Geneseo Voice INSIDE THIS ISSUE: DREAMING SUNDAY SERMONS

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1 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 MARCH 2015 Geneseo Voice INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 3 CHILDREN S PAGE 4 COUNCIL SUMMARY& STEWARDSHIP REPORT UMC EVENTS & NEWS 6 GENESEO & LOCAL EVENTS & NEWS SPECIAL SUNDAYS, LENT, & HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE CALENDAR 9 SUNDAY SERMONS Lenten Sermon Series: The God We Can Know March 1st Enough Exodus 16:2-5, 9-15 John 6:35-51 March 8th (Daylight Savings Time Begins) Here Comes the Sun Deuteronomy 16:13-15 John 7:14, 8:12-19 March 15th TLC Psalm 23 John 10:1-10 March 22nd The Power of One Isaiah 5:1-4, 7 John 15:1-8 March 29th: Palm Sunday Passion Isaiah 50:4-9a Mark 11:1-11 Mark 14:1 15: DREAMING Ahhhhhh, I sigh as I take another sip from a tall glass of iced tea and lean back into my beach chair, mesmerized by the beauty of sunlight sparkling on the surface of the water, lulled by the sound of lapping waves, the distant cries of gulls, the giggles of nearby children. It s hard to decide what to do next. Shall I read another chapter of my book? Take a long, leisurely walk along the shore? Close my eyes and sink deeper into my chair, turning my face to the warming rays of RRIIIINNNNNNGGGG. The telephone jars me into the moment. I sigh again, and watch the snow fall outside my window. Just a few more weeks, I say to myself I ve always been a bit of a daydreamer. When I was young, I sometimes had to be reminded to pay attention to what was happening right in front of me a good thing, especially when I was about to step into traffic! Yet, I believe there is benefit to dreaming, to using our Godgiven imaginations to look into a future that is brimming with promise. Dreams of spring can encourage us, comfort us and motivate us to plan and prepare in the depths of January so that our vision might become a reality when May eventually arrives! At church council meetings we ve begun to dream about our future as we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We re using our faithful imaginations to picture the time to come in our vibrant, growing Geneseo mission center. We ve started by dreaming about Sunday morning. What is happening? Who is here? What is the atmosphere like? How can we tell that disciple-making is happening? We ve dreamed of our church on the hill surrounded by cars (maybe even spilling out into the street!) the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and the sound of gentle but lively music and happy conversation filling the fellowship area and sanctuary. We ve seen a worship service where many lay people share their gifts where children are present and involved where folks praise God with joy, where they actively engage as they listen, nod, jot notes, respond to questions and laugh together, leaning in to hear and understand what God is saying to them through the Scriptures. We see people of all ages supporting and encouraging one another in their faith as they visit during coffee time and enjoy digging deeper into the word through all kinds of learning experiences. What do you dream for Geneseo as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? I invite you to daydream a little to share your ideas, your hopes, your vision for the future with one another, with the pastor, with the members of church council. May our dreams match God s desires for us, and may they encourage and inspire us as we faithfully plant, grow, and share! Your sister in the Lord, Pastor Christie

