THE GATHERING This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Aoteroa New Zealand and Australia

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1 First United Methodist Church 516 Kellogg Ave. Ames, Iowa :30 August 9, 2015 OUR MISSION STATEMENT: A vital church connecting people with God and with each other driven to serve! THE GATHERING This week in our prayers for the world let us remember especially the people of Aoteroa New Zealand and Australia OPENING VOLUNTARIES My Jesus, I Love Thee arr: Rick Parks O Love That Will Not Let Me Go arr: Susan Caudill Immortal Love, Forever Full arr: Raymond H. Haan As this music is offered as prayer, let us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit who prepares and opens us to connect with God in Christ today. GREETING, SHARING NEWS OF THE CHURCH ALIVE Welcome, members, friends & visitors please fill in the ritual of friendship pad, pass it to your neighbor, and then return it to its starting place. If you are new and would like more information, please indicate on the friendship pad and also stop at the Welcome Center to visit with a member of the Welcome Committee. PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST CALL TO WORSHIP We are children of God the Creator. We are brothers and sisters in Christ the Redeemer. We are friends of the Holy Spirit the Reconciler We are kin with Earth that sustains us. We are family, one to another, we are church. Let us worship God. HYMN No. 158 Come, Christians, Join to Sing OPENING PRAYER God, here in this place you draw us into your family. Our worldly status does not concern you. You are not occupied with thoughts of our successes or failures. Your regard for us does not depend on our attractiveness or wealth. You see us through the eyes of love. Here we do not have to apologize for our idiosyncrasies or

2 crazy ideas. Here we do not have to hide uncertainty and doubt. Here we can be untidy in our thinking, and confused in our views. Here we are bound so close to you that we can claim without anxiety or fear that we are your children. Here we can seek clarity and be built up for the journey of faith. Here we can rest easy in your loving kindness. And so this is how we come. Amen. A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN ANTHEM Be Strong in the Lord Chancel Choir J. Paul Williams/Michael Barrett Acc: Diane Green THE PSALTER Psalm Canticle of Redemption No. 516 (without sung response) RESPONSE Christ Has Broken Down the Wall (Pastor Fred at the piano) Christ has broken down the wall, Christ has broken down the wall. Let us join our hearts as one, Christ has broken down the wall. We re accepted as we are, we re accepted as we are. Through God s love all is reconciled, we re accepted as we are. Cast aside your doubts and fears, cast aside your doubts and fears. Peace and love, freely offered here; cast aside your doubts and fears. We will tear down the walls! We will tear down the walls! God has called us, one and all; Christ has broken down the wall! Christ has broken down the wall! NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (preaching text) HYMN No. 344 Sweet, Sweet Spirit THE GOSPEL John 6:35, 41-51

3 WITNESS TO THE WORD Smelling Sweet to God Rev. Fred Lewis RESPONSE TO THE WORD No. 344 Sweet, Sweet Spirit PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE THE LORD S PRAYER OFFERING OF OUR TITHES AND GIFTS OFFERTORY Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas A. Dorsey OFFERTORY RESPONSE No. 95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow PRAYER OF DEDICATION Accept our lives, O God, as well as our gifts. Let the spirit in which we give them be your Spirit. Let the use that is made of them be for your use. Amen. DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING HYMN No. 672 God Be With You till We Meet Again Vs. 1 and 2 and then the refrain Vs. 3 and 4 and then the refrain CLOSING VOLUNTARY Glorious Is Thy Name arr: Kenneth D. Varner Let us be aware this musical offering is a statement of faith to send us from worship into service. Please be respectful of those who choose to remain to listen. LEAVING FOR SERVICE A SUNDAY TIME FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL WITH PASTOR FRED Pastor Fred is inviting our new freshmen through seniors in high school to meet with him at 10:45 a.m. TODAY, in the high school room at the church for a time of conversation regarding the upcoming youth ministry year. The meeting may last until noon. Pastor Fred hopes this might be a good time to survey the youth about their thoughts and desires for strengthening and growing a youth ministry that will be inspiring, encouraging and helpful for them as they grow in their faith, in their service to others in need and in their real involvement in the life of this congregation. Pastor Fred hopes parents will support their youth in attending this gathering. Youth who are not able to attend the meeting will be sent a survey document in the mail to return to the church by September 1.

