March/ April 2018 Messenger

Transcription

1 New London Presbyterian Church MARCH/ APRIL 2018 Messenger Pastor s Corner 1 Corinthians 13:13 The greatest of these is love In the wake of the latest story about innocent lives taken by the hand of another and the beginning of Lent, I wonder what gives you hope in the world that sometimes feels dark and full of despair? Where do you turn when it seems that everything you thought you knew about love, relationship, God, and the world suddenly doesn t make sense? Where do you see God s presence in the world this week? I see God s presence: in first responders who carefully move those who are injured to places where their wounds can be treated; in those who risk their own lives to shield others from harm; in those who offer words of hope or support for others and in the silent presence of those who know words are not enough; in the laughter brought on by silly antics meant to deepen relationships with a child; and in those who offer the best they have each and every day. Love is what remains when everything else is stripped away and the only thing left to offer is our very presence and identity as a child of God. From this, everything else is possible. Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return, we say every year on Ash Wednesday, as a reminder of our mortality, God s mercy, and the ever present opportunity to turn back to God whenever we stray. It is the ashes that are left when the palms left over from Palm Sunday are burned and it is love that reminds us of our place in the world. If God can create an entire cosmos with space dust, then surely God can create beauty, joy, peace, and hope in us through acts of love, kindness, and solidarity with our fellow human beings and the other living things that share our world. What is God creating from the dust in you? Where do you see hope for renewal in the world around you? As we journey ever closer to the celebration of Jesus resurrection, let us celebrate love in all its grittiness and determination. Let us open ourselves to the world s diversity and strive for peace wherever we go. Thanks be to God. Amen. Blessings, Aimee

2 General Fund Financial Summary Information YTD Jan Dec 2017 December 2017 January 2018 TOTAL INCOME TOTAL EXPENSES $90,660 $90,426 NET INCOME $234 TOTAL INCOME $9,849 TOTAL EXPENSES $6,701 NET INCOME $3,148 TOTAL INCOME $7,776 TOTAL EXPENSES $6,500 NET INCOME $1,276 ~ ~ ~ RADIO BROADCAST ~ ~ ~ Our church service is broadcast on KILJ (105.5) each Sunday. Our monthly cost for broadcasting the service is $220. Contributions from our church family and listeners keep this long time mission project going. Our broadcast reaches not only travelers, but also those who cannot get to church, including some of our own church family members. As our funds are dwindling down, we are reaching out to see if you will consider a donation to the fund. Donations can be mailed to: Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm St, New London, IA Please include Radio Fund in the memo portion of your check or if Making a contribution in the offering plate, please write Radio Fund on the offering envelope. Thank you for your contributions and continued support PER CAPITA Have you ever partnered with a friend to sponsor an angel from our Angel Tree at Christmas time or treat someone to lunch on their birthday? When did you last pay dues to an organization that you belong to? Much like our membership dues to organizations, the monies given towards this year s per capita go to our presbytery, synod, and denomination to maintain our connections with one another, further the ministries of Jesus Christ in our region and around the world, and share the costs that belong to the church. At the national level, this money funds work, such as helping us discern our vocations, participate in national and global ecumenical events, and support General Assembly, our biannual national gathering. In our synod, the allocated money supports the staff and covers committee expenses that impact ministries in our region. Finally, at the presbytery level, per capita helps connect pastors and congregations together for mission and support, provide opportunities for growth, and prepare for presbytery meetings. For 2018 our per capita amount is $37.00 for each member of the congregation. Please prayerfully consider paying this separately from your tithe or offering so we may better serve our local community.

3 Women s Activities The PW will meet for their regular meeting on Monday, March 19 th at 1:30 p.m. Devotions will be given by Barb Carmon, Betty Grove will give the lesson, and Berdita Hibbs will serve as hostess. Distribution of mission funds will be discussed. All women of the congregation are encouraged to attend. The 2018 program booklets are now available on the table in Friendship Hall. Thanks to Apryl for printing and folding them. Women s Fellowship will meet March 12 th and April 9th. If anyone has a suggestion for an activity or a lunch option, please let Betty or Nella know. Eight ladies met for lunch at Costas on the Feb. 12 th and enjoyed getting together after so many cold days. Hopefully, more will join us in future months. Circle of Love In March, Circle of Love will meet at 6:30 on the 21 st. We will be planning the Palm Sunday Dinner and Pancake Breakfast. Shelley Smith will serve as hostess and lead devotions. In April, Peg Parks will serve as hostess and lead devotions on the 19th. Betty Grove will plan the program. All women of the church are invited to join us!

4 Mission and Outreach On Wednesday, February 6 th several members of our congregation served a lunch of chili and chicken soup at the Fellowship Cup in Mt. Pleasant. This is part of our local outreach. It is always a great day for fellowship and the people who gather for lunch really appreciate it. Our church usually does this a few times a year. We are scheduled to serve again on Wednesday, June 20 th and on Wednesday, October 17 th. Please consider helping when the time comes. Despite the snowy day the attendance at our souper bowl lunch was well received. We want to thank our friends from other churches who joined us. About $307 was collected in free will offering. This will be used for Presbyterian Mission. Also doing very well was our food collection on the football field. The results show our church can select a winner, as there were 41 items for the Eagles, 18 for the Patriots, and 27 for I don t care. Thanks to everyone who contributed. A special thanks to Chris and Temple for delivering all of it to the Fellowship Cup. Session members Reminder: meetings are on the 2 nd Wednesday of every 7:00 p.m.

