Columbus United Methodist Church

222 S. Dickason Blvd. Columbus, WI 53925

February, 2010

In This Issue
Shoes Fellowship Time Schedule February Birthdays World Day of Prayer Upcoming Sermon Topics Usher Schedule Mission Offering Friday Family Film Night Wish List UMW News Lenten Services Got Financial Questions? Congregational Covenant Meeting February Anniversaries February Children & Youth Ministries News & Notes Columbus Ecumenical Lenten Service Schedule Behavioral Covenant New in Our Library Calendar
Our purpose is to: Follow Jesus Together We do this by: Opening our hearts to people and to Christ in worship and fellowship, so that we know God and each other more fully, Opening our minds to deepen our Christian faith, understand our heritage, and think together to solve common problems, and Opening our doors in welcome and hospitality, even as we go out of those doors to invite people into God's church and be in service to all of our neighbors everywhere.

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Some years ago, a large American shoe manufacturer sent two sales reps out to different parts of the Australian outback to see if they could drum up some business among the aborigines. Some time later, the company received telegrams from both agents. The first one said, "No business here. Natives don't wear shoes." The second one said, "Great opportunity here -- Natives don't wear shoes!" The same goes for our church. When I was in Baltimore, from 1978-80, I worked in a big, beautiful, old downtown church. People loved to come and see it. The Pastor would even get up at 2 a.m. to welcome people to the church for the occasional "Insomniac's Tour" of Baltimore. He said, "I never want to miss an opportunity to make a friend for the church." Just recently, a couple of the people who are part of the core group for our 10:30 a.m. service told me: We have a great thing here. Lets get the word out so more people can find out about this contemporary service. So, they have been searching out resources on the web, and will be advertising our 10:30 service. Heres an opportunity. United Methodist Women has changed the structures of its monthly meetings, to make it possible for younger women who need childcare to attend, and to be present for the devotional/fellowship time but not necessarily the business meeting. Its an opportunity. Life is filled with opportunities. The best opportunities may be close at hand -- if we just look around to see them. Do you want to be part of a study group, a craft group, a group that does a certain mission? Do you have an idea for worship that would make it more

meaningful? What are the opportunities you see? It may not be as big a deal as our monthly Friday movie nights, but your ideas and inspirations may provide just the opportunity we need. ~~Pastor Jim

Change of Phone Number

Zanie Rahns telephone number has been changed to (920) 350-2805.

This issue of the Voice is sponsored by Don & Bernetta Pritchard in memory of their parents, Alvin & Evelyn Hoppe and Harvey & Mary Pritchard.

The Voice is the monthly newsletter of the Columbus United Methodist Church. Please send all correspondence to: PO Box 392, Columbus, WI 53925-0392. Pastor: Jim Cotter Secretary: Wanda Guenther Church Office......920-623-3625 (Office Hours: Monday thru Friday from 9-3) Pastors home phone......920-623-9641 E-Mail: columbusumc@wisconsinumc.org Website: www.wisconsinumc.org/columbusumc Pastors E-Mail: jcotter@wisconsinumc.org

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Fellowship Time Schedule February Volunteers
February 7th: February 14th: February 21st: February 28th: Rita Jordan Jim & Judy Vale The Glasbrenner Family Volunteer Needed 1

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Happy February Birthdays!

Bernetta Pritchard Brie Sheard 5 Gwenn Gmeinder 7 Philip Bleich 9 Patsy Roe 10 Ronald Balfanz Albert Zeier 12 Megan Sharrow 14 Kaitlynn Luepke 15 John Plantenberg 17 Donald Pritchard 18 James Vale 19 Kelly Anton Annika Lange 20 Mandi Swaagman 22 Jim Fritchen 24 Danny Brisky Clara Goetsch Amanda Spangler 26 Alyssa Slack 27 Lon Elske MacKenzie Spangler 28 Bailee Ban

World Day of Prayer

The 2010 World Day of Prayer world-wide celebration will be on Friday, March 5th. All women in the Columbus ecumenical community are urged to participate in the local celebration. It will be held at the First Presbyterian Church beginning at 1:30 p.m. This years service was planned by the women of Cameroon, Africa. Representatives of the local churches will lead the service.

