Greetings friends,
Not all of Lent is intended for somber self-reflection. Sundays during the season are still joyful reminders of the blessings that are ours through the resurrection. So come join us for our second annual Chicken Delight potluck (20th). Bring your donations for Heifer Project chickens and food dishes containing eggs or chicken; drinks and table settings will be provided. Also, feel free to join Rev. Textor, the children and other adults in our celebrative chicken dance! Then, shed the winter blues by attending a Southwest District Faith Fest service of inspirational singing and witnessing at the Hancock United Methodist Church from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday the 27th. I have room for four adults or five kids in my car. If you’d like a ride, let me know. Don’t leave Mark Martens hanging folks! Check with him right away about serving as a senior high youth counselor either the last three Wednesdays of March or the first three Wednesdays of April. Along with our present personal prayer concerns be sure to include the leaders and citizens of nations presently engaged in violent protest. Also, lift in prayer Christians who are being persecuted in these and other places. Help us show that we care about the community of Oakland by taking part in activities for all age groups on Saturday May 14th. We’ll be serving a meal in honor of our town council and town workers. We also plan to get outside our church doors for some hands-on-community projects. Any ideas? Let me or our Administrative Council Chairperson Barb Schorsch know before our meeting next Thursday. For this Sunday (13th) • Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 • Sermon Title: “Facing Temptation” For Reflection
LOVE & JOY TEXtor
0 Comments
Greetings and salutations! Good news. We have some people who are finally feeling better and willing to give up their place on our prayer list for others! We’re glad that Ilene Parkhill is feeling better and able to continue her chemo treatments. Also, Gloria Gleaves had an epidural this week and we’re hopeful that it will help relieve some of her pain. However we do need to direct our prayers toward the family and friends of those grieving the loss of loved ones. And we need to broaden our horizons and pray ardently for peace. The present turmoil in various countries is a visible sign of this need. Thanks to all of you who donated food or time to assist with the Klindt family funeral luncheon in Carson. This is an excellent example of taking “church” into the community. Be aware that we still need senior high youth group counselors for the last three Wednesdays in March and first three Wednesdays in April. If you can help, contact Mark Martens. Be sure to keep these March activities in mind--Ash Wednesday (9th) with worship at the Carson United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m., our Heifer Project Chicken Delight potluck (20th) and Faith Fest (27th), a service of inspirational singing and witnessing at the Hancock United Methodist Church from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Have you saved Saturday MAY 14th to help our church show their appreciation for our community through activities by our children, youth, and adults? For this Sunday (27th) • Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34 • Sermon Title: Seek Ye First For Reflection 1. To serve God or money – why can’t we do both? 2. How does serving God differ from serving money? 3. Why should we give our primary allegiance to God? 4. How does this passage describe God’s love for us? 5. What does this scripture say about having trouble or bad times? LOVE & JOY TEXtor Hello, everyone. Haven’t the warm days and sunshine been great! But don't start thinking of spring too soon. After all we still have March madness and possible winter storms to get through. Two important activities in MARCH--Ash Wednesday (9th) with worship at the Carson United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. and Faith Fest (27th) at the Hancock United Methodist Church from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (more details on the Faith Fest later). Also, don’t forget to keep Saturday MAY 14th open for Community Appreciation Day activities by our children, youth, and adults. Continue in prayer for our church staff—Sheryl Sindt and Gordon Frizzell. Sheryl is still dealing with bronchitis and Gordon is recovering from a broken leg. Also, Nancy Young is homebound with a nasty cold. Continue in prayer for Gloria Gleaves and others in severe pain, for persons with cancer, and for the family and friends of the young man, Brad Klindt who recently committed suicide. For this Sunday (20th) • Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48 • Sermon Title: Loves True Measure For Reflection
LOVE & JOY TEXtor Greetings friends,
