GATHERING ANEW
churches offer worship throughout the week
A PUBLICATION OF THE ELLIS COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE
JANUARY
2012
FEAST FOR FRIENDS
annual dinner brings community together
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JANUARY 2012
ONE is the official publication of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance, which guides its mission, content and theme. It is printed by The Hays Daily News.
Dear ONE Reader
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his is a great month, the first month of the year, the month of great people’s birthdays. Did I mention that January is my birth month? You know I am kidding, because the reason for January being a great month is it is the first month of our year, and many of us use this month to refocus our lives in renewing our commitment to the Lord Jesus getting us ready for the following ecma president 11 months. “In ancient Rome, it was believed that Janus, their god of beginnings, had the ability to see in two different directions simultaneously — he looked at the past and he looked ahead to the future. His name was given to the first month of the year. As one year departs forever and a new, unknown year is here, the thoughtful person remembers and meditates on days past and ponders the future.” 1985 newsletter, Dr. J. Vernon McGee As Christians, we are admonished from God’s Word to remember those significant moments in which God’s Holy Spirit helped us through a difficult or confusing time so we can say, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12, NLT) And because he has so consistently helped us in the past, we know our future is framed in hope, a healthy anticipation of God’s best being realized in our lives. Let’s remember as ONE, the wonderful things God has done for us, and as ONE anticipate his ongoing help in the future so we can say again, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us.” P.S. Thank you to outgoing president Kevin Daniels, secretary Berniece Ludlum and treasurer Steve Johnson (Steve is continuing as treasurer) for a job well done.
Volume 5, Issue 1
ONE advisory board
Wes Oakley
Father MIKE SCULLY St. Joseph Catholic Church frmikescully@yahoo.com
Pastor Lesley Radius Trinty Lutheran Church www.trinityhays.org
Pastor KYLE ERMOIAN Celebration Community Church kyle@celebratejesus.org
Pastor KEVIN DANIELS Hays Christian Church rev.kevin.daniels@gmail.com
STEVE JOHNSON United Methodist Campus Center umcmfhs@yahoo.com
The columns in ONE represent the views of the author.
ONE and the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance encourage submission from ECMA congregations. Photographs, stories, testimonies and other submissions should be directed toward your church leaders or sent via email to one@dailynews.net. The ECMA advisory board will choose appropriate and timely submissions for publication.
The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance board will meet at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at Hays Christian Church.
Inside Page 4.................................................................................................................. MESSAGE at the TOP By Father Mike Scully
*************************** If you are in need of emergency assistance or your church cannot be reached, contact
First Call for Help at (785) 623-2800.
Page 6....................................................................................................... CAMPUS CONNECTIONS By Steve Johnson Page 8.................................................................................................. ‘HOME AWAY FROM HOME’ By Dawne Leiker Page 14.......................................................................................................ENCOURAGING WORDS By Pastor Kyle Ermoian Page 15............................................................................................................BIBLE READING PLAN By Pastor Steve Dinkel ON THE COVER: Vicki Kelly, Hays, addresses members of the Gathering at First United Methodist Church during a December meeting. STEVEN HAUSLER • one@dailynews.net
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FAITH-FILLED DAILY LIVING: Worshipping God Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house place and a time or a book? Webster defines worship as “1) a reverof worship, praise him under the open skies; ence or devotion for a deity, 2) an extreme Praise him for his acts of power, praise devotion or intense love or admiration.” him for his magnificent greatness; So if we agree with Webster’s definition of Praise with a blast on the trumpet, worship, how does that praise by strumming soft impact how we conduct strings; ourselves at home, work, Praise him with pastor play, etc.? How does our castanets and dance, “intense love” for God praise him with banjo impact how we might treat and flute; a co-worker who might Praise him with not have our same values cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mando- or same perspective on an issue? How does our reverence for God impact how we treat lin. our family and friends? Is it our total life Let every living, breathing creature worship or is it just on Sunday morning? praise God! My prayer, dear readers, is that we can Hallelujah! worship anywhere, anytime and anyplace. Psalm 150, The Message ring up the topic of worship and you My prayer is that our lives — the way we conduct ourselves, the way we serve one will hear some strong and passionanother, the way we speak to one another, ate opinions. Many will tell you the way we hold one another in prayer and worship must have an order of service, sometimes called liturgy. (The word liturgy thought might be an aspect of our worship means “work of the people.”) Some will tell life. What do you think, what is worship for you there needs to be a projector. Others you? How does that worship feed you? How will tell you there must be a hymnbook or praise songs. The list of “must haves”, when does that worship speak to the priorities in your life? How does that worship support you mention the topic of worship, can be long and it can create heated debates, even others? May your worship, whatever form it “worship wars.” takes, be pleasing to God and may your life What really is worship? Can our work, be a living worship to God. our play, our tending to relationships, our prayer, and our Bible study be worship? The Rev. Lesley Radius, www.trinityhays.org, is pastor Does worship only happen on Sunday in a at Trinity Lutheran Church. church? Is worship a state of being or is it a
Lesley Radius
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Volunteers pack meals for children in Haiti CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — About 2,600 volunteers flocked into the Shawnee Park Center on West End Boulevard recently to prepare meal packets to feed starving children in Haiti. Their efforts will ensure that more than 1,644 children will get one balanced, nutritious meal a day for the next year. La Croix United Methodist Church organized the MobilePack event for the Feed My Starving Children organization. Last year, 2,000 volunteers packed 500,000 meals that fed more than 1,300 children. This year, they had 2,600 volunteers with a goal of 600,000 meals packed, the organizer said. The final total of meals packed exceeded 632,000.
