January/February 2015 Messenger New London Presbyterian Church January/February 2015 Messenger “It’s a Wonderful Life “ Psalm 139 In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, George Bailey gets to see what the world would be like if he’d never been born. Struggling to find direction after his building and loan business faces a serious loss, he finds himself lost in the dark. When it appears that all is lost, an angel steps in and takes George on a journey he would not soon forget. Over and over, it becomes clearer and clearer that one person really can make a difference in the world around them. The question then becomes is that difference one of good or ill. As this New Year begins, I wonder what difference are making in the world and what would change if you had never been born? How is the world a better place because of you? In what ways do you want to do or be better than you are today? What helps you find hope in the darkness and what keeps you there? When have you have felt most disconnected from the world around you and what brought you back to center all over again? One of the passages in scripture that helps me when I feel like George Bailey, or Ebenezer Scrooge at my most selfish place, is Psalm 139, a passage of hope and comfort in times of uncertainty. No matter where I go, I can trust that God goes with me and does have a particular purpose for my life. Of course, then I remember what actions or words may have hurt someone else and things aren’t so comfortable anymore. Still, when I watch many of the classic Christmas movies, read this psalm, or realize someone’s happy to see me, I know that what I do is not in vain. At this, the beginning of a new year, I invite you to consider what sort of person you’d like to become in the days and months ahead. Which qualities would you like to develop further? Which qualities would you like to be rid of? How can we work together to become more and more people of God and less and less people of everything that can tear communities apart? What step do you need to take to embark on a new phase of the journey and live life in joy, peace, hope, love, and faith as God desired from the beginning of life on earth? Whether you relate more to George Bailey, Ebenezer Scrooge, or some other character, my prayer for you is this: that you will grow more and more like Jesus Christ each and every day. May your second chances bring joy into the world and help you see the world in a different way. May you let go of the things that hinder you and hold on to the things that bring you into deeper relationships with others. May your becoming guide you ever closer to God, the world, and the people you encounter each and every day. Amen. Blessings, Aimee
Transcript
January/February 2015 Messenger
New London Presbyterian Church January/February 2015 Messenger
“It’s a Wonderful Life “ Psalm 139
In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, George Bailey gets to see what the world would be like if he’d never been born. Struggling to find direction after his building and loan business faces a serious loss, he finds himself lost in the dark. When it appears that all is lost, an angel steps in and takes George on a journey he would not soon forget. Over and over, it becomes clearer and clearer that one person really can make a difference in the world around them. The question then becomes is that difference one of good or ill. As this New Year begins, I wonder what difference are making in the world and what would change if you had never been born? How is the world a better place because of you? In what ways do you want to do or be better than you are today? What helps you find hope in the darkness and what keeps you there? When have you have felt most disconnected from the world around you and what brought you back to center all over again? One of the passages in scripture that helps me when I feel like George Bailey, or Ebenezer Scrooge at my most selfish place, is Psalm 139, a passage of hope and comfort in times of uncertainty. No matter where I go, I can trust that God goes with me and does have a particular purpose for my life. Of course, then I remember what actions or words may have hurt someone else and things aren’t so comfortable anymore. Still, when I watch many of the classic Christmas movies, read this psalm, or realize someone’s happy to see me, I know that what I do is not in vain. At this, the beginning of a new year, I invite you to consider what sort of person you’d like to become in the days and months ahead. Which qualities would you like to develop further? Which qualities would you like to be rid of? How can we work together to become more and more people of God and less and less people of everything that can tear communities apart? What step do you need to take to embark on a new phase of the journey and live life in joy, peace, hope, love, and faith as God desired from the beginning of life on earth? Whether you relate more to George Bailey, Ebenezer Scrooge, or some other character, my prayer for you is this: that you will grow more and more like Jesus Christ each and every day. May your second chances bring joy into the world and help you see the world in a different way. May you let go of the things that hinder you and hold on to the things that bring you into deeper relationships with others. May your becoming guide you ever closer to God, the world, and the people you encounter each and every day. Amen. Blessings,
Aimee
January/February 2015 Messenger
General Fund Financial Summary
October 2014
Beginning Balance $4,576.63
INCOME
Gifts and Offerings 5,565.00
Mission and Outreach 106.00
Per Capita 34.02
Other (Crop) 50.00
EXPENSE
Disbursements 8,346.11
Ending Balance $1,985.54
Church Attendance
October 5 46
October 12 41
October 19 38
October 26 31
TOTAL 156
Avg Attendance 39
General Fund Financial Summary
November 2014 Beginning Balance $1,985.54
INCOME
Gifts and Offerings 6,340.16
Mission and Outreach 78.00
Per Capita 34.02
Other 0.0
EXPENSE
Disbursements 5,729.81
Ending Balance $3,139.28
Church Attendance
November 2 44
November 9 55
November 16 40
November 23 46
November 30 51
TOTAL 236
Avg Attendance 47
REMINDERS:
Bring non-perishable foods for donation to the Felowship Cup - on the 4th Sunday of each month.
