FROM THE PASTOR`S DESK: - Lisbon United Methodist Church

Transcription

FROM THE PASTOR`S DESK: - Lisbon United Methodist Church
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit #2
Lisbon, IA 52253
Lisbon United Methodist Church
200 East Market Street
Lisbon, IA 52253
Address Correction Requested
MAY 2015
From the Lisbon United Methodist Church
Where People Find Hope in the Risen Christ
Website: LISBONIOWAUMC.ORG
Email: [email protected]
Worship Schedule
Sunday School. . . . . . . . 8:30 am
(Ages 2 through adult/ Sept - May)
Sunday Worship . . . . . . 9:45 am
Office Hours
Mon - Fri.
morning hours may vary
Office Phone: 319/455-2000
Church Staff
Pastor . . . . . . . . .. . Tom Mattson
Music Director . .. . Paul Pleasant
Secretary . . . . . . .. Dawn Morgan
Webmaster………. Brad Miller
From The Pastor's Desk:
Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ! It is officially spring and all
around us we see sights of new life. The green grass, that needs to be mowed so quickly, the
budding flower trees and the other trees greening up with new leaves, flowers pushing
through the ground, are all signs of new life. In the air we hear the sounds of the birds singing
and building nests and with each song they remind us of a gracious and caring god who
knows when a sparrow falls. Their songs lift our spirits and call us to sing. I hope that there is
in your heart a song of praise to God. All of nature around us proclaims his presence and we
should join in the proclamation. Jesus said that if the people would not praise Him the rocks
and hills would cry out.
We have just come through the Lenten Season and are in the Easter tide Season. We have
remembered how Jesus willingly suffered the agony of the crucifixion to bring us to god the
Father. He has paid with his blood the penalty for our sins and the sins of the world. He makes
available to us peace with God and the promise of Heaven. Jesus not only died for us but He
rose again for us to show us that there is new life available to each of us. We who were dead
in trespasses and sins have new life. He showed us that there is victory over sin and over
Satan through faith in Him. Christ desires to lead us out of the darkness of our sins into a new
life of victory, joy and peace. Let us receive the message of hope. Let us trust in the promises
of God that the new life of victory, hope and peace are available to us every day. Let us join
with the chorus of nature to proclaim that God is alive and well. Let us ask Christ to enter our
lives afresh today with a renewed sense of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that we
might walk in a deeper walk of faith. Let us ask the Lord to make evident in our lives the new
life inside of our hearts. May the joyous news of the resurrection lift you and give you hope,
joy and peace. God has done His part to reach us and it is now our choice to accept His gift or
not. God Help us to not only accept His gift but to share that gift with others.
Jan and I have enjoyed the birth of our new grandson, Chase, and have been able to spend
some time with him and our daughter and son-in-law. What a wonderful blessing that has
been. The time together seems to go by so quickly. It is amazing to see the changes in him in
just two months. We thank god for the blessing that he has been to his parents and to us.
With the coming of May we see many activities that are coming upon us. There are
graduations to attend and preparations that need to be made as we get ready for the Annual
Conference of the United Methodist Church that will be held the first part of June. There are
many pages of legislation to read and this is a year when we vote for delegates to General and
Jurisdictional conferences that will be held early in 2016. In addition there are plans that need
to be made to celebrate the 175 anniversary of the Lisbon UMC. I look at my summer
schedule and begin to shake my head at all the activities and plans that will require my time
and attention. I am sure that all of you feel those same pressures. I ask you to keep your
church and your church's ministry in your thoughts and prayers. Know that you are in my
thoughts and prayers. There are many who are facing difficult challenges health wise,
emotionally, and in their families. Some are still coping with the loss of loved ones and all need
our prayers. Let us covenant together to pray for and with each other. Let us seek to worship
together and to praise our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christian love
Pastor Tom
Women in Christ Women in Christ met of Friday, April 10, 2015 and there were nine
members present. The meeting opened with prayer, the UMW Purpose and roll call, where
each person told who they would choose if they could have dinner with any athlete or coach
currently playing for or employed by an Iowa team. Fred Hoiburg seemed to be the most
popular. Carolyn Leaton was the hostess. Our mission project for next month will be to
continue to bring food items for SELCC for general use or to be used in the after-school
program. At the last report there were at least 20 children being served. Diane Miller will
explore the needs of the Child Protection Center in Hiawatha, and Nancy Forbes will make
phone calls to Waypoint to see if they have definite needs. Then the group will decide which
group they want to choose to support this year. The UMW treasurer gave a report about the
Soup Luncheon final profits, with $373.00 being added to the treasury. A discussion was held
about the possibility of having some sort of food booth for the RAGBRAI "pass-through" next
July, but no decision was made. We will continue exploring this idea next month. We also
discussed ideas about how the UMW could participate in the 175th Anniversary of the church,
which will come up next August.