4 Today, August 9, the summer reading program comes to a close with one final Heroes of the Bible Sunday and a sharing of our coat of arms, following worship. Later today, the children, youth and families who participated in the Summer Reading Program will celebrate their success at the Fawcett Family Aquatic Center in Nevada. The party will be from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and there will be cake! If you would like to attend to congratulate the children and youth, feel free to come by! Thank you to all who participated and assisted with this summer's Heroes of the Bible reading program. UMM NEWS First United Methodist Men invites everyone to their Annual Fall Kick-Off Picnic on Thursday, August 13 at Inis Grove Park in the Red Oak Shelter at 5:00 p.m. Serving starts at 5:30 p.m. with food from Hickory Park. Speaker to be Kevin Bourke of the Iowa Sports Foundation. Tickets are $7.50 per person and need to be reserved in advance with the church office, Bob Studer or Don Wall to accommodate food preparation. ASP Stockholders and all supporters Next Sunday, August 16 at 10:30 am we will have a presentation from our 2015 trip. We hope to share lots of pictures and some amazing stories about our time in Kentucky. Everyone in our church family is invited, and especially those who have supported us financially this year. We cannot thank you enough for blessing us with your gifts so we can take this trip! We could not have done it without you! THANK YOU First United Methodist Church, Ames: As our summer comes to a close, we as a staff would like to personally thank your church for the time and willingness put forth in volunteering with ASP (especially week 7)! Our job couldn t get done without volunteers like you all! We hope ya ll enjoyed your week in Harian. We loved working with your group! Bethany, thank you for committing to lead your group here. We appreciate your and your churches, hard work in preparation to come and while you were here. We appreciate you all and thanks again for helping us and our organization accomplish our mission of making homes warmer, safer and drier. God Bless, ASP Harian 2015 Anna, Annalee, Zakk & Ian 1 John 2:6

5 ADULTS WILLING TO WORK & WALK IN FAITH WITH OUR YOUTH We are now actively recruiting wonderfully dedicated adults to volunteer their time and energies, their love and care, to work within our youth ministry. Especially, we are seeking adults to work on Wednesdays with both middle school and high school youth. We have a loyal group of adults returning to lead and be with our youth on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and for Up with Puppets but, extra adults can be helpful as substitutes or for assistance with special projects and times. If you have a heart for youth and the time and ability to give in ministry with them, please contact Pastor Fred or Nicole at the church office CONFIRMATION MENTOR TRAINING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 AND OTHER CONFIRMATION NEWS! Another exciting Confirmation year is soon to begin with Pastor Fred and Carol Miller leading, assisted by Nicole Smith. Each student will select a mentor to guide them through the confirmation classes. Below you will see the current list of our Confirmation class members and their parents: Eva Anderson, daughter of Susan & Kevin Anderson Gabe Carney, son of Rhonda and Matt Carney Samantha Carney, daughter of Rhonda and Matt Carney Caden Chittick, son of Wayne and Jody Chittick Kaitlyn Goodman, daughter of Terry & Greta Goodman Colin Grebner, son of Carrie & Mason Neal and Craig & Miriam Grebner Cara Heuer, daughter of Joy & Rick Heuer Adam Johnson, son of Amanda & Barry Johnson Isabelle Johnson, daughter of Alecia & Chris Johnson Erik Nelson, son of Anne & Chris Nelson Indelesio (Indy) Prieto, son of Karen Scheel and Loreto Prieto Jay Rathe, son of Janet & Perry Rather Irvin Schrunk, son of Mary & Dwayne Schrunk Maddie Shelton, daughter of Kristy & Josh Anderson Jonah Strawhacker, son of Jill & Chris Strawhacker Nathan Vander Werff, son of Lori & Duan Vander Werff The adult mentors will meet for about an hour orientation session on Tuesday, August 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Then on Sunday, August 30 the students and mentors will be introduced at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. Pastor Fred and Carol are developing the calendar of class meetings and that information will be sent to the students and their parents by the middle of August.

