Eagle Grove United Methodist Church Love God, Love Others, Change the World Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Transcription

1 Eagle Grove United Methodist Church Love God, Love Others, Change the World Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World 421 West Broadway Street ~ P.O. Box 101 ~ Eagle Grove, IA Church Office: (515) Dial-a-Devotion (515) Website: eaglegroveumc.org Office egumc@goldfieldaccess.net From the Pastor s Desk We are running out of room on our fireplace mantel for all our Christmas stockings, and I'm thankful for that. No, we don't have a fireplace, but we've always found a place for our Christmas stockings, no matter which parsonage or home we're living in. Year after year we hang our stockings with care, working hard to make room for new stockings as the needs present themselves. We've had a gain of two daughters-in-law and three grand-daughters. In addition, each of the respective families have a dog. The dogs are part of our families, so they too need a stocking hung. If they are good, which they aren't always, they will get a dog biscuit in their stocking on Christmas morning. The family fireplace mantel serves as a metaphor for much of what Christmas is all about. It's been at the heart of the Christmas experience. Beyond the stockings there is the need to find room for family members to sleep when they come during Thanksgiving and Christmas visits and find those folding tables and chairs we put away 'some place.' The Christmas story is about 'making room' in the Inn for Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. The shepherds cried out when they discovered that room had been prepared for even them, the outcasts. This whole idea of 'making room' begs the question: Are all our Christmas festivities really just about us or are we making room for shepherds and God-only-knows who else, too? This whole season is about God making room. This whole season can be about us asking ourselves the question: who can I/we make room for this Christmas? Have a merry and blessed Christmas and New Year season. See you Sunday or Sooner, Pastors Don and Cindy Sunday Schedule: 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Wednesday Schedule: 5:15 p.m. Adult Bells 5:50 p.m. Chancel Choir Friday Schedule: 9:00 a.m. Covenant Prayer Please check the Calendar of Events for the full schedule. Pastor: Rev. Don & Rev. Cindy Morrison Custodian: Sara Ell Administrative Asst: Sara Ell Organist: Ann Shriver Treasurer: Tracy Crail Choir Director: Cheryl Ketchem Financial Secretary: Denise Helmick

2 Answer: A (See John 8:11.) December Sunday Worship December Total 407 December Total Sunday School No Report Given Resolve to be there Let our New Year s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. Goran Persson Donations may be placed in the cupboard at the front entrance of the church. The items in this cupboard are meant to go to the Eagle Grove Service Center Food Pantry. If you should need assistance, please contact the service center M/W/F from 1:00-3:00 p.m., 510 S Jackson, For further assistance please contact Pastor Rich Taylor with the Eagle Grove Area Ministerial Association at the Samuel Lutheran Church, 201 N Lincoln, Thank you. At the start of a new year, we remember that God continually gives us new chances. What does Jesus say to a woman caught in adultery? A. Go, and from now on sin no more. B. Not even in Israel have I found such great faith. C. Peace be with you. D. Tell no one what I have done for you.