January/February 2015 Messenger
PW The PW held their annual fall bazaar on Saturday, November 23rd very successful and it raised $4,200. The bazaar would not be as successful without the help of so many people. The committee greatly appreciates everyone who brought the delicious cookies, candies, pies, materials for the soup lunch, and the special items for the Country Store .The bazaar is a big undertaking, but the funds it raises allows the PW to provide help to many projects. Thank you so much. The PW met at its regular December meeting on Monday, December 8th. During the business meeting the proceeds from the bazaar were discussed and the funds were distributed to various projects. Some funds were returned to the church’s general fund. Funds were also used to purchase 4 new light weight tables for Friendship Hall. It was also decided to help pay for the postage for the Children’s Shoeboxes. There was not enough collected the day of the packaging to cover the full cost of the boxes. The PW’s next regular meeting will be on Monday, March 16th. the Women’s Fellowship will meet Monday, January 9th games. All women of the church are invited to attend both of these events. Be sure to circle Wednesday, May 6, 2015. At 6:00 p.m the Methodist Church will be hosting the May Fellowship.
CIRCLE OF LOVE
Circle of Love thanks everyone who helped with the Angel Tree during Advent. We gave wonderful gifts to twelve local children through the Fellowship Cup. The congregation truly showed their giving hearts as they shopped, packaged, or gave money for this worthwhile project. The Circle of Love will begin the new year with a meeting on January 21 at 7:00 in Friendship Hall. Jane Simmons will serve as hostess, and the 2015 program will be planned. All women of the church are welcome to join us!
January/February 2015 Messenger
Sunday School
Twelve of our Sunday school children performed the program “Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree” on Sunday, December 7 during worship. The children did an excellent job and enjoyed performing before the congregation. Allison Lair directed the program with help from Jane Simmons. A time of fellowship followed in Friendship Hall with cookies and drinks. Following Christmas, the Sunday school children will be learning about the life of Jesus. All children are invited to join us after Pastor Aimee’s disciple time during worship. We have a bible story with activities and a snack during Sunday school time.
God’s Work in the World
Where have you met God lately? Each and every day, if we are paying attention, God appears in the people and places around us. All it takes is one person lovingly preparing a meal for family members or friends in need, children singing, holding open a door for someone else, or protesting the unfair treat- ment of fellow human beings. In the last two months alone, I’ve seen God pack shoeboxes full of gifts for children around the world, share musical talents, serve soup and pie to hungry people, pray for others’ concerns, and prepare children for a special presentation. God came to classrooms as students helped each other with projects, to homes where conversations brought people together, and to the community as people helped others climb into horse-drawn wagons. Who have you seen sharing God’s love with the world? How have you shared God’s love in the world? May God bless everyone who takes even five minutes to help s someone accomplish a goal, feel like a worthwhile human being, care for the environment, or work to end systemic challenges. If you know someone who’s done something for God and would like to share your story, please contact Pastor Aimee. Amen.
Operation Christmas Child
On November 16, we packed about 50 shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies, clothes, candy, and toiletries for kids around the world who may not receive gifts very often. Children took pictures, labeled boxes, gathered supplies, and carried empty boxes around fellowship hall. Adults assembled boxes, packed boxes, stacked them, and prepared lunch for people to enjoy at the end. May God continue to bless others through all you do each and every day. Stay tuned for opportunities to further this ministry in the new year.
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January/February 2015 Messenger
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The Peacemaking Task Force invites you to a presbytery-wide conversation with the Reverend Mark Koenig, director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, on Saturday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at St Andrew in Iowa City. Carol Smolenski, executive director of ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution, Abuse, and Trafficking), and Rosemary Mitchell, PC(USA) Funds Development Ministry, will also be there. Topics for discussion will include:
Actions at General Assembly such as divestment
World issues such as the situations in South Sudan, Palestine/Israel and more
Information about the PC(USA) office at the United Nations.
Gun violence Racial issues sparked by the events of
Ferguson and New York Human trafficking
Questions about the event can be directed to [email protected] questions
about carpooling can be directed to [email protected] (319-938-8807).
