Geneseo Voice. The success of love is in the loving; it is not in the result of loving. Mother Teresa THE GOD WE CAN KNOW INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

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1 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2015 Geneseo Voice INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 3 CHILDREN S PAGE 4 COUNCIL SUMMARY& STEWARDSHIP REPORT EVENTS & NEWS 6 SPECIAL SUNDAYS & LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE CALENDAR 9 SUNDAY SERMONS February 8th Show & Tell 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 February 15th I ve Got a Secret 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 February 18th (Ash Wed.) The Time is Now Joel 2:1-2, Corinthians 5:20 6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, Lenten Sermon Series: The God We Can Know THE GOD WE CAN KNOW Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word Lenten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry. Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. (from umc.org) At Geneseo UMC, we are again observing Lent with our brothers and sisters in Christ through a weekly Community Midweek Worship and Soup Supper. (look for more information in this edition of Geneseo Voice and on our website.) In addition, Lenten Sunday mornings at Geneseo will feature a special worship and study series called The God We Can Know, based on the I Am sayings of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the "I Am" sayings, meaningful metaphors such as I am the bread of life and I am the light of the world, to reveal his mission and purpose. One by one, the "I Am" sayings of Jesus not only grab our imagination about Jesus' identity, they also help us to experience God, who spoke the first "I AM" to Moses. You are welcome to come for this insightful worship and study series as we learn more about the God we can know and as we seek to answer Jesus' question to us, Who do you say I am? Because this study was developed by the folks at The Upper Room, their daily devotional booklet will offer Scripture and meditations based on the I Am theme each week during Lent. Copies of The Upper Room daily devotional booklet are always available at Geneseo UMC near each church entrance. You can also purchase an electronic subscription to The Upper Room or sign up to receive a free daily devotion from The Upper Room via . For more information, go to devotional. February 22 Knowing God Exodus 3:1-7, John 4:21-26 The success of love is in the loving; it is not in the result of loving. Mother Teresa

2 GENESEO FEBRUARY VOICE WORSHIP ASSISTANTS PAGE 2 Acolyte: OPEN Coffee Servers: (February 8th) Jacque Moffitt (chair), Pat Hill, Norma Owens Ushers: 1 - Tammi & Scott Neuendorf 8 - Tammi & Scott Neuendorf 15 - Wade & Cindi Mitchell 18 (Ash Wed.) Wade & Cindi Mitchell Greeters: 1 - Deb Mumm 8 - Deb Mumm & Kristi Martin 15 - Deb Mumm & Kristi Martin 18 (Ash Wed.) Deb Mumm & Kristi Martin Communion Assistants: (February 8th) John & Jacque Moffitt, and a Confirmation Student Worship Readers 1 - Bob Hill 8 - Norma Owens 15 - Jana Ryan 18 (Ash Wed.) Heather Chingren Instrumental Leaders: 1 - Anne Cook 8 - Anne Cook 15 - Anne Cook 18 (Ash Wed.) - Anne Cook 22 - Praise Band 2015 Worship Assistant assignments are available on the back bulletin board. Song Leaders: 1 - Paul Lindeman 8 - Jamie Cook 15 - Diana Sash 18 (Ash Wed.) - Tony John 22 - Praise Band Technicians: 1 - Tony John 8 - Anne & Jeff Salasek 15 - Dalton Adams 18 (Ash Wed.) - David Sash 22 - Mike Chingren Sunday School Teachers: (February 22nd) Preschool-2nd - Marlys Mitchell 3rd-5th - 6th-9th - 10th-Adults - Pastor Christie JANUARY CELEBRATIONS BIRTHDAYS 1 - Ashley Bruene 1 - Chris Hill 3 - Matt Coverdale 4 - Duane Christian 5 - Heather Chingren 10 - Edwin Baldwin PRAYER REQUESTS 13 - Tyler Reding 16 - Donna Lindeman 17 - Belle Weber 19 - Jeanne Holub 20 - Jeff Erbes 26 - Jack Ollendieck 26 - Kelsey Mumm 28 - Pat Hill ANNIVERSARIES 2 - Paul & Cindy Wendt 8 - Orville & Jean Beenken 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 Paul Lindeman, recovering from an emergency heart procedure Herald and Elsie Mitchell, for good health and good rest Living With Cancer Norma Owens Larry Parizek, father of Kalyn Putz Betty Murphy, friend of Diana Sash Reach out with the love of Jesus to our young brother in the Lord! Neiko Morris is currently a resident at Woodward Academy, a program to help struggling youth develop positive, constructive patterns of thought and behavior. Neiko would love to receive cards and notes of encouragement and visits from his church family! Visiting hours are Saturdays and Sundays, Noon to 3:00pm. You must call ( ) by Wednesday to let them know you are coming. If you visit, sealed food (not homemade) would be a most welcome treat! You can also write Neiko at: Neiko Morris Delta Company th Street, Woodward, IA 50276