Each meal costs 24 cents, and the total cost for this year’s meals was $144,000. The entire cost for the food, packaging and shipping was raised on Christmas Eve. The entire offering that evening was earmarked for the feeding program. Of the 2,600 volunteers who signed on, almost all of them showed up. Numerous church groups, Scouting groups and teams from around the area helped. “Somehow, all these teams from the area managed to sign up for the same shift,” said Linda Watts, event director. “They started competing with each other to see who could pack the most meal packets. That shift really packed fast.”
Presents
St. Fidelis Food Bank The St. Fidelis Church Food Bank, 601 10th St., Victoria, is an ongoing effort to feed the hungry as Jesus requested. It supplies non-perishable as well as perishable foods. Supplies are limited to what we can receive from the state of Kansas and donations. If you or anyone you know — friends, family or neighbors — would benefit from the Food Bank, contact the parish office at (785) 735-2777. If any parishioner or organization would like to contribute to the food bank, bring donations to the parish office during office hours or call to schedule a convenient time.
The Only Pre-DVD Release BIG SCREEN Showings
SATURDAY, January 7 5:00 pm & 7:45 pm Celebration Community Church (I-70 @ Exit 157)
Admission Only 98.5 cents For more information Listen to 98.5 THE TRUTH or call 785-625-5483
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MESSAGE AT THE TOP: ‘Brighter than the sun’
Mike Scully
Shoe box gifts fill Hays collection site Submitted
Volunteers worked tirelessly in receiving 1,253 shoe boxes packed with school supplies, toys and necessity items. These shoe boxes were given by Hays and other caring surrounding communities; many churches, youth groups, Fort Hays State University and civic organizations took part in packing shoe boxes. National Collection Week wrapped up on Nov. 21 for the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind — Operation Christmas Child — where participants fill empty shoe boxes with items for kids suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, famine and poverty. Soon, these shoe boxes will be delivered to 8.5 million kids worldwide. Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes to let hurting children know they are loved and
not forgotten. For many of these children, the simple shoe box will be the first gift they ever have received. The 1,253 shoe boxes were delivered to the Salina collection center. This center receives shoe boxes from Abilene, Belleville, Beloit, Ellsworth, Hays, Herington, Junction City, Lincoln, Lindsborg, Manhattan, McPherson, Minneapolis, Plainville, Russell, Salina and Wakefield. The total received from these communities was 13,793. The shoe boxes then were prepared at the Denver processing center and were sent to children. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 86 million gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in more than 130 countries. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (785) 823-0101 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Father Mike’s Gospels in the top 5 As of Dec. 14 www.frmikescully.com 1. “Brighter Than the Sun,” Colbie Caillat — John 15:9-11 2. “Mr. Know It All,” Kelly Clarkson — John 14:7-9a 3. “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera — Luke 10:38-42 4. “Someone Like You,” Adele — Mark 11:25 5. “Stereo Hearts,” Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine — Mark 15:42-46 in romantic love will be part of the “general” love. Christian Radio
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intensity of romantic love with everyone, olbie Caillat’s song “Brighter Than we should experience love with everyone. the Sun” is a happy song about romantic love: The lady in the song Every religious leader will give such a directive in some way. Jesus, has finally discovered as he was speaking to his it, and it has changed disciples at the Last Supher whole life. She feels per in John’s Gospel tells “brighter than the sun.” father all his followers there Any couple deeply in love is a general rule for life will have similar feelings. concerning love: Her words reflect those “As the Father loves feelings: “I swear you hit me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. me like a vision; I wasn’t expecting, but If you keep my commandments, you will who am I to tell fate where it’s supposed to remain in my love, just as I have kept my go with it. Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart. It goes off like a gun, Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may brighter than the sun. Oh, we could be the be in you and your joy may be complete.” stars, falling from the sky, shining how we want, brighter than the sun. I’ve never seen (John 15:9-11) We must have a love of others. Jesus tells it, but I found this love; I’m undefeated; you better believe, I’m gonna treat it better than us that such a love can be compared to his love for God his Father. Viewed as a pattern anything I’ve ever had.” When we apply those feelings to life for life, love of others will be the “general” statement, and a particular love of another itself, although we will not experience the
Consequently, there is a close relationship between romantic love of another and love of others in general. In fact, a person interested in leading a good life based on the teachings of a religious mentor like Jesus can learn some things from romantic love. Maybe the most important is that we will learn to treat people with the same care that a couple in romantic love will show toward each other. If every Christian would learn such a lesson, their lives and the lives of everyone they meet would feel “brighter than the sun.” Good and gracious God, your Son has told us to love one another, and to base such a love on his love for you. May we learn from the love songs of our day to truly care for the people whom we meet. Be with us, we pray.
