Rock News

We will kick off the new year of Stepping Stones and Faith Ink with a family potluck picnic at Plum Creek Park this Wednesday, September 7 at  6:30. (If it rains, we’ll gather in the cafe at The Rock.)

Our weekly faith building programs for kids are held during the school year each Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30. Stepping Stones is for children age 3 through grade 4. Learn more and register here. Faith Inkubators is for 5th-8th grade students. Learn more and register here


Mark your calendars now for our Taste & See event. Join us in the parking lot of The Rock church for an evening of food, games, and music. Bring a lawn chair, friends and family, and come enjoy the food trucks, bounce house, and the band. Everyone is welcome.


Monday Night Football Devotions start up on September 12 at 7 p.m. at the Sparetime. Join the group for fun and fellowship.


Men’s Saturday breakfasts start back up again this Saturday, September 10 at 7:00 a.m. in the Rock Cafe. 


On Sunday, October 23 at 11:30 AM our congregation is hosting an educational workshop featuring Craig Stirtz.  Craig serves as the Nebraska District and Concordia University, Nebraska Gift Planning Counselor, assisting our members as we plan gifts for loved ones and ministry, which is a service he has been providing for 30 years in Nebraska.  

Craig will cover multiple topics including:  ways to create an estate plan that reduces taxes and maximizes what your loved ones are able to keep, how assets pass (inside and outside of probate), common mistakes people make and how to avoid them, why comprehensive estate planning is important, legacy planning (planning both for loved ones and ministry) and how to make gifts for ministry without disinheriting your loved ones.  

This workshop is not a sales pitch as Craig has no products to sell and makes no commissions.  It is an opportunity for you to hear what he has learned through his work that will help you avoid mistakes and maximize your gifts to loved ones and ministry. 

You are welcome to come to the church for the presentation on Sunday, October at 11:30 AM. Please sign up by CLICKING HERE to register or notify Scott Seevers at [email protected] of your interest to join us. A light lunch is provided.

Craig offers free, confidential and family focused planning for those wishing to include one or more LCMS ministries in their estate plan – including our congregation.  For more information about his services, plan to attend the workshop or contact Craig at 402-616-0312 or [email protected].


Our September item for the Blue Valley food pantry is boxed meals. The collection box is in the Rock Cafe. Thanks for being a blessing to the community in this way! You can see our Blue Valley Pantry item schedule on our website. Also, they would still like more of the following: pasta, pasta meal mixes, instant potato side dishes, and mashed potatoes. 


YogaFaith News:  Join Erika Rolf (RYT-200) or Sara Moll (RYT-200) for Christian YogaFaith classes at The Rock!  

Class offerings are as follows:  All Level YogaFaith is on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m.; Restorative YogaFaith every Sunday night at 7:00 p.m.; Flow and Go is offered twice a month on Saturday mornings from 8:00-8:45 a.m.;  and a 15-minute Sonrise YogaFaith class focuses on stretching, prayer and God’s word. Please see their Facebook page for a full calendar and more information.  https://www.facebook.com/YogaFaith-Seward-256010628294784/



Our Website | https://www.therockseward.org/

Giving while at home | https://www.therockseward.org/giving-at-the-rock/

Vimeo | https://vimeo.com/therockseward  

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRockSewardNebraska

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therockseward 

Contact Us | [email protected] 

Prayer Requests | [email protected] 

Mail | PO Box 199, Seward, NE 68434

Prayer requests are received by our prayer warriors, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. If you would like them kept confidential and not included in public prayers on Sundays, just let us know in your email.

Rock News & Seward Mask Mandate

The Directors and Ambassadors at the Rock are grateful for your willingness to adapt to our frequently-changing COVID-19 worship precautions.  This week, the City of Seward passed an ordinance requiring face coverings in public indoor spaces when groups of 10 or more people gather, including in churches. Aligning our worship practices with this ordinance, face coverings will be required for anyone aged 5 years or older, with exceptions for those with some health conditions. Our face covering practice will apply to in-person worship and all other activities at The Rock until the ordinance is amended or no longer in effect. Please keep in mind that we will continue offering an online worship alternative.