3 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - CHILDREN, YOUTH, & ADULTS VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 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! Confirmation Update: Our confirmation students continue to meet and grow in community and in faith! We have decided to participate in the 30 Hour Famine April to help make a difference for hungry children in our country and around the world. Each student has made a goal to raise $210 for World Vision - that's enough to feed a child for six months! For more information, see the church website under "Make It Your Fight." For Lent Confirmation will meet at the Community Midweek Worship for soup suppers and worship. PAGE 3 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 Communion/Fellowship Sunday. Pastor Christie is back and ready to lead Adult Sunday School in February, join us in a deeper discussion based on the Lenten Sermon Series: The God We Can Know. 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) are 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 IOWA UMC CAMPS ARE READY FOR YOU! 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:

4 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 4 CHILDREN S PAGE

5 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 CHURCH COUNCIL SUMMARY JANUARY 13, 2015 PAGE 5 Church Council met at the home of Paul & Donna Lindeman. Pastor Scott Meador and eight members were present. Pastor Scott led discussion regarding the importance of continuing to emphasize our church s mission statement and tag line as well as balancing wholeness in our lives through participation in weekly worship plus at least two other committees or projects (Worship +2) The members of Church Council were challenged to Dream in leading members forward creatively in living the Mission Statement/Tag Line. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Secretary Lora Olson reviewed income of 2014 vs There was a $10,000 gift in December 2014 to the Endowment Fund. Treasurer Diana Sash provided a Statement of Activities-Church Operations of 2014 (available from the church office). The income from the Endowment Fund is designated to be used for $500 educational grants to graduating high school seniors. Youth camperships will also be paid. The application forms for these grants can be accessed on the church website. Board of Trustees Mike Chingren has been elected chairman for Scott Neuendorf donated the labor to install metal siding on the detached garage. The Trustees scheduled April 11 for volunteers to participate in applying wood preservative to the church playground structure. David Sash will continue to blade snow in the parking lot 2-3 volunteers are needed to do the hand scooping of the sidewalks. A retired person with experience as a Pest Control specialist has agreed to assess the needs and provide the Trustees at no charge with a credible cost estimate for pest control at the church and parsonage. FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP December Stewardship Report $48,772 General Fund Balance 12/1/ Special giving receipts +14,558 Operating revenue/offerings Special giving disbursements -12,892 Operating expenses $47,102 General Fund Balance 12/31/14 Our wintery weather resulted in smaller attendance in January we may need a little boost in giving to make up for a probable dip in January Offerings. Thank you for your continued generosity in giving to the Lord. 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. Average Sunday Attendance 73 ONLINE TO PLANT, GROW, & SHARE! Don t forget to check us out on the web! Visit us at: Our website offers up-to-date information such as Weekly Sunday scriptures and sermons on video Upcoming Sunday sermon topics/subjects An events calendar, that updates automatically whenever we make a change Info on how to access our Online Church Directory Electronic (E)-publications of the Geneseo Voice (our monthly Newsletter) A link to subscribe to our Geneseo Voice, the Midweek Update (weekly), or special announcements Photos of recent church events And so much more! We are adding and updating news as we can, so please be sure to check it out frequently and stay current on everything at Geneseo UMC!