Father Mike Scully is from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays.
MercyMe 88.1 88.5FMFM Serving Hays and Ft. Hays State University. Listen to the Rock Show Saturday nights from 9-1.
Casting Crowns
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Class provides Biblical perspective Submitted
Imagine for a moment the most beautiful tapestry your mind can conceive. It is composed of as many different types of threads as you can imagine, in all the colors your mind’s eye can create. As you study the tapestry, you realize it is not yet finished. The master weaver still is weaving in threads of all kinds and colors. The many patterns you discover have the most intricate designs and flow together as no other tapestry you’ve ever seen. You back away from the tapestry far enough to see the entire work and you marvel at the magnitude of the plan that creates such a wonderful and incredible masterpiece. The sight takes your breath away. Especially so when you realize the thread of your life is woven into this grand tapestry of God’s story of the ongoing plan and history of all creation. This is a typical response from people who have experienced the class “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.” These are normal people whose lives are changed forever because they see God’s hand in a bigger and broader way than ever before. As one person described his experience in taking the Perspectives class, “It was like a hand grenade was tossed into my normal Christian life. I’ve been ruined
for the ordinary.” “The Perspectives class took much of the mystery and scary out of how God works in missionary and small group studies,” said Noman and Elizabeth Williams, Hays. They are able to incorporate what they learned from the strategic lessons section of Perspectives as leaders on the assimilation team at North Oak Community Church. The Williamses talked about how God brought to life his bigger picture of how each person is part of the tapestry, woven in as he has equipped us. They expressed how they enjoy helping others find their place and getting connected into God’s broader plan for the world, especially in the people’s homes, neighborhood and workplace. Studying history always has been of interest to Lydia Broyles, Hays. “I have always liked history, so looking at it from God’s view wasn’t such a change for me,” she said about the historical lessons. Many Perspectives students said the history lessons, looking from God’s view, not the secular view, changed their attitude toward history. Broyles said the history section allowed her to put names to the modern missionary movement and to
Prairie Land Food Prairie Pak: $26 (includes meats, fruits and veggies) Meat only: $14 (includes the meat in the regular Prairie Pak) Fruit & Veggie: $12 (includes the fruit and vegetables in the regular Prairie Pak) Specials: Four different specials are offered each month. Meat, Fruit & Veggie and Specials Paks can be purchased with or without the Prairie Pak, giving you more flexibility when ordering; there is no limit. Order date: Jan. 16. Order locally and pay with check, cash or EBT food stamps. Or you can order online at www.prairieland food.com and pay with your debit card or check. Pick-up: 11 a.m. to noon, Jan. 28, Liberty Fellowship, 120 W. Ninth, Hays, and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at St. Mary’s Gym, Ellis. For more information, call Liberty Fellowship at (785) 625-6245 or Linda Hagan (800) 2981989. Volunteer hours no longer are required to be documented. All that is asked is for individuals to complete the volunteer portion of their receipt by helping others.
learn the whole story of missionaries. She believes studying the lives of these missionaries will help her and her husband, Jonathan, as he studies and plans for a military chaplaincy career. “It helps to have the record of struggles of people that have gone before. I know we can survive those same struggles” Broyles said. There are four sections to the class — Biblical, historical, cultural and strategic. The Biblical and cultural sections of the class open up a new vision of what God is doing in the world. It allows students to step back and see how all the Bible stories are not just disconnected stories, but are part of the whole tapestry of God’s plan. For instance the stories of Daniel in the lions den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and the fiery furnace, David
and Goliath, Moses leading the people out of Egypt, and others are not just about deliverance of people from misfortune, but are all about God declaring his glory and redemptive purpose so whole pagan civilizations can abandon idol worship and worship his power and glory. The story of the whole Bible declares God as a missionary God with the redemption of the world as his plan and mission, Revelation 7:9-12 and Matthew 28:18-20. Most people who take Perspectives are ruined for the ordinary. If you’re tired of the ordinary, Perspectives will be Jan. 16 through May 7. It will be hosted by Crosspoint-Hays Campus, 13th and Harvest, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.perspectives.org or contact Lanee Young at lyoung@fhsu. edu or (785) 628-5669.
