Monthly Newsletter - First United Methodist Church

a monthly newsletter from
First United Methodist Church
202 West Main Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158-5893
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Phone (641) 752-3668
MARSHALLTOWN, IA
PERMIT #30
Return Service Requested
“Loving God -- Loving People”
Senior Pastor
Jeff Kodis
October 2016
Associate Pastor
Craig Luttrell
ANNUAL PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY
ALL FAMILIES ARE INVITED
Sunday, October 23
2-4PM
In the Children’s Praise Room
Everything is provided, so come enjoy carving pumpkins together!
Worship Schedule
8:30 am—Adult Sunday School
8:45 am—Adult Sunday School
8:45 am—Children’s Sunday School
9:30 am— Fellowship Time
10:00 am—Worship*
2:00 pm — Zomi Christian Fellowship
*Nursery available
www.fumc-mtown.org
[email protected]
Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday
9:00 am - Noon
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Closed on Monday
FUMC Staff
Senior Pastor: Jeff Kodis x1002
Associate Pastor: Craig Luttrell x1003
Worship Leader: Janet Collison x1016
Organist/Bell Director: Jan Randall
Youth Director: Phil Dickey x 1010
Receptionist: Jo Ruff x1000
Finance Secretary: Dawn Muller x1007
Custodians: Steve Cherveny x1001
Becky Goodell
Please send articles for the November newsletter to Jo Ruff
at [email protected] by October 19th.
Throughout the month of October we will be exploring the different ways we support God’s
work in our local congregation. Whenever we celebrate faith commitments within our church –
whether it is baptisms, new members, confirmation – we all renew our covenant to faithfully
participate in the ministries of the church. Over this next month we will be looking at different
aspects of this commitment each Sunday:
October 2nd – Our Prayers
October 9th – Our Presence
October 16th – Our Gifts
October 23rd – Our Service
October 30th – Our Witness
On the last Sunday of the month, October 30 th, we will be having a Consecration Sunday to celebrate our renewed commitments to God and our Church. There will be a special time of commitment at the end of our worship service, followed by a dinner for the whole church family. We hope you will join us as we renew in our commitments together!
Sunday School by Gina Ruddock
Aaron & Grant Fitz
Todd Eipperle
Scott Vial
Derek Johnson
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES HAVE BEGUN!
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE FUN!
Sunday School started on September 18, as we begin our year-long study called The Story. The
Story will take us through 31 major stories of the Bible in order. The children gather as a large
group for opening, then break up into small groups to learn more at age appropriate levels. We are
very pleased to offer a preschool class this year for ages 3-5. Every age group studies the same
lesson each week, and kids go home with suggestions for families to talk about and share their
learning. Class begins at 8:45.
The topics we will study this month are:
October 2 - Joseph
October 9 - Out of Egypt
October 16 - Ten Commandments
October 23 - Wandering
October 30 - The Battle of Jericho
November 6 - A Few Good Men & Women (Samson & Delilah)
Hand in Hand by Gina Ruddock
This month we decided to show our support for the the Police Department employees. We presented every employee and their families with coupons to enjoy some Ev’s ice cream on us. They were
very appreciative of the invitation. Please keep these public servants in your prayers!
IT’S TIME FOR INGATHERING by Gina Ruddock
It’s Ingathering time once again. Thanksgiving Ingatherings are held all over the country by UM
conferences as a connectional way of giving thanks. The items in the kits are collected and sent to
the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) depot in Baldwin, LA. From there, the kits
are sent all over the world to places of natural disasters, war or conflict. The church has workers
in various parts of the world who are able to define the needs and have a way to make sure the relief gets to the people who are most vulnerable during times of crisis.
Work has already begun on our collection this year, as we focused on school supplies during the
summer when materials are in large supply. During the month of October you will find lists and
notes to select before and after worship service. These items will be assembled into School kits,
Sewing kits, Layette kits and Hygiene kits. Item needed are very specific so be sure to follow directions carefully. All items will be due by Sunday, October 25.
As you assemble a kit or select an item for a kits, please pray for those who might be impacted by
your simple gift. We can also accept gifts of cash to go toward shipping costs. Thank you for
your kindness.
SPRC by Dick Cope
SPRC continues to work all the various documents required for the annual Charge Conference to be held in
late October.
