees-odd #'d months

                        

 Worship Team-even #'d months

 

 

12:45 pm   SPRC

 

 

  1:45 pm  

 

 Finance Team

 

 Evangelism Team

 

 

  2:45 pm

 

Stewardship Team

 

 

3:45 pm  Church Council

 

 

Wednesday before the 2nd Sunday

 

5:30 pm  Publicity/Technology Team

 

 

Third Wednesday of each month

 

5:30pChildren & Family Ministries

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowman's February calendar is posted on our website in the upper left corner:  www.lowmanumc.org 

 

 

 

Become Part of Our Family

 

 

  

 

 

Would you like to become a member of Lowman United Methodist Church? We'd love to have you join our family! Call the church office at 272-8921 to visit with Pastor Kathleen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop Mailbox Overload

  
Your Lowman newsletter is now available by email as you can see. Save our church time and money and keep the earth greener with fewer trees cut down as you go paperless. Email us at [email protected]  if you'd like us to stop sending you duplicate issues by snail mail.
  
Please let us know if your email address changes so you will continue to receive the New Horizon.
 
 

Visit us at our website

 

 

Lowman UMC Staff

 Kathleen Whitmore
 Senior Pastor
 kwhitmore@lowmanumc.org


 
 Micheal Whitmore
 Minister of Visitation  
 
 
  Jeannie Gish
 Minister of Music


  
 Debbie Culley
 Office Administrator
 
 

 

 Laura Ericson
 Financial Secretary

  
  
  Kimberly Jantzen
  Jeanne Wright
  Nursery Staff 

 

 

 

 

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Lowman United Methodist Church is a "W + 2" congregation. Our membership covenant calls for all our members to participate in worship weekly and to take part in at least two small groups--one that is designed to help each member grow spiritually, and one that is designed to help each member be of service in the congregation and/or in the community.