101 - Discovering Church Membership
This class is the basic introduction to our church family. Since we have people from different church backgrounds, this class was designed to clearly explain who and what our church is.
Discovering Church Membership is divided into four sessions of forty-five minutes and is taught by our Pastor Jeff Kelley. Your participation includes listening and filling in the blanks on the guideline.
Session 1 – Our Salvation (What God has done for us)
Session 2 – Our Statements (Why we exist as a church)
Session 3 – Our Strategy (How we fulfill our purpose)
Session 4 – Our Structure (When and we fulfill our purpose)
THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS:
“You are a member of God’s very own family . . . and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 (LB)
THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS:
That I will commit myself to Jesus Christ and to the
First
United
Methodist
Church family.
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201 - Discovering Spiritual Maturity
This class is the second of four basis classes. Since these classes build on each other, you must first attend Discovering Church Membership #101 before taking this class.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLASS:
“. . . that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God’s will for you.” Colossians 4:12b (Ph)
“We are not meant to remain as children . . . but to grow up in every way into Christ . . .” Ephesians 4:14-15 (Ph)
THE FOCUS OF THIS CLASS:
We will focus on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity. This class will . . .
- Equip you with the skills you need to begin these habits.
- Explain the tools you need to continue these habits.
THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS:
That I will commit myself to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.
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301 - Discovering the Ministry
This class is the third of Nebraska City’s First United Methodist Church’s basis courses. Since these lasses build on each other it is required that you first attend Discovering My Membership (101) and Discovering Spiritual Maturity (201) before taking this class. We are convinced that you must first be committed to membership in a church family and committed to the habits of spiritual maturity before you are ready for ministry. Membership and Maturity are the foundation for Ministry.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLASS:
“God has given . . . pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12
THE FOCUS OF THIS CLASS:
At First Church, we focus on an individual approach to ministry rather than an institutional approach.
We will focus on Five Personal Factors that have combine to shape the “real” you. By identifying the specific traits you possess in each of these areas, the ministry God has designed for you will become crystal clear!
THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS:
- That I will discover my unique design (S.H.A.P.E.) for ministry and commit to developing and using my God-given gifts and abilities in serving God and others through my church family.
- That I will select and begin serving in the ministry of my church that best fits what God made me to be.
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401 - Discovering My Life Mission
This class is the fourth of our basic purpose-driven classes.
In Class 101 – You committed to being a Member of God’s family
In Class 201 – You committed to the habits of Spiritual Maturity.
In Class 301 – You committed to having a Ministry for our church.
In Class 401 – You will begin to discover your Mission in our world.
THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS:
I was created to fulfill God’s purpose.
“The Lord has made everything for his own purpose . . .” Proverbs 16:4 (LB)
God planned my life mission before I was born.
“God is our Maker, and in our union with Christ, he has created us for a life of good works, which he has already prepared for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (GN)
Fulfilling my mission brings glory to God.
JESUS: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4 (NIV)
My primary task in life is to fulfill my mission.
“The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me – to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NCV)
THE GOAL OF THIS CLASS:
That I commit the rest of my life to being a messenger of God’s Good News to other people, and using my time, talents, and treasure for his His Kingdom, regardless of where it leads or what it costs.
“We make it our goal to please him . . . “ 2 Corinthians 5:9 (NIV)
“. . . our goal is to measure up to God’s plan for us . . . “ 2 Corinthians 10:13 (LB)
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Bible Studies
All adult Bible study classes welcome your participation; however, some classes are limited on space. Please phone the church office, 402-873-3821, for more information.
Sunday
7:00am – led by Dean Thomson @ FUMC
9:45am – led by Don and Mary Lou Woods @ FUMC Pastor’s Office
10:00am – lead by Bill and Carroll Brockley @ FUMC Gage Hall
10:30am – led by Alice Hosher @ Ambassador
Wednesday
9:00am – 11:00am – led by Debra Kelley @ FUMC Wyoming Room
9:00am – led by Jane Van Voorhis @ Alice Hosher’s home
6:30pm – led by Harry and LoRee Baker @ FUMC Stage in Gage Hall (Food Pantry Room)
Saturday
7:00am – led by Sean Stanek @ FUMC
Sunday School
Sunday School is from 10:00am to 11:00am every Sunday. Our Sunday School focuses on the children in our community so that they may grow in their understanding of themselves and the Christian faith, and that their quality of life may be improved. Classes are available for toddlers through High School.
