Geneseo United Methodist Church STRONGER EVERY DAY

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Geneseo United Methodist Church STRONGER EVERY DAY"

Christian Benson
5 years ago
Views:

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2014 Geneseo Voice Geneseo United Methodist Church INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES SUNDAY SCHOOL 3 CHILDREN S PAGE 4 ICE CREAM SOCIAL 5 COUNCIL SUMMARY &

1 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2014 Geneseo Voice Geneseo United Methodist Church INSIDE THIS ISSUE: BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES SUNDAY SCHOOL 3 CHILDREN S PAGE 4 ICE CREAM SOCIAL 5 COUNCIL SUMMARY & STEWARDSHIP REPORT HSCI UPDATES 7 INGATHERING KITS 8 CALENDAR 9 SUNDAY SERMONS Sermon Series: Stronger Every Day September 7 Discover Romans 12:1-8 September 14 Focus 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 September 21 Shine Ephesians 4:1-16 Sermon Series: Wholeness Living September 28 Fast Track Luke 10: STRONGER EVERY DAY What is it about superhero films? From Captain America and Spiderman to the X-Men, Avengers and Fantastic Four, summer movie theater screens are almost always filled with menacing villains, bold defenders and daring rescues. We seem to be endlessly fascinated with outrageous deeds of derring-do (not to mention spandex, explosions and computerenhanced special effects.) I wonder if our fondness for superheroes reflects a desire to discover a secret, transforming power within us. We dream that we ourselves could be extraordinarily, uniquely gifted with some ability that might make a real difference in the lives of our loved ones, our communities and even the world. Hey, good news we are! Gifted, I mean. You have special abilities. Probably not x-ray vision, or shapeshifting or flying. Nope something even better than that. Through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, you have real areas of great strength that, when identified, nurtured and utilized, will positively impact your family, community, workplace and yes the world (without the need for spandex, explosions or computerenhanced special effects!) You are invited to the upcoming Sunday series, Stronger Every Day beginning Sunday, September 7th. We ll explore what strengths really are, why we have them and how to use them. We ll also provide you with tools to help you identify your incredible, God-given strengths. May we find the wonderful gifts God has given each of us and may we joyfully affirm and encourage those gifts in everyone around us! Your Sister in the Lord, Pastor Christie

2 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER WORSHIP ASSISTANTS Ushers, Greeters, & Acolytes are needed for the months of August, September, & October. If you can help out for a week or more, please contact Ashley at the church office or sign up at the table in the fellowship hall. Instrumental Leaders: 7 - Tony John 14 - LuAnne Pritchard 21 - Anne Cook 28 - Praise Band Flowers: Pat Hill Song Leaders: 7 - Tony John 14 - Diana Sash 21 - Guy Mitchell 28 - Praise Band Communion Assistants: John & Jacque Moffitt and Dennis Mitchell Coffee Servers: (September 7th) Deb Mumm - chairman Cindi Mitchell LuAnne Pritchard Technicians: 7 - David Sash 14 - Mike Chingren 21 - Tony John 28 - Mike Chingren Worship Readers 7 - Marlys Mitchell Jacque Moffitt 28 - Bob Hill SEPTEMBER CELEBRATION DATES BIRTHDAYS 4 - Anne Salasek 6 - Garrett Ryan 10 - Dixie Christian 14 - Kalyn Putz 16 - Colton Adams 17 - Christie John 22 - Kevin Sash 25 - Craig Mitchell 25 - Deb Elliot 26 - Dennis Mitchell 28 - Paul Lindeman 28 - Scott Neuendorf 29 - Lana Herman 30 - Ron Mumm ANNIVERSARIES 4 - Guy & Kate Mitchell 8 - Jeff & Anne Salasek 10 - Keith & Larabeth Bader 13 - Kevin & MaryJo Sash 25 - Kenny & Lana Herman PRAYER REQUESTS For God's Healing Touch Dixie Christian, at home Herald and Elsie Mitchell, for good health and good rest Continued Prayer Support Dawn Bitter Champion, diagnosed with Parkinson's Sandy Boomer, living in Sunrise Assisted Living Norman and Doris Mitchell, living in Friendship Village Prayer Map Area Living With Cancer Larry Parizek, father of Kalyn Putz Bill Wells, brother of Diana Sash Betty Murphy, friend of Diana Sash Jordan Anderson, niece of Jean Beenken It is our joyful responsibility to pray for one another! Just a reminder...if you would like prayer for yourself or someone you know, please be sure to contact Pastor Christie or the church office. Let us know if you would like to have your prayer request shared with the prayer team and/or published in the bulletin and newsletter, or if this request is for the pastor only. To respect privacy, we will never publish a prayer request or share it with the prayer team unless we have explicit permission to do so. Many thanks! CONGRATS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS Congratulations Mom, Dad, & Grandparents! To proud parents Nick & Jennie Harrison, and proud grandparents John & Jacque Moffitt on the birth of Raelynn Lee Harrison, born 8/19/14 at 4:20 p.m., weighing 7 lbs 1 oz and is 20 long. What a blessing!

