Faith Notes

"Faith Notes"

                                                                                    November 19, 2009

Dear Faith Family:

 

About three weeks ago, those who were in church received a document asking you to help us brainstorm about our mission here at Altoona Christian Church.  I also sent this document out be e-mail.  There was a cover letter attached to it sharing with you information about looking at the budget as a blueprint for our mission in 2010.  So far we have received information back from two adults and a good number of our youth.  I want to share with you first what was written by Margaret Ludington.   I thanked her for her heartfelt sharing and I hope you find it as helpful in your thinking as I have.  Also, you still have time to share your thoughts.  If you have misplaced you form please let me know and we will get you another copy.  Margaret e-mailed me these thoughts and I share them with her permission…      

To me, the first mission of the Altoona Christian or any other church should be to provide a center for people to corporately worship God. It should be a place where Christ's followers gather and put away the world for a period of time each week to contemplate scripture, to offer praise, to listen to the still small voice and to see each other as part of the body of Christ, not what we are during our daily lives. It should truly be a sanctuary, a place of rest and safety that fits us for the week ahead.

I think the second big mission should be education, teaching the Bible, teaching the history of the Christian faith and the history of the denomination and helping people of all ages to know how much we share with other Christians and other faiths and what makes Disciples unique.

I think the third mission should be to provide support to one another in life's journey — marriage, birth, illness, death, divorce, celebrations.

I think the fourth mission is being a part of our larger community. Like our anthem said, "They will know we are Christians by our love."

If money were no object, I'd tear down the current church building and rebuild it with one that faces the street so it would look outward, not inward. I'd get rid of the seating that places people off to one side or the other instead of seeing the whole picture. I'd make a choir loft and the rest of the front portion of the church truly accessible. I'd design it to be energy efficient and easy to maintain so it would be less of a financial burden.

I have never understood the necessity of stewardship campaigns. I've been giving to the church since my mother tied my offering in the corner of hankie and sent me off to Sunday school. As an adult, I realize that without my contribution there will be no place to go and worship, no place to learn, no place to turn in joy or sorrow and no place to work with others to build a better community. The number of causes and charities that could use my money to do God's work is almost infinite. There is only one that nourishes my spirit and brings me closer to God. I expect to pay for the nourishment that comes from Fareway or Applebee's. How can I not expect to pay for the nourishment I receive from Altoona Christian Church?

 

The following are comments from an unidentified person. 

 

 First… if money was no object I would want us to begin our building or at the very least—finish a sound booth with fully equipped video, sound and light equipment.

 

Second… I think our congregations greatest gifts are our welcoming hospitality, our willingness to give and participate in outreach activities and our dedicated group of adults who are more than willing to work with our children. 

 

Third… The top five things this congregation has done in the past decade are as follows:

1.  Increased the music ministry (bells, quartet and etc. 

2.  Became much more accepting of differences which show how we are more alike.

3.  Supported Caring Hands Ministries.

4.  Started M & M's.

5.  Made organizational changes in church administration.

 

The next comments are from the youth of the church.  Their comments are in relation to what they consider is important about the ministries of this church.

 

·        I like coming to church and growing closer to God.

·        We need to continue growing and learning about God because we never know enough about God so we can live the way God wants us to live.

·        Here is where the Holy Spirit fills our cup giving us joy, love and hope.

·        Let's grow in our faith one step at a time.

·        Here is where we learn God helps us with our problems.

·        M & M's is a fun way to learn about God.

·        We learn here that Jesus loves all children and all adults.

·        Here is where we learn God made everyone equal. 

·        We learn that Jesus wants us to love God because God loves you and cars about you… so please believe God.

·        God gives us life.  Jesus loves the world.

·        Let God grow our faith. 

 

Share in this prayer… Loving God, we know that these dreams and ideas and ideas are only a beginning.  Take this rough, raw material and help us to shape it into a beautiful offering; a brimming cup to quench a world that is thirsting for compassion, justice, peace, and love.  Make us an offering, acceptable to you and gracious to others.  Amen.