Anyone ready for milder weather? I certainly am! Just a reminder to our committee chairpersons—be sure to get your committee together in the next several weeks. And be sure to consult with me ahead of time concerning possible business items. Continue in prayer for our church staff—Sheryl Sindt and Gordon Frizzell. Sheryl is still dealing with bronchitis and Gordon is recovering from a broken leg. Continue in prayer for those with cancer, those in pain, and those with other physical ailments. Also, be mindful of our shut-ins and nursing home residents. And don’t forget to pray for Bishop Trimble, District Superintendent Brian Milford and the other district superintendents who will be selecting our new pastor. For this Sunday (13th) • Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Ephesians 5:15-18 • Sermon Title: Life-Affirming Choices For Reflection 1. Deuteronomy 30:19 – I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. 2. In this instance what choice is Moses presenting to the people? 3. Do you think the call to choose life is a one-time or on ongoing thing? 4. Is this challenge only for people in Moses' day? 5. In light of Ephesians 5:18 what choice is Paul asking Christ’s followers to make? 6. How does the choice Paul presents apply to us? Oh yes—don’t forget to save Saturday May 14, for a special church event involving all age groups! LOVE & JOY TEXtor Greetings friends, Saturday May 14—circle this date on your calendar and do your best to hold it open for a special church project with activities for all age groups. More details later. Committee chairpersons, if your group has not yet met please let Rev. Textor know when and where your group will meet. If you plan any activities or meeting dates please notify the church office accordingly. This week be sure to pray for service men and women serving here and around the world. Also continue in prayer for those with cancer and other physical ailments. Pray for our secretary Sheryl Sindt who is recovering from bronchitis and for her husband Marion who is recovering from a heart attack. Also, continue in prayer for those who will be choosing a new pastor for our church. . For this Sunday (6th) • Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20 • Sermon Title: Gathered and Scattered For Reflection 1. What uses of salt can you think of? 2. Which sense is most impacted by salt? 3. Why is light useful? 4. Which sense is most impacted by light? 5. Jesus talks about his followers being light and salt people; do you know any people like that? 6. How might you, with God’s help, be a salt or light person? LOVE & JOY TEXtor Greetings, Our worship attendance was down last week because of the snowstorm. But sixteen men and woman made it to our program planning meeting after lunch. We began plans for a very exciting event Saturday May 14. We want as many people as possible to take part; all age groups included. So circle this date on your calendar and do your best to hold it open. You’ll be hearing more details about this in the weeks and months ahead. The Administrative Council met January 20 to begin their work for 2011. The education committee has also met. All other committees need to meet in February to begin their work for the year. Committee chairpersons, please let Rev. Textor know when and where your group will meet. Be sure to continue in prayer for the Darlene Frizzell and Mark Strong families and others who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Also include Ilene Parkhill (should be able to resume chemo treatments soon), Edith Haines (chemo treatments), Lonnie Smith (lung cancer), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Gene Gleaves (recovering from knee replacement surgery), and Dorothy Brandes’ daughter Shari (in Emmanuel Hospital with intense back pain), and Dorothy Brandes’ grandson Richie (back brace). And don’t forget to pray for those who will be choosing the new pastor for this church. For this Sunday (30th)
For Reflection
LOVE & JOY TEXtor Hello again,
Last Sunday we took our special offering for the kid’s school milk program. You can still contribute this coming Sunday. Also, the children sang for us, first the younger ones and then the older ones. That’s always a special treat! Tonight (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. is our first Administrative Council meeting for 2011. This SUNDAY is our annual program planning event. If you are on the church officer’s/leaders list, please plan to attend. We’ll serve a catered lunch (free will offering) sometime between 11:30 and noon. After lunch we’ll gather in a large group to review our church goals for 2011 so that each committee can begin deciding, with the tasks they are responsible for, how their group can help us reach these goals. Also, as a large group we’ll brainstorm ways in which we can extend our ministries into the community. Finally, each committee will meet to organize their work for the year. Dismissal time is 3:00 p.m. This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (hoping to resume chemo treatments soon), Edith Haines (chemo treatments), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Dorothy Brandes’ daughter Sheri (critical condition with crushed vertebrae), Dorothy Brandes’ grandson Richie (back brace), and Wanda Seydel (Shirley’s preacher friend confined to bed until further notice). For this Sunday (23rd)
