The Geneseo Voice A publication of Geneseo United Methodist Church Issue #11, November 2011

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1 UPCOMING EVENTS Please put the following events on your calendar for the month of December. Geneseo United Methodist Church th Street Buckingham, IA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED November 27 First Sunday of Advent December 4 Children s Christmas Program (10:00 a.m.) Date TBA UMW Christmas Dinner (6:00 p.m.) December 10 Christmas Cookie Giveaway December 24 Christmas Eve Worship Service The Geneseo Voice A publication of Geneseo United Methodist Church Issue #11, November 2011 A Thank You Note When Tony and I were married, one of my favorite memories is opening our gifts. It was just the two of us in our apartment and we tore open the paper and read the cards with such joy, delighted in the thoughtfulness and generosity of our loved ones. Some of the gifts made us laugh, others confused us a little ( Do you think this is supposed to be a potholder or a doily? ) and still others brought us to happy tears. And then I brought out the thank you notes and all of that kindness suddenly seemed at bit overwhelming. How could I possibly find the words to thank everyone? Every time I tried to begin a note, my mind seemed to draw a blank. All I could come up with was something that sounded like a little child might write, Dear Uncle Bob, Thank you for the toaster. It is very nice. We like it a lot. Love, Christie and Tony. AARGH! We will soon celebrate Thanksgiving a day to give thanks for all that God has done for our nation, our communities, our families, ourselves. Many of us will be called on to say a prayer before we dig into the Big Meal many of us might, I suspect, feel the same little panic I felt so many years ago. How can we possibly find the words to thank the great Lord of the universe? About the best we can come up with is something that sounds like a child might pray: Dear God, thank you for everything. It is very nice. We like it a lot. Amen. This is not a bad thing, for whatever prayer we lift to God will indeed be heard and received as a parent hears and receives the simple, hesitant gratitude of a beloved child. Big words, little words, fancy language, plain language, confident speech or fumbling and stammering, the main thing is not the content of the prayer, but the thankful hearts of those who are praying. So here goes: Thank you, God, for loving us by sending Jesus to live and die and be raised from the dead for us. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for blessing us. It is very nice. We like it a lot. Amen. Your Grateful Sister, Pastor Christie

2 SCRIPTURE FOR NOVEMBER November 6 Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 We Will Be Like Them November 13 Psalm 123, Matthew 25:14-30 Buried Treasure November 20 Psalm 100, Matthew 25:31-46 November 27 Luke 1:26-38 Yes! November Ushers: Scott & Tammi Neuendorf November Greeters: 6th-Scott & Tammi Neuendorf; 13th-Mary & Becca Jaquith; 20th-Paul & Donna Lindeman; 27th-Peggy Crees November Acolytes: 6th-Teagan Prouse; 13th-Valerie Ryan; 20th-Belle Olson; 27th-Rebekah Leipold Nov. Coffee Servers: Marlys Mitchell, Larabeth Bader, Scott & Tammi Neuendorf, Tammy Zeien Flowers for Nov.: Pat Peckham NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Norman Mitchell 5th Lonnie & Mindy Ollendieck 17th Ken Sears 5th James & Sharon Fackler 19th John Moffitt 6th Clay & Palyn Mitchell 24th Sheryl Brandt 8th Norman & Doris Mitchell 25th Rebekah Leipold 9th Burk & Julie Miehe 26th Deb Mumm 9th Nicole Jensen 13th Joe Brandt 15th Delores Reints 18th Bob Minkel 22nd Angela Crawford 24th Lyric Dutton 24th Peggy Crees 28th LORD S PORTION SALE The annual Lord s Portion Sale is scheduled for Saturday, November 19. The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a short worship service followed by the fun-filled auction of handcrafts, baked goods, wood products, etc. donated by church members and friends. The Lord s Portion Sale is the major fundraiser of the church and other organizations of the church. After the auction, a meal is served in the fellowship hall for a freewill donation. Items can be brought to the church at any time. Please mark them as General Budget, UMW or Youth Budget. Plan now to attend the Lord s Portion Sale on November 19! THE JOURNEY: WALKING THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM A simple girl An ordinary man An unforgettable destination Beginning November 27 Geneseo UMC will offer an Advent study and sermon series called: The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. In the study, Adam Hamilton (the same pastor who hosted 24 Hours That Changed the World ) travels with us from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. Using historical information, archaeological findings, and personal reflections, Hamilton illuminates this most amazing moment in history. We follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others, gaining insight into our own journeys with Christ.