 

The last page of the faith notes will be a "Congregational Brainstorming" for your dreams. 

                                     

 

We received the following invite from Dick and Denise Green…

Ray and Wendy Miles will be returning to Iowa for a visit.   We will be having an Open House at our home for them on December 29, 2009, from 4:00-8:00 pm.   Please stop in and stay Hi to Ray and Wendy and have a Christmas goodie on the Green's.     If you need directions to our home, please e-mail us – goos40@aol.com

 

Dick & Denise Green

10704 NW 107^th St.

Granger, Iowa

Phone – 515-999-9017

 

                                     

 

A Message from Bill Spangler-Dunning (Our Transitional Regional Minister)

 

I often say the reason why we as members of the movement we call the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) need to take seriously our ministry together is because the world seems insistent on finding new and insidiously creative ways of dividing up.  We only need to watch the evening news to confirm that our world seems hopelessly fragmented.
 
However, I was recently surprised with the world's ability to create this fragmentation in cyber space.  I should not have been caught off guard but I had thought, maybe hoped, that the virtual world, that allows so many more connections than the geographically limited one, would always be a place to mend some of our divisions.
 
Recently at a youth event in which I was keynoting, I learned that two of the most popular social networking websites (Facebook and My Space) have become just as divided as our real geographic neighborhoods.  How it happened I don't know, but over a very short period of time these two virtual neighborhoods have become divided along race and economic lines.  My Space is for one part of God's creation and Facebook is for another part of God's family.  More importantly these divisions are more acutely affecting our youth.  Perhaps worse they are being trained to know that this fragmentation is normal and not something we as the church should fight against.
 
I was wrong when I asked for every congregation to do one thing with another DOC congregation this year.  Well, not so much wrong, but I only asked for the first part of the mission.  The second part of the challenge is to discover what the divisions are in each of our communities and find a way to bring a little bit of wholeness where we live and worship through the ministries we do together.   I challenge all of us to find purpose in those ministries as if we passionately believe in the vision that Jesus set forth for us --The radical idea that God has created us as one!  I cannot say what will be the next way the world will fragment I just know that it will and I believe the only way to counter it is for us to take seriously our critical role as a movement for wholeness.
 
Your partner in Ministry,
Bill Spangler-Dunning

                                               

 

2009 Financial reports show that the Region is operating in the black.
There was joy over an increase in DMF giving and wonder at how this occurs during an economic down time!   $60,000 has been paid back to the bank on the line of credit!  Two vehicles were purchased and paid for with cash!  (These are replacements for the old camp pick-up, and for the car that Don Hiscox drives throughout the Region.)  Investments are improving as markets are coming back!  The prospect looks good for finishing 2009 on target with the budget.  Thank the Good Lord and the faithful Disciples of the Upper Midwest!  Details of the financial reports are posted on the Region's website.

                                               

 

A Thank you note…

 

Dear Altoona Christian Church Family,
 
     Thank you for all the thoughts, cards, and especially your prayers during my surgery at Mayo Clinic and my week at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.  Also, a special thanks to Pastor Ken for his visit to the hospital in Des Moines.   I lost a total of 37 pounds, so my goal is to reach 100 pounds by Christmas.  I see a lot of Christmas breads and egg nog in the future!
 
Again, I appreciate all the prayers and concerns.  A big thank you to my Church Family!   

 

Carol Sutton

"Week of Compassion"

