THE CHRISTIAN ECHO Glen Echo Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Telephone: (515)274-9124; Email: glenechocc@msn.com Website: http://glenechochristianchurch.com GLEN ECHO PARK Thanks to the Mowing Team, the Landscape Team, and the Meredith Corporation (who donated the Little Free Library), the church grounds are beginning to resemble a small park. This green space at the intersection of Beaver and Douglas offers a place of respite in this busy corner of the city. It s another way that we can share God s love with the world by developing an inviting oasis where our neighbors can be refreshed physically and spiritually. August 2016 Volume 60, Issue 8
MINISTER S MOMENT Dear Church Family, One of the joys of being at the church during recent months has been to watch developments on the church grounds. Sweet Alyssum mixes with purple flowers to brighten up the retaining wall that faces Douglas Avenue. Reddish brown mulch at the base of the trees and the church sign provides a lovely contrast to the green grass of the front lawn. Containers overflow with verdant foliage and flowers, supplying pops (and pots) of color to welcome our guests, families, and friends. A Little Free Library graces the east side of the church, which our neighbors utilize and enjoy. It s a pleasure to walk across the church grounds, which I do regularly, in order to get exercise and take pictures for our various church publications. As I focus my camera on specific aspects of the beautiful campus, sometimes I notice small pieces of paper lying on the ground. This trash has the potential to affect the pictures, so I pick it up. But, if I m not careful, I can become distracted by the trash that is bound to be present at this busy intersection, and I forget about the beauty that surrounds me. I walk away to dispose of the less than desirable items and forget my original intent. Then, pictures of our attractive grounds remain untaken. When I concentrate on the trash, I forget about the surrounding splendor. I wonder if this process might have parallels in our lives. If we concentrate on the less than perfect parts of our existence, we may forget to focus on the splendor around us. We may get riled up from the rancor of politics, afraid of the seeming absence of law and order in the world, or resentful when our friends and relatives do not respond to us the way that we think they should. We may become so focused on the trash that liters a small portion of our personal landscape that we neglect the beauty that is also present. Perhaps fixating on trash and forgetting to take pictures are signs of my advancing age but I hope not! In any case, now that I am aware of this tendency, I can easily correct it. I still plan to pick up the trash and immediately put it in a garbage bag that I will carry with me. But then I ll take the pictures right away, so that the glory of God s handiwork and the hard work of the congregation will not be dimmed in my mind s eye. Grateful to be your minister, Pastor Dawn AUGUST PREACHING SCHEDULE OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT SERMON TITLE August 7 Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 Luke 12:32-40 Lit Lamps August 14 Isaiah 5:1-7 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 For the Sake of Joy August 21 Psalm 71:1-6 Luke 13:10-17 A Good Day for Healing August 28 Psalm 112 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Repaid at the Resurrection Page 2 Volume 60, Issue 8
WORSHIP & WELCOME LADIES SUMMER SALAD LUNCHEON Joel and Carol became members of Glen Echo Christian Church on July 3. Joel and Carol have an architectural consulting firm, and they are graphically and verbally artistic people. Joel wrote the following poem in anticipation of joining the church: We have long felt we belong, So our joining we will not prolong. We will come forth one Sunday soon To join the joyful singing of a happy tune. Should we bring some extra clothing For changing after our double dunking? Invite your friends and neighbors to the Ladies Summer Salad Luncheon on Wed, August 3. We ll gather at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall and eat at noon. Please bring enough salad for six (Joel and Carol were delighted to learn that Disciples of to ten people. Dessert and drinks will be Christ do not require new members to be re-baptized.) provided. CHOIR PRACTICE RESUMES IN AUGUST Wednesday evening, August 31, the Chancel Choir will gather for a potluck supper and rehearsal. The potluck begins at 6:30, and the rehearsal starts at 7:15. We will resume singing during the worship service on Sunday, September 11. If you ve ever thought about joining the choir, come give it a try! All are welcome! The children s table at the back of the sanctuary (left) has already hosted its first guest. Patty Bellus blankets provided a soft and warm welcome for a little one who enjoyed quiet activities during the service. The Clydesdale horses (right) are two of the toys donated to the Toy Drive for the church nursery. The Toy Drive runs through Sunday, August 7. Children are invited to explore these new additions to the church.
UTREACH & R OUTREACH & RELATED TOPICS Dates to Remember Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec FUNDRAISER DINNER Fundraiser Church 8/21 11/13 Dinners Homeless Shelter Meals 9/15 11/29 Hunger Hike 10/9 Casseroles 8/21 10/16 12/18 Meyer Hall 10/28 12/31 SHOPPING LIST Food Pantry Fruit, canned (NOT in heavy syrup) Vegetables, canned Beans, canned (NOT pork & beans) Dry beans Spaghetti sauce, canned Peanut butter Meat, canned Pasta Rice Hot or cold cereal Hawthorne Hill Powdered laundry detergent (Must say HE on container) Ziploc bags (sandwich and storage size) Bleach Garbage bags (13, 20, 39 gallons) Towels and wash cloths Toilet paper Lotion Silverware (plastic or metal) Paper towels Meyer Hall Shampoo Body wash Toothpaste and toothbrushes Lip balm Deodorant, mostly men s Net scrunchies Willard Elementary School Boys & girls underwear, sizes 6-14 Boys & girls winter coats, new & used, ages 6-12 Lice kits The next Fundraiser Dinner (to support our ministry of meals at the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter) is Sunday, August 21, at 12:00 noon. The Fundraiser Meal will be served at the church, and the menu is cavatelli, salad, bread, dessert and beverages. The $6.00 tickets may be obtained at church on August 7 and August 14. Share this meal with us so that we can share our blessings with God s children beyond our doors! BEAVERDALE PARADE Bob is coordinating orders for church tee shirts for the Beaverdale Parade. The shirts will display the name of our church on the front and the theme of our parade float on the back. The available colors are royal blue (left) and light blue (right). The cost of each shirt depends upon how many we order, but it will be in the $14.00 - $20.00 range. If you d like to order a shirt, add your name to the sign up sheet, or contact the church office to communicate your wishes. Please place your order by August 28 and pay when you receive your shirt. Thank you!
