Messenger is due Thursday, March 21, 2013. Our StaffMar 08, 2011 · CHURCH ATTENDANCE January 2013...

First Church was founded in 1836

Our Mission Statement

“To be a spiritual home that

welcomes, equips and sends

all into the ministry to which

Christ has called us.”

Our Worship Schedule:

Saturday 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall

Sunday 9:00 am in the Sanctuary

Children’s Sunday School &

Adult Study Groups at 10:15 am

11:15 Praise & Worship in the Sanctuary

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Phone: (319) 385-1740

Fax: (319) 385-1745

E-Mail: [email protected]

Web Site: www.firstmethodistonline.org

Our Staff Rev. Herbert Shafer, Senior Pastor Rev. David Bracht-Wagner, Pastor for

Youth & Young Adult Faith Development Jean Evans, Office Administrator

Jerry Lalaga, Organist Mark Kimzey, Choir Director Donita Benedict, Director of Contemporary

and Children’s Music

Chuck Ring, Custodian

Vol. 76, No. 3

Information for the April

Messenger is due Thursday,

March 21, 2013.

March 2013 edition

~ Postage paid periodicals Mt. Pleasant, IA ~ Postage paid periodicals Mt.

First United Methodist Church

Mount Pleasant IA

Join us for Easter Services: Saturday Night, March 30th at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, March 31st: Traditional Service at 9:00 a.m. Praise Service at 11:15 a.m.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

February 3rd, 5:30 p.m. 26

February 4th, 10:30 a.m. 98


Total 187

February 10th, 5:30 p.m. 56



Total: 254

February 16th, 5:30 p.m. 44



Total: 242

February 23rd, 5:30 p.m. 46



Total: 227 1

BUDGET NEWS January 2013

Current Budget

Beginning Balance $ 7,054.87

Income:

Pledges/Giving 9,729.65

Other Income 10,559.73

Total Income $ 20,289.38

Expenses: (22,502.50)

Liabilities Expense (323.44)

Ending Balance $ 4,518.31

Liabilities:

Withholdings $ (2,864.10)

Apportionments (4,046.89)

Funds Available: $ (2,392.68)

Missions Budget

Beginning Balance $ 17,030.77

Received 2,888.71

Disbursements: (13,287.16)

$ 6,632.32 14

April 2013

“It is true; The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

Luke 24:34

Dear Friends,

The message of the Bible, though appearing to be complex, is quite simple:

No matter what happens in life, in the end the love of God WINS.

Here is “The Bible in 50 Words!”

God made

Adam bit

Noah arked

Abraham split

Joseph ruled

Jacob fooled

Bush talked

Moses balked

Pharaoh plagued

People walked

Sea divided

Tablets guided

Promise landed

Saul freaked

David peeked

Prophets warned

Jesus born

God walked

Love talked

Anger crucified

Hope died

Love rose

Spirit flamed

Word spread

God remained.

Easter blessings to you.

Go spread the good news!!

Pastor Herb

We are in need of 200 school bags for the school kits that will be filled

this summer, taken to the In-Gathering and then on to UMCOR.

The Missions Committee is looking for ladies with sewing capabilities

(minimal) to make these bags. They have three volunteers (Thank you) but

could use several more. If interested, please contact Madonna Worden, 319-385-3299 or

[email protected]

Plans are being made for the Food Drive coming up in April (note the change of month

from May to April).

The church sponsored Blood Drive will be held on April 23rd, starting at 3:00pm. Make

plans to give and save a life.

March 10th will be the day of “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering. This

offering supports the United Methodist Committee of Relief’s ongoing work. UMCOR

responses in times of disaster and offers support and expertise to communities following

these emergencies.

What’s Dishin’ with Missions?

2 13

Ministry Opportunities

Looking for opportunities to lend a helping hand? Check back with this

section of the Messenger each month to see an updated list

of ministry opportunities. This month:

Altar Flowers “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Do you have a “green thumb” for house plants or an eye for floral arranging?

The Worship committee would like to form a “Flower Committee” of per-

sons interested in maintaining plants and flowers for the church and sanctu-

ary.

If you are interested contact Worship Chairperson Ava Seibert at 319-931-2808

Fellowship Cup The Fellowship Cup is seeking volunteers to assist with the many programs they have. If

you could donate an hour of two, call Melisa at 385-3242

Children, Youth and Adult Ministries

FUMC needs YOU! Leaders are needed in many areas to help Christ transform

lives in our community.