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CAMPUS CONNECTIONS: Creative prayer
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reative prayer has been around since creation. Written prayers, corporate prayers, breath prayers and others have an ancient history. Today, many church groups set up some sort of creative prayer station. The basic premise is to provide a comfortable place to pray, a focusing agent and simple directions. At the United Methodist Campus Center, our creative prayer station is set up in the back corner of our chapel. We try to change it every week or two, but have a few that we rotate in a couple of times each semester.
Here are two of our favorites: Prayer Station – Taste and See 1. Read Psalm 34:8: “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” 2. Choose a piece of hard candy, unwrap it and put it in your mouth. Hold the wrapper in your hands. 3. As you suck on the candy, pray about all the good things God has given to you. 4. When your candy is completely gone, say “Amen.”
5. Put your candy wrapper in your pocket as a reminder of your prayer for the next couple of days. Prayer Station – The Whole World 1. Read John 3:16-17 2. Pick up the beach ball globe and twirl it in the air. 3. Catch it with both hands. 4. Look to see where your fingers are touching the globe and pray for the people in each of those places. Our creative prayer station is not as cozy as others; we simply have a pew to sit
Steve Johnson
JILL BLURTON, Celebration Community Church
in that is turned backwards to define the prayer area, but other places use comfy chairs, floor pillows, area rugs, etc. The best way to find ideas for your own use is to search the Internet for “Creative Prayer Stations.” Whether you are wanting to set one up in your church or to deepen your home prayer life, you will find many wonderful ideas. You are also welcome to stop by our chapel anytime. The Center, United Methodist Campus Ministry, is located at 507 Elm. Steve Johnson is director of United Methodist Campus Ministry, (785) 650-9743 or umcmfhs@yahoo.com.
Profile of Faith was compiled this month by Pastor Kyle Ermoian, Celebration Community Church.
Hometown:
PROFILE OF FAITH
Born in Medicine Lodge; now lives in Hays.
Family:
Husband, Don; son, Adam; daughter, Jan.
Occupation:
Teacher at Hays High School.
Church activities:
Praise and worship team; small group leader; past member of board of directors; youth conference presenter; women’s conference speaker; collect food and serve at the Thanksgiving dinner at the National Guard Armory.
Favorite Bible passage:
James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
How does faith affect the Ellis County community?
Being a teacher, I’m more and more encouraged by young people who aren’t afraid to step up and live out their faith. The churches of Ellis County are strong and the youth programs are making them even stronger. The ministerial alliance is fostering more active faith and joint efforts amongst all Ellis County chruches. I believe that is critically important.
How has faith affected your life?
I grew up in a very healthy, Christian home. Church has always been a part of my life, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that it’s ALL about MY relationship with Jesus Christ. Through my church and my church family, that relationship has grown. The faith my husband and I share was absolutely priceless as he fought and won the battle against cancer. I desperately want to impact others through my faith and the abundant blessings God has given me.
How has being involved on a worship team colored your appreciation for worship? Music was a constant in our home growing up. My mother and both sisters played the piano. Both of my parents and all five of us kids sang. We sang at home, at school, and in church a lot, so I’ve always loved music. The opportunity to lead worship through music is an honor. God has blessed each of us with talents and abilities. I believe that we are called to use and share those talents and abilities. The opportunity to sing on the Celebration praise and worship team for the past 15 years is an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for. If that music reaches others as much as it does me, then God is surely pleased.
ST. JOSEPH PARISH OFFERS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
Natural and necessary…..
February 15, 2012 February 29, 2012 March 14, 2012 March 28, 2012
Weekday Mass Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday—6:45 a.m. Wednesday Spanish Mass—6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday—8:00 a.m. Weekend Mass Times: Saturday—5:00 p.m. Sunday—8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. Sunday Spanish Mass—12:00 p.m.