Our next meeting will be on Friday, May 8, with Marge Wood as the hostess and Kathy
Jamison as the teacher. The roll call question is: "More than any other, what item do you lack
that has you thinking that perhaps you have fallen well behind the Joneses?"
The business meeting adjourned and Bev Achey led a group discussion of the first chapter in
our new book. It was titled "Wise Up", and we explored the differences between being
"smart" and being "wise". They are not the same.
PLEASE PUT THESE UPCOMING DATES ON YOUR CALENDARS.......
June 20.......City Wide Garage Sales/Food Booth/Bake Sale: NOTE: We are adding
something new this year. We will have our own "church" garage sales and the proceeds will
go to the stained glass window fund or any other church fund you would like your proceeds to
go to.
June 25.......June Invitational- THIS IS NEW: 1:30pm, Thursday afternoon
September 10....UMW East Central District Annual Meeting in Iowa City-St. Mark's Church
November 14.....Vendor Fair-Bake Sale
Contact Wendy Johnson 319-551-1428 if questions.
SCS - We are starting a new study series with Jan as our Leader this month, meeting time
7:00 pm on May 19th with Bobbi bringing dessert and Dawn in charge of snacks and drinks
new comers are always welcome!!! (so are oldsters!)
Thank You!!
What a very nice surprise I had at our Sunday, April 26th church service! I
was surprised by a very nice reading by Kathy Jamison announcing that the United Methodist
Women's 2015 Special Mission Recognition pin and flowers were being awarded to me! Thank
you to all of the Lisbon United Methodist Women for honoring me this year. It is a great
honor and I will wear the pin proudly. Thank you, Barbara Dolan
PRAYER REQUESTS: Here are the friends and family that have been hospitalized or are in
need of prayers:
Nancy Rottman, Nick Brus, Marsha Heims, Mike Haselbusch, Lisa Miller, Diane Miller, Brian Kruse,
Scotty Rose, Wanita Beasmore, Teri Cesserio, Gary Forbes, Lenore Jones, Matthew Mills, Teri
Bagby, Bob Cribbs, Janet Bennet, Carolyn Oler, Bruce Alger, Tracy Schmidt’s Mom, Maxine Havill,
Elizabeth Reichers, Bill Feuss, Mary Viter, Trisha Bagensto, Mary Gunn, Tiffany Coppess, Carole
Frazee, Ed Vanous, David Rottman, Kara Clark, Amanda Meeker, Stella Mae Easker, Lee Rose, Mary
Alice Caraway, Dianne Krebs, Trisha Waltz, Mardelle Kennay, Marsha Heims, Jennifer Mullen, Brad
Thumma, LeRoy Powelka, Colleen Rosberg, Neil Marshall, Tex Clay, Colleen Williams, Pat Sterner,
Eli Eismann, Mildred Sperry, Bob Rottman, Denise Hanna Bennett, Marcia Reiff, Michael Beitling.
The Gradwell’s; The McCloys and the families of Steve Cook, Karen Fordyce, Arlo Whitman, Jerry
Schenk and Mike Curcio.
Congratulation to the High School Graduates from our church family… sorry if we
missed anyone.
Linda Chen
Brock Givens
Seth Hill
Carter Luck
Katie Montgomery
Hannah Woltman
Benton Frey
Danielle Heiken
Ryan Light
Jake Masters
Kendra Schmidt
ATTENTION!!!!! SO FAR OUR CHURCH DIRECTORY CONSISTS OF 22 FAMILIES  
Please send the photo you would like to see in the directory for your family to us digitally or
send or drop by a copy to the church office so we can begin the process. If you would like to
have someone take your family picture, send an email so we can make that arrangement. The
sooner we have this accomplished the sooner we can get started. We have two volunteers
that are willing to help with design and putting the directory together! At this point design
and form are a mystery so if you have input be sure and email the church office. THANKS IN
ADVANCE FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
1
May Anniversary
Roland & Libbie Rottman
2
Shane & Brianna Sizer
3
6
7
Lance & Jennie Zerbe
Brian and Amy Hall
Kasey and Sarah Lange
10
14
Darin and Kate Williams
Brad & Sharee Lind
Kassidy & Ashley Kruse
Acolytes – Second graders through middle schoolers please be sure and volunteer on
the Sunday’s you attend DON”T FORGET TO RING THE BELL!!!!