Thanks for cooperating with our local health and policy-making officials who are endeavoring to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  As we all walk through this time together, let us continue to walk in the Lord.


The Rock’s Advent Challenge with Heifer International: Help us meet our goal of raising enough funds to provide 10 sheep for families in developing countries.  10 sheep X $120/sheep = $1200.  To learn more, go to heifer.org.


 

Bell ringing for the Salvation Army red kettles will be at the Seward Wal-Mart.  All sign-up is done on-line at https://www.registertoring.com/Default.aspx  Simply find Seward, NE and sign up for a time to ring.  Remember, that 90% of the funds collected stay in Seward County to do the most good right here. The Salvation Army funds are dispersed in Seward County by the Seward Ministerial Association.


 

Our December item for the Blue Valley food pantry is tuna. The collection box is in the Rock Cafe. Thanks for being a blessing to the community in this way!


 

The Rock has been blessed throughout 2020 with continued strength in monthly giving that has allowed us to meet our budget, even amidst difficult economic conditions. Praise God for this!

This fall, however, components of a large roof air conditioning unit failed and the Directors have authorized repairs for Spring 2021 at a cost of about $20,000.  We will use available cash and the church’s line of credit to cover this work.

If your family is in a position to make an extra gift at the end of 2020, it would be a blessing to The Rock and reduce the amount we place on our line of credit.  If you choose to do so, indicate the extra gift is for the “A/C Repair Project.”

Finally, consult your tax advisor about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act legislation.  It allows 2020 tax deductions for charitable donations of up to $300, even if your family does not itemize deductions.


View The Rock’s service each week from home!

We will continue to provide viewing options on Facebook and YouTube for those who need to or prefer to worship from home at this time.

We’re so glad  you join us for worship in whatever way you do, and we look forward to being together again as a Forever Family!


YogaFaith is offering both in person classes and online classes.  Class offerings are as follows:  All Level YogaFaith – Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5:30 pm and Restorative Candlelight YogaFaith is every Sunday night at 7:00 pm.  To stay 6 feet apart, we are limiting the number of people in the room to 6 (including Sara and Erika) so you will have to register in advance for an in-person class. Please click on this link to sign up for a class. If you would like to take the class online please email Sara at [email protected] and she will give you instructions!  As always please check our Facebook page for more information.   https://www.facebook.com/YogaFaith-Seward-256010628294784/


Thank you for being so faithful in your giving. As a reminder, we have 4 giving options other than the offering basket:

  • You can mail your offering checks to us at: The Rock Church, PO Box 199, Seward, NE 68434
  • Download the GivePlus app and give to The Rock using your smartphone. Enjoy the convenience of making credit or debit card donations as a guest user, or create an account to set up recurring donations and view your giving history.
  • Give online through InFaith and your donation can be made via credit/debit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your checking/savings account. Through a collaboration with the InFaith Community Foundation and Thrivent Financial, The Rock will not be assessed any fees if you give through this online portal.
  • Joyful Response is a way for individuals to make their stewardship commitment to God through The Rock on a regular basis. They can determine the start and stop date of the giving as well as the intervals of payment. This is a simple way for each of us to support the ministry through The Rock. People can designate their gifts to be split out towards the general fund or maybe they want some money to go into a building fund or outreach fund.
  • Click here for an electronic offering form. Forms need to be turned in to Rock treasurer Dave Kumm for processing, or mailed to The Rock.

 



If you have any questions about The Rock, need information about our events, or anything else, please contact us at [email protected].  Also, if you have a prayer request to submit during the week (or anytime) send it to [email protected]. Our prayer warriors will receive these, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. 

Rock News: 7/13

Join us for in-person worship (with certain limitations in place).  Click here to “make your reservation” by noon on Friday, July 17 and let us know how many people we can expect. (We are limited to 50% capacity, so your help in providing exact numbers of those who will attend is appreciated.) To read the full policy about returning to in-person worship, click on this link to our website

We will continue to provide livestream options on Facebook and YouTube for those who need to or prefer to worship from home at this time.


