The Circuit Rider United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon 304 1st Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Telephone: 319.895.6286 www.umcmv.com email: [email protected]WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:30 am Praise Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship Time Common Ground 11am Traditional Worship Pastor’s Letter Seek the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked forsake their way, And the unrighteous their thoughts; Let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7 Greetings in Christ, This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th, and we invite you to our spe- cial 6:30 service. This begins our Lenten journey towards the joy of Easter. Lent is both a time to reflect and reclaim our identity in Jesus Christ. In the scripture above, theologian Walter Brueggemann highlights four verbs: seek, call, forsake, and turn. While living in Babylonian exile, the Jewish people were struggling to maintain their religious identity. The summons “seek, call, for- sake, and turn” is a call to reclaim their original identity, an elemental disci- pline, and a primal faith. Likewise, Lent is a time reserve to consider our personal and collective identity in Christ. Too often, the temptations of the world come knocking at our front door. Instead, we are called to live a life worthy of our calling. Through bap- tism, we are all called and claimed by Jesus Christ to make disciples for the transformation of the world. In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to forget our important work as the church. During this Lenten season, our challenge is to refocus and reclaim our identity in Christ: to seek Him in all we do, embrace His calling on our life, forsake the glitzy temptations of the world, and turn to a disciplined and primal faith. Please join me in this Lenten journey as we look forward to the hope, promise, and joy of Easter Sunday. God of grace and demand, you challenge us to reclaim our baptismal identity as those whose lives are built on your call and your promises - not on the easy, seductive forces around us. Stir our hearts that we may engage your transform- ing word anew and rediscover its power to save. Amen. In grace and peace, Pastor Mark Johnson Resource: Brueggeman, Walter. A W ay Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent. Louisville, KY: West- minster John Knox Press, 2017. February 2017
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The Circuit Rider United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon 304 1st Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Telephone: 319.895.6286
Seek the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near; Let the wicked forsake their way, And the unrighteous their thoughts; Let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7
Greetings in Christ,
This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th, and we invite you to our spe-cial 6:30 service. This begins our Lenten journey towards the joy of Easter. Lent is both a time to reflect and reclaim our identity in Jesus Christ. In the scripture above, theologian Walter Brueggemann highlights four verbs: seek, call, forsake, and turn. While living in Babylonian exile, the Jewish people were struggling to maintain their religious identity. The summons “seek, call, for-sake, and turn” is a call to reclaim their original identity, an elemental disci-pline, and a primal faith.
Likewise, Lent is a time reserve to consider our personal and collective identity in Christ. Too often, the temptations of the world come knocking at our front door. Instead, we are called to live a life worthy of our calling. Through bap-tism, we are all called and claimed by Jesus Christ to make disciples for the transformation of the world. In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to forget our important work as the church.
During this Lenten season, our challenge is to refocus and reclaim our identity in Christ: to seek Him in all we do, embrace His calling on our life, forsake the glitzy temptations of the world, and turn to a disciplined and primal faith. Please join me in this Lenten journey as we look forward to the hope, promise, and joy of Easter Sunday.
God of grace and demand, you challenge us to reclaim our baptismal identity as those whose lives are built on your call and your promises - not on the easy, seductive forces around us. Stir our hearts that we may engage your transform-ing word anew and rediscover its power to save. Amen.
In grace and peace, Pastor Mark Johnson
Resource: Brueggeman, Walter. A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent. Louisville, KY: West-
minster John Knox Press, 2017.
February 2017
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Exciting news!
Mission Trip to Romania for May 2018 Planned
Now that the Super Kids Day Center has opened, we have a 6-member team traveling to Romania in May! They will do a Vacation Bible School for the children and bring
more school supplies. We have just a short time to raise funds to send this team. If you would like to contribute to this cause or sponsor a team member, please contact Nancy Reasland at 319-321-2087, or contact the church office. Would your church group would like to know more about Romania and why we are serving there? Let Nancy know; she'll be happy to come and speak with your group.