3 Supporting Members and Friends of Eagle Grove United Methodist Church Tracy Crail, our Church Treasurer sent me an dated December 16 th with her projections for what we need in offerings through December 31 st to meet our financial goals for This amount is as of December 16 th and so does not include the December 17 th offering. infor- Tracy, myself, Pastor Cindy and the Finance Committee are asking you to prayerfully consider the mation she has provided and respond in your end-of-the-year giving to the church. Eagle Grove UMC is truly blessed with the many blessings of time given, talents shared and service offered. The gifts we share support the ministry of this church and we thank you in advance for your generosity. Tracy s report: Based on what I have right now for bills through the year-end, here are the projections for what we need for offerings through 12/31: We have $7,500 in bills, which includes $828 for furnace service and $3,450 if we were to pay the rest of our General Church apportionments. That brings the total amount needed to $11,000. So again, thank you for your support. We are doing great things together. Have a blessed and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Pastors Don and Cindy and your church Finance Committee Why do people give? Two small boys went into the dentist's office one day and waited for the dentist to get through with his appointment. When he came into the waiting room, the older of the two brothers spoke up. Doctor, I want a tooth taken out, and I don't want any gas, and I don't want it deadened because we're in a hurry. The doctor smiled and said, "Well, you're quite a brave young man. You want a tooth pulled, and you don't want any gas, and you don't want it deadened." And the older brother said, "that's right, because we're in a hurry". Well, okay said the dentist, but show me, which tooth is it? And the older brother turned to his younger brother and said, "show him your tooth Albert"! The world is full of people like that, isn't it? People who want to see things happen and get things done, but who want someone else to pay the price and suffer the consequences. That's not the way it works. We have to get into the dentist chair ourselves. (Maxie Dunnam) At a conference on philanthropy a number of years back a speaker was asked why people give. Answering the question, the speaker stated that people give because their nature demands it. He advised that the donor should know God as the giver of every good and perfect gift, and his/her giving will then become an act of religious worship, motivated by spiritual commitment. And people give because their commitment demands it. How true that is. -Parish Publishing, LLC

4 Fri. 19 9:30 a.m. Covenant Prayer Mon. 01 Happy New Year!! Office Closed Wed :00 a.m. Member Care Team (Fireside Room) 5:15 p.m. Hand Bell Rehearsal 5:50 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thur. 04 8:45 a.m. UMW Ex. Board (Fireside Room) 9:30 a.m. UMW Unit Meeting (Fellowship Hall) Fri. 05 9:30 a.m. Covenant Prayer Sun. 07 Communion 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Tues. 09 7:00 p.m. Board of Trustees Wed. 10 2:00 p.m. Martha Circle (Fireside Room) 5:15 p.m. Hand Bell Rehearsal 5:50 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thurs. 11 9:30 a.m. Rebecca Circle (Fireside Room) 10:00 a.m. UCC 2:00 p.m. Esther Circle (Fireside Room) Sat. 20 7:00 a.m. Men meet at Family Table Sun. 21 Hand Bell Choir 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Turkey Supper Ticket $$ Turned in Mon. 22 Newsletter Articles Due Wed. 24 5:15 p.m. Hand Bell Rehearsal 5:50 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thurs. 25 9:15 a.m. Newsletter Folding Team (Fireside Room) Fri. 26 9:30 a.m. Covenant Prayer Sat rd Annual Turkey Supper 4:00 p.m. Deliveries 5-6 p.m. Carry Out 5:30-7 p.m. Dine In Sun. 28 Children s Choir ~ Noisy Offering 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Wed. 31 5:15 p.m. Hand Bell Rehearsal 5:50 p.m. Chance Choir Rehearsal SLAM KICK OFF 6-7 p.m. Jr. High SLAM 7-8 p.m. Sr. High SLAM (Note: No Meal provided) Fri. 12 9:30 a.m. Covenant Prayer Sun. 14 9:00 a.m. Sunday School Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Wed. 17 5:15 p.m. Hand Bell Rehearsal 5:50 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Please note that the Eagle Grove Food Pantry is in great need for paper products. Thank you.

5 Thank you for serving your church and congregation by giving your gift of time. A/V Technicians Sound Visual 07 Brittney Osborn Cael Wesselink 14 Lionel Johnston Emma Johnston 21 McKenzie Crail Brandon Crail 28 Peyton W. McKenna W. Dial A Devotion Janet Kramersmeier 09 Paul Wilde 16 Sharon Seibert 23 Valerie Mohr 30 Dave Poncin Worship Acolytes Greeters 07 Beverly Vance Mary Ellen Wolfe 14 Don & Donna Chambers 21 NEEDED 28 Connie Jorgensen Carol Wood 07 Brook Osborn Tarissa Middleton 14 Lilianna & Hunter Greenly 21 Anna & Eli Withers 28 Tucker Woodbeck Azlyn Amonson Nursery Attendants Carol Porter 14,28 Deann Morgan 07,21 Worship Leader Liturgist 07 Susan Stein 14 NEEDED 21 Dave Poncin 28 NEEDED Please let the office know if you are able to help out with all areas needed.