 

You and your family can access the materials for the BOLT Vacation Bible School program by clicking on this link: https://www.gocurriculum.com/bolt-family-portal and entering the password LETSBOLT to get access. Find a parent guide, videos, song playlist, and info on games and crafts.


 

Our July item for the Blue Valley food pantry is canned meat (anything but tuna–we collect that in December). The collection box is in the Rock Cafe.  


 

Emmi Moll is hosting a virtual art show on Facebook with proceeds to support the Guatemala Mission Team. The sale will start on Monday, July 13 at 6pm, but you can check out the pieces ahead of time by visiting the event on Facebook. Here is a link to the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/196087108510571/ . You can also look it up on Facebook under the name “Art Fundraiser for Guatemala Mission!” Purchases will be first come, first serve, so be sure to peruse before Monday night! Please check the event or email Emmi Moll at [email protected] with any questions!


 

Consider signing up at this link to bring a meal to the Boggs family as Megan recovers from surgery. The Meal Train link includes information about their food preferences, time to drop off the meal, and the dates available. You can also help them with the costs of their trip for this surgery by sending them GrubHub and DoorDash gift cards. You can send e-gift cards to [email protected].


Stepping Stones (Pre-K thru 4th grade children’s ministry) is in the process of planning to start back up in September.  We need some more leaders and helpers to help our children continue to grow in their baptismal faith each week.  Is God nudging you to serve His little children in this way?  We’d love for you to learn and grow with us too!  The curriculum we use is very user friendly.  You can email [email protected], call 402-643-6624, or message us on The Rock’s Facebook page with your intentions or any other questions.


 

YOGAFAITH AT THE ROCK IS NOW OPEN!  We are offering both IN PERSON classes and online classes.  To stay 6 feet apart, we are limiting the number of people in the room to 6 (including Sara and Erika) so you will have to register in advance for an in-person class. Please click on this link to sign up for a class. If you would like to take the class online please email Sara at [email protected] and she will give you instructions!  As always please check our Facebook page for more information.   https://www.facebook.com/YogaFaith-Seward-256010628294784/

July Schedule:

Tuesdays at 5:30 pm with Erika  – July 14, 21 and 28

Fridays at 9:00 am with Sara  – July 17 and 24 (no class on July 31)


Summer is in full swing and the lawn at The Rock is growing quickly! We try to mow and trim at least once a week. Please consider signing up for  a week when you can mow and/or trim. If you can mow, but not trim, that’s okay. Or maybe you can trim, but not mow. That’s okay, too. Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Mowing is generally done on Friday or Saturday. If you’re signing up to mow for the first time, you’ll be contacted and instructed how to get the mower and how to operate it.  Click here to sign up and help us keep our lawn from becoming a jungle. 


 

Thank you for being so faithful in your giving. As a reminder, we now have 5 giving options:

  • Drop your offering in the basket in the Cafe area if you are attending in-person worship. We won’t be passing the baskets during the service.
  • You can mail your offering checks to us at: The Rock Church, PO Box 199, Seward, NE 68434
  • Download the GivePlus app and give to The Rock using your smartphone. Enjoy the convenience of making credit or debit card donations as a guest user, or create an account to set up recurring donations and view your giving history.
  • Give online through InFaith and your donation can be made via credit/debit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your checking/savings account. Through a collaboration with the InFaith Community Foundation and Thrivent Financial, The Rock will not be assessed any fees if you give through this online portal.
  • Joyful Response is a way for individuals to make their stewardship commitment to God through The Rock on a regular basis. They can determine the start and stop date of the giving as well as the intervals of payment. This is a simple way for each of us to support the ministry through The Rock. People can designate their gifts to be split out towards the general fund or maybe they want some money to go into a building fund or outreach fund.
  • Click here for an electronic offering form. Forms need to be turned in to Rock treasurer Dave Kumm for processing. You can mail them to The Rock while we’re not gathering.


If you have any questions about The Rock, need information about our events, or anything else, please contact us at [email protected].  Also, if you have a prayer request to submit during the week (or anytime) send it to [email protected]. Our prayer warriors will receive these, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. 

