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Program: America, guns and God The Rev. James Atwood, author of “America and Its Guns: a Theological Expose,” will speak at South Gate United Methodist Church, 3500 Pioneers Blvd., at 7 p.m. Monday. For more than 55 years, the Presbyterian pastor has been a gun owner, a hunter and a member of the Na- tional Rifle Association. But Atwood said gun violence is a public health crisis that must be addressed. Devoted gun owners often will say guns don’t kill, but 30,000 death certificates every year state otherwise, Atwood said. The minister contends there are profound spiritual implications that outweigh the political ones regarding the prevalence of guns and violence in our communities, and that the faith community has a responsibility to find ways to curb violence. “As we consider ways to address violence in our communities, it is important for faith communities to find ways to advocate for change,” said the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, pastor at South Gate UMC. Atwood also will be in Omaha on Tuesday and in Grand Island on Wednesday. His visit to Nebraska and Kansas is sponsored by the mercy and justice team of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church. His appearances are co-sponsored by Nebraskans for Peace, the Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, and the Peace and Social Jus- tice Center of South Central Kansas in Wichita. PastorBy MARK DYKES Sowsreflects his ownSeedslife. WithAtregardLentento being on head toLunchhis heart. He followed Asst Managing Editor Raised a Roman Catholic, good soil, Lucas said it took the call to ministerial life, . Lucas said Lent was always a him failing miserably at which brought him to ALLIANCE—At this week’s special always gave selling days, Lenten Luncheon, hosted at time. He insurance for him to Alliance. These the tale up something, find his calling. Meeting with gives Presbyterian Church, he said, and of the sower him a the First always pun-ishment. another pastor, Lucas asked Pastor Tom Lucas of Alliance failed and feared chance to evaluate where his He added he misun-derstood whether he was able to be— for-given. soul is. United Methodist Church The two studied the getting spoke. the meaning of Lent. — Lucas is also better Later in his life, Lucas came Bible the first time Lucas at giving away things, whether Lucas said one of his had read it all the way they physical objects favorite passages is the story of to his parents with the idea of be or becoming priest, through and slowly his fail- misgivings, anger Gospel a but their mental or the sower, found in the prejudices. of Mark. The story goes that joking about his decision He asked those a quickly than internal. He began attending planting, averted him from it. — the lunch to look at sower was and attending a Methodist church, give away spread seed along Lucas also shared that he has Lent as a time to some a struggled and Christ started becoming things, prepare path, rocky ground, struggled with alcohol and — such and for some on him, coming thorny ground and greed in his life.Me. more real to with the the of Christ at Easter. some on message moving from his some on good earth. The sower, explained Lucas, sows the Word of God, and religious leaders do their best to sow that Word. He further noted it typically takes a pas- hours each week to prepare a sermon. (See( See LUNCH on page 2) ( continued from page 1) The seeds, Lucas said, are like people. Those who fall on the path listen to a sermon and think it’s good, but noth-ing happens afterward. Those on rocky ground hear the Word and are filled with joy, but it doesn’t last and they are quick to fall away if they are persecuted. Those on thorny ground let material objects and wants get in the way of hearing the Word. However, those on good soil bear good Photo by Mark Dykes/Times-Herald fruit to the world. Pastor Tom Lucas of Alliance United Methodist Church speaks at this week's Lenten With each comparison, Luncheon. Lucas used the story of the sower and the seed to speak about his own life, Lucas told of how the story how different people experience the Word of God and the meaning of Lent. Last‘TheSupper’alivecomes

JAKE WRAGGE/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO Members of United Methodist Church perform the living dramatization of Leonardo DaVinci's painting of the Last Supper at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk in this 2014 file photo. The Norfolk Area United Methodist Churches will once again present the dramatization of the Last Supper at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Johnny Carson Theatre. In addition to the dramatization, the event also will include scripture, music and, for those who desire to partake, the sharing of the bread and cup as a community of faith. A free will offering will be accepted to offset the expense of the event. The production is open to the public. Marriage issue not generally doctrine By Nancy McGill cent. and female to be two distinct Even if the law changes, the [email protected] “For us, every four years is genders determined at birth church is not required to per-form difficult because of the close and marriage is between one gay marriages. WAHOO The issue of gay split and that the issue has man and one woman. “The tide within our so-ciety unions is more political than not been decided by a land-slide,” Ford said society struggles is it’s just a matter of anything right