Upcoming Sermon Topics

Sunday, February 7th: Sunday, February 14h: Holy Communion, Wait Upon the Ordinances of God, Acts 14:21-23, Matthew 6:5-18, Deuteronomy 5:6-11 A Relational Covenant for Columbus UMC, Matthew 22:34-40, Deuteronomy 12:1-11, Special Church Conference during 10:30 time slot to work on behavioral covenant Ash Wednesday Service at Faith Lutheran Church Lee Zortman preaching. Soup supper served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Theme for Lenten Series is The Senses in the Life of the Disciple. How to be Joyful: Constancy, Psalm 25:8-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Luke 8:1-15 Lenten Service at Wisconsin Academy Seventh Day Adventist Church. Soup supper served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lisa Nelson will be preaching on Touch. How to be Joyful: Delayed Self-Gratification, Ephesians 4:1-6, Romans 8:18-27, Psalm 27:7-14

Wednesday, February 17th

Sunday, February 21st: Wednesday, February 24th:

Sunday, February 28th:

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Family Friendly Friday Night Film! February Usher Schedule
Feb. 7th: Feb. 14th: Feb. 21st: Feb. 28th: Orville & Beverly Karow and Louise Elske OPENneed 3 volunteers Tim & Julie Jensen and Beth Burnard Rita Jordanneed 2 volunteers

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The family film for the evening of Friday, January 8th, at 7:00 p.m. is Happy Feet. In the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, you're nobody unless you can sing. Every penguin sings a unique song called a "heartsong" to attract a mate. This is unfortunate for Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune...tap dancing. Though Mumble's mom, Norma Jean (NICOLE KIDMAN), thinks this little habit is cute, his dad, Memphis (HUGH JACKMAN), says "it just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (BRITTANY MURPHY), happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange "hippity-hoppity" ways. Mumble is just too different-especially for Noah the Elder (HUGO WEAVING), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community. Away from home for the first time, Mumble meets a posse of decidedly un-Emperor-like penguins-the Adelie Amigos. Led by Ramon (ROBIN WILLIAMS), the Adelies instantly embrace Mumble's cool dance moves and invite him to party with them. In Adelie Land, Mumble seeks the counsel of Lovelace the Guru (also voiced by ROBIN WILLIAMS), a crazyfeathered Rockhopper penguin who will answer any of life's questions for the price of a pebble. Together with Lovelace and the Amigos, Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world. Volunteers for ushers, food servers, set up and clean up are always needed. Come and join this growing family ministry!

February Mission Offering Church Health Services

The mission offering for February will go to Church Health Services in Beaver Dam. Church Health Services (CHS) serves the community in three ways:

Primary health care services through their clinics. Health ministry development in local churches. Teaching a better pathway to personal and family health.

There are three ways you can support CHS:

Become a Prayer Partner Volunteer as a Health Professional or in a Supporting role. Financial contribution.

For more information, contact CHS at (920) 887-1766 or info@churchclinic.org. ~~Your Missions Committee

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The Wills & Gifts Committee of our church is pleased to present you this Wish List. If there are any additional items you believe should be on this list, please contact the Chairperson, Lyle Elske, or call the church office at 623-3625. These are opportunities for special giving. Columbus United Methodist Church Wills & Gifts Wish List Wish Bulletin Sponsor VOICE Sponsor Gift Bibles for 1st & 3rd Graders Child care for Praise Band Rehearsals 7 Confirmation Picture Frames & Matting (each frame holds six pictures)
Seasonal silk flower arrangement for Sanctuary Easter/Wedding Altar Cloth and Pulpit & Lectern Paraments Wellness FundCounseling

Amount Required $15.00 per week $50.00 per month $13.00 each $15.00 per week $230.00 each frame (or sponsor one picture at $40.00)
$35.00 to $40.00 each

Amount Received To Date

More sponsors needed

$2800.00 Various Amounts

If you discover a birthday or anniversary missing from the newsletter, please call the church office at 623-3625 and let us know. We strive to keep our database up-to-date but still find that we have some missing information. We welcome your input!

UMW News
The January 14th UMW meeting began in Fellowship Hall with a welcome from our new President, Peggy Goetsch. All enjoyed a delicious rhubarb dessert provided by Eileen Bennett. Dorothy Hake gave a devotional essay on CHANGEChanging the World (about how God wants to change YOUR world) and a prayer for the Mighty Mission. After dessert, the women went into the sanctuary to watch a DVD on UMW in Mission. It was a powerful presentation showing several of the different mission opportunities that UMW women can choose from, become involved in and be passionate about. After the DVD was shown, the business meeting was held back in Fellowship Hall. New and old business was discussed as well as a Mission Trip to Milwaukee in April. The next meeting of the UMW will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11th, in Fellowship Hall. The program will be School of Christian Mission Study. Devotions will be given by Margaret Barnhart. Please join us for the next meeting of United Methodist Women. All are welcome! We now provide childcare. ~~Peggy Goetsch, UMW President

Help with Website

If you have a desire to help the church maintain and update its website, please call Pastor Jim, 920-623-3625.

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Lenten Services
The theme for our Lenten Services this year is The Senses in the Life of the Disciple. Weve chosen this theme because we want to remember how the senses inform our faith. We touch and taste bread in Holy Communion, we view the cross, hear the scripture, and offer prayers as a fragrant offering to the Lord. Come on Wednesday nights to explore how our bodies are just as important a part of our faith as our spirits.

