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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, July 1 marks the one year anniversary of our time in ministry together. I thought for this month’s newsletter it might be fun to do an “Oakland UMC Year in Review.” Following are some of the highlights of the last 12 months:
Thank you for participating in the many ministries of our church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. It has been a joy and a blessing to serve as your pastor this past year. It is hard to put into words how thankful I am for all of you. You have shared the love of Christ with me in so many ways. I thank God for all of you and for the good we have been able to do in Jesus’ name. May God continue to bless our time together as we seek to love God with all of our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
And All God’s Children Said, “Amen.” Pastor Karen
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I was preparing a Children’s Message about peace, I came across a Children’s Sermon that talked about why people don’t live peacefully with one another. Being a Children’s Sermon, the reasons given were not too complicated, yet I believe there is a lot of truth in this simplistic explanation. Listed below are the three reasons given as to why people cannot seem to get along: Someone has something and someone else wants it. Someone said something and someone didn’t like it. Someone is different and someone else doesn’t like them. (Found at http://www.sermon4kids.com/war.ml) Certainly disagreements and violence and even wars have erupted because of the above. As Christians, we know that we are called to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Romans 12:18 reads, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all.” And in Ephesians, we are called “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) On Memorial Day Sunday, our closing hymn was Let There Be Peace on Earth. “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” are the first lines of the hymn. It is true. Peace needs to begin with each of us. In Galatians, we learn that peace is a Fruit of the Spirit. May the peace of Jesus Christ dwell within us and may that peace guide and direct our actions in all that we do. Let us continue to pray for peace in our hearts, our homes, our communities, our country, and our world. And all God’s children said, “Amen.” Pastor Karen |
AuthorPastor Kim Dewey Archives
May 2023
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OAKLAND IOWA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
200 N Main St - PO #4, Oakland, IA 51560
Phone: (712) 482-5530 Church email: oaklandumc@oaklandiaumc.org Web site: www.oaklandiaumc.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/oakiamethchurch Church Office Hours: T - F 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pastor: Kim Dewey Email: kim.dewey@iaumc.net Phone: 712-887-0263 Pastor Kim observes Sabbath each Monday. In the case of an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact her by call or text, and she will respond as soon as possible.
All non-emergency calls, texts, and emails will be responded to the next day. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in assisting Pastor Kim with self-care in this way. It is greatly appreciated! Organist: Marilyn Hackett
Lay Leader: Merlin Jones 712-482-3687 Secretary: Martha Isaacson 712-482-5530 Custodian: Trevor & Megan Jefferson |