The Keene Koinoia

Keene Evangelical Free Church Newsletter June 2011

Inside this Issue…

Pastor’s Corner Page 1 – Pastor’s Corner
The Reliance of Men -Women’s Circle
by Pastor Matthew Snell - Missions
We are, by nature and, I believe, by Western- Page 2 - VBS Theme and Information
mindset, self-reliant. In many aspects this self- -VBS Work Days
reliance proves to be a very needed and good -Bible Study
-Summer Sunday School
attribute. It allows us to “buck-up” when needed,
-Play Date Info for June
to grab the “bootstraps” and carry on. Upon this -Church Camping Trip and Picnic
self-reliance is built the fierce independence that Page 3 -Church Work Day
has carved many a life in this country. In the -Evening Fellowship
same way, when in need, when we are in a hard -Summer Camp
place, we look to the strong self-reliance of others -A Father’s Day Poem
to help us out and into greener pastures. We rely -Coming Up at Keene
on the strength of mankind often. This has been -Contact Information
proven by history to have favorable outcomes, at
times. Nevertheless, we know that mankind’s
strength only goes so far. We know that when we
begin to replace God’s abilities and strength with
mankind’s self-reliance things tend to fall apart.
In Isaiah 31 the prophet is speaking of Israel’s
reliance on another world power of their time to Women’s Circle for June
come to their aid when in reality they should have Circle #2 headed up by Nurita, Rachel, and Marge are
been turning to God. Isaiah 31.3 states: “But the responsible for serving at events taking place at
Egyptians are men and not God; their horses are church in June.
flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out Thank you ladies!
his hand, he who helps [comes to the aid of the
weaker in their own strength] will stumble, he who
is helped will fall; both will perish together.” Missions
God wants Israel to rely on Him, not Egypt. He is
saying, “Why would you trust in that which is The Mission for June is for Dan Wahlgren with Table
created when you can trust in the One who in the Wilderness.
created all?” God is clucking his tongue at the
reliance of men. God is calling them back into Kaylie Mellema is traveling to Uganda, Tanzania and
Kenya and Adventures in Missions this summer.
reliance on Him for their needs.
During this trip Kaylie will be disciple and trained in
What about us? What, or who, is our reliance various areas of ministry and missions and will also
based on. Is it God? Is it man? Is it the have the chance to minister to people who need to
government? Is it luck? What we rely on tells a hear of salvation through Jesus. Please begin to pray
lot about who we worship and who is at the center for Kaylie as God prepares her for this adventure and
of our life. Let us not be ashamed of the reliance during her ministry in Africa.
of men; rather, let us be humble and dependent
on the power and strength of our Lord Jesus
Christ. To Him be glory and honor.
Amen.

Church Newsletter 1
 VBS 2011 Summer Sunday School
July 18th-22nd
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Summer Sunday School classes begin in June. The
classes will be grouped accordingly:
July 24th - VBS Program
th
Kids 4 yrs. to Completed 6th Kids Pre-K through 6 grade
Grade Welcome! Jr. and Sr. High
Adult Class
Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street is full of fun, Anyone willing to teach on or more
music, games, projects, snacks, lots of other kid-friendly weeks of the Kids Class please
activities. But Main Street is not just about fun and games sign-up in the Fellowship Hall.
– it’s about changing lives and helping kids see how Jesus
can make a difference every day. Each day kids will be Materials for teaching will be provided, or you are welcome
challenged to talk about Jesus’ parables, put the Word on to use your own Sunday School lesson ideas.
the Street into action, and make choices that serve others!

Check out our VBS Website on the Church Blogspot at

Play Dates at Yanney Park in June
http://keeneefc.blogspot.com under the VBS tab. Here
June 9th and 23rd
Mom’s with kids of all ages are welcome to come and hang
you can register children, register to volunteer, get a out and enjoy all there is to do at Yanney Park in Kearney.
sneak peek, and find out how to donate items for VBS.  The Splash Park
 Playgrounds
 Fishing
 Biking
 Walking
 And More…
We will be there at 10:30 a.m. Come anytime and stay as
long as you are able. Bring a snack or even a picnic lunch
for you and your kids and enjoy fun and fellowship with
other church moms and their kids.

VBS Workdays
In preparation for VBS in July, we will have workdays on Church Family Camping Trip and Picnic
st
Wednesday mornings starting June 1 at 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. June 10th and 11th
Even if you cannot help during VBS week your help is Harlan County Lake
welcomed during the workdays! There is a sign-up sheet in
the Fellowship Hall if you’d like to volunteer in a specific
area or go to the blogspot and fill in the information for Camping on Friday
volunteering. If you Come any time on Friday and enjoy many activities close
are unable to come to to the campsite (fishing, hiking, swimming, a playground
workdays, but are area, etc.). There will be many things for the whole family
willing to work on to enjoy!
things at home, let
Pastor Matt or Joy Campsite: Northeast Camping Area (just south of Harlan
know. County Dam Offices – turn left just before going over the
dam).

Sunday School Picnic on Saturday at Noon

Bible Study Even if you are not camping, please come and enjoy the
Sunday School Picnic on Saturday. Bring two picnic
Bible Study will be type items to share. The picnic will be at the campsite
at 7:00 p.m. on area. Tableware and drinks will be provided.
Wednesdays
in June. For any questions about camping or the picnic, give
Pastor Matt a call 308-743-2611 or 308-830-2603.

Church Newsletter 2
 Church Work Day
th
Mark your calendars for June 25 at 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
and plan to come out as we work together on projects
around the church. There will be a posted list in the
Fellowship Hall of tasks that need completed. Pick a job
and go to it. Cross it off when you are done!
Summer Bible Camps
If you are going to a church camp this summer, please
let Pastor Matt know as soon as possible. The
information for Camp Joy and Timberlake are on the
table in the Fellowship Hall. Check it out!

Evening Fellowship
th
When: Sunday, June 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. Coming up at Keene…
July 18-22 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. VBS (be sure to
We will have an evening of fellowship on the last Sunday pack a sack lunch)
in June. Watch bulletin for more details. July 24 – VBS Program

Happy Father’s Day

Sunday, June 19, 2011

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need, Keene Evangelical Free Church
Then God combined these qualities, 662 F Road
When there was nothing more to add, Axtell, NE 68924
He knew His masterpiece was complete, (308)743-2611
And so, (Church and Parsonage)
He called it ... Dad Church Email: keeneefc@rcom-ne.com
– Anonymous. Pastor Matthew J. Snell
Pastor’s Cell (308)830-2603
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the
Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm Stay up to date on blogspot
103:13 keeneefc.blogspot.com

For general communication items for bulletin,

announcements, newsletter, etc. email to:
keeneoffice@rcom-ne.com

Church Newsletter 3