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Got Financial Questions?

The Staff Parish Relations Committee felt it would be helpful to list for congregation members the names of the people to contact with financial questions. If you have a question about your giving or your statement, please contact Shirley Felland, the Financial Secretary. If you have a question about the church budget, the general state of our finances, or who does what with our church finances, please contact Dave Stricker, the Finance Committee Chairperson. If you have a question about whether or not a particular bill has been paid, or how much has been spent in a certain category of the church budget, please contact Lon Elske, the Treasurer. If you have a question about our trusts or memorial gifts, please contact Lyle Elske, chairperson of the Wills and Gifts Committee. For anything else, contact Pastor Jim, and hell direct you to the appropriate person.

Congregational Covenant Meeting

Please join us at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 12th, for a meeting to begin to develop a relational covenant for Columbus United Methodist Church. Your responses will be presented so that we can look at them together, and determine which are the most important to us as a church. You are welcome to come at 9:00 a.m. to worship and 10:30 a.m. for conversation. 2/8 2/15 2/15 2/29

February Anniversaries
Fred & Della Dartt Charles & Ginger Hansell Mike & Vickie Toth Roger & Mandy Rego

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

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February Children and Youth Ministries News and Notes

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Rotation Sunday School February will begin with teachers taking the children on a journey with Jesus as a child. We will visit Nazareth, enjoy unleavened bread, stop by the Temple and learn about his life with his parents. There are many important lessons in the scriptures that relate to both children and adults as we take a close look at our topic. Students will cook, create, design, and become travelers of the past during these lessons. We will end the month with a Rotation based on Lent. We will create many interesting art projects as we learn the meaning of the Lenten Symbols. There will be skits, music, games, stories and videos to enhance the learning possibilities offered in the materials we use. The children will have the opportunity to help staff as we make the Lenten message come alive. Safe Sanctuary Training Eileen Bennett, Susan Williams, Anna Ehrke, Brittany Salsbury, Pastor Jim and I met and viewed the 2 hour video that matches the training manual we will be using as we design a policy for our congregation. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities for learning and growing in faith as we work on this very important project. These words are from the training manual: Why train to design a plan to prevent child abuse in the church? Because our church is a community of faith- a safe haven and sanctuarywhere children and youth can be confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to eternal life. Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth by Joy Melton is the resource we will use. Joy, an attorney, is Chief resource officer for United Methodist Property & Casualty trust. Ordained in the UMC, she has worked passionately to reduce the risk of abuse of children and youth. February is a month where we see hearts and hear the word love tossed about to and fro as we journey into the Valentines Day Hoopla. There is a lot of joy and laughter and children are delighted as they make those special cards for friends and family. Here in our faith community we have the opportunity to provide children a firm foundation based on the love that never ends, never disappoints, is always present and ever affirming. We can teach and live out the story of Gods kind of love. What a blessing!! Thank you for your love and care and prayers. Mary Baker

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COLUMBUS ECUMENICAL WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SERVICES (each evening service to begin at 7:00 p.m.) Theme: The Senses in the Life of a Disciple
February 17th At Faith Lutheran Church (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) February 24th At Wisconsin Academy Seventh Day Adventist Church (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) March 3rd At St. Jerome Catholic Church (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) March 10th At Olivet Congregational United Church of Christ (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) March 17th At Columbus United Methodist Church (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) March 24th At First Presbyterian Church (preceded by a soup supper serving 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.) Preacher: Pastor Lee Zortman, Olivet Congregational U. C. C.

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Preacher: Rev. Lisa Nelson, Faith Lutheran Church

Preacher: Rev. Wayne Hull, Fall River United Methodist Church

Preacher: Rev. Robert Moberg, Faith Lutheran Church

Preacher: Rev. Carol Hermann, First Presbyterian Church

Preacher: Father Bruce Hennington, St. Jerome Catholic Church Holy Week Services

Maundy Thursday, April 1st 7:00 p.m., CUMC Good Friday, April 2nd At Fall River United Methodist 1:00 p.m. At Faith Lutheran 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 4th 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

Communion Service in the Upper Room, Columbus UMC Preacher: Rev. James Cotter, Columbus United Methodist Church A Taize Service