For Reflection
LOVE & JOY TEXtor Greetings friends,
Our service of baptismal renewal Sunday was very meaningful. Sorry if weather or other concerns kept you away. By now you’ve received word that I will be retiring as of June 30. That will mean changes for you and for me. Right now my intention is to move to Southeast Iowa. When I know more I’ll let you know. Also, your Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee is working with the District Superintendent, Brian Milford, to make way for a new pastor. When they know more, they’ll let you know! This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (out of hospital, will have port put in place, hopes to resume chemo soon), Gordon Frizzell (broken bone in leg), Jim Johnson (hospitalized in Jenny Ed for gall bladder removal), Mark Martens (slow progress with migraine headaches and back problems), Wanda Seydel (Shirley’s preacher friend confined to bed until further notice), Roma Smith family (her funeral is this week), and victims of recent shootings (Millard, Nebraska and Tucson, Arizona). Check the newsletter--if you are on the church officer list be sure to save Sunday, January 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual program planning event. This is a chance to touch base with your work committee and determine how your group can support our 2011 church goals. Also, be thinking—how can we extend our ministries into the community? The lunch will be catered. Members of the Administrative council, you will begin your regular monthly meetings Thursday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. For this Sunday (16th) • Scripture: John 1:29-42 • Sermon Title: Take This Name and Live It For Reflection 1. What do you think John meant when he called Jesus the Lamb of God? 2. What other titles are given Jesus in this scripture passage? 3. How did Peter come to know Jesus? 4. Have you ever had an “Andrew” introduce you to Jesus? 5. Have you ever been an “Andrew” for someone else? 6. In what ways can you live out the name Christian? LOVE & JOY TEXtor Greetings all, Hope you can be on hand this Sunday for our ritual of baptismal renewal—and a special announcement! This week our specific prayer concerns include Ilene Parkhill (back in the hospital), Doc Blanchard (heart attack), Mark Martens (back problems), and Gene Gleaves (replacement surgery). If you are on the church officer list be sure to save Sunday, January 23 from noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual program planning event. This is a chance to touch base with your work committee and determine how your group can support our 2011 church goals. Also, be thinking—how can we extend our ministries into the community? The lunch will be catered. Members of the Administrative council, you will begin your regular monthly meetings Thursday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. For this Sunday (9th)
For Reflection
LOVE & JOY TEXtor Happy New Year! What a blessing to be able to have our Christmas Eve service; we weren’t so fortunate last year! What an inspiration to see people gathered in a circle in the darkened sanctuary with lit candles, singing carols in remembrance of that very special awesome “Silent Night” of long ago. Thanks to Veva Larson and the choir, Marilyn Hackett, Jim Johnson, and the confirmation youth for their part in the service. This week I invite you to pray for the men and women serving in the Armed Services, Ilene Parkhill who at last report was still in the hospital with pneumonia, Mark Martens who is experiencing serious back problems, the Rilma Hummel family for her loss, and Richard Shanno who is finally home after a week in the hospital with breathing problems. Children’s Sunday School will continue to meet at 9:00 a.m. In January and February the adult class will meet with Merlin Jones and the confirmation youth with Rev. Textor after worship. Are you on the church officer’s list? If so, reserve from noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday January 23 for our special program planning session. For this Sunday (2nd) • Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 • Sermon Title: Journey in Expectation For Reflection 1. Why did the wise men take their long journey? 2. Why did they stop in Jerusalem and consult Herod? 3. How did the Jewish “experts” react to the information they found out about Bethlehem being the birthplace of the Messiah? 4. Can indifference lead us to take our faith for granted? 5. Did the wise men, who were Gentiles, find what they were looking for? 6. This Sunday is Communion Sunday. How might you approach this Sacrament in expectation? LOVE & JOY TEXtor Ilene is now out of the hospital and staying at her son's house due to flu at her daughter's. Sheryl |
Archives
June 2011
Categories
All
|