2 GENESEO MARCH VOICE WORSHIP ASSISTANTS PAGE 2 Acolytes: Belle Olson & Alexa Weber (whole month) Coffee Servers: (March 1st) LuAnne Pritchard (chair), Diana Sash, and Cindi Mitchell Ushers: 1 - Trent Ryan 8 - Keith & Larabeth Bader 15 - Keith & Larabeth Bader 22 - Steve & Karen Pippert 29 - Steve & Karen Pippert Greeters: 1 - Guy Mitchell & Family 8 - Guy Mitchell & Family 15 - Guy Mitchell & Family 22 - Orville & Jean Beenken 29 - Orville & Jean Beenken MARCH CELEBRATIONS Communion Assistants: (March 1st) Pat Peckham, Mary Jacquith, and a Confirmation Student Readers 1 - Marlys Mitchell 8 - Guy Mitchell 15 - Jacque Moffitt 22 - Jana Ryan 29 - Bob Hill Instrumental Leaders: 1 - Anne Cook 8 - Tony John 15 - LuAnne Pritchard 22 - Anne Cook 29 - Praise Band Song Leaders: 1 - Paul Lindeman 8 - Tony John 15 - Guy Mitchell 22 - Diana Sash 29 - Praise Band Technicians: 1 - Dalton Adams 8 - Anne/Jeff Salasek 15 - David Sash 22 - David Sash 29 - Mike Chingren Sunday School Teachers: Preschool-2nd OPEN 3rd-5th - Guy Mitchell 6th-9th - Marlys Mitchell 10th-Adults - Pastor Christie BIRTHDAYS 9 - Brian Jacquith 9 - Lonnie Ollendieck 9 - Tammi Neuendorf 10 - Kenny Herman 11 - Sarah Hill 12 - Braydon Adams PRAYER REQUESTS 16 - Madison Howard 18 - Elsie Mitchell 18 - Mallory Hill 20 - Valerie Ryan 24 - Austin Reding 24 - Chris Olson 31 - Jeff Salasek ANNIVERSARIES 4 - Joe & Sheryl Brandt 17 - Ronn & Deb Mumm 22 - Tony & Christie John 22 - Bill & Jackie Spain 29 - Paul & Donna Lindeman Continued Prayer Support Sandy Boomer, living in Sunrise Assisted Living Bob & Linda Cline, living in an assisted living apartment in Arizona Doris Mitchell, living in Friendship Village Prayer Map Area For God's Healing Touch Jean Beenken, recovering from surgery Douglas Bruene, under-going surgery, therapy, and recovery to repair damaged soft tissues in dislocated shoulder accident Herald and Elsie Mitchell, for Thank you. My family and I appreciate the many acts of kindness extended during my recent illness and recuperation. Pastor Christie, your visits and prayers were truly supportive. Knowing that prayers were being offered by many on my behalf was encouraging. The personal visits, cards, prayer shawl, phone calls, and treats were good medicine. You bless our lives in so many ways. Again, thank you. Paul Lindeman good health and good rest Living With Cancer Norma Owens Larry Parizek, father of Kalyn Putz Betty Murphy, friend of Diana Sash March 8th, next Sunday, Daylight Savings Time begins! Don t forget to Spring Forward!

3 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - CHILDREN, YOUTH, & ADULTS VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 PAGE 3 Confirmation Update: During Lent, we ll attend the Ecumenical Midweek services in Dysart and Geneseo. During supper, we ll check in and look ahead a little to the theme of the night. Then we ll attend worship. On March 11, we ll host the soup supper, with proceeds from the free will offering going to World Vision as part of our 30 Hour Famine (see the article below.) On March 22, we ll get together after Sunday School until about 4:00 p.m. for a Jesus Marathon to explore who Jesus was and is, and why it matters. Lunch will be provided. Please continue to pray for our confirmation students as they learn more about the faith and what it will mean for them to follow Jesus. We have a choice. Make it your fight! When injustice hits, when more than 800 million people are hungry, we can hope someone else handles it, or we can answer God s call and make it our fight. Geneseo confirmation students will unite with students in our community and around the world through World Vision s 30 Hour Famine to help feed hungry children and to help families overcome poverty and injustice. Each confirmation student has set a goal to raise at least $210 enough to feed a child for six months. Each student will do this through individual fundraising and by participating in special fundraising events. Then, on April 24 April 25, they will go 30 hours without eating and participate in a retreat at the church to worship together, encourage each other, play games, do service projects and more. Please support our Confirmation students in their fight against hunger! To find out more, talk to Braydon Adams, Lyric Dutton, Kendall Putz, Rebekah Liepold or Valerie Ryan, or see the Geneseo website under "Make It Your Fight." Also, visit our Famine Team website: Dear Geneseo United Methodist Church, Thank you so much for your contribution to the Remembering Our Past, Renovating for Our Future campaign. Community Support is integral to the success of our grant applications, and contributions such as yours demonstrate that support. We are very excited about the project and look forward to starting the renovation process. Thank you for your donation. Sincerely, Pamela Thiele (City of Dysart Mayor), Dysart City Council, and Dysart Development Corporation Board of Directors Geneseo s Sunday School for all ages is here and everyone is always welcome! Classes Offered: Preschool 2nd grade 3rd 5th grade 6th 9th grade High schoolers and adults Sunday School classes meet every Sunday after worship, except on a Fellowship Sunday. Join Adult Sunday School during Lent for a deeper discussion based on the Lenten Sermon Series: The God We Can Know. TEACHERS NEEDED!! Sunday School children s classes are in need of teachers for the months of February, March, and April! Please check out the sign-up sheets or give the church office a call if you can and are willing to teach! Never taught Sunday School before, but you re interested in trying? That s okay, contact Pastor Christie and let her know; she will get you started! Dear Geneseo UMC Members, Friends, and Leaders, THANK YOU for being God s faithful people, living out your life of discipleship by sharing your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness wherever you might be. THANK YOU for your commitment and sacrifice in payment of your 2014 apportionments at 100%. Payment of apportionments is a witness of your faithfulness to a generous God who provides, to your covenant with The United Methodist Church, and to the understanding we can do more together than we can do alone in caring for the people of God. As each congregation does their best to meet the apportionment responsibilities we are able to do far more in our witness to the gospel and Jesus call to follow and to be disciples who care for the persons on the margins of life, and to work for justice. THANK YOU for being a part of all God does in and through the people of The United Methodist Church. May God s favor shine upon you and grant you vision and strength to follow where God leads in Blessings, Rev. Jackie L. Bradford (Conference Superintendent, Northeast District, Iowa Conf. of The UMC)

