The MESSENGER. Carroll First United Methodist Church. Lenten Bible Study. March 10, 2019

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1 The MESSENGER Volume 10, Issue 3 March 1, 2019 Carroll First United Methodist Church 1621 N. Main St., Carroll, IA carrollumc@msn.com carrollunitedmethodist.org Times of worship Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday 10:30 am Next Messenger: April 1 Lenten LENTEN THEME "When God Calls Your Name" Bible Studies -- Sunday -- Worship all examining what it means to be called by God and our response. March 6-- Ash Wednesday "Called by Name" 6:30 pm worship. Communion and imposition of ashes. Children's Sunday will follow the theme of "When God Calls Your Name" at 9:15 for 4 weeks Starting March 10 March 10, 2019 FUMC STAFF Terry Plocher, Pastor ( ) pastor.carrollumc@gmail.com Suzanne Olberding, Director of Ministries and Financial Secretary Sherri Hoaglund, Administrative Assistant Michelle Caltrider, Custodian Jason Bush, Youth Coordinator "Called" * Sunday Morning at 9:15 am (Terry) Starting March 10-- for 6 weeks Sunday evening at 4 pm (Bill Fish) Starting March 10-- for 6 weeks Tuesday evening at 7 pm (Dave Pederson) Starting March 12- for 6 weeks Thursday Lunch 12:10-12:50 (Terry) A light lunch will be provided or bring your own. Starting March 14-- for 6 weeks *It would be most helpful to read the "Called" book before you come each week if you can. If you can't, come anyway. Coming soon roar vbs!!! Mark you calendars. Vbs 2019 dates, July 7-11 from 6-8 pm. registration on-line will open up in April. Check out our website, carrollunitedmethodist.org, to register. Paper forms will be available starting in may. Come and see how wild life can be! If you would like to be a VBS helper please contact Suzi at the church at

2 Sermon Series Notes from the Pastor The Messenger Page 2 Believe it or not... Lent is upon us. The 40 days (+ Sundays) of preparation for Easter will begin March 6. We will open the season with an Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 pm. Many people give up something for Lent. I understand that a previous pastor taught you that you don't HAVE to give something up. I agree! I prefer to try something new. Maybe read a book of the Bible or read daily instead of weekly. try journaling, pray for 10 minutes a day, collect money or food for the food pantry, or increase your pledge for 2 months. Try taking on something new. The great thing is, if you take on something new, it just might take the place of a bad habit or unhealthy behavior. I have said Jesus didn't say "give up your chocolate and follow me." He said, "Take up your cross and follow me." I'm not asking you to take up a cross... but take up something new... something a little scary... something a little difficult. Take up something that might push your faith and give you a chance to grow in your faith. Have a blessed Lent! Terry The Friendliness Factor I have been so impressed with the friendliness of our church and I have worked very hard to learn many names. After 7 months I feel like I have a long way to go. As friendly as you are and as much as you care for one another, I have been surprised how many of YOU also have trouble with the names of the folks who worship with you every week. (I know in some ways it is easier for me as the new guy and also being the pastor.) How much friendlier could we be, though, if we actually knew each other's names? The Administrative Council and I hope to help you out. FIRST...We will be providing name tags. Very soon you will come in the building to discover that we have made nametags for you. It will, of course, take us a few weeks to get everyone. Please help us out and be patient. I hope you will wear your nametag to tell everyone around you that you are a friendly person and you want to share Christian friendship with them. SECOND... We will be creating a new church pictorial directory like you have never seen before. It will be an electronic directory. You (or we) can upload any family picture you want. It will be updated continuously so it will be as up to date as you are willing to make it. You will be able to access it from your computer, phone, or in print. Watch for more information on how to get started. We hope that these two small things will help us to deepen relationships in the congregation and be more welcoming to our guests.. 3/3/2019 Revolutionary Joy in anxiety Phil. 4:2-9 When God Calls Your Name Sermon Series March 10 Sarah "Sorry, wrong number" God never dials a wrong number March 17 Moses "The Big But" What are your excuses? March 24 Jonah "You can run but you can't hide" How do you resist God's call? March 31 Gideon "I'll believe it when I see it" Are you the eternal skeptic?

