Acts & Facts Newsletter
1300 N Vine Street
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-3342
www.eumcabilene.org
Volume 20  Issue 3  March 2017
Feast Before The Fast
The fifth Annual “Feast Before The Fast”
will be held at Emmanuel on
Wednesday, March 1 from
6-7:30pm.
It is a time when all of us can come together as a
body of Christ, share in some great food, fun and
fellowship as we begin the season of Lent.
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by
observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and
spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for
reflection on Jesus Christ—his suffering and his sacrifice,
his life, death, burial and resurrection.
What will you give up this year that will
bring you closer to Christ?
We will have Chris Cakes of Wichita
here providing all-you-can-eat pancakes,
sausage, and Tang.
Donations will be taken to offset the cost of the meal.
Our Vision . . .
to Reach the lost
to Disciple Believers
and Equip all for ministry
OurMission
A Community of Families
Working Together
To Develop Christ Followers
(BASEDUPONEPHESIANS4:15-16)
Our Purpose . . .
“The transformation of
families through a
relationship with Christ
and His church so that we
may live, laugh and love
with all of our hearts.”
from Pastor Shane
As a person who loves to be in the great outdoors, I am naturally excited about the onset of Spring. All of
creation seems to come back to life; it’s like watching God do His handiwork all over again. Many times
while out for a walk I will think of the words of the psalmist: “When I consider your heavens, the work
of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are
mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV) The following article
challenged me to think beyond the nature I so enjoy while in the great outdoors:
Pastor and author Eugene Peterson notes that it's easy for us to look at the grandeur and beauty of the
mountains or to bask in the warmth of the spring sun and recognize the beauty of creation. Yet, sometimes we ignore the people right in front of us. Peterson writes,
“Several years ago one of my students who lived a distance away and rode a crowded bus to the college
each day said to his wife as he went out the door one morning, ‘I'm just going to go out and immerse myself in God's creation today.’ The next day his parting words were the same. On the third day, she called
him back, ‘Don't you think you ought to go to class today? A couple of days walking in the woods or on
the beach is okay, but don't you think enough is enough?’
“He said, ‘Oh, I've been going to class every day.’
"‘Then what,’ she said, ‘is all this business about immersing yourself in creation?’
"‘Well, I spend forty minutes on the bus each morning and afternoon. Can you think of a setting more
thick with creation than that—all these people created, created in the image of God, created male and
female?’
"‘I never thought of that,’ she said.”
Peterson concludes, "[We need to embrace] the people around us with the same delight as we do the
hawks soaring above us and the violets blooming at our feet. Men and women, children and the elderly,
the beautiful and the plain, the blind and the deaf, amputees and paralytics, the mentally impaired and
the emotionally distraught—each a significant and sacred detail of nature, of God's creation."
This Spring, immerse yourself in creation…all of God’s creation! Then, let’s continue to be a community
of families working together to develop Christ followers.
CONGREGATION
SUBMISSIONS
You are invited to a church Bridal Shower honoring
Brogan Britt, daughter of Shane and Toni,
Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 P.M.
Brogan is registered at Target
and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Church-Wide Bridal Shower for
Abigail Young on
Saturday, April 8, 2017 1-3pm in Church Sanctuary.
Brent Hirsch and Abigail Young are registered at
Walmart, Target, and Dillard's.
Wilma and OB Bradley
would like to thank
everyone for such a
wonderful Card Shower.
Please accept our sincere thanks for the lovely
70th anniversary cards that were sent.
Both the cards and your thoughtful wishes were
greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing our joy.
Mother-Son Banquet
Saturday, April 8 at 6:30PM
Emmanuel Church
Worship Center
Cost: $12.00 per family
RSVP’s due Monday, April 3
Scholarships for the year 2017-2018
Wilma Green, a long time active member of
Emmanuel, established the Wilma and Lester
Green Memorial Scholarship. Scholarships
totaling up to $2,000.00 are available for the 20172018 school year. Mrs. Green set up the following
criteria for the Wilma and Lester Green Memorial
Scholarship:
1. Applicants must reside in Dickinson County,
Kansas, with a preference for youth active in a
Dickinson County church and/or newspaper
carriers from the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle.