6 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2 UMC NEWS & EVENTS Events for Youth & Youth Workers: Remedy Drive Concert (with special guest: Hunter Dumped Us Here) and 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. The Peace of Christ Northeast District LOCK-IN For grades 6-12, on February 27, 2015, at Kimball Avenue UMC, Waterloo. Featuring the band Crossed to lead worship time. Come and enjoy video games, Rock Band, pool, ping pong, open gym, fun games (The Pudding Race, etc), and movies in the surround sound theater! Check in starts at 6:30pm. Ends Saturday 2/28/15 at 8:00am-ish. Cost $2 for pizza (money is not mandatory to attend). Bring a drink and/or snack to share! To register: please call, text, or Chuck at , chucknorman1957@gmail.com 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 EO website for details and booking the trip: he15- trimble#eotours, Tour HE15; Code T, price for the Bishop s trip from Des Moines $4, Hours by Jaymee Your Field Outreach Minister is inspired again and again by faithful United Methodist congregations and individuals who live their faith all week long both within the church and beyond its walls. She ll be sharing these stories in a new blog, 167 Hours. Find it on the NE District page of the Iowa Annual Conference website: GENESEO & LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS Volunteers are needed to help serve the noon meal at the Salvation Army in Waterloo on Wednesday, February 18th at 9:00 a.m. If you can help with this worthwhile project please let Jean Beenken know. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper with Traer UMC on Feb. 17th, from 5:00-7:00pm at the Traer Memorial Building Adults $7. Ages 6-10yrs old $3. 5 & under free. Carry out and diabetic meals available upon request. Delivery in Traer. REMINDER: Our Church Secretary, Ashley, will be out of the office from February 9th through the 13th. She will return on February 16th. Pastor Christie will be available during Pastor Christie s regular office hours that week. If anyone is available and would like to volunteer to help out while Ashley is away, please contact Pastor Christie at the church ( ) as soon as possible. Correction from January Newsletter: The January Newsletter Committee Members Page had incorrect members listed for Outreach and Witness. Members for Outreach and Witness Committees are as follows: Dixie Christian chair (16), Deb Weber (6), Tammy Zeien (6), Beverly Baldwin (5), Galen Peckham secretary (4). Everyone s Invited to Celebrate! The Combs & Salasek Families invite everyone in the congregation to enjoy some cookies and punch following worship on February 15, 2015, in honor of the baptisms of their chidren, Jasper Combs and Gabe Salasek! Thank you for the cards that were sent, visitors who stopped by, and food that was shared. It feels great to be part of such a caring church community! Jeff, Anne, and Gabe Salasek

7 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 7 SPECIAL OFFERINGS & SUNDAYS Disabilities Awareness Special Offering on Sunday, February 8th Disabilities Awareness Sunday is recognized by the Iowa Annual Conference and serves to celebrate gifts and graces of persons with disabilities, and to promote their full inclusion in the community. 100% of this special offering is retained by the IA Annual Conference to provide educational opportunities and grants to local churches to assist in removing barriers to accessibility. Please prayerfully consider joining other Iowa United Methodists on Sunday, February 8th, as they offer their gifts for the awareness of disabilities. 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 6:00 p.m. followed by a brief, reflective service of worship at 7:00 p.m. This worship series will invite us to draw near to the Lord of wisdom, mercy and love with the Psalms the timehonored prayer and hymnbook of faith as our guide. Lenten Worship Schedule Wednesday, February 18th (Ash Wednesday) - Geneseo, 7:00pm Reading: Psalm 32. Theme: Confession. Wednesday, February 25th - Community Supper & Dysart UMC, 6:00-7:30pm Reading: Psalm 121. Theme: Discernment. Wednesday, March 4th - Community Supper & Zion Lutheran (Dysart), 6:00-7:30pm Reading: Psalm 95. Theme: Praise. Wednesday, March 11th - Community Supper & Geneseo UMC, 6:00-7:30pm Reading: Psalm 23. Theme: Creed. Wednesday, March 18th - Community Supper & Dysart UMC, 6:00-7:30pm Reading: Psalm 130. Theme: Plea. Wednesday, March 25th - Community Supper & Zion Lutheran (Dysart), 6:00-7:30pm Reading: Psalm 31:9-16. Theme: Lament. March 29th thru April 4th Holy Week (Keep an eye on March s Newsletter for more details on Holy Week s Schedule!) Thursday, April 2nd Holy Thursday Friday, April 3rd Good Friday Sunday, April 5th Easter Sunday with Easter Breakfast at Geneseo UMC CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF GENESEO UMC The United Methodist Church, in partnership with some of the largest online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Expedia, Staples and more - has built a shopping tool that provides a cash benefit for Geneseo UMC when you purchase through the UMCmarket! The retailer does not mark up the price of any items purchased through UMCmarket, so you still pay what you d pay as you did before. Create an account at UMCmarket.org and designate Geneseo UMC as your organization (we are listed as Geneseo Buckingham, IA.) Then when you're ready to buy, just log into your UMCmarket account, shop at any of the partner retailers and a percentage of the sale is given to Geneseo UMC. If you shop online anyway, this is a wonderful opportunity for your purchases to assist the mission and ministry of our church! Go to UMCmarket.org to learn more and sign up!

