HUMC news. Pastor Steve s Corner JOIN US! February Every Wednesday 6:00-6:45 a.m. Men s Bible Study at MaeB

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1 February North 8th Avenue West HUMC news JOIN US! Pastor Steve s Corner revhumc@tcaexpress.net Every Wednesday 6:00-6:45 a.m. Men s Bible Study at MaeB Every Wednesday 12:00-1:00 p.m. Come & Go Women s Prayer Group meets in Wesley Chapel Every Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Wild Wednesday Supper for all 6:00 p.m. Wild Wednesday Worship & Confirmation Do I really need to convince anyone that our nation is in a state of moral chaos? One state after another has decided to redefine marriage to fit human preferences rather than God s intention. Not since the sixties has racial division boiled over into so much violence. Terrorism continues to be a growing threat. More than 7 million adults are on probation, on parole, in jail, or in prison the most of any nation on earth. 40 million visitors peruse porn sites on the web with the average age of first visits being age 11. Politicians seem to have lost their moral compass and are more focused on obtaining power than they are on leading the nation toward righteousness. America s national debt continues to grow, and in the future we face $124 trillion in unfunded liabilities more than the world s GDP (83 trillion) and over $1,000,000 per U.S. taxpayer. And this reality says nothing about the lifestyle of personal indebtedness that plagues many U.S. families. As tension increases in our country, respect and civility decreases. I could go on and on. It has become clear to many that our nation faces a state of emergency. Our country s trajectory is economically, socially, politically, and morally unsustainable. As author Byron Paulus writes, This unsustainable course can t be fixed by rearranging government programs or CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

2 Feb. birthdays & anniversaries 1 - Darla Meyer 2 - Bruce Lyman 4 - Red Getting 5 - Darcy Espey 6 - Hannah Jochims, Hunter Koontz 7 - Trell Burley, Amanda Rottman 8 - Deb Schumacher 9 - Diane DiCalogero, Keith Koele, Carissa Menke, Craig Menke 11 - Cory Gellerman 12 - Elaine Dagel, Sara Dolphin, John Lyman 13 - Madison Albrant, McKenzee Gable, Megan Gable, Jaylin Rieck 15 - Dave Decker 17 - Shirley Senn, Clayton Vermeer, Jacoby Vermeer 18 - Mary Donnenwerth, Deb Hengeveld 19 - Tyler Dolphin, Brent Thorn, Mary Westphalen 20 - Ken Kern 21 - Jayna Dolphin, Tim Meyer 22 - Paula Burley, David Jochims, Charles Stoneking, Dan Sweeney 24 - Marge Espey, Laura Recher 26 - Crystal Dolphin If your birthday is missing or incorrect please contact the church office. Congratulations to: 4 - Dennis & Crystal Albrant 8 - Cory & Tonya Gellerman Everett & Phyllis Lenhart (62) 14 - Kenny & Marcy Embrey 15 - Dennis & Elaine Dagel 19 - Rod & Gina Wiekamp 22 - Marlin & Ruth Vetter (67) We have a very limited amount of anniversaries on record. If you would like your anniversary published, please contact the church office. To be lifted up in prayer: All servicemen/women & their families; Rod Harms; Ruth Back; Brian Sadler; Louise Burley; Drew Steinbeck; Everett & Phyllis Lenhart; Lynette Gable; Marlin Vetter; Adriana Van Iperen; Dianne Anderson, Jean Ahrenstorff; Ruth Vetter; Jackie Gable; Luke Schmillen; Pat Strait; Marge Espey; Margaret (Gable) Staman; Richard Christiansen; Lon Jordan; Susie Getting; our shut-ins, assisted living & nursing home residents Office hours NEW HOURS!! Monday and Wednesday 8:00 am 3:30 pm Friday 8:00 am 2:30 pm Closed 11:30 12:00 for lunch IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER LISTEN TO KICD Pastor Steve will be making the decision on whether to have church or not due to weather conditions. Ministry team chairmen or choir directors will decide whether to have team meetings or choir practice. All weather related cancellations or postponements will be called into KICD.

3 Pastor s Corner Continued from page 1 implementing new policies. It isn t ultimately about combating violence or cleaning up the streets or even protesting the evils of society. No, the answer is spiritual. The answer is to call out for God s mercy, for the hope and transformation that only He can bring to a prodigal nation. I am convinced that the only way out of our nation s spiritual state of emergency is to seek God s mercy and cry out to Him for revival in the church and awakening throughout the nation. That s why, beginning on Sunday, February 8, our church will be joining a movement called OneCry. OneCry seeks to unite churches and individual believers to pray for national spiritual awakening. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. I believe this promise is still valid. Are we ready to claim it? For eight weeks, beginning on February 8, our church s worship, preaching, and prayer will focus on the topic of revival, including six revival realities. All in our church are encouraged to follow along in the book OneCry during this period. You can pick up a copy at the church during worship or during regular office hours. We will be offering a group study and prayer time at the church on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning on February 12. Participants are invited to eat together at the Wild Wednesday Worship meal at 5:30. We also invite you to visit our website ( and our Facebook page to find videos and more information on revival in the coming days. I believe God is willing to do something powerful in our church and in our nation if we are willing to cry out to Him to bring awakening to our land, beginning with each of us. God is the only one who can turn our nation around. Will you join us in seeking Him in this desperate hour? Prayerfully yours, Steve Thank you to the HUMC church family for the gift of money. It is a joy to serve you with music. May God continue to bless you in the year ahead. Deb Bleeker

