How is our internal life together? Are new people welcomed, not just at the front doors but are they being welcomed into further development in the church? How are we fulfilling our mission to the larger community? What needs are we meeting? Are our mission and outreach efforts bearing fruit? Do our people have opportunities to develop their own talents for ministry?

From what I have seen over the years, most of church life bounces between these two poles. Some congregations focus so much on their internal life that it is almost impossible for newcomers to break in. I have had conversations with people who have experienced churches demanding that they “prove themselves” before they are fully accepted. Heartbreaking. The Gospel promises so much more. On the other extreme, I have observed churches that are so dedicated to combatting social ills, the spiritual and discipleship needs of their own people get shortchanged. The Christian life is so much more than rallying around the needs of a particular group.

The goal is balance. Balance between internal growth and mission outreach. There is more to the life of the church, of course. Leadership development, worship experiences, maintaining buildings and grounds and the like, but internal growth and mission outreach covers a lot of ground. The good news is that New Horizon Presbyterian Church is a healthy congregation, but there is always room for improvement. Each one of us is vitally important. Each one of us has our part to play in the life and mission of our church. I look forward to what 2020 will bring. Holy Cow! is a good place to start.

See you in church!

Paul

It’s New Years and the Christmas decorations are coming down. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and there is a brief lull before the routine of normal life take hold. Traditionally we take this time as an opportunity for self-assessment and reflection. What works? What can be better? Call them whatever you would like, from what I can see they usually fall into two categories. “What can I do to improve my physical health (lose weight, improve fitness, etc)?” and “What can I do to do to improve my financial health (save more, spend less)?”

We see the same things in churches. The questions we ask also tend to fall into two categories: “Are we improving our internal life together?” and “Are we accomplishing our mission?” Like personal resolutions, asking the initial questions is half the battle. There are all sorts of resources out there for business and social organizations, but churches are a different animal. Sure, there are parallels in how we organize ourselves, but unlike a business, we do not offer a product or service. We gather to worship and serve. Unlike social organizations that are dedicated to meeting the needs of a particular target group, we understand serving others in terms of our own discipleship. The tools available to businesses and social organizations don’t quite work. You would think that someone has figured this out by now.

Well, it turns out they have. This year the Session will be using tools developed and provided by Holy Cow! Consulting. According to their website, their goal is to help every organization better serve communities by using an evidence-based discernment process to become vital, healthy organizations. Data-driven, mission aligned, striving to find what organizations’ need to do exceptionally well.

The Session will be leading us in this effort. Each of us has insights that are vital. I invite you to be thinking about these two broad categories.

Horizon Highlights

January 2020 New Horizon Presbyterian Church

30 Valley View Dr., Council Bluffs, IA 51503-5100

Phone # 712 323-7129 www.newhorizonpc.org

Vol. 15 No. 1

Mission Statement

New Horizon Presbyterian Church

Strives to know Christ and share God’s love.

2020 Per Capita is $40.00 Per Member

Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the generous gift given in support of the Spiritual Life programming. We are honored and blessed through your kindness. Children placed for care and treatment participate in the spiritual life program on a voluntary basis with nearly 100% choosing to attend some or all the offerings. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and your investment in our children, and our work in spiritual life. With Appreciation, Cheryl Clark Children’s Square Resource Dev

Dear Prayer Shawl, Thank you for the prayer shawl your group created for Hannah. We are so thankful for your kindness and prayers. Hannah knows her healing is in God’s hands and everyone is praying for her. Love, Hannah Smith Lisa Smith, Edmond OK. Dear New Horizon Church, Thank you for being a wonderful partner to Mid-lands Humane Society. From letting us use your facility and parking lot for our Halloween Howl 5K Fun Run to sending Serve Fest volunteers to help with chores, we greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity. Sincerely, Kori Nelson Midlands Human Society Director, Dev and Marketing Dear Friends, Thank you for the beautiful prayer shawls. They were a great comfort. We also appreciated the use of the hearth room after church services for our family and friends to gather to remember Allen. The Allen Christensen Family Dear Friends, Your calls, cards and visits, especially Deacons and Paul’s visits to bring Communion, meant so much to Bill and I over these many months. I will always re-member the open arms and warm hugs when I was able to join in worship again. Special thanks to the “Kitchen Crew” who help with lunch after Bill’s service. May God Bless you one and all. Mary Phillips

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE NOW A REPORT IS REQUESTED FROM ANY BOARDS, GROUPS OR CIRCLES OF NHPC. THESE REPORTS ARE DISBURSED AT THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, JAN 26, 2020 AFTER THE ONE ALL CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AT 10:00 A.M.

PLEDGE CARDS IS YOUR PLEDGE CARD RETURNED? PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE IF YOU NEED A PLEDGE CARD.