Easter Morning Worship Service, Columbus UMC

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Behavioral Covenant

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During worship, Ive been talking about how we want to be the church, the Body of Christ in our lives. One simple way to be intentional about our intentions is by putting together a behavioral covenant. This is an agreement, signed by members of the congregation, to conduct themselves in certain ways in relationship to God and one another. It is not a covenant imposed from above, but one that the congregation members work out and agree to. A behavioral covenant is helpful for three reasons: 1. It states who and whose the congregation is. It starts out by talking about the relationship with God and each other. 2. It states how we want to treat one another. The Bible gives us a lot of guidance on our behavior; the Ten Commandments are fleshed out in the New Testament. Stating specific expectations for this congregation helps everyone to know the standards we expect of each other. 3. A covenant is a witness that sends a signal to the community and the world that this group of people is going to be motivated by something other than desire for recognition, wealth or pleasure. Such clarity is compelling and attractive to those who are seeking something better in their lives. If you have specific ideas about any of the following, please jot it down on a piece of paper (or even this page) and turn it in to the church office or the offering plate: Behavior(s) that we dont want to see within the circle of our church:

Actions for good that we do want to happen in our church:

Spiritual practices that help us to avoid harm and do good:

We will collect your responses, and meet in the Sanctuary at 10:30 February 14 (Valentines Day) to begin to put together a statement of how we can love one another. People who attend 9:00 a.m. worship are invited to stay to talk about our covenant. May God inspire us through this effort to be the people God would have us be.

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New In Our Library

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Where is God? By Dr. John Townsend

This book has been donated to our library by Dollycass Thoughts http://dollycas.blogspot.com/ a new blog started by Lori Caswell. She received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers free of charge for her review. Her review is not only on her blog, but on Amazon.com, PaperBackSwap.com, Booksneeze.com, on file at Thomas Nelson Publishers, and forwarded to the author. Her entire review is posted here and she hopes you will visit her blog and become one of her followers. I received this book in the mail the day after the earthquake hit Haiti. Watching the destruction, the desperation, the injured, the dead, and the hopelessness, Im sure I was only one of millions asking Where is God? In 2001 I was severely injured in an automobile accident and I found myself and my family asking Where is God? I survived but remain partially paralyzed and while I was not happy, after many days I came to know that God saved me for a reason, I renewed my faith and knew that God is Good and He has control of my path. The members of my church called me their miracle. I could feel the strength I received from all their prayers. It was a miracle, I should have died, I wasnt wearing a seat belt, and when others thought I couldnt hear, I heard doctors and nurses discussing my care and estimating my slim chance of survival, let alone walking again. Today my faith is strong, my brain intact, and my body doing the best it can under the circumstances. This book was the perfect book for me because it validated a lot of my thoughts. It is a very timely book because it deals with all the things everyone is being touched by in their own lives or by someone close to them. Financial struggles, medical tragedies, personal turmoil, all things brought on by the world today around us. Dr. John Townsend uses personal anecdotes, real life stories, and scripture to assure us that God is right beside us as long as we are open to Him. His unique insight gives us hope and truth that we can build our lives upon. I was pleased to read the chapters were he acknowledges that there will be Hard Times and doubt and that God suffers with us. If you are struggling with any challenge and think God has forgotten or forsaken you, this book is a must read. It is also a great read to reaffirm your faith. As I finished this book I was again watching scenes from Haiti and could actually see God working, in the hands of the hundreds of volunteers there helping the injured and desperate, in the eyes of the Haitian people as they felt hope seeing all the people and supplies that are arriving to help them, and also in their tears as they mourned the loss of loved ones. Where is God? Inside every one of us. Thank you Dr. John Townsend. Your book is a wonderful gift. This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review. Opinions are mine and mine alone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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Columbus United Methodist Church
PO Box 392 Columbus, WI 53925-0392
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NONPROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Columbus, WI 53925 Permit No. 1

Upcoming events you might want to know about!

Sunday,

February 7th: 9:00 a.m.Traditional Worship/Communion 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time 10:30 a.m.Sunday School 10:30 a.m.Contemporary Worship/Communion Thursday, February 11th: 9:30 a.m.Morning Circle 7:00 p.m.UMW Meeting Friday, February 12th: 7:00 p.m.Family Friendly Friday Night FilmHappy Feet Sunday, February 14th: 9:00 a.m.Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time 10:30 a.m.Sunday School 10:30 a.m.Contemporary Worship 7:00 p.m.Community Area Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, February 17th: 5:30 p.m.Soup Supper at Faith Lutheran Church 7:00 p.m.Ash Wednesday Service at Faith Lutheran Church Sunday, February 21st: 9:00 a.m.Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time 10:30 a.m.Sunday School 10:30 a.m.Contemporary Worship/Reception of New Members Wednesday, February 24th: 5:30 p.m.Soup Supper at Wisconsin Academy Seventh Day Adventist Church 7:00 p.m.Lenten Service at Wisconsin Academy Seventh Day Adventist Church Sunday, February 28th: 9:00 a.m.Traditional Worship 10:00 a.m.Fellowship Time 10:30 a.m.Sunday School 10:30 a.m.Contemporary Worship