Pilgrim s Progress July 2014 Issue

Transcription

1 Pilgrim s Progress July 2014 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 Pray for Soldiers Members in Care Facilities M.O.W. Dates Saturday Worship Update Stuff-The-Bus Page 3 Birthdays, Anniversaries Youth Group Happenings Gerdes Update Page 4 Project Update Trustees Page 5 Church Calendar Church Contact Info: FCC 312 W. Main St. Marshalltown, IA pastor@fccmarshalltown.org secretary@fccmarshalltown.org treasurer@fccmarshalltown.org July is now upon us, and the Summer progresses swiftly. Among the highlights of this month is a sermon series entitled What's Getting in the Way?, but more on that below. From the 21 st through the 25 th we'll have our annual Vacation Bible School, which stands as another example of the hard work and dedication people give to this church. Although they did not do it for any accolades or attention, I believe that the Lord notes their work and will reward them; them and others who give of their time and effort to help this church. When I think of VBS, I remember Isaiah 55:11, which says, So shall My word be that goes froth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Since I view the Scriptures as God's Word, I believe that teaching children the Scriptures creates a witness for Christ that will stay with the child throughout his days. I do not know what that child will do with that witness, but I'm convinced that there are people whose lives were forever transformed by what they learn in or Vacation Bible School, even though the teacher may never sees any immediate change. I'm sure that this year's VBS will change lives forever and I'm grateful for those who work so hard on this project as well as those who give tirelessly on many other works in this church. Thank you for all you do. On another note, July is famous for July 4 th, the 238 th birthday of the United States of America. This is a time to celebrate our nation, freedom patriotism and citizenship. For Christians there is another citizenship to consider. Philippians 4:20 says, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, We have a second citizenship that will last forever and its values are to be studied, trusted and celebrated as well. As one speaker said, As Christians, we may be Democrats, Republicans or Independents, but ultimately we are Monarchists. We serve a King. Have a wonderful July, everyone. ~ Pastor Dan ~ Sermons for July The theme for the sermons this month is, What's Getting In the Way?, and in it we'll consider what influences our character development as followers of Christ. July 6 Know Your Limitations Matthew 11:25-30 July 13 Tyranny of the Urgent Matthew 13:1-9 July 20 Know Your Influences Matthew 13:36-43 July 27 Know Your Priorities Matthew 13:44-5

2 Please pray for all soldiers who are away from their loved ones and serving their country. We have 2 grandsons and a daughter of church members currently serving our country following is their addresses..cards and letters are appreciated! Sarah Latham s send-off ceremony for Afghanistan is July 3 rd. This will be Sarah s third deployment overseas. Her address will be posted when it becomes available. This deployment is scheduled to be 9 months. Sarah is Paul & Julianne Packer s daughter. Jane & Willis Fiscus s grandson: SGT Dushawn Alexander CMR 411 Box 1034 APO AE Ken and Anita Niehouse s grandson RP2 Andrew Konanske % Jenny Woodland PO Box Yuma, AZ _ Please keep our Members in Care Facilities in your Thoughts and prayers: Al & Stella Storjohann Esther Riley, Pattye Morrison Don & Connie Lyman JoAnne Ainley Betty Runner, Max Canfield Norman Pike, Loretta Stubbe, Dr. John Garland DRIVERS NEEDED!!!! SUMMER OPENINGS FOR DRIVERS: July 26 and August 30 (August 23 taken) Sign-up sheet on the clipboard in the Narthex. If you have any questions about being a volunteer driver for M.O.W., please contact any Benevolence & Missions Committee member. Krystal Randall, Kim Schryver, Wayne Wagar, Todd Stanley, Cherryl Woltjer or Jonna Wagar Page 2 On June 14 we had a new worship service using our new video technology and several of the new hymns of the church. Approximately 25 people attended and all agreed to give this another go after we have recovered from Vacation Bible School. The next Service on Saturday (some call it SOS) will be at 5:00, August 2 nd in the church sanctuary. Sometimes we will be singing to the music provided by the technology available to us, sometimes by one or more of the excellent musicians in our church and in our community. We had a potluck/barbeque after our last service but that will not be an every-month occurrence. If interest continues, we hope to make this a monthly event, not to take the place of Sunday morning worship services, but something extra for those who like to worship with new songs every once in awhile. The messages will be different from Sunday morning, and I encourage people to give me suggestions on the subject. Is there anything you wish you could hear about from the pulpit? Let me know. This August will see a sermon on sermons-what's the point? Keep an eye on the weekly bulletins for more information and note August 2 on your calendar. - Pastor Dan For several years, the House of Compassion has offered the community an opportunity to make a significant difference in the education of students from low income families by soliciting and distributing basic school supplies to Marshall County children in grades Pre-K thru 12. Items needed are as follows: pocket folders (assorted colors) spiral notebooks pencils notebook paper erasable pens (black or blue) scissors eraser & pencil-top erasers red pen facial tissues glue or glue sticks box of 24 crayons pencil box box of 12 colored pencils Stuff the Bus will be July 26 & 27 and August 2 & 3. Any monetary donations will be used to buy supplies we have in short supply. A great turn out to view the key chains 88 neighbors, friends and Church members came to view them. And while here, they wished me a Happy Birthday can you believe it?! How wonderful! Thanks to everyone. God Bless you all. ~ Ray Gerdes ~