MAY BIRTHDAYS
1
Gravis Alger
17
2
3
Brian Stoneking
Roxann Alger
18
19
4
Meghan McAndrew
Shea Stamp
20
5
6
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
Roger Dolan
Mitchell McAndrew
Wayne Masters
21
22
23
Jacque Morningstar
Lynnlee Caspers
Dustin Mallie
Grace Mallie
Kelly Jo Anderson
Steve Boyer
Brynnley Fuller
Blake Jamison
John Randall
Bruce Heiken
Kate Mallie
Andrea Cossolotto
Matthew McAndrew
Kyle Stoneking
Lorie Savage
Leila Mayhew
Beth Cubbage
Jacob Parker
Quinn Stamp
24
Austin Kleinmeyer
Jay Pike
Cole Butteris
Sally Weston
Pat Schenk
Cathy Whitman
Alyson Smith
Ralph Jordan
Katelyn McKone
Ava Cossolotto
Mackenzie Speed
Michael Hall
Rick Wiersema
Carolyn Reiling
Derrick Gaiser
27
28
Jean Light
Brandon Pleasant
Tyson Williams
Neil Bieber
Jessica Miller
Caleb Whitman
Fred Griffiths
Michelle Huenecke
Baily Caspers
Rebecca Wiersema
Janet Bennett
30
Dan Boggs
31
Chase Morgan
25
26
175th Anniversary Plans Update
Listed below are planned activities. BUT we still need someone to be in charge of the
BEST BEARD contest it will involve taking pictures of contestants to post on their entry boxes
to be judged by the people attending the celebration. Let Dawn know if you are interested in
helping.
Aug 2nd
A special church service will be held inviting past members and pastors.
We will have an all church potluck afterwards for folks to visit and get reacquainted.
Katie and Megan are going to plan reenactments and open mic memory sharing times. If
you have any letters or other memorabilia to share during this time please let them know.
Deanna McAndrew is helping with the old fashion kid games.
During the early afternoon the pies will be displayed indoors for the public to browse and
choose which pies to bid on during the auction.
Historical documents and pictures will also be displayed in the over flow room.
At 3 pm community concert with the band AIRWAVE is set for August 2nd at 3:00 pm free
popcorn and lemonade will be offered to all. Jackson Street will be blocked off for safety and
access to the church.
Pie Auction at 6:00 PM: The pies will go one display after the potluck on Aug 2nd and
numbers and sign up sheets will be available during the concert with the Auction following
directly after the concert with Auctioneer Ryan Crock. Penny is praying for 75 pies to be
baked to auction off. She is ordering pans to be used for baking the pies so we know how
many we can plan on and no one has to worry about getting their pans back! Any questions
give Penny a call or email!
WEDNESDAY AUGST 5th -We have our second activity in place David Tiball (Chris Wiskus
brother) will be performing a concert on our organ and piano with hymns and their history on
Wednesday evening. Chris and Linda Peiper are also planning a old fashion pot luck for all to
get acquainted and socialize before the event.
FELLOWSHIP – There will be no formal sign up sheets for fellowship during the summer;
but if you would like to provide fellowship time AFTER CHURCH for a special celebration like
birthday or anniversary or just free lance it please join in this great ministry with our village.
Just be sure to announce it during informal minutes time so everyone is aware.
Cleaning Assignments
Please be generous with your time and pick a week or two; find
a friend and split up the tasks per week, remember there is a great sound system you can use
to praise and worship while you clean.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SERVE? HERE’S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY:
NEEDED: SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT thank you to Jill Boyer for the years of
service she has given to the Sunday School Superintendent job and all the work she and her
crew have accomplished to add the 2 Sunday School rooms back into use and the restoration
of the Superintendents office and all the materials that have been sorted through and saved.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL will continue to meet May 3, 10 and 17th we will be in the
Library on the 3rd and 10th.
Remember it is United Methodist Church policy to have Safe Sanctuary Policies and criminal
record checks reviewed on all teachers and helpers in Sunday School and Youth Group
situations.
SAVE THE DATE
MAY 3RD 8:30
SUNDAY SCHOOL END OF YEAR PARTY IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
Sunday, May 31 2-4 pm
Spring Open House at Cherry Ridge (everyone is invited)
Everyone is invited to this event. Enjoy wine and hors d’ouevres during a progressive tour. You can
listen to the sounds of Heart Consort Music. Enter your name in drawings held every 15 minutes!
Sunday, May 31 -2-4 pm
Spring Open House at Cherry Ridge (everyone is invited)
Everyone is invited to this event. Enjoy wine and hors d’ouevres during a progressive tour. You
can listen to the sounds of Heart Consort Music. Enter your name in drawings held every 15
minutes!
July 26 – 30th
VBS “EVEREST” Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power
VOLUNTEERS
May 3
Deena M
May 10
Megan D
May 17
Lisa M
May 24
closed for summer!
Nursery:
Anyone wanting to help volunteer in nursery can contact Lisa Miller at ([email protected])
or call her cell phone (319) 721-8756 remember high schools you can earn silver cord hours if
you volunteer and work
Ushers
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
Budde/Peters
McAndrew/Bock
Reiling/Schmidt
Pleasant/Richardson
Alger/Kruse
Please contact Deena McAndrews at 319 310-3678 to fill in our Ushers Calendar Schedule or
to swap weeks. Thanks!