2. Applicants must attend one of the following
schools: Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina,
Kansas; McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas;
Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas; Baker
University, Baldwin City, Kansas; Bethany
College, Lindsborg, Kansas; Sterling College,
Sterling, Kansas; Any vocational or community
college located in Kansas
3. Scholarship recipients must maintain a
cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0
scale and be a full-time student as determined by
the institution of higher education.
4. Scholarship recipients can apply in successive
years for the scholarship, assuming that they meet
all other criteria.
5. Applicants must show a financial need for the
scholarships.
Applications may be obtained at the church
office and returned by Friday, April 14.

The Drew Kroeker Memorial Scholarship, will be
offered for the 2017-2018 school term. Following
are the criteria for the EUMC Drew Kroeker
Memorial Scholarship:
1. Preference will be given to residents of
Dickinson County.
2. Parent(s) and student must be regular
attendees at Emmanuel United Methodist Church.
3. Attendance at any Kansas college.
4. Must be a first year freshman.
5. Scholarship recipients must maintain a
cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5
or higher on a 4.0 scale and be a full-time student
as determined by the institution of higher
education.
6. Applicants must show a financial need for the
scholarship.
7. The award for the 2017-2018 school year will be
$2,000.00 which will be issued $1,000.00 for each
semester.
Applications may be obtained at the church
office and returned by Friday, April 14.
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Youth Bake Auction – Thank You CHURCH!! We are continually amazed by your generosity
and support of the youth. This financial support helps the students as they seek opportunities
for summer camps, conferences, and mission trips. This year’s grand total for the bake auction
was over $17,400. Students received anywhere from 1 credit to 6 credits for the various activities they participate in,
and each credit was worth $50. So, whether you worked, donated, or bid, we say a HUGE THANKS!
Confirmation Retreat and Ceremony – March 25 and 26 marks the fourth Confirmation retreat. This year’s retreat
will be at Rock Springs Ranch and will include times of worship, devotion, teaching, and fun. The 12 confirmands
include: Mason Cook, Ethan Diercks, Roc Engle, Alyvia Johnson, Robbie Keener, Ryan Longenecker, Brandon
Parker, Bailey Rock, Ashton Roth, Nathaniel Tompkins, Claire Weishaar, and Kyler Welling. Please pray that God
would use this time to speak into their hearts and answer any questions they might have. The confirmands will also
be honored at a ceremony during the first part of the Omega Service on April 2.
Camps –
CAMP
DATES
SIGNUP DEADLINE
Amp it Up!
6/1-6/5
NOW - 3/1 best rate
MS Extreme Kansas Camp
6/26-6/30
Earlybird before - 3/31 Full price after
HS Extreme Kansas Camp
6/19-6/23
Earlybird before - 3/31 Full price after
HS Golden Bell Camp
7/16-7/21
Info to come.
Hanging in the Youth Wing – Friday, March 3, 10, and 31 from 3-5pm.
(None on the 17th & 24th because of Spring Break.) Come hang out!
