The Lifeline GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Rev Carol A. Kress. August 17, Dear Members of the Gowrie United Methodist Church,

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1 GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M A R K E T S T P O B O X G O W R I E I A The Lifeline V O L U M E 3 0 I S S U E 9 S E P T E M B E R Laurie Haller Resident Bishop, Iowa Area Carol A. Kress District Superintendent carol.kress@iaumc.org Alanna Warren District Administrative Assistant alanna.warren@iaumc.org August 17, 2018 Dear Members of the Gowrie United Methodist Church, This letter authorizes a Church Conference to address the sale of the Gowrie UMC. parsonage. The Conference will be held September 23, 2018 following worship. The attending members of the congregation will have voting rights. According to the Book of Discipline, 2016, the selling of a parsonage requires approval of the governing body of the local church, District Board on Church Building and Location, the approval of this Church Conference, and written approval by the appointed pastor and District Superintendent. Documentation will be submitted to the Cabinet of the Iowa Annual Conference for their vote. Once these steps are taken, the Conference Chancellor will guide me to release the property from the Trust Clause via written conveyance. With reception of this Church Conference authorization, it is time to notify the membership. They are to be provided with written notice at least two weeks prior to the Conference. Pastor Rohden is welcomed to be present for discussion. I look forward to presiding and to have an opportunity to meet the faithful members of the Gowrie UMC. Grace & Peace, Rev Carol A. Kress Rev. Carol A. Kress North Central District Superintendent SAVE THE DATE North Central District Charge Conference November 4,2018 Our Savior, Manson 2-4:30 PM Pastor Susan K. Rohden gowrieumcpastor@wccta.net (O) (H) (C)

2 Dear Friends, Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 In years past one of the VBS curriculums I helped with used the above scriptures. This verse often comes back to me and I am often challenged to get in touch with God and what God might be wanting me to hear through this verse at that moment. Is God telling me to lay aside something from the past that is inhibiting God s work in the future? Is God telling me to truly forget the past? Or is this a reminder to focus on the present and future and not become preoccupied with the pain and frustrations of the past, which cannot be altered. Often life seems to be a struggle and the word straining seems to catch my attention. Is my life in Christ supposed to be a constant struggle straining toward what is ahead? Straining seems to take effort. Sometimes I feel tired. Sometimes it s hard to keep moving toward what is ahead, especially when I am not sure what that is or even if I want to head that direction. Can t I just stay where I am comfortable? But Paul then again refers to press(ing) on toward the goal, once again God seems to be calling me toward making an effort. God seems to call me to be persistent and not let go. Once again, I often feel tired. And then comes the part that inspires me forward, for which God has called me, God wants me, God loves me, God is present with me. Those are all messages I hear in this simple statement. But am I worthy? There are others more suited to the task? Why would God call me? But God, through the Holy Word will remind me how God wants all people to be in relationship with Him. It doesn t matter if I am Worthy, or if I am tired, God wants me and God wants you too. Heavenward in Christ Jesus, there is the secret, that really is not so secret. I we are not doing this alone. It is only through Christ Jesus, and in Christ Jesus that this call Heavenward is achieved. I can strain and press all I want, I will only get more tired. But if I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 11:2) the goal will be clear. And then my straining and my pressing will be filled with an energy and peace that comes from God. This scripture often impacts my personal devotion time. It always amazes me how God can use a few sentences to challenge and love us forward. I encourage you as you dig into the scriptures, to find what God is saying to you today. Dear Lord, be with each of us as we dig into your Word. As we read and discern Your will for our lives fill us with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name. Amen