St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church 2901 E. 13th, Hays, Kansas, Parish Offices: (785) 628-1446 Fax: (785) 623-4207, website: www.heartlandparishes.org Rev. Daryl Olmstead Rectory: 656-0336 Mass Schedule: Saturday at 5 PM Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Daily Mass - Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 AM Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM
April 11, 2012 April 25, 2012 May 9, 2012 May 16, 2012
The death of a loved one and other losses Change our lives forever. Grief is a journey that deserves attention, respect And the support of others to heal. Journey Through Grief is a grief support group of 8 sessions to help you understand and embrace the journey. Caring for your needs will help you discover a fullness to living and loving again. 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. St. Joseph Parish Service Center 210 West 13th St. Registration required by February 10, 2012 Please call: Sister Janet LeDuc, CSJ at 625-7356 or e-mail: stjcare@ruraltel.net
Catho
lic Ra dio
Catholic Answers Double-Edged Sword: Cutting to the Heart of a Deceptive Culture
One Body: Stewarding God’s Creation Son Rise Morning Show full schedule @ kvdm.org
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“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 ESV
Home away from home Sheryl Cox, left, and Kathy Satomi, both of Hays, share a moment together as a group of church members assemble each week in the basement of First United Methodist Church for fellowship and learning. STEVEN HAUSLER one@dailynews.net
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By DAWNE LEIKER one@dailynews.net
utside the traditions of a Sunday morning church service experience, Hays has a diversity of opportunities for worship, fellowship and Bible study. Attracting families, those who are far from family, new seekers and seasoned followers, these worship opportunities fill a niche for many searching for ways to grow in their faith. It’s a light meal, a little conversation and an informal worship service that brings folks of the First United Methodist Church together each Wednesday. The Gathering has been part of the church culture for more than a decade. Small groups from within the church rotate the responsibility of preparing the meal, which is followed by an informal wor-
“They get to know a few people and gradually find their place in the church. And they can feel like they belong.” Sheryl Cox First United Methodist Church ship service. The service often includes presentations by social services agencies or other ministries, and music. It’s an intergenerational fellowship that can bring as many as 75 participants, depending on weather and other outside factors. “We have some young adults with their kiddos, because they have a hectic schedule, and this is a great opportunity where you don’t have to fix the meal,” said UMC Senior Pastor Jerre Nolte. “You can come and share it with somebody and you can move on down the road to your next activity.” Entering the fellowship hall on a Wednesday in December, the smell of a chicken casserole is in the air, accompanied by Heart and Soul played repeatedly by two young, budding pianists. Bob and Sheryl Cox, who have been attending the Gathering many years, shared conversation with fellow church members at a round table near the kitchen. Sheryl Cox said the event generally draws many retired folks, but this particular Wednesday, many young people were livening up the event. “It’s very casual,” Cox said. “We have a children’s after school program that meets right before this, so sometimes, the parents don’t have to rush around. “That’s what it was intended to do.” The church, large and formal-looking from the outside, can be intimidating to some who might otherwise have a desire to fellowship with other congregants. Cox said the Gathering can serve as an entry point for those individuals. “They get to know a few people and gradually find their place in the church,” she said. “And they can feel like they belong.”
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••• Wendy For those who are continents away Beougher, from home, a weekly Chinese Bible study Hays, left, watches as group reaches out to provide a sense of Jalynn Nolte, belonging and an opportunity to grow in Hays, grabs their faith or experience Christianity for a bite to eat the first time. during the Launched in 2009 through efforts of Gathering. Hong Wang, coordinator of instructional design and assistant professor of instructional technology at Fort Hays State University, the Chinese Bible study mirrors many ideals of the Missouri-based Christian Witness Center, which Wang had been a member of as a graduate student at Kansas State University. The Chinese Bible study is a collaborative effort between Christian Witness Center and the Center for Life Experiences housed in Hays’ First Presbyterian Church and directed by Ann Leiker. Although university organizations meet many needs of the international students, the Chinese Bible study group provides a more personal setting, Wang said. The intent of the study group is not to convert students to Christianity but rather share fellowship to help them grow spiritually. Drawing between eight and 10 students each week, the Chinese Bible study, which includes some worship songs, saying prayers, Bible reading and discussion, and time for questions and conversation, is conducted in Chinese in an effort to help the students relate the Bible’s teachings to their own culture. “Some students are already Christians before they come here, so that makes them feel connected with a special group,” Wang said. “On Sunday mornings, they can go to different American churches to worship.” The fellowship also brings a sense of home to the students and helps them The Rev. Jerre Nolte of the First United Methodist Church talks to a group of parishio- Beougher addresses parishioners assemassimilate into the Hays community. bled for the Gathering. ners who gathered for fellowship in December. Members of other churches often share their testimonies and provide ice-breaker activities. • Episcopal Church Taize service — A • Celebration Community Church “I thank the wonderful community candle-lit, reflective service offered the Edge service — Sunday evening “Next members who have come to our Chinese first Sunday evening of every month. Generation Worship” offers ultra-conBible study group to share their life sto• Trinity Lutheran Crosswalk — An temporary music and message. ries with us,” Wang said. “We want our intergenerational faith experience, • St. Joseph Life Teen Mass — Instrustudents to learn about the culture, not A few other outside-of-Sunday meeting at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays. Each mental music provided by youth during just a textbook. ... Cultural immersion is worship opportunities in the Hays monthly meeting explores a specific Saturday Masses on the first and third important.” worship community include: topic. week of the month.