3 The Messenger Page 3 Youth Group For our February service project, the Youth Group had a short lesson on Love and how the bible talks of four main types of love. We focused on God s Love for us and turned it into an opportunity for the youth to make Valentine s Day cards for some of the people in our community that serve our community daily. The youth were able to give Valentine s Day cards to our local City of Carroll police officers, county deputy sheriff s officers and the members of our county ambulance. Inside the cards the youth each placed a couple of different Bible verses that speak of love. We are planning on packing up different little care packages for local agencies to have with them when they are called into situations where removal of children from homes may be necessary. I am working with our local Department of Human Services to see what these care packages should all include. This should be a fun activity for our youth to feel valuable in the community. We continue to look for ways for our Youth Group to be a necessity to our community while having fun and growing closer to God while doing so, I am still struggling to find a second person to be with me and the Youth Group on Wednesday evenings. As a reminder, Sherri has made another Google Doc that she has made public for people to sign up to volunteer. Ideally I would love to find 2-3 people so that the kids were comfortable in talking with whoever is helping out. If you are not sure, try it out just once. You never know, you may love it! I will definitely try and let you know what we will be doing that Wednesday as soon as possible! As a reminder, the Sign Up sheet for Youth Meals is also still out there if that is something you would be willing to help out with. The kids are always very thankful for the meals provided and I am pretty sure those who have already provided meals (Thanks by the way!!!!!!) have also really enjoyed seeing the youth! Relentless 2019 Summer Mission Trip Opportunity We are still planning on taking a mission trip this summer, and now have four confirmed youth wanting to go. The dates are set for July 21st-26 th. We have a total of 15 spots to try and fill and the final date to drop spots is March 15 th so please be considering getting on board as this could be the opportunity of a lifetime for your child. If you or someone you know are interested in participating in this summer s mission trip please reach out to myself or get in touch with Sherri at the office. Mission Trips really can change a person s life. FAITH EXPLORATION January and February have been good months in Faith Exploration. We finished our study of the Bible and we have started our last unit on the membership vows. March will include a trip to Des Moines (with the 8th graders who missed their trip last year because of bad weather). We will visit Bidwell Riverside, a synagogue, an Orthodox church, conference headquarters, and Wesley Woods. We will be working on the Easter "Sonrise" service and confirmation stoles to be used in our May Confirmation service. I am having a great time this year. I hope you take the time to get to know these three great young people. Parent Night Out The Senior High Students will be offering a Parent Night Out on Saturday, March 9th from 5-8 pm. Go to our Face Book page to register your child(ren). There will be a meal offered. The funds raised will go to the Bill Evans Foundation, they help needy children in the Carroll area. Registrations are preferred, but walk ins are welcome.

4 The Messenger Page 4 Condolences to the families and friends of: Roger Hansen Walter Thomas Jerrod & Tami Lehman (Jerrod s Mom) Thanks for the celebration for my retirement as bell director. I want to thank the many directors who preceded me. Good wishes for Jennifer as she continues the tradition as bell director. Thank You to everyone who kept me in their prayers when I had surgery on my thumb. All is good. Sherri Thank you so much for the scholarship money and the care package! It really helped with studying during finals week! Sam Auen VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY 2019 Relay For Life of Carroll County Friday, June 21-New Time-4pm Carroll Athletic Field Please join us to celebrate the cancer survivors in Carroll County! The money raised supports American Cancer Society programs for research, education, advocacy and patient services to reduce cancer deaths and incidences while improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. Cancer death rates have declined by 27% over the last 25 years translating into 2.6 million fewer cancer deaths! Carroll County is honored in the top 5 per capita in the nation for our population for fundraising in the fight against cancer! Please join us in honoring cancer survivors and the fight against cancer. If you have questions about volunteering for this event contact Kelli Bush. Food Pantry Did you know that over $2,400 was donated to the Community of Concern Carroll County Food Pantry from our church during 2018? Over $700 of that total came from proceeds from the annual pork chop supper. The remaining donations came from cash donations and the items placed in the grocery cart in the east entry. Members of the mission committee itemize those donations before each monthly delivery which averages between $100-$200. Cash donations have been received as designated checks and as donations placed in the jar on the counter by the grocery cart. Cash donations are used toward purchases of perishable items such as milk and meat, and toward ongoing expenses such as utility bills. Food requests at this time are for canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, peanut butter and jelly. Baked Potato Dinner The mission committee will be hosting their annual Baked Potato Dinner after the morning service on Sunday, March 3rd. In addition to the baked potatoes with all the fixings, there will be hot dogs, chili, soup, vegetable tray, fruit trays, and dessert bars. This year half of our free will offering will go toward a world hunger program and half of the donations will support three members of our congregation that will be going on mission trip. Our world hunger project is The Haiti Hot Lunch Program which offer two meals a day, three days a week for over 22,000 students. We will continue to support Alison King who will offer her skills as a nurse with a medical team with Grace-4-Haiti on a mission trip in April. Jason Bush will also be traveling on a mission trip with Grace-4- Haiti in March. Jason will be doing carpentry work at an orphanage. In July, Sammi and Sonia Walsh will be traveling to Peru on a mission trip. Sammy will work with young children while Sonia teaches English classes.