3 THANKSGIVING INGATHERING Geneseo, Thank you very much for my Bible. I love it! I ask for my Bible, my Bible all the time. I love to listen to the stories and look at the pictures. I am so proud to have my very own Bible. Page Messmore Geneseo United Methodist Church, Thank you very much for all of the prayers, thoughts, visits, food, gifts and the prayer shawl. And of course flowers. It helps so much with the healing process to know we are loved. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers and support very much! Ron, Deb & Kelsey Mumm A VERY HEARTFELD GOODBYE Where do I begin? I have so enjoyed being your church secretary for the past eight years. It has been so rewarding. I have been blessed to get to know everyone here. You have been like family to me and I will miss you all. I have grown as a person and know that everything I have learned here will help me in whatever God has in store for me. God bless Geneseo and I will be back to visit (maybe even for the Lord s Portion Sale!) Tracy Jensen The 32nd annual Thanksgiving Ingathering is Saturday, November 5 at First UMC in Cedar Falls. At this mission event you can have coffee, rolls, a Sloppy Joe lunch and browse (or buy) at the bake sale and bazaar. It s never too early to start your Christmas shopping and help missions at the same time. There will be presentations going on throughout the morning as well as the worship service. The day ends with the quilt auction at 1:00 p.m. If you have never attended the Thanksgiving Ingathering, this is the year to start! Below is the schedule of events for the day: 7:30-10:00 a.m. Fellowship time with coffee and rolls 8:30-9:15 a.m. Tour of kit site at Lincoln School 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Mission displays and presentations 10:00-11:00 a.m. Worship service 11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Sloppy Joe lunch ($5 adults, $2 for 12 and under) 1:00 p.m. Quilt and woodcraft Auction DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 a.m. Remember to turn back your clocks one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 5. NEWSLETTER BY If you have an address and can help us be good stewards of our resources by receiving the monthly newsletter by , please let the church office know. Our address is gumc@fctc.coop.

4 CELEBRATE ALL SAINTS SUNDAY On November 6th we will remember with gratitude our deceased family and friends, especially those connected with our congregation who have died since last All Saints Sunday. We will have an opportunity to light a candle in memory of our loved ones and to lift up prayers of thanksgiving for God s grace made known in and through their lives. PASTORAL MINISTRY TABLE The last Sunday for the Pastoral Ministry table is November 6. If you have any seasonal items, please bring them. All proceeds from this year s table will go to the Wolf Creek Players theater group in Dysart to replace items that were lost in this spring s windstorm. COMMUNITY DAYS Community Days is an event sponsored by Younkers. Located on the Pastoral Ministry table are booklets for discounts during the Community Days event November 11 and 12. The booklets cost $5.00 and with that you get a coupon for $10.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more. Geneseo keeps 100% of booklet sales. Since 1999, Community Days has helped more than 15,000 nonprofit and school organizations raise over $84 million! CORNUCOPIA Cornucopia, a Greek word meaning horn of plenty, has origins in Greek mythology. But the cornucopia became a religious symbol and was even stamped on Jewish coins. Overflowing horns, now common as Thanksgiving centerpieces, came to symbolize abundance and blessings. Administrative Council October 24 Pastor Christie and six members attended. The meeting was opened with scripture 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and prayer. Presiding: Pastor Christie Reports of the Committees: Pastor s Report: Pastor has begun Clinical Pastoral Education study in Des Moines. Christian Education and Confirmation study are going well. Positive comments were expressed following the October 16 Laity Sunday worship service. Finance Committee: The 2012 proposed budget will be presented to Administrative Council on November 24. United Methodist Men: Men are invited to attend the ongoing weekly Saturday a.m. Bible Study at the church. Untied Methodist Women: Fair Trade Coffee (with and without caffeine) and cocoa mix have been ordered for use at church events. The meeting closed with prayer. GIVING THANKS FOR ALL THINGS It s easy to list the blessings in life: good health, family, a satisfying career, a comfortable home. We might even be thankful for things others take for granted, such as freedom, clean drinking water, reliable transportation and food enough to eat. Then there are the little things, such as gardens, sunrises, pets and coffee. What about life s storms or unanswered prayers? Should we be thankful for these? Loss and hardship remind us of our dependence on God. He uses trials to draw us closer to him, to show us that he is our rock and refuge. In misfortune and grief, we discover God s comfort and strength. Should we not, then, be thankful for the storms, too?

