New Horizon

A Monthly Publication of

Lowman United Methodist Church

Volume 28, Issue 4

April 2024

From the desk of Rev. Ever V. Mudambanuki:

EASTER - HOPE TO THE HOPELESS

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:2)

Easter is here! Jesus is risen from the grave. Remember the song, “Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose, He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!" People around the world now have hope because Jesus rose from the dead. Big breath, Easter people! The dark hour is gone. Our Jesus is alive.

There is always HOPE in every dark hopeless situation. Easter is always hope to the hopeless. Sunday dawned upon Jerusalem. On that dark day, it was a hopeless, fearful Sunday morning. The women arose early and went to the tomb of Jesus. Friends, God works while we are afraid, asleep, hopeless, and heart-stricken. God had planned this Easter story behind his enemies. God's love surprises people. The enemy guarded Jesus’ grave with mighty men. But then came Sunday morning…the incredible, glorious, and beautiful morning! Hope! We are Easter people! We are hopeful Christians who walk by faith and not by sight. Because Jesus rose from the dead we can truly face tomorrow faithfully. All our fears are gone because we know Jesus holds the future. Paul attested to this hope when he said, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25)

Easter people, be hopeful and encouraged. Jesus promised his disciples that he would return, and after three days in the grave, he arose. His resurrection should assure us that God is able to restore life to the hopeless. As we experience spring, we see barren trees restored. If there is hope for the tree, and earthly environment, our lives can be restored too.

Easter teaches and enables us to be overcomers to seemingly insurmountable life situations. Life has twists and turns, ups and downs. The good news is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus we are more than conquerors. Therefore, always remember that the resurrection of Jesus is the most amazing miracle of all times. It has been well narrated since ancient times, and still holds powerful meaning to us today. Hope is alive. Just believe this old, old story and connect to Easter - hope to the hopeless.

In your darkest hour, pray this prayer: Thank you, Father, that on Easter Morning we celebrate the greatest Miracle of all times…Easter Sunday! May we be forever grateful that you taught us to give, by the Greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. Our Hope is firmly built in you forever. Amen!

Embracing the Spirit of Regular Giving and Support

Dear Members of the Congregation,

As we gather in fellowship, it becomes evident that our church community's strength lies not only within the walls of our sacred building but also in the unyielding support we offer one another. Today, I am compelled to share the profound impact that consistent giving—be it through monetary donations, in-kind contributions, your presence, or the sharing of your unique talents—has on our church and the lives it touches.

Our church serves as a sanctuary, a beacon of hope, and a pillar of support for each one of us. It is a place where we find solace in times of need, celebrate moments of joy, and grow spiritually in communion with one another. The outreach programs, the pastoral care, the community events—all are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our congregation to serve both its members and the wider community.

However, the needs of our church extend far beyond the physical structure we gather in. They reach into the hearts and lives of those who seek comfort, guidance, and a sense of belonging. By giving regularly, we not only sustain the vital work of our church but also ensure that its light continues to shine brightly in a world that often feels dark and uncertain.

I invite each one of you to reflect on the ways in which the church has enriched your life and the lives of others. Let us come together in a spirit of generosity and commitment, knowing that our collective efforts will nurture our church community and enable us to extend our reach even further.

Each of us has something special to offer and without our participation, each of us is missed. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared mission.

With gratitude and blessings,

Diane Schafer, Stewardship Chair

CALLING ALL BASKET BRIGADERS!

The youth are bringing back the silent auction and baked potato bar. Baskets will be displayed beginning Easter morning, March 31st. Bids on the silent auction will finish on April 21st and baskets will be awarded at the Baked Potato Bar following worship service.

We are suggesting a $5.00 donation for the Baked Potato Bar to support youth activities.