6 Prayer Concerns Dear God, thank you for Your promise made true in Christ Jesus to give strength to the weary and to give freedom from the pains of this life. We ask that you be with our Brothers & Sisters to give them the strength they need and relieve them of their pains. Amen. Dick Dyas is having some trouble and asked to be put on the prayer list, cards and well wishes can be sent to the Rotary Senior Living North Home. Bill Rutledge has developed Parkinson s and Atrophy of the Brain. Sara Ell and her family are expecting a baby, Sara is due February Please keep Sara and Baby in your prayers as this pregnancy is a higher risk pregnancy than previous. UPDATE: 12/20/17 We had a check up yesterday morning and discovered our baby girl is growing like a weed, she now weighs 6 1/2 pounds and we still hopefully have a good month to go!!! The Braxton Hicks have transitioned to Pre-term Contractions and as of this week & next week medication will be given to stop labor. Doctor said that if labor begins after next week he will not stop it, so we could have a baby sooner than later!!! He would ideally like her to wait until at least February 1st to make her arrival so if everything is going good he will not go in and get her until then. We ask that prayers be said that she is healthy at what ever point she decides to make her appearance. Doris Porter has been having some health issues. Deena Pyle is the daughter in law of Bernice Pyle. Bernice asked that we pray for Deena as she has been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer. Sadler Amonson Family Please keep both the Sadler and Amonson Families in your prayers with the recent passing of Dick Sadler and daughter Maria Sadler Amonson. Many prayers are needed during this time of loss. Shelly Stone is a close friend of Barb Johnston, Shelly has been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and has recently had surgery. Todd Wilcox is put on our prayer list by Barb Johnston. Todd is the bother of Tracy Wilcox, (Barb s son in law that recently passed) Todd is having some issues with his heart and recently has had an angiogram. Amy Cooper the wife of Pastor Jason Cooper of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Amy has been diagnosed with Cancer. Amy will be given treatments at Mary Greeley in Ames. Doctors are positive that this cancer will react favorable to treatments. Eileen Reed My defibrillator suddenly shocked my heart back into rhythm, at the time my heart was beating very fast. The doctor told me without my defibrillator I would have passed out and died in the middle of my living room. The representative from the Boston Scientific Company found a broken wire and one other issue with the defibrillator. I had my defibrillator replacement surgery, all went well! Prayers answered. Thank you! Prayer List Policy To add someone to the prayer list, you may call or visit the church office during office hours, or you may announce it during worship. Always get permission from the individual first, otherwise they will not be added to the prayer list. Please be sure to update the church office on the status of the person, so we can be sure to have a current prayer list. If the church has not been updated on the prayer request for 2 consecutive months the request will be removed. If you should have any questions please contact the church office, thank you.

7 Advent Giving ~ A Time of Sharing Poinsettia In Memory of Dixie Ralston by Jim Ralston In Memory of Charles & Marjorie Bartley by Their Family In Memory of Putty Derscheid by The Derscheid Family In Memory of Cecil & Laura Wilde by Clarence & Betty Wilde In Memory of Mike & Nellie Adams by Clarence & Betty Wilde In Celebration of Christmas by Chad & Wilde and Family In Memory of Jay McCollough by Marge McCollough and Family In Honor of Dean & Yvonne Rassmussen by Marge McCollough In Memory of Cecil & Laura Wilde by Dean & Marilyn Helmick In Memory of Clyde & Edna Helmick by Dean & Marilyn Helmick In Memory of Denae Schaumburg by Dean & Marilyn Helmick In Celebration of Our Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren by Del & Janet Kramersmeier In Memory of Henry & Jessie Schultz by Donna Hossman & Family In Memory of Francis Hossman & Kay Jessen by Donna Hossman & Family In Memory of Roger Putty Derscheid by Jerry, Mark & Nathan Spangler EGAMA Crisis Fund & Food Panty In Memory of Charles & Marjorie Bartley by Their Family In Celebration of Christmas by Henry & Gladys Kroon In Memory of Art & Fran Wesselink by John & Sue Wesselink In Memory of Shirley Loustad by John & Sue Wesselink In Memory of Robert Wolfe by Mary Ellen Wolfe