New images of worship
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A journey guided by God By GAYLE WEBER one@dailynews.net
Sharing God’s word has been Sarah Liborio’s calling since she was 14. That was long before she met her husband, Hugo, and long before their two children were born. So when Hugo died of a brain aneurysm at age 29 just before Christmas 2009, Liborio knew she would continue her mission work, it was just a matter of when. “When” came a month later. “Only through God’s grace and his strength and a little bit of craziness on my part, exactly a month later, I went back to the Dominican Republic with the kids,” Liborio said. “I went back, and it was a really hard year, very difficult.” Liborio’s journey — from the love story that brought her and Hugo together to the tragedy she faced in his death and finally to the point where she could return to doing God’s work — is included in a recently published book, “My Once Upon a Time.” Liborio spent a few months about a year ago writing the book, spending hours and even days at the Bravo Coffee Shop on 27th Street near her parents’ home. “I would go back and read sections and I (didn’t) know who wrote this because it wasn’t me. It was really the Holy Spirit,” said Liborio, a member of North Oak Community Church. The book is really three rolled into one, Liborio said. First, Liborio describes her upbringing and how God called her into missions. Then, there’s a romance novel based around the time Sarah met Hugo, an El Salvador native. They married in 2004, and finally got the chance to spend a year together in 2009 doing mission work through SCORE International in the Dominican Republic before Hugo’s untimely death. “(That) was our year together on the mission field, finally a dream come true,” Liborio said. Sarah had waited 13 years, while Hugo had waited nine years to be on the mission field. Then came tragedy. All of a sudden, Sarah was a single mother of two young
Sarah Liborio will have a book signing from 2 p.m. to close Jan. 4 at The Mall, Hays. Books will be available for purchase that day and are available for purchase online at www.my-onceuponatime.com.
children — Mattias, 2 at the time of his father’s death, and Layla, just a couple months old. However, Sarah’s relationship with God got her through the worst of it, and she was able to share her story, her connection with God, with the people of the Dominican Republic. “It gave me a little bit more validation in ministry because it’s one thing to go to a village and say, ‘Jesus loves you,’ but as an American, they say, ‘You don’t know what it’s like,’ ” Liborio said. “It gave me a platform to say, ‘Yes, I know what it’s like to struggle and to suffer. God is bigger than that.’ ” Writing the book allowed Liborio to heal. And now she’s ready for the world to hear her story. All proceeds from the sale of her book, “My Once Upon a Time,” will go toward a foundation she established to help
RAYMOND HILLEGAS • one@dailynews.net
Sarah Liborio sits with her children, Mattias, 4, and Layla, 2, at her parents’ home in Hays.
other missionaries answer their call from God. “I want to be a part of something bigger than just writing a book, something eternal,” said Liborio, who worked with the Christian National Foundation to establish her own foundation — I Give 2 Missions. One of the missionaries she’s trying to help has helped her translate her book into Spanish, a version she hopes to be able to publish someday. In the Dominican Republic, Liborio
ministered in a prostitution house while also doing street outreach. However, when she returns to mission work next year, she’ll be going to Costa Rica for a different type of service with SCORE International. “I’m going to be working with sports ministry, so I’ll be playing on a Costa Rican (basketball) team and just do friendship evangelism,” Liborio said. “I feel like they know about Jesus and they know about Christianity, but they haven’t seen someone really live it.”
A Partnership of
and Can be picked up at the following locations: St. Joseph’s Church Liberty Fellowship Celebration Community Church Westview Church Messiah Lutheran Church First Baptist Church St. Fidelis Church
St. Nicholas of Myra Church Immaculate Heart of Mary Hays Christian Church Cornerstone Southern Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church Thomas More Prep-Marian High School Messenger
Eagle Communications St. Michael’s Episcopal Church HMC Chapel St. Catherine Church North Oak Community Church First United Methodist Church Trinity Lutheran Church
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JANUARY 2012
Community gathers to give thanks By JUDY SHERARD one@dailynews.net
Like others, guests at the Community Thanksgiving Feast in November in the National Guard Armory were counting their blessings. Good food and fellowship topped the list. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, coleslaw and a variety of pies were on the menu for the dinner hosted by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance. The Bakery Shop catered the meal, and First Call for Help coordinated the volunteers. Sandy House has been attending since the dinners started several years ago. “It’s a hot meal. I’m single, and it’s too much expense to have to fix a dinner,” she said. “The servers are always nice and helpful. It’s a nice community service.” Usually, Kim Heron is in the kitchen helping with the meal. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun to see people enjoy the meal, she said. She wasn’t able to volunteer this year, so she joined the line on the other side of the table. “It’s a blessing. A lot of people didn’t have any place to go,” she said. Amber Dandurand and Cody Smith couldn’t afford all the fixings for a traditional dinner. When they heard about the community feast, they came with their 10-month-old daughter, McKenna Smith. Friends and neighbors greeted one another with hugs. “It gives me a chance to see friends and enjoy the good food,” Chas Ekey said. Volunteers lined the vestibule and greeted guests, and organ-grinder Tom Griffith added to the festive atmosphere. The community event provides companionship for the volunteers, too. First year volunteer Sharon Savage was a table host. This is the first year for table hosts who served beverages and welcomed the guests. “It’s a good way to help out and have company,” Savage said. Jay Peace helped deliver the food from the Bakery Shop. “I wanted to teach my son, Jed, it’s better to serve than be served,” he said.