AWANA needs: Teachers and Volunteers to listen to children share their Bible memory

verses. There are lots of children and we need to have more classes to have smaller class

sizes.

The Adult Mission trip with Iowa Wesleyan College is going to New

York to assist with Sandy cleanup. This looks to be an early summer

trip. For more information check the web site in the coming weeks.

2nd Annual Conference Mission Trip. The trip this year will be to

Mountain T.O.P. which is the Tennessee Outreach Project in the Cum-

berland Mountains. We will doing lots of home repair and then in the evenings having some

worship as well as learning more about the area. This is a great opportunity to get youth to

step outside their comfort zone and to work with youth from our conference and from other

places. Here's some information that you will need:

Who: The trip is open to youth who are currently in 7th -11th Grade. When: July

20th - 29th (maybe 28th) Where: Cumberland Mountains Why: It's fun to help oth-

ers

Cost: $375.00/person (If churches bring at least a 7 passenger van, for every vehicle

we will

pay one person's registration fee) What does the $375 get me? - All meals during

the 21st-27th (The other days are travel days so each person/church will be responsi-

ble for meals to and from), evening activities and a t-shirt. We will spend the day (or

part of a day) at an

amusement park on the way back.

Where can I learn more about Mountain T.O.P. : http://www.mountain-top.org/

What if I have questions? Contact Maria Wiblin by email

[email protected] How do I register? Contact DeeDee Sobotka at [email protected]

The Sr. High Mission Trip, which is open to all current 9th -12th graders, is going to Hen-

derson Settlement in Kentucky. Jeff Thomas will be one of our adult leaders. The open

dates that they currently have are June 30 – July 6. The cost is around $300 / person +

transportation.

Mission Trips

The March-April Upper Rooms are now available in the upper Fireside Room.

Small print is $.75 and large print is $1.00

http://www.iaumc.org/site/link/BPHNFAHCIBOEELPHGAEBMPHIIEBFIIFBKAFAHLPAIPMDLFHNFLDAIJJHHJLGHKIMGFHJFAHHDMLA

http://www.iaumc.org/site/link/BPHNFAHCIBOEELPHGAEBMPHIIEBFIIFBKAFAHLPAIPMDLFHNFLDAIJJHHJLGHKIMGFHJFAHHDMLB

http://www.iaumc.org/site/link/BPHNFAHCIBOEELPHGAEBMPHIIEBFIIFBKAFAHLPAIPMDLFHNFLDAIJJHHJLGHKIMGFHJFAHHDMLC

12 3

Information current as of February 25, 2013

Joys and Concerns

Please Pray For:

Thelma Young at Park Place

Jo Thornton at home

Bev Garrels at home

Karen Timmerman at home

Bev Hodson back at Sunny Brook

Aaron Evans who had surgery Feb. 26th

Laine Dennison at Morning Sun Care Center

Children’s Ministries of our church

Sunday School Teachers and the Leaders of Wednesday Evening activities

Our shut-ins and residence of Care Centers

Joy Sudbrink, missionary on furlough in the U.S.

Our sister church in Medellin, Colombia and Rev. Jose Duque

Drs. Lynn and Sharon Fogleman in South Sudan

Our armed service members who are serving throughout the world

Sympathy to:

The family of Dr. “Bob” Lofgren who passed away Wednesday, February 13th. Burial will

be held on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2:00 p.m. at Forest Home Cemetery.

Doyle Dunn and family in the death of his wife Patricia on Saturday, February 16th.

UP COMING EVENTS

The Debra Cordes Memorial presents “Aladdin Jr. “

This play is a gift for children of Southeast Iowa and will include Southeast Iowa children

preforming. It was her familys desire that the funds be used is such a way that the children

would be the STARS and in the audience. Join in honoring Debbie’s memory by attending

any of the performances. They planned for 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 28th and Fri-

day, March 1st and 2:00 pm matinee on Sunday, March 3rd.

Clifford and Maxine Manning Speaker Series A.J. Jacobs

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest

to Follow the Bible as

Literally as Possible

Thursday, March 14, 11:00 Forum

“Fake it Till you Make It: The Power of Pretending to be a

Better Person”

Thursday, March 14, 7:00 pm Lecture

“The Year of Living Biblically”

The Room Upstairs: March 24th and 25th. An Easter production that takes us through

the Passover meal as it might have happened in the upper room with Christ and his disci-

ples. See Lent/Easter on page 4 for more information.

Drs. Lynn and Sharon Fogelman will be visiting April 3rd. Mark your calendar and plan

on coming for a pancake supper and hear about their work in South Sudan. We thank them

for their dedication to helping others and for sharing how they are helping people in such an

under developed country.

