Pilgrim s Progress. January 2015 Issue

Transcription

1 Pilgrim s Progress January 2015 Issue The purpose of this church shall be to bind together followers of Jesus Christ, for the object of sharing in the worship of God and in seeking His will for our lives, especially as that will is set forth in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Page 1 Pastor s Message Page 2 UCW Meeting Birthdays, Anniversaries Saturday Worship in January Youth Group Happenings Page 3 Circle of Friends Pray for our Members Holiday Greetings from the Long s Board of Trustee Information Page 4 Vacation Time Ron Rainey Plans to Retire Candy/Cookie Walk Report Meals on Wheels Report Adopt-A-Family Report Nooma for January Pray for Soldiers Page 5 Calendar Epiphany A few days after the New Year, the church celebrates Epiphany, which takes place on January 6. It celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. It remembers the Magi, the three wise men who traveled from the East (Iraq, Iran, we don't really know) because they watched stars and one led them to Christ. It was an indication that the Lord Jesus had come for the whole world, for people from every nation on earth. According to the record (Matthew 2:1-12), the wise men first went to the regional authority, King Herod, to ask the location of the new King of the Jews. Herod, being the shrewd player that he was, pretended interest in joining the wise men in worship and asked them to send for him when they found the Christ. The wise men are informed about a prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Later the wise men would be warned by an angel to avoid Herod and they leave by another route. We never hear from them again. Herod, eventually, realizes that he has been fooled and orders the murder of every boy below a certain age in the Bethlehem area, such was his malice. Even in infancy Jesus was both sought out and hated by those in the world. I think that it is still true today. As we begin a new year, let us set our hearts to be among those who seek the way of Christ in our lives and community. Pastor Dan Church Contact Info: FCC 312 W. Main St. Marshalltown, IA pastor@fccmarshalltown.org secretary@fccmarshalltown.org treasurer@fccmarshalltown.org SOS The next Service on Saturday will be on January 10 th, at 5:00 p.m. The meaning of grace is the subject of discussion. A major theme in Scripture, grace means much in terms of God's plan for us and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Sermons January 4 Epiphany No sermon. Exaltation will sing January 11 Acts 19:1-7 The Work & Person of the Holy Spirit January 18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 The Temple of God January 25 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 What is, and is not, Forever Page 1

2 UNITED CIRCLE OF WOMEN A fellowship of Christian women being faithful in word and deed to our church and community. Next meeting: Thursday, February 26 at Noon UCW MEETING SCHEDULE February 26 March 26 April 23 May Bing McHone, Quinton Norman 3. Janice Jordan 6. Max Canfield, Aaron Dickey 7 Aubrey Greenwood 8. Rod Hassler 11.. Jennifer Howard 13 Larry Koepnick, Jenni Packer 14 Cameron Vranek 15 Janet Breed, Carmalee Kothenbeutel, Connie Lyman 19 Kristin Meyer 21 Mary Curley 22 Harriet Arklie 23 Joan Carter, Barry Sedlacek 24 David Berg, Sarah Grabe 25 LeAnn Fuller, John Olson, Jonna Wagar 26 Debi Estabrook, Davis Ragland 31 Brenda Morris Mike & Joan Gerbo January 1, 2000 Todd & Leah Stanley - January 4, 2003 Carlton & Carmalee Kothenbeutel -January 14, 1967 SOS in January The next Saturday evening service will be on January 10, where we will talk about grace-a word often used but not often defined. The next one after that will be on February 14, and we'll talk about wisdom at that service. Both events start at 5:00 and go for approximately one hour. All are welcome, and attire is "come as you are". YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS! Youth Group PY (Pilgrim Youth) is for 6-12th grade youth, and D.O.G.'s (Depend on God) is for Kindergarten-5th grade youth, Wednesdays 6-7:30pm with a meal provided. Jan 7: PY youth group for 6-12th grade Jan 14: PY youth group for 6-12th grade, & d.o.g.'s for K-5th grade Jan 21: PY youth group for 6-12th grade Jan 28: PY youth group for 6-12th grade, d.o.g.'s for K-5th grade WINTER JAM in Des Moines on Jan 23rd. Shelly will be taking a group to the concert. Contact Shelly for details. THANK YOU! we would like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful members who baked and served with me and the youth at the Coliseum fundraiser on Sunday,December 7th! The fundraiser was a huge success and the proceeds will go into our youth scholarship fund. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CHRISTMAS PLAY!!! We would like to thank all our wonderful youth for participating in this year's Christmas play! It gave us such a warm message of God's love and belonging, and a wonderful reminder of how Christ is our true, most precious gift at Christmas! Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for their awesome hard work to make this play so great: Judy Gaynor, Julie Paustian, Aaron Dickey, Kim Schryver, Georgia Thomas, Pastor Dan & Jeanne Vellinga, Mackenzie Moyer, Bing McHone & Mike Woltjer. Page 2