Schedule
Wed. Mar. 1 – The Well
 5-6pm – BTW
 6:45-7:30 – Feast Before the Fast – featuring Chris Cakes
Fri. Mar. 3 – 3-5pm – HitYW
Sat. Mar. 4 – 7pm Cloverton Concert at First Presbyterian Church (FREE WILL OFFERING)
Sun. Mar. 5 – 9:55am – Sunday School
 9:55am Confirmation Class
 12pm-2pm Adult Mentor Meeting
Wed. Mar. 8 – The Well
 5-6pm – BTW
 6:30-7:30 – The Momentum Well
 7:45-8:30 – MSPT practice
Fri. Mar. 10 – 3-5pm – HitYW
Sun. Mar. 12 – Daylight Savings Time Begins
 9:55am – Sunday School
 9:55am – Confirmation Class
 12-2pm – Guatemala Team Meeting #5
Mon. Mar. 13 – 7pm Church Council Meeting
Wed. Mar. 15 – NO Well activities (Parent/Teacher Conferences for 435)
Fri. Mar. 17 – NO HitYW (because of Spring Break)
Sun. Mar. 19 – 9:55am Sunday School
 NO Confirmation Class
Wed. Mar. 22 – NO Well Activities (Spring Break)
Fri. Mar. 24 – NO HitYW (Spring Break)
Sat. Mar. 25 – Sun. Mar. 26 – Confirmation Retreat at Rock Springs
Sun. Mar. 26 – 9:55am Sunday School
 5pm-7pm (NOTE TIME CHANGE) Guatemala Team Meeting #6
Wed. Mar. 29 – The Well
 5-6pm – BTW
 6:30-7:30 – The Momentum Well
 7:45-8:30 – MSPT practice
Fri. Mar. 31 – 3-5pm – HitYW
Sat. Apr. 1 – See Marc for a FREE $100 bill!!
Sun. Apr. 2 – 9:55am – Sunday School
 Confirmation Ceremony in Omega Service
CHILDREN’S
MINISTRY
NEWS
The Well
This year in The Well, the kids have not only been
learning how to love those around them,
But learning to love those who they may not see.
Each week, the kids learn something new about
kids in the country of Guatemala at Eagle’s Nest
orphanage. They are learning about the culture
and how each kid is not much different from them.
We also take up an offering to give to the
orphanage. Come and join in on the fun at the
Well each week at 6:30!
DID YOU KNOW—
SPRING AHEAD! Don’t forget to set your clocks
ahead by one hour for the beginning of
Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 12.

"To receive messages from Bishop Saenz and to
stay up to date on news happenings around the
Great Plains United Methodist Conference, please
sign up for the weekly GPconnect email newsletter
at http://gp-email.brtapp.com/subscribe, or send
an email to [email protected].
Follow the conference on Facebook so you see
videos and receive information as it becomes
available, as well as get to know people from
around the conference. Like the conference’s
Facebook page by going to
https://www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsUMC."

Come to The Well
Emmanuel’s Preschool: Valentines
Emmanuel’s Preschool works to not only give to
the community through providing excellent care
for kids, but we also like to instill giving back to
our community. This Valentines, Emmanuel’s
Preschool went over to Abilene Place and played
Bingo with the residents. Both groups had a blast
bonding over this simple game and hopefully
building relationships.
NO “WELL” ON March 15 & 22, 2017
"A gathering for all ages,
to challenge the heart,
feed the body and renew the soul!"
Wednesday nights at Emmanuel Church
5-6 pm - Before the Well - Middle & High School
Hang-out time, Room 300
6 pm - Food for the body (meal), Worship Center
6:30—7:30 pm - Food for the Soul
(Break out groups: Children; Youth; and Adults)

Emmanuel Church provides Our Daily Bread and
Large Print Upper Room devotionals at
both entrances in the brochure racks.
Pick yours up today!

We Need You!
Emmanuel Kids is in need of a few people to teach
our sweet kiddos. We are in need of an Omega
Nursery Worker as well as someone to fill in to be
a Sunday School teacher for the rest of the year.
Please contact Rachel for more information.
Please check the list of items needed at the Salina
Rescue Mission. The list is posted on the bulletin
board in the east hallway. This list is updated each
month. Won’t you see if you can help in any way.

The ‘Have’s — Need’s’ Board, located in the east
hallway, is a place that you can post a NEED you
have; i.e. I need a stove, a clothes dryers, someone
to mow my lawn, a baby-sitter, etc OR you can
post something that you HAVE to give away, trade,
service to offer, sale, etc.. All communication/
transactions will be between the parties, and the
church will have no involvement.
This is a self-serve type of board.