Do you have a heart for Lisbon school? Would you like to join with other women to pray for
your children, grandchildren, the kids in our school?
Please come to Moms in Prayer, which is a group that meets weekly to pray for our school
kids, teachers and community. We use scripture to guide our prayers, and you are welcome to
come even if praying in a group is out of your comfort zone.
We meet at 6:30pm at the Lisbon United Methodist Church. Please contact Mary Morningstar
with any questions: 319.743.8120 or [email protected].
You may find this is the best 90 minute investment of your week!
For more information about Moms in Prayer International, go to www.momsinprayer.org.
A Pre-Service Fellowship For All
Sundays 9:00-9:40am (Note the new time!)
LUMC Lower Fellowship Hall
Jump start your morning with an informal Fellowship
in a coffeehouse setting! All are welcome!
Come See the New Paint and furniture
Did you know Kathy and Ben Jamison raked and moved gravel from the edges of
the parking lots to fill in holes and muddy spots.
Did you know – Jennie Zerbes has a new full time (paying) job and therefore is no longer
the Church Treasurer, please thank her for volunteering for over 2 years of service at the
church!
Did you know-
Stella Mae has a new pad.. her new address is 6325 Rockwell Dr Apt 101
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 she has kept her cell phone the same.
Did you know –
Did you know that Jim and Kristi Thomson have moved into their new
home in Solon? We wish them well in their new church and home!
Did you know - Our friend Vickie Parker is going on a mission trip to INDIA in July 19 –
August 4!
Did you know - The Non-denominational Youth Group meets on Wednesdays, at Grace Bible
Church on the 1st and 3rd and at Lisbon United Methodist Church on the 2nd and 4th.
Did you know - We have awesome volunteers who give rides to people that need extra
help?
MEDITATION: Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-11
Key memory verse: 1 John 4: 11 “ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another.”
We are living in uncertain times and the days are full of news reports that can cause us to be
fearful and discouraged. We hear all of the bad news from not only our country but places all
around the world. I am mindful of the people in Nepal who have just suffered a terrible
earthquake killing thousands of people and devastating families and buildings. We hear of
violence and demonstrations in the streets of many communities. Terrorism and terrorist
threaten us at home and abroad. There is an unrest that we cannot escape. Those things can
weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. They can cause us to question God and to let fear and
discouragement take control of our lives. I want to share with you the good news. We cannot
bury our heads in the sand and ignore the problems we see around us, but we can look to our
God who is greater than all of our problems. When you boil down all the problems in the
world it comes down to the problem of sin. The sinfulness of man is evident everywhere. But
Romans 5:8 says “But God commended His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.” Romans 5:10 says “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” God
has reached out to us even when we were hurting and grieving Him. He has offered love,
forgiveness, reconciliation, salvation, grace and mercy to us. Jesus calls us to “Not let your
hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.” He promises that He will never leave us or
forsake us. But sometimes we have trouble seeing the evidence of that in the circumstances
around us. He offers us encouragement in and through His word and those feelings of peace
that passes understanding. He tells us that in this world we will have tribulation but to be of
good cheer for He has overcome the world. He gives us many promises that are meant to help
us in and through the days of uncertainty but it is easy to forget them. They are still available
to us through faith in Jesus Christ. If we have been recipients of His love and grace, then we
should seek to show that love and grace to others. If there is one thing that this world needs
now more than anything else, it is love. Our times are riddled with cruelty, hatred, jealousy,
and unrest. How we need to start loving one another. Love is not just warm feelings in your
heart, it is a way of life, an act. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He acted.
He gave us His only Son. For years, after foundling hospitals were established, doctors
wondered why so many babies died without seeming to be ill. These babies, though deserted
from birth, were well fed, clothed and warm. Even those who survived often failed to grow
into mature adults who could give and receive love. Physicians were puzzled with this until
they realized the great importance of love in maintaining life. Only as a child learns that he or
she is loved will they, in turn, be able to care for others. It is God's great love for us that
gives us the ability to love others. It is God's unconditional affection for us that gives us the
security to, in turn, be able to care for others who are also unlovely. If God had not loved us
while we were yet sinners, where could we have learned to love? He offers to place His love in
our hearts as the fruit of the Spirit. That enables us to love as He loves. The certainty of God's
love for us permits us, indeed causes us, to care for others. It follows then, that unless we
love our brothers and sisters, they may never be able to fully understand God's much greater
love.
Prayer: Dear Father, help me to live in your love and to love others as you have loved me.
Keep me close to your love and close to my neighbor. Equip me with your love for my human
love is insufficient. But through your infinite love help me to love. In Jesus' name. Amen
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