3 SERVING YOU IN SEPTEMBER For more information on serving during worship please the church office. There is always room for more! September Ushers David H. Anderson Jeremy Viles, Dave and Judi Tjepkes, 9/2/2018 Labor Day Weekend Jeff Patterson Leonard and Mary Schneider Greeter Dave and Judi Tjepkes Sound/Computer Ministry Gary and Kendale Vosberg 9/9/2018 Judy Warrick Greeter David H. Anderson Evelyn Jacobs Dale Brandt Sound/Computer Ministry Jeremy and Jill Viles SS Shepherd September Communion Jeff and Mary Patterson 9/16/2018 Jennifer Field Greeter Jill and Jeremy Viles Crystal Wilks Crystal Wilks Sound/Computer Ministry David and Jolene Johnson SS Shepherd Alexandra Adam 9/23/2018 Alan Wooters Greeters Jeff and Mary Patterson Jolene Johnson Deb Coughlon Sound/Computer Ministry Sytsmas SS Shepherd 9/30/2018 Shirley Wooters Greeter Eric and Alex Adam Sound/ Computer Ministry Amanda Clark/ Judy Warrick SS Shepherd Sunday School; 9:00 AM Sunday Worship; 10:15 AM Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 9/2 Brian Wiklander 9/4 Jamie Dalley 9/5 Kari Brockman Bretton Farnham 9/13 Deb Benton-Gevok 9/14 Karen McCubbin Jeff Patterson 9/15 Richard Learned* Marla Stokesbary 9/18 Evi Andreoli Myrna Jacobson Travis Wiklander 9/19 Drew Dorsey Ginger Marquis 9/20 Dick Dean Ralph Dunbar* 9/21 Rich Tucker 9/24 Bev Edie 9/25 Jolene Johnson 9/26 Avery Akins 9/28 Carolyn Sandgren* 9/30 Shawn Blunk *Indicates members over 80. Please submit any special birthdays and any special anniversaries to gowrieumc@wccta.net by the 15th of the month for special recognition. Please submit corrections to gowrieumc@wccta.net

4 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship Church Conference Parsonage Vote Potluck 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship Carol Kress DS Installation Service 6:30 PM Purpose/Project/Popcorn UMC Men s Group 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship Beef Burgers Pot Luck Lunch 2:30 PM Emmaus Reunion Youth Sunday School Kick off! 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:15 AM Worship in Park S/PPRC Following Worship 10:15 AM Worship SUN Pastor Vacation MON Pastor Vacation TUE :30 AM Newsletter Folding 7:00 PM Next Step Youth Group :00 AM Senior Coffee 7:00 PM Church Council Meeting Pastor Vacation WED FRI Newsletter Deadline SAT SAVE THE DATE FALL IOWA WALK TO EMMAUS WEEKENDS Ankeny First United Methodist Church October 18 21, 2018 Men October Women 4:30 pm Confirmation 27 3:00 PM Worship at the Care Center; Everyone invited! 4:30 pm Confirmation 20 9:30 AM Book Club 4:30 pm Confirmation 13 6 Pastor Vacation Community Blood Drive 6:30 PM UMW Salad Supper THU September 2018 Gowrie United Methodist Church

5 CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR Baptism Emerson MARIE ADAM Born May 11, 2018 Baptized: July 29, 2018 Parents Eric and Alex Adam Grandparents Loren and Diane Adam, Paulette Gleason Mark Gleason Sponsors Kari Brockman, Samantha Gutshall Address 3195 Baxter Ave Gowrie, Iowa SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK OFF SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9; 9:00am WORSHIP AND POTLUCK IN THE PARK 10:15AM Our Sunday School year begins again!!! All students and parents meet in Narthex September 9 at 9:00am, after registration we will all be heading outside to the park for games!! Parents will need to complete Registration form. We will have 2 classes this year. Jeremy Viles will teach the older students. Chelsey Brandes will teach and coordinate volunteers to teach younger students. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!! COME AND JOIN US! ep t S t x e N Anyone is considered youth group. Please come check out what we are doing!!! Spring Lake Picnic on August 25th was a blast!!! Next Meeting: September 26th, 7:00 PM at Gowrie. (Regular meeting will be the 4th Sunday at 7:00PM) Parents will rotate bringing snacks and being present. This year: group will be encouraged to lead a youth worship at each church. Group will make a plan for Giving To Others when we meet in September. Members will attend In Gathering Youth Lock In, in Webster City.

