Our Worship Team
Pastors Leading the Services at both Churches in January. Make plans to attend the services each week.
Pastor Exeter Greeters Geneva Greeters Acolytes
Feb. 1: Galen Rasmussen JoDeen & Phil Swartz Vanessa Behmerwohld & Molly Peters
Feb. 8: Galen Rasmussen Deana & Kevin Briggs Emily Turner & Carson Williams Feb. 15: Galen Rasmussen Klaire & Derek Jagels Weston Rayburn & Reagan Williams
Feb. 22: Galen Rasmussen Sharon Dyer Max & Emily Turner
**If you would like to be added to the list, please contact Cris in the Church office . Thank you.
Volunteer Liturgists are needed during the month of January. If you would like to read the scriptures during the Worship Service one or more Sundays during the month, please sign your name beside the date(s) on the sign-up sheet on the table in the Fellowship Hall, or call Cris at the church office (402-759- 3239) and let her know what week you would like to volunteer.
RENEWAL:2026
Unity Does Not Mean Uniformity
As I begin this article, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has prayed for, thought of or reached out to us during Brenda’s recovery. You will never know how appreciative we are to the thoughts and prayers. Itruly is a testament to this church and to how they care for those that are a part of this church and also reflects in how they make a difference in the lives of those that are not a part of this church. Thank you so much and may
God bless you for what you have done.
As was stated in the last Newsletter the theme of Renewal has been set for 2026. One of the ways that we are going to look at renewal during this year is every month in my article we are going to focus on a way that we can move forward in renewing our lives. As we look forward to the month of February, our hearts often turn toward the theme of love. However, for our congregation, this February carries an additional weight of excitement and
responsibility. We have concluded our Annual Meeting. The reports have been filed, the budget has been approved, the elections have been made and the goals have been set. We now find ourselves at a pivotal moment: it is time to turn our shared vision into action.
The Annual Meeting is a unique milestone in our community life. It is where we exercise our collective voice, reflecting on the challenges of the past year and identifying the goals that will shape our future. But the meeting is never the destination—it is the starting point in navigating the future that God has put in front of us.
As we look at the goals and changes identified during our gathering, we are called to move forward with a spirit of renewal. Whether it involves new outreach initiatives, updates to our facilities, or shifts in how we facilitate our ministries, these changes represent our best efforts to follow where the Holy Spirit is leading us. Moving forward requires more than just agreement; it requires a renewed commitment to one another as we navigate the practical steps of implementation.
As we begin to enact these changes, it is vital to remember the core principle of our life together: unity, not uniformity.
Our Annual Meeting highlighted that we are a diverse body with varying perspectives on how best to achieve our mission. This is a strength, not a weakness.
• Uniformity would mean we all think and act exactly alike, which often leads to stagnation.
• Unity, conversely, is the "bond of peace" that allows us to move forward in the same direction even when we have different ideas about the pace or the process.
As we pursue the goals set at the meeting, there may be moments of friction or uncertainty. In those times, let us prioritize our relationship with one another over our personal preferences. We can disagree on the "how" while remaining fully united in the "why"—our shared love for Christ and our service to this community.
As the year progresses, you will see the fruits of our meeting begin to take shape. I encourage you to:
1. Stay Engaged: Look for specific opportunities to help with the new goals identified at the meeting.
2. Practice Patience: Changes take time to implement, and your grace during these transitions is a form of ministry in itself.
3. Keep Praying: Continue to lift up our leadership and our entire congregation as we walk this path together.
Let us move into February with a renewed sense of purpose. We have set our course and now we begin the process of renewing our lives, our church and our community in 2026. Have a great month!
In His Service
Galen Rasmussen
402-759-2413 (cell) or pastorgalen@gmail.com