4 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 4 CHILDREN S PAGE

5 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 IMPORTANT CHANGE AT GENESEO UMC!!!!!!!! PAGE 5 Geneseo UMC recently had to switch internet service providers, which will result in the complete loss of our FCTC address (gumc@fctc.coop). In the next few weeks, we will no longer have access to this and any s sent to that address will not be received at all. Please update your records by... getting rid of gumc@fctc.coop address and adding office@geneseoumc.org to your records!! You can also always contact us through our website by clicking the Connect menu at the top of our homepage, and then click on the heading Contact Us. We are continually adding and updating our website as we can, so please be sure to check it out frequently and stay current on everything at Geneseo UMC! Visit us at: CHURCH COUNCIL SUMMARY FEBRUARY 10, 2015 Pastor Christie and seven members were present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Christie. Deb Mumm presided. Those present collaborated to list ideas for the Dream Agenda which was a challenge from Scott Meador. He had suggested that members creatively dream of projects etc. that could lead members in living the adopted Mission Statement/Tag Line. The Council acknowledges with appreciation those who have returned the Dedication Cards to the Finance Secretary. The financial estimates from members assists Church Council to better determine financial status in order to faithfully plan for mission and ministry through The Confirmation class will participate in the 30 Hour Famine on April The confirmation classes from Dysart UMC and Zion Lutheran are invited to join the GUMC group as they grow deeper in faith while raising money and awareness surrounding childhood poverty. Churches represented in the Dysart-Geneseo Ministerial group will again join for midweek Lenten services. The theme is Praying the Psalms. Geneseo UMC will host the service on March 11 for the meal and worship service. Sunday School classes will be offered in March and April. Volunteers are needed to teach on some of the dates. Jodi Adams is the contact person. FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP January Stewardship Report $47,102 General Fund Balance 1/1/ Special giving receipts +4,739 Operating revenue/offerings -70 Special giving disbursements -10,054 Operating expenses $41,788 General Fund Balance 1/31/15* Cold and snow in January reflected low attendance and giving. A more detailed financial report is always available from the church office, or contact Finance Chair Dennis Mitchell if you have any questions or concerns. *The General Fund Balance reflects a rounded total. Average Sunday Attendance 43