DID YOU KNOW—
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Checkout the sermon page on our Emmanuel Church
website! Now you can browse through past sermons,
download as an MP3 or subscribe to our podcast
through itunes. If you missed a Sunday, it’s the next
best thing to actually being with us!
http://www.eumcabilene.org/resources/sermons-2/
WITH SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF:
This newsletter and much more
are available on Emmanuel’s website.

The local Jail Ministry wants to remind you
to save your Guideposts and Discovery Series
once you have finished with them.
Bring them to the church office.
These are taken to our county jail for the inmates.

NOTICE: When you exit a locked door from the
church building would you please double check
that the door latches behind you. Just a quick pull
of the handle is all it takes!

ONE WORSHIP SCHEDULE at Emmanuel
We have scheduled six occasions when all of us at
Emmanuel are invited and heartily encouraged to
gather together for one worship service at 10:00
a.m. This would be an excellent opportunity for
you to invite a friend, relative, acquaintance or
neighbor, to worship with you.
Dates of One Worship Services in 2017—
January 29, April 30, July 30, October 29,
December 10 (Children’s Christmas Program),
December 31
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
COMING SOON
April 2, 2017-Confirmation Ceremony-11 am service
April 8, 2017—Bridal Shower for Abigail Young
April 8, 2017—Mother-Son Banquet
April 9, 2017—Palm Sunday
April 14, 2017—Good Friday, Church Office Closed
April 16, 2017—Easter Sunday
April 21, 2017—Hahn/Miller Wedding Rehearsal
April 22, 2017—Hahn/Miller Wedding
April 26, 2017—Volunteer Appreciation Night
April 30, 2017—One Worship Sunday at 10 am
May 7, 2017—Graduation Sunday (High School)
May 10, 2017—Last Day of Preschool for M/T/W
May 12, 2017—Last Day of Preschool for Thu/Fri
May 14, 2017—Graduation Sunday (Preschool)
May 14, 2017—AHS Graduation—1:30PM
May 21, 2017—CHS Graduation—2:30PM
May 28, 2017—Memorial Service of Light Service
May 29, 2017-Memorial Day, Church Office Closed
June 1-5, 2017—AMP It Up Camp, Winfield, KS
Pat Howard
Heather Fleagle
Kara McLain (friend of Kaitlin Kendel)
Trudy Neely (mother of Susan Parker)
Bob Purdy (husband of Karel Purdy)
Edith Phillips (grandmother of Allison Sluder)
Joan Johnson
Phyllis Graham
Marilyn Weller (sister-in-law of Rita Macy)
Helen Mettlen
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Anita Bogart, Dwight Kuntz, Leann Johnson, Bonnie
Byer, Jean Wells, Joan Boyd, Lorene Neaderhiser,
Glen Stoffer, Connie Thompson, Elaine Bean
PRAYER FOR WORLD/NATIONAL CONCERNSPresident Trump
U.S. Troops & their Families
Israel
Judges—wisdom
Border Patrol Officers
Immigration
Health Care
Government Regulations
Congress
Military Leaders in the Pentagon
North & South Korea
Country of Spain
Unity in America
PRAYER FOR OUR LEADERSHIPPastor Shane & Toni
Marc Riegel
Rachel Heidorn
Kaitlin Kendel
Pam Rothfuss
New Pastor
Feast Before the Fast—March 1
Lent
Confirmation Retreat—March 25 & 26
New Comers to feel welcomed and loved
Sunday School & Bible Studies
Persecuted Christians in Colombia
Revival
Families
Call the church office (785.263-3342) if you have a
prayer request. Your need will be prayed for by
50 Prayer Chain volunteers. In addition, all
prayer requests will be listed in the
bulletin for two weeks.