3 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 3 NE DISTRICT YOUTH EVENT UNI Panther Football! UNI vs South Dakota State October 18 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are normally $15 Youth (grades 6-12) can get a free ticket by sending a letter or to Chuck Norman, 1207 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA 50702; chucknorman1957@gmail.com explaining Why we go to church. Youth who answer the question can get tickets for their parents for $10 We have 60 tickets for the youth so send your answers ASAP You will be able to pick up the tickets on the 18th between 2-4 p.m. at the Three House (Wesley Foundation) 2422 College St., Cedar Falls at the corner of College & 25th St. If you send your response by October 1, 2014, you will receive a gift when you pick up your tickets. If you have any questions, text or call Chuck Norman at LEAP-OFF FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday school Leaps Off September 14th Geneseo Sunday School for all ages Sunday, September 14th after worship! Three grade-school groups will be offered for Sunday School this year: Preschoolers 2nd grade, 3rd - 5th graders, and 6th - 9th graders. Preschool thru 5th grade they will grow their faith by leaps and bounds with Grow, Proclaim, Serve! 6th thru 9th graders will Grapple tough topics in meaningful ways so they can understand and own their faith. We are looking for volunteer teachers to teach each of the 3 classes. A volunteer will take 1 month at a time (1 month = 3 weeks because Sunday school doesn t meet the 1st Sunday of the month). Lessons and materials will be provided for teachers. There is a sign up sheet on back table of fellowship hall. If there are any questions about volunteering you can contact Pastor Christie or Jodi Adams. High School and Adult Sunday school will be taught by Pastor Christie. A young Adult Sunday school is also being planned - to begin in October. Guy Mitchell will be heading up this new group! YOU RE INVITED: SALAD SUPPER Dear Friends, You are invited to La Porte City St. Paul s United Methodist Women s Salad Supper, Thursday, September 18, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Our Guest Speaker will be Tara Thomas, formerly of KWWL and now with Waterloo Schools. Please RSVP by September 15th to Pat Benda at Hope to see you in September! SAVE THE DATE! November 16, 10:30 a.m. - Geneseo UMC s Annual Charge Conference our annual all church meeting. We will adopt our 2015 ministry goals, elect and affirm church leadership for the coming year, decide on 2015 pastoral support as recommended by the SPRC and receive reports from administrative committees. Please plan to come and celebrate all that God has done and look forward to what God may have in store for the coming year!

4 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 4 CHILDREN S PAGE

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 5 SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christian Education Sunday on September 21st.

Sunday, September 21st. Iowa United Methodist churches support Iowa Religious Media Services, which loan Sunday School, worship, small group, and other resources, to all kinds of churches!

We will participate in the mission opportunity in September as we begin our own Fall Sunday School and Christian Education schedule!

