Hey Readers,

Hope you enjoy this weekly newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or anything you would like in the newsletter just email me at Editor@murdocknebraska.com

Joe Bochgaloopies is Open!

Just call me Vanna!

The bar was tiled by Gary himself!  It is beautiful.

Ericka shows off one of the yummy desserts.

There is a game room in the basement and an apartment for rent.

Gary and Lorie Ritnour are the proud owners and they have plenty of
help from their kids, Gary, Mason, and Ericka.

Two very satisfied customers.

Joe Bochgaloopies is now open! Our family went to Joe Bochgaloopies and had dinner there on Wednesday. There pizza and pasta is amazing!! I would definitely recommend it. I bet you are curious as to how they got their name. When Lorie was a little girl she would ask her dad where he was going he would always tell her he was going to Joe Bochgaloopies. If you have a free night this week you should go check it out. Its open from 11:00am. to 11:00pm.

You can't really read the time for June 26th but its 7:00pm to 7:00am.

Knightly News:

PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN NEWS FOR 2010-2011

Surveys for attending the Elmwood-Murdock preschool and kindergarten for the next school year have been sent to all known eligible student in the district.  Please contact the school regarding your child’s attendance for the next school year if you have not already done so.  Please contact us if you did not receive a survey or know of a potential preschool or kindergarten student that may have been missed in the mailings.  Please contact Heidi Zierott or Bruce Friedrich if you have any questions.

CHANGES IN SCHOOL CALENDAR

Just a reminder that we have made the following changes in the school calendar so that we may make up snow days and prepare for the possibility of using more snow days during the rest of the school year.

Beginning January 25, 2010 the elementary school will begin 5 minutes earlier (8:15 a.m.) and extend 10 minutes longer (3:30 p.m.).

We will not be having early dismissal on January 18, February 15, and April 14, 2010.  These will be full school days.

We will not be taking the Spring Break days on March 5, and March 12, 2010.  We will have school on these days.

STUDENT CONDUCT AT BASKETBALL GAMES

Elementary students should come to games with a parent or other responsible adult and not just be dropped off at the school.  Children should be under the supervision of a parent or other responsible adult during the basketball games. Students and children should not be running and playing in the halls during the games.  Thank you for your cooperation.

For more local news click here to subscribe to my Elmwood Newsletter

PASTORAL PARAGRAPHS from Pastor Bob from the United Methodist Church

In today’s world, it’s easy for Christian values to weaken and for believers to be assimilated into the culture without making a difference. As Christ’s representatives, we must dare to be different and become more than just survivors. We need to know how to thrive spiritually in a culture less and less conducive to the gospel message.

This is why we are embarking on a Spiritual Adventure between now and Easter. The Adventure is called “More than Survivors – What it Takes to Thrive Spiritually.” I hope all of you will be in our Sunday morning worship services as we work together to learn biblical principles of thriving spiritually on earth as we fix our eyes on eternity with God. Each Sunday we will be learning from a different personality in the Bible.
To get the most out of this Spiritual Adventure there are two books you can purchase.

The first is a journal where each day you read a selected passage of scripture and then answer questions about that scripture. The second is a study book in which each week you are encouraged to read a chapter dealing with the emphasis for the week. I am planning to use this book in a Sunday School Class that I will teach right after the worship service. I hope you will attend my class.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Bob

COMING EVENTS

Wed., Feb. 3 – United Methodist Women at 2 p.m. at our Church

Sun., Feb. 7 –Super Sunday with the Installation of Church Leaders; Cub Scout Sunday; Pastor Bob will begin a series of messages on the theme “More Than Survivors: What It Takes toThrive Spiritually.”  The sermon will be about Moses who practiced making soul-conscious choices.  We will also have an offering to help our youth go to the “Dare to Share” Event in Lincoln Feb. 26-27.

Mon., Feb. 8 – The Administrative Council will meet at 7 p.m. (This is one week later so we can get an up-to-date financial report for January.

Wed., Feb. 10 – Combined Confirmation Class at 6:30 p.m.; Combined Choir Practice at 7:30 p.m. at the Elmwood United Methodist Church for anyone who likes to sing.

Sun., Feb. 14 – Sweetheart Sunday remember the decade in which people were married

Wed., Feb. 17- Community Ash Wednesday Service at the Christian Church in

Elmwood – Attend and find out about God’s great forgiveness

Sun., Feb. 21 – First Sunday in Lent with the sermon about Joseph who

fled an all too convenient evil situation.

Wed., Feb. 24 – Community Lenten Service at 7 p.m. at our Church on the importance of forgiving people using a short video.

Feb. 26-27  Jr. Hi. Youth attend the “Dare to Share” Event at the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln

Sun., Feb. 28 – Second Sunday in Lent with the sermon about Esther who rallied support to shine for God.  In the evening Coach Ron Brown of the Cornhusker football team will speak at our Church.

Wed., March 3 – United Methodist Women at 2 p.m.