Thank you, Amanda Conrade

4/5/24 @ 10:40am Pastor Ever is inviting everyone to her presentation at the SCT Adventures in Learning entitled "My Journey of Faith Story."
4/15/24 @ 7pm - JUMP Rally at First United Methodist Church.
4/21/24 Potato Bar following worship service.
4/21/24 is open for baptism of children and adults during worship service.
4/27/24 Lowman UMC is participating in Topeka Sharefest from 8am to noon. We will be serving a local school. More details to follow.
4/23 through 5/3/24 UMC Conference Charoltte, NC
5/19/24 Confirmation Sunday and BIG MUSIC SUNDAY #16
6/6 through 6/9/24 Great Plains United Methodist Annual Conference
8/17/24 LOWMAN'S GOT TALENT XI at 7pm. You must sign up with Jeannie Gish by July 7.

BIG MUSIC SUNDAY #16

For the sixteenth year the Lowman Bell Choir and Joyful Noise will be featured in a special worship service to mark the end of the “choir season”. Join us on Sunday May 19 as we celebrate the following theme: “Hail to the Confirmands!” You may wonder why we chose this theme. It is because May 19 is also Confirmation Sunday! The titles of the songs presented will be messages from the musicians to those joining the church and will hopefully serve as encouragement for their continued faith journeys. The service will begin with the Bell Choir sharing two or three selections, one of which is “He Leadeth Me”. Then the Confirmation portion of worship will take place. Worship will end with Joyful Noise singing two or three selections, one of which is “We Are Not Alone”. Come enjoy the music and welcome our newest members!

LOWMAN’S GOT TALENT XI !!

Are you a singer or a dancer? Do you play a musical instrument? Can you tell some jokes, act in a skit, or do magic tricks? Perhaps you just enjoy sitting in the audience, eating popcorn, and enjoying a soft drink while you cheer on the children, youth, and adults who share their talents. Whether you perform or watch, be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. A free will donation goes into our Choir Scholarship Fund that pays college students to ring and sing with our music groups. Those who wish to participate in the talent show need to be aware of the following requirements:

By July 7 -- You must sign up with Jeannie Gish.

By August 4 -- You must give Jeannie the title of your act or the song you are singing or playing or dancing to. You must also give a recording of your dance music to Adam.

On August 17 -- You must attend a staging and sound rehearsal from 10:00am until noon. You must be present for the 7:00pm show no later than 6:40pm.

This is always a fun event in our church year! Mark your calendars and come enjoy!

SHEPHERD'S CENTER OF TOPEKA

On Fridays during April, SCT will be having their Adventures in Learning from 8:30am to 11:30am here at Lowman. First time guests can register for a Free Friday. You can register online (at the website below) or contact Karen 785-249-3258.

Check out the Shepherd's Center website at www.shepherdscentertopeka.org for more information on Adventures in Learning and Activity Groups.

Children’s Ministry Team

Confirmation class is underway for nine of our congregation: Emma & Drew Brown, Lana Kennedy, Lauren Tenbrink, Rodrigo Schultes, Brylee Garner, Cameron Brogren, Traci Brown, Kingsley Mudambanuki. We are having meetings at various times until the Confirmation ceremony on May 19, 2024. We are excited to help them on this special journey.

Mark your calendars for VBS that will be July 15 through 18 this summer. The theme will be Camp Firelight. More details to follow.

Nancy Garner

BAPTISM

On March 17, 2024, through the Sacrament of Baptism,Traci Brown was initiated into Christ's holy church and given new birth through water and the Spirit. Pastor Ever Mudambanuki performed this Sacrament with several congregation members present to support Traci.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED TO LOWMAN UMC

Our new memebers Dale Gay, Rhonda Gerhardt, Deana Jones, and Julie Westermann were welcomed and introduced to the congregation on March 17, 2024.

Phyllis Bartel, Rick Bartel's mother -- health concerns at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission
John Babcock -- health concerns
Virginia Shepard -- health concerns
Janet Schalansky -- health concerns
Johne Green -- Personal
Joseph Sapata, Karen Boldra's son-in-law -- health concerns
Miles, friend of Ben Gapske -- health concerns
Shirley Counseller -- health concerns
Sherri Pollman -- health concerns
Sumpathy to Pat Clark and family for the loss of her son, Rodney "Rod" Alan Chmidling.
Sympathy to the family of Madelyn Franzke at her passing on March 21. A memorial service is planned for May 25.