5 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 5 SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christian Education Sunday on September 21st. We know that Iowans are good at growing things Here is a chance to help people throughout our state grow to be more like Jesus by celebrating Christian Education Sunday with a special offering on Sunday, September 21st. Iowa United Methodist churches support Iowa Religious Media Services, which loan Sunday School, worship, small group, and other resources, to all kinds of churches! In addition, this offering changes lives by providing student camperships and funding scholarships for United Methodist professionals in Christian Education. We will participate in the mission opportunity in September as we begin our own Fall Sunday School and Christian Education schedule! SPECIAL SUNDAY OFFERING: WORLD COMMUNION World Communion Sunday on October 5th. World Communion Sunday is one of the six church-wide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Around the globe, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college, or for those people of color who haven t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been unwieldy. On World Communion Sunday your giving provides scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels. This special Sunday offering is celebrated on the first Sunday in October, so we will join in the giving with the other United Methodists around the world on October 5th. ICE CREAM SOCIAL TIME! Geneseo UMC s Ice Cream Social September 21 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome families, friends, and more! The menu will include: pork loin sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, homemade pie and bars, and of course, homemade ice cream. Entertainment will be provided by Cedar Harmony Sweet Adelines We are also pleased to announce the famous country store will be returning to the ice cream social this year. Please be thinking of what you can bring to donate for the country store. While you re thinking about what you can contribute to the success of this wonderful event, the committee has begun asking people to help with various tasks and will continue to do so until all spots are filled. There will also be sign-up sheets available at the beginning of September. In order for us to have an ice cream social, we must first make the ice cream! Ice cream will be made on Saturday, September 20 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Remember, all proceeds from the ice cream social go towards our community. This year proceeds will be donated to Dysart s Community Building & Park Renovations and Sing Me to Heaven Foundation in La Porte City. This is a great way to share God s love with our friends, family, and neighbors! Just Say YES! Thanks in advance, Joe & Sheryl Brandt and Mike & Heather Chingren SALVATION ARMY Volunteers are needed to help serve the noon meal at the Salvation Army in Waterloo on Wednesday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m. If you can help with this worthwhile project please let Jean Beenken know.

GENESEO VOICE PAGE 6 CHURCH COUNCIL SUMMARY - JULY 8, 2014 Church Council Summary August 12 Pastor Christie, HSCI Coach Pastor Scott Meador, and six members were present.

6 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 6 CHURCH COUNCIL SUMMARY - JULY 8, 2014 Church Council Summary August 12 Pastor Christie, HSCI Coach Pastor Scott Meador, and six members were present. Ministry of Leadership: Scott led the discussion related to the selection of a Tag Line to add to the recently adopted mission statement. The suggestions contributed by the congregation on Sunday, August 10 were reviewed. There was consensus to present Plant. Grow. Share. for prayer, thought, and comment from members. Ministry groups were also discussed. The Council will provide structure (govern) to ensure that the adopted Mission Statement is being fulfilled so that members feel connected, disciples are made, direction is provided for empowerment to change lives, and bring people hope. Meeting Night, the second Tuesday each month, for all committees and Council will be initiated on September 9. Committees will gather at 6:00. The Council meeting will begin at 7:30. Ministry of Management: Deb Mumm presiding. Pastor's Report: Vacation Bible School welcomed over 50 children, youth, and adults into our doors to praise, learn and grow. The parsonage family visited relatives in Minnesota and helped Maggie and Katy John move to Iowa City. Diana Sash and Marlys Mitchell were acknowledged with praise for preaching on the dates that Pastor was on vacation. Finance Committee will meet on August 19 to review the 2014 financial status and begin working on the 2015 budget. JULY 2014 STEWARDSHIP REPORT July Stewardship Report $29,995 General Fund Balance 6/30/ Special giving receipts + 4,891 Operating revenue/offerings -0 Special giving disbursements - 9,742 Operating expenses $25,370 General Fund Balance 7/30114* Average Sunday Attendance 51 * Preliminary Total: July not fully reconciled at time of publication Lots of exciting ministries begin again in the fall including Sunday school, small groups and more. Our faithfulness in giving is especially important at this time of year as we get ready to help people of all ages grow and shine for God. Thanks for responding to God s grace by sharing your time, talent and treasure! You are welcome to pick up a more detailed financial report from the church office or contact Finance Chair Dennis Mitchell if you have any questions or concerns. SHARE THE TREASURE It's time for the Treasure Table! This is a great way to share extra garden produce, delicious baked goods, handcrafted items, or any lovely thing that needs a good home. Each year the Outreach & Witness Committee traditionally asks ladies of the church to furnish items for the Treasure Table beginning June 15 and running through October. If you would like to participate, you are especially invited to bring items each Sunday of your designated month (below) - although everyone is encouraged to contribute to the Treasure Table at any time! Everyone is also welcome to browse the Treasure Table, and take what they would like. All we ask is that you leave a free will offering in place of whatever is taken, and all proceeds will go to a local charity designated by the Outreach & Witness Committee. Thank you for helping us share the bounty of God s blessings! SEPTEMBER Beverly Baldwin, Dixie Christian, Lora Olson, Cindi Mitchell, Elsie Mitchell, Marlys Mitchell, Deb Mumm, Tammi Neuendorf, &Anne Salasek. OCTOBER Tammi Neuendorf, Lora Olson, Pat Peckham, Kalyn Putz, & Delores Reints.