Sun., March 7 – Third Sunday in Lent

COMMUNITY LENTEN SERVICES

We live in a world filled with strife and bitterness: Divorce is common-place among committed Christian couples; church congregations often split; individuals and companies fill our legal system with lawsuits. Against this backdrop of strife, forgiveness seems old fashioned.  The Greek word for “forgive” means “to send” or “let off” or “away.”  During our Community Lenten season worship services we will bring the concept of forgiveness back into focus as we relate to God and to each other. During each service, individuals share their tragic stories and the struggle to forgive in the face of these tragedies. Never underestimate the power of God’s forgiveness.  It is much needed, but it takes work to extend forgiveness or to receive it!     (continued on next page)

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis said, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” We all have something to forgive in our lives. It is our hope that these Lenten services will take forgiveness from being simply a nice concept and turn it into a way of life that reflects how distinct Christians are to be from the world in which we live.

On Feb. 17 the Ash Wednesday Service will be at 7 p.m. at the Elmwood Christian Church and on Feb. 24 the Community Lenten Service will be at our Church.

Joys since Jan. 1

--Whitney Koehn had her 11th birthday on December 27.
--Dalton Synovec had his 15th birthday on Jan. 3.
--Spencer & Carissa Stock are proud parents of a little boy, Carter Alexander, born on December 31.
--Cora Meta Livermore was born on New Year’s Day via C-section after a long 30 hour labor.  Please keep mom, Tricia Farewell Livermore in your prayers.
--Bill Farmer had a birthday on January 6
--Thank you Lord for good neighbors who plow our roads and driveways.
--Peyton Renard was 11 on Jan. 13.
--Thankful for new baby, Brynna Mae Renard, born on Nov. 20.
--Steven Olson has his 15 birthday on Jan. 11.
--Thank you God for the beautiful frosted landscapes this past week.
--The Lawrence Smith’s welcomed a new great granddaughter on Jan. 14.
--Steve & Julie Backemeyer have been blessed with another granddaughter, Lucy JoAnn, on Jan. 14 born to Jeff & Lindsey Backemeyer.
--Praise God for the holiday time that Tom Brewer got to spend with family & friends.
--Thanks that the treatments are improving platelet counts for Kaleb Lawson.  He is Bill & Sherry Farmer’s 8 year old grandson.
--Jan. 24 is Sanctity of Life Sunday. Praise God for His Grace, Mercy & Forgiveness for all whose lives have been impacted by abortion.
--Thank you to Pastor Cathy Stander for her message “Cardboard Testimony.”

--Joy over a new great grandson born to Chelsea & Jon Issacson.  Grandparents are Steve & Ginger Mills and great-grandparents are Stuart & Hallie Mills

Concerns since Jan. 1

--Please keep everyone safe in this winter weather

--Pray that Aaron Stewart will have a safe journey back to the USA

--Prayers for Brenda’s Stewart’s mother, Ramona Harris, were appreciated.  She is doing better.

--Pray for Paul Reinke as he travels to Mayo Clinic in hopes of answers to his health issues.

--Remember the David Jordan’s family in his death on Jan. 5

--Pray for infant “Jhett” who is in the hospital.

--Remember the Margaret Stock’s family in her death on Jan. 13.

--Tom Brewer arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan on Jan. 14.

--A former member, Winona Burrill, died on Jan. 18.

--Alice Kruse died.  Her brother owned the hardware store in Murdock in early 50’s.  She was an English professor at Westmar College.  She gave all her money for scholarships, new congregations, and to charity

--Continued prayers are requested for Kaleb Lawson because his platelet counts continue to be severely low. He is Bill & Sherry Farmer’s 8 year old grandson.

--Remember Rev. Sondra Atkins, pastor at Elmwood, who had surgery on Jan. 26.

Answered Prayers

--Aaron Stewart had a safe journey back to Nebraska.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ON A VOLUNTEERS-IN-MISSION PROJECT?

A group from Omaha is going on a five-day Volunteers in Mission project to Fayetteville, Arkansas and we can go along.  They will leave on Mon., April 5 and return home on Fri., April 9.  The work will be done at the United Methodist Mount Sequoyah Camp Grounds to get it ready for the summer.  The cost is $93.50 plus travel costs.   This will be a great experience, so we hope several people from our Church will plan to go on this Volunteers-in-Mission Project.  See Pastor Bob for more details.

Did You Know that…..

--Our average worship attendance so far during January is 93.

--The average attendance of those less than 20 years of age so far in January is 29.

--The average Sunday School attendance so far during January is 25.

--The late Christmas Eve Mission Offering brought in $790 which will be divided between the Elmwood Food Pantry and the Elmwood-Murdock School Food Back Program

--Rev. Jessie Foster preached at our Human Relations Day Sunday on Jan. 10.

--The Human Relations Day Offering amounted to $112 on Jan. 10.