5 The Messenger Page 5 WE Team Cookies Time to try out that new recipe or the old true blue one. WE Team will be making up and delivering cookie plate on April 1st. All cookie donation are appreciated. If you don t want to make cookies, come and be a delivery person, they need those as well. ATTENTION KNITTERS AND CROCHETERS Do any of you have an interest in starting a prayer shawl ministry? Contact the church or Marsha Nuckels if you are interested. If you are interested in joining a men s group, they will meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 am. Contact Steve Nuckels with questions. This year during the Lenten Season in lieu of Easter flowers, we will be offering these three cross suncatcher. These will be displayed in the front of the church. If you would like to purchase one or more, in memory, in honor or for yourself, please fill out the bulletin insert or contact the church. We will take orders March 3rd thru April 12th. The cost is $10 each. Sewing Group March 12th at 9:00 am March 1st World Day of Prayer at Holy Spirit March 6th UMW Meeting at 1:30 pm Program Rozanne Swartzendruber Hostesses Sue Van Dyke & Linda Vangilder Official Visit of Shepherdess UMW Spaghetti Lunch Sunday, March 24th following Worship Come and join us for a time of coloring and crafting at COLOR ME PRETTY. We will meet in the Conference Room by the nursery on Tuesday, March 12th at 1:00 pm. Come and enjoy the fellowship! MESSENGER DATES Deadline for articles for April Messenger is Monday, March 25th. We will be folding April Messengers on Wednesday, March 27th Tuesday, March 5th 6:30-7:30 pm in the Confirmation Room I wanted to take a moment to thank our church family so much for all of the love that was shown in supporting a Mission trip I had decided to be a part of to Haiti at the end of March into the beginning of April. I am also saddened to tell you that due to the political unrest and rioting in Haiti, the April Mission trips have been canceled and the next time that the group I have felt led to be a part of will not be trying to go back to Haiti until November. I do plan on being on that Mission trip as I know the need will be great. Again thank you so much! Love Jason Bush Pizza with the Pastor will be Sunday, March 10th following worship. Look for a chance to sign up on insert or call the church. Sunday Worship is shown on Mediacom Channel 6 and WIN Channel 97.2: Sundays at 5 P.M. and Wednesday at 8 A.M. Look for our sermons on our website: carrollunitedmethodist.org & on Facebook. Community Events ->Free Meal at St. John s Lutheran Church Wednesday, March 13th 5:00 to 6:30 pm. -> Life Serve Blood Drive here Monday, March 18th 12:30-5:15.