Individual teams meet 7:30-8:45 Church Council meets Committees are NOT expected to meet EVERY month, but when they meet, it will normally be on the second Tuesday.

7 GENESEO VOICE PAGE 7 HSCI UPDATE MEETING NIGHT AND TAGLINE WORKSHOP Our FIRST Meeting Night will be held September 9th! Here s what each monthly Meeting Night evening will look like: 5:30 Optional light meal (free will offering to cover cost) 6:00 All teams meet together briefly for short devotion and prayer 6:10-7:30 Individual teams meet 7:30-8:45 Church Council meets Committees are NOT expected to meet EVERY month, but when they meet, it will normally be on the second Tuesday. If a team finishes before 7:30, everyone but the Council Rep. will be free to leave. Pastor will briefly check in at each meeting. Of course, committees or ministries are still welcome to meet at other times to address pressing or timesensitive needs. We are excited to free our church leaders to do the great, creative, vibrant ministry they are called to do! If you have questions about Meeting Night, please don t hesitate to speak with a Church Council member! Plant. Grow. Share. Plant. Grow. Share. Plant. Grow. Share. On Sunday, August 10th, everyone at worship helped brainstorm three words or phrases that describe the pattern of our faith journey the three things that growing, vital churches do to make disciples of Jesus Christ. On August 12th, our Healthy Small Church Initiative coach, Dr. Scott Meador, helped our Church Council come up with a three-word tagline based on your input. This tagline will reflect Geneseo s unique gifts and culture and will be a part of our logo, letterhead, and all kinds of communications. It will help us clearly remember, plan, and declare how we faithfully make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The tagline we re trying on for size is this: Plant. Grow. Share. We think these words capture the three-fold process of disciple-making, they fit our rural roots and they sound kind of catchy. What do you think? Be sure and let us know your thoughts as we continue to craft our logo and tagline! GROW DEEPER IN FAITH WITH GENESEO UMC Companions in Christ is a small group Bible study for spiritually hungry people who seek a deeper experience of God in company with others in the Christian community. It is for people who do not think they have all the answers, who are willing to hear scripture in new ways, and who acknowledge their need to grow in God s grace. Women s Study is also a small group Bible study which meets in homes to encourage one another and grow in faith. Companions in Christ will be held at the Church on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. beginning September 10th. Women s Study will be held at the parsonage on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. beginning September 6th. Let Pastor Christie know or sign up in the fellowship area if you would like to attend either.