3 JULY BIRTHDAYS AT FCC!! Beth Adams July 2 Ron Ohrt July 3 Amber Lawthers July 4 Beth Lawthers July 4 Kaisa Stanley July 4 Miriam Bryant July 5 Lorrie Damman July 5 Dave Hall July 5 Kim Schryver July 5 Tyler Reeder July 6 Bev Swenson July 6 Carlton Kothenbeutel July 8 Mike Woltjer July 8 David Dickey July 12 Marilyn Rhodes July 12 Al Hays July 14 Sanny Thompson July 15 Jane Ragland July 18 Julie Squiers July 19 Krystal Randall July 20 Don Lunsford July 21 Kelly Calderon July 22 Susan Ferneau July 22 JP Howard July 23 July Anniversaries Bob & Judy Gaynor, 7/1/2006 JP & Jennifer Howard, 7/1/1995 Charlie & Brenda Morris, 7/3/1982 Kirk & Cindy Shirar, 7/6/1991 John & Lisa Beaty, 7/9/2004 Jose & Kelly Calderon, 7/12/2002 Dave & Trisha Gill, 7/12/2008 Marcus & Chantel Woerner, 7/12/2008 Ken & Darcie Lunsford, 7/14/1984 Ron & Vicki Long, 7/24/1971 Congratulations to All! YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS! July: We are very excited to announce Vacation Bible School which will be held at our church July from 5:30-8pm. Dinner will be included every night and children age 3-12 are invited to participate. We have some exciting activities that will be included in the festivities! At SonTreasure Island the visitors are welcome to come and explore the amazing sights and sounds of the island but most of all they get to find some treasures! This treasure is more precious than gold, more lasting than diamonds, it is the greatest treasure of all God s love! Treasure seekers will play island games, create colorful crafts and enjoy tropical snacks. But more importantly, they will discover the rich treasure of God s love through the life of Jesus. On Wednesday the 23rd, Blank Park Zoo from Des Moines will be bringing some zoo animals to share with the students and on Friday the 25th families are invited to come and join in on the fun for a family night of fun! Please contact Laura Shields or Kristin Meyer for more information and registration information. THANK YOU! The First Congregational Church Youth Group and Shelly wanted to thank our congregation for their AMAZING generosity and support towards their mission project! We raised $2,100 towards feeding children and families in Tanzania, East Africa. The youth and I will set a date soon to invite Outreach, Inc. to our church to set up a food packaging assembly line to make meals that will be shipped to Africa. With the money that was raised, we will be able to feed 8,000 people in that area! Outreach Inc. is a wonderful mission and the youth are very humbled to be able to help people in developing countries where children die every day from malnutrition, starvation, and hunger-related diseases. If you would like more information on Outreach, Inc. please go to This round of Chemo treatments are complete. I have a CT scan August 11th to determine how much cancer is left and its location. I feel good and thank you for your prayers & concerns. It has been a long three years and three different Chemo programs. I could not have done this without the support of family, friends and the Church family. God Bless you all. Ray Gerdes Page 3