Prayers for El Salvador Thursday, November 19, 2009

While Tropical Storm Ida made very little noise in the United States, we received word through our partner, the Latin America and Caribbean Office of Global Ministries, of significant damage in several small communities in El Salvador. El Salvador's national government has declared a state of emergency. The official death toll stands at 130 people; many people are still missing. Our partners there, the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod and the Emmanuel Baptist Church, have helped us respond immediately to communities in crisis. The Lutheran Synod reports that families from the devastated Apopa communities, situated along a contaminated river, have lost their homes; many, if not all, of their belongings; and even their animals. We have responded with emergency funds for materials to repair homes, and for providing mattresses, water and food. The Emmanuel Baptist Church reports significant damage in the Verapaz district in San Vicente. They said that at least 486 people (half of which are children) were directly affected by the tragedy in the small town of 8,000. Emergency aid for basic hygiene supplies has been disbursed. We have also responded to the Anémona 2, El Limón, Anémona 6 and El Júpiter communities in the Municipality of San Martin, where more than 28 homes were destroyed, and 224 homes remain at risk. We have responded to requests for temporary housing, food supplies and medicine.   Please continue to keep these communities in your prayers, as they continue their recovery.

                          

 

Prayers, Joys, & Concerns:

 

In our Thoughts and Prayers: Eleanor Miller, Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi, Larry DeMoss' sister, Dee Deitrick, Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost, the Barron family, Irv Barron's sister, Betty Darst, Joe Procyk Sr., Marvin & Juanita Sheets, Alex Champion, Maddie Landwehr, Keaton Pratt, Charlie Mayfield, Wendy Todd's aunt, Mrs. Bristow, Wendy Miles'  father & her brother, Randy Rawson, her godmother, Ruth Carpenter, Doris Wolf, Michele Taylor's niece, Amanda Miles, Les Hill, Sheila Santos' sister,Renita Lewis, Linda Lighthall,  Carol Sutton, Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort, Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson, Carol Nieter's brother, Harvey Taylor, the Shaw family, Barb Geissinger's nephew, Adam, Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family,  Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy, Jim Rose, Anna Hines and her cousin, Dwayne Peterson, Barb Geissinger's cousin Teresa Enfield, Michelle Taylor's friend Gary Hampton whose wife Dianne died this week  and Nancy Gill.

We welcome home Joe Scheib, family friend of Karen Mark after his 2^nd tour of duty in Iraq, he returned home on Wed. Oct. 28^th, Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

 

November Birthdays: Nov. 22^nd Roger Mahnke and Amy Eckert, Nov. 25^th Julie Cronk,

Nov. 26^th Juanita Sheets, Nov. 27^th Aspen Winey, and Nov. 29^th Jolene Eriksen

November Anniversaries: Nov. 23^rd Connie and Larry Ramseyer, Nov. 24^th Brad and Diane Ashby & Chris and Russ Wilkins, and Nov. 29^th Bob and Ruby Thompson

 

Calendar Week of  Nov. 22^nd-29^th 

(Today) Sun. Nov.22^nd – Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School classes - 9:15am All ages welcome. SNL 5-7pm, Holiday Poinsettias orders due today for $10each. Please fill out a form and return it to the church office or call the office to place an order 967-4382.

Mon. Nov. 23^rd- Cub Scouts 4-5:30pm, Christian Education meeting 6pm, Board Meeting 7pm

Tues. Nov. 24^th - T.O.P.S. 8:30-11am Boy Scouts – 6:30-730pm,

Wed. Nov. 25^th – M&M's Puppets and Youth Chime Choir 2-4:30pm, Bell Choir 7pm,

SE Polk Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service 7pm at Altoona United Methodist Church

Thurs. Nov. 26^th – Happy Thanksgiving!!! -

Sun. Nov. 29^th - Morning Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School classes- 9:15am All ages welcome, SNL 4:30-6pm, Hanging of the Greens service 6pm- The youth will have a large role throughout the service, but we're looking for folks to "bring in the greens", light candles, help the little kids with Christmons, bring forward the poinsettias, carry in the nativity, and present the paramounts. If your family would like to volunteer for one of these important task, please let me know at your soonest convenience!

 

Announcements

 

Food Pantry Sunday –December 20^th  - Items needed for Christmas: Macaroni and Cheese, canned sweet potatoes, instant potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, bags of marshmallows, boxes of pie dough mix, cookies, and shampoo.