Thank you for letting us use your space and selling tickets for the Valentine’s Day Dinner!

We couldn’t have done it without you!!

IWC CHOIR BOARD

http://www.churchart.com/subscriber/ViewImages.aspx?image_id=19192&keywords=prayers&entry_date=1/1/0001&image_type=,cl,ca,ph,pp,bc&topic_id=

March Birthdays

4

1

2

Sherri Leeper

3

Beverly Garrels

Amber Keagle

4

5

Loree King

6

Kelly Barton

Abigail Blint

Jeff McPheron

Keegan Pullis

Kaiden Stearns

7

Gayle Cornick

Jean Evans

8

Martha Potts-Bell

Tom Weir

9

Stewart Kinney

Lin Klopfenstein

Dan McSorley

Dennis Rogers

10

Irma Swan

11

Nolan Keefer

12

Jeffrey Baccam

Bill Gray

Carolyn Jensen

Amy Lowe

Darrel Rogers

Michell Rosell

13

Sam Bell

Cecile Chrissinger

Paula Lauer

Terry Mabeus

Rena Philp

14

Seth martin

Jodie Meeker

Sarah Roth

15

Allie Looker

16

Linda Albright

Rick Mallams

17

Abby

Lance

Morgan

Menke

18

Tyler Anderson

Austin Bucket

Kailey Peterson

Susie Stalder

19

Lee Franklin

Ben Johnson

20

Lori Beatty-Fye

James Kitch

Dale Marzolf

Andrew McSorley

Steve Meeker

21

Pat Burden

Amanda Dunn

Michael Hatch

22

Michelle Gardner

Amee Kauffman

Linda Kruse

Janelle Thomas

Dolores Wilson

23

Kiana Miller

Doug Miller

Debra Smith

24

Barbara Messer

Jeanette Rice

25

Melisa Bracht-Wagner

Christine Goettsche

James Kinney

Gregory Norris

Joe Oschwald

26

Abby Burden

Carol Carpenter

Ellen Krieger

27

Grant Davidson

Austin Decker

28

Wade Carpenter

Duane Thomas

29

Grace Coble

Kristen Shaffer

30

Chad Doak

Carroll Parks

31

Gary Hackett

Jeff Hood

11

Happy Easter!

Lent/Easter “Following the Way”

Sunday March 3rd. “Self-Exam”

(Isaiah 55:1-9, I Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9)

Sunday, March 10th “Homecomings”

(Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32)

Wednesday, March 13th “Christ in the Passover”

Presented by Jews of Jesus 6:30p.m. in the Sanctuary

Sunday, March 17th “Amazing Love”

(Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12: 1-8

Sunday, March 24th Palm/Passion Sunday

Choir Cantata: “Seeing Christ Crucified”

( Isaiah 50: 4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 23:1-49

Sunday, March 24/Monday March 25th “The Room Upstairs” in Fellowship Hall

A drama of the Last Supper with a meal served to attendees. 6:30pm each night.

Admission by advance tickets which are available in the church office free of charge, free

will offering the night of the performance. Sponsored by Ministerial Association.

Thursday, March 28th Maundy Thursday Service: “A New Commandment I Give You”

hosted by First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut Street.

Friday, March 29th Good Friday: “Procession of the Cross”

Beginning at Noon at St. Alphonsus, 607 S. Jackson. Ending 2:00pm at First

United Methodist church

Sponsored by the Ministerial Association

Saturday, March 30th 5:30 pm “Easter Vigil” in Fellowship Hall

Sunday, March 31st EASTER SUNDAY

9:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary “The Rainbow Colors of Easter”

Children’s Music and drama under the direction of Donita Benedict

10:15 am Sunday School

11:15 am Praise and Worship in the Sanctuary

Greetings,

The saying for March is in like a Lion out like a Lamb or in like a

Lamb out like a Lion. I find that quite fitting this year as Easter falls

on March 31st. Both the Lion and the Lamb are symbols for Jesus:

the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. Often the two images are

seen with each other, because presumably they come from a scripture

in the Bible. My wife has a collection of Lions and Lambs. She did not seek them out, but

over time people just gave them as gifts and she enjoys the imagery that they represent.

Christ has the power, majesty, and authority that we think of with a Lion, but he is also gen-

tle, loving, and something that we may want to cuddle with, like a Lamb.

Yet, the truth is there is no scripture that says the Lion and the lamb shall lie down together.