Rock News: Drive Up Communion and Tentative Opening Date

Join us for church tomorrow, for part three of our new series, “Love Does.”

Watch on YouTube     //    Watch on Facebook    //  Watch on our website


We are going to be offering “drive up” Holy Communion for those who are interested. We’re working on a safe process for packaging and handling the elements (gloves, masks, letting things sit for a few days) and then a two-part process of giving you a bag with your bread/wine as you drive up and then driving forward to pray with Pastor Mike. We’ll have three Saturday morning sessions and one Wednesday evening session available, and are asking families to indicate which dates they will come, whether they will come at the top or bottom of the hour, and how many will be taking communion so we can prepare properly for each date.

Please respond by Sunday evening for Wednesday communion and by Wednesday noon for Saturday communion. Click here to make your reservation now so we can prepare properly.


 

After prayerful consideration, hearing from our church body leaders, and reading through “Nebraska State Guidelines to Resume Worship,” The Rock leaders have decided to tentatively resume public (in-person) worship gatherings June 7th. We will visit each week about opening earlier than June 7th if restrictions change. Until then, The Rock will continue to stream worship each Sunday at 10. We will continue to provide some form of online worship once we resume Sunday services.

This was not an easy decision knowing people are on both sides about public gatherings. At this time there are many unanswered questions. Read more by clicking here to read the full announcement.


 

Spring has sprung and the lawn at The Rock is growing! We try to mow and trim at least once a week. Please consider signing up for  a week when you can mow and/or trim. If you can mow, but not trim, that’s okay. Or maybe you can trim, but not mow. That’s okay, too. Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Mowing is generally done on Friday or Saturday. If you’re signing up to mow for the first time, you’ll be contacted and instructed how to get the mower and how to operate it.  Click here to sign up and help us keep our lawn from becoming a jungle. 


We now have 4 giving options:

  • You can mail your offering checks to us at: The Rock Church, PO Box 199, Seward, NE 68434
  • Download the GivePlus app and give to The Rock using your smartphone. Enjoy the convenience of making credit or debit card donations as a guest user, or create an account to set up recurring donations and view your giving history.
  • Give online through InFaith and your donation can be made via credit/debit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your checking/savings account. Through a collaboration with the InFaith Community Foundation and Thrivent Financial, The Rock will not be assessed any fees if you give through this online portal.
  • Joyful Response is a way for individuals to make their stewardship commitment to God through The Rock on a regular basis. They can determine the start and stop date of the giving as well as the intervals of payment. This is a simple way for each of us to support the ministry through The Rock. People can designate their gifts to be split out towards the general fund or maybe they want some money to go into a building fund or outreach fund.
  • Click here for an electronic offering form. Forms need to be turned in to Rock treasurer Dave Kumm for processing. You can mail them to The Rock while we’re not gathering.

 

Join YogaFaith through Facebook Live! Since it looks like we will need to continue to practice social distancing for a while longer, YogaFaith will still be teaching via Facebook Live for the rest of April.  Sara will teach on Friday, April 24 at 9:00 am, and Erika will teach on Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 pm.  Once May rolls around, we will review the situation again and decide how much longer we will need to offer class via Facebook. The classes are available live at the set times on “YogaFaith-Seward Private Member Group” found at the following link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/240000133788419/.  If you are not already part of the group, click on the link and request to join.  

With Facebook live, you will be able to see the instructor, but we will not be able to see you.  Please feel free to comment or ask questions during the class.  We will have one person teaching the class and another filming and watching for comments or questions.  Also, since we can’t see you, you will need to be extra careful to make sure you are able to comfortably complete the class.  If there are positions you aren’t sure of or aren’t comfortable with, don’t force anything.  Send us a question, do an alternate, or just relax until the next pose.

 


It’s been a few years since we’ve asked our members to share their personal contact information with us. We’d like everyone, even if you’ve been members from the start or only occasionally gather with us for worship, to visit the form at this link and fill in as much personal information as possible. This information is for our leadership only. Your contact information will eventually be shared in a members’ directory that will be password protected, and you will have the opportunity to decide how much of your contact information will be public. If you have questions about how we’re keeping your information secure, send them to [email protected] and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.



