Rock News

2/6/19

  • 2018 giving statements are now available in a box in the Rock Cafe area next to the dog bowl (for donations to the Comfort Dog ministry) , so be sure to pick yours up this week! 
  • Gary Thies, Mission Development Counselor with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, will be joining us at The Rock for Bible class (8:45) and in the worship service on February 10. Gary lives on a farm in Western Iowa and is Director of Mission Central. He would love to share with you the news of what is really happening in missions through the LCMS. Be sure to invite someone to come with you because you, too, are a missionary! Gary brings to you and the congregation an in-person presentation with pictures and artifacts direct from the mission field. He has visited 75 countries and continues to connect weekly with over 100 LCMS missionaries around the world. More information at www.missioncentral.us.

    Stay after the service on 2/10 for Souper Sunday, a soup and dessert potluck lunch. We’ll provide two types of soup, table service and drinks. We ask all who are able to bring along a soup to share or some dessert. Can’t cook? Come anyway and join our Forever Family Reunion lunch. 
  • National Youth Gathering Valentine’s Fundraiser:  Looking for a unique gift for a loved one on Valentine’s Day? Surprise them at work, school or home (within Seward city limits) with a serenade by our local Kitones quartet group. The group will sing two love songs, give them a rose and take a picture to share with them later that day.

    Call Cliff at 308-708-0325 by Tues, February 12th to schedule a time for the serenade. A suggested donation of $25 (mailed to 762 Cory Drive, Seward NE 68434 by February 11, or dropped off by February 13 at the Seward United Methodist Church between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mon through Fri) will benefit all of the teens and chaperones headed to the Gathering. Checks need to be made out to The Rock Church. 

    Other arrangements can be made for delivering your donation if needed, and a serenade can be scheduled for Friday, February 15 if needed.

  • Scholarship Opportunity: Thrivent Student Resources is giving away $5,000 that you can use for higher education . Enter today for your chance to be one of FOUR lucky winners. Visit https://bit.ly/2v1PUnH to enter. Open to US residents 14 or older. Complete official rules available through the link. Contest closes 3/31. 
  • We are still in need of ice melt. If you’re able to donate some, please drop it off inside the front doors. We use about 40-50 pounds each time there’s ice or snow and winter is in full swing! Thanks to all who have already donated some! 
  • Lutheran Marriage Encounter has been hosting weekends for 50 years enriching thousands of marriages.  These couples have had the opportunity to renew not only their relationship with each other, but also with God and with their church. To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Marriage Encounter is offering a 50% discount off the application fee. This year’s event will be held March 1-3 at the Ramada Midtown in Grand Island. To learn more and to register, click here: https://godlovesmarriage.org/event/marriage-encounter-grand-island-ne/

  • Concordia University, Nebraska is celebrating its 125th anniversary: In 2019, Concordia University, Nebraska is celebrating its 125th year of educational ministry. As part of these celebrations, on Saturday, March 23rd, Concordia and Jones Bank are presenting Celebration at the Lied, at Lincoln’s Lied Center for the Performing Arts.

    This one time only concert, held in a fantastic setting, will feature Concordia University, Nebraska’s acclaimed music ensembles performing a variety of sacred and secular selections intended to entertain and inspire. It will be a great experience for any and all who enjoy Concordia’s music programs, in particular, as well as for those who simply enjoy quality choral and instrumental music. Tickets, which range from $45 to $15, are on sale now online. 
  • Our February item for the Blue Valley Food Pantry is soup. The collection box is in The Rock cafe and our community appreciates your generosity.  
  • 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. 
  • Ladies’ Bible Study, Morning Amigos, meets from 10:15 to 11:30 in the Rock Cafe.  Questions? Contact Karen Hoffbauer (karenhoffbauer@hotmail.com) or Marcia Newsome (mooma496@hotmail.com). 
  • Yoga at The Rock:  Marge Rhodes teaches Yoga at The Rock on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome!

    YogaFaith with Sara Moll and Erika Rolf meets in Room 216.  Everyone is welcome to join us for 1 hour long Christ centered yoga classes – your first class is FREE!  Please contact Sara at tmoll@neb.rr.com if you have any questions. Also, find YogaFaith here on Facebook for more updates or here on Instagram. Weather Policy: If the Seward school system cancels school due to the weather, then we will not have class. The February schedule is as follows:
    Candlelight YogaFaith on Sundays, 7-8 p.m. – February 10 – Erika; February 24 – Sara
    All Levels YogaFaith: Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM:  Feb. 12, 19, 26 (Erika) Fridays,  9:45-10:45 AM: Feb. 8, 15, 22 (Sara)

 

Rock News

  • Changes for tonight’s kids activities: On Wednesday, October 3, children in K-4th grades will be meeting at Holthus Plaza at Concordia University (the fountain and bench area between Janzow and Thom). They’ll be visiting students along with our comfort dog, Nicodemus, and inviting them to worship at The Rock. Please bring your children by 6:30 and pick them up in the same location at 7:30. Pre-K students will still meet at The Rock. Middle school students in 5-8th grades should meet at Zabka Funeral Home (410 Jackson Ave) at 6:30. Parents should pick them up from the funeral home at 7:30.
    Also, on both October 17 and 31 there will be no Stepping Stones or FaithInk.

 

  • NYG Fundraiser:  Family Friendly Meals Saturday Oct. 13!  Come to Bottle Rocket Brewing for Lunch 11:00-2:30 and watch the Husker game on the big screen.  Or come for supper 5:00-8:00pm and listen to the Firehouse Five brass band play.  Serving: brats/hot dogs, chips, carrots, & cookie. All drinks sold separately by Bottle Rocket Brewing, including water, pop, and craft root beer. All proceeds from the meals will go to the accounts of the Youth involved who are attending next summer’s National Youth Gathering. Coordinator: Julie Berry  berry@stjohnseward.org  Those who are interested in attending the Gathering can sign up for this fundraiser and get other news at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627906407461002/

 

  • October is Pastor Appreciation Month! Be sure to thank Pastor Meyer and his family for all they do for our forever family at The Rock!

 

  • LIFE CHAIN SUNDAY is OCT. 7. 2:00 -3:00PM – West side of Court House
    What Is Life Chain? It’s a “prayer chain” and public (sidewalk) witness against abortion. Come, let us seek God’s divine intervention for the healing of our community and nation.  Who Should Attend? The Seward area Christian Community and all who are willing to defend human life against abortion. Bring the family, including a chair for elderly relatives
    Let Us Pray:

    • For our personal repentance and for spiritual awakening
    • For the unborn’s protection and for legalized abortion to end in U.S.
    • For God to convict and save abortionists and all who defend them
    • For all who witness our Life Chain, that their hearts will be touched
    • For our Christian leaders to extol Godliness, whatever the cost
    • For our public officials, that they will uphold justice and righteousness
    • For God’s anointing and divine use of 1550+ Life Chains in America

 

  • There will be a Comfort Dog meeting on Sunday, Oct. 14 after church at 11:20 am in Room 217.

 

  • It’s time for rice as our Blue Valley Food Pantry collection box with our October item of rice. Add some to your shopping list and bring it along to bless others. 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.

 

  • 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 tmoll@neb.rr.com if you are interested in joining us or if you have any questions.

 

  • 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 October 2 – Sara teaches, October 9, 16, 23, 30 – Erika teaches.   Fridays at 9:45 am October 5 – Erika, October 12, 19, 26

 

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 tmoll@neb.rr.com 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 tmoll@neb.rr.com or follow us on Facebook at YogaFaith-Seward or Instagram @yogafaithseward.