This Month’s Usher / Greeter Teams
Al Brennecke
Sue Cope
Meredith Miller
Dick Cope
Jane Markey
Keith Noack
Phil Dickey
September had been a big month getting back into a daily routine for all of
our students. Students in September kicked off our Wednesday Night youth
activities, served at House of Compassion, had a fantastic Pizza Ranch Fundraiser, and participated in the annual "See You at the Pole" prayer event, and Sunday school started. Our students definitely have a great heart for service in our community.
Momentum Student happenings in October will be epic! Students are always encouraged to invite
friends to all of our happenings.
 Sunday School students are participating in a curriculum called "The Story". Its a great study
going through the Bible.
 Ebenezer's Worship Night is October 19th meet at New Hope Church 6:30-8p.m. Youth Programs from our community will come together for a time of fellowship, and worship.
 Join us for a Halloween Party September 26th! Students are encouraged to dress up in a costume, and come ready to participate in several seasonal games, and much more.
 SEVENTHTIMEDOWN Concert at First Baptist Church starting @ 5:30! "God Is on the
Move" in Marshalltown. Tickets are $10 and the whole family can participate in this event.
Please contact Phil for details.
20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
TRUNK-OR-TREAT CARNIVAL
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
4:30-7PM
HELP NEEDED!
This year we are expanding the Trunk-or-Treat fun with a carnival. We are hoping for a great,
community event with hot dogs, popcorn, cocoa and cider for trick-or-treaters and their families
as they roam from trunk to trunk.
How can you help?? We need:
*Candy, lots of candy
*Trunks! The more the merrier. You can decorate or just come and park and hand
out candy.
*Extra volunteers to help set up and serve.
Look for sign ups in the narthex and come join the fun!
Local & Global Missions by Barb Matya
Monthly Meetings:
Trustees: Tuesday, October 4 at 5:15 pm
SPRC: Thursday October 10 at 5:00 pm
Finance: Tuesday, October 11, at 5:00 pm
TLC: TBD
Our thoughts and prayers go out to:
The Barbara Graves Family.
Dick and Sue Cope in the loss of their
grandson, Connor.
Stonewall Estate Ad Hoc: Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 pm
Missions: No Meeting Planned
Ad Council: Tuesday, November 15, at 5:00 pm
October
Change for Change
goes to
Communion
October 2
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of
God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Thank you to Lori DeSaulniers, Cheri Strunk, Mary Peterson, Tammy Morris and 3 high school
students for helping me with the August soup kitchen. Also, thanks to Marleta Scritchfield, Mary
Peterson, Tammy Morris, Carolyn Stanley and Jo Lynch for helping with our September date.
Friday, October 7, our missionaries Larry and Jane Kies, will be with us in Fellowship Hall for a
presentation about their ministry at Africa University in Zimbabwe. Please join us at 1:00 pm to
learn more about our missionaries and enjoy refreshments.
Thursday, October 13 at 9:30, we will be decorating Christmas stockings in Fellowship Hall for our
Metro Christmas project. You are welcome to join us.
The phrase "the body of Christ " expresses well what we are called to do: to represent in flesh what
Christ is like, especially to those in need. From Our Daily Bread, Philip Yancey
UMW by Edie Hodges




Prayer Time
Thursday Night
(5:15 - 6:15 pm)
Sanctuary
You are invited to join.


HOC Supply Closet
October
Collection
Dish Soap
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thursdays at 10:00 am in the Oasis.
Anyone is welcome to join in.

Exercise Class
8:15 - 9:00 am
Tuesday & Thursday
Fellowship Hall
All you need is an
Insurance Requirement
Please do not sit in the front
row of the balconies.
Oct. 6 – UMW Board Meeting in the Lower Tower Room at 9:30 am
Oct. 7 – CWU Forum Meeting at 9:30 am @ St. Mary’s Catholic Church featuring Jonathon
Hull – The History of Willard’s & Marshalltown.
Oct. 8 – Iowa Conference UMW in Decorah
Oct.21-23 - @ IVCE in Marshalltown. The Mission U offers great studies, programs, fun, devotion, music, great food, etc. This year the Spiritual Growth Studies will be “The Bible and Human Sexuality – Claiming God’s Good Gift”. The Global Studies will be either Latin America
or Climate Change for a participant’s choice. UMW will pay half of the $140 registration fee
for anyone interested in attending. If interested please contact Bev Sloppy or Edie Hodges. If
not full, they may take late registrations.
