Rock News

12/17/18

  • There will be an informational meeting concerning The Rock’s Guatemala short-term mission opportunity in June 22-29, 2019.  The meeting will be on December 19, 2018 at 7:30pm in the Rock Café.  Dr. Jen Janousek and Pastor Mike will share more about this opportunity.  Anyone who is interested should attend. If there are people who are interested but unable to come on the 19th they need to contact Pastor or Jen ASAP.

  • Christmas Services: Sunday, December 23 at 10:00 and Monday, December 24 at 5:30

  • Thanks to those who have already brought ice melt. If you’re able to donate some, please drop it off inside the front doors.

  • FaithInk kids (5-8 grades) should go to the Sparetime Bowling Alley on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:30 for a Christmas party. Bring $7 for burgers. Stepping Stones will meet at The Rock for their celebrations.

  • Stepping Stones and FaithInk will take a break for the Christmas/New Year holidays on December 26 and January 2.

  • Mighty Fortress Ev. Lutheran Church (252 North 6th Street, Seward) will hold a Christmas Day community candlelight service on December 25 at 7:30 pm. All are invited to join.

  • Lutheran Church Extension Fund offers 40-Month Note at 4%  For the past 40 years, Lutheran Church Extension Fund has had the privilege of supporting Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations, schools, organizations and rostered church workers with loans that fit ministry needs. LCEF invites you to invest in a special note they are making available for a limited time: their 40-month note at 4%. You can invest as little as $500 and up to $40,000 (per tax ID). This investment would allow them to support the growing needs of even more LCMS individuals, organizations, schools and churches.

    If you have any questions, call Nebraska District LCEF Vice-President Nathan Meier at 913-221-8999 or visit lcef.org/40month to learn more.

  • Lincoln Walk for Life 2019: Mark your calendars now for the upcoming Walk for Life to be held in Lincoln on Saturday, January 26 at 10 a.m. at the north side of the State Capital at 14th & K. The walk is seven blocks through downtown to the UNL Student Union, finishing with a gathering in the 2nd floor Ballroom and Centennial Room. The event concludes at 1 p.m. Contact [email protected] or 402-438-4802 for more information. http://nebraskarighttolife.org/

  • We are still collecting tuna for the Blue Valley Food Pantry item for December. In January, we’ll be collecting soap and shampoo. The collection box is in The Rock cafe.

  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike. Women’s Bible study with Ann Schranz will resume sometime in the next year.

  • A big shout out of praise and thanks goes to Sara Moll and Andrea Sloup for their anointed leadership!  They’ve led Morning Amigos Ladies Bible Study for 7 years! What an awesome adventure it’s been growing together in God’s Word and in the friendships that have developed.  God has released them from these leadership positions. Starting December 13, Karen Hoffbauer and Marcia Newsome will assume the leadership of the bible study. They will continue to meet on Thursdays from 10:15 to 11:30 am in the Rock Cafe.  All you ladies are invited to join.

  • Yoga at The Rock:   Marge Rhodes is now teaching Yoga at The Rock on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome! Marge will have yoga class December 6, 13, and 20, and will start up again January 3.

    YogaFaith with Sara Moll and Erika Rolf meets in Room 216 on the following dates:  Tuesdays at 5:30 pm on December 18. Fridays at 9:45 am on December 14, 21 (Sara). Everyone is welcome to join us for 1 hour long Christ centered yoga class – your first class is FREE!  No class on Dec. 25, 28 or Jan. 1 or 4. January schedule will be sent out end of December. Please contact Sara at [email protected] if you have any questions. Also, find us here on Facebook for more updates.

Rock News

11/29/2018

  • Due to a communication error, Friday, Dec 21 is NOT the date slotted for The Rock to ring bells for Salvation Army.  The new date is Saturday, Dec 8 from 2:00p-7:00p.  This date is being shared with Faith Lutheran and the Rotaract Group from CUNE.  You can click here to sign up for a time slot. (Contact us if you need help signing up.) 90% of donations received through Salvation Army Red Kettles in Seward stays in Seward County! Help us make a difference in our community!

  • We are out of ice melt. If you’re able to donate some, please drop it off inside the front doors.