SUMMER SPECIAL MUSIC

During the summer months when the Bell Choir and Joyful Noise are taking a break, the opportunity exists for other musicians to praise God with their special gifts. In place of the choir anthem, each Sunday we have special music. That is where you come in! Beginning May 26 and every Sunday through September 1 Jeannie Gish schedules people to share their musical talents. It is important to remember that since we stream our service on Facebook Live, all the music performed must be covered by one of our two license sources. Jeannie can help you by suggesting some licensed music or checking to see if your favorite song is licensed. If the Spirit moves you, contact Jeannie to schedule a Sunday to provide our special music.

Doorstep Newsletter Article ~ April 2024

This is a busy month for Doorstep!

First, April 1 – April 15 we are having a fundraiser with Play it Again Sports where you can take your quality used sports gear and equipment to their location in Fairlawn Plaza Mall, let them know it is for Doorstep’s fundraiser, and at the end of the month Doorstep will receive the proceeds! We have tried to time this event with ‘spring cleaning’! You can recycle equipment you no longer use or need, free up space in your home, and make money for Doorstep, all at the same time!

The Annual Banquet and Quilt Drawing will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30pm. We will have dinner, honor our volunteers, and celebrate the work we did in 2023! Dinner will be taco bake, chips, salad and dessert. RSVP to Doorstep (785-357-5341) by April 19. We have 13 quilts from wall hangings, baby, KU, K-State, the KC ChIefs and more! Location TBD.

Friday, June 28 is the date of our inaugural Golf Tournament for Doorstep! Flyers and information are available on our website: www.DoorstepTopeka.org

The 7th Annual Neighbor Helping Neighbor Walk/5K Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 @ 9:30am.

Doorstep, Inc. Endowment Fund brochures were sent to your clergy in March. Help Doorstep continue helping your neighbors in need into the future by including Doorstep in your Legacy and Planned Giving. Brochures are also available at Doorstep and on our website: www.DoorstepTopeka.org/legacy-giving/.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MARCH LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING

FINANCE - Diane Schafer

The team reviewed the lists of bills and account balances.

TRUSTEES - Jim Jones

We are getting bids for mowing and to replace some roof shingles.

There was a discussion on building use policies. Robert will look at the form currently used and rewrite it to be a contract for the building use.

NA is having difficulty with someone who wishes to bring her dog to meetings. Lowman will only allow service animals on the premises.

A question arose regarding the possible offering of music at events in Wesley Hall using the cart containing audio equipment which Adam uses for church events. The team decided that we will not include such a service in the building use policy.

FUNDRAISING - Kevin Garner

The pancake feed raised a total of $999.90.

Potato bar and basket auction are the current fundraisers. The auction will begin on Easter Sunday and end after the potato bar on April 21.

Fall festival - Jennifer Hosie and Alison Davenport are heading this; Mum sale will be included - the NOW team heads this event.

Macho Man bake sale – authorization to proceed was granted with the date and time to be determined.

Women’s tea - in the planning stage, perhaps for 2025.

Many other fundraising ideas: planter and hanging basket sale, bingo night, chicken dinner following Sunday worship, fireworks sale, spaghetti dinner, garage sale, 5K run, offering from persons for their birthdays, noisy offering. The first Noisy offering will be on April 7.

In the April newsletter, we are including a letter to the congregation regarding stewardship because we do not want our fundraising efforts to take away from regular giving to the Budget. We need a regular Stewardship month, perhaps September or October.

COMMUNICATIONS - Adam Schafer

Communications team met recently to set goals for the year including adding information to the pre-service slides to refer people to website and Facebook to check out Lowman events.

The team recommends to Leadership that we end the use of Vanco. Leadership team approved.

Another recommendation from Communications is to put QR codes in the bulletin, on the worship PowerPoint and in the newsletter. Recommendation was approved.

NURTURE, OUTREACH, & WITNESS - Adam Schafer

The team is getting Easter cards for shut-ins which will be made available on a Sunday for those in attendance to sign.

June 1, July 13, Aug 3 – prospective dates for Movies on the Lawn

We need ideas on how we can use Van Dyke (facility dog.)

ShareFest - April 27 - unity project to cleanup schools.