 

Open House: Jennifer Beckett invites you all to her house for an open house to take a look at the new Scentsy candles, MaryKay, Pampered Chef, and Signature Homestyles by Jodi products on November 30^th at 7:00 pm. Her address is 1408 7^th Ave. SE,   Altoona. Please call her is you have any questions, at 967-2947 or visit with her in the nursery.

 

 

Upcoming events and services at Altoona Christian Church:

 

Fri. Dec. 4^th & Sat. Dec. 5^th Christian Women's Fellowship Pella Trip –

Please meet at the church at 9am. For more information contact Georgia Woodward at 967-5622

Sun. Dec. 13^th - Tentative Annual Congregational Meeting 

Sat. Dec. 20^th - Barb Hulen's Piano Recital 2pm

Sun. Dec. 20^th - Children's Christmas Program, SNL 5pm

Wed. Dec. 24^th – Christmas Eve Services 6pm – Family-oriented service & 10pm – CandleLight & Communion service.

Sunday School- For all ages, classes for pre-school, K thru 2^nd grade, 3^rd thru 5^th grade, 6^th grade thru adults.  Music for all youth begins at 9:00 A.M.  The youth are practicing for the church Christmas music program that will be Dec. 20^th.

 

 

Please Thank…

Russ Wilkins for his work getting the snow fence put up.  This is very important so we don't have snow drifting as badly in our drive-ways when the snow does fly.  Also thank Tim Allen for helping replace some of out light bulbs.  We have a number of other bulbs to replace and we can always use help with this.  I appreciate so much all of you who keep our facilities going from day to day. 

                                     

 

We Congratulate Wendy Todd!!

If you have not heard, our Wendy Todd has been called by Kellogg Christian Church to be their pastor.  Wendy has completed the polity course for the Christian Church Disciples of Christ and soon will complete the requirements to have her ordination recognized by the Christian Church.  We congratulate here and wish blessings on her ministry. 

                                         

 

Hope to see you in Sunday school and church this next Sunday.  It will be a very celebrative time as we share together.  Anna tells me the Thanksgiving Meal following the 10:15 worship service.  The meal will be followed by our traditional auction.  If you have items for the silent auction please call Becky Rosenberger at 967-7568 or bring the item to the church and place it on the "Coffee House" table.

 

The message for this Sunday is "A Habit of Giving Thanks" with the gospel lesson coming from Matthew 6:25-33.  This is the Sunday we bring forth our commitments to support the missions of Altoona Christian Church for 2010.  Please pray for our congregation as we prepare for our service on Sunday morning. 

 

Keep Dancing In the Spirit,

 

Ken

 

Congregational Brainstorming

 

It is well known that very few folks in our congregation have time to take from your busy schedules for another meeting.  Rather then meeting to brainstorm and share your ideas about the mission and ministry of Altoona Christian Church you are ask to take some time to respond to this survey.  After you have completed sharing your thoughts please return it to the church for the finance committee to work with in developing a mission based budget.  This is the budget that will be presented to the Annual Church Meeting. 

 

Please meditate in the words of this prayer prior to your thoughtful work:

 

Gracious, generous God, tap into my heart and mind in these moments.

Draw out my best hopes and brightest plans for the common life and ministry of Altoona Christian Church, for our Southeast Polk community and our world.     

Bless our faith family, so that we might be a blessing to others.  Amen. 

 

·        Based on your mission priorities in relation to God as life-giver and freedom-bringer, if money was not an object, what would you most want us to do as a congregation in 2010 to live out our mission and ministry?    

 

 

 

 

 

·        As a congregation, our greatest gift is…

 

 

 

 

 

 

·        List the top five things this congregation has done in the past decade. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Notes

"Faith Notes"

                                                                                      November 12, 2009

Dear Faith Family:

 

This is the very day God has created—let's celebrate and be festive!

Psalm 118:24

 

This past week an inordinate list of things happened in my life.  My flights to Alabama and back were all ahead of time in take-offs and landings.  The weather was excellent until Tuesday morning when I was leaving Montgomery, Alabama.  That morning the hurricane had moved in but still my flight took off ahead of schedule.  What a blessing. 