March 2017
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
ASH WEDNESDAY
5:00pm MS/HS BTW, 300
6:00pm The Well, WC, Kit.,
“Chris Cakes”
6:30pm Adult Bible Study,
Conf. Rm 1
8:00pm Worship Team,
WC
5
6
Thu
2
Fri
3
8
9
8:45am Alpha Worship
12:45pm Vision Writer
9:55am Discipleship
Class, Conf. Rm 1
Classes 1:00pm Men’s Video
9:55am Confirmation Class
Study, 201
11:00am Omega Worship 4:00pm Piano Lessons,
Noon Family Reunion,
205
WC, Kitchen
Noon Adult Mentor Mtg.,
300
9:00am Ladies Bible
Study, 201
11:00am Equipping Staff,
Office
11:30am GALS Bible
Study, Conf. Rm 1
3:30pm Small Group, 211
8:45am MOPS, WC, Kit.,
Tower,102, 104, 106, 205,
211, 214
5:00pm MS/HS BTW, 300
6:00pm The Well, WC, Kit.,
102, 104, 204, 205, 300
6:30pm MOMS in Touch,
203
6:30pm Adult Bible Study,
211, Conf. Rm 1
8:00pm Worship Team,
WC
7:45pm MS Praise Team
Practice, 300
NO Emmanuel’s
1:30pm Staff Meeting,
Preschool
Conference Room 1
3:30pm Small Group, 211 3:00pm Youth HitYW, 300
6:30pm Girl Scout
7:00pm Girl Scout
Meeting, 205
Meeting, 205
7:00pm Prayer for Nation,
Children & Youth,
207 Charles Rd.
12
14
15
16
10
17
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME 12:45pm Vision Writer
BEGINS
Class, Conf. Rm 1
8:45am Alpha Worship
1:00pm Men’s Video
9:55am Discipleship
Study, 201
Classes 4:00pm Piano Lessons,
9:55am Confirmation Class
205
11:00am Omega Worship 5:45pm Girl Scout
Noon Guatemala Team
Meeting, 213
Meeting, 300 7:00pm Church Council,
205
NO Emmanuel’s
NO “WELL” ACTIVITIES
9:00am Ladies Bible
NO Emmanuel’s
Preschool
Preschool
Study, 201 8:00pm Worship Team,
11:30am GALS Bible
NO
Youth
HitYW
WC 3:30pm Small Group, 211
Study, Conf. Rm 1
6:30pm Girl Scout
3:30pm Small Group, 211
Meeting, 205
5:30pm Mission Ministry
7:00pm Girl Scout
Meeting, Conf. Rm. 1
Meeting, 211
7:00pm Prayer for Nation,
Children & Youth,
207 Charles Rd.
21
22
4
8:30am Set-up for
3:00pm Youth HitYW, 300
Christian Women’s Club
11:30am Christian
Women’s Club, WC, Kit.
3:30pm Small Group, 211
4:00pm Vision Writer
Class, 203
6:30pm Girl Scout Mtg,205
7:00pm Girl Scout Mtg,211
7:00pm Prayer for Nation,
Children & Youth,
207 Charles Rd.
7
13
Sat
23
24
11
18
19
20
8:45am Alpha Worship
9:55am Discipleship
Classes
NO Confirmation Class
11:00am Omega Worship
CONFIRMATION
NO Emmanuel’s
NO Emmanuel’s
NO Emmanuel’s
NO Emmanuel’s
RETREAT
Preschool
Preschool
Preschool
Preschool
11:30am
GALS
Bible
7:00am
Prairieland Food
DEADLINE for April
NO “WELL” ACTIVITIES 3:30pm Small Group, 211 NO Youth HitYW
Distribution, Kitchen,
Study, Conf. Rm 1
Acts & Facts Articles
6:30pm
Girl
Scout
7:00pm
Girl
Scout
8:00pm Worship Team,
3:30pm Small Group, 211
Tower
Meeting, 205
Meeting, 205
WC
12:45pm Vision Writer
7:00pm
Prayer
for
Nation,
Class, Conf. Rm 1
Children & Youth,
1:00pm Men’s Video
207 Charles Rd.
Study, 201
4:00pm Piano Lessons,
205
26
27
NO Emmanuel’s
Preschool
28
HOLY COMMUNION
1:00pm Men’s Video
9:00am Ladies Bible
CONFIRMATION
Study, 201
Study, 201
RETREAT
4:00pm Piano Lessons,
11:30am GALS Bible
8:45am Alpha Worship
205
Study, Conf. Rm 1
9:55am Discipleship
5:45pm Girl Scout
3:30pm Small Group, 211
Classes
Meeting, 213
11:00am Omega Worship
2:00pm Bridal Shower,
WC, Kit.
