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There will be a Church Conference on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Rev. Susan Cox-Johnson, our District Superintendent, will preside over our annual meeting to elect lay leadership for the coming year.
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Senior High and
College Students!
There is still time to sign up for the Return to Iowa mission trip from July 22-26! We will be helping with flood repairs in the Cedar Rapids area (where we helped sandbag last year during the flooding). Everyone entering 9th grade in the fall of 2009 or older is invited. The cost will be $50.
Please contact Jan Harris (224-2904) or Linda Kaufman (228-5209) to sign up or if you have any questions.
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Stephen Ministry
In this time of economic uncertainty, many of us are in turmoil, upset, unsure of what to do and feeling that we have talked until we can't talk to our family and friends anymore. There is another person that you can turn to for encouragement and prayer during this time. That person is a Stephen Minister trained to listen, encourage without judgment, to just "be there" for you. Can we help you by sharing God's love with you in this ministry? Please give this opportunity some thought. Contact one of the Stephen Leaders to learn more about this support system by calling the church office or one of us personally. Rev. Karen Taylor, Debbie Danner, Janice Patillo or Jo Perrin.be recognized by a sign on the hospitality table.
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SPONSOR THE HOSPITALITY TABLE
Celebrate your anniversary, the birth of a child, any significant happening in your life, or just say thanks by sponsoring the Sunday morning hospitality table refreshments. For a small donation of $70 you will cover the cost of our donuts. Donations given by others that morning will go to support various church ministries. Your sponsorship will be recognized by a sign on the hospitality table. Call the office, 229-8108, for more information or to get the remaining spots.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES
There are 142 packets of envelopes that have not been picked up yet. If you have been receiving offering envelopes in the mail, your next set of envelopes is available to pick up in the narthex. You may use the envelopes either weekly or monthly, as best meets your needs. When you get to your last, or second to last, envelope, you MUST call the office and request more. Your help picking up your envelopes will help the church save money. |
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Greetings!
Last week Rev. Karen had an excellent sermon, and one which has a very close tie to the sermon this week. This weekend we remember the events of Pentecost. Karen reminded us that the disciples heard Jesus' instruction to return to Jerusalem and wait to receive what God had promised. They aligned themselves with God's purpose by traveling to Jerusalem with joy and anticipation. This week we turn our attention to the next part of that story. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to those disciples. The church was born. It is a dramatic scene as it is described in the book of Acts. These followers of Jesus were filled with a new power they did not possess on their own. In that power they were bold in their witness and the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many were brought to faith in Jesus Christ and the Church began to grow on that very day.
So, this is not going to be a sermon about waiting. As Karen said so well, that was their task, and they did it expectantly. So, it is not the "waiting" theme, but another part of last week's sermon which fits in this one. Those disciples were focused on Christ, and thus, their lives were aligned with God's purposes. My point is pretty simple. The Holy Spirit is present. The Spirit can, will, and does fill us with that same power. The power of the Spirit is present. The power of the Spirit is there for us. If there is any waiting, it is a matter of God waiting on us to give ourselves fully to following Jesus. When we align our lives with God's call, the Holy Spirit will empower us to do all the things Christ has asked us to do. During this long church season of Pentecost, we will frequently lift up the reality that the Church lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. In truth, we are only the Church when we live in the power of the Spirit.
So, we can affirm the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us. There is ample power available to us for doing all God has called us to do. So, the question is not, "When will we receive this power?" The real question is, "What do we have power to do?" When you and I align our lives with God's call, we will find God both directs and empowers us! We will each have to make a decision about this. Are you ready for the kind of adventure the early church experienced when they let the Holy Spirit direct their lives and use them to build the Church?
Yours in Christ,
Steve |
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE, June 5-8
The Missouri Annual Conference convenes in Springfield this Friday, June 5. It is scheduled to adjourn around noon on Monday' the 8th. FUMC is represented by our Lay Members of the Annual Conference, Janice Bauch and Bob McDonald. Pastors Steve Campbell and Karen Taylor are also members of the Annual Conference and will be in attendance.
Next weekend, June 6 and 7, we will observe the Lord's Supper as usual on the first full weekend of the month. Two retired United Methodist pastors will assist and preside over the celebration of Holy Communion. Thanks to Rev. Stuart Herrick and Rev. Gordon Smith, both retired members of the Kansas Annual Conference, for their assistance. Reed Alberg is one of our Certified Lay Speakers and will bring the message at all the services. Jo Perrin, one of our Lay Leaders, will also assist in providing worship leadership. Pray for and support all of these who will serve in the absence of your pastors! |
ELECTRONIC GIVING
We live in a time when computer technology is a routine part of our everyday living. We are becoming more comfortable with e-filing tax returns, online bill payments, and searching for information on the internet. First UMC is trying to keep up with the vast use of computer technology, as well. Electronic giving is an easy way to be a faithful giver to the Church. During times of absence from worship, electronic giving can provide the convenience of continued payments toward your pledge. It's as simple as calling the Church office, and filling out a form. You can start or stop the process at any time. Thank you for considering electronic giving to your Church.
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SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS WANTED
Summer session for Children's and Youth Sunday School begins this Sunday. We still need teachers for July and August. Helping just a couple of times this summer goes a long way toward providing priceless teaching opportunities. All curriculum and supplies are provided, but we need you to complete the program. Please contact Michelle Mueller, 229-8108, to help with children or Diana Griffiths, 229-0340, to lead the youth. |
FIFTH SUNDAY OFFERING
Fifth Sunday Mission Offering to Benefit Machava
The fifth Sunday Mission Offering this weekend will go to the Annual Conference Offering designated for the completion of unfinished church buildings in Mozambique. One of the churches to benefit from this offering will be our covenant partner in Machava. We will designate our offering to go to our sister church. It has been a joy to watch the progress of their building and to hear of their dreams for future ministry. You can read more about this project at the following web site:
http://mosite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp
TableName=oNews_PJAYMY&PrmaryKey=
oNews_PJAYMY_ID&PKValue=240.
Thank you for your generous support.
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| BRIDGES
Picnic/potluck supper, Thursday, June 4, 6:00pm behind church office. Bring a lawn chair and dish to share: hamburgers, brats, and drinks will be provided; cost is $2 per person. Sign up and payment is requested by May 31. Call Dee Meek at 373-2580.
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VOLLEYBALL
As final items get checked off the to-do list in the MPR, singles volleyball begins June 2 and the Friday adult volleyball begins June 5.
On Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm the Independents Single Adult Ministry is hosting a weekly session for singles.
On Friday evenings at 7:00pm all adults are invited to join in the fun.
We have two courts so there should be little waiting. |
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Join "Connections"
 If you would like to explore a deeper connection with God within a small group community, Connections invites you to join us on Sundays at 10:40am in Room 100. Connections is a group for adults who are interested in developing meaningful relationships with God and each other. If you would like more information, please contact Stephanie Marker at 220-9094 or stephaniecmarker@yahoo.com.
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