 

Over the days I spent time with, almost 11 years old, Keaton, attending all kinds of activities with the Auburn University football team.  I observed him interacting with life and telling each person that things were great.  I watched him hitting golf balls at the driving range.  He was excited that he was hitting better then any time in his life. 

 

I observed him at the end of season party for his football team.  I remember him telling me and others after his first ballgame, "My body is hurting all over from my arthritis grandpa but this was the best day of my life!"

 

I held my new Great-grandson in my two hands… he just about filled them.  I thought to myself, "This must be the most perfectly created baby God has created."  I got to play with his brother and I knew this was the best day of my life. 

 

I celebrated with the family my grandson's 18^th birthday.  I sat back and observed the interaction of family and friends around his table.  What a wonderful day and time.  How blessed I am!   

 

On Monday I headed to the golf course with grandson's Kenneth and Kyle.  It was a beautiful cloudy day with no wind.  We had a great time as Kyle hit the ball straighter then he had ever hit it.  We talked about how much better they were playing golf then ever before.  We also talked about grade cards and both boys shared how they have found out that school and learning can be enjoyable.

 

All the boys and my daughter talked at different times about life and how tenuous it was.  My daughter shared with me that Keaton had taught her that you make the most of each day and know that no matter what happens tomorrow, God will be there and the gift, will be life.  We will walk through stuff and in the end thank God because it has been the best day of our life.

 

I invite you to step back and breathe deeply.  Meditate on these words from Psalm 118…

 

Thank God because he's good,

because his love never quits. 

tell the world, [people of God],

"His love never quits."

And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,

"His love never quits." 

And you who fear God, join in,

"His love never quits." 

 

Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs

in the camp of the saved?

"The hand of God has turned the tide!

The hand of God is raised in victory!

The hand of God has turned the tide!

 

I didn't die, I lived!

And now I'm telling the world what God did.

God tested me, he pushed me hard,

but he didn't hand me over to Death.   

Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates!

I'll walk right through and thank God!

This Temple Gate belongs to God,

so victors can enter and praise. 

 

This is God's work.

We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!

This is the very day God created—

Let's celebrate and be festive!

Oh yes, God—a free and full life.

 

The back-drop to the meditations is the 13 earthly lives that came to an end this past week at Fort Hood.  If we hear God in life, we know each day is a blessing and even in the end of this earthly life we will walk right through and thank God, and we will sing into eternal life knowing God's love endures forever.  Amen. 

                                               

 

SNL (Sunday Night Live) – Sunday, Nov. 22^nd the SNL Youth Group are making tied fleece blankets for Blank's Children's Hospital's patients. If you would like to donate 1- 1 1/2 yards of fleece material (either printed or solid color) the youth group would appreciate it! Please contact Pastor Natalie at 991-2359 or bring to the church and place in basket on the table in the Narthex. I hear Hancock Fabrics has a great sale this month!

 

Thanksgiving Turkeys for Food Pantry folks!!!

We continue to collect money for Thanksgiving Turkeys, any donation will help. If you prefer to purchase a frozen that is fine too. Please place "labeled" frozen turkey in our church's deep freezer.

_____________________________________

 

Sunday School- For all ages, classes for pre-school, K thru 2^nd grade, 3^rd thru 5^th grade, 6^th grade thru adults.  Music for all youth begins at 9:00 A.M.  The youth are practicing for the church Christmas music program that will be Dec. 20^th.

 

 

Dedication for the New Home for Caring Hands Outreach 2pm 201 9^th Street NE Altoona, free parking and shuttle service from Christ the King Lutheran Church to the Food Pantry.  Please join me there for the dedication service and to see our new facility. 