6 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 UMC NEWS & EVENTS For Youth & Youth Workers: Remedy Drive Concert with special guest: Hunter Dumped Us Here. (An Awareness event on Human Trafficking) On March 28, 2015, Cedar Falls, First UMC. $5 for the concert at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Free workshop by Exodus Road before the concert. Contact Becca Nims for more information at rebecca.nims@aboutfirst.com. All proceeds will go to Exodus Road: An organization that brings people together for the sake of freedom from modern day slavery and are audacious in the pursuit of strategic deliverance. Remedy Drive is an alternate rock group based out of Nashville, TN. Hunter Dumped Us Here is a solo artist, Gabe Reasoner, from Cedar Rapids, IA. Best! Week! Ever! Summer Camp Catalogs are HERE! The 2015 camping year had arrived, and it s NEVER too early to register for Iowa UMC Camps. Fun and laughter await you at one of our three United Methodist camps Wesley Woods, Okoboji, and Pictured Rock. Make new friends, experience new adventures, sing songs around the campfire, and have the time of your life! Iowa UMC Camps can be a life-changing experience where God speaks to youth in many different ways, and you can be sure you ll have an incredible adventure in a Christian environment. The Iowa UMC Camps Teams are waiting for you! Check out the possibilities in the BEST. WEEK. EVER. catalog (at the Geneseo Church office) or go online at Complete a registration form, give it to Pastor Christie or church office. Geneseo UMC will provide financial assistance for any children associated with our church. See Pastor Christie if you have any questions. *Summer Jobs are also available for Youth/College Students (Leadership in Training) Housing Provided. Visit the website or contact each camp s site for more information: PAGE 6 See and Experience the Roots of Methodism Wesley Heritage Tour Led by Bishop Julius Trimble and First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble. Are you interested in learning more about our Wesleyan heritage? There is a trip for you, departing from Des Moines July 21-29, This tour will offer a composite of the essential places that were so formative in the Methodist Movement. Stops include Epworth, Birmingham and Coventry, Stratford and Oxford, Bristol and Bath, Cotswolds and Gloucester, Wesley s London, and London sights. For more information explore the website or Len and Diane Eberhart at dianelen@iowatelecom.net, or you may contact Len Eberhart at Consult the Educational Opportunities Tours website for details and booking the trip: he15- trimble#eotours, Tour HE15; Code T, price for the Bishop s trip from Des Moines $4,096. United Methodist Student Scholarships! The Iowa United Methodist Foundation has NUMEROUS scholarships available this year, for general education and Seminary! General scholarships (33 available) and Seminary scholarships (16 available) will be awarded to qualifying applicants by the Iowa UM Foundation in the spring of Each scholarship has an individual application with required criteria, and the student must complete one set of application documents for each scholarship for which they apply. Applications and criteria are currently available at Incomplete applications cannot be considered. The deadline for these scholarship applications and all supporting documents must be postmarked by March 15, Application forms and all supporting documentation may be sent to: Iowa United Methodist Foundation, 2301 Rittenhouse Street, Des Moines, IA Peace with Justice scholarships are provided by Iowa UM Churches gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday. They are given to students pursuing higher education in both traditional and non-traditional college, technical, and trade school. To enter, students must write a well-thought out essay with research and references on the on the essay topic of the year. For essay topics and guidelines for submitting your scholarship application, see the flyer on the Geneseo UMC bulletin board.

7 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 7 GENESEO & LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Bible Trivia Night, bring a team to help fight hunger and poverty in Tama County! Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo has been awarded a grant by their district to fight hunger and poverty in the community. They ve decided to use the grant as seed money to raise even more money for hunger and poverty awareness by also promoting Bible knowledge, fellowship, and friendly competition among the churches in Tama County! They are doing so, by hosting a Bible Trivia Night on Saturday, March 14th at 7:00pm at the Reinig Center in Toledo. For details on forming team, registration fees, registration forms, etc, see the flyer on the bulletin board at Geneseo UMC. Any questions or if you would like to register by phone, please call Christ UMC s office at , Monday-Friday 8am-12pm. Calling all Singers Join the Easter Cantata! A Community Easter Chorus! All singers welcome! Practices are Sundays 4:00-5:30pm (Feb. 15th through March 22nd). Location for practice is Dysart Methodist Church. At the Cross performances on Sunday, March 29 th. Everyone from the surrounding community is invited to participate. If you would like more information, please call Deb Oliver at or contact her at oliver@netins.net. Spring Brunch at Friendship Village! Our friends (and fellow church members) at Friendship Village invite you to a Spring Brunch, hosted by the Friendship Village Auxiliary on March 28, 2015 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at 600 Park Lane, Waterloo. There will also be baked goods, crafts, jewelry, books, and yesteryear s gifts, plus silent auction items. Brunch tickets are $6. To purchase tickets call Profits go to equipment for the two health centers and the assisted living facility. Everyone s Invited to Celebrate Elsie Mitchell s 90th Birthday! Everyone is welcome to stay after worship on March 15th to celebrate Elsie s birthday with cupcakes and refreshments! Volunteers are needed to help serve the noon meal at the Salvation Army in Waterloo on Wednesday, March 18th at 9:00 a.m. If you can help with this worthwhile project please let Jean Beenken know. Adopt-A-Highway & Church Clean Up We re doing our part to care for God s creation in our little corner of Tama County! For over 25 years, Geneseo has faithfully cleaned Highway 21 as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program. Come to Geneseo UMC on Sunday, March 29th, at 3:00 p.m. (with light meal served after) and help pick up along the highway or help us care for the church on the hill through cleaning and maintenance projects. Stay for a light meal and celebrate all that has been accomplished! NOTE: This DOES count towards silver cord hours for students! Easter Garden ordering is here! This year we have the opportunity to order lilies, tulips, and daffodils in memory or honor of someone for Easter. Lilies will be $8.99 each and 6 Tulips and Daffodils will be $12.50 each. They will be delivered for Easter Service and then can be taken home after service. Order forms will be available in the Sunday bulletin or you may contact the church office with order. Please include payment with your order. Make checks made payable to: Geneseo UMC. Last date for placing orders will be Sunday, March 15, Thank you for helping to create a beautiful Easter garden!