CONDOLENCES To Howard and Mary Ann Shipley and Family on the passing of Howard’s sister, Joyce Theisen on November 30. To Earl Ratekin and Family on the passing of Doris Ratekin on December 12. To Family and Friends on the passing of Craig Whitney on December 14. To Family and Friends on the passing of Loleta Laudon on December 15.

ATTENDANCE Month 2016 2017 2018 2019

Jan 132 156 145 143

Feb 157 165 148 77

Mar 177* 171 165 127

Apr 173 174* 172* 150*

May 163 157 143 147

Jun 143 136 137 129

Jul 153 167 146 138

Aug 142 142 151 119

Sep 162 153 146 128

Oct 184 155 139 133

Nov 174 177 151 150

Dec 132 152* 146* 135

*Palm Sunday, Weekly Averages

Good Friday, Easter & Christmas

Eve (Dec. 31, 2017 Cancelled)

Members Turning 90+

Bonnie Quaas is turning 91 on Jan. 8, 2020

Risen Son Christian Village

3000 Risen Son Blvd., Apt. 210

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Carole Lane is turning 90 on Jan 10, 2020

Bethany Lutheran Home

7 Elliott St

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Evelyn Hancock is turning 93 on Jan. 20, 2020

Bethany Lutheran Home

7 Elliott St

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Joyce Mass is turning 96 on Feb. 14, 2020

25 S Linden Ave., Apt. 121

Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Aggie Spera is turning 95 on Feb. 15, 2020

Good Samaritan Society

202 Central Ave., #102

Villisca, IA 50684

Connect with NHP Like us on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/New-Horizon-PC

Follow us on Twitter at @NHPresbyterian

Follow us on Instagram:

Newhorizonpresbyterian

February Birthdays Name Date

Doris Rule 1

Anne Crowl 4

Joan Campbell 5

John Skokan 6

James Jennings 10

Eddie Dykes 12

Roxanne Arnold 13

Joyce Mass 14

John Woltmann 14

Aggie Spera 15

Don Fauble 16

Ella Walker 17

Mike Kerns 17

Name Date

Sharon Saville 20

Robert Warner 20

Bud Crowl 21

Amelia Pursell 21

Linda Vander Wal 21

Rojene Grigg 23

Lily Knau 24

Mary McKeever 27

Greg Reese 27

Connie Rich 27

Doris Green 28

Mason Petersen 28

Rod VanNordstrand 28

Amanda Kopera 29

January Birthdays Name Date

Jo Dryden 3

Mary Phillips 4

Lois Wall 4

Jacqueline McCoy 7

Bonnie Quaas 8

Mindi Skokan 8

Marcia Antworth 9

Carole Lane 10

Kathleen Pyper 11

Julie Hoffman 12

Jim Grigg 13

Sheri Wallace 14

Name Date

Dallas Clemsen 15

Don Larsen 17

Paul Masters 17

Laura Young 19

Evelyn Hancock 20

Mark Shepard 20

Leota McManus 21

Rich Williams 22

Marsha Hoffman 23

Brianna Clapper 26

Kailey Clapper 26

Marsha Gawronski 26

Jo Peters 26

Doreen Duffy 28

NHPC MEN’S BREAKFAST GROUP

THE NEXT NHPC MEN’S BREAKFAST GROUP WILL BE ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 AT 6:45AM. WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE COMING SUNDAY BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Community Christmas Program December 8 at New Horizon Presbyterian Church

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP EVENTS: Thursday, January 23, 6:30 p.m.: Dinner at McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 1900 Madison Ave, Coun-cil Bluffs. They can accommodate 20-25 people. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex or contact Linda Wagner at 712-310-1415. Sunday, February 9, 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Family Bowling at Thunderbowl, $10 per person including shoes. There will be bumper pads and ball stands for the younger kids. We have reserved 4 lanes for about 5 people per lane. More lanes can be reserved if we have enough interest. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex or contact Linda Wagner at 712-310-1415.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The Prayer Shawl Ministry Team at New Horizon is a fellowship of ladies who knit or crochet shawls. They meet twice a month, on the second Monday and the fourth Tuesday at 4:00pm, to crochet, knit and to pray for the people who receive the shawls. Shawls are given for baptism or confirmation, to people who are ill, or in a crisis situation, or to any person who wants one. If you feel God calling you to use your knitting or crocheting skills in this ministry, contact Zelda Gutha at 712-310-8390 or call the church office at 712-323-7129 for more information.

The Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 15

New Horizon Presbyterian Church 30 Valley View Drive Council Bluffs, IA 51503-5100 January 2020 Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE PAID Council Bluffs, IA 51503 Permit 67

One All-Church Service at 10:00am and Annual Congregational Meeting

New Horizon Presbyterian Church will hold its annual congregational meeting on Sunday, January 26th immediately following the one all-church service at 10:00am.

There will be a potluck after the meeting.

Please bring your favorite dish to share with everyone.