July 2017 Volume 58 Issue 7. Inside This Issue. Contact Us Dear Friends,

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1 Inside This Issue Bags of Blessings 3 Missions 4 Student Ministries 5 Children s Ministry 6 Music Ministry 8 TMD Update 9 Top Notchers 10 Announcements 11 Online Giving 13 AUMC App 14 Contact Us Pastor John Gaulke johng@altoonaumc.org Steve McLellan Minister of Creative Arts & Pastoral Care stevem@altoonaumc.org Matt Osborne Youth Director matto@altoonaumc.org Brandon Lindsey Children s Ministry Director brandonl@altoonaumc.org LeAnn Gaulke Director of Small Groups & Assimilation leanngaulke@hotmail.com Jane Burns Financial Manager janeb@altoonaumc.org Heather Mahoney Executive Assistant heatherm@altoonaumc.org Sue Bennett Administrative Assistant sueb@altoonaumc.org Dear Friends, July 2017 I saw an amazing sight as I walked from the parsonage to the church office the other day. There, in a crack in the parking lot, was a plant a petunia to be specific growing up out of a small crack. Why there of all places? After all, we have many beautiful gardens around the church where it could grow unencumbered from the hot cement. It simply had no choice. The wind blew the seed into a crack a very narrow piece of real estate to put down roots. In spite of the precarious place it had been placed, it sprouted and sent it s leaves above the crack where a car tire could smash it in a second. Nobody would bet on this petunia blooming. I think that petunia is probably more like us than we would care to admit. There are times when we face situations that seem overwhelming beyond our control. We re like that seed in the crack we don t want to be here we don t want to try to grow in this environment, but we have no choice. We look at other people and their life seems so much better. Why couldn t our life be like theirs? That petunia is only 3 or 4 feet from a new garden area that was planted this spring. It probably looks up at the new hosta plants and wonders what it feels like to stretch out your roots and flourish. I suppose it could give up, but it didn t. Somehow, in spite of overwhelming odds, it grew. In fact, it flourished and is now in full bloom. The difficult circumstances it faced didn t deter it from doing what it was created to do bloom. You and I will face different circumstances throughout our life, but the one thing that we have in common is our faith in Christ. Because of our relationship with God we are able to bloom with praise for Him even when we face difficult and challenging circumstances. Listen to Apostle Paul s words... And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from God s love. (Romans 8:38, NLT) Continued on page 2

2 Page 2 Nothing no circumstance no crack in the cement can keep God s love from us. And if His love can reach us, then in spite of what others may think, we can bloom with praise. David knew that so well that he penned those famous words in Psalm 23 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me. (Psalm 23:4, NKJV) I love that petunia. It is a daily reminder to not allow my circumstances to limit my dreams or rob me of the joy of my faith. I can still bloom for God. With God, all things are possible! Blooming with you, Pastor John P.S. If you want to see this petunia look over by the large pine tree near the office entrance. Communion will be served on Sunday, July 2 at all 3 services. It s coming! July 10th - 14th Students who have completed 6-12th grade Contact matto@altoonaumc.org with questions

3 Page 3 Bags of Blessing Please join AUMC s Bags of Blessing project by filling a bag for one or more of the organizations that we are supporting this summer. Gallon-size zipper bags with shopping lists will be available in the entryway on Sundays, July 9th through July 30th. Please return your filled bags to the entryway on or before Sunday, August 9th. Below are descriptions of the organizations that we are supporting with this effort. Joppa Joppa is a volunteer-driven, interdenominational, nonprofit organization in Iowa that helps homeless people survive, get housing and rebuild their lives. Each week, Joppa volunteers visit people living under bridges, in tents, shacks, vehicles and those recently transitioned into housing. Joppa supports community services by meeting unmet needs, such as homeless nutrition, street nursing, job training, transportation and survival programs like winter heat and boots. Hope Ministries Hope Ministries operates three residential ministry centers in central Iowa for homeless men, women and children: Bethel Mission, a 110-bed emergency shelter for men; Door of Faith, a 102-bed long-term recovery center for men; and Hope Center for Women and Children, a 48-bed short- and long-term recovery center for women and children. We Care Kits are used as welcome bags for new guests at the shelters, giving them essential supplies along with a note of encouragement. By donating a complete We Care Kit, you will make a direct positive impact on a hurting man or woman in our community. We are filling bags for men staying at Bethel Mission and also women entering the Hope Center for Women and Children.

4 Page 4 The Mission Committee is again collecting supplies to fill school bags. There will be a container located at the Welcome Center to collect your purchases. If you would like the Missions Committee to make your purchases for you, please make your check to AUMC with School Bag Supplies on the memo line. Please visit the Welcome Center in the Narthex for donation envelopes. Thanks to the Ann Wilson Quilters of our church who have already sewn a number of school bags. Thank you in advance for your purchase of any of the below listed supplies as well as your financial gifts and time spent to make a difference in our world. School Bag Supplies (3) Wide ruled spiral or bound notebooks, 8.5 x 11, sheets each (1) 30 cm metric ruler (1) Box of 24 crayons (24 only) (1) 2.5 eraser (1) Metal blunt scissors (1) Handheld pencil sharpener (6) Unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers

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8 Page 8 July is one of my most favorite months of the year. It s all about watermelon, home-made ice cream, long days, fireworks, and fun in the sun. Char and I lived in Alaska for 5 years (both of our children were born there). An Alaskan July 4 was like no other. The long days required waiting until midnight for the fireworks show to begin. There was just too much light to start when the rest of the country begins to celebrate. There is a reason they call it the land of the midnight sun. The walk to the stadium would begin around 11:30 where thousands of people could gather to watch the July 4 celebration. I never heard a complaint about how late the show went! We still have a lot to celebrate. Even with the turmoil and division within our country we still enjoy many of the freedoms the founding fathers were willing to die for in order to live free. Every Sunday you and I can lift our hands, hearts, and voices in praise together without fear of reprisal. My father was born a Canadian citizen. He faithfully maintained his green card until his seventies when he decided it was time to trade his Canadian citizenship for American citizenship. To be an American citizen you must be born in America or go through the process of becoming a naturalized citizen. When we declare our citizenship we accept both the rights and responsibilities to that country above all others. There is a country where citizenship is given to people from all nations regardless of origin. All their citizens are always treated with equal rights and respect. Their citizens all love each other and work together perfectly as a unified body. It s a place where health care programs are unnecessary because there is no sickness or death where they live. It s inhabitants know no sorrow over there. Amazingly, there is no price for this citizenship and no one will ever pay taxes to live there! Our Savior has taken all the responsibility to secure that citizenship for us! Here is how it is described, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. By the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20 (ESV) INDEPENDENCE DAY WORSHIP CELEBRATION JULY 2 You will appreciate the Presentation of the Colors, hearing the Pledge Allegiance spoken together in unison, the singing of the national anthem, and the presentation and participation of some of your very favorite Patriotic Songs. We have the Praise team, an orchestra filled with outstanding youth, and special moments to celebrate together including communion. We pray you will find great meaning in Independence Day worship services. JULY SPECIAL MUSIC JULY 2 See Independence Day worship above JULY 9 Kara Lindsey and Sarah Anthofer (all services) JULY 16 Rita Carroll (Traditional service) JULY 23 Mindy Cochran (both Contemporary Services Persons interested in substituting for one of the band singer or instrumental positions may contact Steve McLellan at or stevem@altoonaumc.org Thanks and have a great summer! Steven McLellan Worship

9 Page 9 Hope Ministries purchased new living room furniture for their women s and children s shelter with funds from the 2017 Turkey Mission Dinner. The furniture looks great and will be well used and loved by the women and children for relaxing and family time! Watch future newsletters for pictures of the outdoor tables and new grill purchased for Hope Ministries men s recovery center, Door of Faith. Thank you again for you faithful and generous partnership in God s work! Mark your calendars for another Habitat for Humanity wall build in our parking lot on Saturday, October 21. Many volunteers will be needed!

10 Page 10 Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+ Upcoming Get Togethers Tuesday, July 11 Program: Tour of the Herbert Hoover Library in West Branch. Cost for those 62 years and older is $5. Younger is $10. The group will also get to view the first movies taken In the White House by the Hoover Family. Carpool from church at 8:30 a.m. (14 seats available in a van.) Chairpersons: Dale & Jan Hartgraves Lunch at the Ramada Inn in Williamsburg Tuesday, August 8, Noon Program: Headin Home Gospel Quartet Potluck Host/Hostess: Beth McKee & Corrine Fortner Chairpersons: Dale & Jan Hartgraves Bring a donation for the food pantry Tuesday, September 12, Noon Program: Iowa author Carson Ode will speak on his books Celebrate Iowa & Spaces, Place and Faces. Books will be available for purchase Potluck Host/Hostess: The Dillows & Bonnie Gibson Chairpersons: Marla Carr Bring a donation for the food pantry Bring a friend to any of these events, new people are always welcome!

11 Page 11 Men s Breakfast Saturday July 15th 8:00 a.m. Family Life Center Adult Softball Come Watch! Check the church calendar and bulletin for game times. Pasoral Partners Consider sending a DVD to a homebound friend or loved one. DVD s may be purchased for $5 each. If you or family member would like prayer support or a hospital visit please fill out the prayer card or call the church office ( ). Church Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - Noon

12 Page 12 Splash Bash & Baptism Service Sunday, July 30th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Altoona Aquatics Center Meet at the Altoona Aquatic Center at 6:30 p.m. for immersion baptisms followed by swimming at the pool. Snacks will be provided! Please RSVP to the church office at or if you plan to attend or if you are interested in taking part in the special baptism ceremony. A Baptism Class will also be held on July 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel to help you understand its significance. United Methodist Women No meetings in July! Baptism Class Join us on Sunday, July 9th at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel with Pastor John. This one -session class is to help understand the significance of baptism and to schedule a date. Contact the church office at or Sueb@altoonaumc.org with any questions.

13 Page 13 Altoona United Methodist Church has two electronic options for giving. You can register to give regularly or make a one-time gift by going to our church website, Click on the Give tab. Once you have clicked on the Give Online button, choose to Register Now on the right side of the E-Giving Login page. Enter your information and create a Username and Password. You are then asked how you would like to make your donation. Your donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You will have the option of making a one-time gift or a recurring donation on a schedule that you set up. Once you have registered, you have the ability to adjust your giving as desired by logging in with your Username and Password. Another option for electronic giving is through our new church app. In the Worship menu, choose Give Online and then follow the instructions above. If you have any questions about this secure electronic giving option, please contact Heather Mahoney at or heatherm@altoonaumc.org. She is happy to meet with you to help you set up your account or answer any of your questions.

14 Page 14 Available for ios and Android. If you would like to receive weekly updates via , please go to the church website, Under the Connect tab, choose Signup, enter your address, choose the (s) you would like to receive, and they will begin arriving on a weekly basis! If you would like to be included on our prayer chain list, please go to the church website, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Connect tab, enter your address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.