Rockbrook United Methodist Church

9855 W. Center Rd

Omaha, NE 68124

Phone: 402-393-1015

Fax: 402-955-1434

churchoffice@rockbrookumc.com

Find us on Facebook: Rumc Omaha

“To make disciples for Jesus Christ by

proclaiming God’s Good News

and by providing a community

for spiritual growth”

Calling all Kids / Calling all Parents

Pastor Jim will be leading classes in the God and Country Series. Originally designed as Scout religious awards, the Series is now open to Tigers,

Cubs, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Campfire Kids, or any young people that wish to learn more about their faith.

The program also offers a Mentoring opportunity for a Parent or other adult to work through the class in partnership with the child.

The series is divided into groups by grade in school:

Program Grades

God and Me 1,2,3

God and Family 4,5

God and Church 6,7,8

God and Life 9 - 12

We will have an initial meeting to get organized on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the Friendship Room. If you are interested but

cannot attend on November 9th, please notify Pastor Jim.

Greetings friends,

November is always a busy month, in our personal lives, in our country, and in the life of the church.

As the month opens I will be in Washington D.C., as my father-in-law, Colonel Billy Joe Brown, U.S.A.F. will be laid to rest at

Arlington National Cemetery. Bill went to the Lord in early June, and our family has been waiting since then to honor his wish to be

buried at Arlington. We will spend the week in Washington visiting family and touring our nation’s capital. My thanks to Rev. Nancy

Phillips, who will lead worship and celebrate the Lord’s Supper here at Rockbrook on November 6th while I am away.

Tuesday, November 8th is a day to celebrate changing leadership. It is not only Election Day, it is also a chance for you to meet your

new Bishop. Look for information elsewhere in this newsletter regarding Bishop Saenz’s (pronounced “signs”) visit to Omaha.

We will celebrate Laity Sunday in worship on November 20th. This is a chance to celebrate the ministry of the Laity, without which

the Church could not function. Thanks to our Church Lay Leader, Tom Ashby, for coordinating this event.

That same day, following the 10:45 Service, we will be decorating the Church for Advent and Christmas. I will bring some soup and some of my award-winning chili for those who wish to stay and decorate. Remember, many hands make for easy work. Thursday, November 24

th is Thanksgiving Day. As we spend the day with family, food, and football, let’s be continually mindful of the

reason for the day, to give thanks to God, the creator of all blessings!

Then on Sunday, November 27th, we begin the Advent Season. The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Church year.

Like all beginnings, Advent gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives, on all that God has done for us, and how we may better

serve God in our world.

“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, “Write this, for these

words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:5)

Grace and Thanksgiving!

Pastor Jim

The Rockbrook Trustees are finishing up several projects on our campus as we move into fall and winter.

Concrete repairs to sidewalks have been completed and the block wall just outside the lower east door of the Sunday School wing will also be replaced before winter. A railing that was removed during the project will be replaced, so in the meantime please use caution when using the stairs.

We continue to try to resolve the lighting issue in the sanctuary. A part has been on backorder that we hope will return all of the lights to fully functioning order.

Many thanks to Spencer Salem for his Eagle Scout project of renovating the West Garden, and cleaning up the connecting

garden areas! Many members of the Rockbrook family contributed to the plant fund, and we appreciate your support of Spencer. And a special thanks to Ellen Drabek for working with Spencer to design the garden.

The Men’s Group worked diligently to clean up the East Rain Garden; thank you for your efforts there!

Thanks to the funds from the annual garage sale, new office furniture was purchased for Pastor Jim’s office, and a new

computer will be purchased for Julie Vidlak.

Larry Koubsky replaced the lighting in the pastor’s office, and we plan to replace the ceiling tiles there as well. Larry is also working with the Trustees to replace the lights on the outside of the sanctuary. At this time only one of the lights is working, and we feel it’s important to show everyone driving on Center Street the beauty of our church. Larry’s Cub Scouts will also install and maintain a flagpole on the upper east side of our property.