An exciting youth opportunity —Youth Retreat Feb. 24
Contact Youth Director Andy Knapp if interested in attending
On Saturday February 24, 2018 from 8-4:00 PM Center Point United Methodist Church will be holding a youth con-ference entitled “Relentless.” The doors will open at 7:00 and cost is $20. This conference will be an all-day event that will include large and small group sessions, worship, and fellowship with other teens. Too often, we communicate a version of Christianity without trials, persecution, or problems. Teenagers are told that following Christ is the most important decision in their lives. And in faith, they trust Christ. Instead of being told “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12), many assume that everything in their world will be fixed. Except that doesn’t happen. And so, many of our students question the love of Jesus and His plan for their lives. Why? Because what loving God would allow His children to face trials and persecution? The only issue is that God’s love for His people can’t be viewed through what happens to us, but instead of
what happened to Him. The measurement of God’s love for us starts on the cross, not in the trying circumstances we find ourselves in. During this conference we’re going to be working through a curriculum called RELENTLESS: Pursuing Christ At All Costs. This curriculum will help our teenagers begin to lay the foundation of a relentless faith that doesn’t wither in the face of hard times or persecution. Relentless uses four key phrases to help your students boldly face the world: Praise, Personal-Evangelism, Prayer, and Persecution.
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February 2018
Anniversaries Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, en-dures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
Happy February Birthdays!
Fred & Marion Lehman 2/1
Ethan Stanerson 02/02
Pastor Mark Johnson 02/03
Ron Frantz 02/05
Everett Thompson
Calvin Weber 02/06
Julie Baty 02/09
Chloe Bunch 02/11
Mike Kragenbrink
Carol Clark 02/12
Jennifer Hoffman 02/13
Andrew Barns 02/14
Kit Currie
Lily Meester
Marsha Light 02/15
Connor Myers
Emara Perreault
Hannah Bradbury 02/16
Dan Hakken 02/17
Svetlana Fisher 02/19
Tim Legore
Jake Stanerson
Maxine Havill 02/20
Mel Steen 02/21
Karen Stoll
Jo Ennis 02/22
Colter Lafollette
Heather Niec
Natalie Ott
Jared Booth
Deedrie Lafollette 02/24
Jeanne Snodgress 02/26
Allison Traynor 02/27
BACK BY POPULAR
DEMAND, the
SPRING TALENT
SHOW, SATURDAY,
APRIL 7th!
To support our 6-member mis-
sion team going to Romania
in May, we are bring back our
ever-popular talent show! The
festivities begin at 7:00pm on
Saturday, April 7th. Do you
have a talent or an act you'd
like to share? Please call Babs
Moore at 895-8512 or Karen
Stoll at 319-210-7046 to get in
the line-up of events for the
evening. Don't forget to put
this date on your calendar.... and invite your neighbors to enjoy the fun!
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College Dinners at the Church Parsonage with Pastor Joy and Weston Mitchell
We'd love to have you and any friends you might want to bring over for dinner at the parsonage. (312 1st St SW) - Dinner will be at 6 pm. We have chosen some dates (see below) during the upcoming blocks this spring. Please put them on your calendars for more fun to come.
Sunday, Feb 11th Sunday, March 18 Sunday, April 15
Feel free to invite a friend, and RSVP and let us know how many will be coming.
Thank you and blessings, Joy Mitchell, Senior Pastor
Thank You from our Angel Tree from SE Linn Community Center
Dear UMCMV, You are amazing! Thanks to your generosity, the holidays were a happier time for families throughout Lisbon and Mount Vernon. With your help, we distributed Christmas gifts to 129 individuals this years. Our clients were so appreciative and it warmed our hearts to see the joy on their faces when they picked up the gifts. Whether it was a package of warm socks, a tricy-cle or a glitter-filled craft set, they were thrilled to take it home to put under the tree. While the gifts are wonderful, it is truly a blessing to see how supporters like you will join together whenever there is a need in our community. Thank you for giving your time and resources to help spread holiday cheer this year. With Gratitude, Nicole McAlexander, Executive Director SELCC
Scrip Update Scrip Update –– 2017 Results2017 Results Thanks to all those who have participated in the Scrip Program! In 2017 the Scrip Program has raised $2,362 for the general operating expenses of the church! There have been orders from 40 different families – many repeat customers! Top Retailers for 2017 1 Gary’s $21,400 2 Casey's $9,600 3 Target $4,550 4 Amazon $2,655 5 Subway $1,060 6 Gwen’s $1,000 7 Walmart $850 8 Kohl’s $750 9 Dick’s Sporting Goods $700 10 Starbucks $590 11 Buffalo Wild Wings $560 12 Panera $500
28 Pastor Mark message 8:30 AM Praise Worship 10:30 AM Fellowship Time, Common Ground Meeting Room 11:00 AM Traditional Worship 5:30 PM Staff Christmas Party @ The Parsonage