--The Worship Committee met on Jan. 13 to plan future worship services.

--On Jan. 17 we had a Baptismal Covenant Renewal Service

--You are encouraged to give at least 5% of your net income to Christ and His Church.

--Seven youth and four adults attended the Newman United Methodist Church at 23rd & R Streets in Lincoln on Jan. 17 and then ate at the Matt Talbott Soup Kitchen

--Margaret Stock’s Memorial Service was held on Jan. 18 at our Church.

--Pastor Bob attended the United Methodist Clergy Conference in Lincoln on Jan. 20-21.

--On Jan. 17 & 24 we took an offering for Haiti which amounts to $1,548 so far.

--A pulpit exchange with the Christian Church in Louisville was held on Jan. 24.

--The Trustees met on Jan. 25

--Seventeen Jr. Hi. Youth attended the Combined Confirmation Class at 6:30 at our Church.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES of MURDOCK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

January 4, 2010

The January monthly meeting of Administrative Council opened with Chairman Dave Stewart asking Pat Bornemeier to give a word of prayer.  The following Council members were present:  Steve Backemeyer, Angie Friesell, Debby Sampson,   Pat Bornemeier, Gene Backemeyer, Cindy Mills, Kristi Miller, Reuben Luetchens, Dave Stewart, Marlene Rikli and Pastor Bob.

Minutes of the December meeting were presented.  One correction to December minutes was a change in wording:  “Teri Bowman was offered a ‘permanent position’ as church secretary”, not ‘full time’ as stated in December minutes.   Upon that correction, motion to approve minutes made by Reuben, seconded by Steve.   Motion carried.

December Treasurer Report presented by Debby; motion to approve by Angie, seconded by Pat.   Motion carried.

EDUCATION - Kristi Miller stated that she and Brenda Bornemeier would be Co-Chairpersons of the Education Committee for 2010.

YOUTH - The confirmation class will be attending Newman United Methodist Church in Lincoln on Jan. 17 along with a trip to the Matt Talbot Kitchen to share in a meal served there.

On Sunday, January 10 – Human Relations Sunday, Rev. Jesse Foster will be preaching as part of a pulpit exchange with Pastor Bob.

UNL football coach, Ron Brown, will be speaking at our church on February 28.

WORSHIP -Chairman Steve met with Jr. High Sunday School class and received some input of ideas that he in turn will share with his committee.

UMW - Thanksgiving offering of $443 was split between the local BackPack program and Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging for help in their efforts to purchase a new van.

SPPRC - In the absence of Chairman Mark Luetchens, Pastor Bob reported that Annie Miller has been hired to serve as the new church custodian starting Jan. 1, 2010.

MISSION & OUTREACH - Chairman Cindy Mills handed out a listing of special church offerings that the committee selected for this year of 2010.

MEMBERSHIP - Total membership at the end of 2009 numbered 166, down from 171 in January of 2009.

MEMORIAL - Chairman Gene Backemeyer presented the Administrative Council with a new “Memorial Book” that he is putting together which lists memorials given in remembrance of a deceased church member and the usage or designated use of the memorial gift by the church.

PASTOR BOB - A “job description” listing was handed out to all those in leadership positions which denote the duties of each church leadership position.

Motion made by Gene, seconded by Steve, to grant Jon Luetchens $150 as financial support towards a Volunteer in Mission trip with his college during spring break.   Motion carried.

Pastor Bob asked the Council about purchasing software for the computer that would help keep track of church membership and perhaps some financial records.  Council’s response was to put this request on our “Wish List” as well as looking into the usage of the software a bit more.

Motion by Reuben, seconded by Marlene, to ask Evelyn Schafer to audit all of our church financial records.   Motion carried.

To this date, we have received $910 for Christmas Eve offering.  This amount will be split between the local BackPack food program and our local Food Pantry.

No further business, meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.   Next regular meeting will be Feb. 1 at 7:00PM.  (This has been changed to Feb. 8.)

Respectfully submitted,  Marlene Rikli, Secretary of Administrative Council

Upcoming events

• February 5-Karoake Night at Bulldogs 9:00pm-1:00am

• February 7-Pinewood Derby at the Flying Wheels - closed for skating

• February 9 - Tuesday - Elementary Science Fair 6:30- 8:00@ Elmwood

• February 10 - Wednesday - School Board Meeting 7:00 @ Murdock

• February 12 - Friday - High School Winter Formal

• February 12 - Friday - Spanish Club Meeting 7:00 @ Murdock

• February 12 - Friday - Band Trip Parents Meeting 6:00 @ Murdock

• February 13 - Saturday - Flying Wheels Valentines Day Skate Dance Dodge 6:30 - midnight

• February 14 - St Paul United Methodist Church Valentine's Banquet 11:30 - 1:00

• February 15 - Monday - EMMA meeting 7:00 pm

• February 20 - Band Dinner Concert @ Murdock

2010 Community Sustaining Sponsors

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