The Mustard Seed
“Serving the Lord together – Sharing in Faith, Love and Trust”
May 2011
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Karen’s Reflections
Alleluia! Christ is risen! This is a very joyous season of the church year - Eastertide. During the next 50 days we will hear readings about Jesus appearing to the Disciples and about the decisions they made when starting the new church. Of course, they didn't know they were starting a new church - most believers in the risen Lord were Jewish and still followed all the rules and laws required of the righteous believers. Nevertheless, many of our church traditions were formed during this time.
This is also a joyous time in our personal lives. There are graduations, weddings, family reunions, summer vacations, County Fairs, all sorts of activities that are different from our normal routines. Summer time is actually a quiet time in the life of our church. The normal activities of Youth group and Sunday School are put on hold until fall. The Sunday attendance drops somewhat as people take their vacations and sometimes just take a Sunday to sleep late and be lazy. I enjoy summer because the days are longer and I want to be outside more. I feel like there is more quiet time for me to use as I want to (that may be a figment of my imagination but nevertheless I feel that way!). For all of us though, summer can be a time of reflecting on the place of God in our lives. Without our normal routines it is up to each of us to put God first, to think about our lives as Christians, to plan ways in which we can be social advocates. Summer is a wonderful time just remember to find where God fits into your plans!
From the Warden…..
Spring is finally here and many of us from St. Elizabeth enjoyed our first annual May Day Luncheon. I want to thank all who helped make this a great success. The profits from the event will go into the general fund to help with operating expenses.
Now that I am on the subject of expenses and summer is just around the corner, we need to remember that while we are away from our church that life still goes on at St. Elizabeth’s and bills will need to be paid. Many of us will be taking off to the lake on the weekends or going on vacations . When making our check list of things to do before leaving home, like having the neighbor pick up our mail, filling up the car with gas, we may want to write our check to the Lord and slip it into an envelope addressed to: St. Elizabeth’s, P.O. Box 864, Holdrege, NE 68949 and drop it by the post office on our way out of town. It will give us a good feeling when we return to know that we are up to date on our pledge and that our church did well in our absence.
Now that you have the list made and are working on getting everything checked off, I wish you all a fun filled summer…….Blessings from your
Sr. Warden, Linda Winter
SAVE THE DATE!
Swedish Days
St. Elizabeth's will again be participating in Swedish Days on Saturday June 18. We will be selling brats, chips, water and snow cones. The event is a fundraiser for the church and for the youth group. We will need help setting up for the day, help selling the items, and help cleaning up! If you can help in anyway please let Linda know.
Church Clean-up
May 22 after church we will have a general clean-up day at the church. Wear your grubby clothes to church that day! After church we'll have a barbecue (to make sure the grill still works!) and then the work will begin. There are several projects planned but if you have something you really would like to see accomplished on that day please let someone on the vestry know so we can plan appropriately.
Summer Lunch Program
The YMCA will be using St. Elizabeth's Fellowship Hall for their Summer Lunch Program. The facility will be in use from 11:30AM to 1:00PM each weekday from June 1 through July 22.
Community Garden
The Community Garden has been tilled and is ready for planting. If you have some extra plants please bring them so we can get the garden started!
The Bishop Search
The Search Committee has narrowed the search for a new Bishop to three candidates. On the table in the Fellowship Hall there are resumes for each candidate with some of their answers to interview questions. The Walk-about will be held the week of May 15. The two closest locations for us are North Platte, May 16 from 6-8 p.m. and Grand Island, Mary 17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. You may attend the reception for the candidates and meet them. For a complete listing of Walk-about locations, please see the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Vacation Bible School
St. Elizabeth's will have Vacation Bible School from August 8 through August 12. The theme will be The Saints of the Church. VBS will be each morning from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Important Dates!
Sunday, May 8 – Happy Mother’s Day
Wednesday, May 11 – Spirituality Group 1:30 p.m.
- Youth Group at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 15 – Graduation Day in Holdrege
Monday, May 16 – Walk-about in North Platte 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17 – Walk-about in Grand Island 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Vestry at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18 – Daughter’s of the King 10 a.m.
- Spirituality Group 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 – Vestry Retreat
Sunday, May 22 – Clean Up Day
Wednesday, May 25 – Spirituality Group 1:30 p.m.
Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day
Wednesday, June 1 – Spirituality Group 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 8 – Spirituality Group 1:30 p.m.
Friday, June 18 – Swedish Day
Sunday, July 10 - Friday, July 15 Rosebud Youth Mission Trip
Monday, July 25 - Friday, July 29 Jr. and Sr. Camp Comeca Youth Camp
Monday, August 8 - Friday August 12 - Vacation
Bible School at St. Elizabeth's
May Kitchen Group:
Jason & Andrea Nitchie and Family……..308-995-8324
Tim & Marcia Mattson…………………...308-995-2332
Roger & Martha Tweedy…………………308-995-8132
Serving Schedule
May 8, 2011
Lector: Jason Nitchie Euc. Min: Bob Engler
Acolyte: Callie Lawson Coffee: James & Holli Rich
VPOD: Jeff Ironshell
May 15, 2011
Lector: James Rich Euc. Min: Bob Johnson
Acolyte: Devin Logston Coffee: John & Suzanne Titus
VPOD: Andrea Nitchie
May 22, 2011
Lector: Martha Tweedy Euc. Min: James Rich
Acolyte: Hayden Logston Coffee: Roger & Martha Tweedy
VPOD: Bob Johnson
May 29, 2011
Lector: Bob Engler Euc. Min: Martha Tweedy
Acolyte: Caroline Rich Coffee: Bob & Linda Winter
VPOD: Tracie Elliott
June 5, 2011
Lector: Sue Engler Euc. Min: Tyler Ehlers
Acolyte: Keisha Everett Coffee: Peggy Ayres
VPOD: Holli Rich
June 12, 2011
Lector: Bob Johnson Euc. Min: Bob Engler
Acolyte: Charlene Hixon Coffee: Lance & Monica Ehlers
VPOD: Beth Fry
June 19, 2011
Lector: Jason Nitchie Euc. Min: Sue Engler
Acolyte: Haylee Ironshell Coffee: Tracie Elliott
VPOD: Linda Winter