LEFT: Table host Christine Wagner, Hays, visits with guests Nov. 24 during the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Kansas National Guard Armory in Hays. LOWER LEFT: Pastors Lesley Radius and Kyle Ermoian give instructions to volunteers. LOWER RIGHT: Table host Ronda Ranker, Hays, visits with guests. STEVEN HAUSLER one@dailynews .net
Pastor Wes Oakley Westview President
Rev. Kevin Daniels Hays Christian
Rev. Jerre Nolte First United Methodist Vice President
Steve Johnson United Methodist Campus Ctr Treasurer
Jane Vanek St. Joseph Secretary
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year from the Participating Churches of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance!
Rev. Ken Ediger North Oak Community
Fr. Barnabus Eichor St. Joseph
Pastor Erik Grayvold St. John’s Lutheran Ellis
Rev. Karen Harvester Hays Medical Center
Pastor Deb Harvey Ellis United Methodist
Sister Vivian Kleinsorge St. John’s Assisted Living
Sister Janet LeDuc St. Joseph
Rev. Steve Dinkel Liberty Fellowship
Rev. Kyle Ermoian Celebration Community
Rev. Jerry Foust First Presbyterian
Pastor Berniece Ludlum First United Methodist
Fr. Joel S. Garavaglia-Maiorano Hays Medical Center Chaplain
Not Pictured: Jan Brungardt, Dana Helsing, and Laura Sadeghi
Sister Betty Maschka Good Samaritan Center
Rev. Lesley Radius Trinity Lutheran
Casey Rohleder St. Michael Episcopal
Fr. Mike Scully St. Joseph
Rev. Jerry Sprock First Baptist
Scott Watford St. Nicholas
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JANUARY 2012
Late reverend honored with statue By GAYLE WEBER one@dailynews.net
Always an image of strength, courage and spiritual guidance, the late Rev. Bill Miller forever made an impact on the Hays community. Now, the community forever will remember him with a bronze, life-size sculpture, dedicated in November outside First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh. Miller served as pastor of the church from 1967 to 1982. He left Hays for Miller a short time before retiring, then returned to Hays and served as chaplain at Hadley Regional Medical Center and then Hays Medical Center. He died Jan. 28 at age 88 after a short illness. The sculpture, “Children of the Heavenly Father,” depicts seven children dancing in a circle. “We’re hoping that people remember him for his love of children,” said Joan
Henry, a longtime member of First United Methodist Church who worked with Miller for his first nine years in Hays. She said Miller’s involvement in the community is one of the reasons she is glad to see a statue in his memory. “When he came back to Hays (after retirement), I thought that was quite evident that he was really happy in Hays and liked
the city of Hays, and he did a lot for Hays ... just didn’t quit working,” Henry said. A group of individuals who have remained anonymous coordinated having the sculpture made by a California bronze artist. A group of church members including Henry have coordinated the dedication locally. “It shouldn’t have surprised me, but the
magnitude of the project shocked me,” the Rev. Jerre Nolte said. “We’re talking about extravagant generosity.” Miller long will be remembered for his ability to speak to and pray with anyone — Protestant or Catholic, ill or well. When Miller came to Hays in the 1960s, Nolte said, he wasted little time trying to cross the boundaries of faith. “Ecumenical, meaning multi-faith tradition — Bill lived that,” said Nolte, who has served the church for three years. In Nolte’s short time in Hays, he said he performed half a dozen baptisms with Miller, but he knew Miller probably performed another dozen baptisms on his own because he was a friend and pastor to so many families in the community. “There are scores of people that had Rev. Bill as their pastor from birth to death or through the illnesses,” Nolte said. “That is the reason I can’t sit on my hands because of the generosity of a few saying, ‘This life, Rev. Miller, meant so much we are going to ... dedicate this life-sized bronze sculpture.’ ”
ENCOURAGING WORDS: Taking contemporary to another level
W
hen Celebration Community Church began as a new church 15 years ago, we made a commitment to providing contemporary worship experiences, believing there were many people who were not being reached by traditional worship services. Contemporary worship seeks to make the worship experience culturally relevant. Like the generations of believers before them, those using contemporary forms of worship want to translate the Gospel in such a way that people today can understand it and therefore be transformed by it. Contemporary worship attempts to remove some of the religious barriers that might keep people from church, and therefore keep them from entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. For instance, unchurched people are unfamiliar with religious insider language like the term “narthex” instead of lobby or “chancel” instead of stage. Along with that, unchurched
Usually, those barriers prove too formipeople are unfamiliar with abstract condable, and they give up. cepts such as sanctification, justification, For example, we don’t insist people who absolution and so on. Unchurched people don’t read Greek learn it so they can read are, for the most part, unfamiliar with the New Testament. We don’t religious traditions expect non-German-speaksuch as the wearing ing people to understand of robes, repetition pastor German before they can of creeds or reciting enjoy the teachings of Martin liturgies. Luther. Rather, we translate Most unchurched these works into the language people don’t underof the people. stand the meaning Contemporary worship, likewise, is of many of the older hymns with phrases translating worship into the language of such as “I raise my Ebenezer?” Or “There the people and making the Gospel accesis a balm in Gilead?” Although that lansible to a lost, broken and hurting world. guage, those traditions and those hymns European music and forms of worship provide stability and meaning for believers from the 16th to 18th centuries have great raised within the culture, they represent value for those raised with it. Such sucbarriers to people who have not. These unfamiliarities are barriers that unchurched cessful music persisted for 400 years. But people must first overcome before they can unchurched people, steeped in American pop culture and music, find 16th- to understand the unmerited grace offered in 18th-century European music and styles a relationship with Jesus Christ our savior.