 

If you have any questions about The Rock, need information about our events, or anything else, please contact us at [email protected].  Also, if you have a prayer request to submit during the week (or anytime) send it to [email protected]. Our prayer warriors will receive these, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. 

Rock News

Join us for church tomorrow, for part two of our new series, “Love Does.”

Watch on YouTube     //    Watch on Facebook    //  Watch on our website

 


We have updates from some of the missionaries supported by The Rock.


We now have 4 giving options:

  • You can mail your offering checks to us at: The Rock Church, PO Box 199, Seward, NE 68434
  • Download the GivePlus app and give to The Rock using your smartphone. Enjoy the convenience of making credit or debit card donations as a guest user, or create an account to set up recurring donations and view your giving history.
  • Give online through InFaith and your donation can be made via credit/debit card or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through your checking/savings account. Through a collaboration with the InFaith Community Foundation and Thrivent Financial, The Rock will not be assessed any fees if you give through this online portal.
  • Joyful Response is a way for individuals to make their stewardship commitment to God through The Rock on a regular basis. They can determine the start and stop date of the giving as well as the intervals of payment. This is a simple way for each of us to support the ministry through The Rock. People can designate their gifts to be split out towards the general fund or maybe they want some money to go into a building fund or outreach fund.
  • Click here for an electronic offering form. Forms need to be turned in to Rock treasurer Dave Kumm for processing. You can mail them to The Rock while we’re not gathering.

Spring has sprung and the lawn at The Rock is growing! We try to mow and trim at least once a week. Please consider signing up for  a week when you can mow and/or trim. If you can mow, but not trim, that’s okay. Or maybe you can trim, but not mow. That’s okay, too. Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Mowing is generally done on Friday or Saturday. If you’re signing up to mow for the first time, you’ll be contacted and instructed how to get the mower and how to operate it.  Click here to sign up and help us keep our lawn from becoming a jungle. 


Join YogaFaith through Facebook Live! Since it looks like we will need to continue to practice social distancing for a while longer, YogaFaith will still be teaching via Facebook Live.   The classes are available live at the set times on “YogaFaith-Seward Private Member Group” found at the following link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/240000133788419/.  If you are not already part of the group, click on the link and request to join.  

With Facebook live, you will be able to see the instructor, but we will not be able to see you.  Please feel free to comment or ask questions during the class.  We will have one person teaching the class and another filming and watching for comments or questions.  Also, since we can’t see you, you will need to be extra careful to make sure you are able to comfortably complete the class.  If there are positions you aren’t sure of or aren’t comfortable with, don’t force anything.  Send us a question, do an alternate, or just relax until the next pose.


Thank you to everyone who has shared their contact information with us. If you haven’t yet done so, please visit the form at this link and fill in as much personal information as possible. This information is for our leadership only. Your contact information will eventually be shared in a members’ directory that will be password protected, and you will have the opportunity to decide how much of your contact information will be public. If you have questions about how we’re keeping your information secure, send them to [email protected] and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.


 

If you have any questions about The Rock, need information about our events, or anything else, please contact us at [email protected].  Also, if you have a prayer request to submit during the week (or anytime) send it to [email protected]. Our prayer warriors will receive these, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. 

Rock News

  • It’s been a few years since we’ve asked our members to share their personal contact information with us. We’d like everyone, even if you’ve been members from the start or only occasionally gather with us for worship, to visit the form at this link and fill in as much personal information as possible. This information is for our leadership only. Your contact information will eventually be shared in a members’ directory that will be password protected, and you will have the opportunity to decide how much of your contact information will be public. If you have questions about how we’re keeping your information secure, send them to [email protected] and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.

     
  • Thanks to all who contributed to our 25 by 25 campaign to raise funds for maintenance on our building, including tuckpointing repairs. You may see this work being done on our building if you drive past The Rock in the next few weeks.