Teachers for this year include:
Toddler - Sheila and Greg Bauer
Preschool - Jeff Nielsen
Kindergarten - Pam Frana, Carol Thurman, Pam Kasbohm
1st & 2nd - Ginger Jacobs and Mary Ann Mendez
3rd & 4th - Debra Kelley and Lindsey Snider
5th & 6th - Gregg Dixon and Chuck Lambrecht
Junior High - Deeny Nielsen
High School - Dave Partsch and Marty Stovall
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Worship
David instituted music for the Temple worship services (1 Chronicles 25). In Psalms 81:2-4 we learn that music and worship go hand in hand. Worship involves the whole person, and music helps lift a person’s thoughts and emotions to God. Through music we can reflect upon our needs and shortcomings as well as celebrate God’s greatness (NLT). Here at First United Methodist Church we enjoy different types of worship and the talents of many people. The first service (9:00am) offers traditional music (Orchestra and Choir) while the second service (11:00am) offers praise music (Contemporary Christian Rock Band).
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Choir
Choir
The First United Methodist Church Choir practices Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary.
Choir Members:
Soprano: Nancy Merrill, Allison Varvaro, Charlotte O’Bryan, Debra Kelley, and Bonnie Stark
Tenor: Bruce Merrill, Jacob Biaggi, and Dean Thomson
Bass: Dean Handy, Nathan Kelley, Jeff Kelley, Greg Hunt, Paul Stevenson, John Crook, and Tim Crook V
Alto: Rita Strange, Lucille Sharp, Keitha Thomson, Mary Lou Rivett, Ann Haverty, Sara Crook, and Laura Crook.
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Orchestra
The First United Methodist Church Orchestra is open to players of all ages and talent levels. We practice for 30 minutes each week and perform during the traditional service two Sundays a month. Our music ranges from standard hymns to current praise tunes. Join us for a practice! We meet in the Wyoming Room, just off the sanctuary, Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. The choir and orchestra focus on using their musical talents for the glory of God.
Orchestra members:
Flute: Nancy Merrill, Allison Varvaro, Maranda Kelley
Clarinet: Stephanie Stanek
Alto Saxaphone: Nathan Kelley
Tenor Saxaphone: Ginger Jacobs
Bass Clarinet: Anna Haverty
Trumpet: Bruce Merrill
Trombone: Sara Crook, Loren Steinman
Director: Tammy Partsch
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Praise Band
The Praise Band plays Contemporary Christrian Rock music and has a growing repertoire of about 100 songs. Our goal is to have fun while using the gifts God has given us to bring glory to the name of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
Perry Biaggi - Guitar & Vocals
Steve Stehlik - Keyboards
Milton Humphus - Guitar
Luke Stehlik - Keyboards
Jacob Biaggi - Electric Bass & Vocals
Troy Dixon - Drums
Ann Humphus - Vocals
Dawn Kelley-Leu - Vocals
The Praise Band features three youth members - middle schoolers Luke Stehlik and Troy Dixon and high school junior Jacob Biaggi.
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Song Birds Ministry
The Songbirds ministry group goes to three nursing homes each week. At each nursing home they sing hymns, read Scripture and share Christian meditations.
*Tuesday morning 10:00 a.m. - Duff's
*Thursday morning 10:00 a.m. - Ambassador
*Friday morning 10:00 a.m. - Beverly
The Songbirds were recently recognized by the Nebraska Health Care Association officials for outstanding volunteer service. The group received the Volunteer of the Year, Group Category for 2008. Dorothy Fritz is the original Songbird. She has been a Songbird for 14 years.
Women involved with the ministry include: Dorothy Fritz, Rosemary Gardner, Freda Dickey, Elsie Grotheer, Ardie DeJong, Carol Barton, Lucille Scharp, and Mary Gomez.
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