Kyle Ermoian
irrelevant, out of date and unintelligible. God is using the contemporary worship movement to capture the hearts of unchurched people all across the world. After 12 years of providing contemporary worship experiences for our people at C3, we came to realize that what we were delivering was not contemporary enough to be relevant to the next generation. So we created yet another worship experience we call THE EDGE. We now are providing a relevant worship experience to a whole new generation of people at 10:45 a.m. and a newly created Sunday Night EDGE at 6 p.m. The question remains: Can churches accept and use the stuff of culture like casual dress, contemporary music and multimedia projection without compromising the Gospel message? I believe that we can and must! Kyle Ermoian is the founding and senior pastor of Celebration Community Church in Hays.
JANUARY 2012
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SCRIPTURE: Bible reading plan
H
appy New Year! One of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make is to read the Bible everyday. My hope is this Bible reading plan will help you accomplish that goal. My hope is you enjoy this plan more than ever before. I’m excited about this plan. I have used the Community Bible Experience (www. communitybiblepastor experience.com) as a resource for organizing this year’s New Testament plan, and we will be reading the prophetic books in the Old Testament. (Remember, we will read the entire New Testament each year, and the Old Testament completely through in four years.) In the Old Testament, we will read the book of Isaiah for January, February and March. The word “Isaiah” means “salvation.” Isaiah’s writings are quoted frequently (read 9:6 and see if you recognize this passage put to music). Jack Hayford writes, “No Old Testament book, with the possible exception of the Psalms, speaks more powerfully and appropriately to the modern-day church than the book of Isaiah. Enjoy and be enriched by these writings. In the New Testament, we will begin with the story of Jesus told in the Gospel of Luke. The book’s purpose stated in 1:3 (an orderly account of Jesus) makes it a great place to begin. One of the distinguishing Lukes of this Gospel is its broad audience and appeal. Luke communicates a universal message that Jesus wasn’t just sent to deliver the Jews, but to be the savior of the entire world. Luke also communicates the purpose of Christ’s coming (19:10), to seek and save that which was lost.
Steve Dinkel
SHARE YOUR MESSAGE
Your goods and services are needed by members of the faith community.
These January readings are a great place to begin reading the Bible. I invite you along for a great Bible reading experience in 2012. When the year is complete, my prayer is you have a better grasp on how much God loves you and how much he wants to know you better.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your message of what your business has to offer with the congregations of Ellis County.
Steve Dinkel is pastor of Liberty Fellowship, libertyis.com, or libertyis@ruraltel.net.
JANUARY Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan.
OLD NEW 2............ Isaiah 1.............. Luke 1 3............ Isaiah 2.............. Luke 2 4............ Isaiah 3.............. Luke 3 5............ Isaiah 4.............. Luke 4 6............ Isaiah 5.............. Luke 5 9............ Isaiah 6.............. Luke 6 10.......... Isaiah 7.............. Luke 7 11.......... Isaiah 8.............. Luke 8 12.......... Isaiah 9.............. Luke 9 13......... Isaiah 10............. Luke 10 16..........Isaiah 11............. Luke 11 17......... Isaiah 12............. Luke 12 18......... Isaiah 13............. Luke 13 19......... Isaiah 14............. Luke 14 20......... Isaiah 15............. Luke 15 23......... Isaiah 16............. Luke 16 24..........Isaiah 17............. Luke 17 25......... Isaiah 18............. Luke 18 26......... Isaiah 19............. Luke 19 27......... Isaiah 20............. Luke 20 30......... Isaiah 21............. Luke 21 31......... Isaiah 22............. Luke 22
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