October is that beautiful time of fall. I love fall. The smell of the air, the crispness that you feel in the morning, the beautiful colors, I am so thankful that I grew up in Nebraska where you get a little taste of each season. As we have started our fall education activities I just want to take moment to remind you of a few happenings going on right now.

Rejoice!, our children’s program on Wednesday evening is going great with all the volunteers coming and teaching, cooking, serving, singing, whatever job you help with-THANK YOU. A big thank you to Sara Willis and Amy Mitchell for their wonderful leadership. God does always provide. We did not know what we were going to do or who was going to step up and next thing we knew--there were Sara and Amy. Thank you so much for letting God lead in your life.

UMYF-United Methodist Youth Fellowship is into a great kick off. We have averaged 35 in Middle School and 15-20 in High School. Meeting here at the church has found its challenges but also found its rewards. Thanks to Middle School leadership-Robin Sanderson, Kim Weller, Merwyn Davidson, Lisa Rasmussen and High School leaders Audrey Smalley and Monte Scherff. Again, we wondered who was going to step up and God provided once again and these folks listened to their hearts.

We have started visiting with young people about the mission trip. 2011 we will be traveling to Loveland, CO for our mission trip. If you are interested or know someone that is interested, please have them contact me as soon as possible. I have a covenant for them to look at and sign and I need a $100.00 deposit as soon as possible. At this point we have around 15 interested with actually paying already-Thanks. Come talk to me right away if you are interested.

Oct. 3 you will have the opportunity to support your UMYF groups and attend a pancake feed during the coffee hour. A free will donation will be taken and the proceeds to help fund the UMYF activities. Thank you in advance for this support.

Oct. 27 will be our 2nd Annual Youth Rally. This year’s theme is “Being Called Where You Are”. Rev. Jason Kennedy from Bellevue will be our featured speaker this year. His scripture for the night is taken from John 17:6-9 and 13-19.

Please take time to read these scriptures and pray over them. Give them the authority of the Holy Spirit to work in the young people at this rally and that God will be praised.

Special music for this evening will be provided by Aaron Michael Weil from South Dakota. He comes very highly recommended and you can go to his web-site at www.aaronweil.com and see what you think. I am so excited to be promoting this special event in the life of our young people. Please remember them in prayer always, but especially as this event approaches.

Sunday School is off in full speed and another thank you to all those helping and volunteering for the education of our congregation. Those teachers from Pre-school through adults are greatly appreciated.

In closing I just want to share that October is Pastor Appreciation month and I would like to say we have two of the finest pastors in the Nebraska United Methodist Conference. We are so lucky to have both of them. If you think about it and see them this month let them know how much you appreciate all they do.<.p>

Well, the next time you hear from me will be Thanksgiving time, hard to believe. Have a great and blessed fall season.

Randy Shackleton