5 Please join us for our Palm Sunday Dinner on Sunday, March 25 th at 11:30 a.m. following the church service. The menu will include roast pork, party potatoes, green beans, a variety of salads, hot rolls, sherbet, and a cookie. This is always a wonderful time to have fellowship with friends and a delicious meal! A free will offering will be taken for Take Away Hunger packaging.

6 March Sun., Mar. 4, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & 11:30 a.m. Lenten Fellowship Sun., Mar. 11, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & 11:30 a.m. Lenten Fellowship Mon., Mar. 12, 11:30 a.m., Women s fellowship bring a dish to share Wed., Mar. 14, 7:00 p.m., Session meeting Sun. Mar. 18, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & 11:30 a.m. Lenten Fellowhsip 4:00 p.m., Worship, New London care center Mon., Mar. 19, 1:30 p.m., Presbyterian Women (day women s group) Weds., Mar. 21, 6:30 p.m., Circle of Love Sun. Mar. 25, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & 11:45 a.m., Palm Sunday dinner REMINDER when moving: If you or a family member receives the newsletter by mail, please let us know when you or they move so we can update our records. April Sun., Apr. 1, 7:30 a.m., Easter breakfast 8:30 a.m., Easter worship Sun., Apr. 8, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & Mon., Apr. 9, 11:30 a.m., Women s Fellowship Weds., Apr. 11, 7:00 p.m., Session meeting Sun. Apr. 15, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & 4:00 p.m., Chapel, New London care center Weds., Apr. 18, 6:30 p.m., Circle of Love Sun. Apr. 22, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & Sun., Apr. 29, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to be included or excluded on the Prayer Chain, let Aimee know.

7 MARCH APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2nd Jennifer (Grove) York 4th Lucille McCabe 6th Bob Lemley 7th Betty Grove 8th Mallie Campbell 9th Colin Smith 17th Elsie Miller 17th Matthew York 17th Addison Summers 17th Claire E. Jones 19th Teresa Wehrle 20th DeeAnn Grove 23rd Berdita Hibbs 26th Allison (Raub) Lair 28th Anthony Lee 29th Laurie (Carmon) McBeth 30th Jennifer Lee 30th Jacob Griffin 30th Piper Jo Williamson BIRTHDAYS Marcus McCabe 5th Josie Newell 6th Barbara Carmon 8th Helen Wehrle 11th Leo Garvey 12th Mike McBeth 17th Ruth Ann Corporon 22nd Landon Lair 24th Morgan Griffin 25th Pam (Piper) Williamson 25th Madison Jo Moore 26th Kerri Dickey 26th Meridith Dickey 30th Venus (Johnson) Robinson MARCH 3rd 4th ANNIVERSARIES David and Charlotte McGregor 4th Bob and Sandy Griffin APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 20th Joel and Dusty Prottsman 20th Temple and Chris Selby REMINDER: Bring non-perishable foods for donation to the Felowship Cup, on 4th Sunday of each month. REMINDER: Ruth Ann Corporon does the courtesy cards for our church. She does a great job of sending out Birthday, Anniversary, Get Well and thinking of you messages proving she knows about it. So if there s someone you know who needs an uplifting message, please call Ruth Ann ( ) and let her know. If you like to read, don t forget to check out the books we have in our Library.

8 NLPC MISSION STATEMENT Inspired by the powerful, creative force of God's love, our mission is to glorify God in ways both great and small by growing spiritually, nurturing children, impacting our community, and using our gifts in service to THE MESSENGER: Published bi-monthly by the New London Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm St, New London, Iowa 52645, The messenger is also posted on the church website and linked to their Facebook page: at: or at fnewlondon. If you d like to help reduce paper & mailing cost and receive the newsletter by , please send a message to revaimee@mediacombb.net. Paper copies are typically available at the church for two Sundays and those not picked up after printing, will be mailed. If someone has been removed from or if someone needs to be added to the mailing list, please let Pastor Aimee know. Postmaster: Send address changes to The New London Presbyterian Church % The Messenger, 400 N. Elm St. New London, Iowa, God. Our leadership team seeks to nurture God s blessings in our lives in a variety of ways. Will you please pray about how God may be calling you to serve in our congregation? If you would like to share your gifts with others or have questions, please contact Pastor Aimee or one of elders listed below Session Members BUILDING & GROUNDS: Rod Smith and Ron Raub CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Jane Simmons & Dick Lane CLERK of SESSION: Chris Selby FELLOWSHIP: Cathy Wright FINANCE/ MEMORIALS/ STEWARDSHIP: Lyn McAllister & Bob Wehrle MISSION/OUTREACH: Betty Grove WORSHIP: Bob Lemley ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Staff: Pastor: Aimee Goldmeyer Manse Phone: revaimee@mediacombb.net Office hrs: vary; check weekly Church Secretary: Apryl Johnson apryl.ash@gmail.com Treasurer: Brittony Cummings Custodian: Jamie Loyd Organist & Choir Director: Nella Elliott Church phone: Church Address: 400 N. Elm St. New London, Iowa Church Website: Church Facebook link; nchurchofnewlondon. Information for the March/ April newsletter is due by April 20, 2018 Thank You!

9 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW LONDON, IOWA 400 N. ELM NEW LONDON, IOWA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED March/ April Messenger PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEW LONDON, IOWA