     
  • Join us online for our service at 10 on Sundays. You can watch on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube channel.  (We’d love it if you subscribed to our YouTube channel too. Once we get 100 subscribers, we can change our channel URL to TheRockSeward so it’s easier to find) Feel free to share your comments and prayer requests (if public) in the comments on either platform.

    Website | https://www.therockseward.org/
    Giving while at home | https://www.therockseward.org/giving-at-the-rock/
    Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/therockseward
    YouTube |  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQd1aldKGg-JO-sjPtgjebw
    Contact Us | [email protected]
    Prayer Requests | [email protected]

     
  • While we are unable to gather in person for services, you can still send your offerings in via mail to:
    The Rock
    PO Box 199
    Seward, NE 68434

     
  • Thank you to everyone who supported the Guatemala Mission Team by ordering meals from  La Carreta on Monday.

     
  • For the time being, YogaFaith is not meeting. But once they do meet again, everyone will be welcome to YogaFaith – flow and stretch with Erika or Sara at The Rock (237 South 3rd). YogaFaith has moved into its new room at The Rock!  Where: Room 120 (Located in the north east corner of the basement of The Rock:  Enter the south doors, walk past old Yoga room. Keep walking to the staircase at the end of the hall.  Walk down the ½ flight of stairs, turn right, walk down another ½ flight and the room is to your left.)

    Join us for an all-levels Christian yoga class to help you focus and connect with Him while you strengthen, stretch and balance.  Please bring a mat, if you are able, but we do have mats that you can borrow. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.  Also, on Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m., join us for a gentle and relaxing Candlelight YogaFaith class at The Rock. These classes focus on stretching and slow movements.  They are Christ-centered, restful and appropriate for all levels. First class is free; after that it is $5.00 per class. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes early in order to settle into your space. 

 


If you have any questions about The Rock, need information about our events, or anything else, please contact us at [email protected].  Also, if you have a prayer request to submit during the week (or anytime) send it to [email protected]. Our prayer warriors will receive these, as well as Pastor Mike Meyer. 

 

 

 

Rock News

Here’s your Rock news for the week:

  1. THIS SUNDAY. Jesus’ final days started with a celebration of his entry into Jerusalem. It’s the beginning of the huge party God is preparing for us. This week in Week 2 of Jesus: The Final Days, we’ll look at the “cause” behind what Jesus did at the end of his life on earth. We all are willing to do lots of things for a “good cause.” Join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to look at what Jesus was willing to do for a good cause.
  2. EMBRACE ADOPTION SUPPORT: Has your life been touched by adoption or foster care? Are you interested in adoption or foster care? Come to the Rock at 7:30 pm on the last Monday of each month to be part of the Embrace Support Group providing support and information to those involved in adoption or foster care.
  3. GIVING AT THE ROCK: If you are interested, a copy of the income statement and balance sheet for the Rock for the first half of the fiscal year (July 1 to December 31) is available here. The statement shows that we are right on budget for giving as of December 31, but that means we are really a little behind. December giving should put us ahead of budget since giving is usually lighter in June. Thank you to everyone who faithfully and financially supports what God is doing in and through the Rock. Remember, if you would like to set up regular monthly contributions to happen automatically and electronically, you can fill out a Joyful Response form and drop it in the offering basket or get it to Dave Kumm, our church treasurer. Information about giving and the Joyful Response form are available here.
  4. STRATEGIC PLANNING: As the first step in some strategic planning, Pastor Mike and the leaders of the Rock are gathering information in lots of different areas (Finances, Worship, Facilities, Outreach, Children/Youth, Facilities) to help evaluate how we are doing. If you are contacted for information or to fill out a survey, please provide your honest feedback. Thanks!
  5. JOB OPPORTUNITIES. The St. John Child Development Center in Seward is in need of a cook and will be looking to fill a couple teaching positions soon. Interested parties can contact the Director, Rebecca Bimler, at 402-643-3122.
  6. BLUE VALLEY PANTRY: It’s March and time for a new item for the pantry. We were a little light on the soup contributions for February. Let’s step it up with lots of Peanut Butter in March. There’s nothing better to make Jesus’ love stick to someone else.

Have a blessed weekend!