8 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 8 DEDICATION SUNDAY Dedication Sunday was held on January 25th, during worship. Did you miss this special event? That s okay! There are still dedication cards and envelopes available in the church office! Our official "Dedication Sunday" was observed on January 25th - but the weather did not cooperate! If you were unable to attend worship on January 25th, you are still invited to make 2015 a year to plant, grow, and share by affirming your intention to support the mission and ministry of Geneseo UMC through: regularly lifting GUMC in prayer gathering for worship and participating in ministry as you are able supporting GUMC with your tithes and offerings Dedication cards will be included in the worship insert for another week and can also be sent to or dropped off at the church office. Please know that these cards will be seen only by the financial secretary (Chris and Lora Olson - the same persons who currently record giving and send out statements.) The Finance Team will know only the number and amount of estimates May our intentions for giving reflect God s love as we joyfully prepare to share what we have graciously received! Thank you! ST. PAUL UMC SEEKING VOCALISTS FOR EASTER CANTATA Seeking Vocalists for Easter Cantata St. Paul UMC invites any interested community members to join a choral group which will perform a 30-minute musical, In Christ Alone, created by Tony Wood and Russell Mauldin. The musical includes simple but powerful narration along with new and classic songs for the Easter season. Practices will be held on Wednesday evenings and possibly Sundays to accommodate more people s schedules. You don t have to be a professional singer, just someone who loves singing the Lord s praises! Choral books and practice CD s for individual vocal parts will be available. Performance date(s) will depend on how many community members participate. If interested, please contact Peg Mullen at or pegmullen@lpctel.net, as she will order books in advance. It is good to be back from my HSCI Renewal Leave. It was wonderful to slow down, do some spiritual and leadership reading, get a few projects done at home and in the office, and experience worship at several different churches. A big THANK YOU to everyone for your support and prayers. A special thanks to those who did such a wonderful job preaching while I was away: Diana Sash, Jamie Cook and Tony John. Thanks also to Marlys Mitchel who prepared a message but didn't get to share it due to the cancellation of church on Sunday, February 1. (I hope we get a chance to hear her wonderful sermon eventually!) Thanks also to Ashley for all her hard work and to our HSCI coach, Pastor Scott Meador from Independence, who met with Church Council in January while I was away. With Gratitude and Joy, Pastor Christie

9 Important Dates: Sunday, February 8th Disabilities Awareness Special Offering Tuesday, February 10th Meeting Night Wednesday, February 18th Ash Wednesday 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9:15a - Worship (Guest Preacher Marlys Mitchell) :30p - Confirmation Disabilities Special Sunday Offering 9:15a - Worship/ Communion & Coffee Fellowship 15 9:15a - Worship 10:30a - Baptism Reception 9 Pastor s day off Ashley s out of Office Feb. 9th - 13th 16 President s Day Pastor s day off 10 Meeting Night 5:30p - optional light meal 6:00p - individual committee meetings 7:30p - Church Council meeting :30p - Confirmation :00a - Salvation Army Volunteering 5:30p - Confirmation 7:00p - Ash Wed. Geneseo UMC 22 First Sunday of Lent 9:15a - Worship 10:30a - Sunday School for all ages 23 Pastor s day off :00p - Dysart UMC for Community Worship 6:00p - Community Lenten Supper & Worship at Dysart UMC 26 Pastor Christie at HSCI Peer Group Secretary Office Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00a - 2:00p

10 th Street Buckingham, IA Phone: Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Sunday Worship 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