6 On Sunday, August 23 at 11:30 following the school kit building mission activity, we will have a cookout and ice cream social. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixin s, chips, sides, lemonade, water and for dessert HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!! That s right, let s get those old-fashioned (or brand new) ice cream makers out and make up a batch of ice cream to share with others. You can make a batch and bring it in the week before the social if you d like. We need LOTS of ice cream for this so please contact Nicole if you are able to make a batch of ice cream. Good Neighbor Lucullan s Dinner Fundraiser Good Neighbor is hosting a dinner prepared by Terry Lowman the former owner/chef of Lucullan s Italian Grill. The cost per ticket is $35 and can be purchased from the First Church representative, Steve Hanlin. The meal will be a 3-entree menu served buffet style. There will also be the option for wine available. Date: August 23, 2015 Time: Social Time (6:00 PM) & Meal (6:30) Location: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1015 Hyland Ave, Ames Steve can be contacted by phone ( ), by (letterbuck@mchsi.com) or at Sunday worship services (west side). Tickets will be available now and all proceeds go to Good Neighbor Assistance program. Chancel Choir resumes practice Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. We invite YOU to join us! Chancel Bells has an opening for the low bells. Contact Myrna Cakerice (mcakerice@aol.com) for more information. Chancel Bells resumes practice Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the bell room

7 The Week at a Glance August 9 - August 15 Sunday August 9 9:30 Service Time 4:30-6:00 Readers Pool Party/ Nevada Aquatic Center 7:00pm NA/Abraham Rm Monday, August 10 1:00 Senior Band Tuesday, August 11 9:30 STAFF 10:00 Quilters 5:30-7:00 ARC fit club/e110 Wednesday, August 12 8:30 Cardio Strength Isaiah 40/Isaiah 10:00 Chair Fitness Isaiah 40/MPR 7:00 AA/Alanon-Abraham/Isaac Rms Thursday, August 13 5:00 Men s Picnic 5:30 Serving Starts/Inis Grove Park - Redoak Shelter Friday, August 14 8:30 Cardio Strength Isaiah 40/Isaiah 10:00 Chair Fitness Isaiah 40/MPR Saturday August 15 5:30 SAF Worship Service FH-Fellowship Hall MPR-Multipurpose Room ACOLYTES Renee Pepper Coffee Hosts UMM Ushers Chad & Carrie Copley Glendora Clark Rod & Sandee Bodholdt Greeters Jan Bortz Norma Downs SOUND Doug Hill Pete Peterson Dean Swyter Harold Kilcrease VIDEO Marty Sankey Harold Kilcrease NURSERY Meredith & Daniel We would like to thank our church family for your thoughts, cards, calls, and prayers in the recent loss of Paulie. Bob Williams and family Seniors.. Please pick up your pictures that were used on the bulletin board. They will be in the office.

8 WE WELCOME YOU! Our Welcome Center is located in the gathering space near the elevator. Please stop by if you have questions or would like to get more information about the church. Be sure to mention if you are a first time visitor. Nursery care is available in Room E203, in the Christian Education Unit, on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings for children under the age of 5. All of our workers are trained and screened. Items for children s worship bags are available in the gathering area. Restrooms are located in the east hallways and by the elevator. Ushers are available at the entrances of the sanctuary to assist you with hearing devices, large print bulletins or any questions you may have. An emergency phone and defibrillator are located on the wall near the west entry. First United Methodist Church Affirmation of Welcome As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of the world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place, a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness, and we are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society. We stand in affirmation with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female." Christ has made us one. We acknowledge that this reconciliation encompasses all within the community of faith who exhibit differences in race, gender and ethnicity, as well as age, culture, physical ability, educational level, economic status, personality, marital status and sexual orientation. In response to the often hostile social climate with respect to diversity within our society and the resulting feelings of alienation from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following: all persons share the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God; all persons are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making affirmation of faith; and that as members of this congregation, all persons are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation. CHURCH STAFF Rev. Fred Lewis, Senior Minister/Lead Pastor Rev. Bethany Willers, Associate Pastor/Minister of Youth & Young Adults Pastor Dave Shogren, Associate/Visitation Pastor Nicole Smith, Director of Christian Education Deb Benefield, Director of Office & Communications Reid Cummer, Business Manager Myrna Cakerice, Organist/Director of Choirs Steve Pelz, Custodian Matt Woodworth, Part-time/Sunday Custodian Go to our website: for the latest church information. Follow us on facebook. Church office hours: Mon-Thurs: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Friday 8:30 to 4:30 Chancel Choir ALWAYS welcomes NEW members! Join us!