  • The 5-6th grade FaithInk kids are in need of socks for a project. If you have stray socks without their matching sock, too-small-socks, or socks that are too ugly to wear (but not holey), please bring them along this Sunday. We’ll also gladly take crafting scraps like bits of ribbon, felt, fabric, etc. A collection bag will be on the table in the Cafe, or find Kim Myers.

  • Stepping Stones and FaithInk will take a break for the Christmas/New Year holidays on December 26 and January 2.

  • Something’s fishy at The Rock! We’ll be collecting tuna for the Blue Valley Food Pantry item for December. The collection box is in The Rock cafe.

  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.

  • Yoga at The Rock:   Marge Rhodes is now teaching Yoga at The Rock on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome! Marge will have yoga class December 6, 13, and 20, and will start up again January 3.

    YogaFaith with Sara Moll and Erika Rolf meets in Room 216 on the following dates:  Tuesdays at 5:30 pm on December 4, 11, 18. Fridays at 9:45 am on Nov. 30, December 7, 14, 21 (Sara).  Everyone is welcome to join us for 1 hour long Christ centered yoga class – your first class is FREE!  Also this month we are offering a Candlelight YogaFaith class on Sunday, Dec. 9th from 7:00-8:15 pm (Erika is teaching).  This class is Christ-centered, restful and appropriate for all levels.  Room 216 at The Rock. $5.00 per class.  Please contact Sara at [email protected] if you have any questions. Also, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YogaFaith-Seward-256010628294784/ for more updates.

 

Managing Holiday Stress

“Joy to the World….”  But sometimes when we think of December and the New Year’s Eve/Day, we have a hard time feeling joyful. We may feel overwhelmed with all we think needs to get done. Or we may want the “perfect” home and gifts for everyone. So instead of joy, we feel stress.

As we begin December, here are some ideas to help keep our stress in check:

  • Write down your top three priorities for this season. A priority example is time with family. Check decisions to see if they fit within your priorities. If not, you can feel good about saying “No”.
  • Simplify your activities and traditions. Decide with your family which traditions are most important. It’s okay to make changes in past traditions.
  • Schedule regular times for being still. Use Scripture, prayer, and devotionals to center your focus on your Heavenly Father. God will help you see if your choices align with what’s important.
  • Build in regular “unplugged” time for your family. For example: Read a book or Advent devotion together. Listen to Christmas music and wrap presents.  Drink hot chocolate and share Christmas memories. These moments may become your family’s favorite memory.

God, help us this season to be joy givers, not stress givers, to our family and friends. Amen

“Rejoice in the Lord always…. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7

 

Rock News

11/7/18

  • We’ll gather for a Rock Family Reunion Meal this Sunday, November 11 after church for a Thanksgiving feast! Please bring a dessert to share. All the rest will be provided.

  • Trip to Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa:  This Sunday morning is your last chance to register for the free lunch at Mission Central on the following Saturday, Nov. 17. You may still register to go on the trip up through Nov. 16, but you would need to bring your own sack lunch then. (What is Mission Central? Visit https://missioncentral.us/ to learn more.)

    If you have not yet been contacted by a Rock caller to register for the tour, you may register with Bob and Mary Kropf before church at 9:30 this Sunday. They will be in the Cafe waiting to sign you up, hand out maps, and answer questions!  And yes, you may bring/invite non-Rock members! Just make sure they’re registered by calling Bob or Mary at one of the numbers below.

    In case of bad weather on the 17th, check your email (or call Bob or Mary as they’ll be up) before departing for church just in case the trip is cancelled.  We will meet in the church parking lot around 6:50 a.m for prayer and last minute comments, and hope to get on the road at 7 a.m.

    Questions?  Need to register?  Call 712-269-2035 or 712-269-6516.

  • Stepping Stones and FaithInk will not meet on Wednesday, November 21 so our volunteers can prepare/travel for Thanksgiving. We’ll meet again as normal the following week. (We’ll take a break for the Christmas/New Year holidays on 12/26 and 1/2.)
  • All through November, we’ll be collecting toothpaste for the Blue Valley Food Pantry item for October. The collection box is in The Rock cafe.