The team is looking for new Lowman coordinator for Doorstep as Susan Venis has done this for a long time and would like to step down from it.

Craft Fair - Nov. 2

Operation Christmas Child – boxes to be packed for the Christmas season

Fall Festival - Oct. 5

Sandwich Ministry - Easter weekend

WORSHIP & MUSIC - Susan Conrade

Easter lilies have been ordered.

Palms have been ordered.

Easter at Lowman: Palm Walk; Maundy Thursday with light meal in Wesley Hall; Good Friday; Easter Egg hunt on Sat.; Easter - Son’s Up, breakfast and worship service with cantata

May 19 - Big Music Sunday and confirmation

Meetings of the team will be on Tuesday evenings in the future.

STAFF PARISH - Jan Maxwell

Still working thru ZipRecruiter to fill the financial sec position. Jan has revamped the qualifications list for the finance secretary position.

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRY - Kevin Garner

Looking for help to keep classrooms downstairs clean.

Easter Egg Hunt on March 30, March 26 - 10 am - meet to fill eggs OR you can fill eggs on your own at another time prior to March 26.

Fundraising through Potato Bar is for a trip in the summer to Branson.

Confirmands going to Cloisters on the Platte on Wed., March 13.

FELLOWHIP - Margaret Jantzen

Breakfast after Son’s Up will be sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and fruit.

Maundy Thursday - Dale Gay will be helping with this.

STEPHEN MINISTERS – Margaret Jantzen

The group is looking for more people to become Stephen Ministers.

We need information in order to make hospital visits.

ENDOWMENT/SCHOLARSHIP - Robert Maxwell

The team will meet soon after the end of the 1st quarter.

Does Lowman have an application for scholarships? This is usually done through personal contact.

PASTOR'S REPORT - Rev. Ever Mudambanuki

Reflective supervision course - still in process
Working with mentees thru the Board of Ministry
Four persons will join Lowman on March 17
April 23-May 3 United Methodist Church General Conference

Volunteering in April

Opening the church: Diane & Dale Schafer

Greeters: Darren, Traci, Emma & Drew

Ffellowship Snacks: Bartel Family

Liturgists

April 7 -- Royce Dent

April 14 -- Phyllis Hemberger

April 21 -- Mary Haller

April 28 -- Amanda Garner

Children’s Message

April 7 -- Pastor Ever

April 14 -- Betsy Brogren

April 21 -- Jackie Howard

April 28 -- Jeannie Gish

Volunteering in May

Opening the church: Need volunteers?

Greeters: Need Volunteers May 5, 12 &26

5/19 Ryan, Jana, Lauren, Annie & Cara

Fellowship Snacks: Betsy Brogren

Liturgists

May 5 -- Patty Bottorff

May 12 -- Jan Maxwell

May 19 -- Margaret Jantzen

May 26 -- Phyllis Hemberger

Children’s Message

May 5 -- Pastor Ever

May 12 -- Royce Dent

May 19 -- Betsy Brogren

May 26 -- Jackie Howard

Lowman's calendar is posted on our website under events at www.lowmanumc.org

Have you ever used Lowman's online calendar? It features several months of scheduled events for Lowman. Recently added are two features to make it very helpful: If you click on an event, you may have an email reminder sent to you. You may also send an invitation to others to join the event.

Lowman's 2024 Team Chairs

Leadership Team - Robert Maxwell, Chairperson

Lay Leadership Team - Rev. Ever Mudambanuki, Chairperson

Worship Team - Susan Conrade, Chairperson

Education Team - Nancy Garner & Amanda Conrade, Co-Chairpersons

Stewardship Team - Diane Schafer, Chairperson

Memorials Team - Dale Schafer, Chairperson

Endowment & Scholarships Team - Robert Maxwell, Chairperson

Nurture, Outreach, and Witness (NOW) Team - Amanda Garner & Patrick Schultes, Co-Chairpersons

Fellowship Team - Margaret Jantzen, Chairperson

Trustees Team - Jim Jones, Chairperson

Become Part of Our Family

Would you like to become a member of Lowman United Methodist Church? We’d love to have you join our family! Call the church office at 785-272-8921 to visit with Pastor Ever.