On March 1, Shane Claiborne will offer two lectures at Iowa Wesleyan College on living as Christians in some different ways. He has ministered to people on the streets of Calcutta with Mother Teresa’s ministry, worked to bring peace into the world, and connected faith communities working in radical ways. You
may find out more information about the lectures here: https://www.iwc.edu/About/Campus-(1)/Manning-Lecture.aspx or by contacting Joy Lapp
Pastor Aimee will lead a book discussion on Claiborne’s book, The Irresistible Revolution: Living As an Ordinary Radical beginning the week of January 4. You may find out more information about the book and order it here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Irresistible-Revolution-Ordinary-Radical/dp/0310266300. If you are interested in the study, please contact Pastor Aimee
A regional Spiritual Leadership Conference will be held in Rockford, Illinois on January 24 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Teaching Elders, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Ruling Elders, Deacons and interested lay leaders are invited to learn more about what it means to be a spiritual leader. Attendees will learn about the roles of ruling elder and deacon, being and growing disciples, and what it means to be “missional.” They will also be introduced to The Fellowship Community. The deadline for registration is January 20, 2015. For more information and to register, click here or click here flyer/registration form for flyer and registration form.
1st Heaven Lee 1st Abigale Stuekerjuergen 3rd Angie (Jones) Summers 7th Sandy(Van Syoc) Griffin 7th Travis Lair 8th Sherilyn (Williams) Alden 9th Christi Corporon 10th Griffin Reed 12th Steve Lutes 14th Elva Jefferson 17th Ron Miller 18th Bob Griffin 20th Chance Smith 20th Katherine McAllister 24th Nella Elliott 27th Jill McCabe 30th Austin McBeth
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
2nd Brian Jones 2nd Carmen McAllister 4TH Reggie Williamson 7th Sherry Thomas 9th Taylor Griffin 10th Breanna Mettler 10th Ben Fry 10th Cathryn Layer 11th Chris Lutes 13th Jaron Byrum 15th Maurie Campbell 16th Aiden Sizemore 16th Jody McBeth 17th Charlotte McGregor 19th Michael Anderson 20th Milo McCabe 21st Elsie Williams 22nd Adam Raub 22nd Tom Davis
If you like to read, please remember to check out the books we have in our Library.
PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to be included or excluded on the Prayer Chain, please let Aimee know.
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
8th Travis and Allison Lair 28th Tim and Ruth Ann Corporon
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 14th Karen & Ron Osborne 20th Lavelle & Berdita Hibbs
January/February 2015 Messenger
February
Sun., Feb 1 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school
Wed., Feb 4 7:00 p.m., Session meeting Sun., Feb 8 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship
& children’s Sunday school Sun., Feb 15 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship
& children’s Sunday school 4:00 p.m. Chapel, New London
Thur., Jan 1 New Year’s Day NL Pres. Church Office closed
Sun., Jan 4 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship & children’s Sunday school
Wed., Jan 7 7:00 p.m., Session meeting Sun., Jan 11 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship
& children’s Sunday school Sun., Jan 18 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship
& children’s Sunday school 11:30 a.m., Church potluck &
annual congregational meeting 4:00 p.m. Chapel, New London Nursing & Rehab. Sun., Jan 25 10:30 a.m., Sunday morning worship
& children’s Sunday school
During January & February, church service will be held in Friendship Hall.
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January/February 2015 Messenger
NLPC MISSION STATEMENT
Inspired by the powerful, creative force of
God's love, our mission is to glorify God
in ways both great and small by growing
spiritually, nurturing children,
impacting our community, and using
our gifts in service to God.
THE MESSENGER: Published bi-monthly by the New London Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm St, New
London, Iowa 52645, 319-367-2744. The messenger is also posted on the church website and linked to their Facebook page: at: http://newlondonpc.org or at
If you’d like to help reduce paper & mailing cost and receive the newsletter by e-mail, please send a message to [email protected]. Paper copies are typically available at the church for two Sundays and those not picked up after printing, will be mailed. If someone has been removed from or if someone needs to be added to the mailing list, please let Doris Dickey or Pastor Aimee know. Postmaster: Send address changes to The New London Presbyterian Church % The Messenger, 400 N. Elm St. New London, Iowa, 52645.
Church facebook link; https://www.facebook.com/ThePresbyterianChurchOfNewLondon.
Our leadership team seeks to nurture God’s blessings in our lives in a variety of ways. Will you please pray about how God may be calling you to serve in our congregation? If you would like to share your gifts with others or have questions, please contact Pastor Aimee or one of elders listed below.
2014-2015 Session Members
(Effective July 1, 2014):
BUILDING & GROUNDS: Dave McGregor & Tom Davis
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Jane Simmons & Teresa Wehrle
CLERK of SESSION: Chris Selby
FELLOWSHIP: Ron Raub
FINANCE/ MEMORIALS/ STEWARDSHIP: Rod Smith
MISSION/OUTREACH: Betty Grove
WORSHIP: Lyn McAllister
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Information for the March-April 2015 newsletter is
