The Keene Koinoia

Keene Evangelical Free Church Newsletter December 2010/January 2011

Again, let me just say, from and for my whole family,

Pastor’s Corner you are greatly loved by us,
Congregation Appreciation!
By Pastor Matt Snell In Christ,
Pastor Matt
I love the passage in Hebrews 13 where the author
states: “Obey your leaders and submit to their
authority. They keep watch over you as men who
must give an account. Obey them so that their work Inside this Issue…
will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no Page 1 – Pastor’s Corner- “Congregation Appreciation”
advantage to you.” Of course I love it…it makes my -Dec/Jan Missions
life easy if everyone would just obey it (can you hear - Women’s Circles for Dec. & Jan.
the slight tone of JOKING?)! That is a life verse for Page 2 -Kids’ Christmas Program Rehearsals &
all pastors. But what about the congregation that -“Hanging of the Greens”
DOES make a pastor’s life “a joy”? -Sunday School Christmas Program Info.
- S.W.A.T. Youth Ministry
-AWANA Ministry
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 “We ought always to Page 3 – Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon
thank God for you, brothers (and sisters), and rightly -2010 Poinsettia Information
so, because your faith is growing more and more, -Christmas Eve Musicale Service
and the love every one of you has for each other is -New Year’s Eve Party
increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we -Baby Shower for Erin Williams
boast about your perseverance and faith in all the -“Burning of the Greens”
Page 4 – Winter Women’s Night
persecutions and trials you are enduring.” Now that
-Winter Men’s Night
is a congregations’ life verse!
-Concessions at Axtell BB Game
-Birthday and Anniversary Updates
-EFCA National Magazine Info.
If October is “Pastor Appreciation” month then -“Keene” Store (shirts, mugs, notepads)
November – September ought to be “Congregation -Contact Information
Appreciation” months! As we end this year and
begin another I want to tell you all how much I have
come to appreciate you. You truly make my
“ministry” here a joy! I take the “ought” out of the
verse in 2 Thessalonians and just say “I always Missions in December and January
thank God for you!” This is not simply because I feel
loved here; it is also seeing how you are growing in Missions for December will be for Keene Scholarship
your faith and how you care for one another. As the Student: TEDS – Andrew Norris.
line goes from the good ‘ol times of Saturday Night
Missions for January will be for Jim and Terri Wilson –
Live skits: Hear me now and believe me later” when I
Press On Youth Ministry in Kearney.
say that I do boast about you among God’s churches
(I can do that because I have a verse!).
Women’s Circle for December and January
Circle #2 headed up by Nurita and Marge are
God has such a work to do in this community and I responsible for serving at events taking place at church
am truly blessed to be serving Him here at Keene. I in December!
don’t claim to know where or how He is taking us in Circle #3 headed up by Stephanie and Mary Wendell
our faith journey together, but I can tell you this – I are responsible for serving at events taking place at
am glad we are in it together. church in January!
Thank you ladies!

Church Newsletter 1
 Kids’ Christmas Program Rehearsals
and
Parenting Bible Study
The Kids’ Christmas Programs are going well! Thank
you parents for making sure your child(ren) are at
rehearsals! Please take notice of a few rehearsal
additions to the previous schedule!

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or mentor “Sleepover at the Stable”
any child, we welcome you to join us for the remainder of Sunday School Christmas Program
the Parenting Bible Studies. The video sessions and
discussions are excellent! Sunday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m. with reception to
follow.
Dec. 1st: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Kids’ Rehearsal
Parenting Study #4: The Importance of Your Family’s 6th Grade and Under, please arrive at 5:30 p.m.
Faith Plan
Dec. 5th: Practice Suring Sunday School. Jr. High & Sr. High Youth, please arrive at 6:00 p.m.
5:30 -6:30 p.m. Practice in the Music Room
downstairs during “Hanging of the Please have your children wear white on top and black
Greens”. Meal served at 6:30 p.m. on bottom.
Dec. 8th: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Kid’s Rehearsal
Parenting Study #5: Tools for Your Family’s Faith Plan
Dec12th: Practice during Sunday School S.W.A.T. Youth Ministry
6:30 p.m. Kids’ Christmas Program with
reception to follow
There will be a S.W.A.T. Movie Night
th on Saturday, December 11th. Mark your
Dec. 15 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Kids’ Celebration Party!
calendars now, more details to follow.
Parenting Study #6: Practical Tips for Parents

S.W.A.T. will also meet on Sunday, January 23rd.

AWANA Ministry
Family Night There are only 3 weeks left of Awana for the first
semester - December 1st, 8th, and 15th all starting at 3:30
p.m. Please take a look at the bulletin board and sign up
to bring cookies for the kids. The kids love them whether
store-bought or homemade!