8 Treasurer s Report General Fund YTD November 11/30/2017 Beginning Balance Receipts General Fund Missions Transfer In Facilities Usage Miscellaneous Other Turkey Supper Total Receipts Expenses Programs Office Personnel Building Miscellaneous Iowa Annual Conference Fundraisers Reimbursed Expenses Total Expenses Checkbook Balance Designated Funds 6041 Excess / (Shortage) (1,231) As I project our expenses through the end of the year, we need approximately $9,000 in our last two weeks to cover everything, with the exception of our apportionment balance (approx. $19,500). For giving to be credited in 2017, we need to receive it in the office no later than December 31st. Thank you again for your generous giving. If you are unable to attend church, you are still able to give by dropping off your offering in the church office or by mailing to EG UMC, PO Box 101, Eagle Grove, IA

9 Holiday Greetings!!! Hope all had a great Holiday season, we are both doing fine and are sending greeting from Missouri. If you happen to be in the area or passing through do stop and visit, it would be great to see you. Our weather has been beautiful, so we walk every day. God Bless and Miss You All, The Eagle Grove UMC Member Care Team would like to set up a Military Caring program, please contact the church office if you know of any individuals who are serving in any branch of the Armed Forces. Please be sure to get all necessary information such as Name, Branch, Address, Etc. Also, if you wish to join this program to send out cards and care packages please speak to a member care teammate. Thank you and God Bless. The Kroons Chub & Gladys

10 Thank you to the SPRC, Administrative Council and the Eagle Grove United Methodist Women for your generosity. Myself and family are truly blessed and we can not thank you enough for the monetary gifts we received. It will be used during my maternity leave as income for our family. Also, thank you to all who have helped me out during my pregnancy with office coverage and manual labor and etc. And Thank you to all who have brought in Christmas Goodies, Cards and well wishes this Holiday Season for myself and my family. We as a family feel the love and are truly blessed to have so many caring for us. God Bless you and yours, The Ells Thank you to all of Mom's church family for the sympathy expressed to us through cards or on-line, at the funeral, and through service at the luncheon afterwards. Your pastors and musicians and the young man running the sound board, all made the funeral service exactly as Mom would have wanted. Marie's whole family felt the comfort of this home-coming for her. Diane Gearhart Shannon, in behalf of Marie Gearhart's family Cindy and I want to take this opportunity to Thank you for the Christmas gifts that we received as well as the many Christmas wishes and words of encouragement that we have received since we started here November 1st. It has meant a great deal to us. We both want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed & happy New Year. Pastors Don & Cindy Morrison Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends at the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church. I miss you all but enjoy my kids and grandchildren. Thank you for all your well wishes during my recovery. Sincerely, Dottie Voigt The United Methodist Women had a busy 2017 that was successful. Many thanks and congratulations to the members for the hard work, many shared talents, needed donations, and the love. God has blessed us and given us direction for serving Him. Pat Manues, President of United Methodist Women