8 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 8 SPECIAL OFFERINGS & SUNDAYS One Great Hour of Sharing Special Sunday Offering March 15th On March 15th, we will participate in the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Sunday offering. One Great Hour is a Christian effort to empower, provide water, supply food, and give relief from disasters. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be able to offer aid in Jesus name to those who suffer, and it s your generous giving that allows UMCOR to respond when disaster strikes. Join other United Methodists around the world on March 15th to promote awareness of the hurts of peoples around the world, and to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. LENTEN COMMUNITY MIDWEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE Praying the Psalms Come join your brothers and sisters in the Dysart Geneseo community on Wednesday evenings in Lent for a soup supper at 6:00pm (provided by the host church), followed by a brief, reflective service of worship at 7:00pm. This worship series will invite us to draw near to the Lord of wisdom, mercy and love with the Psalms the time-honored prayer and hymnbook of faith as our guide. Lenten Schedule Wednesday, March 4th - Community Supper Zion Lutheran (Dysart) Reading: Psalm 95. Theme: Praise Wednesday, March 11th - Community Supper Geneseo UMC Reading: Psalm 23. Theme: Creed Wednesday, March 18th - Community Supper Dysart UMC Reading: Psalm 130. Theme: Plea Wednesday, March 25th - Community Supper Zion Lutheran (Dysart) Reading: Psalm 31:9-16. Theme: Lament HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Holy Week March 29th thru April 4th March 29th Palm/Passion Sunday 9:15am - Palms for all and a special presentation of the passion story April 2nd Maundy Thursday 7:00pm - A multi-sensory worship with Jesus and his disciples April 3rd Good Friday 7:00pm - Tenebrae Service April 5th Easter Sunday 7:30am - Easter Sunrise Service 8:30am - Easter Breakfast 9:30am - Traditional (Note time difference from regular weekly worship) 10:30am - Children s Easter Egg Hunt Holy Week services are designed to meaningfully recall Jesus last days leading up to Easter. They help prepare us to truly celebrate Easter Sunday the most joyous day of the Christian year! Think about someone you know in your neighborhood, at work or among your friends and family who may be hoping to find a friendly and caring place to celebrate Easter. Let them know you would love to welcome them here as honored guests in the name of our risen Lord!

9 Important Dates: March 10th Meeting Night March 15th One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering March 29th-April 4th Holy Week 2015 Secretary Office Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00a - 2:00p Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:15a - / Communion & Coffee Fellowship 2 Pastor s day off 3 4 6:00p - Lenten 6:00p - Community Lenten Supper & at Zion Lutheran Dysart 5 6 World Day of Prayer 7 8 9:15a - 10:30a - Sunday School for all ages (Daylight Savings Time begins) 9 Pastor s day off 10 Meeting Night 5:30p - optional light meal 6:00p - individual committee meetings 7:30p - Church Council meeting 11 6:00p - Lenten 6:00p - Community Lenten Supper & at Geneseo UMC 12 10:00a - Pastor Christie at LPC Nursing home One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering 9:15a - 10:30a - Sunday School for all ages 16 Pastor s day off :00a - Salvation Army Volunteering 6:00p - Lenten 6:00p - Community Lenten Supper & at Dysart UMC :15a - 10:30a - Sunday School for all ages 11:30a - Jesus Marathon (Confirmation) 29 Palm/Passion Sunday 9:15a - 10:30a - Sunday School for all ages 3:00pm - Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Day 23 Pastor s day off 30 Pastor s day off :00p - Lenten 6:00p - Community Lenten Supper & at Zion Lutheran Dysart 26 Pastor Christie at HSCI Peer Group 31 April 1 April 2 Holy Thursday 7:00pm - Multi- Sensory April 3 Good Friday 7:00pm - Tenebrae Service April 4 HOLY WEEK (March 29- April 4)

10 th Street Buckingham, IA Phone: Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Sunday School for all ages at 10:30 a.m. Geneseo United Methodist Church th Street Buckingham, IA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED