Strength for the Day. ~ Keep Reading ~ Better than Negative Attention. November 2018

Transcription

1 November 2018 Strength for the Day Pastor Jamie I understand that some lucky person in South Carolina has something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving. They just won the largest lottery jackpot in the history of the United States. They won approximately $1.5 billion dollars, which makes them millionaires 1,500 times over. My how their life could change, and my, the lives they could change. "We would be very upset with millionaires who lived in life-robbing poverty because of ignorance or personal choice. We would be very disappointed in someone who had enormous wealth but refused to spend any of it, even for the simple resources to sustain life. Why, then, are we not outraged about Christians by the millions who live as though God were dead and God's grace were exhausted? Could it be because we live that way so often ourselves? The Good News we share with one another is the gospel's declaration that no matter where we are in life, we are the recipients of God's limitless grace. We can have peace, joy, assurance, comfort, hope, tranquility, confidence, and companionship with our Creator, and beyond that, life eternal. With a life bank full of such gifts we are indeed rich. And yet, so often I permit myself to slip into poverty thinking I feel anxious, alone, fearful, faithless, without joy, and sometimes without hope. I feel this way because I have forgotten and lost grip on the inheritance that God gives me anew every morning. cont page 2 Better than Negative Attention UMW Fall Bazaar...2 UMW Meeting...2 Lunch Bunch...2 Hanging of the Greens...2 Provide Sanctuary Flowers...2 Christmas Devotions and Curriculum...2 Noah s AARP...3 Caroling at Waukee WinterFest...3 Book Talk, Nov ~ Keep Reading ~ Editor Ellen My dad was known for having his op/eds published in the Des Moines Register. He d submit a dozen or so well-reasoned, tersely worded opinions to them each month. Dad captured his thoughts using an old, manual typewriter and had Mom proofread them. Then he d fold each page neatly, put them in an envelope, print the address, and apply a stamp. (Mom began fretting the expense when postage increased to 14.) Years ago, I decided to track down Dad s published op/eds and give him an album (of sorts) for Christmas. The Registerstaff found so many I had to pick a specific date range to keep his gift affordable. Seriously. I realized I may be turning into my dad while ingmy An Alternative to Negative AttentionOp/Ed to the New York Timeslast evening,. The chances of this piece being publishing are slim, but perhaps you could pass it along to others. Please? cont page 5 Food Pantry Needs...3 November Calendar..3 Service Hours 3 Lessons & Carols Christmas Program...4 Help for Veterans & Emergency Service Providers...4 Special November Days...4 Serve Our Church Family...4 Contact Info...6 Income Statement insert

2 from page 1 Many of us in live in spiritual poverty because we have forgotten who we are as God s children and who God is as our loving and almighty Creator. The fact that you're reading these words suggests you re reaching out even now to claim your full inheritance as a child of God. May God grant you grace and wisdom to do so more and more today and every day of your life. Claim your inheritance and live as God s beloved child today. I didn t write the words in quotations above, but I wish I had. Thanks to Bishop Rueben P. Job. Peace, Pastor Jamie UMW Fall Bazaar, Nov. 11 Our United Methodist Women will hold their Fall Bazaar on Sunday, Nov 11. What an opportunity to start your holiday shopping. Stop by their sweet shop and crafts display, then stay for a chicken noodle lunch (11:00 a.m. to 1:00). UMW to Meet Nov. 14 Our United Methodist Women will hold their next meeting in the fellowship hall at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Brenda Brock and Mary Dunsmoor will host this meeting, with devotions given by Shirley Thomas. The program will be our Joyful Noise Preschool Singers. Lunch Bunch, Nov. 15 Our Third Thursday Lunch Bunch will gather in the north party room of the Waukee Pizza Ranch at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 15. Join us for a time of thanksgiving for a place to meet, food to eat, and members of our Waukee UMC family who ll share the meal together. 2 Hanging of the Greens Join us at 1:00 on Sunday, Nov. 25, to put up our Christmas decorations. Our sanctuary is always beautifully decorated, but your help is needed. Huge thanks to our Celebrations team for keeping our sanctuary festive and beautiful. Hope to see you Nov. 25. Provide Sanctuary Flowers If there s a special day (birthday, anniversary, etc.) you d like to share with our church, sign-up for a flower bouquet. It s easy. For $15, HyVee will deliver the flowers, which you can take flowers home to enjoy after our Sunday services If you ve been waiting for a November or December date, that schedule is now available. Please give your $15 for the flowers to Deanne Caudle, and contact her if you have questions. Christmas Devotions and Curriculum The holidays are on their way. Be sure to stop by the resource table in our fellowship hall on Sunday, Nov. 18 to see a variety of family and personal Advent devotional reading materials. If you re looking for family Advent devotions, be sure to look through Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, which has a story for each night. If you re interested in an adult coloring book with devotions, Mandelas, Candles and Prayers may be just what you have in mind. Why This Jubilee? is a personal devotion based on Christmas carols. For those who are grieving, A Decembered Grief may be a good resource as you go through the holidays. If you have related questions, please contact Deanne.

3 Noah s AARP Did you miss-out on the last Noah s AARP event? Were you wondering when we ll meet again? Your wait is almost over, because we re having a Christmas Party. When: Sunday, Dec. 2 Time: 5:30 Place: WUMC Activity: White Elephant Christmas Exchange and Christmas Plate Exchange Please bring an appetizer to share; drinks will be provided. If you have a question about this event, contact Pat Gutshall. Food Pantry Needs Most-needed this month are: pancake mix & syrup, pizza sauce & mix, 100% fruit juice, diapers (size 3+), laundry soap, cheese, butter, yogurt, and oranges. Caroling at Waukee WinterFest Our church family will be caroling at Waukee's WinterFest on Friday, Dec. 7. We'll gather at WUMC at 5:45 and head over together. All ages, musical abilities, and friends are welcome. Book Talk, Nov. 19 Our next Book Talk book will be the novel, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. The publisher s summary says this book is based on one of America s most notorious real-life scandals, the kidnapping and selling of poor children to wealthy families for adoption all over the country in the early-mid 1900 s. Wingate s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. Our discussion will be at 7:00 on Monday, Nov. 19, at Ann and Greg Ruble s home. 3 Sunday Mornings Traditional Service, 8:30 Contemporary Service, 10:00 Sunday School, 10:00 Wednesday Evenings KoG, 6:00 Bells, 6:30 Choir, 7:00 Testaments/TotM, 8:00 Praise Band, 8:30

4 Lessons & Carols Christmas Program Saturday, Dec. 8, 5:30 Sunday, Dec. 9, 10:00 a.m. Join us for our Lessons and Carols Christmas program featuring a traditional, Christmas pageant presented by the children of WUMC and all of our music groups. The children will learn their pageant and songs during the Sunday School hour. Music for the program will be learned during our regular Wednesday evening rehearsals. If you re interested in joining the choir, praise band, or helping with the children s pageant (including prop making and costuming), please contact Jennifer Senne or call the church. Help for Veterans & Emergency Service Providers If you know a veteran or emergency services provider who struggles with atrocities they ve seen, please tell them about Warriors Ascent. This organization was founded by two Iraq combat veterans in 2014 after trying everything to cope with the moral injuries they suffered on the battlefield. They founded Warriors Ascent to continue their own healing, and to help fellow veterans. Warriors' Ascent is based in Kansas City and their services are provided free-of-charge. You can visit their website ( to learn more and consider if/how their approach might benefit you or someone you know. Special November Days 1 ~ Gayle McDowell 2 ~ Maci Slaybaugh 2 ~ Alan Wise 4 ~ Rich Petersen 5 ~ Katrina Brown 7 ~ Ronald Mills 8 ~ Becca Blackford 8 ~ Joanne Colacecchi 8 ~ Spencer Johnson 8 ~ Marcella Kerns-Scott 9 ~ Leonard & Pat Gutshall 9 ~ David & Kim Timmerman 9 ~ Ann Ruble 11 ~ Chandler Thayer 11 ~ Darcy Wold 12 ~ Kara Boothroyd 13 ~ Jerry & Sue Steele 13 ~ Russ & Ilyeen Wiesley 13 ~ Rick Kyser 13 ~ Barb Swaim 14 ~ Ann Allen 15 ~ Aubrey Swaim 15 ~ A.J. Wanned 17 ~ Erin Bramble 17 ~ Nancy Merhar 17 ~ Kim Timmerman 18 ~ Darin Rossmann 19 ~ Lloyd & Rosi Royer 19 ~ Jared Hemphill 19 ~ Rosi Royer 19 ~ Pam Rumelhart 19 ~ Marcia Tope 22 ~ Emily Olson 23 ~ Alyssa Pezley 24 ~ Lee Hovda 24 ~ Debbie Lauer 24 ~ Karen Mills 25 ~ Emily Colwell 25 ~ Kaitlyn Tope 26 ~ Brad & LuCinda Beltman 26 ~ Emily Erickson 26 ~ Sawyer Flack 26 ~ Tamie Hopper 27 ~ Jill Hemphill 27 ~ Darlene Plagmann 29 ~ Philip & Karen Stevens 29 ~ Emily Baliga 29 ~ Samantha Felt 30 ~ Kevin & Jennifer Corrigan Serve Our Church Family If you re ready, willing, and able to serve our church family as a greeter, usher, or communion server, please LuCinda. Be sure to mention which service you attend, 8:30 or 10:00. She ll add your name to the schedule. 4

5 from page 1 How can an angry, bitter, and/or isolated person get attention these days? Most acceptable ways of drawing attention to oneself have been tried. For example, consider what you ve seen pierced, worn, dyed, cut, and tattooed. While you re at it, think of what you ve heard spoken or sung, as well as the tone of voice used. Many of these cries for attention have even become commonplace. That may help explain why some people now turn to violence for attention. Bursting into a place of worship and killing people who worship the same God who created each of us, certainly gets attention. To a desperate mind, negative attention is better than no attention at all, and that senseless act is getting a whole lot of attention. When was the last time you read, saw, or heard the news and didn t learn of some atrocious act of violence? These acts were often carried out by someone matching the description above, who didn t even know the victim(s) personally. If you fit that description, or interact with someone who does, consider this alternative way of standing out from the crowd. Treat those you encounter even better than you treat yourself. Given you re reading the New York Times, you probably have the time, money, and talents needed to help someone else. So, get after it. Treating other people kindly has (unfortunately) become counter cultural, both in America and around the world, which means it ll probably get you some attention. It s not like you have to give millions of dollars to those in-need or invest 20 hours a week talking with elderly folks. Start small. Open doors for others. Offer to grab something from a top shelf for someone who s vertically challenged. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Start leaving more generous tips. Complement (genuinely) someone on their work, appearance, attitude, etc. Visit an animal shelter and scritch some lonely ears. Pay for someone s coffee or meal. Chances are your kind thoughts, words, and deeds will get some attention. Most likely, you ll find grander, more involved opportunities as you smother others with kindness. What s stopping you? Concern about what others will think? Afraid to attract attention? Don t know anyone who needs help? As you go about your day, simply start paying attention to how people treat one another. You probably won t see anyone judged harshly for being kind. You may notice, however, that kind people do draw attention. Without a doubt you ll see someone who needs, and would (likely) appreciate your help. 5

6 Stay Connected Info about WUMC events is also available here: Facebook be sure to like Waukee United Methodist Church while you re on Facebook. Weekly church bulletin Waukee Wire: to subscribe, send an to Twitter: search WUMC website: Contact Info Church office: Rev. Jamie Cutler: ext. 202 Michaela Craigmile: ext. 201 LuCinda Beltman: ext. 204 or Deanne Caudle: ext. 203 Sydney or church office Jennifer Prayer Request: Editor Ellen: Sonia Arnold: Maureen Briles: Cyndi Craigmile: Pat Gutshall: or Lauren Kratz: or Ann Ruble: Melissa Stimple:(director, WACS) or Waukee United Methodist Church 650 Ashworth Dr., Box 26 Waukee, IA Service Times

7 FYI: Tyler DeHaan, chair of our Finance Team, requested this statement be included.