11 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN NEWS Ex. Board * 1/04/2018 8:45 a.m. Fireside Room Unit Meeting 1/04/2018 9:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall** Martha Circle 1/10/2018 2:00 p.m. Fireside Room *** Rebecca Circle 1/11/2018 9:30 a.m. Fireside Room Esther Circle 1/11/2018 2:00 p.m. Fireside Room * All Executive Board Members include: Officers Mission Coordinators Circle Chairman. Important Dates to Remember January 27th Turkey Supper **Martha Circle is in charge of refreshments and Lesson Creation: A sacred encounter with God Page 15 *** Bring Food Pantry Items Bible Verse for Month We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT Are you cleaning out drawers or a space of storage or a box of things and are not sure what to do with the things? April is the City Wide Garage Sales and our church is going to be a part of this event. A space has been cleaned out for storage of boxes of things that are donated by YOU! Bring items (NOT CLOTHING) that are gently used, not broken, and clean. It is great if things are boxed and not just put some place on a shelf. The room in the basement where paper products are stored has been cleaned and has room for your things. This is a fundraiser and needs to be supported by everyone in the church. So simplify your home by donating to the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church Garage Sale in April of 2018!

12 Member Care Team... Is looking for individuals to help out in the following areas: S.L.A.M (Spreading the Lord s Awesome Message) Will begin Wednesday, January 31st. Jr. High will meet 6-7 p.m. Sr. high will meet 7-8 p.m. Please note there will be no meal provided, so please be sure to grab a bite to eat before attending, thank you. For more information on how to help in these areas of ministry to our congregations and the community please contact the church office. Thank you & God Bless!! Take Time Take time to live: It is one secret to success. Take time to think: It is the source of power Take time to play It is the secret of youth. Take time to read: It is the foundation of knowledge. Take time for friendship: It is the source of happiness. Take time to laugh: It helps to lift life s load. Take time to dream: It hitches the soul to the stars. Take time for God: It is life s only lasting investment. - Mounds Park UMC St. Paul, MN Confirmation Schedule: Beginning January 9:00 a.m. Room 102 in Educational Building Confirmation will meet every Sunday morning from January 7, 2018 March 18, 2017.

13 Winter Gift God does great things beyond our knowing. He says to the snow, Fall to the earth ; likewise to his heavy, drenching rain. He shuts up all humankind indoors, so that all people may know his work (Job 37:5-7, NABRE). Snow, ice and cold can make winter a hassle. Snow days due to a blizzard may thrill students but usually inconvenience parents. But now and then, winter blankets the earth so heavily that it seems to quiet everything. We re granted permission to hunker down at home, snuggle close with family or pets, enjoy a book or movie, make cocoa or cookies, and rest. It s like a surprise Sabbath the gift of grace-time when no one s expected to get out the door or the driveway. Perhaps indeed, as Job declared, God sees fit on such days to put our busyness on hold and shut us all indoors so we pause and remember his work his place in our lives. Praise God for snow days! Heidi Mann A penguin parable During storms, emperor penguins huddle for warmth, taking turns at the center and on the perimeter of the group. While incubating eggs, up to 6,000 male penguins have been observed clustering for shelter against the harsh Antarctic winter. Partially grown chicks gather in protective crèches (French for cribs ); often surrounded by a colony of adults, these groupings ward off predators and cold. In stormy times, humans also need supportive groups; we can t survive alone. A church family allows us to take turns giving and receiving care. Amid social upheaval, injustice, illness, natural disaster and any loss or crisis, God invites us to gather for protection and warmth. In the church community, we support and strengthen one another and are empowered to go out again into the less-sheltered world. ~Unknown Three questions There s a tale of a traveling priest who was confronted by a soldier in pre-revolutionary Russia. Rifle in hand, the soldier barked, Who are you? Where are you going? Why are you going there? Instead of answering, the priest asked how much the soldier was paid and offered double if the soldier would challenge him with those three questions each day as he passed by. Those three important questions can guide us on our journey through the brand-new year ahead. For Christians, thankfully, the answers are clear: Who are you? I m a child of God! Where are you going? I m going out into the world! Why are you going there? I m going out of love for Jesus, who died for me! Place these questions and answers in a spot where you can see them each day. Then go forward confidently, knowing whose you are and what your purpose is. ~Unknown