  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.

  • Yoga at The Rock:   Marge Rhodes is now teaching Yoga at The Rock on Thursdays at 5:30pm. All are welcome! YogaFaith with Sara Moll and Erika Rolf meets in Room 216 on the following dates:  Tuesdays at 5:30 pm on Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 (Erika). Fridays at 9:45 am on Nov. 2, 16, 23, 30 (Sara). Friday, Nov. 9 at 9:45 am (Erika). Everyone is welcome to join us for 1 hour long Christ centered yoga class – your first class is FREE!  Please contact Sara at [email protected] if you have any questions. Also, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YogaFaith-Seward-256010628294784/ for more updates about other classes we offer.

Rock News

  • This Sunday, August 12, Missionary Ashley Johnson will share what God is doing in Cambodia.  She was with us last year prior to her deployment.

  • We’ll be having a potluck lunch followed by a voters’ meeting after the service on Sunday, August 19. The Rock will provide table service and drinks. We hope that you will provide the rest! Those with last names starting with A-M, please bring a main dish and a side dish to share. Those with names ending in N-Z, please bring a main dish and a salad (fruit or vegetable) to share. But even if you can’t bring something to share, please do stay with us and join the celebration. That is also the first Sunday Concordia University students will be back with us in worship, so be sure to greet them that day.

  • Take some time to look at the resources that anyone can “check out” on the shelves in the back of the worship center.  Most are youth related, but not all.

  • Nicodemus Comfort Dog needs more handlers!  Handlers accompany Nico on all his outings and need the following qualifications:  (a) available for a minimum of 2-5 hours two or three times a week; (b) open to learning; (c) committed to learning Nico’s commands; (d) physically able to work with and exercise Nico; (e) open to listening and being quiet; and (f) able to pray with others during ministry moments.  It is a big commitment and an awesome opportunity to see God at work. Please feel free to talk to any of Nico’s current handlers for more information (Corey Gray, Danna Seevers, Sara Moll, Marcia Newsome, Linda Brettman, Brenda Rief, and Randy Newsome). They are all available with more information about being a handler and the application and training process.  The next Comfort Dog handler training you could attend is in Northbrook, Illinois in January 2019. Please contact Top Dog, Randy Newsome at [email protected] or 402-643-6595 for more information.

  • Our Blue Valley Food Pantry item for August is canned fruit. Add some to your shopping list and bring it along to bless others. The collection box is in The Rock cafe.

  • On August 26, at 12:30 in the fellowship hall, Tim Moll will present a free seminar on preparing your will at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Lunch and childcare will be provided. Register here.

  • The Rock is looking for people willing to serve on the congregation’s Board of Directors. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, contact Tim Moll or Pastor Mike.

  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.

  • National Youth Gathering: Registration for the 2019 national youth gathering will be due in early October, along with a non-refundable deposit (for teens & adult leaders). Some specific info to help you plan: the fee for the Gathering is $365 per participant. Another $40-50 for the Nebraska District event. Most of the rest of the cost will be hotel, food, and transportation. Look for information soon on a meeting with more details.

    Families of those who are interested, please click here and fill out this quick survey with some basic information to help us get started with our planning. Teens attending the youth gathering (July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis) should be entering ninth grade in the 2019-20 school year, or be new high school graduates. Those who are interested should join our Facebook group to keep up with news, or send their contact information to Kim Myers by replying to this newsletter.

  • Women’s Midweek Bible Study:  If you are free in the mornings, there is a Bible Study open to all women.  We meet every Thursday morning from 10:15 am-11:30 am in the Rock Café. There is no homework!  We study a Proverbs 31 devotion and usually have time for prayer. We would love to have you join us.  Please email Sara Moll at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions.

  • YogaFaith at The Rock:   This fall we are happy to announce that we will be keeping the Friday morning YogaFaith class!  Our August schedule is as follows: Tuesdays at 5:30 pm on August 7, 14, 21, and 28 and Fridays at 9:45 am on August 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Rock News

This week, we continue our series called “The Sweet Life” and we’ll learn more about God from another delicious candy. In this series based on God’s Word, we’ll be reminded of His trustworthy promises to us as He shows us the truly “sweet” ways He “treats” those in His forever family.