The closest is found in Isaiah 11:6 and Isaiah 65:25.

Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall

lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling to-

gether; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall

eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall

not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Even though, it is a great image and

each year when March comes around,

we can remember whether it is a Lion

or a Lamb, Christ is always with us.

May you have a blessed Lenten Season

and proclaim the joy of Easter. Christ

is risen. He is risen indeed.

Be bold, be strong,

Pastor Dave

10 5

UMW Road Trip: Make your reservations now for the musical performance of the

Church Basement Ladies in “A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement”

on Wednesday, April 3rd, at Circa “21 Dinner Play house in Rock

Island. Travel back to the 60’s as the ladies deal with changes in the

church and their own lives; these ladies always serve up big

laughs.

The cost is $50.00 which includes lunch, dessert, matinee show, tax,

gratuity and transportation. The bus will leave the church parking lot at

9:15 a.m. and will return around 6:00 p.m. Checks are payable to the UMW by Friday,

March 15, and my be left in the church office. Please contact Melinda Huisinga to sign up

or ask questions at 385-4059 (home), 515-490-9338 (cell), or [email protected]

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT!!

CIRCLE MEETINGS:

Grace Circle: March 7th in room 109 at 10:00 am

Patience Circle: March 16th in room 111 at 9:00 am

Love Circle: March 21st in room 109

Friendship Circle: March 14th .

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS and

COLLEGE STUDENTS Iowa United Methodist Foundation General Scholarships for Fall 2013

Applications and criteria are currently available at www.iumf.org

Applications and all required material must be post marked no later than

March 15, 2012 to be eligible.

The 2013 Iowa United Methodist Student Day Merit Scholarship criteria and appli-

cations are now available on the Youth and Young Adult Ministries page of the conference website

at Iaumc.org Youth & Young Adult Ministries. Generous giving by Iowa United Methodists through

the Student Day offering in on the 4th Sunday in November made these current scholarships possible.

The 2013 Merit Scholarship application deadline is March 15, 2013.

http://www.learnthebible.org/bible/3/ISA/11/6

http://www.learnthebible.org/bible/3/ISA/65/25

http://www.iaumc.org/site/link/BPHNFAHCIBOEELPHGAEBMPHIIEBFIIFBKAFAHLPAIPMDLFHNFLDAIJJHHJLGHKIMGFHJFAHHDLLH

THE MESSENGER (USPS 341-140)

Published monthly by First

United Methodist Church, 309 N.

Main, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641,

319-385-1740, Fax 319-385-

1745. Periodical postage paid at

Mt. Pleasant, IA. Subscription

price $1.50 a year. Postmaster:

Send address changes to: The

Messenger, 309 North Main

7:00 p.m. - Christian Education Rm. 109

7:00 p.m. - Acepella F. Hall

7:00 p.m. - NAMI Rm. 9-11

20th - Wednesday

5:45 p.m. - Midweek Fellowship Meal

5:45 p.m. - Bell Choir

6:15 p.m. - Games

6:30 p.m. - AWANA

6:30 p.m. - Choir Practice

6:30 p.m. - Youth & Small Groups Bible Study

21st - Thursday MESSENGER DEADLINE

9:00 a.m. - REM Rm. 7

1:30 p.m. - Love Circle

5:00 p.m. - Girl Scouts F. Hall

6:00 p.m. - Companions in Christ Rm. 111

7:00 p.m. - Pleasant Hearts with Joyce Voss

22nd - Friday

23rd - Saturday

8:00 a.m. - UMM Rm. 109

5:30 p.m. - Saturday Night Praise & Fellowship

24nd - PALM Sunday

9:00 a.m. - Classic Service in the Sanctuary

10:15 a.m. - Sunday School

11:15 a.m. - Praise and Worship in the Sanctuary

6:30 p.m. - Last Supper Drama F. Hall

25th - Monday

11:00 a.m. - Staff meeting

6:30 p.m. - Foster Parents Rm. 9-11

6:30 p.m. - Foster Kids Support Rm.