5 HANGING OF THE GREENS Come and prepare God s house for the Advent and Christmas seasons! All are welcome to stay after Sunday School on Sunday, November 20 th for a light chili lunch followed by Christmas decorating. This is a fun way to remember the reason for the season! COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE You are invited to a community Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 20 th at 5:30 at Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart. A potluck dinner will follow. Pastor John Lynn of the Dysart Assemblies of God Church will give the message. DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER The deadline for the December newsletter is Wednesday, November 23. Please have all articles to the secretary by 9:00 that morning. Thanks. SPECIAL OFFERING On Sunday, November 27 we will be taking a special offering for United Methodist Student Day. This offering is used to promote awareness of the role of United Methodist higher education in helping students as they prepare for life by uniting faith with knowledge. BLANKET THE WORLD WITH LOVE On Sunday, November 13 we can make a difference for people dealing with war, disaster and disease as we partner with Church World Services Blankets+ program. Blankets+ is a special mission opportunity for all ages, providing funds to help people in need around the world, including the U.S. For over 60 years, Church World Service has worked in partnership with local communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future, including: Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster, tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields, wells for families living in drought prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens and literacy training and microcredit for women struggling to realize their potential. A donation of just $5 on Blanket Sunday provides a blanket which can be used for shelter from wind, sun and rain; transport possessions during emergency evacuations; provide privacy in crowded conditions; and offer comfort in uncertain times. Watch for more information on upcoming Sundays! SALVATION ARMY OPPORTUNITY Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve the noon meal at the Salvation Army in Waterloo on Wednesday, November 16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please let Marlys Mitchell or Delores Reints know if you are able to help.

6 November 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30 a.m. Thanksgiv- 7:30 p.m. Choir 1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl ing Ingathering in C.F. Donna 8:30 a.m. UMM Bible Lindeman s Study :00 a.m. Worship w/ Communion/All Saints Sunday 10:00 a.m. Fellowship 7:00 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m. Praise Band 7:30 p.m. Choir 8:30 a.m. UMM Bible Study :00 a.m. Worship/ Blanket Sunday 10:05 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 20 9:00 am Worship 10:05 am Sunday School & Confirmation 5:30 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service 6:30 p.m. Trustees 9:00 a.m. Salvation 9:30 a.m. Lord s Portion Committee Meeting Army Sale 6:30 p.m. Praise Band :30 p.m. Finance Committee 6:30 p.m. Praise Band 8:30 a.m. UMM Bible Meeting Study :00 a.m. Worship 6:30 p.m. Administrative 6:30 p.m. Lay Leader- 10:05 a.m. Sunday Board Meeting ship Meeting School & Confirmation 30 Flowers: Pat Peckham Coffee: Ushers: Marlys Mitchell Larabeth Bader Scott & Tammi Neuendorf Tammy Zeien Scott & Tammi Neuendorf HARVEST PRAYER LIST Please pray for the following individuals during this harvest time. Ken Adolph Philip Mitchell Keith Bader Wade Mitchell David Baldwin Harry Moeller Ed Baldwin Jacque Moffitt Joe Brandt John Moffitt Angela Coverdale Brian Morrison Barb Coverdale Ron Mumm Matt Coverdale Adam Nechanicky Crees Family Mark Nechanicky Chris Foss Kenny Ollendieck Lloyd Hager Lonnie Ollendieck Steve Hager Matt Ollendieck Ken Herman Mindy Ollendieck Bob Higgins Chad Purdy Andy Hill David Sash Bob Hill John Schneider Eric Hill Mike Sinn Steve Hill Marshall Stilley Jeff Hoeg Bill Stoakes Craig Holub Dennis Stoakes Jeanne Holub Marvin Taylor Rodney Kavalier Joe Tecklenburg Dennis Kersten Stan Tow Gary Kersten Dan Vogeler Dan Krug Brandon Volkens Paul Lindeman Mark Volkens Rod Lorenz John Wagner Larry Lorenzen Brian Weber Wayne McQuilkin Nick Whitmore Clay Mitchell Wilfred Yuska Craig Mitchell Bob Zeien Dennis Mitchell Drew Mitchell Guy Mitchell Ken Mitchell