We’ll be having a potluck lunch followed by a voters’ meeting after the service on Sunday, August 19. The Rock will provide table service and drinks. We hope that you will provide the rest! Those with last names starting with A-M, please bring a main dish and a side dish to share. Those with names ending in N-Z, please bring a main dish and a salad (fruit or vegetable) to share. But even if you can’t bring something to share, please do stay with us and join the celebration. That is also the first Sunday Concordia University students will be back with us in worship, so be sure to greet them that day.

Our Blue Valley Food Pantry item for August is canned fruit. Add some to your shopping list and bring it along to bless others. The collection box is in The Rock cafe.

The Rock is looking for people willing to serve on the congregation’s Board of Directors. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, contact Tim Moll or Pastor Mike.

We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings: Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.

National Youth Gathering: The registration deadline for the 2019 National Youth Gathering is coming in October, so look for information here on our next meeting and commitment dates. Teens attending the youth gathering (July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis) should be entering ninth grade in the 2019-20 school year, or be new high school graduates. Those who are interested should join our Facebook group to keep up with news, or send their contact information to Kim Myers by replying to this newsletter.

Women’s Midweek Bible Study: If you are free in the mornings, there is a Bible Study open to all women. We meet every Thursday morning from 10:15 am-11:30 am in the Rock Café. There is no homework! We study a Proverbs 31 devotion and usually have time for prayer. We would love to have you join us. Please email Sara Moll at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions.

YogaFaith at The Rock: This fall we are happy to announce that we will be keeping the Friday morning YogaFaith class! Our August schedule is as follows: Tuesdays at 5:30 pm on August 7, 14, 21, and 28 and Fridays at 9:45 am on August 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Rock News

  • This week, we continue our series called “The Sweet Life” and we’ll learn more about God from another delicious candy. In this series based on God’s Word, we’ll be reminded of His trustworthy promises to us as He shows us the truly “sweet” ways He “treats” those in His forever family.
  • We’ll be having a potluck lunch followed by a voters’ meeting after the service on Sunday, August 19. The Rock will provide table service and drinks. We hope that you will provide the rest! Those with last names starting with A-M, please bring a main dish and a side dish to share. Those with names ending in N-Z, please bring a main dish and a salad (fruit or vegetable) to share. But even if you can’t bring something to share, please do stay with us and join the celebration. That is also the first Sunday Concordia University students will be back with us in worship, so be sure to greet them that day.
  • We have one more week in July for our Blue Valley Food Pantry item of any type of canned meat that’s not tuna. (Tuna gets its own month!) The collection box is in The Rock cafe. Start shopping now for our August item of canned fruit.
  • The Rock is looking for people willing to serve on the congregation’s Board of Directors. If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, contact Tim Moll or Pastor Mike.
  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.
  • National Youth Gathering: The registration deadline for the 2019 National Youth Gathering is coming in October, so look for information here on our next meeting and commitment dates.  Teens attending the youth gathering (July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis) should be entering ninth grade in the 2019-20 school year, or be new high school graduates. Those who are interested should join our Facebook group to keep up with news, or send their contact information to Kim Myers by replying to this newsletter.
  • Women’s Midweek Bible Study:  If you are free in the mornings, there is a Bible Study open to all women.  We meet every Thursday morning from 10:15 am-11:30 am in the Rock Café. There is no homework!  We study a Proverbs 31 devotion and usually have time for prayer. We would love to have you join us.  Please email Sara Moll at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions. Bible study will not be held August 2.
  • YogaFaith at The Rock:   Two all-levels Christian Yoga classes are offered at The Rock each week.  Please bring a mat! Classes cost $5.00 but your first class is FREE. Find us in Room 216 on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm and Fridays at 9:45 am.  If you have any questions please email Sara Moll at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook at YogaFaith-Seward or Instagram @yogafaithseward.

Rock News

  • Our Blue Valley Food Pantry item for June is “just add water” pancake mix of any brand. Drop some off in the collection box in the cafe at any time during June. Thanks for your generosity!