3 No January meeting. February meeting will be on the 4 6pm Please keep our Members in Care Facilities in your thoughts and prayers: Al & Stella Storjohann, Esther Riley, Pattye Morrison, Don & Connie Lyman, Joann Ainely, Betty Runner, Max Canfield, Norman Pike, Loretta Stubbe, and Dr. John Garland A Very Merry Christmas 2014 Ron & Vicki Long have MOVED! 3809 SW Sandstone Drive, Lee s Summit, MO (near KC) The Stamp Club made over 500 cards this year. In the last 4 years we ve made over 2000 cards. We support the Diaconate visitation to the nursing homes, special birthdays, anniversaries, etc. We invite anyone who is interested to join us on the 2 nd and 4 th Friday every month from 10-noon to join us. You don t need to bring anything and we will be happy to train or help you. Go Royals! We are here with our Family! Budget Meeting The Trustees will be holding an open 2015 Budget meeting on Tuesday, January 14 th at 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend. Annual Meeting After the church service on Sunday, February 1 st, there will be a dinner in the Fellowship Hall before the Annual Meeting. The Trustees will provide the meat and the congregation is invited to bring salads or desserts. Elianna (4 ½), Erica, Jeb, Rory ( almost 4 mos.) & Dylan (15) Our NEW address: Long8249@comcast.net Ron s cell (816) Vicki s cell (641) And a Happy New Year!! PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK IT S LOCKED! This is a gentle reminder that if you unlock one of the church doors to lock it when you leave the building. Please make sure the door is shut tightly and locked. Page 3

4 My hubby and I are heading for North Carolina on January 22 nd. I need some baby time! This will be grandpa s first time to meet little Miss Emmy and he will get to play with Mr. Evan. Our kids have just moved into a new home (which is actually located in South Carolina) so we will get to help them get organized as well and help with the babies! I will return on the 30 th! Your secretary, Mary Curley My Grandbabies! Emilia Joy Johnson Born 11/30/14 Evan Robert Johnson 18 months RON RAINEY PLANS TO RETIRE! Our long time church organist, Ron Rainey, has decided to retire Ron s last official Sunday to play at FCC will be January 18, He will be honored with a reception following the 10:30am service that day. Ron s many years of dedication to FCC is appreciated. We wish Ron enjoyment in his retirement and a relaxed time away from the organ! 2014 COOKIE/CANDY WALK UPDATE United Circle of Women s annual Cookie/Candy Walk was a sensational success! We have MANY people to thank for their donations of baked goodies and candies Kristin Meyer, Pat Anderson, Julianne Packer, Shelly Speas, Georgia Thomas, Jody Brintnall, Lenora Brown, Janet Allbee, Norma Dannen, Leta Lacina, Carol Stanley, Terry Tremain, Kolleen Shollenbarger, Beth Tigges, Barb Ellcey, Marian Gerdes, Sara Schwab, Debi Estabrook, Cherryl Woltjer, Judy Gaynor and Jane Fiscus phew! We have a mystery to solve someone brought in some Dutch pastries and we have no idea who. Please let us know if you are the mystery baker. We also thank YOU for purchasing those tasty goodies. Through your donations, we have raised enough money to fully sponsor one of our youth to this summer s NAPF/HOPE Conference in St. Louis, Missouri! We couldn t have done this without YOU. Thank you! United Circle of Women FCC Made Christmas for 20 Individuals Merrier! Kudos to Wayne and Jonna Wagar for their huge commitment in organizing and managing the Adopt-A- Family project. AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION for such a great response to the appeal to provide wrapped gifts to the three families who needed our help. A total of twenty people received presents from this church through this program. Next month the Wagars will provide you all with more details about this rewarding project. In the meantime, know that you all have honored Our Lord and Savior by giving much appreciated gifts to those in need, including new Bibles for each family in a language appropriate for each. NOMA NIGHTS: (Youngish adult group) will be Sunday, January 4th beginning at 5pm at Kristin and Greg Meyer's home. There is child care and a meal included. Contact Kristin Meyer or Shelly Speas if you have any questions. REMEMBER OUR SOLDIERS Please pray for all soldiers who are away from their loved ones and serving their country. We have a grandson of church members currently serving our country. Following is his address. Cards and letters are appreciated! Fiscus s grandson: SGT Dushawn Alexander CMR 411 Box 1034 APO AE Page 4

5 JANUARY FCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS! Sunday Worship services: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. : 9:15 a.m. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY When inclement weather occurs, please refer to the following radio stations for announcement of cancellation of our worship services: KDAO 1190 am or 99.5 fm Church Offices Hours: KIX fm Monday Friday KFJB 1230 am 9 a.m. Noon Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday color code: youth events church meetings special events Community events 1 Church offices Closed Communion 9:15am 5pm Nooma@ Greg&Kristin Meyers 1901 Olive St. 5 House of Compassion Prepare supper Help welcomed! contact: Liz Meyer pm Ben & Missions 7 NO Circle of Friends Meeting this month. Group w/meal noon Stamp Club 10 5pm Service on Saturday 11 9:15am 18 9:15am 25 9:15am :30pm Trusteess mtg 19 6:30 pm BCE mtg :30pm Deacons mtg. 14 6:30pm Annual Meeting Group & D.O.G.S/w meal 21 Group w/meal 28 Group & D.O.G.S/w meal noon Stamp Club WinterJam Concert in DSM (contact Shelly for details) 24 11am MMSC am MMSC Page 5

6 First Congregational Church 312 W. Main St. Marshalltown, IA Address Service Requested -