now, Pastor he said. because as a nation, church time before gay marriage is Eric Ford of First United Every four years is when and state are supposed to be accepted and allowed in all Methodist Church,– said. the Methodist Church re-vises separate. But on the topic of 50 states,” he said. Ford said gay marriage the Book of Discipline, gay marriage, votes are cast United States District is a tough topic because not a guide Ford must follow according to the Bible. Judge Joseph Battaillon only is it political, the subject whether he believes in gay “We are caught between a overturned the constitu-tional cuts straight to human emo-tion. marriage or not. rock and a hard place within ban on gay marriage “Our current book will not our culture,” he said. March 2, but gave Nebraska “I would put this along the support it or allow us to per-form Ford said there are several time to appeal. Nebraska At-torney same lines as abortion and marriages,” Ford said. churches in Omaha that dis-agree General Doug Peter-son the death penalty. As I talk Neither does the Christian with the Book of Dis-cipline, quickly appealed and a with folks, they are either and Missionary Alliance for but he has no idea decision is expected from the for or against. Everyone I’ve Wahoo Community Church. what his congregation will Eighth Circuit Court of Ap-pealsAp- talked to has a position,” The Alliance has an official choose. peals in May. Ford said. policy concerning marriage He said the congregation-al ((InformationInformation forfor thisthis story He said the church’s de-nomination and human sexuality, Pastor al system inin place at First was contributed byby Robynn nomination on the whole isis Don White stated. United Methodist, allows Tysver of the Omaha World split on thethe issue, 49 to 5151 per- The church findsfinds male each congregation to decide.decide. Herald.) Leonard Pitts coming to Lincoln to speak April 12 Award-winning com- Affairs. mentator, journalist and “Barriers to reentry from novelist Leonard Pitts, Jr., prison to civilian life” -Ka- will speak on “Eating (Jim) trina Thomas (a reentrant); Crow: Divisions Created by and Jim Jones, executive Race and Divisions Created director of OASIS (Offender- by Poverty” at Peacemak- Accountability Synergistic ing Workshop XXIX April Interactive Services). 12 at First United Methodist “Youth organizing for Church, 50th Street and St. social change” Vernee Paul Ave. Norman, a student at The event will run from Union College; and Kei- 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pitts’ ana Thomas, a—student keynote address will be fromUNL. followed by break-out ses- “Poverty and organizing sions on how to get involved for inclusive community: locally in combatting rac- economic justice” Lin- ism and poverty. The event coln Sen. Patty Pansing is open to the public free of Brooks; and Beatty charge; no reservations are Brasch, executive director— required of the Center for People in Pitts is a nationally- Need. syndicated columnist and “Racial profiling in winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Nebraska”— Rebecca Prize for commentary. His Gonzales, project coor- novel “Freeman” gives a dinator for racial justice harrowing picture of life for with Nebraska Appleseed newly-freed slaves follow- Center for Law in the ing the end of the Civil War. Public Interest; Bennie The annual Peacemaking Shobe, president of the Workshops are sponsored by Lincoln branch of the the Interfaith Peacemaking NAACP; and Amy Miller, attorney Coalition, made up of people with ACLU Nebraska. from many faith communities and civic groups work- The workshops will be offered two ing together for peace. First in ses- sions, 3-4 p.m. and 4:15- United Methodist is at 2723 p.m., participants N. 50th St., adjacent to the 5:15 so may choose two. However, Nebraska Wesleyan Univer- workshop sity campus. Shavers’ will be only the first session After Pitts’ presentation in and Starkweather’s only will be the following work- in the second session. shops by local leaders: For information “Bias implicit in law and more about the Peacemaking law enforcement”—Anna Workshop, visit www. Shavers, Cline Williams firstumc.org go to professor of ciitizenship or www.facebook.com and law at the University of enter “Interfaith Peace- Nebraska-Lincoln. making Coalition” in the “Unconscious bias; bias search window. Or call we carry in our minds” First United Method- Kathie Starkweather, farm ist Church at 402-466- community program and 1906. director, Center for Rural– THE PUBLIC PULSE

Bible is very clear on gay marriage This is in regard to the March 22 Pulse writings of the Rev. E. Susan Ellis. While I fear her interpretation of the Bible is shared by many concerning gay marriage, I feel she is doing a great disservice to those hungry for the truth. As pastor at First United Methodist Church in Louisville, Nebraska, I challenge the reverend and all other people on that side of the issue to show where in the Bible God says it is permissible for two people of the same sex to marry. The Bible I know and study is very clear on the subject. I am not saying that God does not love gay people, not in the least. I am also not challenging whether they are born or choose that lifestyle. My contention is that this issue is created by humans for humans in order to satisfy some human need. But straying from God’s word and putting it under “it is our turn to be free” does not make it correct. I have no doubt that Rev. Ellis and Deborah love each other