6:30 p.m. - Last Supper Drama F. Hall

26th - Tuesday

27th - Wednesday

5:45 p.m. - Wednesday Night Meal


6:15 p.m. - Games

6:30 p.m. - AWANA



28th - Thursday



6:30 p.m. - Special Kids Support Group Rm. 9-11

7:00 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Service

at Presbyterian Church

29th - Friday

30th - Saturday

8:00 a.m. - UMM Rm. 09


31st - EASTER Sunday 9:00 a.m. - Classic Service in the

Sanctuary


11:15 a.m. - Praise and Worship in

the Sanctuary

1st - Friday

2nd – Saturday

8:00 a.m. - UMM Rm. 109

8:30 a.m. - Master Gardeners Seminar


3rd - Sunday




4th - Monday


6:00 p.m. - Cub Scouts

7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts Rm. 9 & 11

5th - Tuesday

6:00 p.m. - SPRC Rm. 109

7:00 p.m. - Acapella F. Hall

7:00 p.m. - Nurture and Outreach Rm. 109

7:00 p.m. - Democrats Rm. 9-11

6th - Wednesday



6:15 p.m. - Games

6:30 p.m. - AWANA



7th - Thursday

8:30 a.m. - Knots of Love Rm. 109

10:00 a.m. - Grace Circle Rm. 109



8th - Friday

9th - Saturday

8:00 a.m. - Men’s Bible Study

5:30 p.m. - Saturday Night Praise and Fellowship

10th - Sunday




11th - Monday


6:00 p.m. - Cub Scouts

7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts

12th - Tuesday

5:30 p.m. - Missions Rm. 7

6:00 p.m. - Worship Dave’s Office

6:30 p.m. - Trustees Rm. 109

7:30 p.m. - Finance Rm. 9-11

13th - Wednesday



6:15 p.m. - Games

6:30 p.m. - Christ in the Passover Sanctuary

14th - Thursday



15th - Friday

16th - Saturday

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast

8:00 a.m. - Men’s Bible Study

9:00 a.m. - Patience Circle Rm. 111


17th - Sunday




18th - Monday


6:00 p.m. - Relay for Life Rm. 9-11

6:30 p.m. - Cub Scout Pack meeting F. Hall

7:00 p.m. - Boy Scouts

19th - Tuesday 87

March

Have you bought your copy of the

new United Methodist Cookbook?

They are available in the

Church office for $13 A Feast of Food

and Fellowship

Companions in Christ classes for 2013

Leader: Pastor Herb, Thursdays 6:00 –8:00 pm, Room 111

The Second in the sequential series is: “Feeding on the Word: The Mind of Christ”

This five week series covers the themes -

Why do we call the Bible God’s Word?

Studying the Scripture as a Spiritual Discipline

Meditating on the Word

Directing Imagination

Group Meditation with Scripture

Recommended for those who have completed the first unit in the series “Embracing the

Journey: The Way of Christ.”

Contact Pastor Herb at: [email protected]

9 6

Puppet Ministry

When: Wednesday

Time: 6:30 pm—8:00 pm

Who: 6th grade & up

Featuring: Black light Puppets!!

More ideas to come!!

Questions or if anyone would

like to help make puppets

Please call Marci Adams at

217-0805

Come join the experience of a lifetime!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

The family of Pauline Shepp wishes to thank everyone for their cards, flowers, food,

memorials and other sympathies extended. We appreciate those who participated in our

mother’s visitation and memorial service along with the Cum Deo Sunday School Class for

preparing and serving the lunch following. Our mother valued her friends in Grace Circle

and appreciated their continual visits and support. It is a blessing to be a member of this

church. Alan & Melinda Husinga

Thank you to Carol Dustman who made the banner for the Lenten series

“Following the Way”.

Thank you for all the prayers offered for ten-year old Owen McKim during his recent

glaucoma surgery at UIHC. We felt your prayers that day as he was exceptionally calm, and

tolerated the procedure like a trooper. The doctors are encouraging that he will regain the

20/20 vision he had in that eye as healing progresses. We will know in March if the device

that was implanted is working to lower his eye pressure. We truly count our friends in Mt.

Pleasant among our greatest blessings. Please come and see us if you are in Okoboji!!

Mike and Terri McKim, and Great Aunt Cleo McKim

The worship committee would like to thank the couples who have been

responsible for finding ushers for 9:00am service in January, Bruce and Jolene Oviatt and in February, Al and Melinda Husinga. A big thanks to them and all those assisting them. Also to Karen Brimhall for instruction concerning communion room, flowers, etc.

Thanks, to Betty Green, Marilyn Tolander, Sally Kinney, Ellen Krieger and Sonja

Reschly for treats at the Welcome Center and to all those who have been Hosts.

Thank you to Marilyn Tolander for compiling the yearly scrapbook of

Messenger articles.

Thank you to Steve Brimhall and John Rode for leading the last two Finance meetings.

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Messenger is due Thursday, March 21, 2013. Our StaffMar 08, 2011 · CHURCH ATTENDANCE January 2013...

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