4 Project update from Trustees Based on membership surveys earlier in the year we are focusing on: MAINTENANCE PROJECTS Remove and replace roof flashing on parapet walls (where roof joins the back of the brick wall at the 4 gable ends). Completed Bid price $12,600; expected billing $13,200. Tuck point Parapet walls: The above project exposed severe freeze/thaw damage to the blocks and mortar on the roof side of the parapet walls. We had to scramble to find a masonry repair company to work ahead of the roofers. Completed Cost $7,300. Masonry repair of East end of Loft: When tuck pointing the parapet walls we discovered that mortar debris had fallen down past the roof into the East wall of the loft. The contractor had to remove the complete East wall to expose the brick and mortar which required significant repair. Completed Cost $3,600. Spot tuck point brick & stone joints, power wash stone, repair & paint stucco: While the masonry company was here he pointed out that the church needs this work done as he discovered several areas that were leaking through along with loose mortar and the obvious spots of missing gray stucco around the footings. The top half of the building should be done this year. Estimated budgetary cost total = $28,500. Roof and water damage repair from roof leaks last winter and insulation/repair of balcony stair wall: All roof repairs have been made. Water damage repair in the balcony and library and the balcony stair wall is complete. Total expenses to date this year for this repair is $6,775. Work remaining is to repair the South wall of the youth room on 3rd floor (bid = $1,120) and inspect and patch the flat roof above the youth room and library (bid = $1,400). The roofing contractor is telling us this flat roof will need to be replaced in the next year or two. Repair, seal and paint 2 front double doors: By the time you read this we hope to have a contractor repairing these doors. He will remove one set at a time and cover the opening with plywood. Bid price $2,100. Carpeting: Now that we're about through with the roof and water damage repair we'll be getting quotes to carpet halls, offices and sanctuary. Budgetary estimate = $30,000. Office air conditioner: replaced condenser. Cost = $1,491. It's obvious that we expect to significantly exceed the sum of the gifts given last year plus our 2014 maintenance budget for these projects. We are in the process of reviewing funding and will update you at a later date. CAPITAL PROJECTS: Loft upgrade: Obviously the East wall will require installing a finished wall. We plan to get bids to completely remodel this room including insulation, electrical, heating, cabinetry and new wall and ceiling surfaces. Implementation will be as funds allow. Motion sensors for lights and fan in 4 bathrooms: Working with electrical company to ID equipment to do the job. Upgrade lighting: This is a new project and will be justified based on the savings and rebates for using all LED lighting. Add steps on E side of pulpit: May use same contractor that's working on the front doors. Any questions or comments please contact the Building and Grounds committee (Jim Clark, Al Hays, Lenny Reeder). LOFT- EAST END PARAPET WALL- EAST END Page 4 PARAPET WALL- EAST END RIGHT SIDE LOFT EAST END

5 FCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS! Sunday Worship services: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. : 9:30 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/events special events 1 Last day of NACCC Conf Independence Day Church Offices Closed 5 6 Communion 9:30am :30 pm Trustees FCC Stamp Club 10-Noon :30am :30am 27 9:30am 21 6:30 pm BCE Mtg. NOTE TIME CHANGE! VBS-5:30-8pm@FCC Blank Pk Zoo bringing FCC Stamp Club 10-Noon Family 26 11am MMSC Financial information: Your trustees want to keep you more informed about our church monthly finances and plan to include this brief monthly update in both the newsletter and the bulletins. If you have questions concerning this report, please contact one of the trustees for an explanation. Income/Expenses Thru May Budget Actual Difference Giving $74, $69, ($5,331.01) Expenses $66, $115, $49, Page 5

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