  • Come Unto Me: The Liturgical Art of Reinhold Marxhausen will be on display at Red Path Gallery in Seward from June 9th through August 25th. The exhibit includes 40 pieces with Christian themes by nationally recognized Seward artist Reinhold Marxhausen. Photos and videos of the artist will also be on display.

  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.

  • National Youth Gathering Fundraiser: Teens headed to next year’s LCMS National Youth Gathering will be having a fundraiser of selling fresh fruit during the Seward 4th of July celebrations. Teens and families can sign up to serve by clicking here. We are in need of a pop-up tent that will help shade us from the sun or rain. If you have one we can borrow, please contact Jennifer Janousek, Kim Myers, or Stacey Meyer. Teens attending the youth gathering (July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis) should be entering ninth grade in the 2019-20 school year, or be new high school graduates. Those who are interested should join our Facebook group to keep up with news, or send their contact information to Kim Myers by replying to this newsletter.

  • Women’s Midweek Bible Study:  If you are free in the mornings, there is a Bible Study open to all women.  We meet every Thursday morning from 10:15 am-11:30 am in the Rock Café. There is no homework!  We study a Proverbs 31 devotion and usually have time for prayer. We would love to have you join us.  Please email Sara Moll at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions.

  • YogaFaith at The Rock:   Starting May 25th, there will be a new YogaFaith class offered on Friday mornings at 9:45-10:45 am.  This class is an all-levels Christian Yoga class. Please bring a mat! Classes cost $5.00 but your first class is FREE.  Find us in Room 211 on the South side of the Rock on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm and Fridays at 9:45 am. If you have any questions please email Sara Moll at [email protected] or follow us on Facebook at YogaFaith-Seward or Instagram @yogafaithseward.

Rock News

  • Our sermon series In Search of the Perfect You will continue this week when we learn about “The End of the Earthly You.” We’re always striving to make ourselves better–and that can be a good thing–but in the end there is always failure. Weight comes back, bodies fail, minds fail, jobs end. We all meet the same ultimate fate so putting all your efforts into finding the “perfect you” here on earth will lead to disappointment. So how do we focus on the perfect version of ourselves that God has planned for us?
  • The Juniors godparents group will have a garage sale May 25th (from 1-8) and 26th (from 8-3) at 1150 Plainview Ave. All funds raised will be donated to World Vision to purchase Bibles and life saving medical supplies. They will also have a free will donation bake sale. Stop by when you’re out for the Seward community garage sale. Questions? Contact Jacquelyn or Matthew Schranz.
  • Our Blue Valley Food Pantry item for May is Kleenex. Drop some off in the collection box in the cafe at any time during May. If you still have paper towels to give (our April item), you can bring those in as well. Thanks for your generosity!
  • The Concordia University Men’s Basketball Team would like to invite all boys entering grades 3rd thru 12th to the Concordia Basketball Skills Camp on June 4th-6th. Campers learn the fundamentals of basketball in a fun, competitive, and Christian environment. Held in the beautiful Walz Human Performance Complex, this camp includes basketball skill development, team and individual competitions with kids of similar age, and much more. Register online or download the brochure by clicking here, or call 402-643-7310 for more information.
  • We have faith growth opportunities on Sunday mornings:  Going Deeper, room 213, 8:45 with Pastor Mike; Women’s study, room 217, 8:45, with Ann Schranz.
  • Women’s Midweek Bible Study:  If you are free in the mornings, there is a Bible Study open to all women.  We meet every Thursday morning from 10:15 am-11:30 am in the Rock Café. There is no homework!  We study a Proverbs 31 devotion and usually have time for prayer. We would love to have you join us.  Please email Sara Moll at [email protected] if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions.
  • Yoga at The Rock:   Starting May 25th, there will be a new YogaFaith class offered on Friday mornings at 9:45-10:45 am.  This class is an all-levels Christian Yoga class. Please bring a mat! Classes cost $5.00 but your first class is FREE.  If you have any questions please email Sara Moll at [email protected].   Also offered at The Rock is Yoga with Marge on Thursday at 5:30 pm and YogaFaith with Erika and Sara on Tuesday at 5:30 pm.