29 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Meeting, Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM Educa-tion Advisory Meeting, Chap-el Room
30 6:30 PM Cub Scouts - Fellowship Hall, Common Ground and Main Floor Class-rooms 6:30 PM Financial Peace Class, Balcony Classroom
31 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study, Balcony Classroom 6:00 PM Youth Group- middle school & high school, Fellowship Hall & Youth Room 6:45 PM Praise Team Practice - Sanctuary 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room
1 Pastors at Day Away event CR - Discipleship Pathway
2 3 8:00 PM AA Meeting Fellowship Hall
4 8:30 AM Praise Worship 10:30 AM Fellowship Time, Common Ground Meeting Room 11:00 AM Traditional Worship 6:00 PM Confirmation Class, Youth Group Room
5 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Meeting, Fellowship Hall
6 11:30 AM Staff Meet-ing - Chapel Room 6:30 PM Cub Scouts - Fellowship Hall, Common Ground and Main Floor Class-rooms 6:30 PM Financial Peace Class, Balcony Classroom
7 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study, Balcony Classroom 6:00 PM Youth Group- middle school & high school, Fellowship Hall & Youth Room 6:45 PM Praise Team Practice - Sanctuary 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room
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10 9:00 am Boy Scouts - radio merit badge, Fellowship Hall 8:00 PM AA Meeting Fellowship Hall
11 Scout Sunday 8:30 AM Praise Worship 10:30 AM Fellowship Time, Common Ground Meeting Room 11:00 AM Traditional Worship 6:00 PM College Dinner @ the Parsonage 6:00 PM Confirmation Class, Youth Group Room
14 Ash Wednesday 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study, Balcony Classroom 6:00 PM Youth Group- middle school & high school, Fellowship Hall & Youth Room 6:30 PM Ash Wednes-day Worship Service 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room
15 16 17 8:00 PM AA Meeting Fellowship Hall
18 Neighbors In Need Special Offering 8:30 AM Praise Worship 10:30 AM Fellowship Time, Common Ground Meeting Room 11:00 AM Traditional Worship 6:00 PM Confirmation Class, Youth Group Room
19 8:00 AM Cookie Delivery Girl Scouts, Fellow-ship Hall 6:00 PM Church Com-mittee Night - Fellowship Hall / Meetings throughout building 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Meeting, Location ??
20 11:30 AM Staff Meet-ing - Chapel Room 6:30 PM Cub Scouts - Fellowship Hall, Common Ground and Main Floor Class-rooms 6:30 PM Financial Peace Class, Balcony Classroom 7:00 PM Discipleship Pathway team meet-ing, Chapel Meeting Room
21 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study, Balcony Classroom 6:00 PM Youth Group- middle school & high school, Fellowship Hall & Youth Room 6:45 PM Praise Team Practice - Sanctuary 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room
22 23 24 8:00 PM AA Meeting Fellowship Hall
25 Pastor Mark Message 8:30 AM Praise Worship 10:30 AM Fellowship Time, Common Ground Meeting Room 11:00 AM Traditional Worship
26 6:30 PM Even-ing Book Club, Common Ground Meeting Room 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Meeting, Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM Prayer Shawl Balcony Classroom
27 6:30 PM Cub Scouts - Fellowship Hall, Common Ground and Main Floor Class-rooms 6:30 PM Financial Peace Class, Balcony Classroom
28 9:30 AM Women's Bible Study, Balcony Classroom 6:00 PM Youth Group- middle school & high school, Fellowship Hall & Youth Room 6:45 PM Praise Team Practice - Sanctuary 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Practice, Choir Room
1 Pastor Joy- The school for practical minis-try - in Altoona 9:00 AM Mis-sion of Hope Lunch, Cedar Rapids
2 Pastor Joy- The school for practical ministry - in Altoona
Special Offerings Updates Human Relations UMCOR Special Offering- January 14th was $531.
Special Offerings for February Sunday, Feb. 18 — Neighbors in Need Fund
What Is the “Neighbors-in-Need Fund?” The “Neighbors-in-Need Fund is unique within the Mount Vernon UMC It gives our pastors the discre-tion to respond when they learn of a one-time crisis or a sudden need for financial assistance for a person or family in Mount Vernon, Lisbon or surrounding rural area. During 2017, nearly $3,000 has been given to help pay a family’s water bill, to pay a partial month’s rent, to provide gas cards for a person needing to get to a job interview, and for a hotel room for a family with a housing crisis. There is now a balance of $302.70 in the fund which can go very quickly. This fund is a wonderful wit-ness to the calling of our faith within our local church and communities. People should have faith that their church will help them in time of need. Please give generously to build up this fund for the next “neighbor” who is in crisis! Also, when you hear of a “neighbor’s” crisis, be sure to alert our pastors.