 

  

Prayers, Joys, and Concerns

 

In our Thoughts and Prayers:

Eleanor Miller, Becky & Jay Rosenberger's grandson, Nickolas Cecchi, Larry DeMoss' sister, Dee Deitrick, Carol Genovese's sister, Georgia Kost, the Barron family, Irv Barron's sister, Betty Darst, Joe Procyk Sr., Marvin & Juanita Sheets, Alex Champion, Maddie Landwehr, Keaton Pratt, Charlie Mayfield, Wendy Todd's aunt, Mrs. Bristow, Wendy Miles'  father & her brother, Randy Rawson, her godmother, Ruth Carpenter, Doris Wolf, Michele Taylor's niece, Amanda Miles, Les Hill, Sheila Santos' sister,Renita Lewis, Linda Lighthall,  Carol Sutton, Lonita McLean's cousin's daughter, Karli Bruxboort, Connie Miers' father, Leroy Iverson, Carol Nieter's brother, Harvey Taylor, the Shaw family, Barb Geissinger's nephew, Adam, Davier Jones, Carrolyn Stroud's son's mother-in-law, Janice Beller, Tammie Palazzo and her family,  Jodi Nelson's friend, Cindy, Jim Rose, Barb Geissinger's cousin Teresa Enfield, Michelle Taylor's friend Gary Hampton whose wife Dianne died this week, Paulette Craggs  and Nancy Gill.

We welcome home Joe Scheib, family friend of Karen Mark after his 2^nd tour of duty in Iraq, he returned home on Wed. Oct. 28^th, Rich Webb, Judi Webb's husband, who has been called to active duty, and we continue to remember all others serving our country.

 

November Birthdays: Nov. 15^th Annette Barr, Ben Hitchcock, and Jeanielle Sachs, Nov. Stephanie Hosier, Nov. 17^th Carl Barr, Nov. 18^th Sheila Pinegar Weidner, Nov. 19^th Jeff Zaugg, Mick Waddell, and Nicholas Hood, and Nov. 21^st Doug Casey

November Anniversaries: Nov. 14^th Bob and Ann Kirby and Nov. 18^th Tony and Megan Neff

 

Calendar Week of Nov. 8^th -15^th  

(Today) Sun. Nov. 15^th- Food Pantry Sunday - Donations of the following items are needed for the Thanksgiving Boxes: canned sweet potatoes, instant potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk and bags of marshmallows.  Sharing some extra groceries with hungry people is ever so easy.  

Worship services 8:15am & 10:15am, Sunday School all ages Pre-K through Adult - 9:15am, SNL -5-7pm, 

Dedication for the New Home for Caring Hands Outreach 2pm 201 9^th Street NE Altoona, free parking and shuttle service from Christ the King Lutheran Church to the Food Pantry.

Mon. Nov. 16^th - Cub Scouts 6pm, Outreach Committee mtg. - 6pm

Tues. Nov. 17^th - T.O.P.S. 8:30-11am, Tiger Scouts -6-7pm

Wed. Nov. 18^th – M&M's Puppets and Youth Chime Choir 2-4:30pm, Bell Choir 7pm

Thurs. Nov. 19^th – Tiger Scouts 6-7pm, Mixed Blessings Quartet 6:30pm, Choir 7pm

Sun. Nov. 22^nd- Worship services 8:15 & 10:15am, Sun.  School Classes ages Pre-K through Adult - 9:15am,

SNL– 5-7pm (Sunday Night Live) the SNL Youth Group are making tied fleece blankets for Blank's Children's Hospital's patients. They need donations of 1yd to 1 1/2 yards of fleece material (either printed or solid color).The youth group would greatly appreciate it! Please contact Pastor Natalie at 991-2359 or bring to the church and place in basket on the table in the Narthex.

Holiday Poinsettias order forms are due today Nov. 22^nd for $10. Please fill out a form and return it to the church office or call the office to place an order 967-4382.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Auction- 12pm The annual catered Thanksgiving Dinner will cost is $8.00 Adults and $5.00 Children 10 & under and free for children 2 and under.  Contact Anna with questions or to purchase tickets for the dinner at 967-4232. Auction - Please fill out the form with your auction donation & place it in the offering plate or give it to Becky Rosenberger.