8 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 8 THANKSGIVING INGATHERING KITS Geneseo UMC will now begin collecting Thanksgiving Ingathering Kits. In previous years we have collected items for 4 different kits: health, sewing, layette, and school. Again, we will be collecting items for all of these kits. UMCOR Supply kits help to care for the most vulnerable people during times of crisis. They also help to sustain everyday life by providing basis necessities to people who lack ready access to essential supplies. These kits provide vital support for the work UMCOR does throughout the world. By donating kit supplies or financial gifts to purchase the supplies, you make a direct and tangible difference in sustaining people s lives. You can purchase all the items needed for one or more kits and place them on the mission table in the fellowship area. Thanks for helping God s people all over the world! Layette Kits provide women with basic supplies for the needs of their new babies. Health Kits help disaster victims reclaim their dignity and self-respect and are used as teaching tools with children. When people can maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves. Add $1 for toothpaste to be purchases by the UMCOR Depot. Sewing Kits foster independence rather than dependence. Cottage industries often grow out of sewing classes where these kits are used to practice skills. School kits provide tools for education, which changes lives. In countries where children don t have books, school supplies, or classrooms, a school kit may be their only educational resource. Supplies needed for Layette Kits: 6 cloth diapers 2 shirts or 2 one-piece body suits (Onesies) 2 gowns or sleepers 2 baby washcloths 2 diaper pins with plastic closures 1 sweater or jacket open in the front 2 receiving blankets (30 x 30 or 32 x 32 ) Supplies needed for Health Kits: 1 new hand towel (15 x 25 up to 17 x 27 ) 1 new washcloth 1 bath sized bar of soap in wrapper (3 oz. or larger) 6 band aids (3/4 ) 1 large, sturdy comb (not pocket sized) 1 new toothbrush in original sealed wrapper (no child-sized) 1 nail file or fingernail clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers) Supplies needed for Sewing Kits: 3 yards cotton or cotton -blend fabric (one piece) 1 sewing scissors 1 new spool matching thread (medium to large size) 1 package hand sewing needles 5-8 matching flat buttons on card or fastened together Supplies needed for School Kits: 3-Notebooks, approx. 8 1/2 x 11 wide ruled spiral or bound( sheets total) 1-30cm metric ruler 1-box of 24 crayons (ONLY 24-count) 1-2 1/2 eraser 1-blunt scissors (metal) 1-hand pencil sharpener 6-unsharpened pencils with erasers 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, October 5th, at 3:00 p.m. 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 middle school students!

2014 Saturday, September 20th Making of Ice Cream for Social - 9:00 a.m. Sunday, September 21st Christian Education Special Offering Ice Cream Social - 4:00 7:00 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 6 9:00 a.

9 2014 Saturday, September 20th Making of Ice Cream for Social - 9:00 a.m. Sunday, September 21st Christian Education Special Offering Ice Cream Social - 4:00 7:00 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 6 9:00 a.m. - Women s parsonage :00 a.m. - LPC Nursing home worship 2 7:00 p.m. - Worship Team 1 LABOR DAY Church Office Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Church Office - CLOSED :00 a.m. - Women s Study 10 6:30 p.m. - Companions in Christ 9 5:30 p.m. - optional light meal 6:00 p.m. - Meeting Night (See page 7 for details) 8 Pastor s Day off 7 9:15 a.m. - Worship/ Communion 20 9:00 a.m.? Making of Ice Cream :00 a.m. - Salvation Army Volunteering 15 Pastor s Day off October Newsletter Articles Due 14 9:15 a.m. - Worship 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 6:30 p.m. - Companions in Christ :00 a.m. - Women s Study 25 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. HSCI Peer Group :30 p.m. - Companions in Christ 22 Pastor s Day off 21 Christian Education Special Offering 9:15 a.m. - Worship 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 4-7 p.m. - Geneseo s Ice Cream Social Pastor s Day off 28 9:15 a.m. Worship PAGE 9

Geneseo United Methodist Church Geneseo United Methodist Church 3127 115th Street Buckingham, IA 50612 Phone: 319-478-8788 E-mail: gumc@fctc.coop Web-site:www.geneseoumc.

10 Geneseo United Methodist Church Geneseo United Methodist Church th Street Buckingham, IA Phone: Web-site: The mission of Geneseo United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Geneseo United Methodist Church th Street Buckingham, IA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Geneseo Voice. Geneseo United Methodist Church THE GAME OF LIFE. SCRIPTURES Sept. 2 Watch Your Step Psalm 118:13-24 Genesis 8:6-22 Sept.

Geneseo Voice. Geneseo United Methodist Church THE GAME OF LIFE. SCRIPTURES Sept. 2 Watch Your Step Psalm 118:13-24 Genesis 8:6-22 Sept. VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9 SEPTEMBER 2012 Geneseo Voice INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Geneseo United Methodist Church WORSHIP ASSISTANTS 2 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES CHILDREN S PAGE 5 NEWS FROM THE BOARDS CALENDAR 8 SCRIPTURES