4 our assistants Valets Try it every Sunday just pull up under the canopy and we will park your car for you Front Door Greeters: 1st Sunday: (even mo.) Dave & Janelle Patton (odd mo.) Mike & Mary Donnenwerth 2nd Sunday: (even mo.) Jim, Lori & Brenton Thomas (odd mo.) Phil & Vella Smith 3rd Sunday: Jean Ahrenstorff & Sharlene Dodge 4th Sunday: (even mo.) Steve & Kris Byers (odd mo.) Don & Dee Harder 5th Sunday: Sharlene Dodge, Marge Espey Worship Attendants in Sanctuary: 1st Sunday: Ron & Cherie Sterk Don & Virginia Harson 2nd Sunday: Terry & Pam Mohni (Sept-May) Gary & Jayne VanderLee (June-Aug) Phil & Vella Smith 3rd Sunday: Dixon Schiphoff Family 4th Sunday: Rod & Beth Burley Randy & Rhonda Menke 5th Sunday: Larry & Brenda Espey Ken & Lori Smith Camera Operators: Feb. 1: Julia Meyer 8: Jim Thomas 15: Dixon Schiphoff 22: Randy Kramer Sound Technician Feb. 1: Dave Hobson 8: Lori Adrian 15: Larry Espey 22: Brad Taylor Multi-Media Feb. 1: Mary Waltz 8: Cindy & Joel Campbell 15: Cindy Hennings 22: Jazzmyn Adrian

5 Cell: Josh s Hartley Hours: Tuesday, Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m. Josh s Journal 1st & 3rd HUMC 5:00 p.m. Middle School 7:00 p.m. Sr. High 2nd & 4th Sanborn 5:00 p.m. Middle School 7:00 p.m. Sr. High Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m. High School Bible Study in Sanborn PLEASE WATCH THE BULLETINS FOR ANY CHANGES IN PLACE OR TIME! This year the sr. high youth group has been going through videos that are called I am second. These videos have both famous people and every day people giving their testimony. They talk about their life before Christ and how they met Christ. In the end the whole point of these videos is to show how people decided to put Christ first in their lives. They have been well received and they have all told about how they have overcome struggles in their lives to love Jesus. We watched an I am second video at the beginning of the year about a man named Duche Bradley. In his video we learn how he overcame anger and how drugs can have a major negative influence in people s lives. We watch an I am Second video about the Robertson (The Duck Dynasty people), and saw how they overcame cheating, alcohol, and drugs. Not to long ago we watched an I am second video about Eric Metaxas. Eric is a man who grew up in the church, but throughout his life he didn t believe in God until his uncle came down with cancer. It was through a friend s prayer and the church that that friend went praying for Eric s uncle that Eric was able to see that God cares. Eric eventually became a Christian and is now a Christian writer and speaker across the nation. Basically we have seen through these videos that God comes to us where we are. God comes in love and kindness. Sometimes it takes us to get to our absolute breaking point to truly open up our hearts to God. But He is there for us and welcomes us with open arms. God is there for us just like He is for the people in the videos the Sr. high has been watching. We just need to respond with faith to the grace that God gives us. Youth Group Needs Your Help: We are looking to update! We are in need of your good, used couches and some area rugs in approximately 6x12 size with bound edges. Call Josh with what you have to offer. Thank you!