Announcements

Turkeys for the Food Pantry- Turkey donations will be accepted through  November 22^nd  for the Food Pantry or if you'd like to donate a turkey, that's great too, please put the frozen turkey in the church's freezer, and we'll see that it  gets to the Food Pantry. 

 

 

Christian Education meeting and Church Board meeting scheduled for Nov. 23^rd at 6pm and 7pm.

SE Polk Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service- Wed. Nov. 25^th 7pm at Altoona United Methodist Church with Father Fitzgerald officiating. Come and worship together in the spirit of thanksgiving.

Hanging of the Greens Worship Service- Nov. 29^th 6pm- The youth will have a large role throughout the service, but we're looking for folks to "bring in the greens", light candles, help the little kids with Christmons, bring forward the poinsettias, carry in the nativity, and present the paramounts. If your family would like to volunteer for one of these important task, please let me know at your soonest convenience!

 

Christian Women's Fellowship Pella Trip – December 4^th Please meet at the church at 9am. For more information, contact Georgia at 967-5622.

                                     

 

"Week of Compassion"

A Word from the Associate Director

I do my best to take time to reflect when I'm on the road. I've been fortunate over the last few weeks to find myself in a number of places, meeting Disciples from all over the country who are doing their best to live out their call to act with "Courageous Compassion."

• Getting to know Central California Disciples responding to hunger, severe unemployment and underemployment, and "tent cities" set up by people affected by homelessness.

• Chatting about Foods Resource Bank with an ecumenical group of Young Adults interested in issues of climate change and sustainable living.

• Making a couple of trips to the Gulf Coast, asking the big question, "What's Next?" with everyone who dreams of rebuilding not only New Orleans, but the many other communities devastated by disaster here in the U.S.

• Learning from and being inspired by my colleagues from Church World Service.

• And perhaps most importantly, answering emails and phone calls that all boil down to the same question: "How Can We Make a Difference?"

The "Hope, Healing and a Hand" Courageous Compassion Partnership is a great way to get involved. Disciples Volunteering can help you serve in the Gulf Coast; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many other places in severe need of starting over, finding healing, and needing encouragement.  

There are other places, too. All in need of the courage, compassion, and creativity I've seen as I've traveled around, and I'm sure you all see every time you take an extra second looking in the mirror.

Hope to see you out here on the road. If not, feel free to give me a shout.

- Brandon

                                               

 

I hope to see you in church Sunday.  Our religious education program has been very active on Sunday morning.  Children are gathering at 9:00 in the music area of the fellowship hall to practice.  They are singing "We are Very Thankful" this Sunday in the 10:15 worship service.  They are also practicing their Christmas music.  We do need a few more individuals to step forward to assist in our Sunday school classes.  If you are not teaching please attend the adult class with David Peebler as they study in an in-depth way the life of Paul. 

 

During worship you will joy in the singing of our children and the puppet program that will be presented.  

 

The previous two weeks we have explored the stewardship of bread.  The first week folks were invited to imagine what it would look like if a special project of the congregation yielded a hundredfold.  What difference would such a yield make in people's lives?  How would you assess the yield?  How would you celebrate and what would you do next? 

 

Last week you were invited to think about the different ingredients that were involved in making bread.  How does that relate to the ministry we are called to?  That ministry involves large and small ingredients.  Each ingredient is unique just as each one of you is unique.  Each one of you brings something to enhance or change the ministry of this congregation proclaiming its true mission in more than words?  What part will you play? 

 

This week we will be centered on "The Best Supper."  When we gather around the table who is it that is in our presence?  What gifts do you receive from participating in the meal?  If you were called upon to offer the toast or the blessing at this meal, what would you say or do?

 

Again, as you prepare for worship this week meditate on these words… "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."  John 6:35

 

If you have not returned the survey on Congregational Brainstorming please bring it this Sunday with your thoughts.  One in our family has returned it and has shared some very insightful thoughts. 

 

Keep Dancing in the Spirit,

 

Ken