WE VE GOT MAIL! Friends of Glen Echo, Thank you so much for the graduation gift. I m honored to have grown up in such a supportive and encouraging church family. I ve learned so much from everyone, and I m glad I could celebrate my graduation where it all started. I look forward to what the future brings. Tyler Dear Friends, Thank you for the generous donation of cleaning supplies for Hawthorne Hill! It was so nice of you to think of our families. We appreciate your kindness very much. (Please find the receipt you requested enclosed.) Thank you again. Sincerely, Melanie Administrative Assistant Dear Church Family, Thank you for the cards that you sent for my birthday. I was touched by your kind words and well-wishes. Thank you, too, to the Outreach Team and friends who sang Happy Birthday as we left the Polk County Juvenile Correction Center that evening. It was a wonderful day and one that I will remember for a long time. Yours in Christ, Pastor Dawn STEWARDSHIP June saw a sharp decrease in giving. The following is the breakdown: 5/31/16 Balance Receipts Expenses 5/31/16 Balance $4,268.42 8,071.65 11,892.66 $447.41 Please continue to give during the summer months so the church can meet its needs. Thank you. Terri, Stewardship Chair Worship Attendance July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 62 60 59 62 75
AROUND THE REGION GLEN ECHO AT THE ALL CONGREGATIONAL REGIONAL GATHERING! AUGUST 27 ALL CONGREGATIONAL REGIONAL GATHERING Useful, Educational & Fun for All Ages CHURCHES INVOLVEMENT NEEDED: If you can help or be involved in any of the areas below, please contact Connie at the Regional Office: 515-255-3168 or cddumw@gmail.com OPERATE A FOOD BOOTH Fundraising opportunity for your church, youth group, etc. COMBINED CHOIR Wanted: singers/musicians from all congregations to serve at the worship service. We will practice in the morning and sing at the closing. WHAT IS WORKING IN YOUR CHURCH Share your idea in a booth at our Varied Ministries Building. MORE FUN ACTIVITIES: CAMP OUT Bring RVs, tents, or stay in cabins Friday or Saturday night. All are free. For reservations, call Amber: 641-792-1266 Glen Echo Christian Church will be represented at the All Congregational Regional Gathering at the Christian Conference Center on Saturday, August 27. We will have a booth that showcases some of the activities of the church through pictures, posters, and a PowerPoint presentation. People are welcome to stay (for free!) at the camp Friday or Saturday night, though reservations are required. Please call Amber at 641/792-1266 to reserve space in a cabin, for your R.V., or in a tent. If you need a ride, talk with Pastor Dawn. RETIRED MINISTERS DINNER 5:00 pm Saturday directly after the Gathering! LOTS OF WORKSHOPS Elder Training, Mental Health issues, Shared Mission Projects & Trips, Looking to the Future in our Congregations, Musicians Retreat GATHERING YOUNG CLERGY FOR A COOKOUT Friday night, hosted by Tiff Williams, Associate Regional Minister.
August 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 11:30 Ladies Summer Salad Luncheon 4 2:00 Prayer 5 6 7 9:00 S.S. 9:45 Choir 10:15 Worship 11:30 Coffee Fellowship Toy drive ends 8 9 7PM Meetings 10 11 2:00 Prayer 12 13 14 9:00 S.S. 9:45 Choir 10:15 Worship 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 15 16 17 18 2:00 Prayer 19 20 21 9:00 S.S. 9:45 Choir 10:15 Worship 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 12:00 Fundraiser Dinner SA Casseroles 22 23 24 7:00 Elders Meeting 25 2:00 Prayer 26 10:00 Deacon Callers 27 10:00 All Church Gathering in Newton, IA 28 9:00 S.S. 9:45 Choir 10:15 Worship 11:30 Coffee Fellowship 3:00 Craft Group 29 30 31 6:30 Choir Potluck and First Practice Volume 60, Issue 7 Page 7
Glen Echo Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 4323 Douglas Avenue Des Moines, IA 50310 SERVING SCHEDULE August 7 August 14 Worship Leader: David Worship Leader: David Elders: Sandy, Kathleen Elders: Kelly, Deborah Diaconate: Mary, Patty Diaconate: Mark, Mary Carol, Craig Judy, Sandy August 21 August 28 Worship Leader: Nina Worship Leader: Rosemarie Elders: Deborah, Kelly Elders: Kathleen, Brian Diaconate: Judy, Sandy Diaconate: Jean, Lori Mark, Mary Diane, Patty Visiting Elders for August: Ron, Bev *Elders, Deacons, and the Worship Leader are asked to gather in the lounge at 10:10 AM for prayer.