very much, but for those of us who believe in traditional marriage and the true unadulterated word of God, don’t preach your brand of Bible interpretation to us. And for Rev. Ellis to finish her message by citing the financial loss Nebraska might surrender by not allowing gay marriage is laughable. To those on the left, beware of worshiping false idols. Bob Wynn, Louisville, Neb. MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE U2charist a mix of ancient and modern By Harold Reutter which is Trinity United Methodist and First- pending crucifixion on the cross, which Faith United Methodist, has hosted a U2cha- Christians see as Jesus atoning for the sins [email protected] rist service at the Grand Theatre. of all humankind and providing reconcil- The United Methodist churches of Grand “The service is a mixture of the ancient iation between God and all of Island, Trinity United Methodist and First- and modern,” said Fowler, who said that humankind. against ‘ Faith United Methodist, will once this year, a conscious decision was made Fowler noted that there is an “after” to have Maundy Thursday U2charist a ser- to include more of the traditional liturgi- Jesus’ crucifixion, which is his resurrec- vice at 7 p.m. Thursday , April 2, at the Grand cal and scriptural elements of a Maundy tion. “During that time of resurrection, the Theatre in downtown Grand Island. Thursday service. spirit is with us,” he said. “Communion re- The U2charist initially started in was Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples is minds us of the wholeness of who Jesus the U.S. Episcopal Church, but has since the basis for the modern-day Christian Eu- was and the wholeness of God’s grace. It’s been used by other denominations. The li- charist or Holy Communion, which is seen a way of recognizing all of his ministry as turgical service, which includes commu- as a sacrament in most Christian a way of showing us what it means to be nion, features the music of the rock band, churches. human in the image of God.” U2, part of effort by churches to reach as an The sacramental rite re-enacts how Je- Fowler said that element of forgiveness out to people in their congregations, own sus gave his disciples bread and wine dur- of sins and reconciliation with God is part well people the wider as as in ing the Last Supper, asking them to “do of the personal message people should community re- this in memory of me.” Jesus refers to the ceive during a Maundy Thursday U2charist is Maundy Thursday a ser- bread as “my body which is given for you” service. vice, which commemorates Jesus’ final meal and the wine as “my blood” which is “poured Continued the next page with his disciples. The Rev. Matt Fowler of on out for many for the forgiveness of sins. First-Faith United Methodist Church said All those references point to Jesus’s im- that this is the fourth year that UM4GI,

Independent/Matt Dixon The Grand Theatre was full last year for the "UZcharist" service. The service incorporates songs from the band 112 into Holy Communion service. Hosted by Methodist churches, but U2charist open to all Continued from page 2E of Rhodes is a loss in some respects, it also day, U2charist, is a message of good news However, Maundy Thursday services also provides a chance to have this year’s U2cha- for the public.” tell about Jesus washing his disciples’ rist become a more participatory He said Holy Communion will be open feet. service. to all, regardless of whether they belong The 14th and 15th verses in the 13th “There is no one front person singing to a United Methodist Church, any other chapter of John has Jesus saying this about all the leads this year,” Fowler said. “There Christian church or no church at all. “We his act of washing his disciples’ feet: “If are three people singing leads, four peo- see communion as a way that God reaches I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed ple singing leads. A lot of time we will be out and touches human lives,” Fowler said. your feet, it is also your duty to wash one encourage audience singing by having mul- “We would be pretty foolish to say some you another’s feet. For I have set an exam- tiple people on stage singing the melody people aren’t yet ready for God to touch ple in order that you may do what I have at the same time.” their lives.” done to you.” One of the other ways the U2charist Fowler said that part of the service service is encouraging participation is by shows that Maundy Thursday is not just having a section of the UM4GI.org web- intended to give people a good feeling about site have a playlist of the songs. That will themselves because of God’s forgiveness allow people to hear the songs and learn of sins, but that it is also intended to show them prior to the service. how a person should interact with others The website also will have an explana- in the wider community. tion of why a particular U2 song is being From its beginning U2charist services used at that point in the service, Fowler have incorporated some of the Millennium said. Likewise, the website will help ex- Development Goals, which include efforts plain words like “Eucharist” and “liturgy. to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, It will also talk about the overall concept as well as meet the needs of women and of a U2charist service. children. Fowler said that U2charist is not in- Fowler said that as a result, the offer- tended just for members of the First-Faith ing for the U2charist service at the Grand and