6 Join us on Wednesdays during Lent for supper and study February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 5:30 p.m. Supper with WWW 6:00 p.m. Study BOOKS ARE NOT NECESSARY BUT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH FOYER Book: One Cry $10 April 2: 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service & Communion April 5: 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service by the High School youth 9:30 a.m. Easter Worship Service There Are Angels Among Us Walking into the church lounge on Sunday mornings after worship to a hot cup of coffee, juice and variety of treats is no accident. There are numerous angels amongst us who donate the refreshments that create this warm and welcoming environment for our church family, friends and visitors. If you would like to host a Sunday, please see the sign-up sheet the church office. It would be greatly appreciated! Church Council Minutes Present - Kari Schiphoff, Josh Vermeer, Mark Dodge, Ron Sterk, Jim Thomas, Beth Burley, Steve Campbell Pastor Steve opened with prayer followed by an explanation of the concept of the new board structure. Pastor Steve informed the council that Arlene Meerdink will replace Janelle Patton the SPRC due to Janelle assuming the role of church secretary. Arlene's term will run through Dale Orthmann and Shirley Senn will also serve on this board. Trustees who were asked and accepted are Mark Dodge and Brad Taylor. Pastor Steve informed these appointees that terms may be short due to imminent restructuring of the council. Further discussion centered around officers, new council configuration and various other concerns. * Janelle Patton will be asked to serve as secretary/ treasurer at council meetings as part of her church secretary assignment. It was suggested that she be given some compensation time (possibly taking one Friday afternoon per month off) in exchange for her attendance at the council meetings. * It was further stated that the Board/Council will be a 7 member board: the pastor and 4 others to have voting privileges, the chairperson and secretary/treasurer will be non-voting members of the board. * It is not necessary that the chairperson or other members have a connection to any other committee or cluster - The newly formed council will take the place of and serve in many respects as some of the current committees but still seek input from those individuals/groups that serve in those capacities. It is also worth noting that anyone is welcome to attend council meetings. * It was suggested that two current members of the council continue to serve in order to help make a smooth transition to the new leadership structure while we seek three new potential members. Suggestions were made to contact Dale Orthmann, Rich Schumacher and Lori Adrian about their interest in serving. Ron Sterk and Mark Dodge expressed an interest in remaining on the board. Jim will contact Dale Orthmann, Steve will contact Rich Schumacher and Lori Adrian will be contacted, as well. It was further recommended that these individuals be invited to attend the February meeting and that the new board configuration be adopted in March or April and be presented to the charge conference in May. Pastor Steve also informed the council that we will not be holding an Ash Wednesday service next month, but we will be having Wild Wednesday worship. There will be a Maundy Thursday service. Josh commented on the lack of attendance during children s sermon & it seemed to be the consensus to discontinue children's messages for the time being. Also some discussion on a nursery area during Sunday services. Ron Sterk concluded the meeting with prayer.

7 Primary Preschool We started back to Primary Preschool on Jan. 6th after the Christmas break. Our class seemed more than ready to be back at school and playing with their friends. Snow and snowmen have been our topic this month. The children made various snowmen art activities. We also did some snowmen fingerplays, counted snowmen and did some color matching. Our Bible story this month was about Zacchaeus, which I used magnetic pieces to tell the story and then let the children retell the story during free choice time with them. We also sang the Zacchaeus song. This age loves to sing songs and do fingerplays, which is great for language development. It is amazing how quickly they remember the words. Preschool January has brought some crazy winter weather! With below freezing temperatures, a ground blizzard and freezing rain, we have only had one full week of preschool since Christmas break! You have to love Iowa weather! We are studying about Balls and have learned some bounce, some don't, you can eat some (meatballs, popcorn balls, melon balls), not all balls are round, some have air in them (hallow) and some don't (solid). We played a guessing game with a bag full of balls and the teacher gave clues at to what ball it was and the students had to guess. Building ramps in the block area and seeing how far different kinds of balls roll has been fun. In the sand and water table, water was added and the students experimented to see which balls sink and which ones float. The preschoolers and the teachers want to thank Mary for all she has done for the preschool over the years! We sure are going to miss her and wish her all the best in her retirement! THANKS MARY!! February Mission Goal Hartley Daycare Needs: **Paper Products Napkins, Paper Plates, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels **Canned Vegetables Green Beans, Peas, Corn **Canned Fruit Applesauce, Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges, Pears, Peaches Please place your donations in the church foyer. Thank you.

8 1 February 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:30 a.m. Worship Service (Communion) 10:30 a.m. Fellowhip 10:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School :00 am Men s Bible Study 12:00-1:00 pm Women s Prayer Group 5:30 pm WWW supper 6:00 pm WWW & Lenten Studies 7:00 pm Sr. Choir :00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Girl Scouts (Fellowship Hall) 8 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Fellowhip 10:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School 9 6:30 p.m. Church Council :00 am Men s Bible Study 12:00-1:00 pm Women s Prayer Group 5:30 pm WWW supper 6:00 pm WWW & Lenten Studies 7:00 pm Sr. Choir :30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Fellowhip 10:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School :00 am Men s Bible Study 12:00-1:00 pm Women s Prayer Group 5:30 pm WWW supper 6:00 pm WWW & Lenten Studies 7:00 pm Sr. Choir :30-10:00 p.m. Junior High Fun Night :30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Fellowhip 10:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School :00 am Men s Bible Study 12:00-1:00 pm Women s Prayer Group 5:30 pm WWW supper 6:00 pm WWW & Lenten Studies 7:00 pm Sr. Choir :00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Girl Scouts (Fellowship Hall)

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