5:00pm Guatemala Team
Meeting, 300
29
30
31
8:45am MOPS, WC, Kit., 3:30pm Small Group, 211 3:00pm Youth HitYW, 300
Tower,102, 104, 106, 205, 6:30pm Girl Scout
7:00pm Girl Scout
211, 214
Meeting, 205
Meeting, 205
5:00pm MS/HS BTW, 300
6:00pm The Well, WC, Kit., 7:00pm Prayer for Nation,
102, 104, 204, 205, 300
Children & Youth,
6:30pm MOMS in Touch,
207 Charles Rd.
203
6:30pm Adult Bible Study,
211, Conf. Rm 1
8:00pm Worship Team,
WC
7:45pm MS Praise Team
Practice, 300
25
Acts & Facts Newsletter
1300 N Vine Street
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-3342
www.eumcabilene.org
YOUR STAFF:
PHONE EXT.
785-263-3342 POSITION
CELL
PHONE
E-MAIL
PERSON
[email protected]
Pastor Shane
224
Senior Pastor
785-366-3431
[email protected]
Rachel Heidorn
225
Minister of Children &
Emmanuel’s Preschool
Director
817-403-5125
[email protected]
Marc Riegel
221
Associate Pastor / Youth Minister 785-307-0741
[email protected]
Kaitlin Kendel
223
Ministry & Worship
Coordinator
785-491-0697
[email protected]
Rita Macy
220
Office Coordinator
785-200-0725
[email protected]
Pam Rothfuss
222
Financial Administrator
[email protected]
Jessica Weissenbach
233
Preschool Teacher
It’s important for people to know their ministers are available when someone has a question, needs some help, or just wants to talk
for awhile. Our office coordinator, Rita Macy, will be happy to receive your office visits, telephone calls, and email messages. We
work diligently to use the communication resources available, such as voice mail and cell phones to be available most of the time
for question. Our pledge to the congregation is to respond in a timely and courteous manner. When someone calls and says, “It’s
urgent,” we will be contacted by the quickest means possible. The ministers are often out of the building for a variety of ministry
tasks. They are available to schedule an appointment with you at your convenience. Please contact us if we can be of help to you.
We want to be available to serve you!
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
MILITARY SERVICE
If you are wanting to put an article into the April Acts & Facts Newsletter, please have the article to the church no
later than the 20th of March. You may either put it in Rita’s slot in the wooden boxes hanging on the wall in the
tower entrance, or e-mail it to Rita at [email protected]; please indicate that it is for Acts and Facts.
Articles may be edited.
Following are names of active servicemen connected to Emmanuel. Please keep them and
their families in your prayers. If there are others connected to our church that are presently
serving, please get their name to the church office.
Michael Brabender (husband of Tanya Brabender) US Army
Eric Cooper (husband of Monica Cooper) Kansas Army National Guard
Joseph Dallas (husband of Angie Dallas) US Army
David Fulton (Clarence & Eileen Garten’s grandson) US Army
Travis Gregg (Sherry Osland’s nephew) US Navy
David Grindle (husband of Rebecca Grindle) US Army
Anthony Johnston (Joan Boyd’s grandson) National Guard
Kyle Jones (husband of Megan Jones) US Army Reserve
Brandon & Alaina (Deines) Perez (Sherry Osland’s daughter & son-in-law) US Air Force
Brandon VanMeter (husband of Andrea VanMeter) US Army
Stop by the tower entrance display and pick up a prayer list
of those serving our country.