UMW Board decided that with Pastor’s small group dessert gatherings at their home, we would
cancel the all women event for this fall. Also, instead of the fall time coffee times on Sundays,
we would have a cookie mission of some sort. More info later.
Remember to turn in the small items – canceled stamps, Moola milk 5 cent lids, and old cards.
They can be turned into the office or in a box at the welcome center.
Holiday Stroll at the First United Methodist Church, November 19 from 4:00 pm on, Holiday
cookies and candies will be sold and the Soup Supper 4:30-7:00 pm will be serving. Look for
further information from the Chairs Mary Cowdrey, Susan Yoder, and Val Clark.
Soup Supper and Cookie Walk – November 19, 2016 by Mary Cowdrey
Good food, good fun, and good cookies are coming your way! The FUMC
annual Soup Supper and Cookie Walk will occur on Saturday afternoon and
evening, November 19, 2016. This event will help to kick off the Downtown
Marshalltown Holiday Stroll. Val Clark will be in charge of hundreds of delicious cookies for the Cookie Walk. The Soup Supper co-chairs for this year
are Susan Yoder and Mary Cowdrey. The proceeds of this event go to local and global
missions.
Please mark your calendar and be ready to say “yes” to the many opportunities to serve,
eat, clean up, make cookies, decorate, and have a lot of fun. Invite your friends, neighbors
and family now to enjoy our hospitality and good food. There’s room for everyone!
Finance Report by Kevin Miller
1 Timothy 6:17-19 says “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor
to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides
us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to
be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” I think this
is very relevant now as we will be celebrating Consecration Sunday on October 30th this year. This
passage reminds us that God gave us what we have and we need to give back both financially but
we also should be willing to donate our time. Over the next few weeks as you consider your commitment for the coming year remember this and be generous.
I want to thank you for all you have done in the past, you have always stepped up when we need it
and I know you will continue to step up in the future.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you
abundantly, so that in all things at
all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every
good work.
2916 23 30 -
October Worship Styles
Contemporary Worship with Communion
Contemporary Worship
Traditional Worship
Marketplace Worship
Traditional Worship, Alleluia Ringers, Consecration Sunday
Parking Request
On Sundays, if you are able, please park in
the lot across the street to the east or on the
north side of the building so people who
have difficulty walking can park in our lot.
Thanks for being considerate of others.
Weather Cancellations
To find out if church activities are
cancelled, check
KIX-101 FM
KFJB 1230 AM
KDAO 99.5 FM / 1190 AM
KCCI TV Channel 8
http://www.fumc-mtown.org/
Music Ministry by Janet Collison
Announcement to all Singers!
The Christmas Cantata will be December 11th at 10:00 a.m. and the kick off will be
Wednesday, October 19th at 7:30 p.m.. My hope is to have 40 singers for this 2016 event. If
you would like to get involved and experience this singing event, please join us! I always invite singers from the community to join us for this 6 week project and they really enjoy the
whole thing. So jump in!
On October 19th, you will hear the cantata front to back, receive a book and a rehearsal
CD. The CD is yours to listen to and do some note learning on your own time. Most singers
put it in the car and listen. It's a valuable tool to learn the music and the better you know it,
the more fun it is to sing it.
Normal rehearsal begins at 7:15 p.m. with a couple of anthems that will be presented
on regular Sunday mornings. Cantata rehearsal will start around 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals will be
on Wednesdays with a final rehearsal on Saturday, December 10th at 9:00 a.m. So come and
jump in! Get to know some people and share your talents. Contact Janet at 641-750-4408
with questions.
Prayer Shawl Ministry by Kathy Braga
Just to let you know, we have plenty of shawls available if you or someone else
is needing one or could use one.
We are welcoming new or interested ones to come and find out about helping
make shawls. We meet Thursday mornings at 10 am in the Oasis room at church. Come
check us out. You may also make them at home and donate. Any inquiries may come to
church office or Kathy Braga. Thanks to all who have helped or donated yarn.
Tuesday Bible Studies by Reva Roland
We have started our new study "Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven" by David Jeremiah. This study will continue through November 15th. This study will answer and clarify the
most important questions Christians have about their future eternal home. All women and
men of the community are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. Classes are held at
10am, 1pm, and 5:30pm. If you have any questions please contact Reva Roland at 641-6911335 or [email protected].