Trinity United Methodist congrega- Theatre has always supported the work tions, nor just for members of First Chris- of Hope Harbor, which is Grand Island’s tian Church, whose minister, the Rev. Scott homeless shelter that serves women and Taylor, also participates in the service. children, well entire families. He as as He said that U2charist is also for those noted that Hope Harbor has announced a who belong to no congregation and might $1.6 million capital campaign, which will be considered unchurched. Fowler said allow it to people. He said this serve more previous U2charist services have included year’s offering will support that a number of such people. He says that is campaign. why the Grand Theatre has been chosen During previous U2charist services Independent/Matt Dixon in as the venue for the service. “We chose Grand Island, the Rev. Bob Rhodes served Three-year-old Mara Fowler sleeps in Sarah this site so it would be a public venue. We singer group Fowler's arms during a "U2charist" service as the front man or lead for the thought the message of Maundy Thurs- that sang U2’s music. While the absence last year at the Grand Theatre in Grand Island. THE PUBLIC PULSE Bible is very clear on gay marriage This is in regard to the March 22 Pulse writings of the Rev. E. Susan Ellis. While I fear her interpretation of the Bible is shared by many concerning gay marriage, I feel she is doing a great disservice to those hungry for the truth. As pastor at First United Methodist Church in Louisville, Nebraska, I challenge the reverend and all other people on that side of the issue to show where in the Bible God says it is permissible for two people of the same sex to marry. The Bible I know and study is very clear on the subject. I am not saying that God does not love gay people, not in the least. I am also not challenging whether they are born or choose Music and Mayhem Syracuse United Methodist Church enjoyed "Music and Mayhem" on March 22 at The Green Room. Per- formers entertained the audience with corny, yet usually pretty funny, jokes and songs. Occasionally, actor Kenny Halvorsen ad-libbed, and though the other actors held a collective breath waiting for what he would say, he brought quite a few laughs. A free-will donation was collected for the Otoe County Relay for Life. Desserts and fellowship were also enjoyed. Performers pictured are, front row, from left: Pastor Gary Ganger, Abbie Widger, Traci Bjork, Brenda Anderson, Dottie Halvorsen; second row: Director Marian Diers, Becki Neemann, Ken Halvorsen, Paul Moore, Layni Nannen, Anna Bohlken, Traci Shipps and Carole Lashley. PHOTO BY LARAMIE WERNER Working Together To Do God’s Work

After thanking even/oneeveryone forfor participating in the six- six-weekweek series of LentenLenten Luncheons,Luncheons, Alliance UnitedUnited Methodist Church PastorPastor Tom LucasLucas speaks to all those gathered together forfor the last luncheon of the year. Photos by Mychal Wilson/Times-Herald

By MYCHAL WILSON Times-Herald Writer singing several hymns. ALLIANCE Thursday time congregating with others. Russell Saito, Alliance bring the message of God to capped off the last week of the “Thank you for sharing Christian Church, and Pastor those who do not already six weeks of Lenten your fellowship and food Linda Abold, Indian Mission know Him. Luncheons hosted by multi-ple together,” Reverend Tom Church of God, led the atten-dees “We approach the most churches throughout— the Lucas greeted the crowd as he in several hymns includ-ing“ important time of the year community where people of welcome them to his church. Holy, Holy, Holy,” and when we remember the sacri-fice different denominations came “I believe Christ would expect other classics church congre-gations Christ made for us on the together toto fellowshipfellowship and it and Christ would be joyful have sang for many cross,” Saito continued. worship together. to see you all gathered in his years. In his message, Saito TheThe United Methodist name.” Saito spoke about working reminded the congregation Church hosted the last ofof six Lucas pointed out the together to spread the word of that no one man is above luncheons leadingleading up to the tables closest to the serving God throughout the commu-nity. another. Masters are no more weekend of Palm Sunday. line almost always go first, so Instead of looking at one human than their servants. More than 125 people from this time he had the“last go another as different denomi-nations Kings are no better than their local churches gathered first and the first go last“ he with different ways of subjects. Such was the focus together in the fellowship hall said in reference to a verse worshiping, Saito said the of Saito'sSaito’s message for the last ofof the United Methodist from the Bible. concern of all churches Lenten Luncheon of the year. Church for a meal and some Following the meal,meal, Pastor should be to reach out and (See( See LENTLENT on pagepage 2) 4 Lent ( continued from page 1) “We shouldn’t be fighting with each other,” Saito said in his message.“ We should be working together to further His kingdom.” Although the luncheons have come to their end for this season, the Lenten fellowship and worship is not going to stop there. Each of the churches will have their own particular cele-bration starting this week. This Saturday is Journey to the Cross at St. John’s Lutheran Church. “It will be fun. I think it will be interesting and I think it will be enlightening,"enlightening,” Lucas said.