6 The greatest gift we can give to others is our prayer. - Unknown Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. NIV September 6th UMW Guest Day Executive Board 6 PM General Meeting Salad Supper 6:30 PM The Sacred Space of Gathering Social Action; Evelyn Jacobs Speaker: Maridee Dugger Serving and Decorating: Committee I (Jean Hubbard, Chair) September 15th UMW North Central Iowa Annual Meeting; Garner UMC; Garner Meet Gage Smith ; Confirmand Gage is the son of Brock and Lindy Smith, and Joslyn Jorgenson and Jamie Myer Pictured is Susan, Sybil and Gage on their August Confirmation trip to the Grotto of the Redemption. One of our most important ministries as a Church and as individuals is the call to pray for others, in our church, in the community and in the world. If you have a prayer request, please call or Pastor Susan or the church office. If you are requesting prayers for someone other than yourself we will need to have their permission before calling on the congregation and prayer chain. We would also like to publish answered prayers. Please let us know when a crisis has been resolved, a sickness has been healed or a blessing has been received. Thank you! Let us pray: for the spiritual health of our church For the Wildly Important Goal of the Iowa Annual Conference For the Commission on a Way Forward and our Bishops For GUMC church leadership and committees Let us pray: For our families For our community For those who are ill For those awaiting tests results Let us pray: For all those who grieve. Including: The families of Landon Martin, Elayna Grace Sandeen, and Denny Davis For all those with health concerns including: Rich Peterson William Vaughn Steve Gutshall Debbie Dunavan Wilma and Bob Proctor If you would like to be added to the prayer chain please contact the office, or gowrieumc@wccta.net CHURCH OFFICE HOURS The church office will be open Tuesday-Thursday 8 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Subject to Change

7 Gowrie UMC Admin/Finance Council Aug. 1, 2018 meeting minutes The council met with Eric Adam, Amanda Clark, Deb Tvrdik, Gary Vosberg, Pastor Susan, Jeremy Viles, Dave & Judi Tjepkes, Linda Brandes, Diane Boerner and Mary Patterson present. Gary opened the meeting at 7 pm with a devotion and a discussion about glory sightings the past week. Gary also talked about the difference between corporate prayer and personal prayer and becoming a praying church. June 6 meeting minutes were read and approved. OId business: the WIG was briefly mentioned, we went over the reports from the July 4 chicken dinner from 2017 and Child Protection Policy training on Aug. 26 after church was discussed. Pastor Susan encouraged all to be participate. Discussion regarding the parsonage explored pros and cons of keeping and selling. The minutes from Parsonage Work Group meeting on July 26 was thoroughly discussed. The council voted to move toward selling the parsonage. Questions asked included: how is the escrow account handled, and can members not present vote. Pastor Susan will seek these answers and will contact DS Carol Kress and set up a Church Conference. The members of Gowrie UMC who are present will vote on this issue at this time. Notice will be sent out to all church members and placed in the church bulletin. The Treasurer's report was approved. Eric reported the women's bathroom sink faucet is in process, and other possible water issues have been explored. There is discussion of replacing the tall toilet in the bathroom downstairs with a regular toilet so it is more accessible to children. Eric is continuing to address water softener issues with Pelham's. Dave discussed the tax exempt status the church. Dave also clarified the time frame to prep for the 2019 budget. Pastor Susan will be gone for two weeks for seminary. Mary and Jeff Paterson will fill the pulpit during her absence. The Sunday School kickoff will be Sunday, Sept. 9 at the park. We are planning an outside worship. Pot luck salads and deserts requested. Main dish and chips will be provided. The council and any other volunteers will be working the lunch. Judi mentioned the current change jar mission is over and it's time to select a new recipient for the missions jar. Several changes made to the UMCOR kits were mentioned. Amanda shared information on Pastor Carl Benge, the head of the History and Archives Committee. He suffered a stroke and is taking a break waiting on surgery. There will not be an August meeting. Amanda is planning on attending the next meeting. Linda Brandes asked about getting a key for Chelsey since she is coordinating Sunday school for the younger children. Amanda is giving her key to Chelsey. Pastor Susan mentioned her upcoming seminary term. Pastor's new confirmation student will be Gage Smith. She also mentioned the Commission on a Way Forward will be going national in September and encouraged continued prayers. The next council meeting will be Sept. 5 at 7pm. Gary closed the meeting with a prayer at 8:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Clark Council Secretary Back to School School will be starting soon lets send notes of encouragement to our students and teachers. There is a complete list with addresses located on the bulletin board near the prayer room. Please feel free to take a copy of the list so you can send word of encouragement. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15

8 GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1306 MARKET STREET PO BOX 479 GOWRIE, IOWA NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOWRIE IA PERMIT NO. 22 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED CHURCH ConfeRenCe & potluck lunch Sunday, September 23 following worship District Superintendent Carol Kress, presiding All church members encouraged to attend!