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Issue 3 I March 2025
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Let Your Faith Be Stronger Than Your Fear
Lent 2025
“Bad cannot succeed even in being bad as truly as good is good.”
- C.S .Lewis in The Great Divorce
Lent is a season of preparation, it is the way that the Christian prepares their souls for gift of Easter. This season is marked by practices that help us focus our attention on the holy that is around us, on the good that God is. Fear is powerful and yet the story of Jesus is the story of faith, the trust we have in God who is love, to make all things well in the end.
This Lent join us as we seek to make our faith stronger, through worship, service, and community. We will offer 40 days of Bible study with our pastors, a daily opportunity to join others in hearing the ancient story in new ways, we will have an opportunity to learn about hope through C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce, a short novella about a group of people who take a journey from hell to heaven. These community and learning opportunities will be grounded by weekly worship where we will proclaim good news and hear words about Faith, Fear, Heaven, Hell, and Hope.
Join us in this journey!
Ash Wednesday March 5
Noon & 6:30pm
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our journey to Easter. This day we remember our own humanity and our need for God through the imposition of ashes. There will be two
opportunities to receive ashes. Stop by between Noon-1:00pm to receive your ashes in the Sanctuary (casual, drop-in)
Ash Wednesday Worship, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary
This deeply spiritual service will help prepare our hearts for the season of Lent and will be designed for the entire family to worship together. Infant/toddler childcare available. This service will be livestreamed.
*Please note that there will not be any Wed Night Live dinner or programming that evening. We invite everyone to attend the service with your family.
Sermon and book discussion with Dr. Keck and Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas Wed. April 16, 6:15pm
Compline
Sunday, March 9, 7:00-7:30pm, Sanctuary
Ancient Worship for the modern soul.
40 Days 4 Pastors
Lenten Bible studies at First-Plymouth
This Lent, our Pastors Jim Keck, Juan Carlos Huertas, KJ Langlais, and Jim Miller will lead 40 days of Bible studies. Join us for a daily opportunity to join others in hearing the ancient story in new ways and deepen your Lenten journey.
March 6 – April 14
Schedule at firstplymouth.org/40days
Sundays, 5:00pm Calvert Parlor, Rev. Jim Miller
Mondays, 10:30am, Calvert Parlor, Pastor KJ Langlais
Tuesdays, 5:30pm, Calvert Parlor. Dr. Jim Keck and Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas
Wednesdays, 6:15pm, Pilgrim Hall. Dr. Jim Keck and Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas
Thursdays, Noon, Choir Room, Dr. Jim Keck
Fridays, Noon, ZOOM online, Pastor KJ Langlais
Saturdays, 4:30pm, Calvert Parlor, Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas
First-Plymouth Presents
Heaven & Hell . . . Just An FYI
Join the conversation with Jim Keck and Juan Carlos Sunday, March 30, 6:00pm (doors open at 5:00pm). Screamers Family Restaurant (803 Q St)
Grab a soda, beer, or dinner (available for purchase).
Parking garage located directly across the street.
Lenten Devotional Booklets
Daily devotionals written by church members. Copies available at the church or at firstplymouth.org prior to Ash Wednesday. Thank you to Dale Hauptmeier for all the work on this big project!
Celebrate Charlotte
Charlotte Miller, a beloved member of First-Plymouth, was honored by the Diaconate Board on January 27 for her commitment to serving communion each Sunday to her fellow residents at the Grand Lodge of the Preserve.
Charlotte prepares and serves the communion to fellow residents who gather in the Lodge’s Fireside Room to watch the livestream of First-Plymouth’s 10:30am service.
The Deacons presented Charlotte with a certificate designated as an Honorary Deacon in appreciation of her “faith, service, and commitment” to First-Plymouth and her fellow residents. Charlotte, who has been a member of First-Plymouth since 1981, told the deacons she does not believe in strict dogma but, rather, “in discipleship and in following the teachings of Jesus.” At age 95, she says every day is a blessing to her.
Pastor KJ Langlais spoke for the board when she told Charlotte, “Thank you for your ministry.”
Have you tried FP South yet? We’d love to see you there!
Sundays, 9:30am, located at Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Dr (S. 40th & Yankee Hill)
A casual service, but deeply Christian with scripture, prayer, singing and joy. The service is a fusion of our other FP services at the main site but in a smaller setting. There is a Sunday school experience for the kids. PLUS+ there is an accessible entrance and easy parking.
Theology on Tap
Healing Resistance
Conversations on Non-Violence, Advocacy, and Solidarity in Urgent Times
Mondays, March 17, April 28, 7:00-8:00pm, The Mill-Innovation Campus.
Join Pastor JC this spring for a series of conversations on the ways that the church can be an effective movement of resistance in the world today. Pastor JC believes that such resistance does not use the tools of the oppressor in thought, word, and deed and yet the tools it uses can be effective if only we commit to this healing way together.
In Memory of Jane Ellefson
Associate Minister at First-Plymouth, 1987-1991
Rev. Jane Ellefson, who served as associate pastor at First-Plymouth from 1987 to 1991, passed away January 20, 2025. Jane’s light shone brightly at First-Plymouth, where she preached, sang, provided pastoral care, and was passionate about issues related to justice and peace. She led the Board of Women’s Ministries, and in 1989 she founded DayWatch which provided daytime shelter and outreach to Lincoln’s homeless until 2004.
In 1991 Jane was called as a missionary in Ghana, West Africa, to create a Church Music program at the seminary in Peki. She maintained her Nebraska connections, developing a Ghana Partnership with First-Plymouth and the Nebraska Conference UCC. Although Jane’s missionary assignment ended in 1997, the Ghana Partnership continued to thrive. Nebraskans invested in many projects in Ghana, including a library at the seminary and a clinic in nearby Dzemeni. Nearly 100 Nebraskans traveled to Ghana, and many Ghanaians visited Nebraska during this 25-year cultural, educational, and spiritual exchange.
A celebration of Jane’s life will be held at Federated Church, 2704 15th Street, Columbus, NE, on Saturday, March 22, at 10:30am. Her full obituary is at www.gasshaney.com/obituary/rev-jane-ellefson.