We feel fortunate to have Tony Soukup as part of our team, as he has demonstrated a willingness to complete several

tasks around the church. He will be scraping and painting the railings on the west side in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Kathryn Hauswald and Janice Samson

Co-Chairs, Rockbrook Trustees

Hello from the Gracious Generosity Committee. We would like to thank those that have continued to pray for Rockbrook’s Finances and continue to give to our Finances. September was another tough month, our General Pledge

and unpledged gifts were down. We were only able to pay $387 (designated receipts) and are now behind $8,492.77. October’s finances started out slow as well, so the 13th month is very important in getting us through the

remainder of the year. Commitment Sunday will be November 13th, so please continue to keep the Church Finances in your prayers and as always thank you for your generosity.

Sermons

are now available online to listen to at www.rockbrookumc.com

Click on the Welcome Tab and scroll down to Sermons; click and

choose which Sermon you would like to listen to.

Newsletters

are available online at www.rockbrookumc.com

Click on the Welcome Tab and scroll down to Newsletters and click

on the newsletter you would like to view.

Calendars

are available online at www.rockbrookumc.com

Click on the More Tab and scroll down to

Calendar and click on the calendar you would like to view.

I would like to extend my many

thanks and appreciation to my

Rockbrook family and friends for the

flowers, gifts, cards and well wishes I

received upon my retirement as

Finance Manager. To the Staff Parish

Committee for the coffee hour in my

honor and especially to Julie Vidlak

and the Sunday School children for

the recognition and handmade card

of thanks with all their signatures.

They are the future of Rockbrook and

she is doing such a great job in

preparing them.

I am so Blessed to be a part of the

Rockbrook family and to have been

able to serve the Lord through the

church as Finance Manager for so

many years.

Jenny Stilwell

November 7th PLEASE bring election day bake sale items to

church during the day to the upstairs kitchen; they will be

priced in the downstairs kitchen between 5:00 p.m.

and 7:00 on the 7th. p.m.

News from THE QUARRY – November 2016 ROCKBROOK CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL, Julie Vidlak – children’s ministry director

—— ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

IMPORTANT NOVEMBER DATES FOR CHILDREN… Sunday, November 20th - Kids for Christ Sunday school Choir sings at 10:45 service.

(Children learn songs during Sunday school music time prior to this.)

Sunday, November 20th – 3rd graders receive Bibles during 10:45 service.

NOVEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE:

Moses has led God’s people out of Egypt to freedom. Children will complete this important section of

the Bible by learning about the 10 Commandments and more. Each week is important as it will help

children see the big picture of what God can do! We encourage you to bring your children each week!

We will also start learning our music for the Christmas Program!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT PARTY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Dec 10 Please contact Julie Vidlak at 402-397-3606 or julievidlak@rockbrookumc.com if you are interested in helping on

Saturday, December 10th at 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed to oversee craft project stations, card making and cookie

decorating stations. Ideas and supplies will be provided. This is a fun tradition at Rockbrook UMC that allows

children to enjoy the season by creating Christian themed crafts for keepsakes and/or gifts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOOKING AHEAD TO ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS 2016…

Saturday, December 10th: 9am – Children’s Christmas program rehearsal in sanctuary

10am – Children’s Christmas Craft Party in fellowship Hall

Sunday, December 11th: Children’s Christmas Program during 10:45 am worship service

***Parents…We will be practicing the Christmas program (music especially) during Sunday school music time the whole

month of November and also up through December 11th. Please make every effort for your children to attend Sunday

school so they are comfortable with our program’s content and can enjoy performing it on December 11th. Children ages 3

through 6th grade are invited to be part of the program. Thanks in advance from Julie.

Sunday, November 20th – Library time during Sunday School. This is one week early due to Thanksgiving weekend

being on the fourth Sunday. Please return old items on or before this

Sunday, November 27th - 1st Sunday of Advent – Be sure to get your special gift today.

October 2016 Youth Group Update

by Cheri Humphus and Joyce Solheim

Pastor Jim is working towards filling the open youth director position. Families were invited to meet a potential candidate after yesterday’s 10:45 service.

In July the youth presented their St. Paul Mission Trip experiences.

20 slots are reserved for the 2017 Mission Trip to Crow Native American Reservation in Montana the week of June 25th. We are accepting deposits from families to reserve their spots.

It is a Youth Works high school only site. Any student who will finish 8th grade to 12th grade by June 2017 is eligible to attend.

In September we had a small group participate in the Camp Fontanelle Gaga Ball tournament. Rockbrook teamed up with an Arlington church team and won 2nd place.

The October sloppy joe lunch went well. There were discussions on changing the menu to a pancake feed where families could come and go throughout the morning. This will be decided after the youth director position is filled.