“Hanging of the Greens” The Awana Christmas Party and Store will be held on
Sunday, December 5, 2010 December 15th. We are in need of “store” donations.
5:30 p.m. Throughout the semester kids are doing Bible memory
work earning Awana Shares. During the Christmas party
they are allowed to spend the shares they earned.
Please bring the whole family out to decorate the church for the These can be any items (toys, trinkets, books, etc.) you
Christmas Season! think kids grades 2nd-6th would enjoy. Please drop off
your donations in the Church Office marked with Awana
Children will meet downstairs in the Music Room at 5:30 to store. Thank you!
rehearse for the upcoming Christmas program.
Awana will resume on January 15th at 3:30 p.m. for the
We will all come together at 6:30 p.m. for soup, sandwiches, second semester.
and cinnamon rolls!

Church Newsletter 2
Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon Happy New Year!
Ladies, take a break from all the Christmas preparations
and enjoy some fellowship time and delicious food. There will be a Church New Year’s Eve Party at Mark
and Nancy Wells’ home on Friday, December 31st at
When: Saturday, December 18th 7:30 p.m. Bring the whole family to ring in the 2011.
Please bring a food/snack to share!
Where: Alley Rose in Kearney

Time: Noon

Cost: $7.99 for Lunch Buffet Bar

$1.50 for drinks

RSVP: by December 16th by signing up on the bulletin

board, emailing keeneefc@rcom-ne.com or texting
830-0030.

A Baby Shower for Erin Williams and

new little one!
2010 Poinsettias When: Sunday, January 9th
Poinsettias that have been purchased in honor or
memory of someone will be decorating our Sanctuary in Time: 3:00 p.m.
December. There will be an insert in the church bulletin
on November 28th and December 5th allowing you make Where: Jody Frerichs’ Home
your poinsettia purchase(s).
Hostesses: Nancy Wells
The cost of the poinsettias will be $15.00. The deadline Doris Cain
to make your purchases will be December 5th. Feel free Jody Frerichs
to place forms and payment in offering plate marked
“poinsettias” or in the church office. Thank you! *If you would like to take part in a group gift, please see
Nancy Wells.

Christmas Eve Musicale Service

Friday, December 24th at 5:00 p.m.

“…And Heaven and Nature Sing”

We invite you to attend the Keene

Evangelical Free Church Christmas Eve
Musicale and Candlelight Service.
Family Night
Bring family and guests to enjoy
beautiful music and the Christmas
Message of the Birth of Christ!

“Burning of the Greens”

Sunday, January 9, 2011
5:30 p.m.

Bring the whole family out for a cozy evening of taking all of
the Christmas decorations down.

Meal will be provided and served by Circle #3 (Stephanie and

Mary Wendell).
Church Newsletter 3
Winter Women’s Night Winter Men’s Night

“After-Christmas-Sales-Gift-Exchange” Men mark your calendar for January 30th at 6:30 p.m.
We will have a winter men’s gathering. Stay tuned for
When: Sunday, January 16th further details.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Have fun shopping the after-Christmas sales and find a

good buy! Bring a gift to the winter women’s night to
exchange ($5.00 limit, please.)

Concessions

Keene will be in charge of serving the concessions stand and a meal

at the Axtell home basketball games on Tuesday, January 25th.
Mark your calendars and look for more information to be coming out in January.

Birthday and Anniversary Updates EFCA National Magazine Online Only

A master list of birthday and anniversary dates will be The EFCA National Magazine is now available online
coming out in January. To make sure we have your only. You can find a link to the magazine on the
family’s information correct, please complete the green ½ blogspot or go to www.efcatoday.org.
sheet in front of church mailbox and turn into Jennifer’s
“inbox” (wooden box) on counter in the church office.
Thanks!

“Keene Store” Keene Evangelical Free Church

662 F Road
Axtell, NE 68924
(308)743-2611
(Church and Parsonage)
Church Email: keeneefc@rcom-ne.com
Pastor Matthew J. Snell
Pastor’s Cell (308)830-2603
The first order of Keene shirts has been placed! Thanks
to all that ordered! If you missed a chance to get yours Stay up to date on blogspot
ordered, no problem! We will place another order after keeneefc.blogspot.com
the first order has arrived and you have a chance to see
how they turned out! For general communication items for bulletin,
announcements, newsletter, etc. email to:
Anyone wanting to purchase additional Keene keeneoffice@rcom-ne.com
Evangelical Free Church 130th Anniversary mugs, they
are available for $3.00.

There are also some beautiful notepads on the table in

the fellowship hall for $1.00. These would make great
Christmas gifts! Be sure to take a look!

Church Newsletter 4