6 The Messenger Page 6 Sunday When God Calls Your Name Art: In art we will be talking about how Jonah tried to run and hide from God. We will be creating an I spy bottle that the kids can take home. Games: In games we will be playing There are Rules? and the paper clip game. These serve as a good device for discussing why we need to listen to God and not do things our own way when we know that God wants us to do something different. We will talk about Joseph, Jesus step dad. Science: In science we will be discussing Gideon s I ll believe it when I see it attitude and doing some of our own magic tricks. Movie: God called Moses to save the Israelites slaves from the Egyptians, but Moses gave all kinds of excuses. We will be watching a short clip of what excuses Moses gave God and then watch a clip of excuses people give today. UM Kids Schedule March 6: Appreciation for our Students and Teachers at school. March 13: NO UM kids because it is a regular dismissal day March 20: Fun week. Hopefully we can go bowling! March 27: Lesson Week: God has given us all unique talents so that we can serve Him and others.. WANTED: Clear, empty, clean water or pop bottles. Thanks. Art Games Science Movie March 3 March 10 March 17 March K-1 Preschool 2-3 K-1 Preschool K-1 Preschool Preschool K-1 Mini Methodist Mini Methodist will be held Monday March 18 from 6-7 pm. We will have a lesson, a snack, sing some songs and play a game. Hope to see you there!

7 The Messenger Page SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 8:30 am Girl Scouts 6:00 pm Worship 3 10:30 am Worship- Choir Mission Bake Potato Lunch 4 4:00 pm German Club 4:30 pm TOPS 5 11:00 Accura 6:30 pm Worship Dream Team 7:00 pm Cantata Practice 6 9:00 am Mom s Group 1:30 pm UMW 1-4 pm UM Kids 4:30-5:30 pm Faith Exploration 5:30-8:00 pm Youth 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service 7 9:30 am Friends Breakfast 8 9 9:30 am Carroll Historical Society 5-8 pm Parent Night Out 6:00 Worship 10 9:15 am Lenten 10:30 am Worship- Bells 11:45 Pizza with Pastor 4;:00 pm Lenten 11 4:30 pm TOPS 6:30-7:30 pm Girl Scouts 12 9:00 am Sewing Group 11:00 Accura 1:00 pm Color Me Pretty 7-8 pm Lenten Bible Study 7:00 pm Cantata Practice 13 9:00 am Mom s Group 4:30 pm Faith Exploration 5:30-8:00 pm Youth 6:30 pm WE Team Meeting 14 12:10-12:50 pm Lenten 15 Faith Exploration trip 16 8:30 am Girl Scouts Faith Exploration trip 6:00 pm Worship 17 9:15 am Lenten 10:30 am Worship- Choir 4:00 pm Lenten 18 12:30-5:15 pm Life Serve Blood Drive 4:00 pm German Club 4:30 pm TOPS 6-7 Mini Methodist 19 11:00 am Accura 11:00 Book Club 6:00 pm Lions Club 7-8 pm Lenten Bible Study 7:00 pm Cantata Practice 20 7:00 am Men s Group 9:00 am Mom s Group 10:30 am Swan Place 1-4 UM Kids 4:30-5:30 pm Faith Exploration 5:30-8:00 pm Youth 21 12:00 pm Book Club 12:10-12:50 pm Lenten :00 pm Worship 24 9:15 am Lenten 10:30 am Worship- Kids UMW Spaghetti Lunch 4:00 pm Lenten 25 LAST DAY FOR ARTICLES 4:30 pm TOPS 6:30-7:30 pm Girl Scouts 26 11:00 Accura 7-8 pm Lenten Bible Study 7:00 pm Cantata Practice 27 9:00 am Mom s Group 9:30 am Folding Messengers 1-4 pm UM Kids 4:30-5:30 pm Faith Exploration 5:30-8:00 pm Youth 28 12:10-12:50 pm Lenten :30 am Girl Scouts 6:00 Worship- Communion 31 9:15 am Lenten 10:30 am Worship Communion 4:00 pm Lenten

8 THE MESSENGER ( ) FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1621 N. MAIN ST., CARROLL, IA WEBSITE: NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 99 CARROLL, IA The Heavenly Bound Book Club invites you to join in the discussion... The March date is Tuesday the 19th at 11:00 AM or Thursday the 21st at Noon at Queen Beans. The Queen Beans Coffee Bar provides a private room (sometimes) and great food. It is Dutch treat. March s Book Life After by Katie Ganshert Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost. A year later, survivor Autumn Manning can t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest. Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead remain buried, undisturbed, and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she ll bring more wreckage in her wake. In Life After, Katie Ganshert s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in an unpredictable world. Books are on the front desk. Get your book today!