Youth were invited to assist Jesse Sward and Spencer Salem on their Eagle Scout projects at Paddock Road Elementary and our church. Both projects will be highlighted in the Nov newsletter.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday Nov 13th - Potato Bar lunch hosted by Oathout Family

Sunday Dec 11th – Advent Dinner hosted by Sterner Family

Sat Dec 17th -Open Door Mission Project Santa – reserved 15 slots.

PEARL FOOD PANTRY 2016

THANKSGIVING WISH LIST:

Turkeys (10-12 lbs.)

Boxed Stuffing Mix

Canned Green Beans

Canned Corn

Canned Sweet Potatoes

Cranberry Sauce

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Gravy Mix

Corn Bread Mix

Cake Mix

Frosting

God bless you and thank you for your generosity!

Thank you to those 17 persons who stepped up

to donate blood when the American Red Cross

Bloodmobile was at Rockbrook on

October 9th...

Almost everyone knows of someone who has

needed a blood transfusion at some time. .

Every 2 seconds in the U.S. someone is in need

of blood. Each donation is able to help up to 3

people, so we at Rockbrook were able to help 51

people. The need is constant.

Thank you, Rockbrook, for your support.!

Linda Stroud

11/1 Hannah Drabek 11/20 Karen Hakola

11/2 Doris Wuster 11/20 Lois Johnson

11/2 Jim Corson 11/20 Lynn Ashby

11/6 Grafton Laughlin 11/22 Barbara Hansen

11/9 Charlotte Emley 11/22 Karen Hutton

11/9 Ruth Parks 11/24 Becky Fuller

11/9 Hazel Smith 11/24 Jesse Calab Sward

11/14 Andrew Getzlaff 11/27 Myra Lezanic

11/15 Kelli Brandt 11/28 Bev Donham

11/17 Carol McChesney

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8:30a Yoga (FH)

2 5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbells (CR)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

3 6:30p Sisters (FR) 7:00p Men’s Ministry

(FO)

7:00p Cub Scout Den

Mtg (LL)

7:30p Praise Band (S)

4 5

6

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite

8:45a Contemporary Worship

9:35a Faith Development

10:45a Traditional Worship

2:00p Cub Scouts Meeting

7

5:00p Drop off Bake

Sale Items (FH)

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

8 8:00a Election Day

Bake Sale (FH)

8:30a Yoga (FH)

9

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbells (CR)

7:00p God & Country (FR)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

10 1:30p Happy Friends

(FR)

6:30p Prayer Mtg (FO) 6:30p Sisters (FR) 7:00p Cub Scout Den

Mtg (LL)

7:30p Praise Band (S)

Rehearsal (S)

11 8:00a Life Line Screening

(FH) 1:00p Prayer Shawl (FR)

12

13

8:00a Traditional Worship - Lite

UMW Boutique Table (P)

8:45a Contemporary Worship

9:35a Faith Development

10:45a Traditional Worship

FUSION Fundraiser Potato Bar

following service

12:30 Douglas County Jail

14

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

7:00p Finance

Mtg (FO)

7:00p Trustee Mtg (FR)

15

8:30a Yoga (FH)

7:30p Crossfire Sq.

Dance (FH)

16

9:30a Morning Joys (FR)

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbells (CR)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

17 6:30p Sisters (FR) 7:00p Men’s Ministry

(FO)

7:00p Sq. Dance

Lessons Education (FH)

7:00p Cub Scout Den

Mtg (LL)

7:30p Praise Band

Rehearsal (S)

18 19

7:00p Amazing 8’s

(FH) UMW Missouri River

Annual Meeting

Nebraska City

20 - Laity Sunday

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite

8:45a Contemporary Worship

9:30a Library

9:35a Faith Development

10:45a Traditional Worship - Kids

for Christ Sunday School Choir

Lunch and Church Decorating

following 10:45 service

21

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

22

8:30a Yoga (FH)

7:30p Heartland

Singles Sq. Dance

(FH)

23

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbells (CR)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

24

Thanksgiving

25

26

27

First Sunday of Advent

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite

8:45a Contemporary Worship

9:35a Faith Development

10:45a Traditional Worship

28

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

9:30a Executive UMW

Board Meeting (FR)

29 7:30p Crossfire Sq.

Dance (FH)

30