6K for Water — Bertram United Methodist Church is sponsoring a 6K Walk on Saturday May 5, starting at 9 am (Registration at 8:30 am) on the Sac & Fox Trail at the Indi-an Creek Nature Center—the cost is $50 to register but that goes to provide water for one child—their goal is help-ing 25 children. The 6K is because that is the average distant a child in a developing country has to walk to get ace to water and sometimes, its not even clean water!
Here is the link to register: www.teamworldvision.org/team/9422
Mission of Hope Lunch — Sign up to donate or serve March 1, 2018
The UMW is hosting this “feel good” event and ALL are welcome to attend. We will
enjoy coffee, tea and goodies AND cut and tie fleece blankets to share with those in need of a warm, embracing hug. So plan to join us and be assured you’ll go home with a warm, cozy feeling! Just what we all
need on a cold winter day. Help us keep our blanket ministry going, it’s very much appreciated by the receivers.
If you have any questions please contact Barb Shepley at 895-6566.
Children’s Games 1Ticket/Game: Tickets a Quarter or 5 /Dollar
All You Can Eat: $6 Adults/ $4 Children (5-14 yrs. old)
Pancakes and syrup donated by Gary’s Food
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Prayer List The following family and friends are in need of PRAYERS:
Prayers for Healing:
Susan Pisarik (recovering from knee replacement surgery) Jim Whigham (stroke victim - Al and Barb Shepley's nephew) Randall Buttrey (recovering from a stroke) Tina (fighting an infection) Jamie (also prayers for God's guidance) Reese Felderman (little girl battling a rare leukemia) Mike Hines Tom Traynor Stella Pata (recovering from surgery) Dick Peters Marion Lehman Beth Johnson Tiffany Snodgress Rohn Shepley Marsha Light Mike Duroe
Prayers for Loss: The family of Ricky Starr (Heather Niec's father)
Prayers for Comfort and Strength: For people who are dealing with self doubt and worry For all who are mourning the loss of a family member or friend
Prayers for Safety and God's Guidance:
Guidance for Jeff Schmatt as he makes career decisions
Staff Sergeant Thayer Studt and his unit, serving overseas in the US Army
Prayers for Transition: For those in the midst of changing seasons of life. Dustin Clapp (home from incarceration - please pray for him as he transitions back into mainstream life. Also prayers of strength and comfort for his family members as they support him.)
Prayers for Sustenance:
For the people of Sibiu (Romania) who are struggling to clothe and feed their children Prayers for 3 additional children (orphans) that just started attending The Super Kids Day Center. Continued prayers for the 6 chil-
dren who were already attending and the Center as it continues to develop.
Agape Ministry in Cedar Rapids (leader Abraham Boniface)
UMCMV Stephen Ministers and care receivers
UMCMV pastors, staff, lay leader, and committee members
UMCMV Life Group ministry
Mission of Hope in Cedar Rapids, volunteers and attendees Women at the Well United Methodist Church, Pastor Lee Schott, and the women of Iowa Correctional Institute for Women
Prayers for our World:
For the victims (and their families) of the various school shootings this month. For the people in Santa Barbara County, California, where mudslides have claimed lives and homes. The United Methodist Church Unity among all humanity
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Joy:
For Walt Krambeck's amazing recovery Hannah Moss has graduated from basic training. For fresh starts and new beginnings For the hope and love that our Savior provides
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February 2018 Worship Assistants
February 4th at 8:30am (Praise Service) February 4th at 11:00am (Traditional Service)
Parking Lot Door Eric Briesemeister Parking Lot Door Cot Graber
West Door Greeters: Angie Watson West Door Greeters: Kay Graber
Worship Assistants: Baty Family & TBD Worship Assistants: Jody Stewart Family
Coffee Host: Cot & Kay Graber Lector: Cot Graber
Nursery: Emily Davis Nursery: Rosa Moss
Communion: Tessa Baty & Ava Claussen-Tubbs Slide Presenter: Trude Elliott
Slide Presenter: Diane Legore Communion TBD
February 11th at 8:30am (Praise Service) February 11th at 11:00am (Traditional Service)
Parking Lot Door Sandy & Terry Sill Parking Lot Door Jim Wallace
West Door Greeters: Babs Moore West Door Greeters: Dan Hakken
Worship Assistants: Brock & Stacey Barber Worship Assistants: Morrical Family
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